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Entertainment Commission directs inspectors to deprioritize Rampant Bottle complaints; staff reports multiple unpermitted events and noise violations
Summary
The San Francisco Entertainment Commission voted to deprioritize complaint responses at Rampant Bottle and Bar after staff said the venue does not host permitted entertainment. Senior inspector’s report also documented notices or citations for Heron Arts, Music City and Barbies and flagged repeated incidents where inspectors were denied entry.
The San Francisco Entertainment Commission voted unanimously to direct inspectors to deprioritize responding to complaints about Rampant Bottle and Bar and heard a staff update reporting notices of violation or citations for several other businesses over unpermitted entertainment or sound-limit breaches.
At the meeting, senior inspector staff told the commission they had received 91 311 complaints since the commission’s previous hearing on Feb. 4 and provided case updates for several venues. Staff said Heron Arts was issued a notice of violation on Feb. 20 for operating entertainment without a permit after multiple earlier complaints and on-site education. Music City received a notice of violation on Feb. 20 for unpermitted outdoor amplified sound and for exceeding its approved internal sound limits; an inspector recorded 92.8 dBA and 103.5 dBC inside the venue against the approved limits of 90 dBA and 98 dBC. Barbies was cited on Feb. 11 for hosting entertainment without a permit; the inspector reported the DJ stopped when staff entered the venue and the business has since applied for a one-time permit.
Staff told commissioners Rampant Bottle and Bar had generated five 311 complaints since June 2024 but that repeated inspections found the business did not host indoor entertainment and therefore did not require a permit. Commissioners moved and seconded a motion to direct inspectors to deprioritize responding to concerns from Rampant Bottle and Bar; the motion passed with all commissioners present voting aye.
Commissioners and staff also discussed repeated incidents in which inspectors were denied entry to venues during visits. Deputy Director Azevedo and other staff said they had educated management at businesses such as Heron Arts but flagged that refusals to allow inspections complicated enforcement. Commissioners asked staff to research administrative options, including whether one-time permits could be denied for applicants who repeatedly refuse inspection, and to return with a recommended protocol.
The commission did not change permit rules at the hearing; staff asked for guidance and said they would report back at the next regular meeting with potential code-based grounds for denial and an intake/education protocol for applicants.
Clarifying details from staff included dates and measurements: senior inspector reported the Heron Arts inspection on Feb. 15 at 12:45 a.m. and the Music City internal sound measurement recorded at 92.8 dBA and 103.5 dBC on Feb. 14. Barbies’ citation followed a Feb. 7 complaint and a Feb. 11 citation; Heron Arts’ notice of violation was issued Feb. 20. Staff asked the commission to confirm deprioritization administratively rather than via a policy change.
The commission’s direction to deprioritize complaints at Rampant Bottle is administrative rather than a change to the city’s permitting rules; staff retained responsibility for follow-up, inspections and any additional enforcement actions if conditions change.
