West SoMa Gets a New Outdoor Hangout

San Francisco’s South of Market (SoMa) area has just added an outdoor spot where people can legally drink and enjoy the street vibe. The move aims to lift foot traffic, boost local bars, and keep the neighborhood lively on weekends.

The concept of “entertainment zones” lets licensed bars offer take‑out drinks that patrons can sip outside, but only during specific hours. San Francisco already hosts more than a dozen such zones; this one is the newest addition to West SoMa.

The zone sits on Folsom Street, an alley steeped in LGBTQ+ history and part of the city’s Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District. The boundaries run from Howard Street to Seventh Street, cutting across major highways that once made the area a hidden corner.

Supervisor Matt Dorsey and Mayor Daniel Lurie rolled out the zone with support from local community groups. “West SoMa has a proud past that still shapes our city’s culture,” Dorsey said. “This space pays tribute to that legacy while giving people a new place to meet, celebrate, and enjoy the neighborhood’s venues.”

It became active earlier this month, with sidewalk activities running from 11 a.m. to midnight on Thursdays through Sundays. During big events—like the Folsom Street Fair, Bearrison Street Fair, and an upcoming block party—the zone can expand to accommodate more crowds.

Twelve bars already participate, including Audio Nightclub, Butter, BuzzWorks, Cat Club, Oasis, and the Stud. Any eligible bar can join by proving customers are over 21 and using non‑metal, non‑glass containers for to‑go drinks.

Owners say the new setup will create a relaxed outdoor atmosphere that lets guests from different venues mingle easily. “The zone turns the street into a comfortable place for people to gather,” one bar owner commented.

Mayor Lurie added that the initiative will bring more visitors into the Folsom Street corridor, benefiting residents and supporting local businesses.