​It’s rare to hear news of an old San Francisco establishment that doesn’t end in “evicted over a rent dispute” or “replaced by a Starbucks.” While ongoing development of the city is a mark of vitality and should be welcome (well, maybe except for Starbucks), it’s distressing to note the regularity with which bits of San Francisco’s history vanish without fanfare, often supplanted by  chain businesses, luxury condos, or doomed ventures in the latest short-winded culinary, hobbyist, or fashion crazes.

So it was heartening to hear of celebratory events related to the continuance, rather than demise, of a favorite city institution. Specs’ Twelve Adler Museum, one point of the Columbus Avenue triangle of historic bars including Tosca’s and Vesuvio, enjoyed two rounds of festivities last week. (continue reading)