San Francisco has always been one of the top cities for dancing, clubbing, and an overall nightlife scene. But where are the best of the best? Here are the best nightclubs in San Francisco where you can be sure you’ll have a great and memorable night.
You don’t have to just love one genre of music to have fun at Bootie SF, held weekly at DNA Lounge. On Mashup Nights, the venue’s main level floor plays an assortment of mashups, and the second level has an EDM room, a hip-hop room, and a third, miscellaneous room. Full bars are sprinkled throughout the entire venue, and it’s usually not too hard to get a drink, so don’t worry about missing your favorite dance while waiting at the bar. Just before midnight, catch the infamous Midnight Mashup Show, featuring drag and burlesque performers as well as singers, aerialists, and dance troupes.
Club Gossip is held once a month (second Saturdays) at the beloved Cat Club and centers itself around New Wave, synth-pop, and ’80s music as well as occasional tribute nights, like for Madonna or Joan Jett. Two separate rooms and dance floors play their own take on the genre or tribute artist of the night. Occasionally there’s even vendor booth selling things like jewelry and gifts.
AsiaSF is the perfect spot for dinner and dancing. Upstairs is dining with delicious food and entertainment, where dancers not only perform on and off the bar but take orders, too! Their shows are scheduled, so make sure to reserve seating for dinner. Afterward, head downstairs to the nightclub, where the in-house DJ typically plays some popular get-up-and-dance music. This is one of the top spots for an authentic San Francisco nightlife experience.
Monroe, located in the heart of beautiful North Beach, is a self-proclaimed 1920s flapper era-inspired bar and lounge. The nightclub features a 3,000-sq-ft venue and outdoor patio (also making it perfect for corporate and private events), and its extravagant décor consists of chandeliers, antique mirrors, and beautifully colored booths. DJs typically play music from throughout the decades, but Monroe also hosts epic Happy Hours and themed nights like Silent Clubbing.
OMG! has been said to be the hidden gem of San Francisco, as the clubbing experience here takes on a mind of its own. Dance under a mesmerizing audio-visual dome ceiling, a visual experience that is nothing less than awesome. Drinks are crafted by resident mixologists who really know what they’re doing, all while providing great customer service. OMG! is also open for private events, corporate events, and fundraisers.
F8 Nightclub and Bar isn’t just a place to dance and grab a drink—it also celebrates the food, art, and musical roots of the historical South of Market district in San Francisco: Happy Hour features a a weekly rotating food menu, and local artists showcase their talent at art shows, and only the best of the best DJs come to spin on the venue’s custom-made sound system. (Check out Housepitality Wednesdays and Stamina Sundays.)
There three-level Mr. Smith’s isn’t the rowdiest of nightclubs, but it’s the service and staff that really make it a must-visit spot. Super-friendly bartenders craft great drinks, and the DJ normally starts up around 10 p.m., mainly with old-school hip-hop.
