Permit for Russian Bear Postponed
Entertainment Commission delays issuance due to ongoing investigations

By Charles Talkoff

The SF Entertainment Commission ordered a continuance in May regarding the status of a permit for live entertainment at the Russian Bear Restaurant. The restaurant has been at the center of a controversy lately because hip-hop concerts have been held there, causing problems for some merchants and residents in the area.

The Russian Bear, located on Clement Street between 10th and 11th avenues, has been operating without a permit for live entertainment.

The hearing drew a crowd of several dozen, speaking mostly against the Russian Bear receiving a permit. Those who spoke in favor of the restaurant were mostly older Russian immigrants. Several spoke through an interpreter and insisted that the restaurant is a necessary cornerstone of their community. Many older Russians say they attend get-togethers at the restaurant, where they listen to music from the WWII-era.

In response to noise complaints from neighbors, the older patrons of the restaurant expressed disbelief.

"How much noise do you think a man my age can make?" said one of the restaurant's supporters, drawing laughter from the audience and commission members.

But, the restaurant's neighbors were not amused. One after another, they spoke to the commission about how large crowds, numbering in the hundreds, crowd Clement Street, making noise, shouting, fighting, threatening people on the street, racing their cars side by side up and down Clement and playing their car stereos at maximum levels as late as 3 a.m.

Ron Miguel, president of the Planning Association for the Richmond (PAR), spoke against the restaurant's permit, citing not only the noise and safety complaints but also what he called the owner's lack of compliance with the law.

"I would like to see a new owner; an honest and law abiding owner who respects the law and the neighborhood," Miguel said.

A small business owner, whose shop is near the restaurant, spoke on the condition of anonymity.

"It's a terrible situation," the merchant said. "We've had bottles filled with urine tossed into our mail slot and the street is trashed. Our neighbors tell us they don't feel safe and that there's nothing they can do."

Tran Sen, owner of the Golden Deer Restaurant, located across the street from the Russian Bear, says he's losing weekend business because of the crowds that gather on the weekends.

"My regular customers are staying away," he said. "I'm losing business because the people block the street and scare my customers. They tell me they don't want to come anymore because they're afraid of getting hurt."

Sen said the crowds get worse as the evening goes on, growing to more than 100, fighting, shouting and threatening people.

Eric Whitiker, attorney for the owner of the Russian Bear, asked for, and received, a continuance from the commission. He cited several extenuating factors, including the ill health of the owner, who he says, claims to have been threatened by some of her own customers.

"Running a bar is always a bigger thing then you expect," he said.

The commission granted an extension in-part because other city agencies, including the city attorney's office, are looking into operations at the Russian Bear.

Robert G. Davis, executive director of the SF Entertainment Commission, spoke about other concerns regarding the restaurant and the delicate need to strike a balance between the concerns of the neighborhood and the needs of small business owners.

"There are First Amendment issues here," he said. "We cannot get into the business of restricting the kinds of music people listen to, but we do have to regulate the way people run their business if they're providing live entertainment."

Whitiker echoed that sentiment, saying the commission does a good job of striking a balance between neighborhood quality of life and the needs of small business owners.

"In the alcohol business, it's easy to point fingers, but I appreciate the commission. You've got two distinct communities using the restaurant - the older Russian immigrants who are hardly disturbing the neighborhood and the hip-hop concert-going youth, who wants a chance to turn things around. The commission's job is tough and they're doing a darn good job."

Whitiker also said the police department is doing a good job.

"I've spoken with Chief of Police Heather Fong," Whitiker said, "and she understands the situation and knows it's a balancing act."

But the future of entertainment at the Russian Bear could be up to new owners because the current owner, Ilga Viner, has said she will close the restaurant.

"She made a hard decision and is going out of business," Whitiker said.