#5 Every English language comedy show in and around Amsterdam this week (Apr 22-29)
King's Day weekend, a Brooklyn headliner on Sunday, and two of Amsterdam's best improv teams on Wednesday night.
Welcome to issue #5 of The Live List - your weekly round-up of every English-language comedy show happening in and near Amsterdam.
I’m Adam, a fledgling on the Amsterdam international comedy scene. I started The Live List because finding out what’s on each week shouldn’t require using Facebook, following 15 Instagram accounts and three WhatsApp groups - and still missing the good stuff.
Read on to find out what’s happening this week:
Rogier Bak To The Rescue!
Comedy Café Amsterdam | Wednesday 22 April | 20:30 | €20
Rogier Bak is a Dutch comedian doing his second English-language solo show, which is worth pausing on. The first one landed. So he wrote another! "To The Rescue!" arrives at a moment when tension and turmoil are everywhere and someone needs to step in. That someone is Rogier. Whether he actually rescues anyone is between him and the audience, but the premise alone is worth a look. It’s the kind of local show that sells out and then everyone wishes they'd gone.
Wednesday 22 April
Craig Ferguson: Pants on Fire @ De Meervaart, 20:00 The Late Late Show host, now touring Europe with a full stand-up hour. One night in Amsterdam.
Improv Spectacular @ Boom Chicago, 20:30 The show that launched Boom Chicago: world-class improvisers making up scenes, characters, and songs entirely from audience suggestions.
Thursday 23 April
Jiaoying Summers @ Boom Chicago. One of Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch” 2025, with a Hulu special to her name. Summers spent three nights in Amsterdam this week; Thursday is the last one. Sharp, internationally minded stand-up about identity, belonging, and cultural clash.
Oh My Word Comedy @ Bij Barba, 20:00, Carly Blair’s weekly Thursday night in Bos en Lommer. Local and international acts, cosy bar, great vibe.
Comedy Night in English @ Comedy Café Amsterdam, 20:30 The Thursday showcase at Comedy Café: international and local English-speaking stand-ups on one bill. A reliable room with proper production.
Improv Spectacular @ Boom Chicago, 20:00, The flagship improv show. World-class improvisers turn audience ideas into scenes, characters, and songs on the spot.
Friday 24 April
Big Game Comedy @ Boom Chicago, 21:30 Monthly student showcase from the Boom Chicago Academy. Last Friday of the month, this is where the next generation of the Amsterdam scene tests its nerve.
Easylaughs Friday Night Show @ CREA Muziekzaal, 20:00, Amsterdam’s longest-running improv group, performing every Friday since 2005. Different format each week; always good fun.
The Comedy Embassy @ Boom Chicago, 22:15, Four English-speaking comedians, one tight bill, full bar. Friday night institution.
Clink Comedy All Stars @ ClinkNOORD, 19:30, Top touring comedians and Amsterdam st talent in the Galaxy Room. Known for surprise drop-ins.
Improv Spectacular @ Boom Chicago, 20:00
Saturday 25 April
Cocktails & Comedy in English @ Comedy Cafe Amsterdam, 18:00, Early evening English showcase at Comedy Café. Best English-speaking comedians from around the world, cocktails encouraged.
The Comedy Embassy @ Boom Chicago, 22:15 Saturday night edition. Four comedians, full bar, no passport required.
Vice Stand-Up Comedy @ Vice Versa (De Pijp), 20:00, The weekly De Pijp indie stand-up show. Seven years in, still one of the most consistent grassroots nights in the city.
Improv Spectacular @ Boom Chicago, 20:00. The show that launched Seth Meyers, Jordan Peele, and Jason Sudeikis. Still running, still sharp.
Sunday 26 April
Stef Dag Live in Amsterdam @ Comedy Café Amsterdam, 20:30 Brooklyn comedian, writer, and actor, host of viral dating show "Hot and Single." A proper solo show from someone who has earned serious attention on the New York circuit. One night only. €25.
Stand Up Elective Showcase @ Boom Chicago, 17:00 Free tickets to watch everyone who just finished Boom's 4-week stand-up elective perform their tight five. A proper inside look at the next wave of Amsterdam comedians. Free.
Thuis Party! @ Boom Chicago, 20:30 Monthly community night from the Boom Chicago Academy. Home vibes, relaxed format, Academy cast performing.
Sunday Night Live @ Boom Chicago, 19:00, The long-form improv institution. The cast takes real, funny stories from the audience and turns them into fully improvised scenes, characters, and songs. Unique every week.
Monday 27 April: Koningsdag
Monday Night Laughs @ Brouwerij De Prael (Oudezijds Armsteeg 26), 20:00, The weekly English stand-up night at the brewery in the city centre. King's Day means the city is already a party: this adds a punchline.
Tuesday 28 April
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.
Proud to the Bone LGBTQ+ Open Mic @ Lellebel, Utrechtsestraat, Thursday 20:45 Monthly LGBTQ+ and friends comedy night from Kat Stone Comedy. New material, polished punchlines, queer chaos. Stick around for cocktails and karaoke after. Free.
Open Mic Night @ Cafe De Knoop, Wednesday 20:00. A cosy curated, always hilarious open mic night, right in the heart of the Jordaan.
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. A genuine Amsterdam underground institution.
Open Mic (EN) @ Comedy Café Amsterdam, Wednesday 20:00. International comedians, local comedians, first-timers. The longest-running English open mic in Amsterdam.
That Comedy Thing: Open Mic @ Cafe de Buurvrouw, Wednesday 20:00 English open mic in a cosy bar setting. Pay What You Can — free if you’re broke.
That Comedy Thing: Open Mic @ Oosterbar, Thursday 20:00 Weekly English stand-up in Amsterdam Oost: pay what you can, new material, always a good room. One of the most accessible entry points to the local scene. Free community tickets available for those on a tight budget.
Dishoom! @ Café de Plakhoek, Thursday, 19:00 Weekly English open mic in De Pijp. Raw, unfiltered, expat trauma as material. Free entry.
The Comedy Womb (Comedy Room Open Mic) @ Huis van Iemand Anders (De Pijp), Tuesday 20:00, English open mic. New comedians taking first steps alongside experienced comics trying new material. Show-up-to-go-up spots available.
First time doing an open mic? The Comedy Womb on Tuesday is built for exactly that. Friendly room, supportive crowd, and they'll cheer for you whether your jokes land or not.
Boom Chicago Academy Term 3 classes are on sale now. Early bird discount ends 24 April, so move fast if you've been sitting on it. Stand-up Comedy with Katie O'Reilly is sold out; email academy@boomchicago.nl to join the waitlist for the next run. Summer intensives in Musical Improv (week of 20 July) and Long Form and Short Form (August) also on sale, with limited spots remaining.
Meisner for Improvisers @ Boom Chicago, Sat 30 – Sun 31 May: Two-day intensive with guest instructor Octavia Gilmore. 11am-5pm each day. For improvisers who want to build scenes that are truthful and alive. Advanced level.
That Comedy Thing Stand-up courses and MC workshop. Affordable, practical, taught by working comics.
easylaughs Improv and stand-up courses for all levels, plus a weekly Sunday drop-in workshop at CREA.
Amsterdam Comedy Studio Comedy writing, musical improv, advanced formats, and drop-in workshops.
Coming soon: A Performative Workshop on Body, Presence, and Collective Expression, Sat May 9 at Q Factory, Amsterdam, by Halina Mihutskaya-Tsikhamirava
This section updates monthly. Know of a course? Hit reply and tell me.
Wed 29 April: Natalie Cuomo @ Boom Chicago, 20:00 Touring comedian whose debut album hit number one on the iTunes comedy charts. One night only.
Wed 29 April: DEI HARD + DREAM QUEENS @ Amsterdam Comedy Studio, 19:30 Two of Amsterdam's best indie improv teams on one bill.
Thu 30 April: Lupe Estrada: What's My Message? @ Vice Versa, 20:00. One of Amsterdam's best, building a new hour live with the audience. Opening acts: Katie O'Reilly, Adi Parmar, Nadine Froughi. Free, RSVP required.
Thu 7 May: Nutty Anita’s with Harri Soinila @ Nieuwe Anita, Regular first-Thursday show, running nearly 13 years. Headliner this month is Harri Soinila from Finland.
Fri 8 May: Halil Caliskan: Homesick @ Le Flaneur, Prinsengracht 260 — Amsterdam homecoming for the Edinburgh Fringe debut show.
Fri 8 May: Deirdre O’Kane - O’Kaning It @ Boom Chicago, 20:00, Comedic fireball mercilessly mining hilarity from the human condition.
Thu 14 May: Sweet Home Amsterdama @ Boom Chicago The brand new Boom Chicago mainstage show opens.
Friday 15 May, Improvision, the Improvised Song Contest @ Dijktheater, 19:30, Mashing together the campy chaos of Eurovision with the high-stakes panic of improv.
Sat 16 May: Olivia Flood-Wylie: Get Well Soon @ ClinkNOORD LA-based Olivia Flood-Wylie flies back to Amsterdam for one night with her new special. An underground Amsterdam comedy scene original.
Fri 29 May, Split Bill feat Kristina Jak & Prashant Khanchandani @ Boom Chicago Attic, 19:30. Two brilliant local talents, one shared bill.
The Live List comes out every Wednesday.
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Know about a show I’ve missed? Just hit reply, or email livelistnl@gmail.com
Great list! Are you performing at any of these? I haven't seen your set yet, I would love to