Entertainment Commission approves amended outdoor sound hours for The Mix with conservative limits

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission on Oct. 4 approved a minor amendment to The Mix’s place-of-entertainment permit that authorizes prerecorded amplified sound on the bar’s back patio under a conservatively set outdoor sound limit and a shortened schedule.

Deputy Director Azevedo told commissioners the applicant sought Sunday–Wednesday outdoor hours until 11 p.m. and Thursday–Saturday until 1 a.m. Staff described longstanding patio use, community outreach (34 mailed notices), 11 letters of support, an online petition with roughly 984 signatures, and six letters of opposition. Staff also reported 16 prior 311 complaints about the Mix’s back patio and said a senior inspector set a 50-foot ambient measurement and an outdoor limit (approved at 79 dBA, 84 dBC maximum measured at a specific point in front of a TV across from the back patio).

Ryan Sherman, the Mix’s general manager, said the patio has been in use for decades and that the business has tried to be considerate of neighbors; he asked the commission for the requested hours while offering to pursue mitigation measures. "We are simply trying to amend this permit to be in compliance with the city and the Entertainment Commission," Sherman said.

Neighbors and residents offered mixed responses during public comment: some urged earlier cutoff times and periodic review; others voiced support or praised outreach. Mark Parrett, who lives above the patio, asked the commission to consider shorter weekday hours or a trial period and requested monitoring of complaints.

After deliberation, a motion passed to allow outdoor prerecorded amplified sound with modified hours — Sunday through Wednesday until 10 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday until midnight — and to apply the staff-recommended 50-foot ambient measurement and decibel limits. Commissioners and staff emphasized that permit holders may return to the commission to request changes and that inspectors will monitor compliance.

The permit includes conditions requiring adherence to the set outdoor sound limit and ongoing neighborhood outreach; staff said most recent inspections had found the venue in compliance with the set limit.