CLOSEUP COMEDY at Herbert's Yard with Geoff Norcott

Closeup Comedy returns to Herbert's Yard on Wednesday 16 December, with Geoff Norcott on the bill. It's one of their regular stops in the city, and if you've never come across them before, it's a good place to start.

They describe themselves as the Midlands' biggest pop-up comedy brand and South Birmingham's longest-running monthly comedy night. The 'pop-up' part is the key: it's a roaming show that takes in award-winning street food alongside the stand-up, and it calls two of the city's most exciting venues home, Hockley Social Club and Herbert's Yard. Over the years, they've welcomed names like Larry Dean, Lindsey Santoro, Angelos Epithemiou, Scott Bennett, Paul McCaffrey, Eshaan Akbar, Andrew Ryan and Eric Rushton, so the room has a habit of pulling in a decent range of acts.

At the Yard, the night starts well before the first joke. The venue opens early with street food and bars from 6pm, and last orders on food are at 7.45pm, just before the show kicks off. It's a dog-friendly room, though they don't exactly encourage you to bring your pet along. If you're planning on eating, getting in early is the way to do it, as the food stops shortly before the comedy begins.

Doors open at 6pm, and the show starts at 8pm. You'll find Herbert's Yard at 49 Austin Way, Longbridge, Birmingham B31 2QR.