City Cast Denver logo
May 6, 2021

Punch Bowl Social’s Wild Pandemic Ride

City Cast Denver

Punch Bowl Social’s Wild Pandemic Ride

00:00:00
View all City Cast Denver episodes

Punch Bowl Social was a Denver success story — emphasis on the “was.” Starting with that one location on South Broadway in 2012, the arcade/bowling alley/bar quickly expanded across the country, operating 20 locations and raking in tens of millions of dollars per year at its peak. But then the pandemic hit, setting CEO and founder Robert Thompson off on a year of twists, turns, and tough decisions. With the original Punch Bowl Social re-opening next week, host Bree Davies speaks with Denver Business Journal reporter Ed Sealover, who’s been in touch with Robert through it all. Bree and Ed talk through Punch Bowl’s rise, fall, and the unclear future of "eatertainment."

Get Ed’s tweets: @ESealoverDenBiz

Get ours: @citycastdenver

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/citycast/denver

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Denver

Stay connected to City Cast Denver and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
May 20

Backlash Mounts Against Gov. Polis Over Tina Peters. Plus, Denver Halts Data Centers

Governor Jared Polis’ controversial decision to commute former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters’ prison sentence last week is still reverber...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
May 19

What’s Tipping the Scale on Colorado’s Population?

After decades of super-charged economic and population growth, Colorado is at a turning point. So, is this state growing or shrinking? An...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
May 18

Is Mayor Mike Coming for Mutual Aid Mondays? Plus, the Unhoused Woman Dividing Wash Park

Mayor Johnston promised to solve unsheltered homelessness in his first term – nearly three years into it, there are still questions about...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
May 17

'Your City Could Be Better': Do DC’s Hated Traffic Cameras Really Make the City Safer? — Presented By City Cast Denver

Would Denver be safer if there were more automated traffic cameras? In 2025, Washington, DC, brought in nearly $270 million from more tha...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
May 15

Was DIA Negligent in Plane Collision? Plus, the Oatmeal Creme Pie Bandit and Are You a Real Denverite?

It’s been exactly one week since a man named Michael Mott jumped over the 8-foot security fence around Denver International Airport and d...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
May 14

Is Good Food Enough for a Denver Restaurant to Thrive?

Between Michelin stars and James Beard Awards, it’s safe to say that Denver has secured its place in the food world. But, a lot more goes...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
May 13

Is Denver Constantly Watching You? Plus, Unvaxxed Singles and Bike Riders: Make Your Voices Heard!

Flock cameras have been dominating Denver’s recent conversations about surveillance technology, but since 2008 the city has been watching...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
May 12

AI Talks End in ‘Near-Total Rewrite,’ Trump vs. Denver’s Assault Weapons Ban, and New Scooter Problems

The 2026 Colorado legislative session is in its final week, so we’re looking into the hot-button issue of AI, which continues to divide D...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
May 11

After the Bandstand Fire, the Key to City Park’s Future Lies in the Past

After City Park’s iconic bandstand was damaged beyond repair in an overnight fire in late March, the park’s neighbors and city leaders ha...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
May 10

'Your City Could Be Better': Philly's Bold Nightlife Experiment — Presented By City Cast Denver

Denverites, would your city be better if the bars stayed open later? This summer, Philadelphia is anticipating a record-breaking number o...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art