an LGBTQ nightclub at 11th and Folsom streets in the SOMA district of San Francisco, Calif., in May 2025. The center was saved from permanent closure by a last-minute “significant financial gift” from local philanthropists, owner D’Arcy Drollinger said on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (Google MapsGoogle Maps
A new entertainment zone has launched in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood to help bring foot traffic and boost nightlife in the neighborhood, Supervisor Matt Dorsey announced this week.
Entertainment zones are designated areas where alcoholic drinks can be consumed in public outdoor areas at certain times of the week. San Francisco already has over a dozen entertainment zones.
Article continues below this ad
State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, authored the legislation to allow cities and counties to create entertainment zones with the objective of trying to bring more activity and support small businesses.
The new West SoMa Entertainment Zone is located in an area along Folsom Street with a history of LGBTQ+ nightlife in the city’s Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District , which is bordered by Howard Street, U.S. Highway 101, Interstate Highway 80, and Seventh Street. Participating bars and restaurants will be able to sell alcoholic drinks that patrons can take to-go and enjoy outside within the zone’s boundaries.
The entertainment zone was launched by Dorsey in partnership with Mayor Daniel Lurie and neighborhood community organizations.
“West SoMa is home to a rich LGBTQ and Leather history that continues to shape San Francisco’s cultural identity,” Dorsey said. “This Entertainment Zone honors that legacy while creating new opportunities for the community to gather, celebrate, and experience the venues and institutions that have made the neighborhood a destination.”
Article continues below this ad
The zone went into effect earlier this month with sidewalk activations operating Thursdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to midnight. The zone may be expanded during major events like the Folsom Street Fair, Bearrison Street Fair, and the upcoming Up Your Alley block party happening Sunday.
There are currently 12 participating bars, including Audio Nightclub, Butter, BuzzWorks, Cat Club, Oasis, and the Stud. Any eligible businesses within the zone may join by meeting the participation criteria, which requires licensed bars and restaurants to verify that patrons buying alcohol are over the age of 21 and provide to-go drinks in non-metal and non-glass containers.
Access our new app with ad-free reading, curated maps and more.
GET IT NOW
“This monumental legislation will facilitate an all-new outdoor vibe for Butter and BuzzWorks guests, cultivating a scene every weekend where guests can comfortably mingle with guests from other nearby venues and bars,” Vlad Cood, owner of Butter and BuzzWorks bars, said in a statement.
Article continues below this ad
“The West SoMa Entertainment Zone will bring more people to the Folsom Street corridor, creating new opportunities for residents and visitors to come together while supporting local businesses,” Lurie said in a statement.
