I finally got a chance to check out Valencia Live!, a monthly block party on Valencia Street that occurs every second Thursday. I attended the event on June 11th, but there is another one tomorrow, July 9th. When I arrived, I didn’t set out with a particular itinerary. I just walked the blocks and stopped by whatever drew me in.
I got there early, and started the evening at Etcetera Wine Bar on 19th and Valencia. I sat at my own table, had a glass of rosé, and enjoyed some gypsy jazz for a bit. This area was a bit more chill.
Twango SF at Etcetera Wine Bar, Photo: FoglineSF
Down the street at 18th and Valencia was the live music stage by Carnaval SF. The energy was more upbeat here with lots of drumming and dancing throughout the evening.
Batuki on the 18th Street live music stage at Valencia Live! Photo: FoglineSF
One of the best things about the location is that it is an Entertainment Zone, so it’s easy to buy drinks from the businesses nearby while enjoying the music and walking around. Since the stage was right by Dumpling Story, I took advantage of the dumplings and beer combo.
Baos at Dumpling Story, Photo: FoglineSF
Many of the neighborhood restaurants had tables outside and offered small dishes for purchase. I liked how you could sample food from many of the restaurants without a full sit down experience. Within a couple of blocks I was able to eat onigiri, tacos, karaage, dumplings, and curry.
Karaage at Taikshoken, Photo: FoglineSF
While Valencia Live! occurs between specific blocks (Valencia between 16th and 19th), I thought it was important to step outside of this area and support other businesses outside of the event. When walking past 20th I noticed this performer standing on top of a fire hydrant across from Dog Eared Books playing the violin. He goes by @levitationviolin on Instagram:
Levitation Violin, photo: FoglineSF
After admiring his violin skills for a bit, I walked further down to 22nd to have one last whiskey at the Latin American Club, since its future is a bit uncertain.
Latin American Club, Photo: FoglineSF
While I started the event alone, later in the evening I got a text from the dude I met at Porchfest, who sent me a picture saying I should check out Valencia Live! sometime. I texted back that I was already there, and we met up. We grabbed a couple of margaritas at Puerto Alegre and caught up for a bit. As night time arrived, the salsa dancing in the street intensified.
Blondie’s and Puerto Alegre serving up drinks outside, photo: FoglineSF
The streets get packed as the evening progresses
Later we decided to stop by The Drawing Room, which was packed with people shopping for arts and crafts. One of the more striking pieces in the back was called the Forbidden Quilt. Quoting from the website:
The Forbidden Words Quilt Project, led by Trisha Hickey and Lorraine Woodruff-Long, is an international community quilt project launched in August 2025 and completed in Spring 2026 with contributions from 195 quilters and makers from all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and 5 additional countries. The quilt features 384 words and phrases as identified by PENAmerica.org that are among the growing list of words and phrases being scrubbed from government websites and documents and flagged for review by federal agencies.
The Drawing Room, photo: FoglineSF
Forbidden Quilt, photo: FoglineSF
Art by Ginger Slonaker at The Drawing Room, photo: FoglineSF
I ended the night a bit tipsy and took a walk around the neighborhood. A group of skaters flew down the hill past me, and I caught the next bus home. The next Valencia Live! is tomorrow, July 9. If you can’t make that one, future events are scheduled for August 13, September 10, and October 8.
