Red Raw

Red Raw runs every Monday at The Stand Comedy Club in Edinburgh, the club's long-running weekly beginner's showcase. It's billed as the best open mic night in the UK, and the club describes it as 'where everyone starts' — the place to see tomorrow's comics today. If you've followed the Edinburgh comedy scene for a while, you'll know that's not just a line; a good deal of the names that end up on the bigger stages around the city have cut their teeth right here.

Up to ten new acts take the stage each week, and the mix is part of the draw. Some are treading the boards for the very first time, their first few minutes of stand-up ever performed in front of a crowd. Alongside them, you'll find older hands dropping in to try out new material, testing out a fresh bit of writing before it goes into a polished set. It's a raw, unpolished kind of night, and that's the whole point — you're seeing the work as it's being built, not as it's been refined.

It's a strictly over-18s night, and there's no reserved seating, so you just turn up and find a spot. Standing room is available too, if you'd rather stay on your feet. One thing to keep in mind: stag and hen groups aren't accepted, so it's not the place for a party crowd. The Stand is at 5 York Place in Edinburgh New Town, EH1 3EB. Doors open at 7pm, and the show starts at 8pm.