Nightlife Guide 2015: Where to Dance in San Francisco

Nightlife Guide 2015: Where to Dance in San Francisco

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To sweat the night away the PG-13 way, head to one of these major dance clubs in San Francisco. From underground DJs to Top 40 pop, they've got just what you need to show off your sweet moves. 

With one of the most sophisticated sound systems in the Bay Area, Audio is an amazing upstairs club with plenty of room to dance, frequent guest DJs, a 1600 LED wall that visualizes the music, and access to the downstairs bar, Bergerac, where you can grab some food in case all your dancing has worked up an appetite. // 316 - 11th Street (SoMa), audiosf.com

DNA Lounge

Multiple levels and lounges reside within this 5,000-square-foot institution. The space is put to good use for wildly varied DJ dance parties, live music shows, and burlesque performances. It's most popular night, Bootie, featuring music mashups, is practically a religious institution. Go pray. // 375 - 11th Street (SoMa), dnalounge.com

The Grand

The Grand (in the former Orson space) goes big for those who’d rather not go home: The bilevel megaclub provides multiple dance floors, posh VIP table seating with generous vantage points, and a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. Strobe flashes and cryogenics aim to simulate the razzle-dazzle of Vegas. Better suited to the bridge-and-tunnel crowd looking to throw down serious cash. // 520 Fourth Street (SoMa), grandnightclub.com

Harlot

If you can get past the doorman (he's more selective than most in this town), you can sip a delicious cocktail and settle into a dark corner at this velvet-curtained hideaway with a decadent, arty vibe. The dance floor is always crowded, and the upstairs VIP seating area is the best place to observe it all. Look for Giants and 49ers among the beautiful crowd. //  Minna (SoMa), harlotsf.com

Hawthorn

The subterranean club off Union Square—with large, high-backed leather booths and a sunken dance floor—features a cocktail menu from a former 15 Romolo and Alembic bartender that includes a titillating drink called #NipSlip. // 46 Geary (Union Square), hawthornsf.com

Manor West

You might not notice the venue’s inconspicuous entrance, but the striking interior says it all. Raised VIP booths give the nightclub a lavish look, while DJs keep the dance floor packed with a Burning Man–besotted Marina mob that’s dressed to impress. // 750 Harrison (SoMa), manorwestsf.com

Mezzanine

The super-size nightclub hosts live performers, which range from obscure indie rock to emerging hip-hop. Fear not, dance-floor darlings—DJs continue to spin on select weekends. // 444 Jessie (SoMa), mezzaninesf.com

Monarch

One of the more unique clubs in SOMA, this steampunk club has an upstairs bar with a trapeze upon which acrobats are hired to perform, along with hosting several events like a weekly coloring book contest hosted by SF’s Broke Ass Stuart. // 101 Sixth Street (SoMa), monarchsf.com

Vessel

Descend a flight of stairs to get to this lounge, but that’s about the only underground thing here. DJ music compels the young and Euro. // 85 Campton Place (Union Square), vesselsf.com
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