Where to see stand-up in Leeds, from the HiFi to the pub cellars

Leeds does comedy properly. Leeds Beckett University calls the scene thriving, running from arena gigs to tiny rooms where somebody is trying out ten minutes for the first time. Here is where to start, with the established clubs first and the smaller rooms after.

The HiFi Club, Central Road

The HiFi Club, 2 Central Road, in the city centre, has run its comedy club since 2001. Leeds Beckett describes it as Yorkshire's longest running independent comedy night. The club's own list of early-career alumni includes Alan Carr, John Bishop, Katherine Ryan, Sarah Millican, Russell Howard and Joe Lycett.

The Comedy Club runs every Saturday from 5.30pm, with the first act on at 6.45pm. Expect four stand-ups, a mix of familiar names and up-and-comers. Current Fatsoma listings show tickets at roughly £19.80 to £20.90. Book through Fatsoma or via the HiFi Club site, which also has a group enquiries address.

The Glee Club, Great George Street

The Glee Club, Great George Street, LS2, runs comedy every Friday and Saturday night, plus touring shows through the year. Weekend bills have four to five acts. Weekend tickets on the Glee's site range from £15 to £25, plus a £2.75 booking fee per ticket, and some nights have £8 concessions.

If you want dinner and a laugh, the show and food bundle is £26 and includes fish and chips, chicken katsu curry or a Sri Lankan vegetable curry (vegan and gluten free). There is also a lunchtime family show for ages 5 and over at £14 adult and £10 child or concession. Wheelchair spaces are bookable by emailing access@glee.co.uk. Details are on the Glee Club Leeds site.

The Wardrobe, St Peter's Square

The Wardrobe, 6 St Peter's Square, has been a bar, kitchen, venue and arts space since 1999. It hosts House of Fun, a monthly comedy night that Discover Leeds says has showcased Stewart Lee, Russell Howard and Reginald D Hunter. The night is billed as one of the best-value comedy nights in the country, which is the billing talking, so check the price on the night you fancy. Upcoming shows are on The Wardrobe's comedy page, including Hal Cruttenden and Clinton Baptiste.

Hyde Park Book Club, Hyde Park

Hyde Park Book Club in Hyde Park, the student part of town, has a basement space for comedy. Leeds-List says it attracts great and irreverent stand-ups. Recurring nights include Hyde Park Comedy Club and Hoot and Holler Cabaret, and it hosts Edinburgh Fringe previews. Check its events page for what is on now.

The Old Woollen, Farsley

The Old Woollen, Sunny Bank Mills, 83 to 85 Town Street, Farsley, holds monthly Saturday comedy, booked through oldwoollen.co.uk. It is a short trip west of the centre and worth it if you want a night away from the Briggate crowd.

Verve Comedy Cellar, Merrion Street

For free, try the Comedy Cellar at Verve, a basement bar on Merrion Street. Discover Leeds says there is a free stand-up show every Tuesday night, billed as a premier free open mic that has run for 16 years. New comics share the bill with established acts trying out material. Check it is on before you go.

Where the big names play

• City Varieties Music Hall, Swan Street, off Briggate: a Victorian hall. Box office 0113 243 0808.
• Leeds Grand Theatre, 46 New Briggate: a 1,466-seat auditorium, built in 1876 according to Leeds Beckett.
• Carriageworks Theatre, The Electric Press, 3 Millennium Square, also gets a mention from Leeds-List.

For touring names across the year, the Yorkshire Evening Post has run a round-up of the big comedy shows coming to Leeds.

How to pick

• Want a classic Saturday night out: the HiFi Club.
• Want dinner with it: the Glee Club.
• Want it cheap or free: Verve on a Tuesday.
• Want a pub-room feel: Hyde Park Book Club or House of Fun at The Wardrobe.

Line-ups change week to week, so check the venue's own listing before you book. For wider listings, Visit Leeds keeps a comedy page.