The Punch Line, the storied San Francisco comedy club known for launching the careers of greats like Robin Williams and Ali Wong, is opening a new location in Texas.
The club is scheduled to open on Sept. 13 in downtown Houston, inside a former House of Blues Restaurant space, with a stand-up show by Venezuelan comic Angelo Colina.
“We’re so excited to provide a platform for Houston comedians and bring more national touring comedians to the city,” Amanda Kyser, head of comedy operations for Punch Line, said in a statement. “Houstonians have such a deep appreciation for comedy that will make today’s top comics feel right at home here.”
The original Punch Line opened in San Francisco in 1978 inside a dressing room for the Old Waldorf rock club, operated by promoter Bill Graham. It later moved to 444 Battery St. Additional locations are in Philadelphia and Sacramento.
City legislators and comedians such as Dave Chappelle, W. Kamau Bell, Nato Green and others swiftly rallied to preserve the club’s longtime home when it was briefly threatened with eviction in 2019. It’s currently San Francisco’s longest-running comedy club, hosting stars such as Wanda Sykes, Marc Maron, Dana Carvey, Patton Oswalt, Amy Schumer, Margaret Cho and Chappelle, who is notorious for performing last-minute late-night sets throughout the year.
“When I started my comedy career in San Francisco, the Punch Line was a crucial local institution that provided a nurturing community,” comedian Sheng Wang, a Houston native, said in a statement. “We gathered there weekly like church for the Sunday showcases, highlighting local talents and providing a path forward for those who dreamed of being a working comic. The club was also where aspiring comics could watch and learn from the great talents coming through town every week.”
Owned by Live Nation, which also operates Cobb’s Comedy Club in San Francisco, the new Houston location is already scheduled to feature performances by Oakland native Mark Curry (Sept. 20-21), Chaunté Wayans (Sept. 26-29), Ian Fidance (Oct. 3-5), Jay Jurden (Oct. 10-12), Jackie Fabulous (Oct. 17-19), Sophie Buddle (Oct. 24-26), Liza Treyger (Nov. 1-2) and Ian Lara (Nov. 7-9).
The promoter is planning to book about 350 shows annually at the 250-capacity venue, with tickets for its opening weekend of performances going on sale starting Friday, June 21.
The venue, which offers a full food and drink menu, will also host open mic nights and feature local comedians as opening acts for touring headliners.
