The Top Secret Comedy Club
BEST FOR
Ages 0-18
ENTRY
from £1
WHERE
London
What it’s like
Stand-up comedy shows where under 18s can go along, as long as a parent's with them.
This is a proper comedy club, not a kids' venue with a comedy theme, and that's worth being clear-eyed about. Under 18s are allowed in, but only accompanied by a parent, and the site itself says under 15s aren't advised to come given the language and content on stage. So this is really one for older teenagers with a parent who fancies a night of stand-up together, not a family afternoon out.
There are two venues, Drury Lane and Kingsway, both running multiple shows most nights. Saturday afternoon has a show from £1, which is about as cheap as comedy gets, while a Friday late show will set you back £20. Sunday keeps it simple with shows at 5pm and 7.30pm. Seating isn't allocated anywhere, so if you're coming as a group and want to sit together, you're looking at turning up a good half hour early. Turn up late and you'll likely be split into single seats dotted around the room.
Booking ahead is essential, the shows sell out regularly, and there's no food served on site, though you're welcome to bring in takeaway from the restaurants nearby. The bar does pints from £4 and wine from £4.50. Wheelchair access is at the Kingsway venue and the Drury Lane ground floor, so worth picking the right one if that matters to you.
Some shows ask for a donation to the comedians afterwards rather than charging upfront, which is a nice way of doing it, though it does mean the £1 ticket isn't quite the whole story. Given the sell-out reputation and unallocated seats, this suits parents who like planning ahead rather than winging it on the night.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Teenagers with a parent; under 15s aren't advised to attend
- Booking
- Book in advance (shows sell out)
- Food
- Bar with pints from £4, wine from £4.50, spirits + mixer from £5
- Wheelchairs
- Accessible at 23 Kingsway venue and ground floor at 170 Drury Lane
- Getting there by bus or train
- 5 min walk Holborn, 7 min Covent Garden/Temple, 11 min Charing Cross
- Under 15s aren't advised to attend due to explicit language and content
- A membership card costs £20 at the desk, or donate £12 or more at a donation show to get one
- No allocated seating anywhere, so arrive early if you want to sit as a group
- Two venues, Drury Lane and Kingsway, with different accessible entrances
Plan your visit
Is this suitable for young children?
Not really. Under 18s can attend but only with a parent, and the venue itself advises against under 15s coming because of the explicit language and humour in the shows.
How much are tickets?
Saturday afternoon shows start from £1, Friday late shows are £20. Some shows ask for a donation to the comedians at the end instead of an upfront price.
Do we need to book ahead?
Yes, shows sell out regularly so booking in advance is essential. If a show's sold out, you can join a digital queue at the venue that opens an hour before the show starts, in case seats free up.
Can we sit together as a group?
Seating isn't allocated, so groups should arrive at least 30 minutes early to sit together. Arrive late and you may end up split across single seats.
Is there food?
Food is served at the venue, but there are plenty of places nearby and you can bring takeaway in with you. The bar has pints from £4 and wine from £4.50.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
The Kingsway venue has disabled access, as does the ground floor at the Drury Lane venue. Worth booking for the venue that suits your access needs.
What if we're running late?
You can still get in once the show's started if there are seats free, but you'll probably end up sitting apart rather than together. For sold-out shows, unclaimed tickets get resold about 15 minutes in.
Do you take stag or hen parties?
Stag and hen parties aren't accepted.
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