GDL Reserve Approved Over 127-Signature Petition as Neighbors Allege Club 26 Mix Ties

San Francisco's Entertainment Commission approved all eight entertainment permits on its agenda — including the fiercely contested GDL Reserve bar and lounge on Potrero Avenue — while hearing alarming testimony from neighbors who say the Commission is failing to enforce the rules at 81 Social Gallery on Cedar Street.

• GDL Reserve wins POE and billiard parlor permit with modified hours despite 127-signature neighbor petition alleging ties to shuttered Club 26 Mix nightclub
• Neighbors blast 81 Social Gallery during commissioner comments, reporting gunshots, chronic noise violations, and "complete loss of trust" in enforcement
• El Dorado nightclub granted LLP on Union Street despite unauthorized entertainment advertising and owner's limited knowledge of venue programming
• Hidden Frequency, a queer-focused music venue, sails through with 130+ support letters and late-night permits on Mission Street
• Flying Figs Wine Bar approved for outdoor amplified sound over objections from eight residents living directly above

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GDL Reserve: 127 Signatures, Club 26 Mix Allegations, and a Midnight Compromise

The longest and most contentious item of the night centered on GDL Reserve at 491 Potrero Ave., a 49-person bar and lounge with two pool tables seeking a place of entertainment and billiard parlor permit.

Why it matters: Neighbors mounted a sustained campaign against the application, alleging the owners are connected to the shuttered Club 26 Mix on Mission Street — a nightclub with a documented history of violence, prostitution, and state regulatory violations. The Commission's decision to approve the permit, while modifying hours, effectively established that familial connections alone are not grounds for denial.

Where things stand: Applicants Giovanni Torres, Nicholas Oceguera, and Jasbeth Cuellar presented extensive sound mitigation — rockwool insulation, mass loaded vinyl, a sound limiter — along with a professional security plan through Treeline Security. But the public hearing was dominated by opposition.

Eleven public commenters testified, with opponents outnumbering supporters roughly two to one. Lori Burgess, a contiguous neighbor, told commissioners she had gathered 127 petition signatures and alleged GDL Reserve "is the same operation as Club 26 Mix," which she said had police calls for prostitution, rape, and murder. Todd Weaver, a 26-year neighborhood resident, detailed how neighbors discovered unpermitted electrical and plumbing work at the space and said that if not for neighbor scrutiny, the applicants "would have opened with three days of unpermitted parties."

Sophia Kokoris, a Potrero Hill resident and nonprofit worker, raised concerns about the surrounding community, including the Homeless Prenatal Program and Mariposa Gardens affordable housing across the street. Monica Benzel, a Department of Aging advisory council member, and Debbie Santiago, a lifelong neighborhood resident, both opposed the permit, citing fears about late-night disturbances and impacts on vulnerable populations.

The other side: Supporters pushed back. Kali, director of business navigation at the SF Calculator nonprofit, argued it is unfair to stereotype new businesses based on perceived connections and said the organization had met with the owners and tested decibel levels. Edgar DeLeon of DeLeon Productions and Thomas Wilson of One Life Productions both vouched for the owners' character.

After consulting the City Attorney, Deputy Director Kaitlyn Azevedo told commissioners that "further investigation into this matter is not within the Commission's responsibilities." The applicants stated there is no ownership or management overlap with Club 26 Mix.

Vice President Cyn Wang noted that entertainment is principally permitted at the location and that the Verdi Club operates nearby at six times the capacity. She added: "Legally we can't deny a permit just based on vibes. We have a criteria and we do not have any evidence showing that they are ill intentioned."

Commission President Ben Bleiman explained why the permit actually benefits neighbors: "If somebody does not have an entertainment permit and then they are not under our jurisdiction. They can play music as loud as they want and the only recourse for neighbors is to call 911 or 311."

Decisions: The Commission approved the permit 5-0 (Commissioner Poggio absent) with modified entertainment hours — midnight Sunday through Wednesday and 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday — a compromise from the applicants' requested 2 a.m. nightly.

What's next: The modified hours give the Commission and neighbors a built-in check: if problems arise, the permit conditions provide enforcement tools that would not exist without the permit.

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El Dorado: Social Media Advertising Raises Red Flags, but Permit Moves Forward

Why it matters: El Dorado at 1851 Union St., formerly Trinity, tested how far the Commission will go to balance sympathy for a struggling small business against evidence of ongoing noncompliance.

Owner Francisco Ramos, who holds three other permits at his El Triple locations, applied through consultant Jose Gonzalez for a limited live performance permit covering indoor entertainment on the ground floor. The application landed on the regular agenda because the venue had already been cited for hosting entertainment without a permit.

Commissioner Anthony Schlander pressed Ramos on his knowledge of venue programming, finding social media advertising for DJ nights the owner claimed ignorance of. "I just feel like an owner needs to know what's going on with their venue 24/7, especially the programming, especially leading to the Entertainment Commission and permitting," Commissioner Schlander said. Ramos explained he had been hospitalized for a near-stroke and heart attack, and an employee had organized entertainment without authorization.

Deputy Director Azevedo clarified the application covers only the ground floor, distinct from the upstairs open-air space that caused problems under the Trinity name. Registered lobbyist Stefano Costellato argued against continuing the item, citing $25,000 per month in rent.

President Bleiman framed the tension directly: "Sometimes when businesses are struggling to make it, especially a place like Union Street, and they don't have their permits in place, that actually has a reverse effect where because they're feeling desperate, they're having to do things that maybe aren't compliant."

Vice President Wang was supportive but cautious: "I don't want this business to suffer and to go out of business. We need more vibrant, successful businesses on Union Street."

Decisions: Approved 5-0 (Poggio absent) with staff recommendations and direction for enhanced compliance monitoring, including calendar-of-events checks and a requirement for a functional website with contact information.

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81 Social Gallery: Gunshots, Sleep Deprivation, and a "Complete Loss of Trust"

Two neighbors used the commissioner comments period to deliver some of the most alarming public testimony of the evening, ahead of the venue's scheduled Aug. 18 hearing on a permit suspension appeal.

Dave Schmitz, the resident manager of the building adjacent to 81 Social Gallery at 81 Cedar St., told commissioners he has shared security video with staff showing the venue operating on unauthorized days, fights, public urination, drug use, and a lack of security guards except when inspectors arrive at predictable times. He alleged the owner removed a wall connecting 81 Social Gallery to the adjacent Amsterdam Cafe and operates until 6 a.m. with open containers.

Amir, a neighbor, described chronic noise from music playing until 6 a.m. every night despite the extended hours permit only authorizing Friday and Saturday. His testimony was visceral: "I'm so tired, literally so sleep deprived from 81 Social Gallery that I heard three of the gunshots and went straight to sleep. I didn't even hear the last two because I'm that sleep deprived."

He told commissioners he has "completely lost trust in the commission to actually enforce the rules."

Why it matters: Director Weiland had earlier reported issuing a 72-hour public safety suspension for the venue in late June following a violent assault, followed by a seven-day limited suspension after three citations within 90 days. Both the suspension appeal and a proposed permit condition amendment are scheduled for the Aug. 18 hearing. The neighbor testimony raises pointed questions about whether the Commission's enforcement tools are keeping pace with the problems.

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Hidden Frequency: Mission Street Gets a Queer Music Venue With 130+ Letters of Support

Nas Quoram, founder of Arcana on Mission Street, presented Hidden Frequency at 2500 Mission St. as a dedicated 49-person music and gathering space focused on live performances, DJ sets, listening events, and art programming — with a major emphasis on queer and trans artists.

"I believe that Mission Street as a major NCT corridor is exactly where San Francisco should be investing in entertainment, art and music venues," Quoram said.

With more than 130 letters of support and zero opposition, the application sailed through. Approved 5-0 (Poggio absent) for POE and extended hours until 6 a.m. on weekends.

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Flying Figs Wine Bar: Outdoor Sound Approved Over Upstairs Residents' Objections

Flying Figs Wine Bar at 1870 Fillmore St., taking over the former Vick's Winehouse location, won an LLP permit that includes outdoor amplified sound on a small recessed front patio — despite eight letters of opposition from residents of the Amelia building directly above.

Valentina, a resident with chronic health conditions, told commissioners the sound would disrupt her sleep and her ability to record work videos from home. John Zo, a 15-year resident, noted there are only about 20 active fixed-place amplified sound permits in all of San Francisco and argued outdoor amplified sound is inappropriate for the residential Japantown neighborhood.

Deputy Director Azevedo noted the previous business held an LLP at the location for five years with no sound complaints. The applicant voluntarily reduced outdoor sound hours to 8 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

President Bleiman drew on personal experience managing bars with upstairs neighbors: "Moving speakers down and having more speakers that are closer to people allow you to keep the volume way down." He recommended the owner build a personal relationship with residents above and share direct contact information.

Approved 5-0 (Poggio absent).

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Downtime: Bar Part Time Team Brings Box-Within-a-Box Nightclub to Mission Street

Daniel Small and partners from Bar Part Time presented Downtime at 2243 Mission St., the former Bissap Baobab location, as a split-concept venue: live music on one side, full bar and restaurant on the other. The team is investing in box-within-a-box soundproofing — a construction method President Bleiman noted the late Mark Rennie, a respected nightlife figure, always said was the only soundproofing that truly works.

Security will include three guards during entertainment with bag checks. No public opposition was received.

Approved 5-0 (Poggio absent) for POE and extended hours until 4 a.m. Monday through Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, including Monday mornings when Monday is a holiday.

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Minor Items

• Tikal Restaurante y Panaderia at 2338 Mission St., a family-owned Guatemalan restaurant, won a POE permit to host private events such as birthday parties and graduations. Approved 5-0 with no opposition.
• Thriller Social Club at 508 4th St., a 10,000-square-foot arcade bar formerly known as Coin Op, won a POE to add karaoke and DJ nights. Approved 5-0 with no opposition.
• Seven permits approved on consent, including outdoor event permits, LLP permits for Nook Cafe Wine Bar and Sunset Village Music Hall, and a mechanical amusement device permit for Small Change Arcade. Approved 5-0.
• Ben Bleiman re-elected as Commission President; Cyn Wang re-elected as Vice President. Both 5-0.
• The Commission's overdose prevention nightlife campaign kicked off its third year at Oasis during Overdose Awareness Week, distributing 150 naloxone doses and 100 fentanyl test strips. Two more outreach events are planned at the Stud and Oasis later in August.
• June 16 meeting minutes approved 5-0.