Entertainment Commission approves expanded permit for Dolores Park Cafe through 10 p.m., requires sound test and neighbor coordination

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission on March 3 voted to amend Dolores Park Cafe’s long‑standing entertainment permit to allow live entertainment through 10 p.m. daily, while requiring a sound test and ongoing coordination with neighbors.

Rachel Herbert, owner of Dolores Park Cafe, told commissioners the cafe has hosted community fundraisers, youth programming and monthly art exhibits since it opened in 1997 and that its small performance nights support independent artists. "We've been providing a fun and safe place for artists for 14 years and we want to be able to continue to build community," Herbert said.

Commissioners weighed the cafe’s community role against neighborhood noise complaints. Patty Oren, who identified herself as the complainant, said the noise is long‑running: "I can hear it in my house with my doors and windows shut, with headphones on listening to the computer," she said, adding the problem occurs about half the time. Officer Avery Parker of Mission Station said police CAD records showed one noise call in the past 18 months (anonymous, Feb. 6) and recommended relying on the commission’s Good Neighbor Policy rather than imposing new conditions: "I'm not asking for any conditions," Parker said.

The commission approved a motion to grant the expanded place‑of‑entertainment permit, require an inspector‑administered sound test, remove the restrictive 1997 police‑era condition and direct staff to work closely with both the cafe and the neighbors. Commissioners noted staff may recondition or pull the permit if complaints continue.

Supporters who spoke at the meeting — including neighborhood residents, nonprofit leaders and musicians — emphasized the cafe’s role in providing low‑cost, local performance opportunities and fundraising space. Several said the owner has been responsive to neighbors and has taken steps such as keeping windows shut during performances and checking in with complainants.

The commission’s action allows the cafe greater flexibility for regular evening arts programming while retaining tools for enforcement and mitigation if noise issues persist. President Brian Tan handed the gavel to Commissioner Lee when he left the meeting at 6:30 p.m., and staff will oversee the required sound testing and neighbor coordination.