San Francisco - Alison Bing [150]
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GET ON THE LIST
Most clubs charge $10 to $20 at the door – a lot of money to spend, especially if you walk in and determine you don’t like the place. You can often get around this by logging onto the club’s site and signing up for the guest list, usually indicated by an RSVP or VIP link. If it’s not immediately clear, send the club an email. When this works, it cuts admission to about $5, but you may have to arrive before 11pm.
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1015 FOLSOM Map
415-431-1200; www.1015.com; 1015 Folsom St; admission $10-20; 8pm-4am Fri, to 7am Sat; 27
One of the city’s biggest clubs, ‘Ten-Fifteen’ has been eclipsed by Temple and Ruby Skye, but still draws huge crowds, primarily Asian. Its main hall is enormous, and four other dance floors mean you’ll lose your posse if you’re not paying attention. If you’re a sound purist, 1015’s basement has one of the best systems in the city. Be prepared for a pat-down before you enter; there’s a serious no-drugs (or weapons) policy after some problems with the SFPD. Free before 10:15pm.
CAT CLUB Map
415-703-8965; www.catclubsf.com; 1190 Folsom St; admission $5 after 10pm; 9pm-3am Tue & Thu-Sat; 12, 19, F, J; & Civic Center
The Cat Club’s long-running Thursday-night dance party, 1984, packs the place every week for New Wave and ’80s pop. Two grungy, sweaty rooms fill with a crowd that dances hard to one-hit wonders. Other nights rotate and vary from goth to lesbian; check the calendar.
CLUB SIX Map
415-863-1221, 415-531-6593; www.clubsix1.com; 60 6th St; admission $5-15; 9pm-2am Thu, to 4am Fri & Sat; & Civic Center
Bi-level Club Six defines casual cool, with lumpy sofas and worn hardwood floors. Weekly parties delve into hip-hop, house, world and dancehall reggae, drawing a mixed crowd with an up-for-anything attitude. Hang in the street level lounge or dive into the thick of it on the basement dance floor.
DNA LOUNGE Map
415-626-1409; www.dnalounge.com; 375 11th St; admission $5-25; 9pm-late Fri & Sat, other nights vary; 12, 47, F, J
One of SF’s last mega clubs hosts live bands and big-name DJs. Two floors of late-night dance action are just seedy enough to be interesting. As of this writing, the state’s alcohol-licensing bureau was trying to close DNA for being ‘injurious to the public welfare and morals’ – the very reason we like it. Second-and-fourth Saturdays are Bootie, the kick-ass original mashup party (now franchised worldwide); Monday’s 18-and-over night is goth. Check the website for events.
ENDUP Map
415-646-0999; www.theendup.com; 401 6th St; admission $5-20; 10pm-4am Mon-Thu, 11pm-11am Fri (into Sat), 10pm Sat to 10pm Sun; 12, 27, 47
Anyone left on the streets of San Francisco after 2am on weekends is subject to the magnetic force of the EndUp’s marathon dance sessions. It’s the only club with a 24-hour license and remains best known for its Sunday tea dances, in full force since 1973, though the club has branched out with reggae and other changing parties (check the web). You’re not a local till you’ve seen sunrise at the EndUp. Expect lots of gnashing teeth and saucer-sized eyeballs by night’s end.
MEZZANINE Map
415-625-8880; www.mezzaninesf.com; 444 Jessie St; admission $10-40; call for details; 5, 26
With possibly the best sound system in SF, behemoth Mezzanine hosts electro-funk disco, house, hip-hop, classic alt bands like the Psychedelic Furs and electronic shows by the likes of Wyclef Jean, to keep you dancing all night inside its awesome brick-walled former-industrial space. Check the calendar.
MIGHTY
Map
415-626-7001; www.mighty119.com; 119 Utah St; admission $10-20; 10pm-4am Fri, Sat & occasional weeknights; 9
In a former warehouse sequestered in a no-man’s land between SoMa, the Mission and Potrero Hill, Mighty packs a no-bullshit wallop with