Commission approves Natoma Cabana POE permit with staff sound conditions

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission unanimously approved a place-of-entertainment permit for Natoma Cabana at 90 Natoma Street on May 3, allowing the venue to activate indoor DJs after 11 p.m. under staff-recommended conditions for outdoor sound.

Owner Eric Paccetti said Natoma Cabana opened in 2014 and has relied on daytime and early-evening business; the pandemic reduced foot traffic and the business seeks to expand late-night offerings to remain viable. Paccetti said he had reached out to adjacent commercial neighbors and the Transit Center (TJPA) during outreach for the application.

Deputy Director Azevedo told the commission that staff recommended the outdoor speaker be inaudible at 50 feet from the property plane and that an inspector had visited to set an internal sound limit. Commissioners asked no substantive questions and there were no public comments on the item.

The commission moved to approve the permit with staff recommendations; the vote was unanimous. Commissioners congratulated the applicants and encouraged outreach to other downtown live-music organizers.