Comedy Beijing: Where to Go to Laugh Your Ass Off in the Capital

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Impending weather changes mean that the cold season is almost upon us, and while the best medicine is always hot water, the second-best is laughter. So boost your immune system with a healthy dose of jokes that are sure to be much funnier than the opening sentence of this post.

Here’s our round-up of all the English and bilingual funny business in Beijing.

Comedy Shows

Stand-up comedy shows are primarily held at three key venues around town, so whether you prefer your humor against the brick walls hutongs or in the swanky streets of Sanlitun, there is a place for you. For more information on show dates and how to get tickets, follow Comedy Club China on WeChat (ID ComedyClubChina).

The Bookworm

A place of learning, a place of laughter. The Bookworm often hosts touring comedians when they come to Beijing, so it’s a great place to find an unforgettable show. It’s also where local comedians showcase some of their best material. RMB 80-200

US-China Comedy Center

This is a space dedicated to comedy. About once a month, local comedians will show off the jokes that have worked well at open mics in the “Hutong Heroes” show. The Comedy Center may not have a full bar like the other venues, but beer is sold out of coolers at the door so that audience members can get loose and ready to laugh. RMB 50-plus

The Great Outdoors

Formerly a Thursday open mic venue, the third-floor space of The Great Outdoors is just too good to not use for stand up shows. These more laid back shows are held twice a month and are hosted by comedian Eric Selley, who brings a special Candian flare to the stage. Despite his heritage, the comedy is unapologetically funny. RMB 25

Open mics

Too cheap to pay for your laughs? Weekends not your thing? No problem. There are two free shows every week in which comedians of all levels of experience – from the pros to the audience members who got drunk enough to get up and tell a funny story – are all allotted the same amount of time to elicit chuckles and respond to hecklers.

Tuesdays at Paddy O’Shea’s

Grab a Guinness and get ready for some up-and-close comedy at this award-winning and newly expanded Irish Pub. Paddy’s rowdy crowd is always good for an interactive experience as comedians often engage in banter with the audience. 

Wednesdays at The Local

What better than Buffalo wings to pair with the squawking of uncontrollable laughter that you’ll find upstairs at The Local? They offer wings for just RMB 4 a piece on Wednesdays, but make sure to avoid wearing white lest your chortles send the sauce back onto your clothes. With audience seating that surrounds the stage in addition to plentiful table seating, the open mic at the Local is perfect for dinner and a show.

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Improvisational comedy

In the world of improv, there are no scripts and no prepared sets. Instead, performers build upon suggestions from the audience and one another to provide entertainment straight off the dome. For upcoming shows by these improv troupes, check out the US-China Comedy Center website or follow the official Beijing Improv WeChat account (ID BeijingImprov).

Bilingual Improv Group (BIG)

Chinese and foreigners unite their linguistic powers to make it all up in English and Chinese. It’s a great time, and a great opportunity for language learners.

English Players

These performers are still a mix of both Chinese and foreigners, but the entire show is in English, so it’s no problem if your Chinese level isn’t up to following fast-paced improvised sketches.

Beijing Broads

This hilarious troupe is all about giving a platform to women in the comedy community and pushing back against the idea that being funny is a boy’s game.

Improv classes and workshops

The idea of getting up on stage yourself may seem intimidating, and all the more so when you have no script to go by. Fortunately, free bilingual comedy classes are held every Wednesday from 8-9.30pm at the US-China Comedy Center, so that you can get the support you need to come out of your shell and find out what happens when anything can happen. 

Images courtesy of the US-China Comedy Center and Comedy Club China

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