Laughing Skull Lounge

I love comedy clubs and good comedians. My boyfriend and I ventured here on a Sunday to listen to a whole string of comedians (only males, boooo hiss!), we had a few good laughs but it wasn’t what we were expecting or hoping for. The room where they do the stand-​up is tiny, there’s nowhere to put your drinks except for the floor below where you are sitting. They try to cramp in a lot of people into this tiny space and it felt like we were jammed in like sardines. We won’t be back to this club but we’re happy to experience what it had to offer.

Was recently here for date night. The Laughing Skull was doing a Best of Atlanta night — 10 comedians, each given 10 minutes. It was a Friday night, so there were options of an early (8pm) or late (10:30pm) show. We didn’t know if we could make it in time for the early show, so we dined at Vortex (Laughing Skull is located in the same unit, off to the side) first and saw the show. We had some time to kill after dinner, so we took a brief walk. When we returned, there was a long line outside. We waited in line as we thought it was the line for the show. Nope. It was line to dine/​drink. Glad we asked. The wait for the Laughing Skull is back by the bathrooms. You check in with the gal at the table and then wait in line. The doors opened a bit late, but the show started on time. There is a two drink minimum, but this didn’t seem to be enforced. The show was really funny! Most the comedians were really great. A couple of duds, but overall great experience. You have the option of GA seating ($ 22) or VIP seating ($ 25) at tables. We did GA and it was no issue. It is a pretty small venue which only holds 74 people. Makes for an intimate experience. I would definitely be up for seeing a show again.

Justin willman was very entertaining, interacts beautifully with the audience, smart clean comedy combined with magic act… Highly recommended, had a great time, wish him much success, deserves it.

I’ve been twice now to the laughing skull.
1. Drinks — Drinks are pretty standard beers and vodka with mixers. Nothing too fancy, but they are pricey. I paid 10 bucks with tip for my vodka and coke last night.
2. Talent — its a pretty wide spectrum of talent. Some are hilarious, some not so much. Generally when someone is bombing on stage you still get a pretty good laugh out of watching them though.
3. Venue — Its located in the back of the Vortex, so enjoy a good meal before hand! It is small, «intimate» would be a good word. It seats like 40 people at most, so get there early to get good seats. No trouble seeing or hearing the comedians since you are so close.
I have been on a weekday and a weekend and both times have been pretty fun. Good for group outings and first dates* for sure! (*Note this was where I had my first date with my husband… So it work out well! :D)

This place rocks! They have great performers, the venue is in the back of The Vortex so you always get a good meal before, and the staff is GREAT. They have always been wonderful about switching show times for me if I’ve needed it after purchasing tickets. They’re so friendly, very responsive on Facebook, and even have contests for caption contests where you can win tickets.
The venue is small but in a great way. By far my favorite comedy venue.

We went to a show this past weekend and it was horrible. First off, the toilets in both the men’s and women’s restrooms were overflowing. I don’t think that standing in urine and feces is a good time. When I alerted the girl at the entrance she said «Oh no! Not again?» Like seriously??? This is a reoccurring problem. We couldn’t figure out why our mixed drinks tasted so raunchy up until this point. But I guess it had to be the sewage or something. Then the opening act comedians were hilarious, but the headliner was terrible. What a weirdo! He was taking his clothes off piece by piece and stuffing them in his pocket. We left before it was over so I don’t know how much of his clothes actually made it into his pocket. Not a great time. Will try a different comedy club next time.

The lounge is a little smaller than I expected it to be, but it seemed to work. Seating was a little tight; but other than that, all four of the comedians for the night were freaking hilarious! If you’re up for a good laugh, check this place out. Make sure you get tickets at least one or two days in advance though. We waited until the night prior, and my husband checked back the next day for S&G’s and they were all sold out. Hope you enjoy your experience like we did!

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!

Went last night with a group, dined at The Vortex immediately before the show, then headed to Laughing Skull for the Todd Glass show.
Pros:
1) Nice intimate venue — seating for (my guess) about 50. Small enough that everyone has a great view of the stage.
2) Really nice that it’s accessible directly from The Vortex — that makes for a great dinner + show combo.
3) Perk that we didn’t know about in advance: they let us bring our drinks in from The Vortex, just made us pour them into solo cups. Convenient.
Cons:
The show we went to, Todd Glass, seemed really «off». Not sure if it was just a rough night for him, but he wasn’t getting the laughs from me or from most of the audience. He even asked point blank to the audience «what’s wrong», e.g. did he accidentally tell the same joke twice. I felt really bad leaving halfway through the show, I’d never done that before at any show of any kind, but man it was just not entertaining. This guy is reputable and well-​known, I’ve got to think that it was just a rough night.
All-​in-​all, given that it’s a comedy club and the comedy part was a #fail on the night I went, the best I can do is to give it two stars for positives that I mentioned earlier.

I went here yesterday with a group and had a great time, unlike at the Vortex (that’s another review). I had bought GA tickets online so was pleasantly surprised that when we checked in, we had been upgraded to a VIP table. We chose not to take it as we wanted to sit with our group. The show was comprised of 10 mins acts with different comedians. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves as most comedians were really funny. The place is small and cozy. There is a small bar in the back. They have a 2 drink minimum which is not enforced. Drink prices are reasonable. I will be back to the Laughing Skull!

Loved it! Make sure you book in advance for the weekend events and if you do a groupon you have to schedule 24 hours in advance but it’s a great laugh !

Open mic night on Wed night. $ 10 at the door. Started late even though doors open at 7:30a. The host was funny, but towards the middle, the comedy turned dark and not really funny. Left at that point.

Attending their Wednesday night open mic night almost didn’t happen for us since parking in the area is a bit cumbersome to find and our cards wouldn’t work at the lot across the street but we thankfully finally found a metered street parking spot. You have to go through The Vortex restaurant to get into the comedy club through the same door used to access their shared restrooms in the back left of the restaurant. If you’re a student be sure to ask for the student discount since you can get in for $ 5 instead of $ 10 and I wouldn’t order tickets online since there is a $ 3 per ticket service fee for the convenience of securing your seat online.
Although all the chairs at the front of the intimate red-​hued venue were taken when we arrived there is overflow bench seating at the back that is pretty comfortable and still gives you a good view of the stage. The quick but sizable open mic acts were divided into two sets although there was no intermission between the two and the first set was definitely stronger than the last one. There was a really good selection of several comedians here, some skilled, some brand new, and most were pretty funny although all of them were at least somewhat entertaining. Overall I cannot think of very many better ways to entertain yourself for this price during a night out for a unique and largely comedic experience.

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!
I felt bad for my BF because I surprised him with tickets to the comedy show AFTER we were just next door at the Vortex chorine down some burgers. so I forced him to chug a huge drink he ordered. haha. not knowing that we could bring drinks from the restaurant side over into the comedy club. Sorry Danny!
When I’m back in ATL, I would definitely come here again and see another show!

The venue is tricky, you enter through the restaurant and walk through the bathrooms to enter. The club is TINY and there’s no service. You walk to the back and order from a bartender. Saturday night’s comedian was a waste of our money. Maybe, it was the 10oclock show. Awkward long silences. There are better comedy clubs, try the Improv. And research the comedian. I really wanted to like it, hence 2 stars.

Thank you for a great New Year’s Eve! Awesome place. Happy New Year! I had no idea this place existed in the back of the Vortex.

Very fun place! They get great acts and I only had one miss, be cautious coming on weekdays. You may end up with an empty room and unfunny jokes. Weekend shows have always been great though!

Of course, each comedy club is only as good as the comedian you’re about to see. So, that’s why I’m giving this club only 3 stars at this point. If it was based off the comedy itself, the rating would probably be lower.
I think the first mistake we made was coming to the late show at 10:30pm. We saw many of the comedians before the show inside the Vortex having drinks. Therefore, this resulted in a completely sloppy drunk act with such wonderful quotes as «what was I just talking about» and my favorite «I promise, I will start with my act at some point.» … ’nuff said.
Many people have already noted this: you have to go through the Vortex and past the bathrooms to get to the entrance of the club and the club inside is really really tiny. It could lead to a hilariously great atmosphere with the right comedian, but unfortunately, it can also lead to some very awkward silence… almost like when someone tells a really bad joke at the family Thanksgiving dinner.
The club has the standard «2 drink minimum» although I’m still trying to figure out how they keep track of it, since there is no waitress. You have to get the drinks from the little bar inside the club, which can make it a bit awkward during the act when you get up and try to whisper your order to the bartender.
Anyway, I will probably be back here, but likely will stick with the earlier show and I will also carefully research the headlining comedians beforehand. This experience was a bit of a bust!

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.

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.