SAN FRANCISCO (CN) — Mayor London Breed and other San Francisco city officials proposed Friday afternoon the creation of entertainment zones throughout the city that would enable bars and restaurants to legally sell alcohol for outdoor events,
The initiative described in a press release from Breed’s office is the mayor’s latest attempt to enliven San Francisco’s streets, which are still emptier than they were in 2020, before the pandemic and remote work led to a reduction of workers commuting into the city, putting a strain on local restaurants, cafes and bars.
Currently, restaurants and bars are not permitted to sell alcohol outside during events, but event vendors can set up and sell beer outside their doorsteps.
The legislation is backed by Breed and State Senator Scott Wiener.
Wiener’s State Bill 76, passed last year, allows businesses to sell alcohol outdoors during events permitted by the state’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Under SB76, San Francisco is legally authorized to create entertainment zones.
“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. “I want to thank Senator Wiener for creating opportunities to bring more energy to our Downtown and his unwavering commitment to bettering our City. As we continue to do the work, our goal is to encourage more fun and accessible outdoor community events. Our message is clear: San Francisco is having fun, thriving and open for business.”
The first of the proposed entertainment zones will be on Front Street in downtown San Francisco, between California Street and Sacramento Street. The area is home to popular bars and restaurants, including Harrington’s, one of the city’s oldest pubs. Harrington’s owner, Ben Bleiman, is the president of the city’s Entertainment Commission.
“Seeing small businesses like ours working together on our block to organize new activities and events that will attract people to our local spots is a major milestone,” Bleiman said in a statement. “We are telling residents, visitors, and businesses that we are ready to see downtown San Francisco activated with exciting public spaces because when people have fun it benefits local businesses, downtown and the entire city."
If approved, this zone will allow local bars and restaurants to operate and sell alcoholic beverages to people attending organized outdoor events that take place in the zone. The Board of Supervisors must approve this zone, and allow other areas of the city to apply for entertainment zones in the future.
In addition to the entertainment zones, Breed has also directed the Office of Economic and Workforce Development to partner with local nonprofit San Francisco New Deal to offer grants of up to $50,000 to support nightlife and entertainment downtown.
Breed is up for reelection in November, and getting more people into downtown — which generates most of the city’s taxes — could give her a political edge over her rivals. She has been criticized by some for the state of San Francisco’s streets, with some politicians, groups and residents saying her inability to deter public drug use and homelessness has harmed local businesses and tourism.
The announcement of the entertainment zones comes one day after the first inaugural monthly block party on Second Street drew thousands of people. Alcohol was served outside in designated, closed-off areas at that event.
“Activating our streets with fun, community events is a powerful tool to accelerate downtown recovery,” said Wiener in a statement. “I authored SB 76 to empower San Francisco to create street vibrancy, particularly downtown. This new entertainment zone does exactly that, in addition to dovetailing with the rest of Mayor Breed’s comprehensive plan to give people more reasons to come downtown.”
Wiener is currently working on a follow-up bill to SB76, Senate Bill 969, which will allow California cities beyond San Francisco to create similar entertainment zones.
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