Bay Area/ San Francisco
Published on December 05, 2013
Big Changes Planned For Cafe Du NordFlickr/Thomas Hawk
Cafe Du Nord at 2170 Market Street will be getting some new ownership and a remodel in the months ahead -- but other details about its future are still TBD.

Here's what we know.

A couple of weeks ago, we learned that Dylan MacNiven (who runs West of Pecos on Valencia and Woodhouse Fish Co. at Market and 14th) and Enrique Landa (co-creator of Cordarounds, which later evolved into the clothing company Betabrand), had applied to take over the liquor license at Cafe du Nord. At the time, MacNiven told us there wasn't much information to share -- and that's still true. But yesterday he provided some updates.

The building, which also houses the Swedish American Hall, will close for some renovations costing more than $700,000 -- primarily the installation of an elevator and ADA-compliant bathrooms to bring the 107-year-old building up to modern code. It's an upgrade "that the landlords are driving," MacNiven told us, and will require the venue to shut down for an undetermined length of time.

But it will return, and will remain a music venue.

"Once it reopens it will be better than ever. [The] stage is staying right where it is."

As SFWeekly noted yesterday, the club's calendar has events listed through January and includes one show each in February and March as well. So the exact timing of the construction is unclear.

Regarding the new ownership, MacNiven said that many decisions have yet to be made.

"The scope of changes with regards to [current owner Guy Carson's] continued involvement, current staff and level of booking are all predicated on the renovation which as I mentioned is an ongoing decision process."

Also yet to be announced are whether the name will remain the same, and what MacNiven and Landa have planned for the food and drink program.

Needless to say, we'll update if and when we find out more.