San Francisco Landmark Red's Place Closes Its Doors

The historic Chinatown bar is shuttering after serving customers for more than six decades.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Openings & Closings

A weathered historic storefront in San Francisco Chinatown with a rolled-up metal security gate, reflecting the closure of a long-standing business. — San Francisco's historic Chinatown bar Red's Place is closing permanently after sixty years of operation, marking the end of a local landmark. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Red's Place, a storied San Francisco bar, is officially closing its doors. Owner Jerry Chan confirmed the closure of the establishment, which has operated since 1963.

Why it matters

The closure marks the end of a long-standing local institution that functioned as a fixture in the San Francisco Chinatown community for generations. It leaves behind a site with a rich history dating back to the late 1800s.

Located at 672 Jackson St, the business was purchased by Herman and Lisa Chan in 1990. The site previously housed a barber shop, a cigar store, and a saloon during the late 1800s.

The players

Jerry Chan

He is the current owner of Red's Place who confirmed the closure of the long-running establishment.

Herman and Lisa Chan

They are the individuals who purchased the historic bar in 1990.

The details

Jerry Chan announced the decision to close the bar through a video posted to Instagram. The unique property features basement-level teller booths that remain from the building's past life as a site for gambling operations.

The site first hosted businesses like a saloon and cigar shop in the late 1800s.
Red's Place originally opened its doors in 1963.
Herman and Lisa Chan purchased the business in 1990.
Jerry Chan posted a video announcement regarding the closure on October 20, 2026.

Market Landscape

The loss of Red's Place highlights the ongoing trend of legacy business closures in San Francisco's Chinatown. This transition reflects a broader shift in the city's commercial environment as historic institutions face new economic realities.

Longtime patrons and local residents will lose a historic community meeting spot as the business ceases operations. The closure removes a landmark from the Jackson Street corridor, altering the local retail experience in the neighborhood.

The takeaway

Legacy establishments often preserve a unique architectural and cultural history that defines a neighborhood's character. Residents looking to support similar local history should prioritize visiting historic businesses while they remain operational.