https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/s-f-mayor-breed-entertainment-zones-19436565.php
In the latest effort to enliven San Francisco’s streets, city officials are seeking to legalize “entertainment zones” that would enable bars and restaurants to sell alcohol for outdoor consumption.
The first of these zones would be on downtown’s Front Street, between California and Sacramento streets, as part of legislation backed by Mayor London Breed and supported by state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco. The area is home to longtime eateries and bars Royal Exchange, Harrington’s and Schroeder’s. The Board of Supervisors must approve the zone, and allow other areas in the city to apply in the future.
Wiener’s bill last year, SB76, allows San Francisco businesses to sell alcohol outdoors during events permitted by the state’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Currently, restaurants and bars are not allowed to sell alcohol outside during events, but event vendors can set up and sell beer outside their doorsteps.
“San Francisco’s Downtown is seeing a new surge of excitement, and we are thrilled to be the first city in California to take advantage of this new law to bring opportunities that foster joy for our residents, workers and visitors,” Breed said in a statement. “Our message is clear: San Francisco is having fun, thriving and open for business.”
Breed also said the city will offer grants of up to $50,000 to support nightlife and entertainment, through the Office of Economic and Workforce Development and philanthropic nonprofit San Francisco New Deal.
The mayor is running for election this year against numerous opponents and sought to convey progress in reviving downtown, which generates the bulk of city taxes and has struggled since the pandemic.
Wiener is also working on a follow-up bill, SB969, which would allow California cities beyond San Francisco to create zones.
“For downtown San Francisco and other downtowns, this model is really good,” he said. “It can activate streets and create a really vibrant outdoor atmosphere.”
The entertainment zone efforts come the same week that an inaugural monthly block party on nearby Second Street drew thousands of people on Thursday. At that event, alcohol was served outside in closed-off areas.
“We’re seeing signs of life and increased activity, which is great,” Wiener said. “But we still have a big problem in terms of office vacancy.”
Wiener is, separately, working on a bill that would exempt new building projects proposed in downtown San Francisco and nearby areas from lengthy environmental reviews.
Ben Bleiman, owner of Harrington’s and president of the city’s Entertainment Commission, said flexibility is urgently needed as businesses struggle. Local bar sales were “way down” last year, which Bleiman blamed on lower foot traffic and inflation.
He noted that zones could be created outside of downtown and benefit residential business districts as well.
“We could transform parts of the city into places that have more of a European feel,” he said. “You can walk outside with a beer and sit at a table … and not feel like you’re breaking the law.”
“We need to give people reasons to come back to San Francisco downtown,” he said. “Nightlife is the number one reason.”