The Macon International Cherry Blossom Festival is pretty, but is it funny?
The closure of The Comedy Club at the Whiskey River Entertainment Complex left an indelible void in the stand-up scene in Macon, Georgia. This void remains unfilled to this day, leaving area residents searching for comedy alternatives to venture to nearby Atlanta. Atlanta has a wide variety of comedy choices for all levels of silliness.
The Punchline
He knows the Punchline.
Since 1982, The Punchline has been Atlanta's top comedy destination. The club has been featured in USA Today as one of the Top 10 great stand-up clubs in the country. Entertainers and comedians from around the world have stepped upon the Punchline's stage, including Rich Little and Dave Chappelle.
The club is generally open Wednesday through Sunday; however, for special occasions (such as Bleepfree Comedy), it may be open Mondays and Tuesdays. If you intend to make the trek from Macon to The Punchline (about 100 miles north), be aware that all patrons must be over 21 to attend. The club does have a modest menu to fill that belly after the long trip. Please contact the club for event information.
The Punchline
280 Hilderbrand Drive
Atlanta, GA 30328
404-252-LAFF(5233)
punchline.com
Funny Farm Comedy Club
They're headed to the Funny Farm.
The Funny Farm Comedy Club calls Andretti's Indoor Karting and Games complex home. Located in Roswell, Georgia (100 miles north of Macon past Atlanta), the club features many famous stand-up talents who have appeared on Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, The Late Show with David Letterman and HBO.
Generally open from Friday to Sunday, the club also features an Open Mic Night every third Thursday of the month. Even though all ages are welcome in the club, some comedians do use adult material.All shows are non-smoking. A minimum of two items per customer must be purchased from the menu, but the Funny Farm does have a wide menu of food and drinks.
The Funny Farm offers comedy classes called the FFU. This bi-monthly course runs five weeks on Mondays and covers the basics of stand-up. As an added bonus, the course offers any student free admission to any Funny Farm show on Thursday or Sunday.
Funny Farm Comedy Club
11000 Alpharetta Hwy
Roswell, GA 30075
770-992-5688
funnyfarmcomedyclub.com
Uptown Comedy Corner
Who else might you see behind the mic at the Uptown Comedy Corner?
One of the top urban comedy clubs in the United States, the Uptown Comedy Corner is the largest comedy venue in Atlanta (about 90 miles from Macon). The club has featured comedy legends and future legends such as Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Mo'Nique, and Steve Harvey. On any given night, you may see an unadvertised appearance of a national stand-up talent grace the stage to test out new material or some other celebrity visit to take in a show (such as Usher or JayZ). The Uptown Comedy Corner is full of surprises.
The club has a no-smoking policy and you must be over 21 to enter as it serves liquor. Be prepared to pay for the two-item minimum purchase that can be any combination of food or drink (if you choose not to buy two items, you will be subject to a $10 charge).
Uptown Comedy Corner
800 Marietta Street
Atlanta, GA 30318-5783
404-881-0200
uptowncomedy.net
Laughing Skull Lounge
Let the Skull make you laugh.
Laughing Skull Lounge, found at the back of the Vortex Bar and Grill on Peachtree Street in Atlanta (90 miles from Macon), touts itself as the smallest full-time comedy venue in the world. Only capable of seating just over 70 people, Laughing Skull provides an intimate atmosphere with the comedian not offered anywhere else. Despite its small size, the lounge attracts big stars such as Jon Stewart, Bill Cosby and Robin Williams. Most shows run Thursday through Sunday evening.
Laughing Skull only offers a drink menu inside the lounge and all patrons are obligated to commit to a two-item minimum purchase. Food is only available outside the lounge at the Vortex Bar (said to have the best burger in Atlanta). There is a strict no-smoking and no-heckling policy (they call it their "Idiot Free Zone"). The minimum age of entry is 18; however, you must be 21 to purchase any alcoholic drinks from the menu.
The lounge also gives stand-up classes that run for five weeks every Monday evening and provides students free admission to any comedy shows on Thursday and Sunday evenings.
Laughing Skull Lounge
878 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30309
877-523-3288
vortexcomedy.com
