Longtime Chinatown Bar Red's Place to Close

The historic establishment, which has operated since 1963, will shutter its doors after over six decades in business.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Openings & Closings

A detailed close-up of a weathered, historic brick doorway and ironwork detail on an older commercial building in an urban setting. — Red's Place, a longtime fixture of San Francisco's Chinatown since 1963, is closing its doors at 672 Jackson St. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local communities prioritize the preservation of long-standing businesses over urban redevelopment?

Red’s Place, a longtime Chinatown bar at 672 Jackson St, is closing its doors. The business has been a neighborhood fixture since opening in 1963.

Why it matters

The closure marks the end of a multi-generational business operation that spanned over six decades of ownership changes and neighborhood shifts.

The bar opened in 1963 and has operated under the current ownership since 1990. The closure concludes a tenure that began after the business was purchased by Herman and Lisa Chan.

The players

Jerry Chan

Owner of Red's Place who confirmed the closure of the family business.

Herman and Lisa Chan

Previous owners who acquired the establishment in 1990.

The details

Located in a building with a history dating back to the late 1800s, the space originally housed a barber shop, a cigar store, and a saloon. The bar’s interior features unique architectural artifacts, including teller booths from historical gambling operations located in the building’s basement.

Late 1800s: The building housed a barber shop, a cigar store, and a saloon.
1963: Red's Place opened.
1990: Herman and Lisa Chan bought the bar.
October 20, 2026: Jerry Chan posted the closure announcement on Instagram.

Market Landscape

The shuttering of Red’s Place follows a pattern observed in the closure of historic Chinatown establishments. This development mirrors the broader challenges faced by long-standing local operators in preserving legacy businesses within changing urban environments.

Owners of multi-generational businesses should note the loss of legacy footprint within the neighborhood. Evaluate lease and property history for unique features that may impact future commercial transitions.

The takeaway

The closure highlights the operational difficulty of maintaining a physical legacy business in a shifting district. Operators should monitor neighborhood turnover patterns to understand the viability of long-tenured site locations.