The Stand Edinburgh

With over fifteen years of housing both household comedy, as well as providing a space for up-and-coming stuttering newcomers, The Stand (with it's myriad outposts – in Edinburgh, Glasgow and now Newcastle) has rightfully earned its rep as a comedy institution.

The Edinburgh branch is housed within an intimate basement venue just off St Andrew Square is open seven nights a week. And when we say intimate, we mean intimate - be prepared to leave the venue having made pals with at least thirty percent of the room - and the comedian too, if you're sitting near the front. For that reason, unless you're in the mood for a cheeky exchange with the MC, maybe take a seat nearer to the bar, and giggle smugly into your G&T without worrying about becoming front-row joke fodder.

The venue hosts a varied programme of sketches, touring shows and contemporary stand-up, with a highlight being the Sunday lunchtime free improv session. You can also fill up on tasty pub-style grub, with the kitchen bar serving up generous portions of home-cooked fare, alongside a decent beer and wine selection.

If you want to have a go splitting sides for The Stand, get involved on a Monday with Red Raw, their beginners night. More established names also swing by on occasion to test new material, so it's worth a look. [Kate Pasola]