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, will open next week.
Bruno’s will have a soft opening on Sep. 12 with DJ REZA and DJ Ibarra, and will continue to 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 more than 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 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 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.
The newly reopened 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.
“I’m excited. I can’t wait. I think the neighborhood wants this place going again.”
Live music would be a plus. Bruno’s was renowned for the music that was performed there and the musicians that performed it. The City’s musicians need a good venue with fair pay and solid working conditions, and the public needs good places to hear them.
Totally agree with Eric that live music would be a plus for musicians and us, the guests. Enjoyed great music and dinner at Bruno’s many times. Will they be serving food or drinks only? With DJ’s, will it be a dance place?
Re “live music”, the Baobob Lounge suffered various problems with offering live music in that residential area because of noise and nuisance issues, and has since closed.
A lower profile suits the area better.
Although it was quite a while ago, there was a lot of concern in North Beach about how the new owners would treat the beloved O’Reilly’s, which is now Chief Sullivan’s. They did a great job of turning the decrepit dump into a clean, welcoming place while keeping the charm and warm vibe of the original, and it’s an underappreciated gem.
Likewise, the Owl Tree is a great place, to get a good, strong drink, with a classic Nob Hill feel, devoid of postmodern steel and glass. No wonder it’s almost always very busy.
This portends well; best of luck.
Yes, to live music. Sure having a great vibe and DJ’s is cool, but live music makes for memories that last and help create a scene that’s truly unique to that place and time. SF had such a vibrant live music scene that Bruno’s (and the up and down club) was a big part of for a good run a few decades ago. I hope they’ll build on that reputation and bring in the next generation of musicians, while still honoring the elders who are still here. Eddie Marshall’s RIP , band comes to mind as a model of older mentor and youth creating together. It’s how the music DJ’s mine came into existence and deserves to be given a respectful platform like the stage at Bruno’s.