{"id":126988,"date":"2026-01-09T19:33:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T19:33:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/126988\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T19:33:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T19:33:12","slug":"a-new-strip-club-a-museum-expansion-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/126988\/","title":{"rendered":"A new strip club, a museum expansion and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cTenderloin Buzz\u201d will be a recurring update on changes, tidbits and other news from the Tenderloin. Got news? Send us tips at tips@missionlocal.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"TheClub 895 is planning to open at the site of the historic O\u2019Farrell Theatre. Photo by Eleni Balakrishnan.<\/p>\n

A new strip club is coming to the former site of the notoriously raunchy but beloved O\u2019Farrell Theatre<\/a>, now under the name Club 895. The venue\u2019s liquor license transfer was approved by the Board of Supervisors this week.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to a letter from the club\u2019s consultant David Villa-Lobos to city officials, the club, located at 895 O\u2019Farrell St., will have a stage for live performances ranging from drag to standup, and a stage for karaoke, plus food and a full bar. Villa-Lobos described Club 895 as a \u201cmulti-million dollar business project intended to be the city\u2019s premier entertainment venue.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"GreenSgt. John Macaulay Park in the Tenderloin. Photo by Eleni Balakrishnan.<\/p>\n

Jan. 10 is District 5\u2019s neighborhood beautification day, and volunteers are invited to come out and help clean and plant through the Tenderloin with the Department of Public Works. Afterwards, volunteers will be served lunch \u2014\u00a0we hear the meal will be from newly opened Falafelland, which we reported<\/a> about in the last Tenderloin Buzz. Get more information and sign up here<\/a> to get involved.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"StreetThe Tenderloin Museum is temporarily closed amid an expansion. Photo by Eleni Balakrishnan.<\/p>\n

The Tenderloin Museum is closed for construction on its planned expansion \u2014\u00a0it\u2019s tripling in size! \u2014 until Jan. 15, and is on track to open its new 6,850 sq. ft. space this year. Most programs will continue off-site during their monthlong closure.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When the museum reopens on Jan. 16, it will also resume performances of The Compton\u2019s Cafeteria Riot, a play inspired by the 1966 uprising at a Tenderloin diner that became a pivotal moment in trans history. The immersive shows are held every Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., over breakfast at a recreated Compton\u2019s Cafeteria dubbed Larkin Street Cafe, at 835 Larkin St. Get tickets here<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"AA violation notice at the now closed Empire Relaxation Spa. Photo by Eleni Balakrishnan.<\/p>\n

The city this week reached a settlement with the owner of now closed Empire Relaxation Spa, which was illegally operating a brothel at 428 O\u2019Farrell St., according to City Attorney David Chiu. He announced<\/a> on Tuesday that the spa\u2019s owner, Ricky Lee, is set to pay $200,000 and is banned from running or working at a massage or other \u201cpersonal services\u201d business for 10 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"StorefrontAlma\u2019s Smokeshop. Photo by Eleni Balakrishnan.<\/p>\n

Many corner stores in the Tenderloin began closing their doors at midnight after a curfew was implemented in 2024 to curb nighttime loitering and crime. While store owners said the curfew was unfairly applied \u2014\u00a0liquor stores are exempt and drew crowds just the same \u2014 police said it was successful<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This week, Supervisor Bilal Mahmood teamed up with District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey to expand the curfew to parts of SoMa affected by \u201cdrug-driven lawlessness.\u201d The legislation would also extend the pilot program that was set to expire in July.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe success of the late-night curfew pilot in the Tenderloin over the past year and a half has improved safety for residents, small businesses, and street conditions, and it\u2019s time to expand those benefits in the Tenderloin and SoMa,\u201d said Mahmood in a statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"AnRisa Fairbanks Pedzewick rubbed her fingers into red pastels, blending an image of paper lanterns in the window of Mini Mart gallery on Aug. 7, 2025. Photo by Jessica Blough. <\/p>\n

Stay tuned on the First Thursday Art Walk page<\/a> for updates on what to expect at the second-ever \u201cSecond Wednesday\u201d event, coming up next week on Jan. 14.\u00a0<\/p>\n