Gentrification Can’t Even Afford Capitalism
You didn’t simply go to Thee Parkside, the well-known dive bar watering hole, to just go see a show or grab a drink; you go here because it is a place of community.
Movie nights, queer comedy nights, trivia nights, and dog course nights filled with music of local and touring bands. Nights of every flavor bringing people together, and do we need this more than ever because of the changes in the world right now, trying to tear away anything that brings joy to our spirits. Sadly, Thee Parkside will soon be talked about in the past tense, a reality no one wants to accept.
The sun sets only a few more times until San Francisco’s top local punk hang, venue, and staple of 17 years is swallowed by gentrification.
Recently announced that July 5 will be their last day, it feels like a good friend’s funeral, whether you were a regular or a first timer, you felt the love that Thee Parkside had to offer.
Rumors started to whirl about whether the building’s owner had sold the beloved dive bar to developers, which no one supported.
And why? Money? Boredom? Need? Greed? No one may actually obtain or care for the reasoning behind the choice because the truth, regardless, is that another beloved community hang is being demolished by the swallow of “bettering the city” according to capitalists. Hey billionaires, how are condos better for the city? According to the San Francisco Chronicle, “the vacancy rate for professionally managed apartment buildings was approximately 3.8% in September 2025, indicating a tightening market compared to 2024.” Or in other words, less than 2 years ago, the vacancies could not keep up with the rental rates, but opportunist assholes don’t seem to care. They have this interesting confidence that they’ll be able to make money anywhere and any way.
Parkside’s staff made sure to share their opinion about the loss of the venue by stating the obvious in big spray-painted letters, ‘THIS WILL BE CONDOS YOU CAN’T AFFORD!’ within the patio walls. The social media video went viral, shirts were made for purchase, and everyone went to Thee Parkside to see the protest for themselves, showcasing how everyone felt about the end of an era of destroying the quirky, punk San Francisco that we all know and love. Of course, many of us bought shirts during the final punk show on a warm spring night.
Photography by — Maria Chaos
Politically charged, Malinformats of the East Bay opened, showcasing their new slogan (separate from the band), ‘Cancel Piedmont’; but it needs to be known. Next, Primitive Heads, fronted by favored frontman, Johnny "Peebucks" Bonnel of Swingin’ Utters, and the night closed out with headlining local favorites, Dead To Me, beloved by many of us, myself included, watched Dead To Me from the very back because it was so packed. I felt like I had inhaled strangers’ sweat steam. It was awesome.
Photography by — Maria Chaos
Maybe you’re new to the scene in the City or Bay Area in general, but it does not take long to see how well-loved this place is by its regulars, and how quick they are to welcome more folx in. People walking in, hugging, commenting on how long it has or has not been since they saw one another. It’s a modern-day Cheers tucked away in the Potrero Hill neighborhood.
Regardless of how long you have been friends with Thee Parkside, this stings to see another well-taken care of venue and dive bar be taken from us, but especially stings for those who feel as though they are losing a family. Core memories had been made at this establishment other last almost two decades ago.
Friendships had been made, couples asked if they would marry them at its front door, loves, losses, celebrations, any type of human emotion was felt within the walls of this not-so-hidden San Francisco gem.
The loss of this bar is a prime example of what we are fearful of as a nation, losing the beauty in our beloved cities that others view as trash.
Is the Bay Area losing hope? Losing to capitalists? The 1% versus the 99% have been at odds for decades. I think many of us have many questions for capitalists, mainly, where did their souls go? Their souls seem to be as dead as the sign Thee Parkside uses to let customers know the kitchen is on break or closed.
Another question many of us have for capitalists is when will you realize that when you continue to increase prices for everything, we will eventually not be able to give you any more of our money, and then your system will crumble too. Fuck you is what us little people are saying.
What do we say to these gentrifiers?
Fuck you.
And I am sure we would all say it again, and to the gentrifiers, sorry, we’re dead, because now we can’t afford anything, not that we could before.
The merch store is not just cats anymore. But don’t worry—we still have cats.
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