NEWS
Mayor Lurie, President Mandelman Celebrate Successful Launch of New Cole Valley Entertainment Zone
Established by Mayor Lurie and President Mandelman’s Legislation, Entertainment Zone Helps Boost Local Retailers, Restaurants, and Bars on Cole Valley’s Commercial Corridor; Follows Mayor Lurie’s Announcement of Legislation to Renew First Year Free Program, Helping Small Businesses Open and Grow
SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie and Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman today celebrated the successful launch of San Francisco’s newest entertainment zone. Established by legislation led by Mayor Lurie and President Mandelman, the new entertainment zone is in the vibrant Cole Valley commercial corridor, making it the city’s first outside of downtown. The entertainment zone kicked off yesterday evening with Cole Valley Nights, a four-month neighborhood street market series that is active on the second Thursday of each month through June 2025.
Mayor Lurie, President Mandelman, and the Board of Supervisors are taking major steps to support small businesses downtown and across the city. Yesterday, Mayor Lurie and Supervisor Stephen Sherrill announced legislation to renew the First Year Program, which has helped thousands of small businesses open their doors by waiving fees in their first year. Last month, Mayor Lurie launched PermitSF to reform and streamline the city’s permitting processes, cutting red tape for small businesses and housing development. He also partnered with State Senator Scott Wiener to introduce state legislation to create new, more affordable liquor licenses and bring new restaurants and bars to downtown San Francisco.
“My administration is dedicated to doing everything we can to help small businesses thrive,” said Mayor Lurie. “Expanding entertainment zones in neighborhoods like Cole Valley gives residents and families a chance to engage with their community, while also supporting our incredible bars, restaurants, and other merchants. I want to thank President Mandelman for his partnership and look forward to working with the Board of Supervisors to drive economic growth and celebrate our neighborhoods."
“We've seen how effective Entertainment Zones have been in driving economic activity for our Downtown bars, restaurants and local businesses. Now, for the first time, we’re bringing that same energy beyond Downtown to Cole Valley,” said Board of Supervisors President and District 8 Supervisor Mandelman. “This neighborhood is home to incredible local businesses that deserve the foot traffic, attention, and economic boost that Entertainment Zones generate. I'm proud to see this investment and grateful to Mayor Lurie and Senator Scott Wiener for being great partners in this effort.”
The Cole Valley Entertainment Zone was established through legislation sponsored by Mayor Lurie and passed unanimously by the Board of Supervisors on February 7, 2025. It supports the neighborhood’s bars and restaurants by allowing them to sell alcoholic beverages for outdoor consumption during special events.
On the second Thursday of the month, Cole Valley Nights offers a family-friendly evening market featuring local makers, merchants, organizations, food, and music. Attendees can check out the neighborhood while sampling the best of Cole Valley’s popular eateries and pubs. Cole Valley Nights are organized by the Cole Valley Merchants Association in collaboration with Sunset Mercantile, Civic Joy Fund, and Avenue Greenlight. More information can be found at SunsetMercantileSF.com.
"My wife and I have lived in Cole Valley for 16 years. Raising our kids here, we feel super connected to our community, so it's a great event for the neighborhood. As a small business owner, I couldn't be more thrilled to have so much attention brought to Cole Street,” said Jim Angelus, vice president of the Cole Valley Merchants Association and owner of Cole Valley Tavern. “It's been a little rocky since the pandemic, so bringing these Cole Valley Nights Events and an entertainment zone to Cole Valley feels like a win-win for everyone. I want to thank President Mandelman and Mayor Lurie for their support of the Cole Valley Merchants Association and our neighborhood.”
Since the launch of the state’s first entertainment zone on Front Street, following a series of successful events downtown, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) has been working with communities throughout San Francisco that are interested in establishing entertainment zones. Three entertainment zone events — Oktoberfest on Front in September 2024, Nightmare on Front Street in October 2024, and the Let’s Glow Block Party in December 2024, held in partnership with the community benefit district Downtown SF Partnership and the OEWD — drew approximately 16,000 attendees. Participating businesses — Schroeder’s, Harrington’s Bar & Grill, and Royal Exchange — reported increases in sales between 700% and 1,500%.
Supported by a grant from OEWD, Front Street will host its fourth entertainment zone event, St. Pat’s on Front, this coming Monday, March 17, from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The festive event will feature traditional Irish food and drink, live performances, and festive revelry in the heart of Downtown San Francisco. More information is available at downtownsf.org.
San Francisco’s Director of Nightlife Initiatives Ben Van Houten will showcase San Francisco’s entertainment zone initiatives today at the 2025 West Coast Urban District Forum.
“We are thrilled that Cole Valley can take advantage of this proven economic recovery strategy, and we are excited to work with other neighborhoods to implement entertainment zones to support vibrant commercial corridors throughout the city,” said Sarah Dennis Phillips, executive director of OEWD.