Starbucks has backpedaled on plans to offer wine and beer at some San Francisco locations. The alcoholic offerings were originally part of “Starbucks Evenings,” an effort to boost nighttime visits for the coffee chain through wine, beer and small plate sales.
According to local news, Starbucks withdrew beer and wine license applications for three San Francisco units because it didn’t want to deter sales for existing restaurant locations.
In a city with a saturated liquor license market, the San Francisco Police Department and city’s Board of Supervisors were against Starbucks adding booze to the menu. The Police Department worried it would encourage other chains to add the beverage category, according to the San Francisco Gate.
“We will continue to thoughtfully assess the opportunity to expand the menu in the future while working [in] partnership with the city,” Starbucks spokeswoman Linda Mills said in an email.
Alcohol is offered at more than 300 Starbucks locations in the U.S., including Seattle, Chicago, Los Angeles and two other California locations.
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