Rya Jetha

Zsombor &#8220;Anthony&#8221; Jancso and Jordan Wick had lucrative jobs at blue-chip tech companies — the kind of roles that are <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/05/20/silicon-valley-white-collar-recession-entry-level/">increasingly tough</a> for new college grads to come by. But for them, it wasn&#8217;t enough.&nbsp;

Sorry, grads: Entry-level tech jobs are getting wiped out

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Zsombor "Anthony" Jancso and Jordan Wick had lucrative jobs at blue-chip tech companies — the kind of roles that are <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/05/20/silicon-valley-white-collar-recession-entry-level/">increasingly tough</a> for new college grads to come by. But for them, it wasn't enough.&nbsp;

Zsombor &#8220;Anthony&#8221; Jancso and Jordan Wick had lucrative jobs at blue-chip tech companies — the kind of roles that are <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/05/20/silicon-valley-white-collar-recession-entry-level/">increasingly tough</a> for new college grads to come by. But for them, it wasn&#8217;t enough.&nbsp;

Frustrated with the direction of San Francisco’s drift, they had a vision of young tech workers working hand-in-hand with local government to solve core challenges like homelessness, degrading public safety, and trash on city streets.

Frustrated with the direction of San Francisco’s drift, they had a vision of young tech workers working hand-in-hand with local government to solve core challenges like homelessness, degrading public safety, and trash on city streets.

But after hosting a successful hackathon called <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/28/san-francisco-artificial-intelligence-startups-government/">Accelerate SF</a> in November 2023, an event that featured the city&#8217;s brightest developers and most prominent civic leaders, including then-Mayor London Breed, they became disillusioned with the city’s bureaucracy and dismissive of local regulations.

How San Francisco AI startups are reshaping local governments around the U.S

But after hosting a successful hackathon called <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/28/san-francisco-artificial-intelligence-startups-government/">Accelerate SF</a> in November 2023, an event that featured the city's brightest developers and most prominent civic leaders, including then-Mayor London Breed, they became disillusioned with the city’s bureaucracy and dismissive of local regulations.

But after hosting a successful hackathon called <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/28/san-francisco-artificial-intelligence-startups-government/">Accelerate SF</a> in November 2023, an event that featured the city&#8217;s brightest developers and most prominent civic leaders, including then-Mayor London Breed, they became disillusioned with the city’s bureaucracy and dismissive of local regulations.

Now, the two have walked away from the effort and taken up roles at the federal Department of Government Efficiency, where their use of tech to transform government has taken on a more radical flavor.&nbsp;

Now, the two have walked away from the effort and taken up roles at the federal Department of Government Efficiency, where their use of tech to transform government has taken on a more radical flavor.&nbsp;

While Elon Musk announced that he is stepping back from the quasi-agency he heads, Jancso and Wick are still involved in its controversial work. Jancso, who had been recruiting staffers to DOGE, is now building AI agents meant to replace thousands of federal workers. Wick, a DOGE software engineer with a mandate to cut costs across government agencies, has been accused of <a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/04/15/nx-s1-5355896/doge-nlrb-elon-musk-spacex-security">siphoning off sensitive federal data. </a>

While Elon Musk announced that he is stepping back from the quasi-agency he heads, Jancso and Wick are still involved in its controversial work. Jancso, who had been recruiting staffers to DOGE, is now building AI agents meant to replace thousands of federal workers. Wick, a DOGE software engineer with a mandate to cut costs across government agencies, has been accused of <a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/04/15/nx-s1-5355896/doge-nlrb-elon-musk-spacex-security">siphoning off sensitive federal data. </a>

Jancso and Wick did not respond to requests for comment, and Jancso is now using legal threats to distance himself from an event promoting the hackathon.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jancso and Wick did not respond to requests for comment, and Jancso is now using legal threats to distance himself from an event promoting the hackathon.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Former Accelerate SF associates have mixed feelings about the cofounders’ trajectory. Some expressed support for DOGE’s mission; others are dismayed to see the two turn promising tools toward dubious goals.

Former Accelerate SF associates have mixed feelings about the cofounders’ trajectory. Some expressed support for DOGE’s mission; others are dismayed to see the two turn promising tools toward dubious goals.

These former allies say they believed Jancso and Wick were serious about leading a civic-minded movement to improve San Francisco with emerging technology, but now see clear parallels between their initial efforts in the city and DOGE’s tendency to exaggerate claims and bulldoze through government, with little regard for existing structures. 

These former allies say they believed Jancso and Wick were serious about leading a civic-minded movement to improve San Francisco with emerging technology, but now see clear parallels between their initial efforts in the city and DOGE’s tendency to exaggerate claims and bulldoze through government, with little regard for existing structures.

“The urge behind Accelerate SF was to build government capacity, not tear it apart like DOGE has tragically done,” said Peter Hirshberg, a civic entrepreneur who helped run Accelerate SF. Hirshberg is now setting up an MIT City Science Lab in San Francisco to research and propose policies for the city, an idea sparked following the hackathon. 

“The urge behind Accelerate SF was to build government capacity, not tear it apart like DOGE has tragically done,” said Peter Hirshberg, a civic entrepreneur who helped run Accelerate SF. Hirshberg is now setting up an MIT City Science Lab in San Francisco to research and propose policies for the city, an idea sparked following the hackathon.

“It’s a little bit like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker,” Hirshberg said. “You can come from the same genes and choose the dark side or the light side.”&nbsp;

“It’s a little bit like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker,” Hirshberg said. “You can come from the same genes and choose the dark side or the light side.”&nbsp;

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-stuff-nbsp">‘Revolutionary stuff’&nbsp;</h2>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-stuff-nbsp">‘Revolutionary stuff’&nbsp;</h2>

Like many other 20-something transplants, Wick and Jancso were drawn to San Francisco by the allure of tech. Originally from Idaho, Wick was known as a “cracked” software engineer who worked at Flexport and Waymo after graduating from MIT. Jancso, a Hungarian native who won prestigious coding challenges at University College London, started his career at Palantir in New York before moving to San Francisco to explore the startup scene.&nbsp;

Like many other 20-something transplants, Wick and Jancso were drawn to San Francisco by the allure of tech. Originally from Idaho, Wick was known as a “cracked” software engineer who worked at Flexport and Waymo after graduating from MIT. Jancso, a Hungarian native who won prestigious coding challenges at University College London, started his career at Palantir in New York before moving to San Francisco to explore the startup scene.&nbsp;

The two ended up living together in Hayes Valley in 2023. Wick spent his free nights playing the board game Settlers of Catan, while Jancso frequented a writing club at the SF Commons community center. The pair were regulars at techie house parties and networked with scores of software developers just as the AI boom was taking off, according to those who knew them socially.&nbsp;

The two ended up living together in Hayes Valley in 2023. Wick spent his free nights playing the board game Settlers of Catan, while Jancso frequented a writing club at the SF Commons community center. The pair were regulars at techie house parties and networked with scores of software developers just as the AI boom was taking off, according to those who knew them socially.&nbsp;

But the excitement they felt over the technology’s potential was tempered by growing frustration at the way San Francisco was becoming a city defined by its social problems. In conversations, they voiced familiar concerns about the global tech capital being <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/29/us/san-francisco-doom-loop.html">stuck in a doom loop</a> and at risk of becoming a <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/06/how-san-francisco-became-failed-city/661199/">failed city</a>. Crossing the two wires, they conceived the idea of a hackathon that would convene AI-savvy developers and put them to work fixing civic dysfunction.

But the excitement they felt over the technology’s potential was tempered by growing frustration at the way San Francisco was becoming a city defined by its social problems. In conversations, they voiced familiar concerns about the global tech capital being <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/29/us/san-francisco-doom-loop.html">stuck in a doom loop</a> and at risk of becoming a <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/06/how-san-francisco-became-failed-city/661199/">failed city</a>. Crossing the two wires, they conceived the idea of a hackathon that would convene AI-savvy developers and put them to work fixing civic dysfunction.

“Either of these guys could have gone and made a million dollars a year at OpenAI,” said Andrew Côté, one of the people they contacted for help planning the event. Côté, the founder of <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/24/robotsrave/">Deep Tech Week</a>, hosted the duo in his Hayes Valley apartment for a freewheeling salon-style discussion about how AI could solve San Francisco’s problems.

A military-grade tech party signals a new movement in Silicon Valley

“Either of these guys could have gone and made a million dollars a year at OpenAI,” said Andrew Côté, one of the people they contacted for help planning the event. Côté, the founder of <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/24/robotsrave/">Deep Tech Week</a>, hosted the duo in his Hayes Valley apartment for a freewheeling salon-style discussion about how AI could solve San Francisco’s problems.

“It was very clear to everyone that this city has so many issues, but it has so much potential, and this AI boom is so big,” said Côté, who later cohosted a larger brainstorming event with the two at SF Commons. “I think it was genuine wanting to make the city better.”

“It was very clear to everyone that this city has so many issues, but it has so much potential, and this AI boom is so big,” said Côté, who later cohosted a larger brainstorming event with the two at SF Commons. “I think it was genuine wanting to make the city better.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">It is in our power to build San Francisco into the world&#39;s most technologically advanced city. If we can accelerate SF, we can accelerate the rest of America. The time has come to deploy the solutions we built, and to find new challenges. Join our team to help ⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/rnLyt2ObVI">pic.twitter.com/rnLyt2ObVI</a>&mdash; Accelerate (@Accelerate_SF) <a href="https://twitter.com/Accelerate_SF/status/1722424715250479200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Early in their planning, the two sent a cold email to an official in the Breed administration and got a sympathetic hearing. The official, who requested anonymity because of her current job, found them to be enthusiastic and somewhat naive:&nbsp;“young, antisocial kids who were trying to do something impressive.”&nbsp;

Early in their planning, the two sent a cold email to an official in the Breed administration and got a sympathetic hearing. The official, who requested anonymity because of her current job, found them to be enthusiastic and somewhat naive:&nbsp;“young, antisocial kids who were trying to do something impressive.”&nbsp;

She began meeting them at her City Hall office and provided help organizing the hackathon. But Jancso and Wick would overstay their welcome, often showing up unannounced to use her office as a workspace and eventually forcing her to kick them out. (They listed Accelerate SF’s official address as City Hall on the hackathon’s now-defunct website.)&nbsp;

She began meeting them at her City Hall office and provided help organizing the hackathon. But Jancso and Wick would overstay their welcome, often showing up unannounced to use her office as a workspace and eventually forcing her to kick them out. (They listed Accelerate SF’s official address as City Hall on the hackathon’s now-defunct website.)&nbsp;

Jancso and Wick were repeatedly asked to remove the San Francisco seal from Accelerate SF promotional materials because it gave the false impression that they had an official partnership with the city.&nbsp;

Jancso and Wick were repeatedly asked to remove the San Francisco seal from Accelerate SF promotional materials because it gave the false impression that they had an official partnership with the city.&nbsp;

Despite the snags, the official continued helping them. Meanwhile, Hirshberg joined Accelerate SF as an official adviser, and events producer Kay Sorin came on as a cofounder.&nbsp;

Despite the snags, the official continued helping them. Meanwhile, Hirshberg joined Accelerate SF as an official adviser, and events producer Kay Sorin came on as a cofounder.&nbsp;

The hackathon was a success. Sorin, who now works at OpenAI and declined to comment, secured the free use of Founders Inc., a state-of-the-art venue at Fort Mason, while Scale AI, OpenAI, Anthropic, and other companies contributed sponsorship dollars and resources. Sorin worked her local connections to gain the attendance of political leaders, including Breed, state Sen. Scott Wiener, and Supervisors Joel Engardio and Catherine Stefani.&nbsp;

The hackathon was a success. Sorin, who now works at OpenAI and declined to comment, secured the free use of Founders Inc., a state-of-the-art venue at Fort Mason, while Scale AI, OpenAI, Anthropic, and other companies contributed sponsorship dollars and resources. Sorin worked her local connections to gain the attendance of political leaders, including Breed, state Sen. Scott Wiener, and Supervisors Joel Engardio and Catherine Stefani.&nbsp;

During the hackathon, the politicians and civic experts collaborated with 22 teams on AI-driven projects tackling topics like trash collection, building permitting, and reporting property crimes. The winning team built “311 plus,” an AI program that uses a photo to automatically fill out a 311 report on a car break-in. The effort won plaudits from some of the city’s most powerful politicos.&nbsp;

During the hackathon, the politicians and civic experts collaborated with 22 teams on AI-driven projects tackling topics like trash collection, building permitting, and reporting property crimes. The winning team built “311 plus,” an AI program that uses a photo to automatically fill out a 311 report on a car break-in. The effort won plaudits from some of the city’s most powerful politicos.&nbsp;

“This is revolutionary stuff,” City Attorney David Chiu said at the event. “I literally want to take each of these teams and put you as SWAT teams within the police department, the planning department, and 311. I’m a bit blown away.”

“This is revolutionary stuff,” City Attorney David Chiu said at the event. “I literally want to take each of these teams and put you as SWAT teams within the police department, the planning department, and 311. I’m a bit blown away.”

The idea was for the hackathon to jump-start an ambitious effort “to deploy some of these applications working with the departments and the San Francisco government,&#8221; Jancso said <a href="https://abc7news.com/san-francisco-ai-hackathon-accelerate-sf-artificial-intelligence/14019456/">at the time</a>. Finalists were promised introductions to government officials and agencies in order to follow through on their ideas.&nbsp;

The idea was for the hackathon to jump-start an ambitious effort “to deploy some of these applications working with the departments and the San Francisco government," Jancso said <a href="https://abc7news.com/san-francisco-ai-hackathon-accelerate-sf-artificial-intelligence/14019456/">at the time</a>. Finalists were promised introductions to government officials and agencies in order to follow through on their ideas.&nbsp;

The idea was for the hackathon to jump-start an ambitious effort “to deploy some of these applications working with the departments and the San Francisco government,&#8221; Jancso said <a href="https://abc7news.com/san-francisco-ai-hackathon-accelerate-sf-artificial-intelligence/14019456/">at the time</a>. Finalists were promised introductions to government officials and agencies in order to follow through on their ideas.&nbsp;

The team toasted their success over beer and sausages at the German restaurant Radhaus. But the comity did not last long. Jancso and Sorin had disagreements over a television appearance and the disqualification of a hackathon participant, culminating in him booting her from the Accelerate SF X account mere days after the event. Then, he and Wick announced their next move.

The team toasted their success over beer and sausages at the German restaurant Radhaus. But the comity did not last long. Jancso and Sorin had disagreements over a television appearance and the disqualification of a hackathon participant, culminating in him booting her from the Accelerate SF X account mere days after the event. Then, he and Wick announced their next move.

“It is in our power to build San Francisco into the world&#8217;s most technologically advanced city,” they wrote <a href="https://x.com/Accelerate_SF/status/1722424715250479200">on X</a>, with a <a href="https://airtable.com/appZ0Y3PUoGhYF8u9/shrhHXv93773XwLYw">link to an application</a> to join their effort to deploy the tech built at the hackathon. “If we can accelerate SF, we can accelerate the rest of America.”

“It is in our power to build San Francisco into the world's most technologically advanced city,” they wrote <a href="https://x.com/Accelerate_SF/status/1722424715250479200">on X</a>, with a <a href="https://airtable.com/appZ0Y3PUoGhYF8u9/shrhHXv93773XwLYw">link to an application</a> to join their effort to deploy the tech built at the hackathon. “If we can accelerate SF, we can accelerate the rest of America.”

“It is in our power to build San Francisco into the world&#8217;s most technologically advanced city,” they wrote <a href="https://x.com/Accelerate_SF/status/1722424715250479200">on X</a>, with a <a href="https://airtable.com/appZ0Y3PUoGhYF8u9/shrhHXv93773XwLYw">link to an application</a> to join their effort to deploy the tech built at the hackathon. “If we can accelerate SF, we can accelerate the rest of America.”

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-radical-change">‘Radical change’</h2>

In a manner that foreshadowed Musk’s pronouncements about DOGE shaving trillions from the national debt, Accelerate SF overpromised and underdelivered. According to participants, the aftermath of the hackathon was disorganized.&nbsp;

In a manner that foreshadowed Musk’s pronouncements about DOGE shaving trillions from the national debt, Accelerate SF overpromised and underdelivered. According to participants, the aftermath of the hackathon was disorganized.&nbsp;

“They said that they would connect us to people for the project so we could get [the app] used by the city,” said one developer who was part of a finalist team and requested anonymity because of their current job. “But it never really went anywhere.”

“They said that they would connect us to people for the project so we could get [the app] used by the city,” said one developer who was part of a finalist team and requested anonymity because of their current job. “But it never really went anywhere.”

By this time, Wick had been accepted into Y Combinator as cofounder of a separate startup, and Jancso became Accelerate’s main leader. The developer, who had volunteered on local campaigns for years, started to perceive Jancso as ignorant about how the city worked. After Jancso made a few perfunctory, failed attempts to set up meetings with government officials, the developer’s team gave up trying to work with him.&nbsp;

By this time, Wick had been accepted into Y Combinator as cofounder of a separate startup, and Jancso became Accelerate’s main leader. The developer, who had volunteered on local campaigns for years, started to perceive Jancso as ignorant about how the city worked. After Jancso made a few perfunctory, failed attempts to set up meetings with government officials, the developer’s team gave up trying to work with him.&nbsp;

“He wanted to take it from a project that we were all doing into a project he was doing,” the developer said.

“He wanted to take it from a project that we were all doing into a project he was doing,” the developer said.

Jancso told the Breed administration official he was starting a government consulting business and wanted a contract from the SF Municipal Transportation Agency to rebuild the bus routing system using AI. The official encouraged him to build technology to help residents interface with the government or go through the process of becoming a city supplier to bid on contracts. She even pitched him on rebuilding <a href="https://openbook.sfgov.org/">SF OpenBook</a>, a public database with information on city spending, contracts, and employee compensation. But Jancso ignored her suggestions and asked to be handed government contracts.&nbsp;

Jancso told the Breed administration official he was starting a government consulting business and wanted a contract from the SF Municipal Transportation Agency to rebuild the bus routing system using AI. The official encouraged him to build technology to help residents interface with the government or go through the process of becoming a city supplier to bid on contracts. She even pitched him on rebuilding <a href="https://openbook.sfgov.org/">SF OpenBook</a>, a public database with information on city spending, contracts, and employee compensation. But Jancso ignored her suggestions and asked to be handed government contracts.&nbsp;

“What you build on a Tuesday is not going to replace the MTA system until you become a serious company that can burden $100 million of insurance,” the official said she told Jancso. “Anthony definitely found it very frustrating that we weren&#8217;t all very excited about his ideas.”

“What you build on a Tuesday is not going to replace the MTA system until you become a serious company that can burden $100 million of insurance,” the official said she told Jancso. “Anthony definitely found it very frustrating that we weren't all very excited about his ideas.”

“What you build on a Tuesday is not going to replace the MTA system until you become a serious company that can burden $100 million of insurance,” the official said she told Jancso. “Anthony definitely found it very frustrating that we weren&#8217;t all very excited about his ideas.”

Hirshberg tracked Jancso’s growing sense of exasperation with City Hall during their regular catch-up calls. Hirshberg noted that it had become apparent to Jancso that the U.S. government didn’t and couldn’t work like a startup.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hirshberg tracked Jancso’s growing sense of exasperation with City Hall during their regular catch-up calls. Hirshberg noted that it had become apparent to Jancso that the U.S. government didn’t and couldn’t work like a startup.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I started to notice his political shift shortly after the hackathon, when he began digging into how government actually works,” Hirshberg said. He added that Jancso — a foreign national — began talking about finding a way to land a government appointment to influence policy from within. “Anthony is a very ambitious, move-fast-and-break-things kind of tech developer.”

“I started to notice his political shift shortly after the hackathon, when he began digging into how government actually works,” Hirshberg said. He added that Jancso — a foreign national — began talking about finding a way to land a government appointment to influence policy from within. “Anthony is a very ambitious, move-fast-and-break-things kind of tech developer.”

Hirshberg and others said Jansco’s progression came not out of a specific political affiliation but out of frustration with what he considered unnecessary bureaucratic barriers and belief in the superiority of the tech industry’s approach.

Hirshberg and others said Jansco’s progression came not out of a specific political affiliation but out of frustration with what he considered unnecessary bureaucratic barriers and belief in the superiority of the tech industry’s approach.

Then, Accelerate SF underwent a major pivot. Jancso celebrated the occasion with a launch party in May 2024 at his Hayes Valley apartment. As guests milled around in their socks, sparkling waters in hand, Jancso had a friend, startup founder Alex Reibman, proofread the tweet he was about to post.&nbsp;

Then, Accelerate SF underwent a major pivot. Jancso celebrated the occasion with a launch party in May 2024 at his Hayes Valley apartment. As guests milled around in their socks, sparkling waters in hand, Jancso had a friend, startup founder Alex Reibman, proofread the tweet he was about to post.&nbsp;

“Outdated tech is dragging down the US Government,” Jancso wrote in an <a href="https://x.com/accelerate_sf/status/1786981998369849606">X post</a> announcing Accelerate X, “a modern OS for the government.” The startup, which Reibman thought of as a “mini-Palantir,” promised AI-powered solutions for governments to reduce spending, automate tedious work, and stay in compliance with the law.&nbsp;

“Outdated tech is dragging down the US Government,” Jancso wrote in an <a href="https://x.com/accelerate_sf/status/1786981998369849606">X post</a> announcing Accelerate X, “a modern OS for the government.” The startup, which Reibman thought of as a “mini-Palantir,” promised AI-powered solutions for governments to reduce spending, automate tedious work, and stay in compliance with the law.&nbsp;

“It’s time for radical change,” Jancso wrote.&nbsp;

“It’s time for radical change,” Jancso wrote.&nbsp;

‘Break things,’ not ‘Make things’

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-break-things-not-make-things">‘Break things,’ not ‘Make things’</h2>

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump began floating the idea of a <a href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/05/trump-economic-proposal-musk-efficiency-commission?utm_source=chatgpt.com">government efficiency commission</a>, led by Musk, charged with eliminating wasteful spending. The idea thrilled Jancso, who had spent most of his time at Palantir building technology to make the U.K.’s National Health Service more efficient.&nbsp;

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump began floating the idea of a <a href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/05/trump-economic-proposal-musk-efficiency-commission?utm_source=chatgpt.com">government efficiency commission</a>, led by Musk, charged with eliminating wasteful spending. The idea thrilled Jancso, who had spent most of his time at Palantir building technology to make the U.K.’s National Health Service more efficient.&nbsp;

“An engineering-first gov efficiency commission by<a href="https://x.com/elonmusk"> @elonmusk</a> could save trillions annually. Exciting possibilities ahead!” <a href="https://x.com/aiwrapper/status/1854996826287751636">Jancso tweeted</a> three days after Trump won the presidential election.

“An engineering-first gov efficiency commission by<a href="https://x.com/elonmusk"> @elonmusk</a> could save trillions annually. Exciting possibilities ahead!” <a href="https://x.com/aiwrapper/status/1854996826287751636">Jancso tweeted</a> three days after Trump won the presidential election.

Musk associate Steve Davis recruited Jancso to come to Washington and help him build out the DOGE team.

Musk associate Steve Davis recruited Jancso to come to Washington and help him build out the DOGE team.

“I’m helping Elon’s team find tech talent for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the new admin,” Jancso posted in a Palantir alumni group chat in December, <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-doge-recruiting-palantir/">according to Wired</a>. “This is a historic opportunity to build an efficient government, and to cut the federal budget by 1/3.”

“I’m helping Elon’s team find tech talent for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the new admin,” Jancso posted in a Palantir alumni group chat in December, <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-doge-recruiting-palantir/">according to Wired</a>. “This is a historic opportunity to build an efficient government, and to cut the federal budget by 1/3.”

His recruitment drive had mixed reactions, but one engineer who ended up joining DOGE was AccelerateSF cofounder Wick, who currently works for the agency as a roving software engineer at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and other federal departments. A whistleblower at the National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency that investigates and adjudicates complaints about unfair labor practices, subsequently alleged that Wick was building a backdoor to extract files from its internal case management system, according to <a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/04/15/nx-s1-5355896/doge-nlrb-elon-musk-spacex-security">an NPR report</a>.

His recruitment drive had mixed reactions, but one engineer who ended up joining DOGE was AccelerateSF cofounder Wick, who currently works for the agency as a roving software engineer at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and other federal departments. A whistleblower at the National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency that investigates and adjudicates complaints about unfair labor practices, subsequently alleged that Wick was building a backdoor to extract files from its internal case management system, according to <a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/04/15/nx-s1-5355896/doge-nlrb-elon-musk-spacex-security">an NPR report</a>.

Wick has scrubbed his internet presence; his LinkedIn page no longer exists, and his <a href="https://x.com/WickJordan">X account</a> is visible only to his followers. His feed includes retweets of AI research papers, a GrowSF voting guide, and a Y Combinator post with a photo of him and his cofounder, Sasha Zhang. In February, his photo and bio disappeared from the <a href="https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/intercept">startup’s YC webpage</a>. Zhang did not respond to questions about Wick’s involvement in the startup, Intercept.&nbsp;

Wick has scrubbed his internet presence; his LinkedIn page no longer exists, and his <a href="https://x.com/WickJordan">X account</a> is visible only to his followers. His feed includes retweets of AI research papers, a GrowSF voting guide, and a Y Combinator post with a photo of him and his cofounder, Sasha Zhang. In February, his photo and bio disappeared from the <a href="https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/intercept">startup’s YC webpage</a>. Zhang did not respond to questions about Wick’s involvement in the startup, Intercept.&nbsp;

Jancso, too, is attempting to control his online image. On May 14, he threatened legal action against San Francisco event producer Steven Echtman over a YouTube video posted in 2023, prior to the Accelerate SF hackathon. The recording, taken at an <a href="https://aiify.io/events/231028sf/">AI summit</a>, is of a panel on civic innovation featuring Jancso, Hirshberg, and others. Jancso’s lawyers sent Echtman a take-down order, claiming <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE4PIHi6kh8">the video</a> was made illegally, without Jancso’s consent. Echtman declined to comment.&nbsp;

Jancso, too, is attempting to control his online image. On May 14, he threatened legal action against San Francisco event producer Steven Echtman over a YouTube video posted in 2023, prior to the Accelerate SF hackathon. The recording, taken at an <a href="https://aiify.io/events/231028sf/">AI summit</a>, is of a panel on civic innovation featuring Jancso, Hirshberg, and others. Jancso’s lawyers sent Echtman a take-down order, claiming <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE4PIHi6kh8">the video</a> was made illegally, without Jancso’s consent. Echtman declined to comment.&nbsp;

After helping DOGE recruit “hardcore engineers,” Jancso is working on yet another pivot of Accelerate. He&#8217;s building “secure AI agents for government” and partnering with DOGE to deploy the agents across federal agencies.&nbsp;

After helping DOGE recruit “hardcore engineers,” Jancso is working on yet another pivot of Accelerate. He's building “secure AI agents for government” and partnering with DOGE to deploy the agents across federal agencies.&nbsp;

After helping DOGE recruit “hardcore engineers,” Jancso is working on yet another pivot of Accelerate. He&#8217;s building “secure AI agents for government” and partnering with DOGE to deploy the agents across federal agencies.&nbsp;

The project could free up more than 70,000 federal employees for “higher-impact work,” according to a post by Jancso in a Palantir alumni Slack channel. Jancso’s post was largely met with derision, as Palantir alumni responded with clown and custom “fascist” emojis, according to <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/doge-recruiter-ai-agents-palantir-clown-emoji/">Wired.</a>&nbsp;

The project could free up more than 70,000 federal employees for “higher-impact work,” according to a post by Jancso in a Palantir alumni Slack channel. Jancso’s post was largely met with derision, as Palantir alumni responded with clown and custom “fascist” emojis, according to <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/doge-recruiter-ai-agents-palantir-clown-emoji/">Wired.</a>&nbsp;

At a hack night a few months ago in South Park, Jancso told a friend he was working to make the U.S. government more like SpaceX in terms of its management and structure.&nbsp;

At a hack night a few months ago in South Park, Jancso told a friend he was working to make the U.S. government more like SpaceX in terms of its management and structure.&nbsp;

Reactions to Jancso and Wick’s trajectory from Accelerate SF to DOGE fall along familiar divides. Côté, an early supporter, sees their move to DOGE as an indictment of local bureaucracy. Indeed, the city has announced it will <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/05/26/san-francisco-311-app-wars-solve/">shut down public access</a> to an API that enables a citizen-made app for quicker 311 reports.

His complaint app functions better than 311. The city is about to kill it

Reactions to Jancso and Wick’s trajectory from Accelerate SF to DOGE fall along familiar divides. Côté, an early supporter, sees their move to DOGE as an indictment of local bureaucracy. Indeed, the city has announced it will <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/05/26/san-francisco-311-app-wars-solve/">shut down public access</a> to an API that enables a citizen-made app for quicker 311 reports.

“Honestly, it’s gotta be a wake-up call for SF government,” said Côté. “People are so down to work with you from the inside, and now they’re attacking you from the outside, and isn’t that a shame?”

“Honestly, it’s gotta be a wake-up call for SF government,” said Côté. “People are so down to work with you from the inside, and now they’re attacking you from the outside, and isn’t that a shame?”

Reibman, who catches up with Jancso during the DOGE affiliate’s visits to San Francisco every few months, said developers in their social circle believe the government could benefit from “founder mode.” Reibman sees an increasing number of people from San Francisco’s hacker ecosystem, including DOGE software engineer Luke Farritor, taking on public-sector roles.&nbsp;

Reibman, who catches up with Jancso during the DOGE affiliate’s visits to San Francisco every few months, said developers in their social circle believe the government could benefit from “founder mode.” Reibman sees an increasing number of people from San Francisco’s hacker ecosystem, including DOGE software engineer Luke Farritor, taking on public-sector roles.&nbsp;

“We definitely understand it’s contentious,” Reibman said. “But we’re optimistic that these guys are intelligent, mission-driven, and goodwilled about improving the government.”&nbsp;

“We definitely understand it’s contentious,” Reibman said. “But we’re optimistic that these guys are intelligent, mission-driven, and goodwilled about improving the government.”&nbsp;

But those who were involved in Accelerate SF from the beginning are far less enthused about Jancso and Wick’s current work.&nbsp;

But those who were involved in Accelerate SF from the beginning are far less enthused about Jancso and Wick’s current work.&nbsp;

One volunteer —&nbsp;who requested anonymity because she wasn’t allowed to speak to the media in her current job —&nbsp;said her initial excitement about DOGE’s use of AI to speed up the public sector has morphed into disgust because of the chaotic cuts of federal programs and employees.&nbsp;

One volunteer —&nbsp;who requested anonymity because she wasn’t allowed to speak to the media in her current job —&nbsp;said her initial excitement about DOGE’s use of AI to speed up the public sector has morphed into disgust because of the chaotic cuts of federal programs and employees.&nbsp;

More than 260,000 federal workers have been fired, taken buyouts, or retired early, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/us-federal-employment-drops-again-doge-cuts-stack-up-2025-05-02/#:~:text=Shows%20federal%20workforce%20changes%20under,according%20to%20a%20Reuters%20tally.">according to a Reuters tally</a>. After initially promising $2 trillion in savings, DOGE says it has saved taxpayers an estimated <a href="https://doge.gov/savings">$175 billion</a>. However, the agency has a track record of repeatedly <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/13/us/politics/doge-contracts-savings.html">inflating its cost-saving efforts</a> and posting erroneous claims about <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/us/politics/doge-musk-contracts-trump.html">canceling federal contracts</a>.&nbsp;

More than 260,000 federal workers have been fired, taken buyouts, or retired early, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/us-federal-employment-drops-again-doge-cuts-stack-up-2025-05-02/#:~:text=Shows%20federal%20workforce%20changes%20under,according%20to%20a%20Reuters%20tally.">according to a Reuters tally</a>. After initially promising $2 trillion in savings, DOGE says it has saved taxpayers an estimated <a href="https://doge.gov/savings">$175 billion</a>. However, the agency has a track record of repeatedly <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/13/us/politics/doge-contracts-savings.html">inflating its cost-saving efforts</a> and posting erroneous claims about <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/us/politics/doge-musk-contracts-trump.html">canceling federal contracts</a>.&nbsp;

Hirshberg, who thought Accelerate SF had the potential to be a successful movement if Jancso and Wick invested time in understanding how they could work with the government, believes the two are now part of a misguided mission. Whereas the hackathon brought together developers, experts, and politicians to discuss problems and conceptualize technical solutions, DOGE is “a jihad against the government,” Hirshberg said.

Hirshberg, who thought Accelerate SF had the potential to be a successful movement if Jancso and Wick invested time in understanding how they could work with the government, believes the two are now part of a misguided mission. Whereas the hackathon brought together developers, experts, and politicians to discuss problems and conceptualize technical solutions, DOGE is “a jihad against the government,” Hirshberg said.

“It’s enthusiasm without wisdom,” he added. “It’s ‘Break things,’ not ‘Make things.’”

“It’s enthusiasm without wisdom,” he added. “It’s ‘Break things,’ not ‘Make things.’”

They wanted to fix SF government. Then Elon Musk came calling

Illustrations by Kyle Victory

Astrid Kane

San Francisco is a troubled city, staggering through a particularly unpleasant down phase of its perpetual boom-and-bust cycle. The encroaching malaise is not evenly distributed around town, however. Post-Covid, the city’s neighborhoods have displayed wildly different degrees of recovery, with <a href="https://sfstandard.com/arts-culture/these-2-globally-famous-neighborhoods-emerged-from-the-pandemic-with-completely-different-vibes/">North Beach largely thriving</a> even as nearby <a href="https://sfstandard.com/business/downtown-san-francisco-whole-foods-market-closing/">Downtown’s implosion seems to be accelerating</a>.&nbsp;

San Francisco is a troubled city, staggering through a particularly unpleasant down phase of its perpetual boom-and-bust cycle. The encroaching malaise is not evenly distributed around town, however. Post-Covid, the city’s neighborhoods have displayed wildly different degrees of recovery, with <a href="https://sfstandard.com/arts-culture/these-2-globally-famous-neighborhoods-emerged-from-the-pandemic-with-completely-different-vibes/">North Beach largely thriving</a> even as nearby <a href="https://sfstandard.com/business/downtown-san-francisco-whole-foods-market-closing/">Downtown’s implosion seems to be accelerating</a>.&nbsp;

People dissect the city’s woes in terms of its neighborhoods, but it may be more useful to look below the level of ZIP codes, to more granular “microhoods” where vibe shifts really happen. Right now, the best example of a corridor on the upswing may be one that had its last heyday in the 1990s: 16th Street.&nbsp;

People dissect the city’s woes in terms of its neighborhoods, but it may be more useful to look below the level of ZIP codes, to more granular “microhoods” where vibe shifts really happen. Right now, the best example of a corridor on the upswing may be one that had its last heyday in the 1990s: 16th Street.&nbsp;

In its entirety, the street runs halfway across town, from Chase Center in Mission Bay, skirting the northern edge of Potrero Hill and on through the Mission District and the Castro before dead-ending just below the basketball courts in Corona Heights Park. But a single, two-block stretch of 16th, from Mission to Guerrero streets, contains San Francisco in microcosm.&nbsp;

In its entirety, the street runs halfway across town, from Chase Center in Mission Bay, skirting the northern edge of Potrero Hill and on through the Mission District and the Castro before dead-ending just below the basketball courts in Corona Heights Park. But a single, two-block stretch of 16th, from Mission to Guerrero streets, contains San Francisco in microcosm.&nbsp;

With new <a href="https://www.instagram.com/caulisf/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brunch-y wine bar Cauliflower</a> and empowerment wonderland <a href="https://www.sourcherrycomics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sour Cherry Comics</a>, longtime <a href="https://sfstandard.com/arts-culture/the-battle-to-bring-live-music-back-to-this-storied-san-francisco-bar/">punk dive Kilowatt under new ownership</a> and lesbian-centric Mother Bar <a href="https://www.mothersf.com/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">opening in a location that’s near and dear</a> to longtime queer San Franciscans, there’s a palpable optimism that contrasts sharply with the FiDi’s doom loop. Coincidence or not, most of these new businesses are women-run.

With new <a href="https://www.instagram.com/caulisf/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brunch-y wine bar Cauliflower</a> and empowerment wonderland <a href="https://www.sourcherrycomics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sour Cherry Comics</a>, longtime <a href="https://sfstandard.com/arts-culture/the-battle-to-bring-live-music-back-to-this-storied-san-francisco-bar/">punk dive Kilowatt under new ownership</a> and lesbian-centric Mother Bar <a href="https://www.mothersf.com/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">opening in a location that’s near and dear</a> to longtime queer San Franciscans, there’s a palpable optimism that contrasts sharply with the FiDi’s doom loop. Coincidence or not, most of these new businesses are women-run.

People walk along 16th Street between Mission and Guerrero  on Wednesday, May, 3, 2023. Business have seen more foot traffic and customers than other areas of San Francisco. | Justin Katigbak for The Standard

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/INLINED1_16thStreetIsBack_05052023.jpg" alt="This SF Microhood Feels Like the City at Its Best—and It’s Led by Women " class="wp-image-157348"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">People walk along the busy commercial corridor of 16th Street between Valencia and Guerrero streets on Wednesday. | Justin Katigbak for The Standard</figcaption></figure>

It’s debatable whether 16th Street’s current liveliness could properly be called a resurgence, given the longevity of some of its best-known spots. Anchoring the corridor are the 110-year-old Roxie Theater and the 165-year-old Elixir, whose plaque claims it’s the “second oldest known operating Saloon location in San Francisco.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

It’s debatable whether 16th Street’s current liveliness could properly be called a resurgence, given the longevity of some of its best-known spots. Anchoring the corridor are the 110-year-old Roxie Theater and the 165-year-old Elixir, whose plaque claims it’s the “second oldest known operating Saloon location in San Francisco.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Not everything is sunshine, either. The beloved, L-shaped restaurant Sunflower Vietnamese closed for the second time, and piercing studio Body Manipulations recently relocated to Dogpatch. Wealth disparities are evident: There’s a single-resident occupancy hotel cheek-by-jowl with million-dollar listings, and a check-cashing place and an unsanctioned BART station sidewalk market in close proximity to upscale Thai restaurant Lers Ros and world-renowned cocktail bar ABV.&nbsp;

Not everything is sunshine, either. The beloved, L-shaped restaurant Sunflower Vietnamese closed for the second time, and piercing studio Body Manipulations recently relocated to Dogpatch. Wealth disparities are evident: There’s a single-resident occupancy hotel cheek-by-jowl with million-dollar listings, and a check-cashing place and an unsanctioned BART station sidewalk market in close proximity to upscale Thai restaurant Lers Ros and world-renowned cocktail bar ABV.&nbsp;

Fresh blood is still fresh blood though, and optimism can be contagious. People have been snidely observing for decades that the Mission isn’t as cool as it used to be, but scruffy 16th Street suddenly feels defiant—magical, even. This is San Francisco as the people who love it most want it to be.&nbsp;

Fresh blood is still fresh blood though, and optimism can be contagious. People have been snidely observing for decades that the Mission isn’t as cool as it used to be, but scruffy 16th Street suddenly feels defiant—magical, even. This is San Francisco as the people who love it most want it to be.&nbsp;

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-nightlife-revival">A Nightlife Revival</h2>

The only endeavor more quixotic than opening a bookstore in the early 2020s is opening a lesbian bar, but that’s what Malia Spanyol did a few months ago with Mother Bar, a long and mostly purple venue that took over the corner space that was most recently Bond Bar.

The only endeavor more quixotic than opening a bookstore in the early 2020s is opening a lesbian bar, but that’s what Malia Spanyol did a few months ago with Mother Bar, a long and mostly purple venue that took over the corner space that was most recently Bond Bar.

“It’s been great! I went out on a limb and did this, and it turned out that I’m not alone,” said Spanyol, referring to the need for a hangout for women who love women. “I was told the new generation didn’t need it as much as I needed it, and it feels good to be able to have space for everyone.”&nbsp;

“It’s been great! I went out on a limb and did this, and it turned out that I’m not alone,” said Spanyol, referring to the need for a hangout for women who love women. “I was told the new generation didn’t need it as much as I needed it, and it feels good to be able to have space for everyone.”&nbsp;

Before Bond Bar, the space had been Esta Noche, a delightfully raucous gay bar with a mostly Latino clientele that closed almost 10 years ago. Its enormous wooden back bar remains intact, a comforting reminder to anyone who still misses Esta Noche’s uniquely gonzo vibe.

Before Bond Bar, the space had been Esta Noche, a delightfully raucous gay bar with a mostly Latino clientele that closed almost 10 years ago. Its enormous wooden back bar remains intact, a comforting reminder to anyone who still misses Esta Noche’s uniquely gonzo vibe.

Patrons hang out during happy hour at Mother’s Bar along 16th Street in San Francisco on Wednesday, May, 3, 2023. | Justin Katigbak for The Standard

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/INLINED2_16thStreetIsBack_05052023.jpg" alt="This SF Microhood Feels Like the City at Its Best—and It’s Led by Women " class="wp-image-157351"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Patrons hang out during happy hour at Mother Bar along 16th Street on Wednesday. | Justin Katigbak for The Standard</figcaption></figure>

“It’s got good energy, and it’s a great history,” said Spanyol, who also owns the Potrero Hill live-music venue Thee Parkside. “That space was gay! It was so gay! And it provided a place for the Latinx community back when they needed it. We have so many people that come in that used to be regulars at Esta Noche, and it’s nice to bring that space back.”

“It’s got good energy, and it’s a great history,” said Spanyol, who also owns the Potrero Hill live-music venue Thee Parkside. “That space was gay! It was so gay! And it provided a place for the Latinx community back when they needed it. We have so many people that come in that used to be regulars at Esta Noche, and it’s nice to bring that space back.”

The Mission—Valencia Street, in particular—used to have a much stronger lesbian presence. Comics like Marga Gomez got their start at the long-gone club Valencia Rose, while the Japanese-style, women-only bathhouse Osento did a thriving business for years. The biggest missing piece is the Lexington Club, perhaps second only to The Stud in terms of vanished queer bars that people continue to lament. Spanyol, a Mission resident for a quarter-century, remembers them all.

The Mission—Valencia Street, in particular—used to have a much stronger lesbian presence. Comics like Marga Gomez got their start at the long-gone club Valencia Rose, while the Japanese-style, women-only bathhouse Osento did a thriving business for years. The biggest missing piece is the Lexington Club, perhaps second only to The Stud in terms of vanished queer bars that people continue to lament. Spanyol, a Mission resident for a quarter-century, remembers them all.

“Hopefully, the Mission can go back to being a little queer,” she said.

“Hopefully, the Mission can go back to being a little queer,” she said.

In the strictest sense, the cash-only Mother Bar isn’t a lesbian bar. Like nearby Jolene’s, it’s probably better described as a femme-forward queer space. Spanyol is aware of the evolving terminology and the way even casual descriptors can inadvertently become exclusive. She’s open to whatever the future brings, starting with a rotating cocktail list.

In the strictest sense, the cash-only Mother Bar isn’t a lesbian bar. Like nearby Jolene’s, it’s probably better described as a femme-forward queer space. Spanyol is aware of the evolving terminology and the way even casual descriptors can inadvertently become exclusive. She’s open to whatever the future brings, starting with a rotating cocktail list.

A composite image of the exterior of Mother Bar, left, and customers at Piccaro Cafe Tapas Restaurant, right, both along 16th Street in San Francisco. | Justin Katigbak for The Standard

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1227" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/INLINED3_16thStreetIsBack_05052023-2500x1227.jpg" alt="This SF Microhood Feels Like the City at Its Best—and It’s Led by Women " class="wp-image-157354"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A composite image shows the exterior of Mother Bar, left, and customers at Picaro Cafe Tapas Restaurant, right, both along 16th Street. | Justin Katigbak for The Standard</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/INLINED3_16thStreetIsBack_05052023-2500x1227.jpg" alt="This SF Microhood Feels Like the City at Its Best—and It’s Led by Women " class="wp-image-157354"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A composite image shows the exterior of Mother Bar, left, and customers at Picaro Cafe Tapas Restaurant, right, both along 16th Street. | Justin Katigbak for The Standard</figcaption></figure>

“All good bars evolve,” she said. “I think that’s necessary to find the bar’s character, and you can create something a little bit. The rest of it has to happen organically.”

“All good bars evolve,” she said. “I think that’s necessary to find the bar’s character, and you can create something a little bit. The rest of it has to happen organically.”

Across the street, the decades-old punk dive Kilowatt is under new ownership as a trio of nightlife vets recently bought it from longtime owner Peter Athanas. Its famously lax approach to indoor smoking seems to have faded away, but it’s still a place to shoot pool or watch a Warriors game—or, increasingly, to see live music.

Across the street, the decades-old punk dive Kilowatt is under new ownership as a trio of nightlife vets recently bought it from longtime owner Peter Athanas. Its famously lax approach to indoor smoking seems to have faded away, but it’s still a place to shoot pool or watch a Warriors game—or, increasingly, to see live music.

Co-owner Katie Rose is acutely conscious of her bar’s legacy of if-you-saw-them-you-legit-get-to-brag-forever performances by the Murder City Devils and the Oblivians. She came to Kilowatt by way of Bottom of the Hill, a venue she had read about before moving to San Francisco—eventually talking her way into a job there.&nbsp;

Co-owner Katie Rose is acutely conscious of her bar’s legacy of if-you-saw-them-you-legit-get-to-brag-forever performances by the Murder City Devils and the Oblivians. She came to Kilowatt by way of Bottom of the Hill, a venue she had read about before moving to San Francisco—eventually talking her way into a job there.&nbsp;

“Bottom of the Hill is owned by three women, and I wanted that badass energy,” Rose said, attributing the decision to buy the bar to their mentorship. “Not only the inspiration, the encouragement and guts to go for it came from them. It’s been in my blood.”

“Bottom of the Hill is owned by three women, and I wanted that badass energy,” Rose said, attributing the decision to buy the bar to their mentorship. “Not only the inspiration, the encouragement and guts to go for it came from them. It’s been in my blood.”

Kilowatt and other business along 16th Street between Mission and Guerrero have seen more foot traffic and customers than other areas of San Francisco on Wednesday, May, 3, 2023.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/INLINED4_16thStreetIsBack_05052023.jpg" alt="This SF Microhood Feels Like the City at Its Best—and It’s Led by Women " class="wp-image-157357"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kilowatt, a longtime punk bar, recently came under new ownership. | Justin Katigbak for The Standard</figcaption></figure>

Along with Casanova and the 500 Club, Kilowatt is part of what’s occasionally called the “Bar-muda Triangle.” Rose and her team brought in a historian who explained the history of the building, which dates back to the 1850s, which renewed her feeling of being a caretaker for something that may outlive all its current patrons. Other, more personal histories are popping up as well.

Along with Casanova and the 500 Club, Kilowatt is part of what’s occasionally called the “Bar-muda Triangle.” Rose and her team brought in a historian who explained the history of the building, which dates back to the 1850s, which renewed her feeling of being a caretaker for something that may outlive all its current patrons. Other, more personal histories are popping up as well.

“Do you know how many times I hear people say, ‘This is where I had my first beer, underage’?” she asked. “I’m like, ‘Uh, that was before we came here.’”

“Do you know how many times I hear people say, ‘This is where I had my first beer, underage’?” she asked. “I’m like, ‘Uh, that was before we came here.’”

They wanted to fix SF government. Then Elon Musk came calling

This SF microhood feels like the city at its best—and it’s led by women

A bike lane moved, and this San Francisco neighborhood erupted

Opinion: Forget the haters. I love San Francisco despite its flaws.

Is AI good or evil? Bay Area museums want you to decide

Search Results for: doom loop

They wanted to fix SF government. Then Elon Musk came calling

This SF microhood feels like the city at its best—and it’s led by women

A bike lane moved, and this San Francisco neighborhood erupted

Opinion: Forget the haters. I love San Francisco despite its flaws.

Is AI good or evil? Bay Area museums want you to decide