Lauren Saria

The city is expensive, but your next meal doesn’t have to be. In our weekly column, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/tag/25-dollar-diner/">The $25 Diner</a>, we hunt down the best restaurants where you can eat like royalty for a song.

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The city is expensive, but your next meal doesn’t have to be. In our weekly column, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/tag/25-dollar-diner/">The $25 Diner</a>, we hunt down the best restaurants where you can eat like royalty for a song.

Although <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aurora_centro/">Aurora Centro</a> owner Dario Barbone hails from Italy, he’s not averse to sliding distinctly un-Italian ingredients into his panini. The four-sandwich selection at his counter-service cafe, hidden on the fifth floor of Salesforce Tower, includes the DDD, a stack of mortadella, cheddar and arugula, plus pickled red onions, jalapenos and shaved fennel, and the Savi, which stars curried chickpeas, Cambodian chile crisp and salsa verde. These are clearly not your nonna’s panini.&nbsp;

Although <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aurora_centro/">Aurora Centro</a> owner Dario Barbone hails from Italy, he’s not averse to sliding distinctly un-Italian ingredients into his panini. The four-sandwich selection at his counter-service cafe, hidden on the fifth floor of Salesforce Tower, includes the DDD, a stack of mortadella, cheddar and arugula, plus pickled red onions, jalapenos and shaved fennel, and the Savi, which stars curried chickpeas, Cambodian chile crisp and salsa verde. These are clearly not your nonna’s panini.&nbsp;

Or take the seasonal zucchini panino, which combines sliced summer squash and tender squash blossoms with German Grandamer cheese and Spanish piquillo peppers. Barbone also recently added a California-ized version of smørrebrød, the Danish open-faced sandwich, that layers the fancy French egg salad called gribiche with oily tinned mackerel, Calabrian chile and Sichuan peppercorns. A lot is riding on these panini, and not just because they’re subverting most sandwich lovers’ expectations. In a cosmic sense, the very future of a better downtown San Francisco depends on their success.&nbsp;

Or take the seasonal zucchini panino, which combines sliced summer squash and tender squash blossoms with German Grandamer cheese and Spanish piquillo peppers. Barbone also recently added a California-ized version of smørrebrød, the Danish open-faced sandwich, that layers the fancy French egg salad called gribiche with oily tinned mackerel, Calabrian chile and Sichuan peppercorns. A lot is riding on these panini, and not just because they’re subverting most sandwich lovers’ expectations. In a cosmic sense, the very future of a better downtown San Francisco depends on their success.&nbsp;

Patrons dining in the seating area outside of the restaurant at Aurora Centro on August 6, 2024 in San Francisco. Aurora Centro is a Vacant to Vibrant pop-up at Salesforce Park, bringing
much-needed energy to otherwise lifeless corners of the city.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20240802-25auroracentro-030.jpg?w=2000" alt="The image shows a street-level view of &quot;Aurora Centro,&quot; a cafe with a modern glass facade. Two people sit at an outdoor table, with a pink sidewalk sign nearby." class="wp-image-299368"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Aurora Centro moved into a space formerly occupied by a Salesforce-branded Starbucks store.</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20240802-25auroracentro-030.jpg?w=2000" alt="The image shows a street-level view of &quot;Aurora Centro,&quot; a cafe with a modern glass facade. Two people sit at an outdoor table, with a pink sidewalk sign nearby." class="wp-image-299368"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Aurora Centro moved into a space formerly occupied by a Salesforce-branded Starbucks store.</figcaption></figure>

Selection of pantry goods at Aurora Centro on August 6, 2024 in San Francisco. Aurora Centro is a Vacant to Vibrant pop-up at Salesforce Park, bringing much-needed energy to otherwise lifeless corners of the city.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20240802-25auroracentro-033.jpg?w=1600" alt="The image shows boxed sardines and mackerel fillets arranged neatly on wooden shelves, alongside jars of preserved goods, with clear price labels beneath." class="wp-image-299371"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Taking a cue from sister location Aurora Alimentari, Aurora Centro stocks a small selection of pantry items, including tinned fish, pasta and chile crisp.</figcaption></figure>

That’s because <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aurora_centro/">Aurora Centro</a> is located just off Salesforce’s namesake park, part of the city’s <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/18/new-vacant-to-vibrant-popup-businesses-downtown-sf/">Vacant to Vibrant</a> program to support small businesses downtown. The initiative places coffee shops, bookstores, delis and more inside empty retail spaces for periods of three to six months, during which the business owners pay no rent.&nbsp;

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That’s because <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aurora_centro/">Aurora Centro</a> is located just off Salesforce’s namesake park, part of the city’s <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/18/new-vacant-to-vibrant-popup-businesses-downtown-sf/">Vacant to Vibrant</a> program to support small businesses downtown. The initiative places coffee shops, bookstores, delis and more inside empty retail spaces for periods of three to six months, during which the business owners pay no rent.&nbsp;

Simon Bertrang, executive director of SF New Deal, the nonprofit that runs Vacant to Vibrant for the city, says the goal is to remove the friction points that might have prevented an owner like Barbone from getting into such a high-profile space. “We’ve always thought of Vacant to Vibrant as creating a window of what downtown could be,” he said.&nbsp;

Simon Bertrang, executive director of SF New Deal, the nonprofit that runs Vacant to Vibrant for the city, says the goal is to remove the friction points that might have prevented an owner like Barbone from getting into such a high-profile space. “We’ve always thought of Vacant to Vibrant as creating a window of what downtown could be,” he said.&nbsp;

In that regard, Aurora Centro succeeds.&nbsp;

In that regard, Aurora Centro succeeds.&nbsp;

Outside the restaurant on a recent weekday, sun-starved San Franciscans pulled up colorful chairs to bistro tables for lunch. An instructor cued a small yoga class to move into a revolved high lunge. Local brewery Barebottle poured pints from a shipping-container-turned-bar across the plaza, while a Gio Gelato cart, parked in the shade, offered the tempting possibility of an afternoon scoop.&nbsp;

Outside the restaurant on a recent weekday, sun-starved San Franciscans pulled up colorful chairs to bistro tables for lunch. An instructor cued a small yoga class to move into a revolved high lunge. Local brewery Barebottle poured pints from a shipping-container-turned-bar across the plaza, while a Gio Gelato cart, parked in the shade, offered the tempting possibility of an afternoon scoop.&nbsp;

Inside the tower, music played so loudly that customers raised their voices as they chatted while waiting in line to order. Two office workers sat at a communal table, eating quickly during a brief lunch break. A solo customer, wearing over-ear headphones to tune it all out, sipped a black coffee while staring into a Macbook.&nbsp;

Inside the tower, music played so loudly that customers raised their voices as they chatted while waiting in line to order. Two office workers sat at a communal table, eating quickly during a brief lunch break. A solo customer, wearing over-ear headphones to tune it all out, sipped a black coffee while staring into a Macbook.&nbsp;

It’s typical downtown lunchtime stuff — exactly the kind of scene that stands in contrast to the rest of the park: still more vacant than vibrant, with the empty shell of a future (maybe) <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/03/27/whatever-happened-to-that-bougie-salesforce-park-restaurant-offering-300k-nft-memberships/">NFT-funded club-staurant</a>, a deserted playground and an amphitheater occupied by a lone couple hugging a sliver of shade cast by a small tree.&nbsp;

Whatever happened to that bougie Salesforce Park restaurant offering $300K NFT memberships?

It’s typical downtown lunchtime stuff — exactly the kind of scene that stands in contrast to the rest of the park: still more vacant than vibrant, with the empty shell of a future (maybe) <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/03/27/whatever-happened-to-that-bougie-salesforce-park-restaurant-offering-300k-nft-memberships/">NFT-funded club-staurant</a>, a deserted playground and an amphitheater occupied by a lone couple hugging a sliver of shade cast by a small tree.&nbsp;

Owner Dario Barbone surrounded by his figurines which decorate the restaurant at Aurora Centro on August 6, 2024 in San Francisco. Aurora Centro is a Vacant to Vibrant pop-up at Salesforce Park, bringing
much-needed energy to otherwise lifeless corners of the city.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20240802-25auroracentro-024.jpg?w=2000" alt="A smiling man with glasses and colorful arm tattoos sits casually on a stool. Behind him are orange plush toys and a cartoon figure, against a vibrant, abstract mural." class="wp-image-299364"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Owner Dario Barbone hopes to keep Aurora Centro open beyond the six months allotted by the Vacant to Vibrant program.</figcaption></figure>

If the city is hoping for transformation, Barbone is a good person to bet on. His first location, Aurora Alimentari in Potrero Hill, is so small you can almost touch two opposing walls at the same time. There, Barbone packs the shelves with 30 kinds of tinned fish and dozens of varieties of chile crisp, selling a handful of varieties of sandwiches for three hours a day. Aurora Centro, in contrast, offers a limited selection of pastas, tinned tuna and artisanal chocolate. You can also drop $16 on a bottle of spicy cilantro condiment from Taiwan or $10 on a chocolate bar made in the high desert of Arizona.&nbsp;

If the city is hoping for transformation, Barbone is a good person to bet on. His first location, Aurora Alimentari in Potrero Hill, is so small you can almost touch two opposing walls at the same time. There, Barbone packs the shelves with 30 kinds of tinned fish and dozens of varieties of chile crisp, selling a handful of varieties of sandwiches for three hours a day. Aurora Centro, in contrast, offers a limited selection of pastas, tinned tuna and artisanal chocolate. You can also drop $16 on a bottle of spicy cilantro condiment from Taiwan or $10 on a chocolate bar made in the high desert of Arizona.&nbsp;

But the centerpiece is the panini. Barbone visits three farmers markets each week to source first-of-the-season cherry tomatoes, juicy peaches and bunches of fresh dill, and he turns a discerning eye toward sourcing the best local and not-so-local pantry items to round out the menu. He has a long-standing relationship with the Midwife and the Baker, which produces the crusty-on-the-outside, creamy-on-the-inside Khorasan baguettes that are the foundation for Aurora Centro’s sandwiches.&nbsp;

But the centerpiece is the panini. Barbone visits three farmers markets each week to source first-of-the-season cherry tomatoes, juicy peaches and bunches of fresh dill, and he turns a discerning eye toward sourcing the best local and not-so-local pantry items to round out the menu. He has a long-standing relationship with the Midwife and the Baker, which produces the crusty-on-the-outside, creamy-on-the-inside Khorasan baguettes that are the foundation for Aurora Centro’s sandwiches.&nbsp;

Barbone says he’s pretty sure he’ll be able to work out a deal with the property owner to stay through at least the end of the year. With Salesforce <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/07/17/salesforce-pressures-its-workers-back-to-the-office-as-layoffs-continue/">forcing more workers back to the office</a> in October, he expects the building to hit critical mass to sustain the restaurant soon, although “maybe when rent hits me, I may have to raise prices.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Barbone says he’s pretty sure he’ll be able to work out a deal with the property owner to stay through at least the end of the year. With Salesforce <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/07/17/salesforce-pressures-its-workers-back-to-the-office-as-layoffs-continue/">forcing more workers back to the office</a> in October, he expects the building to hit critical mass to sustain the restaurant soon, although “maybe when rent hits me, I may have to raise prices.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

You can bet on this much: The sandwiches will be worth whatever he charges.&nbsp;

You can bet on this much: The sandwiches will be worth whatever he charges.&nbsp;

sf-standard/infobox

<div class="wp-block-sf-standard-infobox"><ul><li><a href="https://maps.apple.com/?address=415+Mission+St.%2C+Suite+520%2C+SoMa">415 Mission St., Suite 520, SoMa</a></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/aurora_centro/">www.instagram.com/aurora_centro</a></li><li>Zucchini panino ($15) 

</li><li>Mackerel toast ($15) </li></ul></div>

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Sam Mondros

When my editor told me I needed to find not just a pair of lederhosen but an entire Oktoberfest outfit one day before San Francisco’s biggest German bash, I felt as if I was in a true kuddelmuddel — the untranslatable word for a chaotic situation.&nbsp;

When my editor told me I needed to find not just a pair of lederhosen but an entire Oktoberfest outfit one day before San Francisco’s biggest German bash, I felt as if I was in a true kuddelmuddel — the untranslatable word for a chaotic situation.&nbsp;

After several sackgassen (dead ends), I was referred to Held Over, a Haight Street vintage shop that specializes in authentic lederhosen, dirndls, felt hats, and other Bavarian wear. Held Over is always popular in the fall for trachten — the traditional Oktoberfest uniform — but staffers said this year has seen unprecedented sales since <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/29/san-francisco-oktoberfest-front-street/">the bombshell announcement</a> that Front Street would host its first-ever legal outdoor Oktoberfest.

Downtown set to roll out first (legal) outdoor drinking zone to celebrate Oktoberfest

After several sackgassen (dead ends), I was referred to Held Over, a Haight Street vintage shop that specializes in authentic lederhosen, dirndls, felt hats, and other Bavarian wear. Held Over is always popular in the fall for trachten — the traditional Oktoberfest uniform — but staffers said this year has seen unprecedented sales since <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/08/29/san-francisco-oktoberfest-front-street/">the bombshell announcement</a> that Front Street would host its first-ever legal outdoor Oktoberfest.

Just as I, a native Philadelphian, am dubious of West Coast cheesesteaks, I was also a little skeptical of the San Francisco version of Oktoberfest. (It just so happens that I am also a former resident of the Bavarian village of Königstein.) So I was wary when I heard that the city was going to throw an Oktoberfest day-ger (the untranslatable English word for a day rager).

Just as I, a native Philadelphian, am dubious of West Coast cheesesteaks, I was also a little skeptical of the San Francisco version of Oktoberfest. (It just so happens that I am also a former resident of the Bavarian village of Königstein.) So I was wary when I heard that the city was going to throw an Oktoberfest day-ger (the untranslatable English word for a day rager).

While San Francisco German beer hall Schroeder’s on Front Street throws an annual Oktoberfest, Friday&#8217;s beer-filled bacchanal is unique, as it christens the state’s first “<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/05/03/entertainment-zone-alcohol-consumption-sales-financial-district/">entertainment zone</a>,” part of an <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/18/new-vacant-to-vibrant-popup-businesses-downtown-sf/">endeavor</a> <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/04/union-square-sf-revitalization-plan-mayor-breed/">to make downtown</a> <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/07/downtown-san-francisco-first-thursday-event-impact/">fun again</a>. Would it succeed? That&#8217;s what I was bestimmt — determined — to find out.

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While San Francisco German beer hall Schroeder’s on Front Street throws an annual Oktoberfest, Friday's beer-filled bacchanal is unique, as it christens the state’s first “<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/05/03/entertainment-zone-alcohol-consumption-sales-financial-district/">entertainment zone</a>,” part of an <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/18/new-vacant-to-vibrant-popup-businesses-downtown-sf/">endeavor</a> <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/04/union-square-sf-revitalization-plan-mayor-breed/">to make downtown</a> <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/07/downtown-san-francisco-first-thursday-event-impact/">fun again</a>. Would it succeed? That's what I was bestimmt — determined — to find out.

While San Francisco German beer hall Schroeder’s on Front Street throws an annual Oktoberfest, Friday&#8217;s beer-filled bacchanal is unique, as it christens the state’s first “<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/05/03/entertainment-zone-alcohol-consumption-sales-financial-district/">entertainment zone</a>,” part of an <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/18/new-vacant-to-vibrant-popup-businesses-downtown-sf/">endeavor</a> <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/04/union-square-sf-revitalization-plan-mayor-breed/">to make downtown</a> <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/07/downtown-san-francisco-first-thursday-event-impact/">fun again</a>. Would it succeed? That&#8217;s what I was bestimmt — determined — to find out.

San Francisco Standard reporter Sam Mondros changes into Lederhosen in the Schroeder's bar bathroom before covering Oktoberfest on Front  on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in San Francisco.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240917-samgoesdrinking-002.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man in Bavarian-style leather shorts and a white shirt poses comically in a bathroom with a urinal and toilet, against dark tiled walls." class="wp-image-314170"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The author pulls on his lederhosen in the bathroom at Schroeder&#8217;s before joining in the festivities.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240917-samgoesdrinking-002.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man in Bavarian-style leather shorts and a white shirt poses comically in a bathroom with a urinal and toilet, against dark tiled walls." class="wp-image-314170"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The author pulls on his lederhosen in the bathroom at Schroeder's before joining in the festivities.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240917-samgoesdrinking-002.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man in Bavarian-style leather shorts and a white shirt poses comically in a bathroom with a urinal and toilet, against dark tiled walls." class="wp-image-314170"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The author pulls on his lederhosen in the bathroom at Schroeder&#8217;s before joining in the festivities.</figcaption></figure>

Attendees chant and drink beer during Oktoberfest on Front  on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in San Francisco.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240917-samgoesdrinking-007.jpg?w=2500" alt="A lively crowd sits at long tables outdoors, holding mugs and cups of beer, and cheering. They wear festive attire, including hats and themed shirts." class="wp-image-314174"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The event marks the state&#8217;s first &#8220;entertainment zone&#8221; street party.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240917-samgoesdrinking-007.jpg?w=2500" alt="A lively crowd sits at long tables outdoors, holding mugs and cups of beer, and cheering. They wear festive attire, including hats and themed shirts." class="wp-image-314174"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The event marks the state's first "entertainment zone" street party.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240917-samgoesdrinking-007.jpg?w=2500" alt="A lively crowd sits at long tables outdoors, holding mugs and cups of beer, and cheering. They wear festive attire, including hats and themed shirts." class="wp-image-314174"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The event marks the state&#8217;s first &#8220;entertainment zone&#8221; street party.</figcaption></figure>

Finally, we can get legally sloshed outdoors

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finally-we-can-get-legally-sloshed-outdoors">Finally, we can get legally sloshed outdoors </h2>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finally-we-can-get-legally-sloshed-outdoors">Finally, we can get legally sloshed outdoors </h2>

Dubbed <a href="https://downtownsf.org/things-to-do/oktoberfest-on-front">Oktoberfest on Front</a>, the free event included performances by AlpineSound, Ladyhosen, and Pop Rocks, plus traditional Oktoberfest games, including stein holding, beer chugging (with nonalcoholic brews), ax throwing, and a good ole pretzel toss.

Dubbed <a href="https://downtownsf.org/things-to-do/oktoberfest-on-front">Oktoberfest on Front</a>, the free event included performances by AlpineSound, Ladyhosen, and Pop Rocks, plus traditional Oktoberfest games, including stein holding, beer chugging (with nonalcoholic brews), ax throwing, and a good ole pretzel toss.

Schroeders, Harrington’s Bar &amp; Grill, and Royal Exchange were serving alcoholic drinks outdoors as attendees soaked up the live music along the carless Front Street between California and Sacramento. And that’s exactly why I was dispatched, to engage in the revelry.&nbsp;

Schroeders, Harrington’s Bar &amp; Grill, and Royal Exchange were serving alcoholic drinks outdoors as attendees soaked up the live music along the carless Front Street between California and Sacramento. And that’s exactly why I was dispatched, to engage in the revelry.&nbsp;

After downing my first $23 stein, I began to feel rather jovial, perhaps because I would be expensing this. And if that wasn’t enough, the yodelers appeared onstage. So, like any lederhosen-clad journalist, I ordered another pricey beer alongside an $11 pretzel-bun bratwurst and $17 Reuben egg rolls and rejoiced in the spectacle.

After downing my first $23 stein, I began to feel rather jovial, perhaps because I would be expensing this. And if that wasn’t enough, the yodelers appeared onstage. So, like any lederhosen-clad journalist, I ordered another pricey beer alongside an $11 pretzel-bun bratwurst and $17 Reuben egg rolls and rejoiced in the spectacle.

Carl Oman chats with San Francisco Standard reporter Sam Mondros during Oktoberfest on Front  on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in San Francisco.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240917-samgoesdrinking-013.jpg?w=2500" alt="Three men dressed in traditional German attire are sitting outdoors, enjoying large glasses of beer, smiling, and engaged in conversation." class="wp-image-314182"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Carl Oman, left, says he loves the idea of the new &#8220;entertainment zone&#8221; street parties.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240917-samgoesdrinking-013.jpg?w=2500" alt="Three men dressed in traditional German attire are sitting outdoors, enjoying large glasses of beer, smiling, and engaged in conversation." class="wp-image-314182"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Carl Oman, left, says he loves the idea of the new "entertainment zone" street parties.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240917-samgoesdrinking-013.jpg?w=2500" alt="Three men dressed in traditional German attire are sitting outdoors, enjoying large glasses of beer, smiling, and engaged in conversation." class="wp-image-314182"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Carl Oman, left, says he loves the idea of the new &#8220;entertainment zone&#8221; street parties.</figcaption></figure>

Carl Oman lives in the Richmond but made the pilgrimage downtown for Friday&#8217;s festivities sporting a homemade pair of lederhosen he hadn’t worn in 17 years.

Carl Oman lives in the Richmond but made the pilgrimage downtown for Friday's festivities sporting a homemade pair of lederhosen he hadn’t worn in 17 years.

Carl Oman lives in the Richmond but made the pilgrimage downtown for Friday&#8217;s festivities sporting a homemade pair of lederhosen he hadn’t worn in 17 years.

“Christmas I’m not so much into, but Oktoberfest I love. I think it’s a great idea,” Oman said, referring to the new entertainment zones. “The city is taking baby steps in making our city more European, like with the slow streets. Please, let’s make our city somewhere that’s not car-dominated and more human.”

“Christmas I’m not so much into, but Oktoberfest I love. I think it’s a great idea,” Oman said, referring to the new entertainment zones. “The city is taking baby steps in making our city more European, like with the slow streets. Please, let’s make our city somewhere that’s not car-dominated and more human.”

Nearby, I spotted a scrum of tech guys in felt hats nursing Hefeweizen-filled boot glasses while wearing pretzel necklaces and trading what they&#8217;d learned at Dreamforce. Festival-goers from Pacific Heights, the Castro, the Mission, and even the East Bay told The Standard there simply must be more legally sanctioned public drinking events across the city.

Nearby, I spotted a scrum of tech guys in felt hats nursing Hefeweizen-filled boot glasses while wearing pretzel necklaces and trading what they'd learned at Dreamforce. Festival-goers from Pacific Heights, the Castro, the Mission, and even the East Bay told The Standard there simply must be more legally sanctioned public drinking events across the city.

Nearby, I spotted a scrum of tech guys in felt hats nursing Hefeweizen-filled boot glasses while wearing pretzel necklaces and trading what they&#8217;d learned at Dreamforce. Festival-goers from Pacific Heights, the Castro, the Mission, and even the East Bay told The Standard there simply must be more legally sanctioned public drinking events across the city.

Sporting a hunter-green set of lederhosen and holding a large stein, Harrington’s owner Chris Freise said 4,000 people had RSVP&#8217;d to the free event. Freise, who also owns a real estate development company with a portfolio of downtown properties, said more people have been coming to the area.

Sporting a hunter-green set of lederhosen and holding a large stein, Harrington’s owner Chris Freise said 4,000 people had RSVP'd to the free event. Freise, who also owns a real estate development company with a portfolio of downtown properties, said more people have been coming to the area.

Sporting a hunter-green set of lederhosen and holding a large stein, Harrington’s owner Chris Freise said 4,000 people had RSVP&#8217;d to the free event. Freise, who also owns a real estate development company with a portfolio of downtown properties, said more people have been coming to the area.

sf-standard/looping-video

Attendees dance during Oktoberfest on Front on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in San Francisco. From left to right are Andy Chun, Jennifer Hepworth, Patrick McConnell and Oscar Nevarez,

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240917-samgoesdrinking-008.jpg?w=2500" alt="Four people in traditional Bavarian attire, including lederhosen and dirndls, walk arm-in-arm down a city sidewalk, smiling and enjoying a festive atmosphere." class="wp-image-314175"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The event features live music and traditional Oktoberfest games, including stein holding and beer chugging (with nonalcoholic brews).</figcaption></figure>

“Numbers are up, people are here more often, they’re here longer, they want to be here,” he said. “We’re also seeing people who aren’t just coming down for work. The summer is normally really slow. The last month we’ve been slammed. It feels like there’s momentum.”

“Numbers are up, people are here more often, they’re here longer, they want to be here,” he said. “We’re also seeing people who aren’t just coming down for work. The summer is normally really slow. The last month we’ve been slammed. It feels like there’s momentum.”

Patrick McConnell and Oscar Nevarez came to the block party suited in lederhosen fresh from Amazon. Nevarez, who has been to the real Oktoberfest in Germany, said drinking in the middle of the street is awesome (shocker). “It feels natural to me, but it’s weird that it hasn’t been legal,&#8221; he said. &#8220;The <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/07/downtown-san-francisco-first-thursday-event-impact/">First Thursdays</a> have also been so cool.”

Patrick McConnell and Oscar Nevarez came to the block party suited in lederhosen fresh from Amazon. Nevarez, who has been to the real Oktoberfest in Germany, said drinking in the middle of the street is awesome (shocker). “It feels natural to me, but it’s weird that it hasn’t been legal," he said. "The <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/07/downtown-san-francisco-first-thursday-event-impact/">First Thursdays</a> have also been so cool.”

Patrick McConnell and Oscar Nevarez came to the block party suited in lederhosen fresh from Amazon. Nevarez, who has been to the real Oktoberfest in Germany, said drinking in the middle of the street is awesome (shocker). “It feels natural to me, but it’s weird that it hasn’t been legal,&#8221; he said. &#8220;The <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/07/downtown-san-francisco-first-thursday-event-impact/">First Thursdays</a> have also been so cool.”

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“Oakland is fun, but San Francisco has a little bit more to offer,” said Jake Greve, who lives in Oakland. “San Francisco, Oakland, they all need more of this. It’s so much better.”

“Oakland is fun, but San Francisco has a little bit more to offer,” said Jake Greve, who lives in Oakland. “San Francisco, Oakland, they all need more of this. It’s so much better.”

As the German rhythms thumped, workers yet to clock out looked down from their sad offices at the throngs of merry folks. They watched,  with envy in their eyes, as beer disappeared voraciously down gullets, and bratwursts were vehemently devoured.

As the German rhythms thumped, workers yet to clock out looked down from their sad offices at the throngs of merry folks. They watched, with envy in their eyes, as beer disappeared voraciously down gullets, and bratwursts were vehemently devoured.

For but a moment, it began to look like downtown had finally decided to loosen its tie and viel Spaß — have fun again.

For but a moment, it began to look like downtown had finally decided to loosen its tie and viel Spaß — have fun again.

I downed steins in the streets at California’s first legal outdoor booze zone

Kevin Truong

On the eve of an incredibly tight <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/04/san-francisco-voters-turnout-election-trump-kamala/">November election</a> that will dictate her political future, Mayor London Breed took the podium to announce a new park on the Embarcadero.

These San Franciscans don&#8217;t give a rat&#8217;s ass about the election

On the eve of an incredibly tight <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/11/04/san-francisco-voters-turnout-election-trump-kamala/">November election</a> that will dictate her political future, Mayor London Breed took the podium to announce a new park on the Embarcadero.

Technically, it’s the creation of a public-private partnership to potentially enable the construction of a new park, but who’s counting?

Technically, it’s the creation of a public-private partnership to potentially enable the construction of a new park, but who’s counting?

Breed plans to introduce legislation on Tuesday to greenlight a partnership between the city, Salesforce Tower owner BXP Inc. (formerly Boston Properties), and the Downtown SF Partnership to redesign and upgrade the Embarcadero Plaza in front of the Ferry Building and the adjacent Sue Bierman Park.

Breed plans to introduce legislation on Tuesday to greenlight a partnership between the city, Salesforce Tower owner BXP Inc. (formerly Boston Properties), and the Downtown SF Partnership to redesign and upgrade the Embarcadero Plaza in front of the Ferry Building and the adjacent Sue Bierman Park.

“We are going to reimagine what Embarcadero Plaza will be for the future so that people who want to come here can enjoy it,” Breed said at the press conference, before listing a string of recent park projects that have been open to the public, including <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/07/05/bayfront-park-chase-center/">Bayfront Park</a>, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/04/29/china-basin-park-opens/">China Basin Park</a>, and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/07/17/party-on-a-freeway-sfs-much-anticipated-tunnel-tops-park-opens-in-the-presidio/">Presidio Tunnel Tops</a>.&nbsp;

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“We are going to reimagine what Embarcadero Plaza will be for the future so that people who want to come here can enjoy it,” Breed said at the press conference, before listing a string of recent park projects that have been open to the public, including <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/07/05/bayfront-park-chase-center/">Bayfront Park</a>, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/04/29/china-basin-park-opens/">China Basin Park</a>, and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/07/17/party-on-a-freeway-sfs-much-anticipated-tunnel-tops-park-opens-in-the-presidio/">Presidio Tunnel Tops</a>.&nbsp;

“All these open public spaces every single weekend are packed with people. This is one step further to making a plaza like this come to life differently.”

“All these open public spaces every single weekend are packed with people. This is one step further to making a plaza like this come to life differently.”

core/gallery

The resolution would call for BXP to spend $2.5 million on the design of the project, while the Recreation &amp; Parks Department and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development would commit to securing $15 million in public funds for the park.&nbsp;

The resolution would call for BXP to spend $2.5 million on the design of the project, while the Recreation &amp; Parks Department and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development would commit to securing $15 million in public funds for the park.&nbsp;

BXP and the Downtown SF Partnership would also be charged with working to secure an additional $10 million in private funding.&nbsp;

BXP and the Downtown SF Partnership would also be charged with working to secure an additional $10 million in private funding.&nbsp;

What exactly the project would consist of is still an open question and subject to community outreach, but ideas include entertainment venues, a new children’s playground, or a marketplace space with kiosks. Any potential renovation of the park would go through public hearings and review.&nbsp;

What exactly the project would consist of is still an open question and subject to community outreach, but ideas include entertainment venues, a new children’s playground, or a marketplace space with kiosks. Any potential renovation of the park would go through public hearings and review.&nbsp;

“San Francisco needs a world-class park in its downtown,” said Aaron Fenton, senior vice president of BXP, at the press conference. “This is such a prime piece of real estate with its iconic views and its access to public transportation”

“San Francisco needs a world-class park in its downtown,” said Aaron Fenton, senior vice president of BXP, at the press conference. “This is such a prime piece of real estate with its iconic views and its access to public transportation”

BXP has been working with the design firm HOK for about a year on a redesign of the plaza in a bid to better activate the area and make it an attractive amenity for its tenants. During that time, the city has tried to activate the area with programming like concerts, raves, and DJ sets.&nbsp;

BXP has been working with the design firm HOK for about a year on a redesign of the plaza in a bid to better activate the area and make it an attractive amenity for its tenants. During that time, the city has tried to activate the area with programming like concerts, raves, and DJ sets.&nbsp;

“As the front door to San Francisco, Embarcadero Plaza is arguably the most underutilized public space in the greater downtown area and prime to welcome residents and visitors downtown to experience a world-class waterfront park in a world-class city,” Robbie Silver, Downtown SF Partnership CEO and president, said in a statement.

“As the front door to San Francisco, Embarcadero Plaza is arguably the most underutilized public space in the greater downtown area and prime to welcome residents and visitors downtown to experience a world-class waterfront park in a world-class city,” Robbie Silver, Downtown SF Partnership CEO and president, said in a statement.

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Initial renderings shared by the team show the removal of the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/21/bono-vaillancourt-fountain-drained/">Vaillancourt Fountain</a>, perhaps one of the city’s most reviled pieces of public art.&nbsp;

The Bono fountain is broken. Is SF too broke to pay for its $3 million fix?

Initial renderings shared by the team show the removal of the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/21/bono-vaillancourt-fountain-drained/">Vaillancourt Fountain</a>, perhaps one of the city’s most reviled pieces of public art.&nbsp;

The real estate developer, which also owns the adjacent Embarcadero Center, touted increased vitality from its planned revamp, including a publicly accessible bathroom at its property with an eye-popping $2.5 million price tag.

The real estate developer, which also owns the adjacent Embarcadero Center, touted increased vitality from its planned revamp, including a publicly accessible bathroom at its property with an eye-popping $2.5 million price tag.

Breed’s legislation is being put forward a few months after Mark Farrell — one of Breed’s leading competitors for mayor — <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/07/17/mark-farrell-downtown-recovery-plan/">proposed his own version</a> of a new Embarcadero Plaza park as part of a larger downtown revitalization plan.

Breed’s legislation is being put forward a few months after Mark Farrell — one of Breed’s leading competitors for mayor — <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/07/17/mark-farrell-downtown-recovery-plan/">proposed his own version</a> of a new Embarcadero Plaza park as part of a larger downtown revitalization plan.

At the time, a Breed campaign spokesman derided the plan as a “Chat-GPT” envisioned fantasy.&nbsp;

At the time, a Breed campaign spokesman derided the plan as a “Chat-GPT” envisioned fantasy.&nbsp;

A new park may come to SF’s Embarcadero with help from the Salesforce Tower owner

Garrett Leahy

George Kelly

Living in a tent behind fences at 325 Fremont St., Omar told The Standard he had no idea the dry grass lot he lives on in Downtown San Francisco was supposed to be a 26-story apartment tower.&nbsp;

Living in a tent behind fences at 325 Fremont St., Omar told The Standard he had no idea the dry grass lot he lives on in Downtown San Francisco was supposed to be a 26-story apartment tower.&nbsp;

Omar also said he didn&#8217;t know about the nine 311 complaints about homeless encampments on the site. He declined to give his last name for privacy reasons.

Omar also said he didn't know about the nine 311 complaints about homeless encampments on the site. He declined to give his last name for privacy reasons.

Omar also said he didn&#8217;t know about the nine 311 complaints about homeless encampments on the site. He declined to give his last name for privacy reasons.

“Why do people care?” he said when told about a <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/sanfrancisco/comments/1d825za/growing_encampment_in_neighborhood_311_has_been/">Reddit</a> post complaining about tents on the site.&nbsp;

“Why do people care?” he said when told about a <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/sanfrancisco/comments/1d825za/growing_encampment_in_neighborhood_311_has_been/">Reddit</a> post complaining about tents on the site.&nbsp;

For a decade, plans to build 118 market-rate homes on the empty lot have been approved, but it still sits empty.

For a decade, plans to build 118 market-rate homes on the empty lot have been approved, but it still sits empty.

A tent seen at 325 Fremont St. in San Francisco on June 5. Debris on the site has since been cleared.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1000011202.jpg?w=2500" alt="A person stands by a fence amidst scattered belongings and debris, including a stroller and barricades in a grassy, vacant lot near a building." class="wp-image-282989"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A tent seen at 325 Fremont St. on June 5. Debris on the site has since been cleared.</figcaption></figure>

Debris and belongings seen at 325 Fremont St. in San Francisco on June 5. The site has planning permission for luxury homes that have not materialized.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1000011206.jpg?w=2500" alt="The image shows an outdoor area with scattered belongings including a tricycle, a cooler, pillows, a bike, and various items on the ground, suggesting a makeshift living space." class="wp-image-282987"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Debris, a Lyft bike and belongings seen at 325 Fremont St. on June 5. The site has planning permission for luxury homes that have not materialized.</figcaption></figure>

Planning officials said there has been “no activity” on the plans since they were filed and approved.

Planning officials said there has been “no activity” on the plans since they were filed and approved.

The early stage plans were also thin on details but showed a rooftop terrace and space for 61 underground parking spaces. Glossy renderings are still available online, showing a ritzy-looking glass and steel construction replete with balconies overlooking Rincon Hill.&nbsp;

The early stage plans were also thin on details but showed a rooftop terrace and space for 61 underground parking spaces. Glossy renderings are still available online, showing a ritzy-looking glass and steel construction replete with balconies overlooking Rincon Hill.&nbsp;

A 2017 building permit for the tower estimated a construction cost of $43.5 million.

A 2017 building permit for the tower estimated a construction cost of $43.5 million.

Developer Z&amp;L Properties, fresh from a corruption scandal, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Its <a href="https://zlproperties.com/#">website</a> still loads but shows nothing but a landing page that reads “destined to become California’s premier condominium developer” and very little else.

Developer Z&amp;L Properties, fresh from a corruption scandal, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Its <a href="https://zlproperties.com/#">website</a> still loads but shows nothing but a landing page that reads “destined to become California’s premier condominium developer” and very little else.

Xavier Pektelidis, center, was removed along with his possessions from an empty lot that had been causing a disturbance in a San Francisco neighborhood of high-rises on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.

The lot at 325 Fremont St. in San Francisco is private property and had been occupied by a homeless encampment. Local residents are frustrated that 311 continues to close the ticket for removing the encampment, citing its status as private property. Pektelidis complained that some of his possessions were disposed of by Waste Management.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/emptylothomelesscamp-2.jpg?w=2500" alt="A homeless man is forced to leave an encampment." class="wp-image-281341"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Xavier Pektelidis, center, was removed along with his possessions from the empty lot on Fremont Street.</figcaption></figure>

In late 2023, the firm <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/05/billionaire-corruption-san-francisco-nuru-zhang-li-z-l-properties-fine/">pled guilty</a> to conspiracy to commit fraud and was fined $1 million in a federal case in which its owner, Zhang Li, admitted in federal court to bribing a San Francisco official to move forward with a high-profile development.

Chinese billionaire’s company fined $1M in San Francisco bribery scheme

In late 2023, the firm <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/05/billionaire-corruption-san-francisco-nuru-zhang-li-z-l-properties-fine/">pled guilty</a> to conspiracy to commit fraud and was fined $1 million in a federal case in which its owner, Zhang Li, admitted in federal court to bribing a San Francisco official to move forward with a high-profile development.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-loud-yelling-at-night">‘Loud yelling at night’</h2>

There have been at least nine 311 complaints about the lot in the last two weeks, including multiple mentions of an encampment there, with one <a href="https://mobile311.sfgov.org/reports/18303688">describing</a> “loud yelling at night, with lots of glasses shattering,” “drug dealing,” and “unwanted harassment towards (female) pedestrians.”&nbsp;

There have been at least nine 311 complaints about the lot in the last two weeks, including multiple mentions of an encampment there, with one <a href="https://mobile311.sfgov.org/reports/18303688">describing</a> “loud yelling at night, with lots of glasses shattering,” “drug dealing,” and “unwanted harassment towards (female) pedestrians.”&nbsp;

Want a taste of how vibrant downtown SF could be? Try this new Italian deli

I downed steins in the streets at California’s first legal outdoor booze zone

A new park may come to SF’s Embarcadero with help from the Salesforce Tower owner

A downtown lot was supposed to be luxury homes. Instead, it’s a fenced-off encampment

San Francisco wants to turn a chunk of downtown into the city’s Bourbon Street

Search Results for: downtown

Want a taste of how vibrant downtown SF could be? Try this new Italian deli

I downed steins in the streets at California’s first legal outdoor booze zone

A new park may come to SF’s Embarcadero with help from the Salesforce Tower owner

A downtown lot was supposed to be luxury homes. Instead, it’s a fenced-off encampment

San Francisco wants to turn a chunk of downtown into the city’s Bourbon Street