Game, eat, drink at Punch Bowl Social, coming to downtown Phoenix this fall

The Republic | azcentral.com

Punch Bowl Social — a Denver-based chain that brings a scratch kitchen, craft beverages, and gaming under one roof —will open in downtown Phoenix this fall.

Arizona's first location will be company's 21st overall.

The roughly 22,000-square-foot space at Second and Garfield streets will have a custom-built, 360-degree bar; patio space; and lounging areas for any occasion, including large game nights, date nights and corporate events.

"This is a high-energy, social-activation spot serving affordable food and beverages," said Robert Thompson, Punch Bowl Social founder and CEO.

That's 'eatertainment'

Punch Bowl Social started in Denver and now has locations around the country. Its Phoenix location is set to open in spring 2020.

The company believes this kind of "eatertainment" is taking over traditional dining experiences, he said, especially younger people, so Punch Bowl Social's mission is to place food, drinks and games on equal priority levels.

"If you are a Millennial, and you don't have an experience with food and breakfast, you don't eat," he said. "It's not just for Millennials, but we realize it's where we have success."

Guests can try their hands at ping-pong, darts, board games, classic video games, bowling, private karaoke rooms, and more. Also, Phoenix will be home to Punch Bowl Social's second Putt Club in the country. That's an elevated mini-golf experience with a bar that serves food and drink at the start and end of the course.

The food menu includes chicken and waffles with chipotle syrup, fried bologna sandwiches, street tacos, and shareable dishes like pork rillettes and green chorizo fries.

Punch Bowl Social has a distinctive design style that will fit seamlessly with the downtown Phoenix arts scene.

"Our design involves four elements," Thompson said. "Mountain lodge, Victorian, industrial, and Midcentury Modern themes. There's a fifth element that relates to the district in it, but that's not determined yet."

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Live, work, play downtown

The venue's property is owned by Phoenix-based developer True North Studio, based in the monOrchid building in the Roosevelt Row Arts District. Founder Jonathon Vento said they had the opportunity to buy the building, and they wanted it to be fun. At the same time, Punch Bowl Social was looking to build a location in Phoenix.

"What a great concept to build in the area," Vento said. "We were specific in reaching out to Punch Bowl Social, and it was really serendipitous."

The new restaurant and bar's mission aligns with True North Studios' focus on mixed-use developments that promote the ability to live, work, and play in an area.

"Downtown Phoenix is going from an eight-hour-per-day community to an 18-hour per day community," Vento says. "There's the people who work during the day and the late-night people who go out."

"It'll stand out because, one, it's an adaptive reuse building ... and two, it's in the middle of this explosive arts scene.

"I'm excited for the grand opening."

Details: 903 N. Second St., Phoenix. punchbowlsocial.com.

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