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Cabaret Voltaire

Laughing Horse Free Festival Venue

Cabaret Voltaire

Fringe Venue 338 - Click here for map
36-38 Blair Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1QR. Phone: 0131 247 4704
Food  Wifi  Licensed
Open from 11:30 to 05:00
18+ Only

Cabaret Voltaire is a celebration of jiggery pokery spanning two floors (and a third floor for the Fringe) at the bottom of Blair street, just of the Cowgate. It resides in a cave and is a world of nooks and crannies, with an eclectic selection of drinks, two bars, with DJ's in the afternoon upstairs, and following the Fringe shows on three dance floors downstairs until 5am. It's right in the centre of the old town for the ultimate Fringe fun!

This year we have two entry methods: Free & Unticketed or Pay What You Can
Free & Unticketed: Entry to a show is first-come, first served at the venue - just turn up and then donate to the show in the collection at the end.
Pay What You Can: For these shows you can book a ticket to guarantee entry and choose your price from the Fringe Box Office, up to 30 mins before a show. After that all remaining space is free at the venue on a first-come, first-served bases. Donations for walk-ins at the end of the show.

List Shows: By Room and Name | By Start Time

Shows sorted by Venue Room

Main Room

AC/DC: Australian Comedians / Dope Comedy

AC/DC: Australian Comedians / Dope Comedy

Comedy

AC/DC: Australian Comedians / Dope Comedy

Comedy

Cabaret Voltaire / Main Room
AUG 4-28 at 15:00 (60 min) - Free & Unticketed

Just turn up at the venue, entry is first-come, first-served for everyone. Donations at the end of the show

Don't miss this stand-up showcase featuring the best comedians from Australia and New Zealand at the Fringe, with host Daniel Muggleton (Tour support from Jim Jefferies, 'A foul-mouthed prophet' ***** The Adelaide Advertiser). ...


Alex Farrow: Philosophy Machines

Alex Farrow: Philosophy Machines

Comedy

Alex Farrow: Philosophy Machines

Comedy

Cabaret Voltaire / Main Room
AUG 4-28 at 20:15 (50 min) - Pay What You Can

Book a PWYC Ticket in advance for this show to guarantee entry, or turn up at the venue for free with the option of donating at the end of the show

"Philosophy Machines" is the new stand-up comedy show in 2022 from Alex Farrow. Alex is the host of the award-winning Jericho Comedy in Oxford, as recommended by the Telegraph, the i Paper, Chortle and The Sunday Times. His philosophy themed solo stand-up shows have sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2019 and 2021. As heard on BBC Radio 4 extra and BBC sounds. Praise for Alex's 2021 show: "Practically perfect", ★★★★★ The Scotsman Featured in The Times as part of ‘A bloke called Dave’s’ Best Jokes of the Fringe 2021 “An hour of laugh-out-loud, cere...


Irish Comedy Invasion

Irish Comedy Invasion

Comedy

Irish Comedy Invasion

Comedy

Cabaret Voltaire / Main Room
AUG 4-28 at 17:30 (60 min) - Pay What You Can

Book a PWYC Ticket in advance for this show to guarantee entry, or turn up at the venue for free with the option of donating at the end of the show

A collection of the best Irish comedians performing at the Fringe in their own shows, will be showcasing their finest short club spots, A rotating list of guests, regular hosts, and random gatecrashers may turn up, and either be ejected, or given a starring role....


Laughing Horse Pick of the Fringe

Laughing Horse Pick of the Fringe

Comedy

Laughing Horse Pick of the Fringe

Comedy

Cabaret Voltaire / Main Room
AUG 5-28 at 19:00 (60 min) - Pay What You Can

Book a PWYC Ticket in advance for this show to guarantee entry, or turn up at the venue for free with the option of donating at the end of the show

See the very best comedians selected from across the Fringe with a different top-notch comedy line-up at every show. It's the absolute best way to see a great Fringe comedy smorgasbord with line-ups, including performers selected from shows around the Fringe and the international comedy circuit... and you can Pay What You Can to watch! International Festival sell-out shows 2004-2021. 'Cracking comedy selection' ★★★★★ (Cream of the Fringe) 'A Great Night Out' ***** (South West Live) ★★★★ 'A fantastic night of comedy' (ThreeWeeks) ...


Sid Singh: Illegally Funny

Sid Singh: Illegally Funny

Comedy

Sid Singh: Illegally Funny

Comedy

Cabaret Voltaire / Main Room
AUG 4-28 at 16:15 (60 min) - Pay What You Can

Book a PWYC Ticket in advance for this show to guarantee entry, or turn up at the venue for free with the option of donating at the end of the show

What happens when a comedian, a human rights lawyer, and an illegal immigrant are the same person? Sid Singh returns after his sold out run in 2019 to teach you all about the crazy world of climate change, refugees, conspiracies, and finally: how to hack the US Supreme Court! Find out why this show has sold out shows all over Europe and then afterwards please do not tell the cops! Hailing from the Bay Area, California, Sid Singh is an accomplished stand up comedian and writer whose work has appeared on BBC's Muzlamic, Comedy Central UK's Modern Horror Stories, BBC3's Comedy Shorts, Comic R...


The Alternative Book Club

The Alternative Book Club

Comedy

The Alternative Book Club

Comedy

Cabaret Voltaire / Main Room
AUG 4-28 at 13:45 (60 min) - Pay What You Can

Book a PWYC Ticket in advance for this show to guarantee entry, or turn up at the venue for free with the option of donating at the end of the show

The Alternative Book Club presents an unconventional comedy show about books where there is absolutely NO required reading. Prepare to be entertained – and informed – by a phenomenal line up of award-winning comics and brilliant friends who will be dissecting anything Lit: from John Milton’s Paradise Lost to Kim Kardashian’s Selfie, and everything in between. All hosted by your host, Shirley Halse. “A wonderfully entertaining concept.” - Alex Farrow, director of Jericho Comedy “This is my favourite gig, I love the mix of performers and topics, I love performing here myself and it's pretty ...


Wartime Comedians

Wartime Comedians

Comedy

Wartime Comedians

Comedy

Cabaret Voltaire / Main Room
AUG 4-28 at 12:30 (60 min) - Pay What You Can

Book a PWYC Ticket in advance for this show to guarantee entry, or turn up at the venue for free with the option of donating at the end of the show

Three comics well familiar with war, a German comic, an English comic and an Israeli one, are here to bring you the first line of comedy, rather than doing an hour each, these three comics will give you their best 20 so you can decide who wins the war of comedy (With the occasional special guest) ...


The Long Room

Allyson June Smith and Daisy Earl: Working Out

Allyson June Smith and Daisy Earl: Working Out

Comedy

Allyson June Smith and Daisy Earl: Working Out

Comedy

Cabaret Voltaire / The Long Room
AUG 5-14 at 14:30 (60 min) - Pay What You Can

Book a PWYC Ticket in advance for this show to guarantee entry, or turn up at the venue for free with the option of donating at the end of the show

Allyson June Smith & Daisy Earl are two of the highest regarded female comedians in the industry. Both are tour supports for Jason Manford & John Bishop and regularly play across the most prestigious comedy clubs in the UK. Allyson was nominated for Best Female Stand Up at The Canadian Comedy Awards and Daisy is a former Winner of the Scottish Comedian of the Year Award. These two exciting, new voices are joining forces to work out.... their latest material. Come watch the funniest work out, you’ll ever see! ...


Are You Interested in a Comedy Compilation Show?

Are You Interested in a Comedy Compilation Show?

Comedy

Are You Interested in a Comedy Compilation Show?

Comedy

Cabaret Voltaire / The Long Room
AUG 4-28 at 15:45 (50 min) - Free & Unticketed

Just turn up at the venue, entry is first-come, first-served for everyone. Donations at the end of the show

A stand-up comedy compilation show hosted by Tom Mayhew (as heard on BBC Radio 4), with all proceeds going to Turn2Us, a UK charity that helps people living in poverty....


Broad Strokes Improv

Broad Strokes Improv

Comedy

Broad Strokes Improv

Comedy

Cabaret Voltaire / The Long Room
AUG 4-12 at 19:30 (60 min) - Pay What You Can

Book a PWYC Ticket in advance for this show to guarantee entry, or turn up at the venue for free with the option of donating at the end of the show

Ireland's only all-women improv troupe brings you an all-women, all-Irish comedy show unlike any other. We'll embark on an extended and continuously improvised journey based entirely on your suggestions, full of whacky worlds and crazy characters. ...


Character Building Experience

Character Building Experience

Comedy

Character Building Experience

Comedy

Cabaret Voltaire / The Long Room
AUG 22-28 at 19:30 (60 min) - Pay What You Can

Book a PWYC Ticket in advance for this show to guarantee entry, or turn up at the venue for free with the option of donating at the end of the show

You enter a tavern. You see a group of comedian questers. What do you do? A Dungeons-and-Dragons-style, comedy, interactive roleplaying game show, suitable for the experts, the novices and the uninitiated but curious. No two quests are alike; a unique mini-adventure with improvised music, songs and questionable choices. Roll the dice on this comedy gameshow. "plenty of laughs and nerd camaraderie"- Broadway World ★★★★ “endlessly pleasing, voraciously funny hour of unpredictable nonsense” The Indiependent ★★★★ ...


Dave Chawner: Mental

Dave Chawner: Mental

Comedy

Dave Chawner: Mental

Comedy

Cabaret Voltaire / The Long Room
AUG 4-28 at 17:00 (60 min) - Pay What You Can

Book a PWYC Ticket in advance for this show to guarantee entry, or turn up at the venue for free with the option of donating at the end of the show

The critically acclaimed show about mental health (rather than mental illness) returns to The Edinburgh Fringe. Number 1 best selling author, award winning comic and presenter Dave Chawner brings his new and improved show to The Fringe. As seen on BBC, ITV and Channel 5. As heard on BBC Radio 1, Radio 2 and Radio 4. ...


Filthy Funny Females

Filthy Funny Females

Comedy

Filthy Funny Females

Comedy

Cabaret Voltaire / The Long Room
AUG 4-19 at 20:45 (60 min) - Pay What You Can

Book a PWYC Ticket in advance for this show to guarantee entry, or turn up at the venue for free with the option of donating at the end of the show

Filthy. Funny. Females. A funny (and filthy!) hour served to you by a selection of female comedians from across the globe. New York City comedian Katharyn Henson (Ew Girl, You Nasty **** - The Skinny) presents some of the finest funny female voices at the Fringe. Katharyn, described as "hair-raising stand-up" by the Scotsman has met a lot of funny women while touring her comedy all over the world and she delights in being able to showcase the filthy funny frenzy of funny female voices in a daily changing line-up of filthy fun. ...


Jake Donaldson: Neurotica

Jake Donaldson: Neurotica

Comedy

Jake Donaldson: Neurotica

Comedy

Cabaret Voltaire / The Long Room
AUG 4-28 at 12:00 (55 min) - Free & Unticketed

Just turn up at the venue, entry is first-come, first-served for everyone. Donations at the end of the show

In his new show “Neurotica” Jake wants to help normalise anxiety around being a man, as well as bust some myths about what really is "normal" in attempt to eradicate toxic masculinity once and for all! A brand new solo stand-up show from the writer and performer of 2018's hit "Help! I'm Trapped In The Body Of An Adequate Comedian!" ("****" - Bunbury Publishing, "Not to be missed. Incredibly funny and down to earth.”- edfringe.com) An hour of anecdotal and confessional stand-up from one of the most exciting up-and-coming comics on the UK circuit. “One of the Must See New Acts at The E...


Raul Kohli: Russian Weapon of Mass Destruction

Raul Kohli: Russian Weapon of Mass Destruction

Comedy

Raul Kohli: Russian Weapon of Mass Destruction

Comedy

Cabaret Voltaire / The Long Room
AUG 4-16, 18-28 at 18:15 (60 min) - Pay What You Can

Book a PWYC Ticket in advance for this show to guarantee entry, or turn up at the venue for free with the option of donating at the end of the show

Raul Kohli talks about important events in his life and the world at large such as why he felt sorry for the local paedophile during Covid-19, how Russian intelligence services used comedians including himself as a weapon of mass destruction to precede their invasion of Ukraine & why white people need to stop having sex while their dogs are in the room... 'Superb political comedy' (Scotsman). 'Shallow and unbalanced' (MigrationWatchorg.uk). 'Hilarious' (Judah Friedlander). 'Poisonous' (Nigel Farage). 'Inspiringly intelligent' (Paul Sinha). 'The worst comedy I have ever seen' (EdFringeR...


Still Got It!

Still Got It!

Comedy

Still Got It!

Comedy

Cabaret Voltaire / The Long Room
AUG 22-28 at 19:30 (60 min) - Free & Unticketed

Just turn up at the venue, entry is first-come, first-served for everyone. Donations at the end of the show

Still Got It invites you to come along to jokes, stories and craziness from 4 comedians whose total ages are well over 250 years! You will find a great welcome from a team of comedians showcasing that you don't stop being funny just because you are growing older and wiser! Our diverse backgrounds and attitudes, as well as our long standing friendship, lets us celebrate our differences while all agreeing that we oldies can be hilarious too. Enjoy the positive vibes, friendly atmosphere and lively comedy....


Tatty Macleod - A work in Progress

Tatty Macleod - A work in Progress

Comedy

Tatty Macleod - A work in Progress

Comedy

Cabaret Voltaire / The Long Room
AUG 13-21 at 19:30 (45 min) - Pay What You Can

Book a PWYC Ticket in advance for this show to guarantee entry, or turn up at the venue for free with the option of donating at the end of the show

“Where are you from?” Issue of British parents, born in Zimbabwe, raised in France and now living in London, this is a question that bilingual comedian Tatty Macleod has been asked and has asked herself a lot. In this work in progress show, she pokes fun at both sides of herself as she observes the cultural differences between France and England. Does knowing the difference between a crepe and a galette make you French? Does eating Baked Beans and watching Coronation Street make you English? Or is your ability to correctly pronounce Poitou-Charentes sufficient evidence of Frenchness? She share...


Weapons of Mass Distraction

Weapons of Mass Distraction

Comedy

Weapons of Mass Distraction

Comedy

Cabaret Voltaire / The Long Room
AUG 4-28 at 13:15 (60 min) - Pay What You Can

Book a PWYC Ticket in advance for this show to guarantee entry, or turn up at the venue for free with the option of donating at the end of the show

After a sold-out fringe run in 2021 the ethnically ambiguous Michael Welch is back to examine his struggles with the "weapons of mass-distraction" As heard on Union Jack Radio, A Finalist in The New Online UK Comedian of the Year 2020. “Attracts considerable laughs… and has an impulse to push boundaries” – The Scotsman, “Charming” and “strong stage presence” - The Stand &  “Very strong act” - Notts Comedy Review...


Xander and Cheng: Pig Business

Xander and Cheng: Pig Business

Comedy

Xander and Cheng: Pig Business

Comedy

Cabaret Voltaire / The Long Room
AUG 15-28 at 14:30 (60 min) - Pay What You Can

Book a PWYC Ticket in advance for this show to guarantee entry, or turn up at the venue for free with the option of donating at the end of the show

Join comedians Amy Xander and Ginnia Cheng for an hour of stand-up comedy, possibly with the occasional sketch thrown in - if they learn how to act in time. What’s it like to run a successful, international business, whilst being a mother of three kids and an influencer with 10 million followers? We have no idea, sorry. Between us we mother 1 cat (alive) and 5.5 house plants (dead). We have about 59 followers (bots) and the only business we engage in is trying to navigate the world without acting like a pair of pigs. Ginnia is the winner of Louis Theroux and Amazon Studios’ ‘Looking For ...