Committee backs liquor-license transfer for Emporium San Francisco at Harding Theater

The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee on Feb. 8 recommended that the full Board of Supervisors approve the transfer of a Type 48 on-sale general public premises liquor license to Emporium SF LLC for a proposed arcade-bar and music venue at the Harding Theater, 616 Divisadero Street.

Doug Marks, who said he represents Emporium SF LLC, described the project as a bar-arcade-venue modeled on his Chicago locations, with a focus on craft beer, pinball and arcade machines, private-event space and occasional live music. Marks said the owners plan to preserve the theater’s historic character, use local artists to restore murals and work with neighborhood groups; he said Emporium has letters of support from local organizations and the adjacent Independent music venue.

San Francisco Police Department Sergeant Patrick Kennedy, ABC liaison, told the committee there were no letters of protest or support on file and that Northern Station raised no opposition. Kennedy said the site lies in a tract the department characterized as high-crime and high-saturation but recommended conditions the applicant had agreed to: sales, service and consumption of alcoholic beverages between 10 a.m. and 2 a.m., no noise audible beyond the licensed area, alcohol served only by employees, and prohibition on self-service and loitering in the licensed perimeter.

Chair Supervisor Ronan asked for a motion to approve the license with the recommended ABC conditions and to forward the resolution to the full board with a positive recommendation. The committee moved, seconded and the motion passed without objection.

The committee’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors for consideration on the regular agenda. If acted on by the Board, the license would be subject to the conditions described by SFPD and the licensing process overseen by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and city staff.