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Entertainment Commission reports multiple citations, schedules Habibi Lounge permit hearing
Summary
Staff told the commission it issued escalating citations to Habibi Lounge and UltraBowl/El Trabal for unpermitted entertainment; Habibi has three citations and a scheduled Dec. 17 hearing while UltraBowl’s permit conditions were cited after 12 SFPD responses, the commission was briefed and staff will bring the Habibi permit to a hearing.
The San Francisco Entertainment Commission heard enforcement updates on multiple businesses Wednesday, including repeated citations for unpermitted entertainment at Habibi Lounge and violations tied to the venue known as UltraBowl.
Deputy Director Azevedo told commissioners that Habibi Lounge at 26 Sixth Street received three escalating citations in October and November for hosting DJs and rooftop amplified sound without the proper permits. Azevedo said staff met with the owner and consultant after permit applications were submitted and granted a one-time permit for two nights while the business awaits a scheduled December 17 hearing on its Place of Entertainment (POE) and Extended Hours Permit (EHP) applications. “They acknowledged needing a permit,” Azevedo said, adding that staff issued a $100 citation, then $300, then $500 after repeated noncompliance.
Azevedo reported one interaction in which the business owner told an inspector he would involve lawyers and bar entry, saying the owner accused staff of targeting and discriminating against the business. Azevedo told the commission that staff will continue outreach and that the owner is currently not allowing an inspector to enter the premises; staff also said they would continue to pursue the administrative hearing process.
Separately, Senior Inspector Sabrina reported that UltraBowl (operating under the name El Trabal at 314920 Second Street in staff materials) generated a year of police responses, including an incident in which a patron sustained a gunshot wound. The inspector said the venue’s LLP permit includes strict security conditions and a monthly event calendar requirement; staff had not received the required calendars or incident reports and issued a notice of violation for failures to meet permit conditions.
Sabrina also updated the commission about multiple other compliance matters: Amelie (1754 Polk Street) received a notice of violation for leaving doors and windows open during entertainment in violation of good neighbor policy; After Work Bar (409 Goff Street) was cited for operating outdoor amplified sound without a permit; and Jackson (3231 Fillmore Street) received a notice after outdoor sound persisted past 10 p.m. despite earlier compliance.
The commission did not vote on enforcement penalties during the meeting but directed staff to continue outreach and to bring Habibi Lounge’s permit applications to the December hearing as scheduled. Azevedo emphasized the goal of bringing businesses into compliance through the hearing process rather than immediate revocation when possible.
