The English language comedy scene is booming in Amsterdam at the moment. There are new professional shows and open mics popping up everywhere. So here is a non-exhaustive list of comedy clubs and shows you can find throughout the week in Amsterdam.
One thing to note is to look out for whether you are going to see an open mic or a comedy shows. There is a crucial difference.
Open mics – these are comedy shows where experienced comedians test out new jokes, and new comedians learn the craft. These can be some of the funniest nights, because new jokes have to start out somewhere. Some of the most world famous jokes will have had humble roots at an open mic comedy night somewhere. So whether you laugh determines whether the joke will every be told again.
Comedy shows – these are where more experienced comedians will perform material that they know will work. These nights are often less raw and much more polished, so you can guarantee that the comedians will be skilled.
Where to Find Comedy in Amsterdam
Boom Chicago
Boom Chicago is probably the most famous comedy club in Amsterdam. While it specialises in improv comedy, they also host many stand up comedy shows throughout the week.
The Boom Chicago improv shows are some of the best you can see in the world. Boom has birthed some incredibly successful comedians including the likes of Seth Myers, Jordan Peele, Amber Ruffin and Brendan Hunt.
Check out the website, and the Boom Chicago and Boom Chicago academy website to see which shows you can watch. There are seriously at least three shows a day you can see, from musical improv, power point comedy, through to traditional stand up comedy and queer stand up comedy.
easylaughs
Spelt with a small e, in case you were wondering, easylaughs trains beginner improvisers and comedians. Comedians such as Funny Women and Newcomer to Edinburgh winner Lara Ricote had her start here.
Every Friday easylaughs showcase new improv and stand up talent, alongside their seasoned and experienced improv casts. With everything from musical improv, improvised Tarantino shows and stand up-improv cocktails, the easylaughs Friday night show promises you a fun and community oriented night.
The Comedy Embassy
The Comedy Embassy hosts up to 20 shows a month in Amsterdam, and puts on some of the top comedians in Amsterdam, including Sharon Em, Rachel Morton-Young, Daniel Yazbeck and Micheal Jager. Check out the website to find out where and when you can see these top tier comedians in action.
Weird Uncle Comedy
Weird Uncle Comedy, run by comedian Sharon Em, runs a monthly open mic for new comedians or new material at the cozy Wijnbar Paulus. She also runs international, professional comedy shows across the Netherlands, with visiting comedians from all over the world as well as local professional comedians. These nights are always a hoot.
The Comeback Comedy Club
The Comeback Comedy Club runs raucous evenings of comedy with Monday Night Live shows in central Amsterdam. These have different lineups every time and showcase some of the top international comedians around, with headliners such as the fantastic Ria Lina.
The Mezrab
The Mezrab hosts three different types of comedy show in a month. The atmosphere at this shows is always warm, supportive and so much fun. Choose from these or go to all three:
The Mezrab New Material Open Mic. This is explicitly for comedians to test out new material. In fact, they will be booed of the stage if they tell jokes that people have heard before. So expect some fantastic hits and some even more fantastic misses as comedians test out jokes that have never been seen before.
The Mezrab Comedy Night. Four experienced comedians come and play to a lovely, friendly and international crowd. You can guarantee good vibes, good comedy and delicious soup on this evening.
The Mezrab Alt Comedy Night. This is a relatively new comedy night at the Mezrab that showcases international alt comedy talent – think spoofy sketches, characters, clowning, and anything funny but a little left of centre and you have the Mezrab Alt Comedy night.
Proud to the Bone
Proud to the Bone – run by yours truly – is a monthly queer comedy open mic, giving a platform to queer comedians, with a queer audience. It is hosted at the iconic Queer Bar Lellebel. Lellebel means slut in Dutch so you can expect slutty queer, but somehow wholesome comedy nights here. You can guarantee a cozy evening of comedy here.
That Comedy Thing
That Comedy Thing is a comedy organisation in the Netherlands dedicated to supporting new comedy talent. They host monthly Newbie award shows, where comedians with less than a years experience battle it out to win the prestigious TUNA comedy award! They host several comedy shows across the Netherlands and always pull in a warm, friendly crowd.
Fusion Comedy Night
These monthly comedy nights are a fusion between three different comedy clubs in the Netherlands, all run by powerhouse women. The Fusion night flips your traditional open mic night, that normal ends with a more experienced comedian. Instead, the first half of these nights features two comedians trying out longer sets, and the second half is in a more traditional open mic format.
The Nutty Anita
The Nutty Anita is the OG English Language Comedy Club in Amsterdam. Created by musician and comedian Ken Parsons, these nights are a proper hoot, with international headliners and seasoned comedians from the Netherlands.
Ken also runs a cozy Sunday afternoon open mic at cafe Checkpoint Charlie. These afternoons are always warm and friendly. Not to mention Checkpoint Charlie is an awesome cafe to check out.
Vice Versa
Vice Versa run a whole range of different comedy events, from improv to stand up, and even some poetry nights. The most well know of these is Captive Audience Comedy which is a show with a number of young comedians bringing hilarious, sometimes saucy, sometimes wholesome comedy your way.
Local Tourist Comedy/Clink Comedy Club
Hilarious comedian Ram Arangi, hosts multiple different shows across the city, including regular open mic shows with big names and new up and coming comedians in Bar Pekky in Amsterdam North. He also regularly hosts a fun show, with Dutch comedy All Stars at the Clink Comedy Club. Check out the Local Tourist Comedy instagram page to find out what is coming up.
KULT Comedy
KULT Comedy is a new pro show on the block. With fantastic lineups, a cozy venue and fantastic themes, the energy at this event is electric.
Huis van Iemand Anders
Looking for comedy shows by some of the most experienced comedians in Amsterdam? Then Huis van Iemand Anders is a great place to look. Many comedians looking to test out hour shows, or just put on regular, top quality shows, organise in the back room of Huis Van Iemand Anders.
Wicked Comedy
Looking for comedy shows in the winter, summer and every time in between? Then Wicked Comedy are your guys. They organise many different shows throughout the year and provide a brilliant platform for new comedians, up and coming comedians and experienced comedians looking to try new stuff. This show has a friendly audience, fun vibe, and based in a delicious Dutch brewery.
Comedy Cafe
Comedy Cafe in Amsterdam and Utrecht host regular open mics and pro shows, in both Dutch and English. These have top tier comedians every night, and will reliably give you a good laugh.
Dopamine Comedy
Dopamine comedy is one of the newest open mics out there. Every Thursday at Cafe de Plakhoek in the Pijp there will be a line up of comedians ready to give you a chuckle.
Tag Out Theatre
In a long list of stand up comedy, Tag Out Theatre is the breath of improv air. Tag Out shows are on a Thursday night every two weeks at the cozy Mike’s Badhuis Theater in Amsterdam Oost. They usually have a variety of different improv formats, from improvised rap, to long form, musical improv and improv competitions. If you are looking for fun community, this is the place for you!
Mad Cow Comedy (Utrecht)
An honourary mention, because their shows are so good, goes to Mad Cow Comedy. Mad Cow Comedy host shows every two weeks in Utrecht, very close to Utrecht central station. These shows are on a Sunday afternoon and have diverse lineups with professional comedians brought from around the world to perform. They have had excellent pros such as Ria Lina, Desiree Burch, Lara Ricote and Raul Kohli. With some of the best comedy in the country, a cozy vibe and a lovely location, Mad Cow Comedy shows are some of my favourite comedy shows to watch.
Support Live Comedy
So if you are not sure what to do one evening in Amsterdam, you want to discover Dutch culture, or you just want to have a laugh, then check out one of the many live comedy shows available every night in the Dam. And if you want to help me out, make sure to tell them that Kat Stone sent you!
