Rocapulco granted six‑month conditional permit after questions about prior enforcement at related venues

The Entertainment Commission granted a six‑month conditional place‑of‑entertainment permit March 13 to the proposed new licensee of Rocapulco, a longstanding Mission District nightclub, after extensive public comment and police recommendations.

Applicant Duck Liu, represented by attorney Mark Rennie, said the buyer would keep the current general manager and intended to preserve the venue’s programming while improving safety systems and neighborhood outreach. Rennie requested flexibility on hours and third‑party promoters but agreed to many of SFPD’s recommended conditions.

Neighbors and police raised concerns about the operator’s connection to other venues, including recent incidents at Apartment 24. Officer Matthias described prior issues and said Central Station recommended caution. The applicant said he has purchased ID scanners, changed security staffing and will implement more proactive screening.

Commissioners adopted a conditional six‑month permit with the SFPD recommendations largely intact but with the retention period for video surveillance reduced to 14 days to limit storage burdens; the permit limits hours initially (the commission retained recommended 9 p.m.–2 a.m. Wednesday–Saturday for the probationary term), prohibits third‑party promoters during the six‑month review and requires a return for review at the end of the period. One commissioner recused from the vote because of a business relationship with the applicant’s partner; the remaining commissioners voted Aye.

The commission said the shorter probationary window will let staff and SFPD evaluate whether management changes have addressed prior problems, with revocation or further conditions possible if incidents recur.