A new comedy club is preparing to join Ponce City Market this year. Whiplash Comedy will open this summer, bringing nightly stand-up comedy shows, variety programming and comedy classes to the market.
Marshall Chiles, who has been part of the local comedy scene for more than two decades, is behind the forthcoming spot. Chiles previously was part of the Funny Farm Comedy Club, and he founded Laughing Skull Lounge, which he operated for 16 years until he sold it last year.
After selling Laughing Skull Lounge, Chiles began to search for his next venture, which morphed into the vision for Whiplash Comedy.
“I thought, ‘Go big or go home,’” Chiles told What Now Atlanta. “I’m a really big fan of Ponce City Market and the community down there.”
The spot will feature a full beverage program with wine, classic cocktails, beers and non-alcoholic drinks, and a limited food menu featuring snacks such as flatbreads and pretzel bites.
The space will have two sections: a 130-seat main showroom called “Main Squeeze” and a 44-seat smaller showroom called “Side Piece.” Side Piece will cater to more intimate shows such as up-close magic, karaoke and socials, and it will be an area where Chiles can try out experimental shows.
“That’s really what will help feed the big picture of everything because you never know what show is going to hit,” Chiles said. “‘Kill Tony’ is one of the biggest shows online right now and it started off in The Belly Room at The Comedy Store in its experimental stage. Same with ‘Roast Battle,’ and now it’s a juggernaut.”
The design will be reminiscent of Laughing Skull Lounge, featuring VIP benches and bleacher seating. It will also feature a 2,500-square-foot outdoor patio with a bar, comfortable seating and greenery.
“My vision for the space is that it’s a community hub centered around comedy,” Chiles said. “I think what people need now more than anything is community. I really want a place where people can come, connect and laugh.”
Chiles envisions building the Whiplash brand in a similar fashion to Laughing Skull. He hopes to expand in the future, perhaps to one more location in Atlanta and then to other cities.
“I think this will be a major asset to Ponce City Market in Atlanta,” Chiles said. “I think the community is really excited to have another comedy club in the city. I look at Whiplash as the second Atlanta icon I get to build, which is exciting.”
In addition to Whiplash, Ponce City Market is bringing in plenty of other concepts this year, including Terminal 26 from the 26 Thai team, cocktail lounge and listening room La Cueva, barbershop The Commodore and brewery and taproom Three Taverns Brew Terminal. NoriFish and Okiboru also recently announced plans to join the development.
