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Entertainment Commission approves Connecticut Yankee ownership change with modified police conditions
Summary
The commission approved a change-of-ownership entertainment permit for Connecticut Yankee (100 Connecticut Street), accepting conditions from Southern Station but striking a police requirement that all security staff be 21. The new owner, Tony Cooney of Pork Guys Inc., said the venue will significantly reduce amplified entertainment.
The San Francisco Entertainment Commission voted to approve a change-of-ownership place-of-entertainment permit for Connecticut Yankee at 100 Connecticut Street, removing one police condition that would have required all security staff to be 21 years old.
Tony Cooney, the new owner representing Pork Guys Incorporated, told commissioners the business will scale back live entertainment, emphasize food service and community nights, and keep occasional unamplified jazz and blues acts. "We're definitely reducing the amount of shows," Cooney said, adding that the owners had removed existing sound wiring and will follow the good-neighbor recommendations, provide security on show nights and conduct end-of-night walk-throughs.
Neighbor Kevin Palmer, who said his property adjoins the Yankee patio, told the commission he welcomed Cooney and that the new owner "seems very amenable to addressing these concerns." Palmer said past live amplified music and unruly patrons had caused problems while he has lived next door since 1993, but that he had no current objection to the permit.
During the hearing, Commissioners questioned police conditions in the draft recommendation, including a clause requiring all security staff to be 21. A motion to approve the permit with police conditions but to eliminate that age requirement was moved and seconded; the motion carried unanimously as recorded. Commissioners voting in favor included Commissioner Frost, Commissioner Lee, Commissioner Joseph, Commissioner Perez and President Tan.
The conditions approved include security staffing, signage encouraging patrons to respect neighbors, and coordination with Southern Station; the commission noted that permit holders must also comply with SFFD and other applicable codes. Cooney said the operation plans to use third-party security firms and to work directly with neighbors to resolve issues.
The commission closed the item after the vote and congratulated the applicant; no appeals or amendments were recorded at the meeting.
