#10 Every English language comedy show in and around Amsterdam this week (May 27 - Jun 2)
Top-notch double bills, Boom Chicago in full swing, and a new comedy club opening in June.
Welcome to issue #10 of The Live List - your weekly round-up of every English-language comedy show happening in and near Amsterdam.
Ten issues in, and I’m still finding shows I didn’t know existed. That’s either a sign that this scene is genuinely inexhaustible, or a sign I need to get out more. Probably both. We’ve another big week ahead: a world premiere on Friday, a proper spilt-bill at the Boom Attic as the Pick, a new news section , and a Now Booking list long enough to fill your calendar through to mid-June.
And if you find this newsletter useful, I'd really appreciate you sharing it with one other person who might like it too.
Kristina Jak & Prashant Khanchandani: Split Bill, Boom Chicago (Attic Theater) | Friday 29 May | 19:30
Kristina Jak, from Finland and winner of TCT’s TUNA comedy contest 2024, has a way of making the less socially skilled feel seen and heard while leaving the rest of the room thinking.
Prashant Khanchandani (pronounced “croissant”), originally from India and now based in the Netherlands, builds his material around being brown, his people-pleasing tendencies, and the constant urge to make dad jokes.
Expect well-crafted jokes, awkward transitions, crowd work, and true to the show’s looser spirit, a small moment of actual magic.
Wednesday 27 May
Nadine Froughi & Rogier Bak @ Comedy Café Amsterdam, 20:30 Two Amsterdam scene favourites on the same double bill. Don’t miss it.
The Comedy Underground Night Time Show @ Theater de Richel (basement), Wednesday 21:00 Weekly English open mic in the basement of Theater de Richel, near Dam Square. Stand-up, clown, improv, sketch, music — anything goes. The only night in Amsterdam where Comedians have to perform their set with a challenge, whether it is to write their jokes based on audience suggestions or stand on one leg the entire time.
Dream Queens ft. Destiny’s Manchild @ Amsterdam Comedy Studio, 19:30 Destiny’s Manchild open with high-energy physical improv, then the Dream Queens take over with their sophisticated long-form style. One audience suggestion, one rich interconnected story.
The Good, The Bad, and The Algorithm @ Boom Chicago, 20:00 Boom Chicago’s mainstage show takes on the algorithm: sharp topical scenes, musical comedy, and improvisation including a Boom-trained AI. You won’t believe how well this lands live.
Thursday 28 May
Mad Star Comedy Night @ Noord Space, 20:00 The last Mad Star show before the summer break, and they're going out in style. Grace Xu, Rael Eleanora, Karan Karthik, and Prashant Khanchandani on the bill, hosted by Shaz Memon, with Kaili Smith headlining.
Hot Mess Comedy Special @ Ulu Tapas Bar, Voorstraat 102, Utrecht, 19:30 Cid Clementine and Archana Wuntakal co-headline, hosted by Rashi Agarwal. One night of wit, hilarity, and too much information, with a free drink included with your ticket.
Laura & Gael Special: Somewhere in Time @ Flock Studio Treehouse, NDSM (T.T. Neveritaweg 57), 19:30 The two founders of Flock Theatre take the stage for their sci-fi romance show, inspired by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone's novel This Is How You Lose the Time War. Two rival time-travelling agents, letters, altered history, bent space. Two performers, no script, one story. Amsterdam-Noord residents get in free.
Sweet Home Amsterdama @ Boom Chicago, 20:00 Boom’s shiny new mainstage show about the Amsterdam housing crisis is half-sketch, half-improvised, and audience suggestions drive the whole thing.
Comedy Night in English @ Comedy Café Amsterdam, 20:30 The weekly Thursday English showcase at Comedy Café. Rotating cast, always reliable.
Oh My Word Comedy @ Bij Barba, 20:00 The weekly English stand-up night in Amsterdam West, hosted by Carly Blair. Local and NL-based acts on a Thursday.
Clink Comedy Club show @ ClinkNOORD, 20:00 Clink’s Thursday night at the Galaxy Room.
That Comedy Thing @ OOSTerBAR (Amsterdam Oost), 20:00 That Comedy Thing's weekly Thursday showcase in Amsterdam Oost. Pay what you can: free community tickets available for those on a tight budget, donations go directly to the performers. A reliable room for discovering names before they get big.
Friday 29 May
Big Game Comedy: The Sopranos Live Table Read @ Boom Chicago, 21:30 Some of Amsterdam & London’s funniest comics perform episode 1 of The Sopranos. They have the script. Most of them haven’t actually seen the show. It’s going to go how it’s going to go. Grab your gaba and get ready to gool!
Scott Trout: ReFinding @ CREA Café, 20:00 The world premiere of Scott Trout's solo storytelling show. ReFinding explores the battle between the Song of Creation and the Beast that hates the Song: a story rooted in growing up in a Christian home in America, a Christian sex education with some notable gaps, and the string of awkward encounters that followed once he started dating. Followed by an improv bash with easylaughs alumni.
Improv Spectacular @ Boom Chicago, 20:00 The show that launched a thousand alumni. World-class improvisers, live suggestions, something made from nothing.
The Comedy Embassy @ Boom Chicago (Upstairs Theater), 22:15 Four English-speaking comedians, two hours, full bar. Every Friday. One of Amsterdam’s best-reviewed nights.
Saturday 30 May
Funny Women Amsterdam: Comedy & Games Night @ Volta, 20:00 An interactive hybrid of stand-up open mic and host-led comedy games. The first half is pure stand-up from emerging and established acts; the second half gets the audience involved. Championing diverse voices since 2019.
Vice Comedy: Saturday Stand-Up Show @ Ceintuurbaan 206 (De Pijp), 18:00 The weekly indie stand-up showcase at Vice Versa in De Pijp.
Cocktails & Comedy in English @ Comedy Café Amsterdam, 18:00 The early English showcase at Comedy Café. Best English-speaking comedians from around the world, cocktails included in the vibe.
Comedy Café Pubquiz! @ Comedy Café Amsterdam, 20:00 General knowledge, pop culture, music, and more.
Pick a Duck Improv @ Boom Chicago, 19:30 Community improv show at the Attic Theater. One-off, audience-shaped, different every time.
Sweet Home Amsterdama @ Boom Chicago, 20:00
The Comedy Embassy @ Boom Chicago (Upstairs Theater), 22:15
Sunday 31 May
Mad Cow Comedy: Pride Edition @ Restaurant Kartoffel (Oudegracht aan de Werf 145), Utrecht, 15:00 The final show of Mad Cow's season before the summer break, with a special Pride twist. Hosted by Soula Notos, with Adi Parmar, Alex Mitchell, Marina Orsag, and Marlies Verschueren. Sunday afternoon, affordable food at the venue, ten minutes' walk from Utrecht Centraal.
Sunday Night Live @ Boom Chicago, 19:00 Long-form improv built from true, funny stories. Live musician, improvising technician, best cast in years. Every Sunday, entirely unique.
Cocktails & Comedy in English @ Comedy Café Amsterdam, 20:30 Sunday edition of the English showcase. €18.50.
Thuis Party! @ Boom Chicago, 20:30 Students who have graduated from or are about to complete Boom’s advanced improv programme take the Upstairs Theater for the monthly community showcase.
Monday 1 June
Monday Night Laughs @ Brouwerij De Prael (Oudezijds Armsteeg 26), 20:00 The weekly English stand-up night at the neighbourhood brew pub. Rotating cast of scene regulars and visiting acts. Ticket includes 10% off food and drinks all night.
English Comedy Talent Award @ Kargadoor, Utrecht, Oudegracht 36, 20:30. Heat 5 bringing the hottest new talent from across the Netherlands & Belgium.
Tuesday 2 June
Tuna: Newbie of the Week @ Cafe de Knoop, 20:00 That Comedy Thing's weekly new comedian showcase. First timers and fresh faces doing their thing, every Tuesday.
Kiernan Shipka joined the Boom Chicago cast onstage last Saturday
The actress, best known for Mad Men and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, jumped onstage at Boom Chicago this past Saturday for what by all accounts was a riotous show. It comes just a couple of weeks after Conan O’Brien made a guest appearance at the same venue, so the pattern is hard to miss: when serious talent visits Amsterdam, Boom Chicago is where they end up. Next up from the UK is Mike Wozniak, star of Man Down and Taskmaster, co-creator of the Three Bean Salad podcast, whose show The Bench is coming as part of the Boom Chicago Comedy Festival.
Amsterdam is getting a new comedy club
On 27 June, Balkissoon Theatre opens its doors for an international night of stand-up comedy inside a transformed former house of worship at James Wattstraat 56–58 (next to the Chassé Hotel). Hosted by Kenji Loe, with Rami Nima headlining. Doors at 20:00, show at 21:00. This is the kind of opening night worth putting in the diary: new rooms need an audience that shows up and makes noise, and the Amsterdam comedy scene is ready for more!
Thirsty (6th Edition) @ Bij Barba 20:00 The show-up, go-up mic for comics and parched punters. Cheap beers, shenanigans, and a lot of comedians doing whatever material they want.
Hump Day Comedy Open Mic Night @ Cafe De Knoop, Wednesday 20:00. Weekly curated English open mic in the Jordaan. A step above the average open mic: sign-up in advance. Free.
That Comedy Thing: Open Mic @ Cafe de Buurvrouw, Wednesday 20:00 English open mic in a cosy bar setting.
Proud to the Bone: LGBTQ+ Open Mic @ Lellebel (Utrechtsestraat), Thursday, 20:45 The monthly queer open mic comedy evening at Amsterdam's beloved queer bar.
Vice Comedy: A Good Hang Power Hour @ Vice Versa (Ceintuurbaan 206), Thursday, 20:00 Presented by resident comedian Lupe Estrada. Bi-weekly Thursday open mic: seasoned performers and fresh faces testing new material in a relaxed room. Come early for seats and drinks.
Dishoom! @ Café de Plakhoek, Thursday, 19:00 Weekly English open mic in De Pijp. Raw, unfiltered, expat trauma as material. Free entry.
O'Casey's Comedy Open Mic @ O'Casey's Irish Pub, Noordeinde, Den Haag, Monday 19:00 Quips and Bits Comedy bring their showcase to Den Haag, MC'd by Cid Clementine. Matt James, Andrei Turc, Olav Bus, Carly Blair, Mario Coppola, Jim Warren, Goda Mo, and Jacob Stewart on the bill. Den Haag is 50 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal.
The Comedy Womb (Comedy Room Open Mic) @ Huis van Iemand Anders (De Pijp), Tuesday 20:00, Weekly English open mic from The Comedy Room Amsterdam. New comedians taking their first steps, experienced comics testing new material. Doors 19:30. Show-up-to-go-up spots available on the night.
Comedyhuis: Open Mic @ Kargadoor, Utrecht (Oudegracht 36), Tuesday 20:30 Weekly open mic. The newest jokes in Utrecht, quality variable, entertainment guaranteed.
Boom Chicago Academy LAST DAYS TO SIGN UP: Meisner for Improvisers, a 2-day intensive workshop with guest instructor Octavia Gilmore, runs this Saturday and Sunday (May 30–31), 11am–5pm each day. For improvisers wanting to build scenes that are truthful and alive.
Also: Stand-Up Comedy with Katie O'Reilly (Sundays June 21–July 12) has 1 spot left. Full course list at boomchicago.nl/academy
easylaughs: Workshop "Objectification" this Sunday 31 May at CREA: object work workshop taught by Nicole Mischler. Improv and stand-up courses running throughout the year.
That Comedy Thing Stand-up courses and MC workshop. Affordable, practical, taught by working comics.
Amsterdam Comedy Studio Improv, musical improv, comedy writing and drop-in workshops.
This section updates monthly. Know of a course? Hit reply and tell me.
3 June: Stacks Stand Up @ Stacks Diner, Amsterdam, 21:30 Emily Panic hosts a night of comedy in everyone’s favourite diner. Gene Freidenfelds, Kristina Jak, Otter Lee, and Ákos Erdősi on the bill.
3 June: What the Goose @ The Wolfhound Irish Pub, Haarlem Eight comedians, one Irish pub, hosted by Prashant Khanchandani. Limited seating: RSVP to reserve a spot.
4 June: PowerPints @ Comedy Café Amsterdam (IJdok 89), doors 19:30, show 20:00, Five minutes, any topic, audience vote. Past subjects have included the Boston Molasses Flood and the dietary requirements of Sonic the Hedgehog. Pickle-shot punishments for going over time. In English.
4 June: Nutty Anita’s June Edition @ De Nieuwe Anita, 20:00, Headliner Greg Shapiro, The American Netherlander. Hosted by Ken Parsons. Food from Robin Food from 18:00.
4 June: Laugh Out Proud @ Boom Chicago, 22:15, The monthly queer comedy night, hosted by Katie Nixon. Stand-up, musical numbers, improv, and the occasional drag superstar. Happy hour 20:30–21:30.
5 June: JR Scheme: Comedy & Live Music @ Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam, 20:00 Four comedians in one of Amsterdam's most ornate settings: Daniel Yazbek, Zuva Martens, Nira Tal, and Emily Higginson. Doors open for cocktails before the show.
6 June: The Original Mezrab Comedy Night @ Mezrab, The Mezrab comedy night returns.
6 June: Sumit Sourav: Fast Lane @ ClinkNOORD (Galaxy Room), 18:45 One of India's top comedians makes his Amsterdam debut. Fast Lane is an hour on ambition, impatience, money, family, and the many ways we try to hack life while life quietly humbles us. One night only, hosted by Simar Singh.
10 June: That Silly Place: A Silly Comedy Night @ Subcult, 20:00 (doors 19:30) Adi Parmar, Carlos Montoya, Diego Loiacono, Emily Higgson, Kristina Jak, Rein Mulder, Valerie Tan, and Vasilis Kotsaris, hosted by Rutger Lemm. Amsterdam Noord's cosiest room, back for another one.
11 June: Halil Caliskan: Homesick @ Le Flaneur (Patron Stage), Amsterdam — After Edinburgh, after Barcelona, back in Amsterdam for one night. The show that sold out every room it played is coming home.
11 & 13 June: Patrick Spicer: Work in Progress @ ClinkNOORD (Galaxy Room), 20:00 Fresh off a sold-out European tour across 13 countries, Spicer is back in Amsterdam to start working on the next special. As seen on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, and Channel 4. Expect half-formed ideas and the first sparks of something new. Likely to sell out.
12 June: Sindhu Vee: Swanky @ Boom Chicago Her first tour in five years. SOLD OUT, but a waiting list is available.
13 June: DEI Hard: An Ethnically Hilarious Improv Show @ Boom Chicago (Attic Theater), 19:00 DEI Hard is back. Last time tickets sold out a full month before the show. Consider yourself warned.
12-14 June, Macbeth: A Bloody Good Comedy @ Mike’s Badhuistheater, 20:00, Shakespeare’s darkest tragedy gets a wildly irreverent makeover in Macbeth: A Bloody Good Comedy — a fast-paced riot of slapstick, satire, and sheer theatrical chaos.
18-20 June, Two by Jim Cartwright @ Mike’s Badhuistheater, 20:00, a sharp, darkly comic and unexpectedly heartwarming portrait of a Northern pub and the larger-than-life characters who pass through its doors.
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Know about a show I’ve missed? Just hit reply, or email livelistnl@gmail.com