Sisyphus Brewing Faces Uncertain Future After Lease Renewal Denial

Sisyphus Brewing, a staple of the Minneapolis craft beer and comedy scene for over a dozen years, faces an uncertain future as its landlord, Dunwoody College, has declined to extend the brewery’s current lease. The news, which broke on social media on October 27, 2026, has sent ripples through the Twin Cities performance community, leaving both business owners and local comedians scrambling to understand what comes next for the venue at 714 Ontario Ave.

The Financial Stakes for Local Artists

According to owner Sam Harriman, the brewery is not just a place to grab a drink; it serves as a critical engine for the local comedy economy. In a social media post shared Tuesday, Harriman noted that Sisyphus is maybe one of the only venues that pays all of the ticket revenue to comics. By his estimation, that amounted to almost $160,000 paid directly to artists and performers last year alone, as reported by Bring Me The News.

This business model has attracted significant attention, drawing in nationally recognized talent. Notable comedians, including Saturday Night Live cast member Michael Che and former cast member Michael Longfellow, have graced the stage at Sisyphus. For many in the comedy circuit, the venue represents a rare, dedicated space that elevates local voices alongside touring headliners.

It really felt like the rug got pulled from under us. To know that it might just get cut off at the end of the year was really shocking.

said Khadijah Cooper, a Minneapolis-based comic who hosts the brewery’s open mic night, in an interview cited by CBS News.

Dunwoody College’s Strategic Shift

While Harriman contends that he has spent significant time and tens of thousands of dollars attempting to negotiate a long-term future at the site, Dunwoody College maintains that its institutional mission must take precedence.

Jennifer McNeil, chief marketing officer for Dunwoody, explained that the college is not currently in a position to sign a long-term lease agreement. In comments provided to Bring Me The News, McNeil emphasized that the school’s “first priority will always be to our students and our mission.” While the college has expressed a desire to continue conversations with the brewery and a hope that Sisyphus might remain in the building past January 2027, they have not provided specific details regarding the obstacles to a formal renewal.

The Clock is Ticking

With the current lease set to expire in January 2027, the window for a resolution is narrowing. Harriman has been blunt about the stakes, stating that if the brewery continues, it will not be in its current location.

Sarah McPeck, a Bloomington-based comedian who has produced shows at the brewery for nearly a decade, expressed a mixture of devastation and resolve. “I don’t want to believe that it’s over,” McPeck told CBS News. “There’s power in numbers, and I want to show that comedians can do a lot more than make people laugh. We can make change happen.”

As of late October 2026, both parties remain in a state of negotiation. Whether the brewery—a rare example of a profitable brewery in the state—can secure a future at its longtime home or will be forced to relocate remains an open question for the Minneapolis business and arts communities.