While kids were trick or treating on Halloween night, some in San Francisco partied adult style at the “Nightmare on Front Street”, the last event held in the city’s first designated ‘entertainment zone’.
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California Senate Bill 76, which became law in January, allows cities and counties to permit the consumption of alcoholic beverages on public streets, sidewalks or public rights-of-way during special events. The Front St. Entertainment Zone is part of the city’s efforts to bring visitors and businesses to downtown San Francisco and transform its image.
People danced, drank and showed off their creative costumes at the Halloween block party. Diana came as the classic Coke can, which was just part of her McDonald’s meal.
“We have Remy who is the hamburger, and Honey who is the Big Mac,” she said. “She’s a little older, that’s why she’s the Big Mac.”
Dogs stole the show as Brixton pottered around while the flower pup and even dog Jesus made an appearance. Then there was Thing 1, Thing 2 and the Cat in the Hat.
The trio wore these costumes to work and are giving this event rave reviews.
“I absolutely enjoyed it,” said the Cat in the Hat. “Glad to see more events in San Francisco that are clean and fun for everyone.”
“San Francisco is really known for its quirkiness and people just doing what they want,” said Thing 2. “I mean, look at us, we get to wear our costumes and feel very comfortable and accepted.”
Mayor London Breed attended the event. She has helped bring countless events like this to San Francisco, helping not only neighborhood businesses, but the entire city. Breed says the city is collecting data from all events over the past year to see how much money is actually being poured into the local economy.
“When Diplo made his first run, this famous DJ with a huge following, so many people came from all over the world, including Germany,” Breed said. “They stayed in our hotel rooms, they ate in our restaurants, they stayed in San Francisco. It has a huge economic impact and we’ll be able to look at that data and determine what that is.”
Companies like Schroeder say every event helps.
“Let’s just say it doesn’t get crazy, it gives us more exposure,” says Che Walton of Schroeder’s. “It gives all the bars more exposure. People can see what we have to offer.”
Compared to Oktoberfest held earlier this month, Walton says this event has more of a block party feel. Adults of all ages come together for an incredibly fun evening.
“It also allows people to realize that you can come with everything that’s going on in society, you can come and have a good time and share space with people you might not otherwise even talk to,” he said.
