International Stand Up Comedy, Covent Garden

International Stand Up Comedy, Covent Garden is back at Soho Comedy At 7 Dials on Saturday 24 October, part of the Comedy Carnival showcase. It's been a fixture of the area's entertainment scene since 2004, and the format hasn't changed much: a mixed bill of award-winning comedians, TV stars and Edinburgh Comedy Award nominees, with a different line-up every night. The Comedy Carnival team describes the tone as having an "unapologetic edge," so it's more of a late-night club feel than a polite theatre evening.

Because the line-up changes every time, you're never seeing the same show twice. One night might lean more towards the TV names, another towards the Fringe circuit, but the mix of established acts and award-recognised names stays the same. It's the kind of night where you might see a face you recognise from the telly sharing the bill with someone who's just come off the Edinburgh circuit. The shows run every Friday and Saturday, so if you're planning a weekend in Covent Garden, there's always a slot to fit in.

There are a few practical things to keep in mind before you head down. The room is strictly for over-18s, and they do check photo ID at the door, so don't forget to bring yours. Once the comedy's finished, there's a late bar that stays open, which makes it easy to hang around and finish your drinks rather than rushing out into the street. The show starts at 9:30 PM and wraps up around 11:30 PM, and tickets are £18. You'll find it at Soho Comedy At 7 Dials, 42 Earlham St, WC2H 9LA, right in the heart of Covent Garden.