Entertainment Commission approves multiple venue permits; police retain ability to add security conditions

The Entertainment Commission for the City and County of San Francisco on March 27 granted a slate of place-of-entertainment permits for venues across the city, while leaving the door open to reinstate security requirements if incidents occur.

The commission approved a limited live-performance permit for 1707 Powell Street (Farrow Elizabeth dba The Bottle Cap). Applicant Liz Farrow said the permit will "enhance our business" and provide work for local musicians. The motion to grant the permit passed on a roll-call vote recorded as Aye by Commissioners Perez, Hyde, Lee, Tan and President Newland.

A contested application for Skylark at Sixteenth and Valencia drew the most extensive debate. Attorney Steven Engelbrecht said he was "sorry" about past confusion over the venue's permit status and asked the commission for a full grant, noting outreach and letters of support from neighborhood groups. Police described a recent incident nearby involving gang activity and gunfire and recommended a security plan with several conditions, including hiring a bonded security firm and patron screening that could include pat-downs or wands.

Officer Gary Buckner of the Mission Police District said his goal was cooperation, not punitive action, and urged professionalism from venue security. He described follow-up work with venues at 2601 Mission and emphasized outreach to bring operators into compliance. Buckner also told the commission, "I've identified 14 venues in the Mission and the Castro particularly where they're just being hit night after night," as part of a proposal to pilot educational materials at front doors and restrooms.

Commissioners and staff debated whether mandatory pat-downs and metal detectors were appropriate for smaller-capacity venues. The commission voted to grant Skylark's permit while striking or deferring the more onerous conditions (including the bonded-firm and mandatory pat-down requirements) with the explicit understanding that police and staff can return to the commission to add conditions if incidents occur. The commission also required that security personnel be guard-carded or otherwise trained and that the applicant follow the security plan agreed with officers.

Tempest Bar (431 Natoma) and L2 Karaoke (near Fillmore and O'Farrell) were both approved after applicants described safety upgrades and community outreach. Justin Trujillo, representing Tempest Bar, said live music at the venue aims to "help rejuvenate the neighborhood." Leong Allen, returning after a prior continuance, said the karaoke venue completed fire, ADA and electrical permits and had conducted neighborhood outreach.

The commission's votes were recorded as unanimous Ayes from the five commissioners present. Where the commission deferred or removed specific security conditions, it directed staff and SFPD to monitor compliance and return with recommended amendments if new incidents require them.

The commission concluded the meeting with announcements about neighborhood engagement and training programs and then adjourned.