An hour’s CrossCountry train journey away from Edinburgh, the home of the world’s largest performing arts festival and where many comedians get their big break, is Glasgow – arguably, the place better equipped to make you laugh. In a 2026 Comic Relief poll, Glasgow was crowned the funniest city in Scotland, and with legendary alumni like Sir Billy Connolly and Kevin Bridges, it’s easy to see why. Join CrossCountry as we explore all the must-visit comedy clubs in Glasgow.
If you’d like to get to Glasgow Central, it’s easy to do it by train. CrossCountry runs services to Glasgow from Edinburgh Waverley, stopping at Haymarket and Motherwell.
The Stand
The Stand is a hit all over the UK and, with venues in Edinburgh and Glasgow, there’s plenty of opportunity to enjoy a proper belly laugh in Scotland. When The Stand was established in 1995, it focused primarily on local acts. Today, the venue hosts major touring names alongside locals hoping for a big break.
In Glasgow, there is near-constant comedy happening at The Stand. Pay a visit to one of their weekly shows for guaranteed giggles from both big names and soon-to-be big names. You can also enjoy regular improv comedy shows and new material nights.
You can reach The Stand in fifteen minutes by subway from Glasgow Central; just walk five minutes to St Enoch and catch the service to Kelvinbridge. It’s a two-minute walk from there.
Glee Club
Originally founded in Birmingham in 1994, the multi-award-winning Glee Club is loved by comedians and fans alike. The likes of Jimmy Carr, Kevin Bridges, Michael McIntyre, Lee Evans, and Russell Howard have all graced a Glee stage.
Glee Club Glasgow brings some of the country’s best comedians to its 350-seat venue in the city centre. With a menu of delicious food and a great choice of drinks, it’s become one of the most popular comedy clubs in Glasgow.
Beyond comedy, Glee Club is also home to some of the UK's best drag and cabaret shows, with iconic performers taking to the stage, including Baga Chipz and Lawrence Chaney, winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.
Glee Club is a ten-minute walk from Glasgow Central. Alternatively, you can catch a bus to Hope Street, and it’s a two-minute walk from there.
Blackfriars Comedy Club
You can find Blackfriars of Bell Street in Merchant City, one of Glasgow’s oldest districts and home to many amazing hidden gems. At this lively pub, you can tuck into everything from lasagne pizza to buttermilk-fried pickles, wash it down with a can of Ting, and enjoy some next-level comedy in the basement event space – a night as unique as it is unforgettable!
Blackfriars of Bell Street is home to a rolodex of great comedy. Rap battles, comedy quizzes, improv nights – it all happens here. One of their most popular recurring comedy nights is Just One More Gong, a hilarious evening where up-and-coming comedians must last five minutes on stage without being voted off by the audience.
This iconic pub is a fifteen-minute walk from Glasgow Central.
Glasgow Improv Theatre
If you like stand-up with higher stakes, the Glasgow Improv Theatre (GIT) is an absolute champion of unscripted comedy in Scotland. Founded by a local improviser who trained with the world-famous Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles, GIT brings spontaneous and side-splitting improv to Glasgow. Primarily operating out of The Old Hairdressers on Renfield Lane, their lineup features improv cage matches and hilarious sketch shows inspired by the world around us.
If you’re looking to enjoy an unforgettable comedy night in Glasgow, all you need to do is walk two minutes from Glasgow Central, and you will have arrived at The Old Hairdressers.
Glasgow International Comedy Festival
Each year in spring, the Glasgow International Comedy Festival takes over venues across the city. Since 2002, the festival has hosted hundreds of comedians, including the first solo shows for Kevin Bridges and Susie McCabe. Expect sketch shows, improv performances, podcasts, family-friendly comedy, musical comedy, and live recordings in venues all over the city.
If you’re planning to visit Glasgow around March, your trip will be elevated by timing it with the comedy festival. The best part is many festival performances take place within walking distance of Glasgow Central, including venues such as King's Theatre, The Stand, Blackfriars, and Oran Mor, making it easy to enjoy multiple shows in a single day.
Good Egg Comedy
Good Egg Comedy is a family-run comedy troupe that puts on stellar shows across Glasgow and Edinburgh. Hosting comedy nights in some of the city's best-loved bars and performance spaces, Good Egg believes that a funny night is best achieved in a friendly space.
Good Egg Comedy has a couple of unmissable shows and events in Glasgow. Head to Gael & Grain, an intimate pub space with proper Scottish fare, for their fantastic regular comedy nights. Their comedy walking tour is also a real hidden gem activity in Glasgow. Starting at the traffic cone on top of the Duke of Wellington statue, a local stand-up comedian will serve as your guide, regaling you with the city's history and quirky secrets.
If you’re planning to see stand-up comedy in Glasgow, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
Info
At the time of publishing, all information given is correct. Details of events, businesses, and locations included may be subject to change by third parties. Please make sure to check any details with organisers before you travel.
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