Up the Creek in Greenwich marks 35 years as south London's comedy home

Comedy fans in south east London have been heading to Creek Road for decades, and 2026 marks 35 years since Up the Creek first opened its doors in Greenwich.

The club was founded in 1991 by the comedian Malcolm Hardee, who had worked at the first Comedy Store in Soho. In its very first year, Up the Creek won the inaugural Chortle Award for Best Large Venue, setting the tone for what followed.

Today the club sits at 302 Creek Road, in the heart of Maritime Greenwich, and it is still known for its lively but intimate atmosphere. The Royal Borough of Greenwich describes it as offering "the finest comedy with top comedians".

The programme is built around a handful of much loved fixtures. The Blackout is the club's weekly showcase for new and upcoming acts, while the Sunday Special draws established names as well as rising talent. The club is also known for its spontaneous after show parties.

Up the Creek has grown in other directions too. Its comedy school runs six week beginners' courses in stand up for anyone tempted to try the stage themselves. In 2018 the club added the Up the Creek Brewery, whose taproom serves its own microbrews alongside food.

Shows run from Thursday to Saturday, with the curtain going up at 7pm, and on Sundays at 6.30pm, with doors opening half an hour before. The venue welcomes groups and has a bar area, making it a popular choice for birthdays and nights out with friends.

For many visitors, a trip to Up the Creek is a natural way to round off a day in Greenwich, after the market, the park and the riverside. Thirty five years on, Malcolm Hardee's club remains a much loved part of London's comedy scene, and its Visit Greenwich listing still highlights the mix of household names and new faces that has defined it from the start.

Up the Creek is at 302 Creek Road, SE10 9SW. For listings, comedy school dates and tickets, visit up-the-creek.com or call 020 8858 4581.