Comedy venue Canal Café Theatre, in Little Venice, and the Union Chapel, in Islington, are shortlisted for the annual Muddy Awards, celebrating the best from each “Muddy county” in everything from cinema to museums, schools and sport.
Winners from each region will then compete for the national title.
The awards are organised by Muddy Stilletos, a website focusing on lifestyle and culture.
Voting for the regional finals closes at 1pm on April 15.
Canal Café Theatre, which has hosted some of the biggest names in comedy, faces competition from the Bromley Little Theatre, the Leighton House Museum, the OSO Arts Centre and fellow north London contender Union Chapel for the title of best arts, culture, or theatre venue.
With a capacity of just 60 seats, Canal Café Theatre has provided a platform for comedians like the League of Gentlemen, Miranda Hart, Eddie Izzard, The Mighty Boosh, Catherine Tate, and Dara O’Briain, among others.
One standout moment in its history was the 2002 in-house production of Lucky Stiff, the only fringe theatre production to be nominated in the Whatsonstage Awards for Best Musical Revival in a category alongside West End juggernauts like Kiss Me Kate and My Fair Lady.
Apart from its contributions to the theatre and comedy sector, the theatre is home to the Guinness World Record-Breaking NewsRevue, and runs a packed programme of theatre and comedy.
Perched on the edge of Regent’s Canal, the theatre, which started in the 1970s, sits above the Bridge House Pub, ideal for pre- and post-show refreshments.
Islington’s Union Chapel, also shortlisted, is not just a venue but a working church, an architectural treasure, and a refuge for the homeless.
The profits from the Union Chapel’s bars and venue hire are ploughed back into the chapel’s conservation, and for more than 30 years, it has been home to hundreds of events weekly.
Time Out readers have named it London’s Favourite Venue three times because of its “pews, amazing acoustics, sublime Victorian Gothic architecture, and great gigs”.
The Union Chapel believes in providing affordable, high-quality arts experiences for people from all walks of life, and an innovative, entertaining, and educational approach to arts.
At present, both the Canal Café Theatre and the Union Chapel stand a chance to not only bag the regional award but also compete on the national stage for the ‘Best of the Best’ National Muddy Awards title.
The Muddy Awards 2025 finalists were decided after thousands of nominations were counted.
The organisers stated: “Thank you for taking the time to support your awesome local businesses.
“The response, as always, has been incredible.
“We wish every brilliant business nominated could make it through, but there can only be five finalists in each category, and now the Muddy readers will vote for who should win the coveted London award.”
To boost your favourite nominees’ chances of winning, remember to submit your votes before 1pm on April 15.
The winners will be unveiled the following week.
