Comedy Lab by Mad Cat Comedy in Dubai

Comedy Lab is a weekly Thursday stand-up night by Mad Cat Comedy at Studio 1, Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis, billed as uncensored, unapologetic and unmissable. Doors open at 7:30pm and the show starts at 8pm, so it is an easy way to kick off the weekend early with live comedy on the Dubai Silicon Oasis side of the city.

Mad Cat Comedy and Radisson RED describe it as your weekly dose of unfiltered laughs, bold punchlines and high-energy chaos, and the format leans into that: this is comedy that pushes boundaries rather than plays it safe.

What to expect at Comedy Lab

The show features live stand-up from what the organisers call top-tier comedians. Names are not listed in advance, which keeps things unpredictable and gives regulars a reason to keep coming back. The material is adult, with strong language and adult themes, so it is very much a grown-up night out.

The name hints at the spirit of the night: experimental, boundary-pushing comedy in front of a live crowd, where the energy of the room matters as much as the material. That edge is part of the fun, and it is why the night is pitched firmly at adults.

Finding a seat

The show takes place in Studio 1 inside the hotel, and seating is first come, first served, with no guaranteed reserved seats. If you want to be close to the stage, arrive when doors open at 7:30pm; if you would rather avoid becoming part of the act, the back rows are your friend.

Mad Cat Comedy’s weekly circuit

Comedy Lab is one of several regular nights Mad Cat Comedy runs across Dubai. On Saturdays it hosts Joke Hub at Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef, and it has also run Comedy @ the Speakeasy at Moon Bar by SANA in Jumeirah Mina Al Salam. Each night has its own personality, and Comedy Lab is the Thursday option for people on the eastern side of the city, from Dubai Silicon Oasis to Academic City, Mirdif and the surrounding communities.

That local angle matters. Mad Cat’s other regular nights are in Al Seef by the creek and at Madinat Jumeirah, so a weekly show out in Silicon Oasis gives east-side residents a comedy night without a long drive across town on a work night. Thursday is also a natural night for it, with the weekend just around the corner.

The venue: Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis

Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis sits in Dubai Digital Park and was the first Radisson RED in the Middle East. The brand is built around art, music and fashion, and the hotel was designed with bold art installations, work by local artists and music running through its social spaces. It has 104 rooms, eight suites and 59 apartments, and was pitched at a younger, creative crowd from the start.

The hotel also has a garden bar, OUIBar + Garden, and a rooftop, REDROOF, both of which host their own events, such as the hotel’s themed seasonal parties, so a Comedy Lab Thursday can easily become a longer evening at the hotel. Arriving a little early also gives you time to grab dinner nearby before doors open at 7:30pm, since only a house drink and popcorn are included with the show.

Who it suits

• Friends looking for a lively Thursday night without a long trip to the other side of the city
• Residents of Silicon Oasis and nearby communities who want regular live comedy close to home
• Comedy regulars who want a dependable weekly fixture in the diary
• Colleagues after an easy midweek get-together with laughs and a drink
• Couples wanting a relaxed Thursday date night built around a live show

Guests must be 18 or over, and a valid photo ID may be required at the door.

Know before you go

• Doors open at 7:30pm and the show begins at 8pm, every Thursday.
• Each ticket includes a house drink and popcorn; other food and drinks are not included.
• Outside food and drink are not allowed.
• Seating is first come, first served, and reserved seating is not guaranteed.
• The show contains adult themes and strong language.
• Tickets cannot be cancelled or changed once booked, unless the organiser cancels the event.
• Management may refuse entry to, or remove, disruptive guests.
• Transport to and from the venue is not included.

Getting there

Radisson RED is in Dubai Silicon Oasis, off the Dubai–Al Ain Road side of the city, and is easiest to reach by car or taxi. Ask for Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis and head for Studio 1 once inside.

For more laughs, see our full guide to comedy shows in Dubai, browse things to do this weekend, or explore our nightlife picks. Our things to do in Dubai page has plenty more.