Entertainment Commission approves permits for All‑Star Weekend activations and several local venues
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Summary
The San Francisco Entertainment Commission approved a series of one‑time and limited‑live performance permits for All‑Star Weekend activations and neighborhood businesses, including a Google Pixel activation, a Jaguar Land Rover showcase, recurring salsa nights at The Ramp, and new LLPs for local cafes and a Thrive City sports bar.
The San Francisco Entertainment Commission on Feb. 4 approved a package of event and entertainment permits for All‑Star Weekend activations and local venues, including a Google Pixel activation at 667 Howard St., a Jaguar Land Rover showcase in South Market, recurring salsa nights at The Ramp, an LLP for Royal Ground Coffee on Polk Street and an LLP for Splash at Thrive City outside Chase Stadium.
The commission’s approvals put several amplified‑sound and extended‑hours permits in place for Feb. 13–16 All‑Star Weekend activations and for ongoing programming at neighborhood businesses. The permits were approved by roll call with President Ben Blime, Vice President Wong, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Perez, Commissioner Schlander and Commissioner Thomas recording “aye” votes on each listed approval where they were eligible to vote (some commissioners recused or were excused for certain items). The consent calendar — three one‑time outdoor event permits for farmers markets and one indoor LLP — was approved first.
The most notable regular agenda approvals:
- Google Pixel House activation (667 Howard St.): MKG Productions requested a one‑time outdoor event permit with extended duration for Feb. 13–16 that includes prerecorded music daily and a DJ‑led concert from 9–10 p.m. on Feb. 15. Stephanie Bramond, senior producer at MKG, said the sound will be managed by an audio team provided by ADI and that she will be on site during the activation. The commission approved the permit with staff conditions.
- City Knights/Jaguar Land Rover (parking lot adjacent to 400 Third St.): City Knights LP requested an amplified‑sound permit for a sponsor car showcase during All‑Star Weekend. CEO Eddie Sumano said he delivered 97 outreach letters to nearby residents and businesses and described local support. Staff recommended approval, and the commission granted the permit with standard conditions limiting outdoor amplified sound at 50 feet from the property plane.
- The Ramp restaurants (855 Terry Francois Blvd.): The Ramp sought two separate approvals: extended hours and amplified sound for NBA All‑Star activations Feb. 15–16, and additional days for its Saturday salsa nights that exceeded the administratively allowed 23 days in a 12‑month period. General manager Sergio Camacho told commissioners the venue would point speakers toward the water and measure decibel readings hourly. The commission approved the requested permits with staff conditions; Commissioner Schlander recused from this item.
- Royal Ground Coffee (2216 Polk St.): Co‑owner Sami requested an LLP to allow indoor DJs until 11 p.m. and outdoor amplified sound up to six hours per day. Sami said outreach to nearby shops had been conducted twice and that neighbors expressed support. The commission approved the LLP with staff conditions.
- Splash at Thrive City (outside Chase Stadium): Owner Andy Chun sought an LLP for indoor entertainment until 11 p.m. and outdoor DJ programming in front and rear patios, with hours aligned to the Warriors’ POE permit conditions. Vice President Wong recused from this item. The commission approved the permit with staff conditions.
Commissioners emphasized standard conditions for outdoor amplified sound, including subjecting outdoor sound to limits measured at 50 feet from the property line and requiring sound monitoring. In several items applicants said they would be on site during the events and provided contact information for neighbors to register complaints so audio teams could respond in real time.
Votes at a glance (each motion approved with staff recommendations unless noted): - Consent calendar (three farmers‑market one‑time outdoor event permits; one indoor LLP): approved (unanimous among present eligible commissioners). - Google Pixel House activation (MKG Productions, 667 Howard St., Feb. 13–16): approved. - City Knights / Jaguar Land Rover activation (400 Third St., Feb. 15): approved. - The Ramp — NBA All‑Star activations and extended Saturday salsa nights (855 Terry Francois Blvd.): approved; Commissioner Schlander recused. - Royal Ground Coffee LLP (2216 Polk St.): approved. - Splash at Thrive City LLP (Thrive City/Chase Stadium): approved; Vice President Wong recused.
Applicants repeatedly told the commission they conducted neighborhood outreach and that SFPD Southern Station or Northern Station provided no additional special conditions beyond the standard calendaring and sound limits listed in staff memos. Several applicants stated they would be on site for the events and had audio teams or security plans in place.
The permit approvals clear the way for multiple activations during All‑Star Weekend and for ongoing neighborhood programming; applicants were told to follow up with Entertainment Commission staff for next steps including any required documentation and inspections.
