Commission approves accessory liquor store at Soda Popinski on Polk Street, following neighbor concerns

The Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use authorization on April 28 to allow a roughly 150-square-foot accessory off-sale liquor use within the existing Soda Popinski bar at 1548 California Street in the Polk Street NCD. Staff found the project consistent with the general plan and recommended approval.

Department staff described the proposal as an accessory Type 21 off-sale use operated in conjunction with the existing bar; there would be no change to the building envelope, no takeout window, and the small bottle shop would focus on handcrafted San Francisco and California spirits produced by local microdistillers. Staff said the department received four letters of support from neighbors.

Applicant representatives (Mark Rennie and Ben Bridal) described the constraint of the small footprint, strict access controls, a focus on local craft spirits, age verification and refusal-of-service policies, and evening security on the busiest nights. "We are not selling out of the window," Bridal said. "We're not selling to someone who's visibly inebriated." The applicant said the accessory use would help the struggling small business and promote local products.

Several nearby residents who live at the corner of Sacramento and Larkin raised concerns during public comment about the adequacy of operational commitments, how the use would be enforced, and potential late-night noise and additional patrons carrying alcohol through the neighborhood. One caller asked whether the applicant would be legally bound to limit products to local craft brands; staff and the applicant explained that license conditions and ABC law constrain operations, but product mix is not always a binding covenant absent specific conditions of approval.

Commissioners discussed those operational issues and mitigation approaches. After a motion to approve the accessory use the commission voted unanimously to grant the conditional use authorization (7-0).

The vote was recorded as unanimous, and staff will incorporate any final conditions into the approval documentation and review required follow-up materials.