Club gets to stay in its home of 41 years

The future of San Francisco's historic Punch Line comedy club has been assured.

Owners had been told they had to vacate the 184-seat venue in Battery Street next month after the lease expired.

But now local press reports that a new contract has been signed, described as ‘long-term’ to keep the club in the same home it has occupied since 1978.

The city council has also boosted the venue, which is run  by entertainment giant Live Nation, by adding it to its Legacy Business Registry, which offers rent protection and makes it eligible for cash grants.

Dave Chappelle and W. Kamau Bell had been among those to speak up for the club.

At a rally in support of the venue, he said: Every important milestone of my life kinda went through this city and through that club. It’d be like burning down the Louvre, or selling the Louvre to somebody. You can’t just put in another room. That room is special.’

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

Published: 24 Jul 2019