Outdoor drinking could be allowed in SF under legislation proposed by mayor

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Legally permitted outdoor drinking in San Francisco could become a thing under new legislation announced Friday by San Francisco Mayor London Breed. Breed joined State Sen. Scott Weiner, the Office of Economic Workforce and Development (OEWD), and business and community leaders in unveiling legislation that would create an “entertainment zone” in downtown SF.

The legislation would allow bars and restaurants within entertainment zones to sell drinks outdoors for certain events and activations. In addition to establishing a framework for future entertainment zones, the legislation revises current local open container laws to permit operation of these zones.

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Front Street, between California Street and Sacramento Street, has also been designated as the city’s first entertainment zone. According to the mayor’s office, SF was authorized to create entertainment zones under SB76, which was authored by Sen. Weiner.

“If approved,” the mayor’s office said, “this zone will allow local bars and restaurants to operate and sell alcoholic beverages as part of organized outdoor events that take place on this block.”

Mayor Breed has also directed the OEWD to launch a program that will offer up to $50,000 to fund new economic revitalization projects designed to support new activities, events and campaigns to draw patrons and boost activity downtown.

“San Francisco’s Downtown is seeing a new surge of excitement, and we are thrilled to be the first city in California to take advantage of this new law to bring opportunities that foster joy for our residents, workers and visitors,” said Mayor Breed.

“Activating our streets with fun, community events is a powerful tool to accelerate downtown
recovery,” said Sen. Wiener. “I authored SB 76 to empower San Francisco to
create street vibrancy, particularly downtown. This new entertainment zone does exactly that, in addition to dovetailing with the rest of Mayor Breed’s comprehensive plan to give people more reasons to come downtown.”

The legislation will allow three bars along Front Street — Schroeder’s, Harrington’s and Royal Exchange — to sell drinks during special events in that zone. According to Breed’s office, the bars are working with the Downtown SF Partnership and BOMA to launch a recurring street closure on the block that could involve live entertainment and other activities.

The legislation will be introduced to the next SF Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, May 7.

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