For ever-changing Ponce City Market, 2026 should be hilarious. 

Following a tenant shakeup that’s made headlines as last year flipped to this, Ponce City Market reps on Wednesday announced a major tenant signing for an outbuilding at the corner of Glen Iris Drive and North Avenue: Whiplash Comedy. 

The two-showroom new comedy club—from the brains behind Laughing Skull Lounge and Funny Farm Comedy Club—will have entrances next to Dancing Goats coffee and City Winery. Expect stand-up comedy shows every night from national touring acts and regional comics, a “tight” food menu (think: flatbreads and pretzel bites), a full beverage program, plus comedy classes and variety programming, according to reps.

Whiplash is scheduled to take the stage sometime this summer.  

The primary showroom, Main Squeeze, will seat about 130 people, while an ancillary space, Side Piece, will fit about 44 for more intimate entertainment, such as magic shows, socials, and karaoke. Outside will be a greenery-bedecked, 2,500-square-foot outdoor patio with a full bar and seating.  

The corner of PCM's property where Whiplash Comedy will operate, as seen in March. Google Maps

Whiplash is a concept by Marshall Chiles, who founded and operated Laughing Skull Lounge for 16 years and helped build up Funny Farm Comedy Club to a top draw. Chiles says Ponce City Market’s communal energy attracted him to the space. 

“What people need even more than laughter is connection, and I’m envisioning Whiplash as a community hub built around comedy,” Chiles said in an announcement today. “With two showrooms, we can have stand-up comedy in Main Squeeze, while Side Piece will offer mixers, socials, and other events that bring people together.”

Whiplash will join a literal whiplash of tenant changes at the mixed-use Old Fourth Ward landmark, which will turn a dozen years old in late 2026. 

Longtime Ponce City Market operators Ton Ton and Miso Ko from chef Guy Wong are closing, along with Chef Hector Santiago’s La Metro (in the former Biltong Bar space) and a location of Sugar Shane’s, as Tomorrow’s News Today first reported. 

Naturally, Ponce City Market’s comedy club announcement points optimistically to openings at the property in 2025 and others on the horizon. 

Ponce City Market during the holidays. Courtesy of Jonathan Phillips

Tenant debuts last year included jewelry brand Catbird, fine fragrance concept Olfactory NYC, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, and all-day restaurant and gourmet market Necessary Purveyor. 

On tap for 2026 at Ponce City Market are: 

Thai street food restaurant Terminal 26; cocktail lounge and listening room (“hidden” on the Central Food Hall’s second floor) La Cueva; barbershop The Commodore; brewery, distillery, and DAS BBQ outpost Three Taverns Brew Terminal; sushi concept (with seafood straight from Tokyo’s Toyosu Fish Market) NoriFish; and Michelin-recognized ramen and tsukemen spot Okiboru. 

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