This place is small but packed with laughs! What a fantastic venue! Every seat is good, there is a bar, it is nicely kept, and the comedians were funny! It is hidden in the back of a burger joint... yeah I know but stick with it... it is a cool space that seats maybe 100 people, has a small stage, but is large with laughter! There is pay to park right across the street. But again it is mall too so get here earlier to get a spot. The cost is well worth the show! My date and I laughed and laughed. I would come g e again and plan to in the near future. read more

Nice atmosphere. Small quaint place. Most of the comedians were very funny. A couple of them could've stayed home. The best was probably Denise. read more

Was traveling for work and decided to check this place out solo. I had a blast and my only regret was not also coming for the Saturday night show. read more

Laughing Skull Lounge - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Had a great time at a recent "best of Atlanta" comedy show at the Laughing Skull. There were 8 comedians and each had 10 min to do their best and they were each pretty good. I really enjoyed myself and laughed many times. I paid for "vip" tickets toward the front which are 2 seats and a table, and recommend this unless you are cool with sitting in the back w/ stadium seating. read more

Laughing Skull Lounge - Stage! - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

I had a wonderful time. Amazing space, decent drinks, funny comics. I went 10:30, show runs around 100 minutes. Fun night out

Great place! Small inside and they don't require you to lock up your phones. Good drinks and great stand ups. Make sure to buy tickets online so they don't sell out. It is raunchy so if you don't like dark humor this isn't for you. Also parking is tricky so make sure to give yourself extra time! read more

Intimate venue, but a solid fun atmosphere. Stop at the vortex before or after the show for some great food and a fun time. I had a great time here. It was a fun time out in the A. This place is a small seater but big on laughs. I take my friends here that are visiting from out of town and we always have a great time. This is a cool spot you need to check out. read more

I cannot fathom why they think charging $25 and a two-drink minimum is a good idea for a local comedy open mic. It's like they don't want people to come. They're just taking advantage of the fact that the comedians will beg their friends to come watch them. $15 would be alright, but $25? Here is a list of 10 other things you can buy for about $25 that will last longer and maybe make you laugh more than this open mic (thanks to Chat GPT for generating the list): 1. An insulated water bottle 2. A Bluetooth speaker 3. A fitness tracker 4. A smartwatch 5. A pair of sunglasses 6. A pocket knife 7. A pocket camera 8. A set of cooking utensils 9. A set of smart plugs 10. An electric toothbrush But I'm here and I shelled out $25 because I'm a good friend. Never again. He can tell me his jokes at my house, for free. read more

Attended an amateur night impromptu during the week during my trip to ATL. For a local comedy club it was great, service was top notch! Of course you get a couple comedians still refining their skills, but majority of them were hilarious! Definetely would attend again if I ever was in the area. It was a small intimate setting which I enjoyed and for first live comedy stand up it hit the spot! Also worth mentioning I attended alone and the ambiance and environment was super cool and welcoming. read more

Very small place so any seat is a good seat; however, most are just rows of chairs with no tables so you have to hold your drink. There is no server so you go to the bar to get your drink. The 2 drink minimum isn't really unforced since there is no server and most don't want to get up in the middle of the show or hold 2 drinks. The entrance is inside the vortex. The comedians were good. It was a little warm in there for my liking and someone was video taping the entire time from the door which was distracting since we were in the row where he was doing it so we felt like there was a constant camera on us. Fast response time via social media with code. Intimate small environment is definitely go again. read more

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Ventured into midtown before the sundown. Walked past the big ass burly security into the Vortex and was met with a huge phallic statue! It's going to be a great night! Guys at the ticket table were so cool and helpful. Found our table, grabbed our drinks, and waited for the show. It did not disappoint. We saw about 10 comics in an hour and a half. Each one funnier than the last. Great venue, we will definitely be back. read more

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Great entertainment venue! Never had a bad time! Comedians always deliver! I especially like the crowd work. The audience is mostly polite and respectful. The comedians really know how to isolate the disrespectful audience members. It really turns up the experience. Cannot wait to return! Bye now! read more

The Laughing Skull Lounge is a tiny comedy club located inside the Vortex Midtown. To get inside the lounge, you have to enter the Vortex, walk through the dining area and back into the restroom hallway. At the end of that narrow hallway is where the entrance to the lounge is. Strange, but that's how it works. I went to the Laughing Skull Lounge twice to watch a friend perform some of his first ever stand-up comedy routines. Tuesday and Wednesday nights are "Open Mic" nights at the lounge. Doors open at 7:45pm and shows start at 8pm or shortly thereafter. Tickets are $10 each and the show lasts 2 to 2.5 hours. Open Mic nights are nights when a bunch of comedians sign up and perform roughly 5-minute acts on stage. Most of the comics are amateurs and are getting into stand-up for their first time. If you attend an Open Mic night, more than likely you will see several comics' performing for their first time on stage. Because of this, you may witness some poor souls bomb. The nights I went, there were 13 to 15 comics plus the host. The host was pretty good and interjected humor between each act. Our crowds were lucky as almost all of the acts were funny, though there were definitely a few bombs and WTF acts. Be prepared because anything goes. There were plenty of vulgar and highly offensive jokes to go around. As mentioned previously, the lounge is tiny. The room seats only 74 and everyone is nestled closely together. The front row, which I think may be reserved for "VIPs" only, has a few small tables to set your drinks on. The other rows consist of small, neatly arranged wooden chairs. The back of the room is where the bar is, as well as a few staggered benches. There is a two drink minimum (loosely enforced) and the drinks are strong. No food is served, so if you plan to eat, plan to grab your meal before or after the show. The Vortex next door being the most obvious choice for pre or post-gaming. Street parking and various pay lots and parking decks are located close to the club. Laughing Skull recommends parking in the AmeriPark lot across the street, which costs $5. It's the most convenient lot. read more

Laughing Skull Lounge - Open Mic night. - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

I've been meaning to try this place for a while but it was always sold out. Came here for a 5 pm V-day show. Not super impressed. There were about 10 comedians and it went from good to not so much. There's paid parking across the street and you have to enter through Vortex. There's a bar that has a few liquor options and it's 2 drinks min per person. I may give it another try.. read more

Great location in the heart of Midtown! They bring in some good comedians, but they also have their lot of stinkers too. I wouldn't just go for a random show on a Friday night- I would definitely do my research beforehand! I think the best seats in the house are in the back, where there are booths that make it easy to cuddle with your significant other. They also have small ledges where you can place your drink. We try to get in line early to secure these booths! There's a two drink minimum inside, which isn't too bad as long as you know before you go in. Prices are a little higher than average but not terrible. I usually enjoy myself when I am here, and it makes for a fun and different night out. Plus, when the show's over, you've got a lot of great options for your after-party! read more

Laughing Skull Lounge - Cash bar list at the Laughing Skull Lounge - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Avoid this place. It is a waste of money. I had a terrible experience here. We paid $50 each to be treated rudely. I was here with 2 friends. We were told to sit in the back so we did. Then 40 minutes into the show these 3 women come in late, complain to the usher that they can't find seats together (interrupting the show btw) and the usher for some reason chose us to split up and gave them our seats. They split my party of 3 up for a party of 3 that came 40 MINUTES LATE. Idk why we were chosen out of all the people that came on time. Maybe it was because we're were women of color and we were an easy target or the usher/comedian was mad we didn't laugh at his jokes. They made one of us sit in the front row, one of us in the very back row, and one of us in the middle of the room. It was awkward and embarrassing. The ushers needs to learn how to usher and learn about customer service. They should have gave us a refund. We couldn't enjoy the show because we were so mad. Only half the comedians were funny. read more

Updated review. The best place in town to go for stand up comedy. Celebrities drop by all the time unannounced too. I saw Dave Chappelle and Jeff Foxworthy here recently. The stage and seating arrangement were updated a while back making the place more comfortable. read more

Laughing Skull Lounge - Cool lighting and atmosphere - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

I'm a newly practicing comedian, and I've performed at the Laughing Skull twice. I've also been to see several open mic and touring comic shows. The best things about Laughing Skull are: it's an intimate venue and big name comics perform there. Laughing Skull only seats 74 - it is the smallest professional comedy club in the US - that's a fact! The seating is tightly packed so there's not a lot of space for movement. Once you're down, it's awkward to move around unless you're sitting on the row ends. I don't like the stool seating. They are not as uncomfortable as they look; it's just an awkward way to sit for a couple of hours. I prefer the wooden benches in the back because I can sit my drink on the shelf in front of me - there's no place to sit a drink in the general seating area as only the VIP area has tables. Yes, there is a two-drink minimum, but most comedy clubs have that and the prices are generally outrageous. $3 for an 8oz. bottle of water is f*cking ridiculous. A lot of these reviews talked about the food at Vortex, so I want to be clear - the Laughing Skull is in the Vortex, but they do not serve food, and they do not like people to bring in food from the Vortex (this is part of the reason I give them 3 stars). I'd rather order food than a drink, especially a $3 8oz. aluminum bottle of soda. I also don't like the cash-only policy. It's easy to forget and it's rare that places adhere to that policy anymore. Also, their ticketing website is not secure, so I don't feel comfortable ordering tickets online. Of course, there is an ATM right by the door, so cash is always at your fingertips for an unreasonable fee. But I'm glad there's a professional comedy club in the city, and I hope they stay open foreva-eva! read more

This was my first visit to any comedy club and I was not impressed with The Laughing Skull. I originally purchased tickets to see Gary Gulman. However, I received an email the Monday before the show that weekend that Gary cancelled. The club offered a substitute show, The Best of Atlanta, the same day or a refund if you chose. I choose to keep the tickets and go, because I already had other plans that revolved around going to the club. To make the long story shorter, there was a birthday group that was drunk when they came in, sat in the front row, continued drinking, and heckled the first 5 comics until the managers finally threw out the group that made it an interactive comedy show. Several comics cut their sets short and dealt with them more than going through their material. This group should have been removed immediately, especially after you show a video before the show detailing what will happen if you interrupt the show. The show was distracting and pathetic and no apology offered from management. read more

Laughing Skull Lounge - The funniest part of our show. - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

It was so good to be able to get out with people and enjoy some comedy. It'd been awhile for my wife and me. Great range of comics and good drinks. Would definitely go again next time we're in the city. read more

The negativity of my experience with this venue was their complete lack of customer service. I bought a ticket for a show that ended up having only one seat left. Well, that didn't work out because a friend an I were both trying to buy tickets to go together. I thought it would be no big deal to just call up and change the ticket for the later showing that same day. Well, they said via recording "email is the fastest way to get a hold of us and we will respond shortly". Not so much. I sent the email as directed. An hour goes by with no answer. Meanwhile, the show is quickly approaching and I don't know if my friend and I will be able to go together. So we proceed to buy tickets to the later showing, this time buying both tickets at once to ensure that we would both be able to attend. I email the prescribed email address once more (whatup@laughingskulllounge.com) to note that I just needed a refund now. I called again and of course got the same automated answering machine and left a message. I waited again for another hour. No call, no email, no help. So I call the Vortex (for those who haven't attended, The Laughing Skull Lounge entrance is through the back of the restaurant the Vortex) and the manager on duty is as helpful as she is able to be, but they are separate entities she says. So, at this point I am really annoyed. Days later, I still haven't received help from anyone. No response via email or phone. I am chalking it up to a lost $40 at this point but I don't foresee ever going back. read more

Known as the smallest club in the US dedicated to stand up comedy full time, the room holds approximately 50 patrons with 2 rows of small round tables in front of the stage. The atmosphere was electric and personal. We sat front row, table 4, and had an incredible time. The headliner was Tony Hinchcliffe and he was proceeded by two local and 1 LA based acts that were also great. We spent the whole night laughing and having a great time. See my checkin post for a shot of the menu. There is a Full bar and they host their own signature brew, can only. The club is located in the back of the restaurant called Vortex. We did not eat here but will be back because the restaurant look really intriguing. Anyone who is a fan of comedy would really enjoy seeing a show in the space. Alcohol prices were reasonable to moderate and pours were generous. We'll be back! read more

Laughing Skull Lounge - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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I went hear for the Dames a Flame show last night, and was semi-impressed with this part of The Vortex. The room that is referred to as their "lounge" is quite small, and consists of room for no more than maybe 30 people. The front section was "VIP" and table seating, while the back was basically you being propped up on a bar stool. So imagine sitting there for about 1 1/2 hrs. on a stool such as that...talk about UNCOMFORTABLE!!! So overall I give the lounge itself 3 stars, but the extra one comes from the wonderful show..... If you ever get the chance, you should definitely check out the Dames a Flame show, it's funny and amusing. It reminds you of a Showgirl show, with a bit more classiness to it. And yes ladies (and gentleman)expect to see some flesh.....b/c these ladies definitely show that off..... read more

I have been meaning to check this place out since I moved here in 2007. And I finally made it! It's of the "Vortex" franchise, so if you're familiar with the atmosphere, it carries over into the comedy lounge. This place is in the back of the actual restaurant on PeachTree street. The room is very quaint, seats about 40 people max, so there is no bad seat in the house. We saw three comedians & the headliner, Gary Gulman, none who disappointed. They give you a rundown of the rules to begin with (2 drink minimum, no heckling, the usual) and the show starts. Zero complaints, the bar serves alcoholic & non alcoholic beverages, nothing is terribly priced. Looking forward to visiting again. read more

Laughing Skull Lounge - The room is very small, not in the VIP section, but we're only about 8 get away from the stage. Super stoked. - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

This was my first time ever attending a comedy show. I must say the first few acts were sort of weird but as the show progressed I heard acts that I thought were genuinely funny !! Was definitely a good experience. read more

Torture. Parking $20. 1 comedian out of the line-up was very good. The rest were gross, dropping the typical low level "come/dick comedy" to wake up the audience, or grandmothers watching porn. I was yawning like the rest of us. Two can of beer - $13 read more

I've been to the Laughing Skull a few times now and each time it's been good for quite a few laughs. They do have a two drink minimum which is a bit annoying for someone who doesn't really drink, but the comedy shows I've seen there have been great. Each time I've been I've "splurged" for the VIP booth seats instead of general admission. The VIP seats guarantee your spot and give you more space than the cramped folding chairs for general admission - and the tickets are only a few dollars more, so it's definitely worth the upgrade. Can't wait to go back for another show soon! read more

Glad to be able to see some shows again. Great venue with a small group for social distancing.

Small venue, but it made the show more intimate, the comedy was great. We loved them all and wish it was longer! There was a variety of comedians there so you were never hearing the same type of material. Will definitely return if we are in the Atlanta area! read more

We came to see the Best of Atlanta showcase. Frequenting Punchline we were excited to visit a different comedy club. All the comedians were absolutely terrible, what a waste of time. read more

Definitely a good place to checkout if you are into stand up comedy. I atteded an open Mic night, on a Tuesday, and my girlfriend and I definitely enjoyed ourselves. There were 17 comedians, and the majority of them were great, and the rest flopped, but the mixed experience between comedians is expected with an open Mic night. I definitely suggest checking this place out. And yes, this does make a good addition to date night if you are a couple with a sense of humor! read more

Laughing Skull Lounge - Comedy Clubs Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Nothing to do with a COVID review. Service was amazing and staff amazing. The reverse racism and really just disrespect towards "white" people towards the end was terrible. We have a very "sick" sense of humor. This wasn't even that. It was straight white hatred. There was also a distasteful white comedian that rebounded but the last 3 acts on 02FEB22, absolute hatred at anything not black. Is what it is but lost a couple customers and will be sharing that since I live in Midtown and frequent all these places. read more

Went here last night with my coworkers. It was a good time but since it was open mic there were definitely a couple of cringy moments. I expected that, though. One of my coworkers said she came on a night that wasn't open mic and it was a lot funnier - I'll have to check that out! read more

I was really stoked to check out my first couple of shows at the Laughing Skull. It's pretty hilarious walking by all of the tables and cigarette smoke, past the bathrooms, and to a lone door that leads to a comedy club that seats around 80 folks. Gotta say that I love the vibe of Laughing Skull. It's the kind of place that feels like a secret club at first, but after a few visits starts to feel like your own living room. Only "downside" would be the two drink minimum. However, this really only comes to be a negative when/if you're not drinking or in the mood to drink. They do have some decent options throughout the show, though. The guys the at the door are always pretty cool. Lively bunch. Always making wisecracks at one another and making light of the odd setting of the club. Our most recent visit was to see Jeff Garlin and the there wasn't a single seat left open. The energy of the small crowd was awesome and, luckily, there were no hecklers. I'm definitely a fan of the Laughing Skull. Glad we have it here in the A. read more

Had an awesome experience here! As a few other reviews have mentioned, I'm not sure how they know if you have bought two drinks or not because they serve you. You have to physically go to the bar in the back yourself. Its small and quaint but I loved the ambiance. Felt real. Came here for "The Best of Atlanta" where they had 10 or so comedians come up for approx ~10min sets each. Majority of them were really good! Did not know that we could bring drinks from the restaurant side over into the comedy club. Oops! Unnecessarily chugged a drink.. When I'm back in ATL, I would definitely come here again and see another show! read more

So boyfriend and I went to the laughing Skull Lounge Saturday night. We bought general admissions tickets and showed up early since we want to get good seats. Seats weren't bad. Mid third row. We saw the best of Atlanta and they were all pretty funny. I didn't stop laughing honestly. The two drink min is not super enforced and you can get a drink at the bar in Vortex before the show and bring it with you. They will poor it in a plastic cup for you. Next time I think we will definitely get the VIP tickets. Only reason we didn't is because the only seats left were front row center and neither of us felt like being the punchline of any jokes. read more

My girlfriend and I were looking forward to the 9:30 show last night, but turned out to be an all around disappointment. For starters, the bar tender refused to replace a totally unpalatable drink we got. It was called the atlien or something and The best way I could describe it is green Hawaiian Punch with a bunch of liqueur recklessly mixed in. For $9 A cocktail I should be able to put it down, but it was profoundly terrible. Oh, the house IPA was shit too. Worst of all, there was an annoying audience member that was a brazenly obnoxious the entire time. They politely told her to shut up once, but it was too little too late and the show was about over. The comedians made me lol on the inside a little but rarely made me lol on the outside. Glad there are other comedy clubs in Atlanta. You might want to consider another one for a cheaper and better all around experience. read more

We had a great time at the "Best of ATL" night - great comedians and delicious drinks!

Occasionally, it's necessary to for one to take in some lowbrow humor. Last Sunday, the Mr and I headed to the Laughing Skull to watch the hilarious Caleb Synan (a personal friend) as well as 21 other comics from the Laughing Skull Festival wrap up their weekend with 5 minute sets in quick succession. It was an enormous amount of fun, and I've easily met my comedy quota for the next 6 months. The Laughing Skull, you'll note, can be reached by walking through The Vortex. Confusing, I know, but it's there. Walk inside and to the left, almost to the back of the restaurant. You'll see a neon sign that reads "Comedy Club." It's in the same general direction as the bathrooms. Wander enough and you'll make it in. Parking, which we found in a lot across the street, wasn't THAT expensive. $5 for a Sunday night. Not too shabby. We arrived early, and were rewarded by a bump up to VIP seating (and smiley face hand stamps) for a sold out show. Thanks, guys! We sat at one of the VIP tables in the very front, which provided us with a personal vantage point from which to take in the show. Yes, Laughing Skull has a 2 drink minimum, although I didn't notice any policing of this policy. The show we attended was more than 2.5 hours long, so there was plenty of time to imbibe, and most folks seemed to enjoy the vast quantities of booze available. Speaking of libations, I was able to sample the Laughing Skull Amber Ale, which is a solid offering brewed by none other than local Red Brick Brewing. Overall, it was a really positive experience. Love the intimacy of the venue and the comedy is always top notch. read more

Really cool spot. The ambiance was perfect for a comedy show, and the comics were hilarious! Staff was all incredibly nice, drinks were good and strong. I'd highly recommend going to a show, and I'll definitely be back! read more