Otherwise Brewing seeks LLP after successful one‑time events; neighboring jewelry store opposes permit

Otherwise Brewing, a gluten‑free taproom at 1402 Grant Avenue, asked the San Francisco Entertainment Commission on April 1 for a Limited Live Performance (LLP) permit to host regular outdoor and occasional indoor entertainment. Owner Stella Cassidy told commissioners she aims to continue hosting artists in the venue’s parklet under the new ownership and permit.

Deputy Director Caitlin Acevedo summarized staff’s recommendation and noted that the application requests outdoor amplified sound Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (maximum six hours per day) and Saturday–Sunday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (maximum eight hours per day). Acevedo said the business has hosted multiple successful one‑time parklet events without sound complaints and submitted nine letters of support from nearby residents and commercial neighbors.

The commission also received four letters of opposition from the owner and employees of the adjacent jewelry store, Moschka Jewelry. A manager for Moschka told the commission in person that live music next door has at times been “detrimental to our business,” that shared walls and glass cause noise to reverberate through the store, and that customers have complained and left early. Stella Cassidy said she delivered outreach letters and has tried to address past concerns; she described the parklet as compliant with shared‑space rules and said she lives above the taproom.

Commissioners asked about business hours, how the owner will be reachable, and how sound limits will be set. Acevedo said inspectors will set an internal sound limit and that an outdoor sound limit will be established at an event‑time test. Cassidy said she posts contact information on the door and that the business has a landline and a phone number included in outreach materials.

Commissioners encouraged the applicant to continue neighbor outreach and cooperative problem‑solving. Commissioner statements stressed the permit holder’s responsibility to maintain communication with adjacent businesses; the commission noted that if the license is granted it places the venue under the commission’s purview for follow‑up if complaints continue.

A motion to approve the LLP with staff recommendations passed unanimously: Commissioner Laura Thomas, Commissioner Perez, Commissioner Poggio and Commissioner Schlander voted aye. The applicant will follow up with Deputy Director Acevedo for next steps.