Performing Arts Venue — Theater
Alliance Française de San Francisco
Theater Rental Policy & Fee Schedule
1345 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
1. Venue Overview
The Alliance Française de San Francisco (AFSF) performing arts venue seats 74 guests and is available for evening rentals by independent artists, nonprofit organizations, and private event organizers. All rentals are subject to the terms outlined in this policy.
The venue is configured for seated events and is suitable for the following event types: presentations, conferences (with or without slideshow), and movie screenings. Concerts and theater productions may also be hosted at the venue; however, these require a separate agreement and are subject to additional terms and conditions. Please contact AFSF to discuss availability and applicable fees for these formats.
2. Rental Schedule
The standard rental block is as follows:
| Setup | 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm (renter access begins at 5:00 pm) |
| Event | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm |
| Venue Clearance | Room must be fully vacated by 9:00 pm |
Any overrun beyond 9:00 pm will be billed at $150 per additional half hour. This rate reflects the continued presence of the event host, whose overtime compensation and payroll overhead apply for the full duration of any overrun.
3. Fee Schedule
All fees are quoted per evening rental. Staffing is a separate fixed cost applied to all rentals.
| Renter Type | Base Evening Rate | Catering & Beverages (renter-provided) | Staffing | Total | Total w/ Catering & Beverages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Artists | $700 | + $150 | $290 | $990 | $1,140 |
| Nonprofits | $800 | + $150 | $290 | $1,090 | $1,240 |
| Private Events | $1,250 | + $200 | $290 | $1,540 | $1,740 |
Catering & Beverages surcharge (renter-provided): a flat surcharge applies when the renter plans to serve food and/or beverages on the premises, to cover additional cleaning and post-event reset.
Nonprofits must provide proof of nonprofit status (IRS determination letter or equivalent documentation) at the time of booking to qualify for the nonprofit rate. Rentals booked without valid proof of status will be invoiced at the private event rate.
A refundable security deposit of $300 is required for all rentals, payable at the time of booking confirmation.
4. Staffing
A mandatory staffing fee of $290 applies to all evening rentals. This fee covers the overtime compensation for two AFSF staff members required for every event, including a 22% payroll overhead to account for employer taxes, California UI/ETT/SDI, and workers' compensation.
Front Desk Person: stationed at the building entrance to welcome and check in guests from 5:00 pm through 7:30 pm, after which the entrance is no longer staffed.
Event Host: an AFSF representative present throughout the event to oversee venue operations, ensure compliance with this policy, and remain on site until the building is fully secured. The event host is responsible for closing the building at 9:15 pm.
5. Movie Screenings
Renters wishing to host a movie screening must comply with the following requirements:
The film file must be provided in MP4 format.
The file must be submitted to AFSF staff at least 5 business days prior to the event date for technical testing and compatibility verification.
AFSF reserves the right to decline screening of files that fail technical testing or that do not meet format requirements.
The renter is solely responsible for securing all necessary public screening licenses and rights clearances prior to the event.
6. General Conditions
Full payment of all applicable fees is due no later than 10 days prior to the event date. Dates will not be held and the rental will not be considered confirmed until payment is received in full.
All payments are non-refundable. Cancellations for any reason, including by the renter, will not give rise to any refund of fees paid.
The security deposit will be returned within 10 business days following the event, provided no damage or policy violations are identified.
AFSF staff reserve the right to end an event early if terms of this policy are not observed.
Rentals must be confirmed in writing and a signed rental agreement returned to AFSF prior to the event date. The rental is not confirmed until full payment has been received.
Renters are responsible for the conduct of their guests throughout the rental period.
7. Daytime Rentals
The theater is also available for daytime rental on weekdays (Monday to Friday) and Saturdays, subject to AFSF operational schedules. No additional staffing fee applies to daytime rentals as AFSF staff are already on site during opening hours.
Daytime Availability (regular business days and hours)
| Monday to Friday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Saturday | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm |
Daytime Fee Schedule
Staffing is included at no additional charge during this . All other add-on fees and policies (catering surcharge, alcohol service, movie screening requirements, payment and cancellation terms) apply as set out in this policy.
| Renter Type | Daytime Base Rate | Catering & Beverages (renter-provided) | Total w/ Catering & Beverages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Artists | $450 | + $150 | $600 |
| Nonprofits | $550 | + $150 | $700 |
| Private Events | $800 | + $200 | $1,000 |
Saturday 1-5pm, Sunday 9-5 and holidays additional Fee Schedule
Front desk staffing is mandatory and charged at $60 per hour.
All other add-on fees and policies (catering surcharge, alcohol service, movie screening requirements, payment and cancellation terms)
apply as set out in this policy.
Alcohol service and AFSF event host are not available.
Theater Rental Request
Complete the form below to request a rental of the AFSF theater at 1345 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA 94109. The AFSF team will review your request and confirm availability and next steps by email. Date requests are not a guarantee of availability.
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