The Secret Comedy Club Tuesdays

The Secret Comedy Club is back at Artista on Tuesday 22 September, part of its regular Tuesday night run. It's a new-material night, so the whole evening is built around comedians testing out fresh bits rather than polishing old sets. There's also an open mic, which means you'll see a mix of established names and newer acts sharing the same stage.

That's the core of what happens here: the club has a reputation as the South Coast's premier new-material comedy night, and the Tuesday slot is where a lot of that work gets done. It's the kind of room where comedians come to hone their craft, trying out new jokes and working through new material in front of a live audience. Because it's a new-material night, you're seeing the process as much as the performance, and the open mic adds a bit of unpredictability to the mix.

Artista is described as the city's friendliest and most inclusive independent venue, and it's the only room in Brighton to stage shows every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The club bills itself as Brighton & Hove's best small comedy club and holds the Audience Choice Award for Best Fringe Venue, and it positions itself as a safer and friendlier alternative to the larger venues around town. That small-room feel is a big part of the appeal, especially on a Tuesday night when the focus is on new material.

If you're after a night of comedy that's more about the work-in-progress than the polished hit, this is exactly that. It runs every Tuesday at Artista, with the next one on 22 September.