Comedy
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Step Inside: The Comedy Store
Everything you need to know about London's most influential comedy club
The Comedy Store History
In 1978, stand-up comic and entrepreneur Don Ward embarked on an exploratory mission to the States and found himself immersed in the cutting edge comedy scenes of Los Angeles and New York. Inspired by the blend of observational and anti-establishment humour – a far cry from the staid fare being served on the UK comedy circuit – Ward decided to open his own club when he returned home.
The first iteration of The Comedy Store opened its doors on 19 May 1979, in the Gargoyle Night Club on Soho’s Dean Street. Ward knew that he wanted to use the venue to spotlight new comics, particularly those itching to take a satirical stab at the Thatcherite government, but finding comics with enough of an edge proved challenging. In a bid to recruit fresh talent, Ward ran ads in a number of papers appealing to anyone “trapped in a boring 9 to 5 job… who wants to become a comedy star.” To the surprise of all involved, 150 hopefuls responded, including Alexei Sayle, who would go on to host The Comedy Store’s shows for the next three years. Ward realised that he’d stumbled onto a winning formula and turned the audition process into the venue’s first shows, using a gong to signal when a comic’s set had run its course (the gong was also used to silence anyone who used the platform to advance bigotry). These shows proved immensely popular, and they produced a number of comics who would go on to become some of the biggest stars in comedy.
New Locations
The lease on the Gargoyle expired at the end of 1982. Lacking the financial resources to purchases the club, and unable to convince bank managers that a business founded on jokes could be profitable, Ward was forced to hunt for a new venue. The search led him to Subway, a nightclub in Leicester Square which had just had its license revoked due to a number of “misdemeanours.” Ward set up shop in the venue while Subway’s proprietors attempted to appeal the decision, but when the revocation was upheld he applied for – and was granted – a license to establish a permanent, comedy-only club. Subway would become The Comedy Store’s home for the next half a decade, a period nostalgically referred to as “the formative years.” During this time a number of new show formats were launched, including an improv night created on the suggestion of Mike Myers and a pre-Have I Got News For You topical show (starring Paul Merton, naturally) devoted to skewering the political goings on of the day. It was also during this time that The Comedy Store began to attract talent from across the pond, with a string of American stars including Ruby Wax, Bill Hicks and Robin Williams all making the pilgrimage to deliver sets. There was plenty of homegrown talent kicking about too, with the likes of Harry Enfield, Jo Brand, Lee Evans, Steve Coogan and Eddie Izzard all honing their craft on The Comedy Store’s stage.
Inevitably, The Comedy Store’s success eventually outgrew the physical confines of the venue, with most shows selling out immediately and punters routinely turned away on the door. In 1992 Ward began looking for a larger space, and within a year The Comedy Store had moved just down the road into a basement venue – double the size of Subway – in Haymarket House, where it remains to this day. While the scale of the franchise has grown exponentially (Ward has also opened clubs Manchester and Bournemouth), its spirit remains undiluted: on the last Monday of every month, The Comedy Store hosts a notoriously brutal open mic night, named “King Gong” in honour of the shows that started it all.
How to Get to The Comedy Store
Public Transport
Public transport offers the easiest, cheapest way to get to The Comedy Store. The club is in the heart of London’s West End, and is accessible by both tube and bus. The nearest tube stops are Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly & Bakerloo lines) – which is about a five-minute walk from the venue – and Leicester Square (Piccadilly & Northern lines) – which is roughly a three-minute walk. From either station, head toward Coventry Street and then onto Oxendon Street, where the venue sits just off Coventry Street.
There are a number of bus routes that stop within a short stroll of the club – including routes along Regent Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, Piccadilly, Haymarket and Coventry Street – giving you plenty of options within central London.
Parking and Taxi Options
Although driving to The Comedy Store isn’t generally recommended (vehicles in central London are subject to both congestion and ULEZ charges), there are a number of parking options near the venue. These include Q-Park Leicester Square, NCP Brewers Street, and on-street parking on Oxendon Street. These options can be expensive, and they tend to fill quickly during peak times. Taxis and ride-share services are easily accessible in the area, but expect prices to surge when it’s busy.
Capacity and Accessibility
The Comedy Store seats 400 people, making it one of the largest comedy clubs in the UK. The venue is completely accessible, with a stairlift for those with reduced mobility. The stairlift is unable to support wheelchairs, however, which means that customers must be able to transfer in and out of their wheelchair. Once at basement level all amenities – including the bar and toilets – are on a single level.
Food and Drink
The Comedy Store has its own bar and diner, and guests can order freshly baked pizzas and light bites before the show or during the interval, with food available from opening time until the performance begins and again during the break. The in-house bar is fully stocked with a wide range of drinks, including beers on tap, wines, spirits and plenty of non-alcoholic options.
For those who want to grab a bite before heading to the venue, The Comedy Store is surrounded by one of London’s most vibrant food scenes. Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus are packed with restaurants, cafes and bars, ranging from casual chains to high-end dining and hidden gems, and Chinatown is within walking distance. There is also an abundance of pubs, bars and rooftop lounges in the area.
Quirks and Fun Facts
Don Ward and the rest of The Comedy Store team have collected a lot of memorabilia over the last 45 years, and much of it is on display on the walls of The Comedy Store. Fans of comedy can easily spend half a day checking out photographs, press-cuttings and other bits of comedy history, which include a press-shot of Robin Williams signed with the words “Thanks for the break”.
Both fans and comics routinely sing the praises of The Comedy Store’s unique layout. The seating wraps around the low stage, creating an intimate atmosphere while ensuring that every seat in the house offers a great view.
Find out what’s on at The Comedy Store
