Going to shows at San Francisco’s all-ages venues was pretty much the only thing that got me through high school. Woe to someone else with a similar disposition starting high school this year... they might not make it out with their sanity intact. Nearly every all-ages San Francisco venue -- including The Fillmore, Great American Music Hall, and several other establishments -- are on the brink of being forced to close at the hands of California’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). The situation is complicated, and the ABC refuses to clarify their position, but there are a couple of things we know so far (if you don’t like reading, the contents of the next two paragraphs are summarized in this video from NBC Bay Area News).
The ABC has hounded these venues for several years about a variety of issues surrounding the requirements of maintaining an all-ages operating license. The venues say the ABC has sent in undercover agents to rack up citations and has invented regulations on the spot as evidence that the venues are creating an environment inappropriate for minors. Both the venues and their lawyers say these citations are outside the scope of law and unrelated to both safety and alcohol. The only thing keeping the venues open is the tens of thousands of dollars they have collectively poured into a legal battle against the ABC’s efforts. But with the economic downturn, these costs have become too great for the fight to continue much longer.
“Well,” you ask, “it would suck for underage fans, but can’t these places become 21+ only?” The problem is that changing the license type costs money that many of the venues simply don’t have anymore because of the legal fees. So, unless they can negotiate new license terms, many of these venues will shut their doors. Not only will there be very few places for under-21 patrons to see live music, but bands who play at venues with a capacity between 75 and 400 will have limited options in the city. San Francisco would lose revenue and potentially its relevance on the tour circuit, not to mention historical landmarks that have contributed to the city’s history for decades.
Luckily this demise is not guaranteed. The venues have dedicated legal representation, and California state senator Mark Leno has sworn to fight to keep them open. And thankfully, the venues are still putting on shows. So if you’re a Bay Area resident who loves live music, swing by an all-ages venue and see a show, buy a drink, or donate to the legal fund. Write to the city’s Board of Supervisors about why you want these venues kept open. For the sake of everyone’s 16-year-old self: help keep live music alive in San Francisco.
