Edinburgh Fringe 2025: Comedy Freaks' Picks for Must-See Comedy Shows
Quick Take: We've dug through thousands of Edinburgh Fringe 2025 shows to bring you 11 absolute bangers that capture the same rebellious spirit we live for at Comedy Freaks. From crowd work masters to political firebrands, these are the comedy shows that'll have you talking for months. Whether you're after brutal honesty, cultural chaos, or just want to laugh until your sides hurt, we've got your Edinburgh sorted.
Rising Comedians Breaking All the Rules
Dan Tiernan
Following two sold-out, award-nominated Edinburgh runs, this BBC New Comedian of the Year winner is back with his most brutally honest material yet. Tiernan's tackling his "three-part system for fixing his life" – relationships with drugs, people, and his own mind – with what The Guardian calls "explosively unpredictable" energy.
The venue: Monkey Barrel Comedy at 10:25pm nightly (July 28-Aug 24). Scotland's #1 rated comedy club with wheelchair access and table service.
Why we rate it: Five stars from The Skinny, four from The Guardian, Times, and Telegraph. This is comedy that'll make you uncomfortable in the best possible way – exactly what we're about at Comedy Freaks.
Book tickets: Dan Tiernan: All In
Wes Defoe & Sorabh Dhir: #IsThisEssex?
Two brown boys who grew up in Essex realised "the best way to blend in is to stand out." With one from a Jehovah's Witness background and the other Indian, they're serving up stereotypes, childhood chaos, and genuine laughs about culture clash. Plus, you get a free CBD drink courtesy of Little Ricks – because why not?
Wes is a Max Turner Prize Winner with Chortle saying "broadcasters will come calling." Sorabh's already headlined the Fringe with 5 shows and has serious comedy writing chops. Both found each other as competitors at SYTYF Semi Final 2024 and now they're comedy besties.
The venue: Just the Tonic Mash House at 5:20pm daily. Tickets £8-10.
Why we rate it: Energy, free drinks, and genuine friendship chemistry on stage. This is exactly the kind of fresh perspective comedy needs.
Book tickets: #IsThisEssex?
Veteran Voices with Serious Bite
Susie McCabe: Best Behaviour
The Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award winner turns her recent heart attack experience into what Broadway World calls "masterful storytelling." She's taking hospital experiences and turning them into observations about "hotel breakfasts and toast machine etiquette" – because if anyone can make cardiac events funny, it's McCabe.
The venue: Assembly George Square Theatre Gordon Aikman Theatre, 8:35pm (July 30-Aug 24). Preview tickets £12.50, weekends £18. Full wheelchair accessibility.
Why we rate it: When Billy Connolly says you left him "blown sideways," you're doing something right. Plus, turning life-threatening experiences into comedy gold? That's pure punk rock.
Book tickets: Susie McCabe: Best Behaviour
Mark Thomas: WD40
Forty years of comedy that's literally changed laws and jailed arms dealers. The political activist-comedian brings his Guinness record-holding demonstration skills to Edinburgh for "the normal stuff of government and personal mayhem." When your comedy has actual political impact, you know it's the real deal.
Thomas holds the world record for most political demonstrations in 24 hours and has taken police to court three times – winning each time. His Channel 4 show "The Mark Thomas Comedy Product" ran for seven years of pure investigative comedy gold.
The venue: The Stand Comedy Club at 22:15 nightly. £12 tickets. Note: 18+ only, basement venue with 9 steps.
Why we rate it: This is comedy with consequences. If you want your laughs to come with a side of actual change, Thomas is your man.
Book tickets: Mark Thomas: WD40
Crowd Work Kings Eating It Up and Leaving No Crumbs
Kyle-legacy & Dean Coughlin: 100% Scouse Comedy
Liverpool's Kyle Legacy ("The Crowdwork King") and Dean Coughlin let audiences decide topics with "nothing off limits." Both have 100+ million online views, sold out their entire 2024 Edinburgh run, and Legacy holds the record for most Edinburgh Fringe gigs ever. Coughlin just got named Chortle Hotshot of 2025, so yeah, they're kind of a big deal.
The venue: Laughing Horse @ West Nic Records at 8:30pm. Completely FREE – because the best things in life don't cost money.
Why we rate it: Free comedy that's genuinely brilliant? These lads prove you don't need fancy venues to create magic. Pure crowd work chaos in a basement bar.
Book tickets: 100% Scouse Comedy
Reece Kidd: 0 Plans: A Crowd Work Comedy Show
Pure improvisation from former software engineer turned Cahoots Comedian of the Year 2023, Reece Kidd. No scripts, just crowd work chaos with molecular cocktails at The Alchemist. He's got 100+ million views and sold out five Edinburgh shows in 2024 – so when he says "no plans," he means it.
The venue: The Alchemist on George Street. Note: Victorian building, no step-free access.
Why we rate it: When you've mastered crowd work to this level, every show becomes a unique experience. Plus, molecular cocktails while watching comedy? Yes please.
Book tickets: 0 Plans
International Flavour
Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares
Broadway royalty meets Edinburgh grit. This five-time Tony nominee (famous for her Melania Trump impressions on Colbert) brings original songs with a three-piece band in what Everything Theatre calls "sublime vocals with crisp, hilarious choreography." She's performing five original songs including the standout "Mommy Lies."
The venue: Underbelly Bristo Square Ermintrude venue, 4:55pm daily. Ramped access throughout.
Why we rate it: Four stars from Everything Theatre, and they're notoriously tough. When genuine Broadway talent comes to Edinburgh, you pay attention.
Book tickets: Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares
Alvin Liu: Love Letter to a Sandwich
Shanghai-born, London-based comedian transforms eating cold sandwiches into sharp East-West cultural observations. His previous show "Rice" earned five stars from Morning Star, and Comedy.co.uk calls his work "potent imagery, authenticity, and perverse logic" – basically our dream comedian. Liu's background – "made in China, schooled by the English and influenced by Tupac" – produces the kind of unique perspective that makes Edinburgh special.
The venue: Just the Tonic Mash House. Note: about 20 stairs, limited accessibility.
Why we rate it: Cultural commentary through sandwich metaphors? That's the kind of weird brilliance we live for.
Book tickets: Alvin Liu: Love Letter to a Sandwich
Boundary-Pushing Baddies
Katie Kamola & Anitha Sri: Hot Ghoul Summer
Dark humor duo Anitha Sri and Katie Kamola search for "summer's hottest ghoul" with "wickedly dark humour." Both bring serious competition credentials – Sri reached finals at Bath New Act of the Year and Funny Women, while Kamola's "dark, irreverent and acerbic" style earned recognition from Londonist.com among London's best.
The venue: PBH's Free Fringe – completely FREE with donations encouraged.
Why we rate it: Free fringe shows that push boundaries? That's exactly our vibe. When dark humor meets summer vibes, you get something special.
Book tickets: Hot Ghoul Summer
Adam Greene: The Wizard of Ozempic
Multi award-nominated comedian and BBC News Quiz writer with deliberately playful promotion: "super funny laughs and jokes about fun stuff that is funny, and you will laugh." Greene's meta-comedy approach and runner-up finish at Balham New Act of the Year shows he's serious about not being too serious.
The venue: Monkey Barrel Comedy – Scotland's top-rated comedy venue.
Why we rate it: Bruce Dessau calls him "one to keep tabs on," and we trust Bruce's judgment. Plus, any show that describes itself that ridiculously has to be worth seeing.
Book tickets: Adam Greene: The Wizard of Ozempic
Funny Filthy Females
Daily changing lineup of international female comedians who aren't afraid to get properly filthy with their material. Curated by Katharyn Henson, this showcase has earned ★★★★½ ratings and FringeFeed calling it deserving of "an award."
Why we rate it: Boundary-pushing female comedians every night? This is exactly the kind of platform Edinburgh needs more of.
Book tickets: Funny Filthy Females
Planning Your Edinburgh Fringe Comedy Night (and day) out
Edinburgh Fringe 2025 runs August 1-25, and these shows represent the festival's most exciting mix of established talent and rising stars. From completely free shows to premium performances, there's something for every comedy freak who appreciates raw, unfiltered humor.
Accessibility notes: Most venues offer wheelchair accessible toilets, though physical access varies. Assembly George Square and Underbelly Bristo Square provide full wheelchair access via lifts, while basement venues like The Stand and Mash House require navigating stairs.
Ticket pricing: Ranges from completely free (100% Scouse Comedy, Hot Ghoul Summer) to £18 for weekend premium shows. Preview performances often offer reduced pricing, and most venues command higher rates for Friday/Saturday shows.
Pro tips: Shows regularly sell out, especially weekends. Book early, consider preview performances for better prices, and always check venue accessibility if needed. Edinburgh in August is mental – plan your route between shows and leave extra time for the crowds.
Can't make it to Edinburgh? Catch the wildest comedy in London at Comedy Freaks – Fridays at KC Continental Stores and Saturdays at The Harrison, both in Kings Cross. We're bringing that same rebellious energy to London year-round, featuring the stars of today and the boundary-pushers of tomorrow.
Book Comedy Freaks London: Friday Shows | Saturday Shows
Edinburgh Fringe 2025 runs August 1-25. For the latest show updates and additional recommendations, follow Comedy Freaks on social media and check back for more wild picks as the festival approaches.
