San Francisco First Entertainment Zone Announces Halloween Event

Under Senator Wiener and Mayor Breed’s legislation, the State’s first entertainment zone on Front Street will host “Nightmare on Front Street”, building on the success of Oktoberfest to boost economic activity Downtown

October 15, 2024

San Francisco, CA – Today, Mayor London N. Breed joined the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) to announce Nightmare on Front Street, the second Front Street Entertainment Zone event, set for Thursday, October 31, from 2–10 p.m. This free event will feature live music, Halloween-themed games, horror movie screenings, costume contests, and more. Three Front Street businesses—Schroeder’s, Harrington’s Bar & Grill, and Royal Exchange—will be permitted to sell alcoholic beverages to-go for attendees to enjoy within the zone as part of the event’s festivities.

Nightmare on Front Street follows the success of the state’s first entertainment zone’s inaugural event, Oktoberfest on Front, which drew an estimated 10,000 attendees to the area last month. Participating businesses reported a 1,500% increase in sales. The event was hosted by the Downtown SF Partnership (DSFP) as part of their ongoing efforts to help revitalize the area and energize local businesses, and the community benefit district continues support the entertainment zone, creating more vibrant and engaging experiences for the community.

“San Francisco knows how to have fun, host major events, and draw visitors from across the Bay Area and around the world to enjoy,” said Mayor London Breed. “Oktoberfest on Front Street may have been the first in California and our City, but it certainly isn’t the last. We know what this surge of activity does for our small business community and local economy, and we are seeing lasting benefits. I thank Senator Wiener and our Downtown partners for their work and commitment, helping build on the undeniable energy happening across the City. Together, we are showing the world that San Francisco is open for business and thriving.”

In May 2024, Mayor Breed introduced legislation to designate Front Street, between California and Sacramento streets, as the first entertainment zone in San Francisco and the state. Sanctioned under Senate Bill 76, authored by State Senator Scott Wiener and approved in June by the Board of Supervisors, the bill went into effect this year, The ordinance permits bars, restaurants, wineries, and breweries to sell alcohol to-go for consumption within the zones during special events and at other designated times. During entertainment zone events, Front Street is closed to vehicular traffic to incentivize increased foot traffic through arts and recreational activities and help redefine how people experience Downtown.

Entertainment Zones are designed to support the sustainability of local bars and restaurants, spur neighborhood economic development, and activate public space through fun community events. In September, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 969, also authored by Senator Wiener and sponsored by the City and County of San Francisco, which allows local governments throughout the state to designate entertainment zones.

“I want to thank Governor Newsom for signing the California’s Entertainment Zone law. Now cities throughout the state can benefit from the enhanced opportunities that entertainment zones offer small businesses to recover, contribute to our economic vitality, and bring community together through fun and exciting events,” said Senator Scott Wiener. “I can’t wait to see these zones take off throughout the state.”

In September 2024, Mayor Breed and Supervisor Matt Dorsey introduced legislation to create new entertainment zones in Mid-Market and at Thrive City. The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the ordinance last week on first reading and will consider this item on second reading today. Additionally, the Mayor’s Downtown ENRG grant program is supporting the development of entertainment zones on Maiden Lane and Harlan Place/Mark Lane, and OEWD continues to offer technical assistance to stakeholders interested in learning more about entertainment zones.

“We look forward to Front Street’s Halloween event, to launching the new entertainment zones in Mid-Market and at Thrive City in the coming months, and to exploring even more with other small business partners,” said Sarah Dennis Phillips, Executive Director, OEWD. “We’ve seen how events like Oktoberfest can supercharge revenue and draw new audiences to Downtown. We want to spread that love so that other small businesses and communities get that same shot in the arm.”

At Nightmare on Front will delight visitors with adult carnival games, DJs, and live music. Each participating bar will have a different theme based on popular horror films and will serve Halloween-inspired cocktails.

“Our Entertainment Zone gives us the power to put on events like never before in Downtown S.F. People used to come into the office because they had to. Now they’re coming in because they WANT to,” said Ben Bleiman, owner of Harrington’s Bar. “Nightmare on Front Street will give everyone a reason to come into the office that day!”

In July 2024, the Downtown SF Partnership (DSFP) announced its partnership with Gensler, a global architecture, design, and planning firm, to design the Front Street Entertainment Zone. The design vision, which is beginning to materialize following the success of DSFP’s expanded Oktoberfest on Front event, reimagines Front Street as a dynamic and adaptable space for the modern user, facilitating gatherings of all kinds and uses to energize and support the area’s businesses.

“We’re thrilled to follow the success of Oktoberfest on Front with Nightmare on Front Street, further showcasing the powerful impact entertainment zone legislation can have in revitalizing downtown San Francisco,” said Robbie Silver, President and CEO, Downtown SF Partnership. “Events like ‘Nightmare on Front Street’ are key to redefining downtown San Francisco as a vibrant destination for after-hours social and entertainment experiences. This event highlights not only our city’s dynamic nightlife but also the strong collaboration between city leaders and local businesses. As Entertainment Zones continue to expand across California, we’re excited to see how initiatives like this will continue to invigorate streets, boost local economies and foster a renewed sense of community in downtowns statewide.”

 

Other initiatives launched by Mayor Breed as part of the City’s broader economic revitalization work include:  

• Fourteen local entertainment and nightlife businesses and neighborhood organizations located Downtown are producing 146 individual events with support from the Mayor’s new Entertainment Nightlife Revitalization Grant (ENRG).
• Bricks at Embarcadero Plaza, a 12-week pilot launched on August 7, presents weekly trivia nights, tango dance lessons, Friday happy hours with music and other arts activities, lunch-time professional networking and panel discussions, and family days every Saturday with the Children’s Creativity Museum.
• Six Bhangra & Beats night markets have drawn approximately 60,000 attendees.
• The Crossing at the East Cut, which features ongoing outdoor movie nights and screenings, soccer and pickleball, and a variety of food and beverage vendors.
• Holiday seasonal programs like Union Square’s Winter Walk and the annual Let’s Glow SF holiday light art festival.
• SF Live and Another Planet Entertainment presented more than 20 concerts in iconic San Francisco locations, including Skrillex in Civic Center Plaza, Dirtybird: Back to Baysics at Embarcadero Plaza, Portugal the Man at Civic Center Plaza, and Don Louis and Sophia Scott in Union Square, drawing tens of thousands of attendees.
• Vacant to Vibrant, which pairs creative entrepreneurs with Downtown property owners to transform vacant spaces into dynamic pop-up experiences. Fifteen storefronts are now open through the program.

The creation of entertainment zones is a component of the Mayor’s Roadmap to San Francisco’s Future and builds on a series of entertainment initiatives designed to showcase and support the San Francisco music and entertainment sector, boost neighborhood vitality, activate open spaces, and enhance the City’s economic revitalization through arts and culture.

More information about how to create an entertainment zone can be found at sf.gov/entertainmentzones.