Press Release

Governor Newsom Signs Senator Wiener’s Bill to Expand Entertainment Zones to Activate Downtowns

SACRAMENTO – Governor Newsom signed Senator Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco) SB 969, which expands San Francisco’s successful “Entertainment Zones” in public spaces where local bars and restaurants can serve alcohol outdoors. These zones will give local bars and restaurants a much-needed boost while breathing life into downtowns that are struggling, and the Zones can now be open longer and in cities across the state.

Last week, San Francisco hosted the first Entertainment Zone event in the state, an Oktoberfest celebration at the Front Street Entertainment Zone. The three participating local businesses reported:

  • Roughly 10,000 attendees, about 20x last year’s number
  • Twice the sales of their typical Oktoberfest celebration or their typical St. Patrick’s Day event
  • 10-15x the foot traffic of a typical busy Friday night

“Getting people out in the streets to enjoy themselves is critical for communities across our state to bounce back from the pandemic,” said Senator Wiener. “This innovative approach, which has proved successful in states like Illinois and West Virginia, removes needless restrictions in state law to allow people to gather and celebrate our communities. I’m thrilled to see the program’s massive success in San Francisco expand across the state.”

The COVID-19 pandemic devastated foot traffic to downtown businesses. Cities in California vary widely in their recovery trajectories, but few have yet reached the levels of foot traffic seen in 2019 in their downtowns.

Under SB 969, local governments can designate “entertainment zones,” where restaurants and bars may sell alcoholic beverages for consumption in the specified zone. Similar programs to create “outdoor refreshment areas” have proven successful in supporting small businesses and downtown districts in other states, including in Michigan, Ohio and Virginia. This new tool will enhance the experience and business opportunities of customers and sellers at existing events while creating the opportunity for novel and exciting activations that will draw out clientele and foster community. Cities will be able to choose to tailor “Entertainment Zones” to the individual needs of each locale and event.

SB 969 is sponsored by The City of San Jose, The City and County of San Francisco, and the California Nightlife Association.

 

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