Folsom Foundry Wins Nightclub Permit After Intensive Neighbor Mediation

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission's Sept. 1 meeting centered on a landmark permit decision for a Folsom Street nightclub — and a mediation process that could reshape how the city handles entertainment venues next to homes in SoMa.

• Folsom Foundry at 1425 Folsom St. conditionally approved for a place of entertainment permit with outdoor amplified sound after the new owner and Juniper Street neighbors negotiated conditions on sound, security and emergency egress (4-0 vote, one recusal, one absent)

• Three venues cited for sound and entertainment violations, including the Phoenix Hotel pool measured at 91.6 dBA against an 88 dBA limit

• Key state nightlife bills die in Sacramento — a ticket resale price cap and extended weekend transit hours both stalled, while drink-spiking protections and a $20M music festival grant program head to the governor

• Cannabis cafes cleared for entertainment permits after the mayor signed legislation allowing food, beverages and expanded consumption areas at cannabis retailers

• Four new entertainment zones adopted in North Beach, Ferry Building, Belden Lane and Chestnut Street, with Lower Haight pending

The basics: Andrew Wasilewski of Folsom Foundry Music LLC applied for a change-in-ownership Place of Entertainment permit with outdoor amplified sound at 1425 Folsom St. The venue, previously operating under an LLP permit, became the first Folsom Street business to receive a POE after District 6 zoning changes in 2023. The new owner sought daily entertainment from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. and outdoor amplified sound from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a maximum of six hours per day and eight hours during the Folsom Street Fair and Dory Alley events.