San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed and Supervisor Rafael Mandelman with the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) introduced legislation on Tuesday, December 10 to create a new entertainment zone in San Francisco’s Cole Valley, a vibrant neighborhood commercial corridor spanning approximately three blocks. This will be the Mayor’s third entertainment zone to roll out since the City’s initial launch in September, with plans underway to expand to more neighborhoods.
If approved, the entertainment zone could launch as early as March 2025 and will enable restaurants and bars in the zone to sell alcoholic beverages to go for outdoor consumption during events and activations, such as the Cole Valley Nights series of night markets.
The establishment of entertainment zones stems from the Mayor’s Roadmap to San Francisco’s Future, which has supported a series of entertainment initiatives designed to bolster Downtown’s economic recovery. Sanctioned under SB 76, authored by Senator Scott Wiener, entertainment zones are designed to support the sustainability of local bars and restaurants and boost neighborhood economic activity by permitting restaurants and bars to sell alcoholic beverages to go for outdoor consumption during special, permitted events.
In June, the Board of Supervisors approved Mayor Breed’s legislation to designate Front Street, between California and Sacramento streets, as the first entertainment zone in San Francisco and the state. The Thrive City Entertainment Zone was approved by the Board of Supervisors in September, becoming the second zone in the state.
“We are aggressively pushing innovative programs to support our long-standing sectors, and thanks to the hard work of many, we are seeing results,” said Mayor London Breed. “Entertainment Zones are proving to be incredibly successful, and we need to capitalize on this growth to attract and sustain our residents and visitors alike. The key to this success is partnering with our arts, culture, nightlife, and entertainment sectors who are at the core of vibrant neighborhoods and what makes our City so special. In San Francisco, we celebrate joy, we know how to have fun, and I am thrilled to partner with Supervisor Mandelman and the Cole Valley community.”
Many neighborhoods throughout San Francisco have expressed interest in establishing entertainment zones, and enthusiasm has only grown following a series of successful events. Oktoberfest on Front on September 20 and Nightmare on Front Street on October 31, held in partnership with the community benefit district Downtown SF Partnership and the OEWD, drew approximately 20,000 attendees and participating business— Schroeder’s, Harrington’s Bar & Grill, and Royal Exchange—reported a 700-1,500% increase in sales.
Thrive City hosted its first Entertainment Zone during the venue’s Winter Wonderland Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 30. Participating business, including Che Fico Pizzeria, Gott’s Roadside and Harmonic Brewing, reported a significant increase in sales compared to a non-event day.
“Cole Valley’s first ever night market on December 5 was a smashing success,” said District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman. “Establishment of this Entertainment Zone will allow the neighborhood to build on that success and continue to throw great outdoor events that bring people together, build community and support our local businesses.”
In September, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 969, a new law authored by Senator Wiener and sponsored by Mayor Breed that will allow cities and counties across the state to model San Francisco’s strategy to designate entertainment zones beginning January 1, 2025. This legislation has triggered a wave of interest from cities and communities who have reached out to OEWD for best practices on entertainment zone implementation.
“California’s Entertainment Zone law empowers San Francisco and other cities to bring people together on our streets while also supporting our neighborhood restaurants and bars,” said Senator Scott Wiener, who authored California’s Entertainment Zone law. “Every time San Francisco creates an Entertainment Zone, it’s wildly successful. I’m thrilled to see Cole Valley join this great list.”
"The Cole Valley Merchants Association is extremely excited about the prospect of the Cole Valley commercial corridor being designated as an Entertainment Zone that will give our neighborhood the opportunity to further enhance event programing for the Cole Valley Nights night markets and other events,” said Dan Serot, Owner of Finnegans Wake, and President of the Cole Valley Merchants Association. “We are grateful for the continued support from the Mayor's Office, Supervisor Mandelman, and OEWD."
"We at Zazie are ecstatic to see the wealth of new opportunities that the City has been providing for neighborhoods, such as Cole Valley,” said Megan Cornelius, Owner of Zazie. “An Entertainment Zone would only enhance our Cole Valley Nights experience and provide both increased revenue for our small businesses as well as enjoyment for our community."
“It’s wonderful to see entertainment zones expand across the City,” said Sarah Dennis Phillips, Executive Director, OEWD. “We are thrilled that neighborhoods like Cole Valley are excited about the potential of these zones to broaden economic recovery while building community cohesion through fun, lively events. The more the merrier!”
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