SeasonalSydenham£12-15Fine alone
The Poodle Club
Karen and Darren have run it since 2016 and know their regulars, the bills platform acts you will not find clustered elsewhere, and the free members list gets invites to secret shows.
What it is
An owner-run comedy club in Sydenham, decorated floor to ceiling with poodle ornaments, booking circuit-level stand-up and tour previews into a small purpose-built theatre bar.
When
Weekly in season, Fridays and Saturdays, with specials through the summer. Dates on their site.
Where
Sydenham
Who it's for
South east London comedy fans who would rather see a headliner from six rows back than from the balcony of a chain club. Deliberately queer-friendly bills.
First time
£12 advance, £15 on the door, doors 7pm for an 8pm show. Note the summer pause: regular weekend shows restart in September, with specials in between.