London: Bottomless Brunch Comedy – The Ding Dong Gong Show

A bottomless brunch that turns into a comedy battleground on the Southbank is an easy way to spend a very adult afternoon in London. I love that you get bottomless drinks plus a wood-fired pizza before the show starts, and I love that the format puts you in the decision seat, not just the audience. The tradeoff is that this is a rough-edged, 18+ show with strong language and gutter humour, so it is not for anyone who wants polite comedy.

Timing is also part of the appeal. You arrive for the 1pm start and get 90 minutes of bottomless drinks and pizza, then the Ding Dong Gong Show begins at 3pm. One consideration: because the comedians are fresh hopefuls and each set is only 5 minutes, the overall quality can vary from act to act.

The atmosphere is where this event really earns its reputation. Expect a host who keeps things moving, plus friendly, attentive staff who keep the vibe warm even when the audience gets brutal. If you want clean, carefully produced stand-up, you may feel like the bear pit energy is too much.

Key things to know before you go

• Southbank location between Upper Ground and Stamford Street, good for both locals and visitors
• 1pm arrival, 3pm show start, with 90 minutes of bottomless drinks and pizza in between
• 5-minute comic hopeful sets, where the audience decides what happens next
• 18+ content with strong language, sexual references, and gutter humour
• Wood-fired pizza included from Mr. Pizza Baby during the bottomless window
• Vegan or gluten-free options exist, but the pizza is not bottomless and is limited to 1 per person

Bottomless brunch first, comedy second: how the timing works

This runs as a single, smooth afternoon plan, but it has two distinct moods. First comes the brunch block, then the comedy block.

At 1pm, you show up and settle in for 90 minutes of bottomless drinks paired with pizza. In practice, this is the part where you meet your group, get a table or standing spot, and start warming up your evening brain. It also helps you avoid the common London problem where you either rush to eat, or you end up stuck hungry while you wait for comedy.

The comedy show begins at 3pm, so the pace shifts after the brunch window. The Ding Dong Gong Show is described as unpredictable and a little brutal in a good-natured way. That matters because you should not plan to chat through it. You will want your full attention for the audience reactions, the quick comic sets, and the moment when the room’s mood decides what happens next.

One small piece of strategy: if you know you get tipsy faster than you do in pubs, lean into water and soft drinks early. Bottomless can sneak up on you, and you will want to stay sharp enough to enjoy the fast, chaotic rhythm of the show.

Price and value: why the $74 can make sense

The price is $74 per person, and whether it feels like a good deal comes down to what you actually like doing for London afternoons.

For that cost, you get:

• Bottomless drinks for 90 minutes, including Big Belly Lager, cider, Prosecco, Aperol Spritz, soft drinks, and Lucky Saint
• A wood-fired pizza from Mr. Pizza Baby during the brunch window

If you already like the idea of a drink-forward brunch, this package can feel efficient. You are not paying for food and drinks separately and then also paying for entry on top. Instead, the meal and the drinking are bundled into the same block of time as the comedy event.

That said, be honest about your own style. If you do not drink, or you prefer to snack lightly rather than eat a full pizza, the value will feel smaller. The good news is that there are soft drinks and Lucky Saint included, so you do have non-hard-alcohol options during the bottomless period.

Also note the practical booking options: there is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a reserve now, pay later approach. That reduces the risk if your plans are still flexible.

The Ding Dong Gong Show format: 5-minute sets and audience power

The Ding Dong Gong Show has a simple engine: fresh comic hopefuls get 5 minutes to try to make the room laugh. Then the audience has a say, which is where this becomes more than background entertainment.

This is not a sit-back-and-applaud setup. It is more like you are participating in a live experiment. The show is described as good-natured but brutal, which means you should expect sharp audience judgment, rapid reactions, and moments that feel a bit like you are in the middle of the action.

Why that format works: 5 minutes is short enough that the room stays energized. You are less likely to get bored waiting for a slow build. And for comedians, it is an honest test, not a carefully padded stage performance.

Why it can be annoying: comedy of varying quality is part of the concept. Some acts will hit. Some will miss. And you will feel the difference quickly, because the pacing does not give you time to drift.

If you go in expecting a polished comedy club night, you may end up disappointed. If you go in expecting a chaotic “let’s see what happens” event where the crowd matters, you are more likely to leave grinning.

The vibe and content: 18+ humour with strong language

This show is 18+ only, and it does not pretend otherwise. Strong language is common, and sexual references and gutter humour are part of the mix. In other words, it is not the kind of comedy night where you can bring a timid date or someone who hates edgy jokes.

The atmosphere is also described as bear-pit style. That suggests a loud, rowdy room where people react quickly, and where the audience energy is a force, not just decoration. You should be ready for unpredictability, not a gentle, curated evening.

So who will enjoy it most?

• People who like humour that is a little rough around the edges
• Groups who want a shared laugh, plus a bit of friendly heckling energy
• Anyone celebrating an adult occasion and wants something different from the usual sightseeing-heavy day

Who might not enjoy it?

• Anyone who wants clean comedy only
• Anyone easily offended
• Anyone who prefers a quieter venue where you can talk without shouting

Food and drink details: wood-fired pizza and the bottomless lineup

Your brunch time includes wood-fired pizza from Mr. Pizza Baby plus bottomless drinks for 90 minutes. That matters because pizza is the easiest way to take the edge off alcohol early, and it helps you stay comfortable for the shift into show mode at 3pm.

The drink list is wide enough to cover most tastes:

• Big Belly Lager
• Cider
• Prosecco
• Aperol Spritz
• Soft drinks
• Lucky Saint

Having Lucky Saint in the mix is especially useful if you want something beer-like without going fully alcohol-heavy. And soft drinks mean you can pace yourself without losing the bottomless vibe.

A practical tip: if you plan to stay for the whole show energy, do not start with full-strength everything. Start with one drink, eat a few slices, then decide. You want to be alert for the audience choices and the rapid-fire 5-minute sets.

One more value note: the vegan or gluten-free pizza exists, but it is not bottomless. If you need dietary accommodations, it changes how you should plan your hunger and pacing.

Vegan and gluten-free: what changes about the pizza

If you need vegan or gluten-free options, you should let them know at checkout. The important detail is that vegan or gluten-free pizza is not bottomless, and it is 1 pizza per person.

That does not make it a bad option, but it does change the math. In the standard setup, pizza is part of the included bottomless window. For vegan and gluten-free, you should expect a single serving rather than unlimited pizza-style refills.

If you have strong dietary needs, this is still workable, because you are not left out. Just plan to arrive hungry enough for a full pizza, and do not count on extra food to stretch the 90-minute window.

Where to meet on the Southbank and how to plan your arrival

Meeting point is between Upper Ground and Stamford Street. This is the kind of area that makes meeting up with friends easier, and it also keeps you close to the Southbank’s pedestrian flow.

Because the show portion starts at 3pm, your best move is to get there early enough for the 1pm start so you are not rushing through the brunch window. In London, a 1pm start can become a timing trap if you hit the tube with a delay and still need time to find the exact spot.

If you want a smoother experience:

• Aim to arrive a few minutes before 1pm
• Once you are settled, stay there rather than bouncing around
• If you want a better view, think about where the action is likely to be when you choose your spot, since it is a lively audience-driven show

Also, the venue is wheelchair accessible, and the host or greeter is English. If you have mobility needs, you will be glad the space is designed for access rather than being an afterthought.

Who this is best for, and who should skip it

This experience is best for people who want an adult afternoon with real energy, not a polite dinner and a show you barely talk over.

It is a great fit if:

• You enjoy comedy that is fast and imperfect, because that is part of the entertainment
• You like audience participation where you help shape the outcome
• You want a Southbank location that feels central without turning the day into a full sightseeing grind
• You are happy with 18+ material and do not mind strong language and sexual references

You should probably skip it if:

• You are sensitive to edgy humour and explicit references
• You want a calm atmosphere, or a comedy night with strictly clean material
• You dislike the idea that comic quality can vary, since the event is built around testing hopefuls

One more thought: this is the kind of event that works well in groups. If you come solo and expect to be totally detached, you might find the audience energy a bit intense.

Should you book this London bottomless comedy?

Book it if you want a 4-hour Southbank plan that blends food, drinks, and a loud, adult comedy experiment with real audience involvement. The main reason to choose it is the combination: bottomless drinks plus wood-fired pizza before the show, and a format where you are not just watching, you are part of the judgment.

Skip it if you want polished, clean comedy. The show is explicitly not for the fainthearted, and the content is 18+ with strong language and gutter humour.

If you do book, go in with the right mindset: drink responsibly, eat early, and treat the 5-minute sets like a live comedy trial. When you match the energy, it is the kind of event you remember for the stories, not for perfect jokes.

FAQ

What time should I arrive, and when does the comedy start?

You should arrive for the 1pm start. The comedy show begins at 3pm.

How long does the experience last?

The total experience duration is 4 hours.

What is included with the bottomless drinks and pizza?

You get 90 minutes of bottomless drinks plus a wood-fired pizza from Mr. Pizza Baby. The bottomless drinks include Big Belly Lager, cider, Prosecco, Aperol Spritz, soft drinks, and Lucky Saint.

Is this show suitable for children or teens?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18, and it is 18+ only.

Are vegan or gluten-free options available?

Yes, but you must let them know at checkout. Vegan or gluten-free pizza is not bottomless, and you receive 1 pizza per person.

Where is the meeting point?

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