Since then, the area has gotten much more respectable. And now there's new action in that space at 1437 Market, which most recently held a salon. According to a sign on the door, it could soon hold a restaurant (one of the few things it hasn't been, as far as we can tell): Greg Goldberg of Gas Lamp has a liquor-license hearing slated on August 3 for a place currently going by the name 10.
Across the street, the space at 1416 Market Street that had been Monarck for the last five years is being transformed into the Oak Tavern, with a private party slated for tomorrow night and a grand opening for the public on July 17. (Judging from the crew in there this morning, they'll be working around the clock to make it happen.)
Back in the late '70s, this same spot was a laidback hipster hangout. First person to name it gets a coffee cup that I've always meant to return to the owners.