Tokyo Comedy Bar is a purpose-built comedy venue in Shibuya that opened in May 2022 as the only dedicated stand-up and improv club in Tokyo. Founded by British comedian BJ Fox, it hosts shows every night of the week in both English and Japanese. The venue serves as a training hub as well as a performance space, offering open mics, showcases, and improv and stand-up workshops.
History
BJ Fox, a British comedian who had previously worked in the video game industry in Tokyo, opened Tokyo Comedy Bar on May 6, 2022, just a minute from Shibuya Crossing. The venue was conceived as a permanent, purpose-built home for comedy in a city that had previously lacked a dedicated comedy club. Within its first years of operation it established a consistent programming calendar including regular improv shows, among them a recurring fantasy RPG-themed improv night. It has become a central node in Tokyo's comedy community, providing stage time to both resident and visiting comedians.
Artistic Identity
Tokyo Comedy Bar programs a broad range of comedy formats, with improv sitting alongside stand-up as a core offering. Its bilingual programming reflects Tokyo's international audience, and the venue encourages participation through accessible beginner workshops as well as intermediate improv training courses. The approach is welcoming and community-oriented, positioning the club as a launching pad for new performers as much as a destination for polished shows.
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). Tokyo Comedy Bar. Retrieved March 17, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/companies/tokyo-comedy-bar
The Improv Archive. "Tokyo Comedy Bar." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/companies/tokyo-comedy-bar.
The Improv Archive. "Tokyo Comedy Bar." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/companies/tokyo-comedy-bar. Accessed March 17, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.