Six years after shuttering in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, Bruno’s, the onetime Italian restaurant and labor hangout turned nightclub, is having its soft opening on Sep. 12.
The club will have test run events each weekend in September with a potential grand opening the first weekend of October.
It’s been a long wait for a business that has occupied 2389 Mission St for over 60 years. In 2023, Mission Local reported that Bruno’s was set to reopen later that year. At the time, then owner George Karas said that he never expected the establishment to be closed that long, and that difficulties getting permits from the city had delayed the club’s reopening.
In February of 2024, after the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution recommending the state issue a new liquor license for Bruno’s, the San Francisco Standard reported that it could open as soon as March of that year.
“Bruno’s is a full-service ultra lounge and live entertainment venue in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District. Offering nightly DJ’s, am elevated cocktail program, and a vibrant nightlife experience alongside a robust private events program,” read a statement from the business.
“A beloved neighborhood institution reborn, Bruno’s blends its storied legacy with a renewed commitment to local talent, community partnership, and Mission Street revitalization.”
Bruno’s now has a new owner, Noelle Calixto, who also owns Campus, a bar in the Marina, the Owl Tree in Lower Nob Hill, and Chief Sullivan’s, an Irish pub in North Beach.
Bruno’s will still be a nightlife spot, said Bruno’s general manager, Travis Blain. But it is aiming for a hospitable, neighborhood vibe compared to many nightclubs. Bruno’s will have a focus on hiring local DJ’s, Blain said. Security will act like “hosts, not bouncers.” Front door staff will be “welcoming rather than standoffish.” The cocktails will actually taste good.
Guest experience is the first and most important thing,” said Blain.“I think a lot of venues treat people like they’re lucky to be there. I feel the opposite. I feel like we’re lucky to have you as a guest in my house.”
When asked why the club’s opening was delayed so long, Blain said he wasn’t sure. What he knew, he said, is that construction took a long time and that the owner didn’t want to rush anything.
“I’m excited. I can’t wait. I think the neighborhood wants this place going again.”
