SAN FRANCISCO — Summer is in full swing and businesses and residents are taking advantage of the warm weather.
One of the hottest spots in San Francisco is El Techo, the only rooftop bar in the Mission District. Vincent Chooi, the manager, expects a busy day.
“Right now, our dining room fills up quickly, as you can see from the view of the L-shaped corner of Mission and 23rd,” Chooi said. “That’s where the cocktail area is where people come for drinks and small bites.”
El Techo offers a stunning panoramic view of San Francisco, making it a favorite for many. One of the regulars is Janeth Flores, a hairdresser from Santa Clara, who decided to escape the South Bay heat wave and spend the day with friends in the city.
“I decided to take a couple days off, you know, between last weekend and the holidays to treat myself a little bit,” Flores said. “I came to the city to get away from the heat. It’s 103 degrees right now where I live, and it’s like 80 degrees here, so that’s nice.”
For businesses like El Techo, the warm weather is a much-needed boost. After weathering the pandemic, they’re seeing an uptick in customers eager to enjoy the first heatwave of the season.
“We’re expecting a very busy day,” Chooi said. “We knew Fourth of July was going to be busy, and we also know a lot of people like to stay local, and those are the people we’re trying to serve.”
Chooi and Chef Juan Torres are taking this opportunity to host a special 4th of July party.
“We open at 1pm until 9:30pm tomorrow. We have an amazing DJ Olga who will be playing her set from 3pm to 6pm,” said Chooi.
“It’s fun to incorporate the Latin flavor. Of course, it’s an American holiday, but as immigrants here, we respect that and add our own little flair to it. So we’re going to do some citrus-marinated pork ribs and a little bit of beans and rice,” Torres added.
For Flores this is also a great opportunity to celebrate Independence Day and at the same time take a break from the hot days.
“I think we’re breaking records again. Last year we had really hot heat waves, so it’s hard to stay cool for those of us who don’t have air conditioning,” she said.
As the summer heat continues, El Techo and other local businesses in the Mission District are ready to welcome the crowds, offering a perfect mix of great food, great views, and festive festivities.
