Entertainment Commission approves new owner and extended hours for Playground in Japantown
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Summary
The Entertainment Commission approved a change‑of‑ownership permit for Playground, a karaoke bar at 1705 Buchanan Street, and lifted a prior hour restriction so the venue may operate until 2 a.m. nightly; the permit carries the standard good‑neighbor policy as a condition and passed on a 4–1 vote.
The San Francisco Entertainment Commission on Tuesday approved a change‑of‑ownership permit for Playground, a bar, restaurant and karaoke venue at 1705 Buchanan Street, and amended the permit to remove a Sunday–Wednesday midnight restriction so the business may use its full 2 a.m. permit hours.
Deputy director staff introduced the application and said Northern Station recommended approval with the good‑neighbor policy as a condition. Owner Leo Ra told the commission Playground carries a 90‑person occupancy limit, offers private karaoke rooms and a full bar, and operates food service. "Playground's been open since the end of, 2006 overall," Ra said, and described participation in a Japantown business neighborhood watch and occasional additional security for festivals.
The commission discussed the prior temporary hour restriction, noting the permit in full allows operations until 2 a.m. President Bridal Tan and several commissioners said karaoke venues historically present fewer risks than larger nightclubs; Commissioner Thomas moved to approve the permit and lift the hour restriction. Commissioner Thomas said she supported treating Playground "the same way as other businesses in the area that are able to stay open until 2" and made the motion to approve with the good‑neighbor policy attached.
The motion passed after roll call: Commissioner Thomas (yes), Commissioner Perez (yes), Commissioner Lee (yes), Commissioner Frost (no), President Tan (aye). President Tan announced the motion carried.
The approval includes the good‑neighbor policy as a continuing condition of the permit; staff and the commission noted there may be a separate after‑hours permit process if the business proposes activity beyond 2 a.m. The deputy director said staff will continue to monitor complaints and work with Northern Station and other city agencies on enforcement when needed.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to continue approval of March 1 minutes to the next meeting — approved (motion carried; roll call affirmative). - Consent calendar items referred to the next meeting for fuller documentation — approved to continue after public comment urging application of Rule 116.
Next steps: The commission will record the ownership change in the permit file and staff said follow‑up inspections or neighborhood outreach would occur if complaints arise.
