An ambitious plan to open a new Castro bar & restaurant in the former Harvey's (500 Castro Street) space, along with an adjacent space, has been scrapped.
Two years ago, Hoodline broke the news that managers from Castro nightclub Beaux would open restaurant/nightclub Pink Swallow (previously called Brut) in the vacant space.
Now, Beaux's general manager Joshua Cook tells Hoodline they have decided to step away from the project.
Cook planned to open Pink Swallow with bar manager Alexis Lucero and assistant manager Matthew Mello. They were joined by two financial investors: realtor Marco Carvajal and Beaux bartender Garrett Beighton.
Plans to open Pink Swallow at 500 Castro St. have been scrapped. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
"After over two years of hard work and efforts by our team and the building owners, we were not able to bring the vision of Pink Swallow to fruition," explained Cook.
While one project has ended, Cook was excited to announce that Lucero, Mello, and himself are now managing partners of Beaux alongside longtime owners Tim Eicher and Jeff Eubanks.
Originally, Pink Swallow was set to open in July 2024, but those plans were pushed back multiple times. The project received Planning Commission approval in January 2024 but never moved beyond that point.
Pink Swallow planned to expand the bar into the former Puff 'n Stuff space at 504 Castro Street, which triggered the conditional use permit requirement.
500 Castro Street remains vacant and for lease. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
A liquor license transfer from October 2024 remained pending and was never finalized. Over the past few months, several California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control spokespeople declined to comment on the transfer status.
Rumors began swirling earlier this year that the project had been canceled, with ballooning construction costs being partly to blame. Public records indicate construction costs were estimated at $893,000.
Now Cook says, "Both parties decided mutually and amicably to end the efforts back in January to bring the project to a close."
"We are excited to see what great tenants the space brings to the neighborhood and wish them success," Cook adds.
Joshua J. Cook (left), Alexis Lucero (center), and Matthew Mello (right). | Photo courtesy of Joshua J. Cook
An active listing for the vacant space was posted two months ago. Property manager Misha Langley did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Rent for the approximately 840 square-foot space is $5,845/month.
Cook says their attorneys are currently working on ending the liquor license transfer. "It takes a while," said Cook.
"We are really happy about it," said Cook. "We are excited to focus all of our experience and energy into Beaux, the place that we've all been a part of since its opening." Beaux opened in the former Trigger space back in 2013.
Beaux at 2344 Market St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Cook explained that they have purchased shares from Rob Giljum and Rob Cotterman. Giljum and Cotterman still co-own The Edge and Midnight Sun alongside Eicher and Eubanks.
"We were elated to be presented the opportunity to buy half of Beaux back in May, as our previous owners were looking to retire from Beaux.
The Elephant Walk operated from 1974-1996. | Photo: Max Kirkeberg/SFSU
The restaurant and bar space at 500 Castro Street was previously home to The Elephant Walk in the '70s and '80s. According to SF Gay History, the Elephant Walk was nearly destroyed by a fire in 1988. When Elephant Walk's lease expired in 1995, building owner Paul Langley declined to renew it and instead opened Harvey's in 1996.
Langley named the restaurant in honor of the late district supervisor and human rights leader Harvey Milk. Langley also owns LGBTQ+ leather bar Powerhouse in SoMa.
