You get pizza, booze, and brutal comedy. At the Southbank on London’s riverfront, the bottomless drinks start at 1pm and the show kicks off at 3pm. I like two things most: it’s super central for visitors and locals, and the staff are consistently friendly and attentive. The one real caution is the humor is unapologetically adult, with strong language and sexual references.

The Ding Dong Gong Show is built around fresh comic hopefuls taking the spotlight for 5 minutes at a time. You’ll be part of the judging, which means the energy feels more like a live experiment than a polished scripted set. It’s good-natured but still rough around the edges, so if you prefer clean comedy, this won’t be your vibe.

You also get a proper food-and-drink setup first. Expect an easy flow: settle in for pizza and drinks, then stay ready for the unpredictable, bear-pit atmosphere that happens after 3pm.

Key highlights you should care about

• Southbank location means an easy win for a day already filled with sightseeing
• 90 minutes bottomless with a wide drink list, including prosecco, aperol spritz, and Lucky Saint
• 5-minute “hopeful” sets keep the show moving and make every round feel spontaneous
• Audience-powered judging means your reactions matter (good or bad)
• 18+ content level is high, with sexual references and gutter humor
• Vegan and gluten-free is available, but the pizza is not bottomless for those options

Bottomless brunch comedy on the Southbank: what this is really about

This isn’t a dinner theatre where everything feels choreographed. It’s a brunch-and-comedy combo where you start with food and drinks, then watch (and judge) comedians trying to win you over fast. The concept is simple: comic hopefuls get a short time limit, the crowd decides how it lands, and the whole room leans into the chaos.

I like the balance here. You’re not paying only for comedy, and you’re not paying only for drinks. You get a full “pre-show” stretch where you can loosen up, and that matters because the main act is intense. People are loud, quick to react, and not shy about being brutally honest.

The “best London Comedy Club 2024” badge also tells you something useful. It suggests the venue has built a reputation for making edgy comedy work in a real room with real energy, not just on a poster.

Timing and flow: from 1pm pizza and drinks to a 3pm show

Plan around a 1pm start and a 4-hour overall experience. Here’s the rhythm you’ll follow:

First, you arrive for the 1pm kickoff. You’ll have 90 minutes of bottomless drinks plus pizza, with the wood-fired pizza provided during that stretch. This is your chance to get your bearings, grab a drink you actually like, and eat before the show gets rowdier.

Then the comedy show starts at 3pm. You’ll have a short window after the bottomless period ends, so you’re not walking in completely cold. The show itself runs as a sequence of quick comic turns rather than one long act.

A practical tip: if you’re the type who hates waiting around, show up close to 1pm rather than too early. You want to be present for the drinks-and-pizza phase, but you don’t need to arrive hours ahead because the day is already structured.

The Ding Dong Gong Show format: 5-minute sets and audience judgment

The heart of the experience is the Ding Dong Gong Show itself. Comic hopefuls take the stage for 5 minutes each, fresh talent trying to make the room laugh. It’s not a traditional open mic where everything is gentle and supportive. This one is described as good-natured but brutal, which is a fancy way of saying the audience feedback can be sharp.

Here’s what makes it work: audience members decide the outcome. That turns the room into a living scoreboard. You’re not just watching comedy; you’re influencing what happens next.

On top of that, there’s an on-stage judging element. In one case of feedback, the judges were called obnoxious and made the format feel slightly pointless. That’s not the same as saying the whole show fails, but it is a warning: the judges may lean into a kind of loud, confrontational persona. If you dislike heckling-energy antics, you might find that part harder to enjoy.

Food and drinks at Mr. Pizza Baby and Big Belly Bar

You’re included for a wood-fired pizza from Mr. Pizza Baby, plus 90 minutes of bottomless drinks. The drink list is varied enough that you should find something you actually want, including:

• Big Belly Lager
• Cider
• Prosecco
• Aperol Spritz
• Soft drinks
• Lucky Saint

I like that Lucky Saint gives you a non-alcoholic option that still fits the “you’re here for a fun time” mood. This matters because it keeps the experience social even if you don’t want to drink spirits or beer for the full stretch.

One important detail: vegan or gluten-free guests can order a vegan or gluten-free pizza, but it is not bottomless. You’ll get one pizza per person for those dietary requests. If your plan is to go all-in on the bottomless experience, be sure to think through that ahead of time so there are no surprises.

The vibe in the room: funny, wild, and not for fainthearted people

This show comes with a clear content warning. It’s 18+ only, and strong language is common. Expect sexual references and gutter humour, plus a wild, unpredictable feel. The show is described like a bear pit, so you should expect a room where people react fast and loudly.

I think that’s the key to whether you’ll love it or just tolerate it. If you enjoy comedy that’s slightly chaotic and you’re okay with being offended by a joke you didn’t ask for, the energy can be genuinely entertaining. If your idea of a good time is clean, polished humour, you’ll probably bounce.

Also, don’t assume every 5-minute act will hit the mark. That’s part of the point: these are hopefuls trying their luck. The upside is you’ll almost certainly get some laughs that feel spontaneous. The downside is you can also sit through material that isn’t your style.

Price and value: is $74 worth it in London

At $74 per person, you’re paying for three things at once: pizza, a 90-minute bottomless drink window, and a ticket into an 18+ comedy show with a participatory format. In London, that combination is usually where the value lives—if the content suits you.

If you plan to drink within your comfort zone and you like edgy comedy, the price starts to feel fair quickly. You’re not choosing between food and drinks and comedy. You’re getting the whole “day segment” bundled into one ticket.

But value depends on you. If you don’t drink much, or if the show’s explicit style is a hard no, the ticket can feel pricey for what is ultimately a comedy performance with variable quality. This is not a safe, family-friendly matinee. It’s an adult comedy event, and the ticket price reflects that.

Where it is and how to find it between Upper Ground and Stamford Street

The venue is on the Southbank, and your meeting point is between Upper Ground and Stamford Street. That area is convenient for walking once you’ve arrived, and it also helps if you’re fitting this into a normal sightseeing loop.

The event host or greeter is English-speaking, so you should be able to confirm you’re at the right place without language stress. If you’re arriving late, you could miss the start of the drink-and-pizza window, so aim to be there on time for the 1pm start.

One more detail worth noting: the experience is listed as wheelchair accessible, which makes it easier to plan if mobility access matters for your group.

Should you book the Ding Dong Gong Show?

Book it if you want a fun, adult London afternoon that mixes good social atmosphere with comedy you can influence. It’s especially worth it if you like live rooms, short sets, and quick reactions over perfect punchlines. I’d also lean toward booking if you’re comfortable with edgy language and sexual references, because that’s part of the event’s identity.

Skip it if you want clean comedy, predictable material, or a calmer “sit-and-watch” format. The judging and the bear-pit energy are built into the show, and the humor can be blunt.

If you’re on the fence, treat it like this: this is less about finding the single best comedy act and more about enjoying a loud, interactive afternoon where the room matters.

FAQ

What time does the brunch portion start, and when does the comedy show begin?

Brunch starts at 1pm. The comedy show starts at 3pm, and the full experience lasts about 4 hours.

Is there bottomless drinks, and what’s included?

Yes. You get 90 minutes of bottomless drinks, including Big Belly Lager, cider, prosecco, aperol spritz, soft drinks, and Lucky Saint.

Do you include pizza, and is it wood-fired?

Yes. You get a wood-fired pizza from Mr. Pizza Baby as part of the experience during the 90-minute bottomless period.

Can I bring a vegan or gluten-free option, and is it bottomless?

Vegan or gluten-free options are available, but the vegan or gluten-free pizza is not bottomless. It’s one pizza per person for those dietary requests.

What kind of content should I expect from the comedy show?

The show is 18+ and includes strong language, sexual references, and gutter humour. It’s described as wild and unpredictable.

Is the show suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18 years, and it is 18+ only.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is between Upper Ground and Stamford Street, on the Southbank.

Can I cancel or reserve with flexible payment?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.