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Jet Bar Wins Approval from Planning
Commission to Expand into Adjacent Space
Merchant community unanimous in support for expansion
Jet bartenders Luis Gutierrez (left) and Masayoki Kwak (right) appear eager for the challenge of
having more shots and pints to pour once the bar
expands into the space currently occupied by the Renner Gallery.
By Jaime San Felippo
Greg Bronstein, owner of Flavors You Crave and the Bar on Castro, was approved on June 26 for a conditional use permit to expand his bar, Jet, into the neighboring storefront. Jet is located at 2348 Market St., between 16th and 17th streets.
According to Elizabeth Watty, a San Francisco Planner that worked on his application, Bronstein wants to take the operation and expand into the adjacent commercial tenant space while revamping both storefronts.
Bronstein also wants to add more bathrooms while upgrading the current lavatory as well as remodel the club and add space for a DJ.
“There will be a recessed patio area dedicated to smokers,” said Watty. “There won’t be any amplified sound in this area and there won’t be smokers on the sidewalk anymore, so this is a big part of his plan.”
Bronstein attended the June 5 meeting of the Merchants of Upper Market and Castro (MUMC) to explain his plan and to ask for approval and support. He told the group that with these improvements he will be able to make the club bigger as well as provide more seating, proper storage and a bigger dance floor. He noted Jet would be “soundproof and self-contained.”
Bronstein has been an entrepreneur in the Castro for ten years, owning several bars and restaurants in the area and employing about 125 people.
“All my time and money and heart and soul is in this neighborhood,” Bronstein told the MUMC meeting attendees. “I’m not just coming in and out.”
MUMC voted unanimously to approve Bronstein’s proposal.
Jet has been open for a year and a half and Bronstein has held the lease to the neighboring space since 2002. Often he has rented out the space on a monthly basis to art galleries and donated it to politicians such as State Senator Mark Leno and Supervisor Bevan Dufty.
Castro At Night
At the same meeting, Bronstein introduced Castro At Night, a proposed sub-committee of MUMC, consisting of bar and club owners. The group would have three main goals: find better ways to police themselves, promote nightlife in the Castro and protect their rights.
Bronstein suggested the group could start a nighttime valet parking service and a phone tree that would allow bar owners to inform each other about unruly patrons.
This was also unanimously approved.
“I love the idea,” said Steve Adams, President of MUMC. “It will help the bars protect themselves better as well as make peace with the neighbors. I think it’s a good thing.”
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