Comedy club to open at Ponce City Market

A longtime stand-up comedian will open a place where fellow comedy veterans and newcomers can test their jokes on audiences.

The latest: Marshall Chiles plans to open Whiplash Comedy at Ponce City Market this summer. The club will have entrances adjacent to Dancing Goats and City Winery, the development said in a news release.

• Chiles owned and operated the Laughing Skull Lounge in Atlanta for 16 years and helped open Funny Farm Comedy Club in Roswell.

Zoom in: Whiplash will have two showrooms: the Main Squeeze, which will accommodate 130 people, and (of course) Side Piece, a smaller room that can hold about 44 people for more intimate performances such as karaoke.

• It will have a patio with a bar and seating.

What they're saying: Chiles told Axios he doesn't "think there's a better location for a comedy club than Ponce City Market."

• "I always look for excuses to go to Ponce City Market because I love the energy and community," he said.
• He envisions the club as a community hub where people can attend main shows, smaller social gatherings and meet-ups.
• Chiles also said he'd like the club to host stand-up comedy and acting classes and, for example, classes on needlepoint and macrame.

State of play: Whiplash's announcement comes after at least four eateries recently closed at Ponce City Market: Ton Ton Ramen, Sugar Shane's, Le Metro and Miso Ko.

Yes, but: Ponce City Market said additional food options are coming to the property this year, including La Cueva, Three Taverns Brew Terminal (which will serve food from DAS BBQ), NoriFish, Okiboru and Terminal 26, a Thai eatery inspired by the country's famous floating markets.

The bottom line: Chiles said Whiplash Comedy will bring a much-needed entertainment venue to Ponce, which he said is already popular because people can dine, shop and attend shows without moving their vehicles.

• "That's very unique for the city of Atlanta," he told Axios.