Downtown Tucson is set to welcome a new entertainment venue as Rio Nuevo has approved funding for Punchline Comedy Club operated by Live Nation.
The club is slated to occupy the space at the corner of Seventh and Toole Avenues, currently home to Borderlands Brewing Company, a local brewery that has been a fixture in the community for 14 years.
Edmund Marquez, vice chair of the Rio Nuevo board, highlighted the expected new revenue from the venture.
“We’ve forecasted over $10 million a year. They’re looking at over $11–12 million a year, which is a great economic boost,” Marquez said.
He also noted the potential to attract high-profile comedic performers.
“If you want to keep U of A students from leaving Tucson, this is just one of those fun venues here,” he said.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $8.5 million, with Rio Nuevo contributing $2.2 million.
The remaining funding will come from Live Nation and Peach Properties.
The new comedy club aims to enhance Tucson’s entertainment offerings and stimulate downtown economic activity.
Borderlands Brewing Company has not publicly announced its future plans regarding the downtown location, though it released the following statement to its Facebook and Instagram pages Wednesday night, where it amassed more than one hundred user comments within hours, largely showing support for the brewery:
While we recognize the work Rio Nuevo and Peach Properties have done to support downtown, this decision was made without a chance for us to collaborate or even be part of the conversation. It has left us saddened and searching for answers. This space was never just a bar. It was a place where we built something that mattered. A place that has provided meaningful employment to hundreds of Tucsonans over the years, many from underrepresented communities. A place that has been featured in The New York Times, TIME Magazine, and on national TV because of what it stood for. Community. Culture. Tucson.
We have been a proud part of downtown for years. And today we feel misplaced, overlooked, and deeply sad.
We do not have updates right now. Just a heavy heart and so much gratitude for everyone who has supported us on this journey. Thank you for being part of it.
The brewery, known for its commitment to community engagement and sustainability, has been a staple in Tucson’s craft beer scene for years.
Its potential relocation or closure marks a significant change in the downtown landscape.
