Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival can take you to all corners of the city, from bars, to clubs, to halls. It’s a fantastic opportunity to visit alternative venues, try out some new water-holes, and have your sides split all the way (not literally of course!) With big names from Jimmy Carr, to the less well known comedians who may well be the next big names in comedy, this is not an event you want to miss. Here’s a list of the top venues to get to all in the name of fun, laughter and hilarities over the next few weeks.
The Crumblin’ Cookie
This cute coffee shop may be the perfect place to grab a latte during the day, but by night this cosy venue turns into an arty bar. Live comedy can be found down in the cellar, providing an intimate and alternative venue to view your favourite comedians. Crazy Canadian Bobby Mair who’s featured on Russell Howard’s Good News and Never Mind the Buzzcocks will be performing there on the 20th– don’t miss out!
The Curve
Leicester’s magnificent Curve theatre is a venue for big audiences, and larger than life performers. Never Mind the Buzzcocks star Simon Amstell will be gracing it’s stages with a whole host of wit and banter from love, to sex, to eating and to regret, amongst other things apparently!
De Montfort Hall
Adjacent to the beautiful surroundings of Victoria Park, this is the ultimate venue to view the big names of comedy coming to Leicester this year like the fantastic Jimmy Carr! It’s an impressive place, which seats plenty of people. Being the largest entertainment venue in Leicester this place may not be as intimate as the small bars, but who can deny the fantastic atmosphere that comes with a large audience.
The Exchange Bar
This quirky bar can be found within the shadows of Leicester’s impressive Globe theatre. This venue is renowned for its host live music, poetry readings, and now of course Dave’s Comedy Festival. This is the place to go for a cosy atmosphere, with some fantastic cocktails. Head over there for the funny-faced Brennan Reece- we predict a rising comedic star!
Firebug
Well known already to plenty of students, this cool cocktail hang out will be supplying Leicester with plenty of acts over the course of the Comedy Festival. Head down there for the hilarious David Morgan who’s appeared on BBC3’s Sweat the Small Stuff, and the beautiful Ellie Taylor, as seen on Channel 4’s 8 out of 10 Cats and BBC3’s Snog, Marry, Avoid (What a great show!)With comfy sofas, a great atmosphere and plenty of drinks offers, this is certainly one of the places to be.
Hansom Hall
This venue is an iconic building within the city, and an impressive place for some shows. Just the Tonic, Leicester previous comedy club, will be bringing names from the big to the small to this beautiful hall. Expect to see the likes of Johnny Vegas and 2013 Winner of the Amused Moose People’s Choice award (we didn’t know that was an official award either) Danny Ward!
The Y Theatre
This is the oldest surviving theatre in Leicester, which is obvious from its candle-lit cabaret style interior. It’s another fantastic venue to see the big names this Comedy Festival. Craig Campbell, who’s supported the likes of Frankie Boyle, will be gracing the stages of the Y Theatre with his internationally acclaimed Canadian humour, along with Josie Long who’s starred on BBC1’s Have I Got News for You.
By Victoria Cox
