Planning commission approves Manila Bistro permit to add spirits and indoor karaoke under conditions

The National City Planning Commission voted unanimously Jan. 20 to approve a conditional use permit allowing Manila Bistro, at 933 South Harbison Avenue, to expand its on-site alcohol service to an ABC Type 47 license (which includes distilled spirits) and to provide indoor live entertainment such as karaoke and occasional acoustic music.

Erin Ream, an associate planner with the National City Planning Department, told commissioners the proposal (case file 2026‑05) would bring the restaurant’s existing Type 41 beer‑and‑wine license into conformance with recent approvals by adding distilled spirits and formalizing live entertainment. Ream said the restaurant’s seating area holds 54 seats and the business sits in the MXD‑1 zone, where on‑site alcohol with an approved conditional use permit is allowed. Ream recommended approval and outlined standard conditions addressing hours, responsible beverage service, security, lighting, signage and limiting entertainment to an accessory role for dining.

Anthony Miranda, the applicant’s representative, said Manila Bistro is a family restaurant seeking a minor CUP to “enhance the dining experience” and that live entertainment would be low‑volume and primarily indoors. Miranda said the restaurant would comply with city rules and try to be a “good neighbor.”

Commissioners questioned staff and the applicant about neighborhood impacts, enforcement and license concentration. Ream said staff notified property owners and occupants within the required radius, that Manila Bistro held a community meeting on June 1 with six attendees who generally supported the request but raised noise concerns, and that the police department rated the restaurant as a medium risk (15 points) based on business type, existing licenses in the census tract and calls for service. The staff report noted the site is in Census Tract 120.02, characterized as overconcentrated with six alcohol licenses where four are typically recommended.

Vice Chair Castle Salgado and others asked whether any nearby businesses held Type 47 licenses; staff cited Round 1 Bowling and Arcade as an example. Commissioners also asked about past live entertainment and calls for service; staff said some entertainment and advertising predated the CUP requirement and that the CUP process would reset conditions and make the business subject to current standards. Ream explained that the “no advertisement promoting a particular performer or event” condition is intended to keep entertainment ancillary to dining and to prevent the venue from operating as an event space.

Under the conditions approved by the commission, proposed alcohol hours are 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.–midnight Friday and Saturday; proposed live‑entertainment hours are generally earlier than closing, with additional specific noise and security requirements. Ream noted Manila Bistro claimed an existing practice of operating until 1 a.m. under its nonconforming Type 41 license but that approval would bring hours into conformance with recent local approvals.

Commissioner Valenzuela moved to adopt Resolution No. 2026‑06 (making the CEQA Class 1 exemption determination and approving the CUP, case 2026‑05); Vice Chair Castle Salgado seconded. The planning commission voted unanimously to approve the resolution. A notice of decision will be sent to the City Council as required.

The commission heard no live public speakers on the item; the secretary reported one written comment had been provided to commissioners. The meeting concluded with brief staff reports and adjournment to the commission’s next regular meeting on Aug. 3, 2026.