Some big news happening over in Polk Gulch: after rumblings for the past few years that the 1145 Polk Street block was going to be razed for new housing, it’s actually happening. The classic live music venue and bar HEMLOCK TAVERN has announced it has been sold and will close on October 6th (after their 17th anniversary party)—they will continue to feature live music and bands through September 30th. They state “15,000 local/national/international bands and music acts [have] performed over 5,000 shows in our back room since October 2001.” Man. You can read more in their Facebook post and this in-depth post on KQED that shares the ownership’s take on things. 1131 Polk St. at Post.
Just across the street, VERTIGO is in the process of being sold to Anzhelika (Angela) Voloshyna of Iron Horse, Topsy’s, and Playland. (I reached out to her for comments on her plans, but haven’t heard back.) This one is particularly nostalgic for me: I used to host a happy hour here with friends called Knees Up when the bar opened 15 years ago (where does the time go?!). So many fun memories with owners Kenny Meade and Derek Burke…Bora Bora Bombs forever! 1160 Polk St. at Post.
After six years of running as TRADITION, Future Bars has closed the bar to transform it into ZOMBIE VILLAGE (yes, yet another tiki bar is opening in SF). The name pays homage to the former Skipper Kent’s Zombie Village (in the ’60s, it was located where Kennedy’s Irish Pub and Curry House is now), and there was another location also in Oakland. Eater mentions it’s going to feature some interiors as dramatic as the name, stand by for more. 441 Jones St. at O’Farrell.
Just in case you’re looking for a place to grab a cocktail after a show at Minnesota Street Projects in Dogpatch, BESHARAM is now serving cocktails featuring Indian ingredients, from curry leaves to fenugreek. (The new $59 family-style feast also looks amazing, btw.) 1275 Minnesota St. at 24th St., 415-580-7662.
