Commission approves Midtown taproom and cafe at 1812 D Street with outdoor seating

The Sacramento Planning and Design Commission on April 23 approved a conditional use permit and site plan and design review to allow alcohol sales and outdoor dining at the proposed Backstage Cafe & Bar at 1812 D Street.

Senior planner Carlo Felix told the commission the proposal would convert an existing 2,600‑square‑foot recording studio into a taproom and cafe, transform the front parking lot into an outdoor dining area and install new awnings and roll‑up doors. Staff noted the site sits in the C4 zone and abuts a multi‑unit residential property to the west, and recommended conditions to address potential noise and public‑safety concerns.

Applicant Dave Herrera, who said he owns the building and an existing brewery on 24th Street, described plans to activate the space with a stage and interior bar, offer non‑alcoholic options, host limited hours based on neighborhood response and provide bike parking and measures to reduce outdoor noise. He said the location is two blocks from a bike trail and that the business model will emphasize pedestrian and bike access.

Commissioner Blunt moved to approve the conditioned permit; Commissioner Ortiz seconded. No public speakers signed up for the item. Commissioners cited the site’s potential to animate a largely inactive block and supported the applicant’s proposed noise controls and operational conditions. The motion passed with all commissioners present voting in favor.

The approval includes the conditions described by staff addressing noise, public‑safety recommendations from police review and site‑plan requirements to limit impacts to adjacent properties.