London: Bottomless Brunch Comedy – The Ding Dong Gong Show

The Ding Dong Gong Show is a comedy contest with a sharp twist: new comics get five minutes to make you laugh, and the audience helps decide who stays and who gets the gong. I like the mix of wood-fired pizza and bottomless drinks before the show, and the chance to see comedy in its less polished, more unpredictable form.

This is not a tidy evening of gentle jokes. The mood can be rowdy, the humour can get crude, and the comics’ quality varies. If you want a comfortable show with carefully polished material, this may not be your kind of afternoon.

The useful details at a glance

• The schedule: Arrive for 1pm. Pizza and 90 minutes of bottomless drinks come before the comedy starts at 3pm.
• The format: Each hopeful comic has five minutes to win over the room. The audience has a say in their fate.
• The food and drinks: Your ticket includes a wood-fired pizza and a choice of lager, cider, Prosecco, Aperol Spritz, soft drinks, and Lucky Saint.
• The setting: Big Belly Bar & Comedy Club is on London’s Southbank, between Upper Ground and Stamford Street.
• The tone: Expect adult jokes, strong language, sexual references, and gutter humour. The event is for ages 18 and over.
• The value: At $74 per person for a four-hour event, the appeal is the combination of food, drinks, and live comedy, not just a seat at a show.

Pizza and drinks before the 3pm show

Plan to arrive for the 1pm start. The first part of the afternoon gives you a wood-fired pizza from Mr. Pizza Baby and 90 minutes of bottomless drinks. The show begins at 3pm, so this is a meal-and-comedy outing rather than a quick drink before a performance.

The drink options cover several styles: Big Belly Lager, cider, Prosecco, Aperol Spritz, soft drinks, and Lucky Saint. That variety is useful if your group does not all want the same thing, or if you prefer a non-alcoholic option. The experience details do not specify serving sizes or how drinks are served, so I would treat bottomless as a set 90-minute window, not an all-afternoon arrangement.

The included pizza helps make the price easier to assess. You are paying for food and a timed drinks period as well as the show, which can be good value if you plan to enjoy all three. If you are coming mainly for the comedy, or do not drink, the package may feel less compelling.

If you need a vegan or gluten-free pizza, let the venue know at checkout. Those pizzas are not bottomless: the allowance is one pizza per person. That distinction matters if you are comparing the meal with the regular option or arriving hungry. The specific toppings and available alternatives are not stated, so check the details before booking if you have other dietary needs.

Five minutes to win the room

At 3pm, the focus shifts to the Ding Dong Gong Show. New comic hopefuls each get five minutes to amuse the audience. It is a simple premise, but the audience has a direct part in deciding a comic’s fate, which makes the room feel less like a standard stand-up bill and more like a live contest.

That structure brings real uncertainty. A comic may land their material, struggle, or provoke a split reaction. You are not promised a run of finished, professional sets. The draw is seeing people take a chance in front of a crowd, with the possibility of a surprise success or a spectacularly awkward five minutes.

The audience’s role is central, but there are judges too. That can add another layer to the contest, though it may not suit everyone: some people find the judging adds to the fun, while others may find the judges’ manner distracting. If you want a show where the comics alone command the stage and the room stays polite, this format may grate.

The event is described as wild and unpredictable, with comedy of varying quality. That is an honest way to set expectations. The unevenness is part of the format, but it is also a risk: a weak set is still five minutes of your afternoon. Go for the energy of the contest, not a guarantee that every comic will deliver.

A lively room, with adult humour

This is explicitly an 18-plus show. Strong language, sexual references, and gutter humour are common, and the tone is described as a bear pit. That does not mean every moment will be offensive, but you should expect the material to push boundaries and the audience to react loudly.

I would choose this outing for a group that enjoys rough-edged comedy and does not mind a little discomfort. It may work well for friends looking for a social afternoon with food and drinks built in. It is a poor match for a family outing, a quiet date, or anyone who prefers clean comedy and a predictable atmosphere.

A good host can make a format like this work. The host has been singled out as a strength, and the staff have also been described as friendly and attentive. That matters here: with short sets and audience participation, the person guiding the room can help keep the event moving and the mood welcoming, even when a comic is not landing.

What the $74 ticket buys

At $74 per person, this is not a low-cost comedy ticket. But the price includes a pizza, 90 minutes of bottomless drinks, and a four-hour event, so judge it as an afternoon package rather than comparing it only with the cost of a stand-up show.

The best value is for someone who will make use of the drinks period, eat the included pizza, and enjoy the contest even when the comedy is hit-or-miss. If you do not want alcohol, the soft drinks and Lucky Saint give you options, but the value will still depend on how much you want the meal and the show.

The format also carries a different kind of value from a conventional comedy night. You are there to watch hopefuls take a risk in a live room, not just to see a familiar name deliver a polished set. If that premise appeals, the uncertainty is part of what you are paying for. If not, the same unpredictability may feel like poor value.

Finding Big Belly on the Southbank

The venue is centrally located on the Southbank, between Upper Ground and Stamford Street. That makes it a practical choice if you are already spending time in central London, and the event is presented as suitable for locals as well as visitors.

The meeting point information gives the two nearby streets, but not a detailed route or transport directions. Allow yourself enough time to find the venue before the 1pm start, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the area. The activity is wheelchair accessible, a useful detail when planning, though you may want to confirm any specific access requirements with the provider.

The event is hosted in English. No guide or host name is provided, so you cannot plan around a particular performer or compare the experience with a named comic’s style. The show depends on the line-up of hopefuls taking part that day, which is another reason to go for the format rather than a specific act.

Who should book this afternoon?

Book it if you like audience-led comedy, enjoy a loose and sometimes unruly atmosphere, and want food and drinks included in the outing. The host and staff are particular pluses, and the Southbank location keeps it convenient for a central London day.

Think twice if you dislike crude jokes, want consistently strong stand-up, or would rather pay only for the show. The contest’s rough edges are not a small footnote; they are part of the experience. For the right audience, they make the afternoon lively. For everyone else, they may be the reason to choose a different comedy night.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. That flexibility is handy if your London plans are still taking shape, but the main decision is simple: book for the mix of pizza, drinks, and comic risk-taking, not for a polished, guaranteed laugh every five minutes.

FAQ

What time does the event start?

Arrive for 1pm. The comedy show starts at 3pm.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts four hours.

What food and drinks are included?

Your ticket includes a wood-fired pizza from Mr. Pizza Baby and 90 minutes of bottomless drinks. Options include Big Belly Lager, cider, Prosecco, Aperol Spritz, soft drinks, and Lucky Saint.

Can I request a vegan or gluten-free pizza?

Yes. Let the provider know at checkout. Vegan and gluten-free pizzas are not bottomless, and the allowance is one pizza per person.

Is the show suitable for children?

No. The event is for ages 18 and over and includes strong language, sexual references, and gutter humour.

Where is the meeting point?

The venue is between Upper Ground and Stamford Street on the Southbank.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can reserve now and pay later. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.