Koko Cocktails Faces Certain Death; Plans Hi Lo Club

The California Pacific Medical Center's plan to build out the Cathedral Hill Hospital at the corner of Van Ness Ave. and Geary Blvd. already counts the former Cathedral Hill Hotel among its casualties. The advent of this $1.7 billion, 555-bed acute and women and children's care hospital and smaller medical office building across the street means many other businesses await extermination in the coming year, like Tenderloin neighborhood favorite KoKo Cocktails. Owners Chris Keith, Lori Martens and Justin Mulford knew the end was coming when they signed their lease three years ago, but the CPMC is expediting the settlement to get Koko to move out, possibly as soon as August. Koko hired a lawyer to help them get more out of the deal; and CPMC has agreed to pay for part of the build-out at their new space. This brings us to Hi Lo Club, a new bar coming together for a hopeful opening later this year at 1423 Polk Street, where Java Chez Moi currently sits.

The Planning Department hearing for the change of use at the address is slated for May 5. Meanwhile, the logo is being designed and designer Oliver Nish is waiting in the wings with a build-out comprising recycled materials, raw surfaces, and an "early, post-modern industrial feel." If all goes to plan, the team's high brow-meets-low brow medley of artisan cocktails and good well booze will be put in place at Hi Lo. Keith says there will also be 12 taps as opposed to the four they have now and 300 or so extra square feet to play with.

· All Previous Cathedral Hill Coverage [Curbed SF]
· All Previous Koko Cocktails Coverage [Curbed SF]