San Francisco, CA – Today, Mayor London N. Breed announced the recipients of the City’s new Entertainment & Nightlife Revitalization Grant (ENRG) program. Fourteen local entertainment and nightlife businesses and neighborhood organizations will receive grants of up to $50,000 to produce a diverse array of weekend and evening programming Downtown.
Programming will launch later this month with an exciting range of activities, from concert pop-ups and theater performances, to drag showcases and street parties in newly created Entertainment Zones, designated areas where restaurants and bars are permitted to sell to-go alcoholic beverages during outdoor events. Events will take place across Downtown neighborhoods, including Mid-Market/Civic Center, Tenderloin, SoMa, Financial District, Union Square, Yerba Buena, and The East Cut.
“In San Francisco, we are innovating and exploring every possible avenue to make Downtown an exciting and welcoming 24/7 destination that attracts more people and new business opportunities,” said Mayor Breed. “Entertainment Zones will bring a new energy to our City and these grants are going to the local businesses and organizations that understand what it takes to continue to make Downtown vibrant.”
Supported by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development and local nonprofit SF New Deal, the ENRG Grant program is the latest initiative to activate Downtown under Mayor Breed’s Roadmap to San Francisco’s Future. These events not only enhance the cultural vibrancy of San Francisco, but also act as a catalyst for economic development. Each grantee will welcome new and diverse audiences and communities, and collectively contribute to ongoing efforts to foster an arts and cultural hub Downtown.
In SoMa and Yerba Buena, projects by The Stud, Buena Vida Cantina, 1015 Folsom, Oasis, The Foundry with the production “How to Find an SF Apartment in 30 Days”, and Executive Order Bar + Lounge will enliven the neighborhoods with new performances, murals, and educational programs.
“We are very excited to be bringing live music, and a social explosion to Yerba Buena. Our neighbors have been asking for it, and now it's coming! Viva SF!” said Jeff Handy, Manager of Buena Vida Cantina.
"The Stud is beyond excited to be one of the Downtown ENRG Grant recipients -- independent venues like ours need all the help we can get right now as our industry is still recovering from the pandemic. This boost will get us one step closer to transforming a sports bar into the drag bar and dance club we have been working so hard to preserve!" said Rachel Ryan, Stud Collective President and General Manager.
In Mid-Market, Civic Center, Union Square and the Tenderloin, activations will include Mr. Tipple’s in collaboration with Dawn Club, Black Cat, Keys Jazz Bistro, 620 Jones, a well as Harlan Records and Iron Horse. They will bring new music to the streets, create a ‘jazz passport’ to encourage audiences to explore live music venues, and support the development of new Entertainment Zones.
“Harlan Records is excited to shine a light on the historic beauty and the rising renaissance of entertainment occurring in the heart of San Francisco,” shared Will Herrera, owner of Harlan Records. “Through Downtown ENRG we're launching new programming and exploring the creation of an Entertainment Zone capable of fostering sustained neighborhood vibrancy. We're excited to share our culture and values and show what's possible when we tackle challenges together."
In the Financial District and East Cut, projects by NoisePop and Skylight Studios, Downtown SF Partnership and the Crossing at East Cut Community Benefit District will activate new venues, fund the creation of the inaugural Entertainment Zone on Front Street, and support theatrical and circus productions.
Grants will support various expenses, including permitting costs, event planning, marketing, artist stipends, equipment, and staffing. Programming will reflect a wide spectrum of creative endeavors, and the flexibility of the grant funding is designed to be responsive to the dynamic operational needs of grantees. Beyond funding activations this year, Downtown ENRG is designed to build the long-term capacity of Downtown’s nightlife and entertainment businesses, allowing them to sustain and grow their operations into the future.
“San Francisco’s arts and entertainment scene is world-class. The ENRG Grant enables us to tap our diverse and vibrant creative community to help contribute to the revitalization of Downtown,” said Sarah Dennis-Phillips Director of the Office of Economic & Workforce Development. “We know from the success of our other initiatives like SF Live and Bhangra & Beats, that there is a real appetite for these events and that this strategy is working to bring renewed energy to Downtown.”
“Nightlife and entertainment venues are vital businesses that help shape the culture and identity of San Francisco. We are thrilled to be investing in these grantees who will collectively contribute to ongoing efforts to foster an arts and cultural hub downtown" said Simon Bertrang, Executive Director of SF New Deal.
The program builds on a series of recent entertainment initiatives aimed at transforming Downtown into a leading 24/7 arts, culture, and nightlife destination. Other initiatives include:
- Bricks at Embarcadero Plaza, a 12-week pilot launched on August 7, presents weekly trivia nights, tango dance lessons, Friday happy hours with music and other arts activities, lunch-time professional networking and panel discussions, and family days every Saturday with the Children’s Creativity Museum.
- Designating Front Street, between California and Sacramento streets, as the first Entertainment Zone in the City and the State under Senate Bill 76, authored by State Senator Scott Wiener.
- SF Live free concert series in iconic open spaces such as Union Square Plaza and Civic Center Plaza presented in partnership with San Francisco’s leading entertainment and live music venues.
- Five Bhangra & Beats night markets have drawn approximately 50,000 attendees.
- The Crossing at the East Cut, which features ongoing outdoor movie nights and screenings, soccer and pickleball, and a variety of food and beverage vendors.
- Holiday seasonal programs like Union Square’s Winter Walk and the annual Let’s Glow SF holiday light art festival.
- A series of three complimentary Downtown concerts presented by Another Planet Entertainment. The first concert featuring Dirtybird: Back to Baysics on July 21, drew approximately 5,000 people to Embarcadero Plaza.
- Vacant to Vibrant, which pairs creative entrepreneurs with Downtown property owners to transform vacant spaces into dynamic pop-up experiences. Fifteen storefronts are now open through the program.
The application for Downtown ENRG is now closed. Future applications may be considered should funding become available. For more information about Downtown ENRG and the awarded projects, please visit www.sfnewdeal.org/enrg or contact press@sfnewdeal.org.
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