What's Happening in San Francisco's Uptown Tenderloin

VacationSF Brings 1970’s Mission District Vibe to Tenderloin

Randy Shaw‚ Jan. 16‚ 2013

In the heart of the Tenderloin’s Little Saigon district on Larkin Street is one of the most creative and idealistic ventures in all of San Francisco: VacationSF, a curated vintage clothing store that also sells locally made art and jewelry and holds free music concerts by such prominent local artists as Ty Segall in its basement. VacationSF is the vision of Kristin Klein, who moved to San Francisco in 2009 from Atlanta and wanted to both live and open her business in the Tenderloin. Klein felt that stores like hers were “oversaturated in the Mission,” and saw the Tenderloin as having “great potential for those seeking affordable storefronts.” With her free concerts and art shows in a space also selling vintage clothing and vinyl records, Klein is more a throwback to the Mission of the 1970’s---and a sign of what creative business people can accomplish in the Tenderloin if they give the community a chance.

San Francisco’s Landmark Hibernia Bank Clears Final Hurdle

Randy Shaw‚ Dec. 06‚ 2012

After months of negotiations and delays, San Francisco’s Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously on December 5 to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for the long vacant Hibernia Bank building at 1 Jones Street. Renovation will commence in six to nine months, the time needed to obtain building permits. In other positive Tenderloin news, the Center for New Music opened this week at its new home at 55 Taylor Street. A community center for participants of new music in San Francisco, the Center’s 4,400 square feet includes a main gallery space that can accommodate performing ensembles solo to quintet, and room for up to 100 audience members. When you add the Center to the planned PianoFight theater complex a block up Taylor, the Taylor Street Arts District is coming closer to reality.

New Tenderloin Theater Complex Moves Forward

Randy Shaw‚ Nov. 20‚ 2012

PianoFight is breaking ground on its long planned theater complex/restaurant/bar project at the former home of Original Joe’s on Taylor Street in the Tenderloin. The 5,000 square complex will include rehearsal and office spaces, 54-seat and 96-seat theaters, and a 60-seat restaurant and bar with a full liquor license and a cabaret stage. The complex will resume the site’s 70 year history of drawing people into the Tenderloin, and is a fitting replacement for the still beloved Original Joe’s, which is flourishing in North Beach. The groundbreaking is the latest good news to come to the Tenderloin, as the Hibernia Bank moves toward re-opening, new housing at the former KGO building is nearing completion and the historic Central YMCA opens its doors to residents next month.

Barbary Coast Sends Positive Message for Tenderloin's Future

Randy Shaw‚ Oct. 24‚ 2012

Barbary Coast Consulting, the San Francisco communications firm led by Alex Clemens, has purchased a building at 34-38 Mason Street for use as its headquarters and a ground floor beer hall. The first block of Mason was long the heart of the historic Uptown Tenderloin district, and the planned beer hall is a fitting reminder of the many cafes, saloons and restaurants that once filled lower Mason Street's retail spaces. 34 Mason was long the home of Polo’s, an Italian restaurant that opened in 1952 and shared the area nearby Original Joe’s (which opened in 1937 and is now in North Beach). Barbary Coast’s investment in the neighborhood sends a powerful message of confidence in the Tenderloin’s future. The move also symbolically repeats what occurred in 1913 after the “Barbary Coast” on Pacific Street was closed down: the Uptown Tenderloin became the leading home for Barbary Coast-type activities in the city.

New Uptown Tenderloin Historic District Geary O'Farrell Corridor Walking Map

Restaurant Review

Bar Bites: Jasper's Corner Tap & Kitchen, S.F.
401 Taylor St..
By John Bonne,
SF Gate

Jasper's Corner Tap & Kitchen, on its nondescript edge of the Tenderloin's lodging zone, seems on quick glance to be another by-numbers hotel effort. Yet here's a confluence of Bar Stars: Kevin Diedrich, whose work at the Burritt Room caught our attention last year, and Brian MacGregor, whose concoctions at Jardiniere earned him the honor in 2010. When I walked in on a recent night, both were working - a critical mass of cocktail talent.

Entertainment

There's Lots of Good, Cheap Comedy Shows in the Tenderloin
By Dana Sitar, SF Weekly

Surprisingly, San Francisco's least-hilarious neighborhood is the home to a good number of impressive comedy shows. Here's serious -- and funny -- reasons for you to venture out to the Tenderloin almost any night of the week for quality entertainment.