Staff report details multiple venue complaints, a 112-DBC sound reading and outreach to neighborhood

Deputy Director Zavito provided the commission with a roundup of enforcement and compliance items affecting nightlife venues across the city.

Zavito said staff met with the owner of Orson's Belly and the business is engaging with the department to come into compliance with its limited live-performance permit. Inspector Fiorentino and staff have followed up on complaints at a number of locations.

Arena SF received both a verbal notice and a formal notice of violation after an inspector recorded a sound reading of 112 DBC, which exceeds their permitted sound limits; when inspected the following evening, staff observed the venue lowering sound levels during the inspector’s presence. Zavito said staff have been in communication with the venue’s operations manager and owner and will continue monitoring.

Raven was identified as a location whose patrons have been flooding the Folsom Street bike lane at close of business, creating collisions and near misses; inspectors recommended additional onsite staff and potential physical barriers to prevent patrons from spilling into the bike lane. Valencia Room, operating under a temporary permit with an 80 dBA sound limit, received a verbal warning after measurements showed levels above that limit. The Rock was reviewed after a fight outside the premises; staff met with venue management and found the venue complied with their security plan based on available reports.

Commissioners asked for data on how frequently Arena SF appears in reports; staff said Arena has appeared on multiple reports and that a small number of repeat anonymous complainants may be submitting recurring reports. Staff recommended continued outreach to managers and neighbors and extra attention to line and crowd management to reduce neighborhood impacts.