San Francisco Entertainment Commission approves The Midway and three other nightlife permits

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission on Dec. 15 approved a slate of permits for nightlife venues, including a place-of-entertainment permit for The Midway and conditional approvals for Mezzanine, Tropagala and Rocapulco.

The Midway's principal, Jordan Langer, told commissioners the project would convert a 29,000-square-foot warehouse at 900 Marin Street into a multiuse arts-and-entertainment complex with an 8,000-square-foot main performance room, three gallery spaces, 10 subsidized artist studios and a teaching kitchen. "We plan to support and involve not only local artists, musicians, and also nonprofit organizations that focus on music, arts, and the community," Langer said during his presentation. He also said the main room's capacity would be roughly 1,500 and that the entire complex could host an estimated 3,000 people at maximum usage.

Bayview Station recommended approval of the Midway's place-of-entertainment permit "with the Good Neighbor policy" and a monthly event calendar provided to police, Permit Officer Ramirez said. After public testimony from neighborhood supporters Earl Shaddix and Jeremy Linden, who praised the applicant's outreach and community-benefit commitments, the commission voted to approve the Midway's place-of-entertainment permit with the police conditions on a roll-call vote.

Tropagala (358 Ocean Avenue) appeared as a change in ownership. Owner Marco Mesa said the venue—operating for 25 years under previous ownership—will continue as a nightclub with DJs and occasional events. Ingleside Station recommended conditions tied to days, times and security; commissioners stressed neighborhood outreach and clarified that state licensing governs in-house security staff. The permit was approved with the commission's Good Neighbor policy and selected police conditions after commissioners struck redundant items.

Rocapulco (3140 Mission Street) sought extended-hours approval for Friday and Saturday nights (to 6 a.m. on weekends). The manager, Tony Orianna, said extended hours would help stagger departures and reduce late-night crowding. The station permit officer recommended approval with conditions; Commissioner Lee recused himself from the Rocapulco vote and the remaining commissioners approved the application with modified police conditions and a staff directive to ensure neighborhood outreach.

Mezzanine (442 Jesse) applied for a change of ownership. Deborah Jackman, the longtime general manager, will become the owner and told the commission operations would continue with the venue's existing security team. Tenderloin Station Permit Officer Torres and the commission credited Mezzanine's security plan and recommended approval; commissioners granted the change-of-ownership and extended-hours permits with standard police conditions.

Across the permit hearings, police permit officers and commissioners emphasized the importance of the commission's Good Neighbor policy, neighborhood outreach and practical, enforceable conditions. Several police conditions that duplicated the Good Neighbor policy were removed or converted into staff directives.

The commission also recorded a director's directive earlier in the meeting requiring outreach and additional security measures for a venue that had a documented incident in November. The commission adjourned after approving those permit items and several standing referrals.

The commission's next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 5; permit holders approved tonight were instructed to follow through on any outreach and police reporting requirements attached to their permits.