The central borough claimed the comedy crown in a new study by Barratt London, which ranked it top for comedy club quality, glowing five-star reviews, and rising audience demand.
The study analysed comedy venues across London’s 12 inner boroughs, using Google reviews, total five-star ratings, and monthly search figures to create a weighted ranking.
Additional factors such as audience sentiment and community feedback were included to determine which boroughs were truly making the capital laugh.
A weighted rank (out of 100) was given to each borough.
Westminster led the way with a score of 98, supported by more than 29,000 five-star reviews and nearly 22,000 monthly searches for comedy clubs.
With iconic venues like The Comedy Store and Soho Theatre, Westminster offers a mix of rising talent and household names in an area steeped in entertainment history.
It’s also the birthplace of comedy icons Noel Fielding, Matt Lucas, and Jack Whitehall.
Camden placed second with a score of 97, earning high marks for its blend of intimate clubs, emerging talent, and strong audience feedback.
The borough recorded more than 12,000 five-star reviews and 27,000 monthly searches, with 34 per cent of those surveyed naming it as the best place for comedy in a Barratt London poll.
Hammersmith and Fulham claimed third spot with a score of 96.
Home to the iconic Eventim Apollo – which has hosted comedy legends from Billy Connolly to James Acaster – the borough scored a review sentiment of 93 per cent and offers fans both major venues and pub gigs.
Hackney and Tower Hamlets rounded out the top five, proving that comedy demand is strong on both sides of the river.
Although Westminster topped the overall ranking, Hackney led in terms of monthly search volume, with more than 71,000 comedy-related searches.
Greenwich followed with 68,590 searches, while Tower Hamlets and Islington recorded 45,370 and 44,230 respectively.
Comedy isn’t just a night out in familiar hotspots anymore – audience demand in Hackney and Greenwich suggests a growing appetite for east and south east London’s local scenes.
These areas offer a mix of community pubs, small theatres, and experimental performers, ideal for residents wanting entertainment closer to home.
The growing popularity of comedy is part of a wider shift in how people spend their evenings.
A Ticketmaster report found that comedy events have risen 34 per cent over the past decade.
Nearly one in five Britons now choose stand-up for date night, marking a move towards interactive, laughter-filled experiences over more traditional outings.
Barratt London said: “London’s comedy scene reflects what we love most about the capital, every borough has its own unique sense of humour, creativity, and community spirit.
“From iconic stages to hidden basement gigs, our research celebrates the people and places that make the city such a joy to live in.”
