Located on Cowgate, the Kick Ass is in a great location, being on the edge of the Old Town and a ten-minute walk from Waverly Station. There is a bar, and outdoor seating area – with Free and Pay What You Can Fringe shows on the ground floor level throughout August.

Best Show Nominee: Leicester Comedy Festival 2025. After sell-out seasons (2023-2024), Australian comedian Michael Shafar is back with his critically-acclaimed show, proving he was well worth the chemo. 'A disarmingly relaxed approach and an intelligent sense of humour with a wildly inventive, darkly comic imagination' ***** (TheEdinburghReporter.co.uk). 'Shafar circumnavigates the line between edgy and offensive with beautiful finesse' ****½ (Age). 'A brand of comedian that is getting rarer these days... if you're among those who fear comedy has gotten too politically correct, this show will put those fears to rest' **** (Time Out).

Michael Shafar – Well Worth the Chemo

You’ve had a big lunch, now have a big laugh at 3’s Comedy: Afternoons. Featuring three of the best of the new wave of Australian comedians at the festival. They've done stand-up on television, they've won awards, they've written for TV, they've sold out shows, they've gigged around the world and now they've arrived in Edinburgh to do comedy for you!

3's Comedy: Afternoons

Do you have a problem? Don't know where to turn for help? Bring your dilemmas to this brand-new comedy improv show, where two unshockable, hardened and world-weary strippers will solve all your problems. Creator of hit show Ask A Stripper, Stacey Clare (author of The Ethical Stripper and cast member of The Illicit Thrill) returns with a new mission, to bring empathy, compassion and understanding out of the strip club and onto the stage. These therapists in thigh-highs hold space for their audience, offering shrewd insights and razor-sharp intuition... laughter, wisdom and sage advice guaranteed.

Strippers Advice Bureau 

A revolving line-up of the best established and up-and-coming comedians at the Fringe in a show full of fun and laughter. 'The best thigh-slapping, cackling laugh of a time I’ve ever had ... something for everyone' ****1/2 (FringeFeed.com.au). 'A comedy smorgasbord' **** (GreatScottMedia.com). 'Hilarious comics ... a solid comedy show well worth the ticket price' **** (FringeFeed.com.au). 'A fine set of comics, who entertained everyone in the room' (Rip It Up).

Best of Edinburgh Fringe Comedy

Who are the funniest comedians? The Americans, the English... eh... probably the Scottish, but maybe it's the Arabs? Is it the Asians? Canadians? No, it's your Irish cousin... or maybe your Indian dad? Can’t forget about the Jews! The time to wonder has run out! Comics from every nation, culture and background will go head-to-head and answer the age old question: who are the funniest people? Records won't lie and there will be one champion. Join us with your face paint, show us your nips and let's get ready to rumble!

#1 All-Time Best Comedy Champion: War of the Flags

Wanna get something off your chest? This is the perfect show for you. We have heard it all – people making love to their friend's parent, smuggling drugs internationally and even confessing to murder... of a peacock accidentally while trying to impress a boy. The Best Weekly Comedy winner of Perth Fringe 2022 returns to Edinburgh Fringe. 1) Anonymously put your confession into the box. 2) Daniel and Cameron read them out. 3) Take a shot of buckfast. 4) The crowd counts 1, 2, 3 'We forgive you!' 5) You're absolved!

We Forgive You: The Confessional

Award-winning Angel Comedy (repeat winner: Best Venue in UK) brings a whole new showcase of acts to Edinburgh for the 10th year – after 9 sell-out years! Award-winning comedians and the best new acts, free! Watch the stars of the future, for free. Or book ahead to guarantee entry. Time Out recommended and Top 10 Comedy Venue on TripAdvisor.

Angel Comedy Showcase

The Irish Mob returns after an amazing sell-out run in 2023 and 2024! This wild and exciting compilation show brings together the best of Ireland's up-and-coming comedians and rising stars, alongside seasoned headliners and guest performers. Hosted and emceed by award-winning Irish comedian John O'Keeffe (Bray Comedy Festival's Best New Act 2019).

The Irish Mob

A stand-up comedy show from former philosophy teacher Alex Farrow. A fast paced, punchline dense race through WW3, medical trials, technology and freudian father figures. 'An intelligent new star with a skill for strong joke writing' (Comedy.co.uk). 'Perfect' ***** (Scotsman). 'Very talented' (Chortle.co.uk). 'Packs a philosophical punch' ***** (The Student Newspaper). 'Laugh out loud' (EdinburghGuide.com). Featured in The Times as part of the Best Jokes of the Fringe. As heard on BBC Radio 4 Extra.

Alex Farrow: New Order (Sex, Power and the Philosopher's Hoover)

Left, right, left, right, left, right. Halt! Project Comedy PREEEESEENTSSSS Gags Army! A fun-filled show casted exclusively with UK military veterans. Performing for you as part of their healing process. Come to the Kick Ass Cowgate at 17:45 on the double! And be entertained by His Majesty’s knackered and not so brightest! On the double-quick march! Left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right…

Laughing Horse @ Kick Ass Cowgate

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