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Ember Cafe applies for beer and wine license at former Revolution Cafe space

Ember Cafe applies for beer and wine license at former Revolution Cafe space

Built World San Francisco, CA local

New cafe registers with city, seeks state license for corner vacant for six years

Today: Ember Cafe beer and wine license application appears on state list

Overview

Updated 2 hours ago

Ember Cafe, a new business at the former Revolution Cafe space at 22nd and Bartlett streets, registered with San Francisco on Aug. 1 and has applied for a beer and wine license from the state. The corner has sat quiet since Revolution Cafe closed six years ago.

The license application, type 41 for on-sale beer and wine at an eating place, is pending with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The record shows the application but not whether the cafe has opened or when the license might be issued.

Why it matters

A new cafe with beer and wine could revive a Mission District corner empty since Revolution Cafe closed in 2020.

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Key Indicators

Pending
Beer and wine license status
Type 41 application with California ABC, not yet issued
6 years
Vacancy at 22nd and Bartlett
Corner empty since Revolution Cafe closed in 2020

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

2020 October 2026

4 events Latest: Today
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. Ember Cafe beer and wine license application appears on state list

    Today Regulatory

    California ABC lists Ember Cafe's type 41 license application as applied for, not yet issued.

  2. Ember Cafe LLC registers with San Francisco

    Registration

    Ember Cafe LLC registers with the city, listing Ajay Vellayapan as agent.

  3. Vellayapan posts about opening a cafe at 20th and Mission

    Announcement

    Ajay Vellayapan announces plans on X to open a cafe at 20th and Mission, seeking investors.

  4. Revolution Cafe closes at 3248 22nd St.

    Closure

    Revolution Cafe closed its doors at the corner of 22nd and Bartlett, ending years of concerts and cafe culture.

Scenarios

1

Ember Cafe opens with beer and wine service

Likely Resolves by Jun 1, 2027

Discussed by: Mission Local

The California ABC approves Ember Cafe's type 41 license and the cafe opens at 3248 22nd St., serving coffee, food, beer, and wine. The corner of 22nd and Bartlett gets its first active business since Revolution Cafe closed.

2

Ember Cafe opens without beer and wine

Possible Resolves by Jun 1, 2027

Discussed by: Mission Local

The cafe opens serving coffee and food, but the beer and wine license is delayed or withdrawn. The cafe operates without alcohol service while the license is pending.

3

Ember Cafe project falls through

Unlikely Resolves by Jun 1, 2027

Discussed by: Mission Local

The cafe does not open at 3248 22nd St. The license application is withdrawn or expires, and the space remains vacant.

Historical Context

One moment from history that rhymes with this story — and how it unfolded.

2020

Revolution Cafe closes (2020)

Revolution Cafe closed its doors at 3248 22nd St. in 2020, ending years of concerts, comedy shows, and lively cafe culture at the corner of 22nd and Bartlett. The space has sat empty since.

Then

The corner went quiet, with the storefront vacant and a 'For lease' sign in the window.

Now

The space remained empty for six years, a visible gap in the Mission District's commercial corridor.

Why this matters now

Ember Cafe is moving into the exact space Revolution Cafe vacated, with a similar vision of community programming, beer, and wine.

Sources

(5)

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