Comedy Nights in Tenerife: What to Expect and Where

Comedy nights in Tenerife mostly take place in the south, in show bars around Playa de las Américas, San Eugenio, Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos, and the majority are in English. Shows usually start between 9pm and 10:30pm, and many bar nights are free to enter. Dinner shows and touring headliners are ticketed.

Comedy in the resorts ranges from straight stand-up to comedy-cabaret, drag hosts and comic singers, so it is worth knowing what kind of show you are walking into. Tonight’s comedy listings on DoTenerife show who is on and what time in Tenerife time.

Types of comedy night in Tenerife

Type	What it is	Who it suits
Stand-up	Resident or visiting comedians doing a set, sometimes several on one bill	Adults who like traditional comedy
Comedy cabaret	Comedy mixed with songs, characters and audience banter	Groups, couples, mixed ages (adults)
Drag comedy	Drag hosts with comedy, lip sync and live vocals	Hen dos, groups, anyone up for a laugh
Comic singers and duos	Musicians who mix songs with jokes	Older crowds, long-stay visitors
Comedy dinner shows	Food plus a full comedy or drag show	Celebrations, groups
Spanish stand-up	Local comedians in Spanish, mostly in the north	Spanish speakers

Where to find comedy

Playa de las Américas and Starco

The biggest concentration of show bars on the island, with comedy, cabaret and drag hosts on many nights of the week. Expect a loud, party atmosphere and plenty of interaction. See the Starco guide.

San Eugenio and Costa Adeje

San Eugenio has a long-established scene of show bars that mix comedy with tribute and cabaret acts. Costa Adeje has hotel bars and dinner-show venues, generally with a slightly more polished feel.

Los Cristianos

A smaller comedy scene, often comic singers and hosts in relaxed bars, popular with winter long-stay visitors.

Santa Cruz and La Laguna

If you speak Spanish, the north has stand-up and improv in bars and small theatres, plus comedy at local festivals.

What the humour is like

Comedy in holiday resorts tends to be:

• Adult. Late shows can be very blue, especially drag and cabaret. If you are sensitive to strong language or innuendo, sit further back.
• Interactive. Front-row seats almost guarantee you will be picked on. Hen and stag groups are a favourite target.
• Aimed at an international English-speaking crowd, with plenty of jokes about holidays, sunburn and the resort itself.

Comedy dinner shows

Several venues in the south combine dinner with a comedy or drag show, often with transfers from hotels. They are popular for birthdays, hen dos and group nights. Prices depend on the package, typically more than a regular night out because food and sometimes drinks are included. See our guide to dinner shows in Tenerife for what is included and how to book.

Costs

• Bar comedy nights: often free entry; you buy drinks.
• Touring comedians: ticketed, with prices depending on the act.
• Comedy dinner shows: usually priced per person including a meal; prices vary by package and season.

Tips for a good comedy night

• Book ahead for dinner shows, especially in school holidays and around Christmas.
• Arrive early for bar shows if you want a good seat, and decide whether you want to be in the firing line.
• Check the start time on the day. Acts sometimes move venues or swap nights.
• Leave the kids at the hotel show. Most bar comedy after 9pm is not family-friendly. Many hotels run family entertainment earlier; see hotel entertainment in Tenerife.
• Do not film the act without asking; many comedians do not want material posted online.

Accessibility and language

Most comedy venues in the south are bars with a small stage, so seating is informal and space can be tight on busy nights. If you need step-free access or a seat near the exit, ask the venue when you book or arrive early. Shows in English rely on fast wordplay, so if English is not your first language, a comedy-cabaret or drag show with more music and visual humour may be more enjoyable than straight stand-up.

When comedy is busiest

Comedy nights are busiest in winter, when many long-stay visitors are on the island, and during school holidays. Midweek shows are often easier to get a seat at than Friday and Saturday. Around Christmas and New Year, several venues put on special comedy and cabaret nights, which usually need booking.

Comedy alongside other shows

Comedy often shares a bill with tribute acts, singers and drag hosts, so a single night can cover several types of entertainment. If you enjoy comic hosts, you will probably like our drag and cabaret guide.