Popular comedy club in Angel, The Bill Murray, has won Best Venue in London, cementing its status as a powerhouse in the capital’s comedy scene.
The audience-voted Chortle award emphasises its unique role in allowing for both rising and established talent.
“We’re run by comedians, for comedians,” said co-founder Barry Ferns. “The fact that it’s an audience-voted award means a huge amount. It’s not just industry insiders—it’s people who genuinely love comedy.”
Angel Comedy Club was founded in 2010, hosting a string of shows at The Camden Head, Angel. In 2016, a new venue at The Mucky Pup was opened, later renamed The Bill Murray. The opening was crowdfunded by 2,000 backers, many of them comedians.
On this grassroots approach, Ferns said: “We asked some of our comedian friends to let people know about it and our audience members that had been before, and we made enough money to take over the lease.”
Ferns said: “Eddie Izzard built their last world tour here, James Acaster is coming this week, and Aziz Ansari has dropped in.”
He added: “In terms of a club, we probably put on more comedians than any other club in the UK because we also put on new comedians.”
Regular attendee Rosie praised its affordability and atmosphere. She said: “I love how you can see multiple shows in one evening. Work-in-progress shows are fascinating. The club has a great vibe and totally deserved the award.”
The Bill Murray reinvests profits into its performers and staff. Ferns said: “We don’t take money out—we operate as a community enterprise.”
Looking ahead on the club’s future, Ferns said: “Our motto is, ‘It could fall apart at any second.’ As long as you’re breaking even, you’re making it. That’s knocking it out of the park.”
Luke O'Connell - reporter for Laycock. Former Editor in Chief of University College Cork's Political Magazine, Polity.