News

Good News SF - July 28, 2023

Bar Booms, Arts, and Music in SF -- Oh my!
July 28, 2023

Bar Boom

As tides are changing, people are looking for fun things to do in San Francisco and a big part of that is exploring new places to go out to in the evenings and weekends; with that our city has been seeing what some have called a “bar boom.”

With less overhead than a restaurant which requires perishable food items and more staff, but still providing hospitality and food & drink creativity, bar owners are multiplying in the city as they set up shop from Harlequin to the Dawn Club to Dragon Horse, and so on. Our own office of small business has seen an average of 200 small business applications a week, something we’re very excited about as our city turns the page on this potentially new chapter for SF.

For more information on this “Boom" check out these stories by KTVU News and the Chronicle for more.

Is AI leading to surging office demand in SF? Maybe!

San Francisco has been dubbed the “AI Capital of the World” by Mayor Breed and most recent news coverage would say that’s accurate, but is it leading to office demand in our city too?

Yesterday, the SF Chronicle reported that four AI companies expanded their offices and leased a total of 132,935 square feet combined across Downtown, SoMA, Jackson Square, and the Design District.

This follows on the heels of Bloomberg News reporting that in the second quarter of 2023, demand for offices in San Francisco grew by about 10% according to a report from commercial real estate technology firm VTS.

Prospective tenants have been hunting for large spaces of more than 50,000 square feet (4,645 square meters) since March, according to VTS. The demand has been largely driven by the boom in AI companies, according to VTS Chief Executive Officer Nick Romito.

38 Most Essential Restaurants in SF

Eater SF has come out with the “Eater 38,” otherwise known as a curated list that covers the entire city, spanning numerous cuisines, neighborhoods, and price points.

It’s a list that tells the story of San Francisco through food, documenting the blend of taquerias, dumpling shops, and tasting menu destinations that make this city one of the most interesting places to eat in America.

Are your favs on here? What about things in your neighborhood?

New Restaurant in the Fillmore!

We’re getting excited for the opening of Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement later this year! Chef-owner Fernay McPherson has been building her business since 2010, and is receiving grant support from the Office of Economic and Workforce Development through its Dreamkeeper Initiative, SF Shines program, and other initiatives for entrepreneurs to open and grow their businesses in San Francisco.

While you’re in the Fillmore, be sure to visit In the Black, a creative and entrepreneurial marketplace featuring Black-owned businesses at 1567 Fillmore Street. Check out an article the SF Chronicle wrote featuring Fernay and Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement, here.

Window

“Window” is the fourth and final “Summer of Awe” laser installations from Illuminate and its partner Nu-Salt Laser International, each designed to energize and mesmerize the city by creating extraordinary art using lasers in the city’s most iconic locations. The artist of record for all “Summer of Awe” installations is Karl the Fog.

The Summer of Awe series kicked off on Pride weekend with WELCOME, a 4.1-mile laser Pride flag directly up Market Street to Twin Peaks, the world’s largest. The Summer of Awe series continued with loveAbove, which featured 12 lasers shooting directly up from the base of Sutro Tower to celebrate its 50th birthday and then the Coit Tower’s Candle which  featured 10 laser space cannons beaming up from atop the iconic structure for its 90th birthday. Window and the rest of the Summer of Awe series were partially funded by a grant for economic recovery by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development.

Window includes 12 laser beams projecting from the roof of the Fairmont Hotel shining into Grace Cathedral’s famed rose window. The event kicked off on Thursday, July 27th, and will continue til Saturday July 29th.

The cathedral’s doors will be open to the public from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. for free entry during the display, and on Saturday, the music of vocalist and pianist Clare Hedin will accompany the laser production. 

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Lineup

HSB just released their first “Medley Drop” with hints about the first 10 artists. Can you guess the lineup?

This festival which has become an SF classic thanks to the Warren Hellman and the Hellman Foundation he left behind in his memory when he helped create and found Hardly Strictly Bluegrass will be taking place this year from Friday- Sunday, September 29th – October 1st, 2023.

The event which has six stages and takes place over three days with 80+ artists is FREE. The schedule for the weekend is as follows:

  • Friday – 1-7p

  • Saturday – 11a-7p

  • Sunday – 11a-7p

2023 LINEUP
HSB tends to announce their lineup in stages and makes you guess. The first “Medley Drop” came out July 25th.

INITIAL LINEUP

  • Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

  • Leyla McCalla

  • The Church

  • John Doe Folk Trio

  • Valerie June

  • Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram

  • John Craigie

  • Neal Francis

  • Bahamas

  • Gaby Moreno

When is the next lineup hint? tune in August 8th, August 22nd and September 5th to enjoy new medleys, each of which will showcase additional artists performing at HSB 2023.

Union Square “Blooms & Bubbles” Bar Crawl 2023

Come out for the official Union Square Bloom & Bubbles Bar Crawl this weekend!

Celebrate the vibrant spirit of San Francisco this summer at an exciting event happening tomorrow, July 29th, 2023, right in the heart of the city’s iconic Union Square. As the sun begins to set and the city’s energy reaches its peak, Union Square comes alive with an array of bustling bars, each offering its own distinctive atmosphere and delights. Whether you’re a beer enthusiast, a cocktail connoisseur, or a lover of fine wines, this event promises to satisfy every taste and preference.

Bar Crawl starts at 5pm but you can enjoy a free concert in the park from 1pm – 4pm. Official after party starts at 10pm.

Ticket: Normally $9.99 but use code Union100 to secure a free ticket while supplies last. For tickets, click here.

Ticket Gets You:
– FREE Entry To 5+ Bars
– Door Cover Charges Waived
– Exclusive Drink Specials
– Prizes and Swag
– Beautiful Blossom Scenery
– Official After Party
– 100’s of Crawlers
– Live Performance
– Digital Bar Map .

Please be aware, this event is for ages 21+ only!

“Due South” 2023: SF’s Free Concert Festival in McLaren Park Kicks off THIS Weekend!

The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, San Francisco Parks Alliance and Noise Pop are excited to announce the return of the Due South concert series! From tomorrow, July 29th through October 2023, a lineup of contemporary talent as diverse as the Bay Area itself will take the stage at Jerry Garcia Amphitheater. The entire concert series is free and open to the public.

The concerts will be held at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in San Francisco’s McLaren Park on July 29 to October 7, 2023 from 2pm to 5:30pm.  The series will feature a diverse lineup of contemporary talent that reflects the local neighborhoods and populations of the City’s Southern districts neighboring the park.

2023 Schedule

All Due South shows are FREE and open to the public but they encourage RSVP-ing to the shows of your choice to win prizes and reserved seating, or upgrading to reserved seating by purchasing a San Francisco Parks Alliance membership through this link.