Clubs like the iconic Forbidden City drew crowds from every background, offering vibrant evenings that became a legendary chapter in our city’s history. Those heading to World War II sought a final night out in Chinatown, making it one of San Francisco’s premier nightlife destinations. But by the late 1970s, as the Vietnam War ended, and the unfortunate event of the Golden Dragon mass shooting, cast a shadow over our vibrant community, and nightlife steadily started to quiet it down. With law enforcement tightened around the gangs, and a change in zoning restrictions. Chinatown entertainment venues dwindled, and the Chinatown music scene became quieter, but restaurants were still open until 3 a.m. and were fairly stable for years.
Decades later, sales tax reports were showing signs of extreme decline in our “busy” summer tourism season. We needed to reclaim the spirit of Chinatown that we had before. We faced economic hardship even before Covid arrived. It became clear I believed, and lobbied that Chinatown had to offer more than back scratchers and woks that are available on Amazon — we needed entertainment experiences people hadn’t seen in Chinatown for 45 years.
Reopening The Lion’s Den was an uphill battle, taking two years of groundwork, two years of navigating zoning and licensing challenges, and significant effort to operate in the midst of a global pandemic. Labor shortages hit hard, public safety was an issue, with little foot traffic, many local mom-and-pop businesses were struggling to survive, or closing as their children chose not to carry on their family businesses. Yet, despite these hurdles, small business and community leaders persevered, determined to honor the rich cultural legacy of Chinatown nightlife and breathe new life into our community by thinking outside the norm.
Today, The Lion’s Den merges nostalgia with contemporary flair — walls adorned with historic photos from the Forbidden City’s golden era, live performances by talented Asian American artists, and an atmosphere that’s part nightclub, part museum, and entirely modern Chinatown. The patrons are vibrant and diverse. The ideological concept is working, the younger generation has chosen to rediscover Chinatown as a safe and hip nighttime destination once again.
Chinatown’s local economy relies heavily on dedicated workers, many of whom are immigrants or children of longtime Chinatown business owners.
One of the immediate ripple effects of The Lion’s Den opening has been encouraging Chinatown businesses to inch closer to extend their hours. Historically, our neighborhood was famous for late-night eateries — a tradition that we all hope will return. Yet many local restaurants remain hesitant, not only facing the labor shortages, many are still scared to work late. These generational shifts realistically complicates efforts of staying open late night again.
Chinatown’s local economy relies heavily on dedicated workers, many of whom are immigrants or children of longtime Chinatown business owners. With older generations retiring, their children, often educated and pursuing careers elsewhere, aren’t stepping into family businesses. This generational gap has made staffing increasingly difficult, compounded by rising food and supply costs, rent, and increased insurance cost. Talented labor is hard to find and very expensive. Getting good people to commit long-term is nerve-racking and a challenge.
Community sensitivities and infrastructure present a complex hurdle. While younger patrons stay late into the night, older residents typically retire earlier or fear going out after dark. Balancing nightlife excitement with respect for longtime residents means carefully managing noise, scheduling earlier music sets, and fostering open communication. Chinatown’s historic infrastructure further complicates accessibility improvements, requiring collaborative efforts with city officials and community organizations.
Yet, despite these barriers, the potential for sustainable nightlife in Chinatown remains significant. Lion’s Den, and other places like Mister Jius, Empress by Boom, and China Live serve as models that attract a new generation of customers — modern, inclusive, culturally authentic, and safe. We envision a neighborhood bustling until the early morning hours, echoing the vibrancy of the 1960s and ’70s once again. To achieve this vision, we’ll need more than one-off grants for those who want to stay open after 9 p.m. We need grants or low-interest loans to support the extra payroll and marketing efforts, sustained tax relief incentives, and strategic partnerships are essential.
Our community-first model has already sparked interest from other neighborhoods in San Francisco. However, each district faces unique challenges — parking, residential concerns, and regulatory hurdles — which require tailored solutions. The Lion’s Den demonstrates that with thoughtful planning, nightlife can flourish without compromising community values.
The impact has been powerful. Chinatown’s reputation is gradually shifting from “quiet and scary after dark” to “alive and thriving.” People now linger, and explore restaurants, bars, and shops well into the night. Small businesses are seeing renewed potential, and the younger community is reclaiming spaces their parents and grandparents once loved. I personally wish more restaurants would stay open past 9 p.m. A new generation of young small business entrepreneurs are needed. It may not be what their parents want, but you don’t have to be a lawyer of doctor to be successful.
Our work is far from finished. The true test of Chinatown’s nightlife revival lies ahead. Sustaining this momentum requires community support, continued economic investment, bringing new concepts and experiences to Chinatown will help overcome ongoing challenges.
Moving forward, I urge city officials, local businesses, and community members to continue to rally together. The narrative of “San Francisco is dangerous” cannot persist and must instead be replaced by experiences demonstrating that Chinatown — and San Francisco broadly — can be vibrant, safe, and inclusive well after sundown.
The Lion’s Den has shown that nightlife with purpose can rejuvenate a community both fun, safe, and sustainable. Together, we can build on this success, ensuring Chinatown thrives for generations to come. It was done before in the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. It can be done again today. The future of Chinatowns and our city depend on it.