San Francisco Entertainment Commission approves multiple permits, including Savoy Tivoli amendment for outdoor sound

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission approved a slate of permits and one permit amendment at its regular meeting, clearing several businesses to host live or prerecorded entertainment under conditions recommended by staff.

The commission approved a consent calendar item for Decentered Arts at 1175 Folsom St., then voted to grant new or amended place-of-entertainment (POE) permits for El Trebo (2888 San Bruno Ave.), an amendment for Savoy Tivoli (1434 Grant Ave.) to allow windows open during indoor entertainment and limited outdoor amplified prerecorded music, a POE and extended-hours permit for The Buddha (333 11th St.), and a POE permit for Silver Cloud (1994 Lombard St.).

The executive director, Wylund, also told the commission that it had previously affirmed a director’s order to suspend Castle SF’s permits and that the permit holder appealed; a Board of Appeals hearing is scheduled for Nov. 5 and department respondent briefs are due Oct. 30.

Savoy Tivoli’s amendment drew the most visible neighborhood debate. Staff described the proposal as allowing windows to remain open during indoor entertainment and up to two small speakers at the front of the business to play prerecorded music, limited so that programming would not exceed six hours per day between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. and not more than eight hours total across activities. Senior staff said an external sound limit was set not to exceed ambient levels at 50 feet during testing; a neighbor present at the test was reportedly satisfied. Owner Tito Avila framed the request as restoring a historic, open-air terrace atmosphere and cited safeguards including a sound technician and on-site decibel monitoring: “a yes vote here is… giving us the same balance that several of our neighbors have,” Avila said.

Neighbors and patrons gave mixed input. Staff reported six letters of opposition and six letters of support plus a 100-signature petition backing Savoy’s request; speakers at the meeting described both the venue’s cultural history and concerns about noise. After public comment and discussion, a motion to approve staff recommendations passed with the commissioners voting aye.

El Trebo’s applicant, represented by Daniel Gonzalez for owner Onan Lopez, described programming focused on international soccer viewing with occasional karaoke and DJs. Staff noted one neighbor complaint about prior uses at the location; the applicant committed to a Good Neighbor Policy, a two-person security plan for entertainment, a direct phone line for neighbors and to pursue insulation and sound mitigation as needed. The commission approved the permit with staff recommendations.

The Buddha sought both a POE and extended-hours premises permit for late-night service until 6 a.m. on select days. Owners said they would use security measures including walk-through detectors and wands and planned programming intended to include community fundraisers and awareness events. No neighborhood opposition was recorded in staff outreach and the commission approved the application.

Silver Cloud, a Marina neighborhood restaurant and karaoke bar operating since 1979, applied for a POE permit to bring existing karaoke and related entertainment into compliance. Owner Thomas Suresdockery noted a long history of neighborhood outreach and said the business received no opposition; the commission approved the permit.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of meeting minutes (Oct. 7, 2025): approved (unanimous roll call vote). - Decentered Arts (consent): approved (consent calendar). - El Trebo (POE): approved (motion and roll-call approval). - Savoy Tivoli (POE amendment for windows/open-air and limited outdoor sound): approved with staff conditions after mixed public comment. - The Buddha (POE + Extended Hours Permit): approved with staff conditions. - Silver Cloud (POE): approved with staff conditions.

The commission adjourned the meeting in honor of the late Terrence Allen, a founder of the Entertainment Commission and longtime nightlife advocate. The executive director said the department will circulate updates about the upcoming Board of Appeals hearing related to the Castle SF permit suspension.