Entertainment Commission conditionally approves 26 Mix permit after neighborhood concessions

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission voted to conditionally grant an entertainment permit to Ricardo Vallejo doing business as 26 Mix at 3024 Mission Street after the applicant agreed to neighbor-requested restrictions intended to limit noise and disturbances.

Staff presented the permit and recommended conditions after noting that the venue had not previously operated with the current nearby residential building at 555 Bartlett. Executive Director Jocelyn Kane told commissioners the application calls for live music and DJs seven nights a week, music starting at about 8 p.m. and an occupancy listed at 198 people. Staff flagged sound concerns focused on a rear courtyard and proposed conditions that would: prohibit back-door deliveries and equipment, close the exterior door when music is playing (creating an internal “airlock”), and restrict bottle-recycling and other noisy recycling activities to daytime hours.

Eric Whitaker, representing owner Ricardo Vallejo, described steps the new owner is taking, including installing a $2,600 sound door with a push bar and a mechanism to avoid leaving the exterior door propped open. Manager Jesus Torres said the venue’s bottle recycler typically arrives at 9 a.m. and that waste handling could be scheduled to limit nighttime dumping. Neighbor Brian Marr of 555 Bartlett described repeated instances when the rear door was opened and bottles were dumped into the alley, and he showed photos of the courtyard’s proximity to residences.

Commissioners pressed for precise language and broader protections: Commissioner Mico asked that the condition require adequate ventilation so doors and windows can remain closed during events; Commissioner Benetti and others requested a phone contact for neighbors. The commission modified the bottle/recycling restriction to prohibit dumping or recycling between 6 p.m. and 11 a.m. and replaced the draft language on back doors with the standard city requirement that doors and windows be closed when entertainment is present. The commission attached the city’s Good Neighbor policy and the additional agreed-upon conditions to the conditional grant.

Commissioner Rico moved to approve the conditional grant; the motion was seconded and commissioners present voted aye. The approval is contingent on the agreed conditions, required inspections (including sound abatement), and any remaining administrative reviews.

The permit records indicate the commission will monitor compliance and consider escalated enforcement—including longer suspensions or revocation—if citations continue.