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San Francisco bar goers will soon be able to legally sip drinks on Valencia Street — no festival, no permit, and no special event needed.
Starting Thursday, a new “entertainment zone” between 16th and 21st streets will allow patrons of select bars and restaurants to carry alcoholic drinks onto the sidewalk between noon and midnight, Sunday through Thursday. If the pilot goes smoothly, Friday and Saturday may be added later.
Valencia’s zone is one of 21 active or planned entertainment zones citywide, but marks San Francisco first: It’s the only area where public drinking isn’t tied to a specific event. People will be able to openly drink in public as part of their regular bar crawl — not just during street fairs or festivals.
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The launch coincides with the Valencia Live night market — a separate monthly event held every second Thursday through October, from 5 to 10 p.m., spanning 16th to 19th streets. Unlike the night market, however, the entertainment zone will run weekly and stretch further, from 16th to 21st streets.
How it works: To participate, patrons must show ID at a participating bar or restaurant and receive a branded wristband. Drinks must be served in special branded cups, and participants can take them to other venues or enjoy them outdoors within the designated area.
The initiative includes a coordinated security plan developed in partnership with the San Francisco Police Department to ensure rules are followed, according to Manny Yekutiel, the owner of his namesake cafe.
Participating businesses so far include Blondie’s, Casanova, Puerto Alegre, The Chapel, Curio, Tacolicious, Et Cetera, Manny’s, Lolo, La Cumbre, Fort Point, Gola, and Beehive.
“I’m not sure the entertainment zone is for me — it doesn’t sound exciting to a 53-year-old like me,” admitted Joe Hargrave, owner of Tacolicious. “But it does to my 24-year-old daughter.”
Unlike other zones, the Valencia program operates without closing streets. That’s a key detail, says Nikki Dewld, owner of Blondie’s and one of the initiative’s organizers: “It allows for regular traffic flow and easier access for both businesses and visitors.”
The move reflects a broader trend in San Francisco’s post-pandemic recovery efforts. Mayor Daniel Lurie has leaned heavily on public social spaces — and yes, public drinking — to attract younger crowds downtown, while the city cracks down on public drug use.
“We’re turning a page,” said Manny Yekutiel, proprietor of Manny’s Cafe. “Valencia will become a place where, if you’re 21 or older, you can enjoy a drink five days a week.”
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