The San Francisco Athletic Club, a beloved sports bar mainstay in Lower Pacific Heights, is set to serve its final drinks this Sunday, marking the end of an eleven-year era. This popular establishment will soon embark on a new chapter, transitioning under new ownership and adopting a new identity as TimeOut Tavern, while steadfastly retaining its core sports bar essence. The acquisition by Michael Najjar, a seasoned restaurateur known for his Fish & Farm venture, signals a strategic shift in the city’s vibrant hospitality landscape and an important development for Bay Area nightlife.
For over a decade, the 28-screen venue at 1750 Divisadero Street has been more than just a bar; it has been a communal gathering point for San Francisco sports bar enthusiasts, witnessing countless triumphs and heartbreaks. Co-owner Ezra Berman reminisced about the bar’s significant run, recalling four Warriors championships alongside two 49ers Super Bowl losses, underscoring its deep integration into the fabric of local sports history and fan culture. This transition marks both a conclusion to a well-established chapter and an anticipated fresh start for the iconic locale.
The decision to sell the SF Athletic Club comes amid a particularly challenging period for San Francisco’s restaurant and bar sector, where numerous establishments have succumbed to declining foot traffic, escalating operational costs, and evolving consumer preferences. Berman and his partner Miles Palliser, experienced operators with other successful ventures, have firsthand knowledge of industry volatility. They previously managed a cocktail and oyster bar that flourished from 2015 until the pandemic-induced downturn led to its closure in 2017, highlighting the persistent difficulties of the local restaurant industry San Francisco.
Michael Najjar, the incoming owner of TimeOut Tavern, brings his own extensive experience with San Francisco’s demanding restaurant environment. His Financial District establishment, Fish & Farm, has operated since 2010, emphasizing locally-sourced ingredients. However, Najjar has also navigated the sector’s harsh realities, including the permanent closure of his Green Bar location in Embarcadero Center, which failed to rebound post-pandemic, illustrating the profound and lasting impact of recent economic shifts on urban dining.
Reflecting on Fish & Farm’s current performance, Michael Najjar candidly admitted, “We’re still not back to pre-COVID levels. We’re doing OK. The San Francisco Financial District still hasn’t gotten back to what it was. I don’t know if it will anytime soon.” His previous venture, Green Bar, after a brief reopening, permanently ceased operations in March 2020, as the realization set in that the business environment would not return to its former state. These experiences underscore the calculated risk and potential reward inherent in his latest acquisition of the SF Athletic Club.
Despite the prevailing challenges in the restaurant industry San Francisco, Najjar perceives a significant opportunity in acquiring the San Francisco Athletic Club. A lifelong sports fan, he wasn’t actively seeking a sports bar but recognized the immense appeal and strategic advantage of the location, situated outside the struggling Financial District core. His initial plans for TimeOut Tavern involve modest changes, focusing on adjusting menu items rather than undertaking major renovations immediately, aiming to first understand and cater to the existing community and its preferences, with larger changes considered only after the football season concludes.
This transition aligns with a broader trend of San Francisco sports bar ownership changes across the city. Earlier this year, the historic Final Final sports bar in Cow Hollow also changed hands, with its new owners similarly pledging to preserve the venue’s character while implementing selective improvements. Concurrently, the city’s sports bar landscape is evolving with new additions, including a significant establishment near the Chase Center slated for early 2025 and another planning to open in the Castro this spring, signaling sustained demand for sports viewing venues amidst ongoing operational pressures within Bay Area nightlife.
For the loyal community of the San Francisco Athletic Club, continuity remains a paramount concern. Both former partners, Berman and Palliser, have expressed confidence in Michael Najjar’s commitment to maintaining the sports bar concept, with Palliser noting, “Mike loves the concept. He’s changing the name, but he hopes to serve the existing community.” Sunday marks the final opportunity for regulars to experience the venue in its original form, as the transition from the iconic SF Athletic Club to TimeOut Tavern signifies both an end and a hopeful, new beginning for this cherished Lower Pacific Heights gathering place.
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