Downtown ENRG grantees to revitalize San Francisco
San Francisco has always been a center for innovation, culture, and a thriving community spirit.
Building on this foundation, we are thrilled to announce the selection of the Downtown Entertainment & Nightlife Revitalization Grants (ENRG) recipients. This program marks a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to rejuvenate the heart of our city, making Downtown San Francisco a beacon of arts, culture, and entertainment.
The Downtown ENRG Program, led by SF New Deal in partnership with the City of San Francisco’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development and Mayor London Breed, aims to inject new energy into our downtown areas. These grants, up to $50,000 each, will support existing businesses and cultural organizations that are launching innovative, recurring programming designed to attract both locals and visitors alike.
We are proud to introduce our 14 grantees, each chosen for their visionary projects that promise to enhance the vibrancy of Downtown San Francisco:
620 Jones
A stone’s throw from San Francisco’s theater district, 620 Jones Bar and Restaurant is an urban oasis in the heart of San Francisco. Through Downtown ENRG, 620 Jones will be hosting a queer music festival in the Tenderloin that will connect live performances with local bars and restaurants in the area.
Mr. Tipple's Jazz Club
Mr. Tipple's is an award winning jazz club in the heart of San Francisco. Through Downtown ENRG, Mr. Tipple’s is creating a jazz passport in collaboration with other iconic jazz bars in downtown SF including The Dawn Club, Keys Bistro and The Black Cat.
MidMarket Foundation
The MidMarket Foundation (MMF) is a 501c3 established in 2019 to conceive, implement, and manage transformative programs for the Mid-Market community.
Through Downtown ENRG, MMF is bringing immersive live performances to Market Street.
The Stud
The Stud is San Francisco's oldest queer venue. After almost 60 years in business, The Stud has remained a place for fun dance music, gender-bending creative expression and an environment that welcomes everyone. Through Downtown ENRG, the Stud is opening California’s first official School of Drag.
Noise Pop & Skylight
Noise Pop Industries is the oldest home-grown independent music and arts event promoter in the San Francisco Bay Area. Skylight is a female-owned placemaking and venue development group that unites distinct real estate and global brands to create cultural centers. In collaboration, through Downtown ENRG, they’re bringing new, recurring music programming to The Cube at 345 Montgomery.
How To Find a SF Apt in 30 Days @ The Foundry SF
How To Find A SF Apt in 30 Days is a wild & witty live theater comedy satire about online dating in San Francisco. The Foundry is a multi-purpose venue offering flexible event and performance areas. In collaboration, through Downtown ENRG, they’re launching new theatrical productions and investing in new production equipment.
Executive Order Bar and Lounge
Executive Order is an American history-themed cocktail bar & lounge, restaurant and event venue in downtown San Francisco's Yerba Buena district and the SOMA Pilipinas Cultural District. Through Downtown ENRG, Executive Order is launching a new monthly series featuring a line-up of DJs performing 80s and 90s era hip-hop.
Downtown SF Partnership
The Downtown SF Partnership is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization driven by a mission to create a more vibrant, active downtown that directly supports San Francisco's economic development. Through Downtown ENRG, they will bring to life the city’s first Entertainment Zone on Front Street.
The East Cut Community Benefit District
The East Cut Community Benefit District seeks to advance quality of life and enrich the economic viability of San Francisco's fastest growing neighborhood. Through Downtown ENRG, they’re bringing Circus Bella’s Kaleidoscope to The Crossing at East Cut, a 2-acre community hub in the heart of the neighborhood.
1015 Folsom
For 35 years, 1015 Folsom has been a landmark venue within San Francisco’s SoMa District and a pillar of San Francisco’s nightlife. The venue represents the values of the city it inhabits — inclusivity, diversity, and progress. Through Downtown ENRG, 1015 Folsom will create new public-facing murals and bring their music programming into the community.
Iron Horse Bar
Inspired by the rich history of the most elegant street in downtown San Francisco, the Iron Horse is a retro style bar. Through Downtown ENRG, Iron Horse will create new street fairs on Maiden Lane and bring vibrancy to Union Square.
Harlan Records
Harlan Records is a midcentury cocktail bar inspired by its vintage high fidelity sound system and long play vinyl record music collection. Through Downtown ENRG, Harlan Records will launch acoustic performances, host music events and support music-themed vendor shows while exploring the creation of an Entertainment Zone.
Oasis
Oasis is a space for joy, inclusion, celebration of queer identity, and for unforgettable nightlife experiences. Through Downtown ENRG, Oasis is supporting performers, designers and technicians with the launch of three new drag theater productions.
Buena Vida Cantina
Buena Vida Cantina is a toast to ‘The Good Life,’ a neighborhood gathering space with a menu rooted in Mexico’s culturally diverse history. Through Downtown ENRG, Buena Vida Cantina will engage their community with new comedy, music and trivia nights
We invite the community to join us in supporting these initiatives. Stay tuned for updates and highlights from the projects as they support the transformation of Downtown San Francisco into a lively hub that reflects the spirit of our city.
For more details on each grantee and their projects, or to learn how you can support this initiative, please visit our website at www.sfnewdeal.org/ENRG
Together, let's celebrate and contribute to the vibrant future of Downtown San Francisco!
