Hello,

Orson’s Belly is a one-of-a-kind neighborhood bar. It is one of those rare places where you can go in the day or in the evening to work or meet with friends or to get to meet your neighbors, newcomers and long-time residents alike. It is one of very few options for families to have a relaxing time for coffee, drinks or a light meal. It has fancy options and less fancy ones.

Even if we forget about the owners’ friendliness, their unique menu, and their elaborate vermouth selection, there is nothing like it for blocks, perhaps even miles. And where else would you want to watch the Oscars?

Residents of the Richmond’s only alternative nighttime venues for blocks—dozens of blocks on Balboa!—are either restaurants or dive bars. Nothing compares to the neighborly warmth and inclusive simplicity of Orson’s Belly.

It’s hard to imagine who would want to limit—rather than encourage—Orson’s Belly’s business: someone who’d rather increase Starbucks's patronage? Someone whose next target is the oh-so-precious yet somewhat noisy bus 31? Someone who is foolishly willing to bet that the next business will be as quiet and family-friendly?

This isn’t a hard one for Grow the Richmond. In this instance we’re not asking you to grow the Richmond beyond what many in the neighborhood would be comfortable with. We’re telling you that whoever doesn’t support this friendly neighborhood venue, whoever doesn’t wish we’d make it easier for this welcoming, relaxing, family-friendly venue to stay in business is someone whose anger is misplaced.

We hope you will move quickly to support the business's desire to add more products to their already wonderful line-up and support longer hours so even more neighbors can enjoy this neighborhood gem

Thank you