Commission approves limited live-permit for Ocean Beach deli with Thursday nights added

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission on April 3 unanimously approved a limited live-performance permit for Kavika's Ocean Beach Deli, allowing the neighborhood deli to host low-volume live events through 8 p.m. on Thursdays in addition to weekends.

The vote adds Thursday evenings to a permit that staff said originally limited performances to Friday through Sunday per a police recommendation. Acting staff described the change as minor and said Richmond Station had no objection to including Thursday; the motion that passed included police conditions.

Owner David Nottage told the commission the venue is a community hub in the Richmond District and outlined plans for acoustic-only music, poetry readings and an "intellectual happy hour" program. He said the business closes by 7:30 p.m. most nights and he requested an 8 p.m. permit end time only as a buffer for occasional overruns. Nottage also said he provided 89 signatures from nearby residents supporting the permit and that an officer from Richmond Police had offered conditional support.

Commissioners asked technical questions about the sound system and operational policies. Nottage said the speakers are kept at low levels, drums are restricted to brushes, windows are kept closed and he or staff would monitor levels and communicate with police as required.

The motion to approve the limited live-permit with the addition of Thursdays was moved and seconded and passed with all present voting "Aye." The permit remains subject to the police conditions described by staff. The commission did not take further action on other permit conditions for the location.