Entertainment Commission approves Lion & Swan and Stable Cafe permits, amends Riptide hours

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Entertainment Commission unanimously approved several venue permits and an amendment to another facility’s entertainment hours during its Aug. 16 meeting, actions commissioners said balance neighborhood concerns with support for local nightlife.

The commission approved a place‑of‑entertainment permit for Lion & Swan, at 124–140 Columbus Avenue, to operate as a supper club with live performances. Rob Izzo, who identified himself as CEO of EcoTreno and said the business is LGBTQ‑owned, told commissioners the venue will use sound mitigation measures including 22 inches of concrete in the basement, a professional sound consultant (Salter Consulting), and distributed outreach to about 138 neighbors. “We plan to offer a supper club,” Izzo said, adding the venue will limit amplified sound to preserve a dining experience.

Staff recommended approval after Central Station required a standard condition to provide a monthly calendar of private events. Commissioners asked about sound equipment and complaint handling; Izzo said the first response would be direct communication with neighbors and that the management team would work to resolve concerns.

The commission also approved a limited live performance (LLP) permit for Stable Cafe, 2128 Folsom Street, which proposes indoor and outdoor events primarily for private gatherings. Owner Minna Marazewski said typical events would run from 4 to 11 p.m., with music turned off by 10 p.m. “Our events are from 4 to 11PM. Our music is off by 10,” Marazewski said, and added that event staff will introduce themselves to vendors and monitor volume.

Neighbors raised concerns about prior loud events at the venue and a pizza‑oven ember issue affecting a shared roof line. Tanya, a nearby resident speaking at the hearing, described life adjacent to the venue: “It’s like living in a wedding,” she said, urging reliable notification and strict timeliness on music cutoff. Commissioners recommended proactive neighbor outreach, real‑time complaint options (via 311), on‑site staff authority over volume, and reliance on field inspectors and escalating penalties if permit conditions are violated.

On a separate item the commission approved an amendment to The Riptide’s entertainment hours to match planning commission conditions: Sunday through Wednesday until 12:30 a.m., Thursday through Saturday until 2 a.m., and extended hours for Halloween and New Year’s Eve. Staff said a recent inspection found the Riptide operating in compliance with permit conditions and recommended the change; no public opposition was recorded.

The consent agenda — four limited live performance permits and one billiard‑parlor permit — passed unanimously. For permits with police station recommendations, staff added standard conditions such as submitting monthly event calendars to the local district station.

The commission’s votes were recorded as unanimous on the items taken: President Ben Bridal (Aye), Vice President Camino (Aye), Commissioner Thomas (Aye), and Commissioner Wong (Aye).

Next steps: permittees were instructed to follow up with staff for post‑approval requirements and to implement Good Neighbor Policy measures and the sound limits recommended by staff. The commission closed the permit items and continued with the agenda.