The Valencia Room

The Valencia Room Opens in the Mission’s Former Elbo Room Space | Eater SF

"Stepping into the newly opened replacement for the Elbo Room, I found a community-driven neighborhood bar that’s very much a work in progress: the Valencia Room now sports a new neon sign by Oakland specialist Jim Rizzo, the downstairs bar is open, and the upstairs space will debut with a “pop-open” party on Saturday, May 25. Owners Sylvia Holden and Davin Che (brought in by buyer Steve Schefsky) emphasize gradual development and feedback rather than instant perfection. They focused on restoration over renovation—upgrading the crumbling bar and avoided bathrooms while keeping beloved fixtures like the pinball machines and church-pew booth seating—then added intricate magazine-collage wall treatments and Studio 54–style upstairs seating sourced from neighbor Harrington Galleries. The venue is testing a Void Acoustics sound system for DJ-led nights (Unusual Suspects will lead the opening with sets from DJs including DJ Sol, DJ Seven, Miguel Alvarado and others); festivities start at 6 p.m. downstairs and 9 p.m. upstairs with a $10 upstairs cover beginning at 10 p.m. Drink offerings include 10 draft taps and several wines by the glass, and bartender Leo Gutierrez is turning out cocktails like the nonchalant (tequila, lavender bitters, grapefruit, ginger beer with an Aperol float) and a vegan “egg white” Stargarita—while still positioning the place as a neighborhood bar where you can get a craft cocktail or just a shot and a beer (a PBR and Old Grand-Dad runs $7)." - Caleb Pershan