The 15 Shows in London That Earn Their Price

1.London Vintage Bus Tour: Live Comedy Sightseeing Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 217 reviews · from $48Our pick

Join Lord Larksford and Cheeksworth for a 75-minute open-top ride on a 1960s Routemaster. From Trafalgar Square, you’ll see major London sights while live guides deliver historical facts, improv, dark comedy, and theatrical banter. It ends back near the starting point.

“The tour guide was funny without realising it which made the whole tour very worthwhile. He knew his knowledge and engaged with everyone. Great value for money”

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2.Burlesque Cabaret Show in the West End

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 127 reviews · 2 hours · from $40

Spend an early evening with Miss Tempest Rose and The House of Burlesque at QT in Covent Garden. Expect a two-hour cabaret with burlesque divas, queer performance, glamour, comedy, and a show staged in the round. Dress smartly, bring photo ID, and plan dinner afterward.

“uno schifo ci hanno cacciato via e in modo maleducato perche mia nipote non aveva con sé la carta d identità maleducati fino alla fine”

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3.Royal Observatory Planetarium Show Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 89 reviews · from $16

Join a Royal Observatory astronomer inside the 120-seat Peter Harrison Planetarium for a 30-minute show about stars, satellites, or the Solar System. You may see Sky Tonight, Starstruck, We Are Guardians, or Audio Universe. Jess has received special praise, but the day’s program assigns your show automatically.

“Enjoyed the show it is a unique experience of our galaxy, during the talk the woman was informative about our planet’s around us, I would definitely recommend you check this out.”

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4.Forbidden Nights Male Strip Show and After-Party

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 82 reviews · 3 hours · from $33

Head to Infernos Clapham for a lively Forbidden Nights male revue, featured on Britain’s Got Talent. Choose standing or reserved seating, enjoy a cast photo opportunity after the show, then stay for the nightclub after-party until 3:00 AM. Bring valid photo ID.

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5.Live Comedy Show at Big Belly Bar and Comedy Club

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 80 reviews · 2 hours · from $16

Spend two hours at Big Belly Bar and Comedy Club in South Bank with a mixed bill of four to six English-speaking comedians. Expect new material, familiar routines, and the occasional unannounced celebrity comic. Drinks and food are available to buy, and the venue is wheelchair accessible.

“Great comics and set up, good venue to get drinks before, during and after the show and good food options available”

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6.International Stand Up Comedy Show in Covent Garden

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 67 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24

Spend about two hours at Comedy Carnival Covent Garden, where international comedians, TV performers, award winners, and Edinburgh Comedy Award nominees share the bill. Shows run Friday and Saturday at 8:30pm, with doors and happy hour from 7:30pm, plus a late bar until 11pm.

“Note: the show starts at 20h30 and not 19h30. I guess the show is rather for local people than international public.”

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7.London Vintage Bus Tour: Live Comedy Sightseeing Show

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · from $48Top rated

Start at 8 Northumberland Avenue at 2:10 pm for a 75-minute loop aboard a classic open-top Routemaster. Expect live comedy, songs, games, and sightseeing past Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s, Parliament, Tower Bridge, the Shard, and the London Eye. Performers may include Lord Larksworth and Cheeksworth.

“One of the best experiences we've had in London! Quintessential British humour at its best. My 8 year old son loved it. My husband and I laughed the whole time so much so, our cheeks were hurting at the end. And everybody else on the tour sRead more”

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8.Forbidden Nights Show and After Party – Clapham, London

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 23 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $41

You get a three-hour ticketed night at Infernos Clapham, built around the Forbidden Nights male revue. Expect dance, acrobatics, fire-eating, aerial acts, audience interaction, a free cast meet and greet, and entry to the club’s retro disco until 3am.

“pretty low budget production, there’s no management to keep people in their seats so it was hard to see because of all the people standing around”

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9.The Tina Turner Musical & 2-Course Pre-Show Meal

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 17 reviews · from $133

Start with a two-course seasonal meal at Gaucho Covent Garden, then walk five minutes to the Aldwych Theatre for TINA: The Tina Turner Musical. Your package includes Stalls or Dress Circle seating, full menu choice, and electronic tickets. Drinks and transport cost extra.

“Great Dinner! Daniel was a great Server! Great Theatre Experience!”

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10.International Stand Up Comedy Show in Leicester Square

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 17 reviews · from $151

Head to Comedy Carnival Leicester Square for a Saturday night of international stand-up comedy. Expect award-winning comics, TV performers, and Edinburgh Comedy Award nominees in a lively West End club. The show lasts about two hours, with a late bar afterward and mobile entry.

“The venue’s location is near the bustle of Piccadilly Circus. The comedy show was a fun experience for anyone looking to engage in leisure activities like local Londoners.”

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11.Matilda the Musical & 2-Course Pre-Show Meal

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 8 reviews · 5 hours · from $131

Start at Gaucho Covent Garden at 5pm for a two-course meal from the pre-theatre menu, then walk five minutes to the Cambridge Theatre for the 7pm performance of Matilda. An English-speaking host or greeter is available, with seats in the Stalls or Royal Circle.

“Fantastic really great food and fabulous seats! Had a really great day!!”

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12.International Stand Up Comedy Showcase – Show & Dinner (Côte)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · from $84

Start at Côte Brasserie on St Martin’s Lane at 5:30 pm for a three-course French-inspired dinner, then walk to Comedy Carnival Covent Garden for three hours of international stand-up. Past acts include Jack Whitehall, Michael McIntyre, and Flight of the Conchords.

“Was amazing. Great night. The comedians were amazing the Dinner was amazing. The night was fantastic”

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13.Bottomless Brunch Comedy – The Ding Dong Gong Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 6 reviews · 4 hours · from $74

Meet at Big Belly Bar on London’s Southbank for pizza and 90 minutes of bottomless drinks, followed by the Ding Dong Gong Show. New comics get five minutes to win the room before the audience decides their fate. Expect strong language, sexual references, and rough humor.

“funny comedians , host was great. food and drinks were nice. would Deffo go back”

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14.A Night of Theatrics! Cabaret Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 6 reviews · from $39

You’ll spend an evening at The Phoenix Arts Club in London’s West End, watching a changing mix of cabaret, comedy, musical theatre, burlesque, and aerial acts. Friday and Sunday shows open at 8:00pm and begin at 8:30pm. Smart casual dress and valid ID are required.

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15.Boat Show Comedy Club New Material Night

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 5 reviews · 3 hours · from $12Best value

Head to the Boat Show Comedy Club for a mixed bill of rising UK comedians and familiar TV faces. Arrive from 7pm for city views from the floating beer garden, watch the 8pm show from your allocated seat, then stay aboard to dance until 2am.

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