Punch Bowl Social to reopen
Punch Bowl Social’s Milwaukee location will reopen in the Deer District outside Fiserv Forum about 18 months after it closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Punch Bowl Social will reopen before the first preseason game for the Milwaukee Bucks this fall, the team announced in a news release Friday.
The 24,500-square-foot restaurant and entertainment complex has been closed since March of 2020 because of the pandemic. It closed and laid off its 91 staff members effective March 16, 2020.
“We are ecstatic to partner with the Bucks and reopen in Deer District,” said Punch Bowl Social Chairman and CEO Robert Cornog, Jr. in a news release. “With the Bucks pursuing another championship and Punch Bowl Social reopening nationwide, there couldn’t be a more exciting time to reintroduce Punch Bowl to Milwaukee. Everyone – Bucks fans, concert-goers, residents and visitors alike can once again look forward to an unparalleled experience and come together to enjoy our food, drinks and social entertainment.”
Punch Bowl Social anticipates that it will offer all of its activities and games like karaoke, billiards, ping pong and bowling when it reopens.
The Bucks’ preseason schedule has not been released but Punch Bowl Social is planning to reopen in late September or early October, the release said.
The location missed out on business from the huge crowds surrounding Fiserv Forum during the Bucks’ historic NBA Championship-winning season. Punch Bowl Social’s spot in the Deer District is the largest venue in the entertainment block outside the arena. It can hold around 1,000 people.
The City of Milwaukee is suing the Denver-based chain for unpaid taxes. Punch Bowl Social has not paid $22,610.53 owed to the city, according to a complaint filed in July in Milwaukee County Circuit Court.
“We are thrilled Punch Bowl Social will reopen in time to welcome fans for the preseason,” says Michael Belot, vice president of ventures and development for the Milwaukee Bucks, in the news release. “We know the entertainment and hospitality industries were hit hard by the pandemic, and we are grateful that Punch Bowl Social will continue to serve our fans as an amazing Deer District destination.”
The Milwaukee location is listed as “re-opening soon” on the company’s website. Punch Bowl Social’s other 14 locations are open, according to its website. No jobs are listed on Punch Bowl Social’s for the Milwaukee location as of Friday.
Punch Bowl Social has been one of the anchor tenants for the entertainment block along with Good City Brewing, Mecca Sports Bar and Drink Wisconsinbly. Punch Bowl Social opened in March of 2019.
Punch Bowl Social previously said that the location would reopen by November of 2020.