Regular comedy nights in Melbourne

Tucked away in the CBD, Spleen Bar is a Melbourne institution. One of the city’s most popular comedy venues, expect a stand-up act every Monday. The self-professed dive bar hosts both established performers to up-and-coming talent and has seen comedians such as Will Anderson, Arj Barker, Charlie Pickering, and Fiona O’Loughlin all grace the stage.

Did all that laughing leave you peckish? Don’t miss out on feasting on Spleen Bar’s diner-inspired food and drinks, such as hot wings, hot dogs, chilli fries and cheeseburgers, and wash it all down with hilariously-named cocktails like a Spleena Colada. 

Basement Comedy Club is the place to go to see comedy stars regularly on any given weekend in Melbourne. In the past, the New York-style comedy club has hosted the likes of Wil Anderson, Dave Hughes, Kitty Flanagan, Judith Lucy, Jimeoin, Stephen K Amos, Arj Barker and Ronny Chieng.

Every Friday and Saturday night, head down to Morris House's basement for a drink and a chuckle with tickets costing $22. With a residency every Tuesday, you can also catch Arj Barker with all-new material on a weekly basis.

Keep an eye on the Basement Comedy Club Facebook page for all the news on the latest shows and upcoming line-ups. To book tickets visit the Melbourne Comedy website.

When: Tuesdays

George Gerswhin once said, “Life is a lot like jazz. It's best when you improvise.” Lido Cinema improvised and turned its jazz room into a comedy room. You might not have been previously aware that cinemas have jazz rooms. Most don’t, but this one does, and it sure works for stand-up. The small soundproof room makes Lido the best intimate comedy night in Melbourne at the moment, and seeing comedy in a cinema means you can enjoy the show with wine, beer and tapas-style food from the candy bar. 

When: Mondays

Local Laughs is the best comedy room on the southside, hands down. It takes place at the Local Taphouse – a European-inspired neighbourhood tavern specialising in craft beer and great food. It almost sounds too good to host stand-up, but it works perfectly. We’d argue this is the most handsome and cosiest room on the scene. Sometimes punters stay sitting around long after the show has ended.

When: Tuesdays

This comedy night takes place in the Catfish’s upper band room and hosts some of the best headliners and up-and-coming acts from Australia. It’s always a flaming line-up, having seen its fair share of international drop-ins over the years.

Past guests include Hannibal Burress, Hannah Gadsby, Wil Anderson, Celia Pacquola, Dave Hughes, Kyle Kinane, Aunty Donna & so many more

Be sure to grab a Philly cheesesteak from Sparrow's while there! 

When: Thursdays

This room wins best courtyard comedy. In the colder months, the Rochey's regular Thursday night gigs take place in the quaint, moodily lit room upstairs at the Rochester Hotel, but come summer, the comedy is moved to the outdoor courtyard. Comedians have been known to smoke on stage… Smoking kills, but so do these sets. This is a great option for those living in the inner north who can’t quite be bothered going into the city. 

When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday

South Melbourne’s the Rubber Chicken is much more of a pub than a comedy club – but you can expect your meal served with a side of laughs. Home to some of the best Caribbean-Aussie fusion cuisine within the city limits, you’ll come for the food, but stay for the comedy. You’ll find regular acts from Thursday through to Saturday, with most tickets around the $30 mark. Expect experienced comedians – this isn’t your open night amateur hour type of place.

When: Thursday, Friday and Saturdays

There’s a thin line between comedy and tragedy, so we suppose it makes sense that a shiny purpose-built comedy theatre popped up in Melbourne in 2020. Comedy Republic is a space created by comedians, for comedians and made out of comedians (we jest, as far as we know anyway). The venue has three regular comedy nights weekly, with shows Thursday through Saturday. The venue also hosts additional comedy gigs and events outside of its regular weekly shows.

When: Friday 

Have a love for improv? For more than a decade, the Big Hoo-Haa has been delighting Melbourne with its weekly improv comedy night, which these days takes place at the Butterfly Club. Improv is of course a high-risk, high-reward game where luck and the zeitgeist of the audience on the night can determine the comedians' success or failure. The Big Hoo-Haa has two teams, the Hearts and the Bones, who battle it out for the ultimate improv crown every Friday at 8pm.

When: Friday

After years of Melbourne crying out for a decent Friday night gig, Comedy at the Coopers Inn answered our prayers (or agnostic demands). It's not the only excellent Friday night show in the city anymore, but with different line-ups every week showcasing the best stand-ups from Melbourne, interstate and abroad, it's still a damn good way to kick off your weekend. It’s worth keeping an eye on the room’s Facebook page too as they often offer sneaky promo codes for those who want to book ahead.