Entertainment Commission approves Wonder Lounge permit with 1:45 a.m. closing after neighborhood outreach

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission on May 3 approved a place-of-entertainment permit for Wonder Lounge at 673 Geary Street, allowing entertainment to continue until 1:45 a.m. and requiring the venue to follow a submitted security plan and ongoing neighborhood outreach.

Deputy Director Azevedo told commissioners the business operated under a temporary POE permit and that staff had received a number of 311 complaints, most of which inspectors found unsubstantiated. She said Central Station recommended terminating music at 1:30 a.m. but the applicant requested a 1:45 a.m. end time. The file includes an outreach letter distributed to nearby residences and businesses and a community meeting Azevedo hosted with neighbors and the operator to identify mitigation measures.

Co-owner Sarkhan Bekum described Wonder Lounge as an effort to revive the site’s previous nightlife use, and operations manager Arash Azadon outlined staffing and security measures. Azadon said the venue’s fire-department capacity is about 129 and that he typically staffs seven to nine guards depending on the event. “We push everybody a hundred feet down each direction,” Azadon said, describing staged egress and outside guards who monitor double-parking and crowd behavior. He also said he has the ability to remotely lower or shut off the DJ sound if needed.

Commissioners pressed the applicant on double-parking and promoter responsibility, and suggested strategies including a designated ride-hail pickup area and closer coordination with SFPD. Azevedo noted inspectors saw the venue operating in compliance and that SFPD review of security footage found no evidence linking the venue to a late-April shooting nearby. Commissioners emphasized ongoing outreach and enforcement, and several said they were willing to approve the longer end time provisionally: "Every time inspectors have gone out there, they're in compliance," one commissioner said.

Public commenters raised concerns about ride-hail and taxi pickup practices and recommended establishing a white zone for passenger loading. The commission moved to approve staff recommendations with the entertainment end time set at 1:45 a.m.; the motion passed unanimously.

The permit approval requires the venue to follow the approved security plan and remain in communication with staff; commissioners said they would revisit conditions if complaints continue.