Entertainment Commission approves Madame Tussauds, San Francisco Dungeon permit at Fisherman’s Wharf

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission on March 4 approved a Place of Entertainment permit for Merlin Entertainment Group’s Madame Tussauds San Francisco and the San Francisco Dungeon at 145 Jefferson.

Drea Gibbs, representing Merlin Entertainment Group, told commissioners the attraction will include a range of historical and cultural figures and educational programming tied to San Francisco history. She said the site can host private events and has been coordinating with police and the health department. "We're very much looking forward to being able to come into the San Francisco community," Gibbs said.

Central Station officer Steve Mathias told the commission he had met with the applicant and recommended approval with police conditions; the record shows the commission voted to approve with those police conditions and an amendment changing the word "club" to "establishment" in one condition. Commissioners Campagnoli, Lee, Joseph, Acres and Vice President Hyde each voted "Aye." The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners asked about catering, liquor and occupancy limits; Gibbs said the attraction currently will contract bartending services when alcohol is provided and that the applicant is working with the health department and vendors for catered food. She said the project is still completing an occupancy certificate and that event capacity will comply with whichever occupancy permit is issued.

Commissioners also pressed the applicant on neighborhood outreach. Gibbs said the applicant has been meeting with local groups and businesses, citing contact with the Fisherman’s Wharf Business Improvement area and neighborhood organizations, and said she would provide the commission with a list of outreach contacts. The police conditions included requirements such as entrance cameras and a one-month retention period for recorded video.

The commission’s approval incorporates the police station’s recommended conditions and leaves final occupancy and any ABC-related liquor questions to the appropriate agencies and permits. The permit decision allows the venue to pursue events and programming under the conditions set by the commission and the police.

The commission did not specify an exact effective date in the meeting record; further administrative steps (occupancy certificate, business permits and any ABC approvals) remain outstanding.