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Commission hears update on Habibi Lounge appeal; inspectors cite Sacred Taco for unpermitted entertainment
Summary
Acting executive director Azad informed the San Francisco Entertainment Commission that Habibi Lounge has filed an appeal of the commission’s Jan. 7 decision limiting the venue’s entertainment hours; the appeal hearing is set for Feb. 26 before the Board of Appeals.
Acting executive director Azad informed the San Francisco Entertainment Commission that Habibi Lounge has filed an appeal of the commission’s Jan. 7 decision limiting the venue’s entertainment hours. Azad said the appeal hearing is scheduled before the Board of Appeals on Wednesday, Feb. 26, and that the venue’s permits remain conditionally granted but not issued while the appeal is pending.
Azad said, “My understanding is that they're appealing the decision that you made to limit their entertainment till 2AM. They had requested the ability to go until 3AM, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings.” He added the commission had conditioned Habibi Lounge’s permit to limit indoor entertainment to 2 a.m., and he expects a fuller brief by Thursday ahead of the appeal hearing.
In a separate enforcement report, the commission’s senior inspector reported they had received 74 3‑1‑1 complaints since the Jan. 7 hearing. The inspector described a February 1, 12:05 a.m. 3‑1‑1 complaint about Sacred Taco (1875 Union Street), and said inspectors Young, Rice and Adams arrived at 12:25 a.m. and found a DJ performing at high volume in the restaurant’s back area. According to the inspector’s statement, “the manager on‑site reduced the music volume and eventually had the DJ end altogether as inspectors left.”
The inspector said a notice of violation was issued to Sacred Taco on Feb. 3 for hosting entertainment without a permit, and that the business had previously obtained a one‑time event permit in September 2024 but the manager who applied for that permit is no longer at the business. The inspector said staff are attempting to contact the owner to assist with the permitting process; inspectors have not met the owner on site.
Azad also provided scheduling updates: the commission’s second February hearing (Feb. 18) has been canceled for the holiday, the next hearing will be March 4, and the commission’s annual summit is scheduled for Monday, May 12 at 49 South Van Ness. Azad said he and Director Wylen will attend the Board of Appeals hearing for Habibi Lounge.
No formal action was taken by the Entertainment Commission on the Habibi appeal or the Sacred Taco violation during the meeting; commissioners asked questions for clarification and were advised staff would update the commission after the Feb. 26 Board of Appeals hearing.
