Pink is dead -- long live Pink. The dance spot last owned by house DJ Franky Boissy once lured well-heeled clubbers past the ragged hookers and rock-slingers of 16th and Mission, into the supposed sketch zone. And Boissy and company brought in house music names like Louie Vega, Vikter Duplaix, DJ Spinna, and Dimitri From Paris, as well as locals like David Harness. Pink, alas, bit the big one not long ago, another recession-era casualty.

Behold the lovely, newly remodeled bar/club in its place: Som. It's utterly dead on a weekday night, apart from a few hipster 'hood dwellers caressing their glasses - but what an awesome spot to bring a friend for a quiet cocktail. Gone is the somewhat forbidding windowless facade - Som sports an modern industrial-chic makeover, with lots of brick, concrete, and dark wood. Leather banquettes look onto a walnut-topped bar. A glass brick wall and caged patio hint at the entertainments within.

I'm looking forward to returning and settling in for a set by, say, Apollo and Shortkut of Triple Threat (and turntablism legends Invisibl Skratch Piklz) and Hakobo of Fresco (Dec. 5), or Carlos Mena of Yoruba Dance Sessions. Braza picks up the beat on Fridays with a range of Brazilian sounds, both native and imported. The beat goes on. 

Braza with DJ Jeremiah and percussionist Jose Rivera is every first Friday. The Foundation with DJs Hakobo, Apollo, Shortkut and Mr. E happens Saturday, Dec. 5, at Som, 2925 16th St., SF. (415) 431-8889.