As SF Loses The Stud, Lawmakers Push to Fight Nightlife Extinction

The Stud, San Francisco’s oldest operating gay bar, is permanently closing its current SoMa location after 33 years.

Anyone who's frequented The Stud's cozy location at Ninth and Harrison streets knows it’s not just a venue — it’s a resilient community space and a second home for many. During its 55-year existence in San Francisco, it has survived the AIDS epidemic, two tech booms and a tripled rent hike.

But with the coronavirus pandemic, the 17-member collective that owns the bar faced what co-owner Marke Bieschke called a "desperate situation" faced by many small bars in the city that aren't getting a suspension or any breaks on rent.

Across California, commercial tenants like The Stud are facing the unprecedented challenge of continuing to pay rent even though their businesses have to operate at severely limited capacity or have been forced to shutter altogether. Even as the state moves toward easing restrictions, the reality is that it’ll be a long time before many businesses can reopen at full capacity.

Enter state Senate Bill 939, proposed legislation introduced in February by state Sens. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, and Lena Gonzalez, D-Long Beach, who amended it last week with the aim of helping struggling businesses like The Stud by allowing commercial tenants to use their current income as a basis for negotiating reduced rent with their landlords.

Under the bill, businesses like bars and restaurants could renegotiate their lease if they've lost over 40% of their revenue due to COVID-19 restrictions — and if they have to operate at reduced capacity because of social distancing requirements.

Read the full story from KQED's Audrey Garces here.