Report Finds San Francisco's Nightlife A $4.2 Billion Industry
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - A newly-released report found that San Francisco's nightlife generates $4.2 billion in sales annually, contributing $55 million in tax revenues for the city.
The report ordered by Supervisor Scott Wiener studied restaurants, bars, nightclubs, art galleries and live theater.
"I want to stress that these numbers are conservative and low. It doesn't really fully take into account the significant multiplier effect when these businesses, we know, are spending money at other small businesses," Wiener said.
KCBS' Mark Seelig Reports:
The report calculates that restaurants, bars and nightclubs employ 48,000, and improve the quality of life for workers and neighbors who might not patronize a particular night spot.
"They are providing health care. They are paying taxes. They are activating our streets at night and improving public safety by having more activity on our streets," Wiener said.
Nightclub owners welcomed the positive news, seizing on the report's release to criticize media coverage of late night weekend shootings they said unfairly tarnish an entire industry's reputation.
"Something like this has been a long time coming in San Francisco," said Sean Manchester, owner of the Potrero Hill nightclub Mighty.
Manchester hoped the report would provide city officials with hard data to change how different parts of the city are patrolled after dark and protect a vital, underappreciated industry.
"Maybe this will help promote city resources at night," he said.
(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
