What to Expect at a Comedy Night in Bath: A First-Timer's Guide

If you have never been to a comedy club, the whole thing can feel a bit mysterious. Do you need to book? Will someone drag you on stage? Is there a dress code? (There isn't.) Here is how a night at The Jesters works, from the door to the last laugh.

Where is The Jesters and how do you find it?

We are at 17 Alfred Street, BA1 2QU, in the basement bar underneath The Assembly Inn. Look for the pub and head downstairs. Coming from town, walk up Bartlett Street. Coming from the Royal Crescent, walk towards The Circus, down Bennett Street and along Saville Row.

One honest warning: it is a cellar, so there are stairs and no step-free access. If you have access requirements, email hello@thejesterscomedyclub.com before you book and we will do our best to help.

Do you need to book in advance?

You can buy tickets on the door if there are any left, but the room only holds 50 people, so booking ahead saves you the awkward moment of arriving to a sold-out sign. Every show is listed on our What's On page. Pick a night, choose your tickets and you are done.

Got a big group? Email us rather than booking everything at once. We cap ticket numbers because one huge party can take over a small room, and we would rather sort something out properly.

How much does it cost?

Less than you might expect. Pint & A Laugh on Mondays is £6. Our Wednesday open mic is £1, and with 20 or more acts on the bill, that works out at about 5p a comic. Some of them will be brilliant, some will be finding their feet, and all of them are having a go in front of a real room. Weekend and headline shows cost more, and the price is listed on each show's page.

What time should you arrive, and how long does it last?

The bar opens around 7pm and most shows start at 8pm. Saturdays run two shows, at 7pm and 9pm. Get there when the bar opens and you can find a seat and get a drink in before the first act. Most shows run for between an hour and a half and two hours, with open mic nights sitting towards the top of that range.

What can you eat and drink?

There is a stocked bar downstairs, and you can also order from The Assembly Inn upstairs. Food-wise, we keep it simple: bacon fries and scampi fries, which is British tapas as far as we are concerned. For a proper meal, Dos Dedos is just around the corner for Mexican food and cocktails, and Milsom Street has plenty more. You cannot bring your own drinks, because the lights need to stay on and the comedians need paying.

What actually happens during the show?

Every night follows the same shape. An MC opens the show, warms up the room and introduces each act. Then a line-up of comedians take the stage one after another, each with a different style, and the night builds from there. That is the good news for a first timer: if one act is not your thing, another is on in a few minutes.

Which night you pick changes the flavour:

• Pint & A Laugh (Mondays), £6: our original night, running since 2021, where comics try out new material.

• Open Mic (Wednesdays), £1: 20 or more acts, new material and the occasional glorious disaster.

• Thursday Night Laughs and Friday Night Comedy: rising acts delivering tighter, more polished sets.

• Saturday Stand-up: the big night out, with two shows to choose from.

Not sure which night to pick? Our guide to why The Jesters is one of the best things to do in Bath explains what each night is like.

Will you get picked on?

The MC will chat to the room, and it is part of how the night works. It is friendly, it is short and nobody is trying to humiliate you. In a 50-seat room there is no hiding place, which is exactly why it feels like everyone is in it together.

What you will not get is dragged on stage. Very occasionally an act will need a volunteer, depending on what they are doing, but that is rare and it is the exception rather than the rule. If you would rather keep a low profile, take a seat towards the back and let the people in the front enjoy their moment.

Is there an age limit?

Our shows are 18+ as standard. We make some exceptions for 16 and 17 year olds, as long as they are accompanied by a paying parent or guardian who is happy with adult language and themes. If you would like to bring someone in that age range, please email hello@thejesterscomedyclub.com first so we are aware. Expect swearing and grown-up subject matter throughout.

What should you wear?

Whatever you like. Half the room comes straight from work and the other half comes dressed for a night out. Nobody cares.

Is it a good first date?

Yes, for one simple reason: the comedians do the talking. You get a shared experience, plenty to discuss afterwards and a room small enough to feel like an event rather than an audience.

Ready to book your first night?

Have a look at what is on this week, pick a night that suits you and come and see why a 50-seat basement has a habit of turning first timers into regulars. If you still have questions, our FAQ page covers the rest.

Bath comedy, done properly.