San Francisco’s Punch Line loses its home of 41 years

San Francisco’s oldest comedy club is to be kicked out of its home  of 41 years this summer.

The Punch Line comedy club has been told it must get out of its premises in Battery Street, in the heart of the financial district, when its lease is up this August.

The club has played host to the likes of  Robin Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and Chris Rock in their early days.

In a statement, the club’s booker  Molly Schminke said: ‘We’re currently in search of a new home to preserve our decades-long tradition of entertaining comedy fans in San Francisco and the Bay Area. It’s a sad moment for us, but we’re excited at the future’s potential.

Bobby Slayton was the original resident compere, and he wrote on social media: ‘With so many close friends and family dying the last three years, to hear that my home club, The San Francisco Punchline where it really all started for me over 40 years ago, lost their lease and is closing this summer. It’s another fucking nail in my heart.

‘The club was originally a restaurant during the day and the backstage hangout for The Old Waldorf nightclub next door at night. I’m not going to go into the whole backstory, but when the original owner, Jeffrey Pollak sold it to Bill Graham, [his company] BGP fixed up the joint and it became one of the premier rooms to work in the country. 

‘I went from house MC, opening for the top touring headliners and then became a headliner myself thanks to all the stage time I got from the original booker John Fox (no not the comic.) 

‘Between sets at The Punchline I’d often run through the kitchen connecting the club to The Old Waldorf and make an extra $25 opening for the rock bands performing there. Sometimes it went ok and sometimes it was a lonely brutal death up there. Kill or be killed. I believe it was around then that the "Pitbull" was born. Get them before they get you. Guess I should be glad I’m still alive. Fuck. I’m going to miss that place…’

Published: 8 May 2019