The San Francisco nightclub scene is as diverse and vibrant as the city itself, and the success of an epic night out really depends on where you choose to spend it. Here we’ve rounded up some of the best clubs in San Francisco whether you’re looking for a big dance floor with live music or a small underground DJ set. Read on for our favorites and start planning your next weekend out.
At each of these clubs the cover charge and dress code varies, but be sure to check their individual websites for the latest info about upcoming events. It’s worth buying tickets in advance across the board, especially for big-name performers. Scroll to the bottom of this article for a map showing the locations of all of these nightclubs, plus some FAQs. And for those 2am munchies, check out our list of late-night food spots in SF.
1. DNA Lounge
DNA Lounge is an all-ages nightclub dating back to 1985 with 2 stages, 4 floors, and 7 bars. They host a rotating lineup of exciting events including themed DJ sets, concerts, drag shows, and 18+ dance parties. You can get your late-night food fix at DNA Pizza, their attached restaurant and cafe serving NY-style pizza by the slice among other things.
🪪 Age requirement: DNA Lounge has all-ages, 18+, and 21+ shows
👗 Dress code: Casual
💸 Cover charge: Starts at $15-20
🗓️ Opening hours: 9pm-2:30am Friday and Saturday, 8:30pm-2:30am Monday
📍 Location: 375 11th St, San Francisco, CA (SoMa)
2. Temple SF
On the street level of this iconic SoMa nightclub, you’ll find a big dance floor outfitted with elaborate floor-to-ceiling eco-friendly LED lights. This is the main room where hundreds gather every weekend for pumping EDM music by big-name DJs touring through the US. You can also head down to LVL 55, a smaller lower level for those who want a more intimate underground party.
🪪 Age requirement: 21+
👗 Dress code: Upscale fashionable attire
💸 Cover charge: $20-40
🗓️ Opening hours: 10pm-2am Friday-Saturday
📍 Location: 540 Howard St, Blockchain Center SF, San Francisco, CA (SoMa)
3. Public Works
Public Works is a popular multi-level Mission District club promising to “give the people what they want.” This means that guests can enjoy an array of diverse performers ranging from internationally-known DJs to rising local stars. Public Works often partners with local nonprofits in order to best cater to the community’s taste, and are known to host eclectic events such as yoga nights and themed parties.
🪪 Age requirement: 21+
👗 Dress code: Casual
💸 Cover charge: $15-40, cash only
🗓️ Opening hours: 9pm-3am Friday-Saturday
📍 Location: 161 Erie St, San Francisco, CA (Mission District)
4. Monarch
This vintage-style nightclub is the place to be if you like techno and deep house. Guests can migrate between 3 different spaces including a big basement club where all the dancing happens, and an upstairs steampunk bar with a photo booth. Look for the secret Emperor’s Drawing Room for a chance to watch aerial performers in action. They have a somewhat loosely-enforced business casual dress code, and cover fees are between $10-25 although the upstairs bar is free to enter.
🪪 Age requirement: 21+
👗 Dress code: Business casual
💸 Cover charge: $10-25, but upstairs bar is free to enter
🗓️ Opening hours: 9pm-2:30am Friday-Saturday, 9pm-2am Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday
📍 Location: 101 6th St, San Francisco, CA (SoMa)
5. 1015 Folsom
1015 Folsom is a massively popular SF nightclub that has drawn huge crowds for over 3 decades. It opened in the ’90s as one of the first clubs outside of NYC and Chicago to feature electronic music, and continues to push the envelope with a diverse array of entertainers which have included LCD Soundsystem and comedy legends like Dave Chappelle. The club covers 20,000 square feet with 5 rooms across 3 levels.
🪪 Age requirement: 21+
👗 Dress code: Casual
💸 Cover charge: $20-30
🗓️ Opening hours: 10pm-3am Friday-Saturday, 9pm-2am Thursday
📍 Location: 1015 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA (SoMa)
6. Audio
Audio is a popular ’70s-style club in SoMa that recently upgraded its lighting and sound system in 2017, allowing for a cutting-edge immersive clubbing experience. It’s the only club in the world (outside of NYC’s Output) to use a 32-inch subwoofer, creating a uniquely fast and dynamic sound system pumping techno, underground, and EDM music.
🪪 Age requirement: 21+
👗 Dress code: Upscale
💸 Cover charge: $20-30
🗓️ Opening hours: 10pm-2am Friday-Saturday
📍 Location: 316 11th St, San Francisco, CA (SoMa)
7. The Great Northern
This art deco-inspired club features two bars and a massive dance floor with 30-foot-high ceilings. Dance to a mix of electronic, deep house, and techno music while enjoying aerial acrobatic performances, or keep an eye out for the high-energy LGBTQ+ friendly dance parties with more fun and funky themes.
🪪 Age requirement: 21+
👗 Dress code: Casual
💸 Cover charge: $20-30
🗓️ Opening hours: 10pm-3am Wednesday-Saturday
📍 Location: 119 Utah St, San Francisco, CA (Potrero Hill)
8. Cat Club
SoMa’s Cat Club boasts two dance floors, a smoking alley, and a go-go cage among other things. It’s a go-to destination for epic themed nights every single week including ’70s disco, ’90s hip hop, goth/industrial, ’80s hits, new wave, and many others. There’s generally no dress code and the cover charge is about $10 with early bird discounts.
🪪 Age requirement: 21+
👗 Dress code: Casual
💸 Cover charge: Starting at $10
🗓️ Opening hours: 9pm-2am Wednesday-Saturday, 9am-5pm/10pm-2am Sunday
📍 Location: 1190 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA (SoMa)
9. Raven Bar
Raven defines itself as a throwback nightclub where you can rock out to nostalgic hip hop, pop, and R&B music videos amped up with beaming lasers and ambient lighting. Party it up across 2 separate dance floors and sip on craft cocktails from one of 3 bars.
🪪 Age requirement: 21+
👗 Dress code: “Clean casual,” meaning no sports attire, shorts, or white t-shirts
💸 Cover charge: $15 after 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays
🗓️ Opening hours: 8pm-2am Friday-Saturday, 9pm-2am Sunday and Thursday
📍 Location:1151 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA (SoMa)
10. Madrone Art Bar
This unique event space in Alamo Square defines itself as a “site-specific installation art environment” where you’ll find rotating art exhibits interspersed amongst the weekly dance parties. The space itself is always changing depending on the featured artists’ work, and its musical lineup is just as eclectic with a range of jam sessions, DJs, and live music.
🪪 Age requirement: 21+
👗 Dress code: Casual
💸 Cover charge: Ranges from no cover to $5 and up
🗓️ Opening hours: 4pm-2am Monday-Saturday, 3pm-1:30am Sunday
📍 Location: 500 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA (Alamo Square)
11. Bimbo’s 365
The legendary entertainment club Bimbo’s 365 is one of the oldest nightclubs in San Francisco, with its original Market St. location dating back to 1931. The current location on Columbus Ave. has retained an upscale retro look that recalls the days of high-kicking chorus girls (one of whom was Rita Hayworth) and big-name clientele. These days, Bimbo’s still attracts such huge headliners such as Jamie XX, Adele, and Coldplay.
🪪 Age requirement: All ages, 18+, or 21+ depending on the show
👗 Dress code: No official dress code, but people often dress up
💸 Cover charge: Tickets cost upwards of $20 depending on the show
🗓️ Opening hours: 10am-4pm, evening hours depend on the show
📍 Location: 1025 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA (Fisherman’s Wharf)
12. OASIS
When it comes to gay clubs in San Francisco, OASIS is hard to beat. Since 2015, SF drag legend D’Arcy Drollinger has helmed the 8,000-square-foot club, which was converted from a gay bathhouse. OASIS continues to present a thrilling lineup every single week, including big-name drag stars, cabaret shows, and live music and DJ sets.
🪪 Age requirement: 21+
👗 Dress code: Casual
💸 Cover charge: $10-30
🗓️ Opening hours: Doors usually open at 10pm for club events
📍 Location: 298 11th St. San Francisco, CA (SoMa)
13. The Midway
This 40,000-square-foot campus in the Dogpatch presents cutting-edge immersive sound experiences, parties, and innovative events in its massive indoor and outdoor spaces. Step into Envelop, an internal room outfitted with 32 carefully-placed speakers to experience music and sound on another level entirely. Keep an eye on The Midway’s calendar for art gallery shows, energetic DJ nights, block parties, and so much more.
🪪 Age requirement: Performances are usually 21+, but all ages can visit the gallery and on-site cafe
👗 Dress code: Casual
💸 Cover charge: Ticket prices start around $15-20
🗓️ Opening hours: The gallery is open between 10am-3pm on weekdays, but performance hours vary by event
📍 Location: 900 Marin St, San Francisco, CA (Dogpatch)
San Francisco nightlife comes in a variety of popular forms, from packed bars in the Mission to thumping dance clubs in SoMa. Although SF doesn’t have the same party reputation as late-night cities like NYC or Miami, you’ll still find a great lineup of lively venues that will scratch that itch.
When it comes to nightclubs, SoMa definitely brings the party. But if you’re looking to do some more casual bar hopping, consider a stroll down Valencia Street in the Mission. Some other nightlife hotspots include Union Street in the Marina, Haight Street in Haight-Ashbury, and Divisadero around NoPa/Alamo Square.
Most San Francisco nightclubs are pretty laid-back compared to those in more 24-hour cities. However, many people still dress to impress, and some late-night venues enforce an upscale dress code. Stay away from casual jeans, sportswear, and hoodies. And, as every good San Franciscan knows: dress in layers.
We love these clubs in San Francisco for their diversity, state-of-the-art sound systems, and energetic crowds. Whether you decide to belt out throwback tunes at Raven Bar or dance all night at DNA Lounge, the possibilities are endless when it comes to unwinding after a long week. Which venue will you visit first?