Angel Comedy Club's Bill Murray in Islington is voted London's best comedy venue

Islington has a strong claim to being the capital of London comedy, and the Bill Murray, home of Angel Comedy Club, has the trophy to prove it. The venue was named best comedy venue in London in the Chortle Awards, which are voted for by audiences.

Angel Comedy Club was co founded in 2010 by comedian Barry Ferns. It started out with free gigs at the Camden Head on Camden Passage, and those free nightly shows still run there every night of the week.

In 2016, Ferns crowdfunded £40,000 to move into the Mucky Pup pub, which was renamed the Bill Murray. Despite appearances, the name is not a tribute to the Hollywood actor. The founders never got permission to use his name, so it officially refers to Sir William Murray, a 17th century "whipping boy" for the future King Charles I.

The intimate room seats 92 and now hosts around 50 shows a week, from new material nights to big names. Eddie Izzard, James Acaster and Nish Kumar are among the acts who have performed there.

What sets Angel Comedy apart is its ethos. The club is run by comedians, and Ferns believes it should not chase profit but pay its staff and performers properly. "We believe if we're making a profit we're doing it wrong," he told the Islington Tribune. Of the award, he said "to be voted by people who actually come, it means a huge amount".

The club's community spirit spills onto the street each spring. Its annual street party at the Bill Murray is free to watch, with donations encouraged for the Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants, which offers English classes, expert advice and a welcoming community to people seeking sanctuary. The 2025 edition featured Aisling Bea and Sam Campbell, with Barry Ferns as MC.

Angel Comedy describes its mission as offering stand up comedy "for free or cheaply every night of the week", which makes it one of the easiest nights out in London to say yes to.

For listings, tickets and details of the free shows at the Bill Murray and the Camden Head, visit angelcomedy.co.uk.