Google says it wants to help save Punch Line SF, not displace it

Legendary San Francisco comedy club says it has to move because it was unable to renew its lease, but Google denies it's taking over the lease.

Google wants to help keep Punch Line in San Francisco, not kick it out, the company insists.

After getting called out by Supervisor Aaron Peskin during a Tuesday rally as being the likely next lessee for the space the legendary comedy club occupies now, the tech giant wants to clear things up.

Google is actually leasing the space next door to the comedy club, and “we look forward to being their neighbor,” a company spokeswoman said Tuesday night. “As a neighbor, Google is committed to trying to find a way for the Punch Line to remain a vibrant part of the Bay Area community for years to come.”

Punch Line, a fixture on Battery Street in the city since 1978, was unable to renew its lease with the building’s owner, Morgan Stanley, earlier this year and said it will have to move in August. The venue has hosted stand-up comedians who became big stars, including Robin Williams, Ellen DeGeneres, Chris Rock and Wanda Sykes.

Another famous comic who regularly performs at the club, Dave Chapelle, joined Tuesday’s rally at City Hall and called the club an “American phenomenon.” If San Francisco lost Punch Line, “it’d be like burning down the Louvre, or selling the Louvre to somebody,” he said.

Another comedian, Bay Area native W. Kamau Bell, drew groans after he suggested that Oakland, his city of residence, would welcome the Punch Line if San Francisco is unable to save it.

When Peskin — who also introduced a proposal for an interim zoning moratorium that he and other supervisors hope can help the club — pointed the finger at Google, he urged the Silicon Valley company to “really, really do no evil.” The reference to the company’s original motto comes amid a backlash against tech giants over their rising power.

Google is “absolutely open” to talking with city officials and residents to try to help Punch Line, its spokeswoman said. She would not say what the company plans to do with the space next door.

Peskin’s office has not returned a request for comment, and neither has Morgan Stanley.

Staff writer Cicero Estrella contributed to this report.