TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — 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.
The decision has elicited mixed reactions from the community.
Gladis Figueroa, a regular patron of Borderlands, expressed her disappointment.
"I would hate to see them go, I actually really enjoyed that," Figueroa said.
She highlighted the social aspects of the brewery, including the Latin dance nights it holds twice a month.
"It was a great way to get to learn and meet new people and get to learn a little bit of bachata classes, which are amazing and fun to try out," she said.
Figueroa also questioned the appeal of the new venue.
"I don’t know that I would be interested in just comedy because I do enjoy the live interaction, dancing and meeting new people," she said.
Despite the concerns, Rio Nuevo officials emphasize the potential economic benefits of the project.
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 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:
This is one of the hardest messages we've ever had to write. After more than a decade of serving Tucson with heart, with pride and with an unwavering belief in our city, we've learned that our home at 119 E. Toole Ave. will be turned over to a national comedy chain backed by Live Nation.
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.
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Eddie Celaya is a multimedia journalist at KGUN 9. Born in Tucson and raised in the Phoenix area, Eddie is a life-long Arizonan and graduate of the University of Arizona who loves the desert and mountains and hates the cold. Previously, Eddie worked in print media at the Arizona Daily Star. Share your story ideas with Eddie at edward.celaya@kgun9.com, or by connecting on Facebook or Instagram.
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