Central to the plan is SB 395, a bill introduced by State Sen. Scott Weiner and backed by the mayor, that would amend an 80-year-old state law that ties available full-service liquor licenses to population by county, effectively capping their numbers.

A new proposal to help downtown San Francisco flourish would increase the number of drinking establishments by creating a special district.

San Francisco leaders are hoping more restaurants and bars in the city's struggling tourist areas will help lead downtown's recovery. Driving the news: Sen. Scott Wiener on Tuesday announced legislation that would create 20 new "low-cost" liquor licenses for hospitality zones in downtown SF around areas like the Moscone Center,