10 Best Nightclubs in San Francisco

Temple Nightclub is a San Francisco favourite with its elaborate LED lighting, VIP booths and bottle service to complement the thumping DJ sounds. Most clubbers gather in Temple’s main room for the EDM sounds but there’s also an underground club called LVL 55 that offers a more intimate setting, with 15 tables and DJs playing mainly hip-hop music.

While Temple's Void sound system and rotating cast of international DJs gives the club maximum audio impact, the energy-efficient lighting and dedication to zero waste makes it a low-impact place on the eco-front. Found in the SoMa District, Temple charges a cover fee for entry and is open for ages 21+ only.

Monarch nightclub is a popular spot for after-work drinks during the week and late-night dance sessions at the weekend. Found on 6th and Mission, Monarch features a steampunk-themed upstairs bar for those who prefer an evening of lounging and drinking, while the large club downstairs is where the DJ dance action happens.

The club’s top-notch acoustics and minimal lighting make Monarch great place to get immersed into the techno and deep house sounds. Curious nightcrawlers could also make their way to the “secret” room to watch the resident aerialists in action. There’s free entry to the bar but a cover fee charged most nights for the downstairs club.

Audio nightclub, as its name suggests, is all about creating an elevated sound experience with its 3D surround system and DJ selections. Found in San Francisco's SoMa neighbourhood, Audio is a mid-sized club with a 1970s ambiance and a 7-layered dance floor that looks like it could have been pulled straight out from under John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. The lighting is set to pulsate with the funky music – a mix of underground, deep house, techno, EDM and nu-disco.

There’s an admission charge that varies depending on the DJ playing, and though there’s no dress code here, it’s recommended to dress up a bit to avoid getting turned away at the door on busy nights.

F8 is a small but vibrant nightclub that offers underground electronic music played by a mix of resident and visiting DJs. With a maximum capacity of 250 and a dim interior, F8 is a place more focused on spinning music than doing anything flashy. The club’s drink specials lure people in, while the DJs playing a range of sounds from house to hip-hop to dubstep keeps them out on the dance floor through the night.

Sunday is a big day for dancing at F8, when it plays host to the drum & bass party called Stamina Sundays, with free entry and top DJs rolling out the beats all night long.

Cat Club is well known to clued-up locals on the San Francisco nightlife scene thanks to its 2 dance floors, VIP booths and popular theme nights. Found in the SoMa District, Cat Club has been a go-to spot after dark for more than 3 decades and it’s still serving up tunes from the ‘80s and ‘90s on its retro music nights.

You’ll find a diverse range of sounds here, from hip-hop to techno to rock, so check Cat Club's calendar to see what night they’re playing your favourite music. There’s a small cover charge and it’s open to ages 21 and over. Cat Club doesn’t have a dress code, but it asks patrons to “dress to impress and put on your dancing shoes!”

DNA Lounge is a large and lively club with its diverse range of music and events bringing in new waves of clubbers since it first opened in 1985. This LGBTQ+ friendly nightspot features 4 dance floors, 2 stages, 3 bars and an attached restaurant and café. There’s an ever-changing roster of DJs, as well as live music, drag shows, lecture series, 18+ dance parties, and burlesque performances to enjoy.

Saturday nights are devoted to the club’s popular Bootie Mashup dance parties, with tickets available in advance or at the door. Booking entry tickets in advance lets you skip the queue and skip right into the club for a zesty night of entertainment.

The EndUp nightclub is where you’ll end up in San Francisco if you’re not quite ready for your big night on the town to be over. Open since 1973, The EndUp is a legendary spot with its theme nights and Saturday night parties that last well into the morning. The club has 2 indoor bars and a tropical-style outdoor bar with a waterfall.

The EndUp is found on 6th & Harrison in the SoMa District – an area with a good range of nightlife venues – so it’s easy to stumble your way here in the wee hours after all the other clubs close. You could also buy tickets in advance for entry, with the doors usually open at midnight or sometimes 2 am.

1015 Folsom is one of the largest nightclubs in San Francisco, with enough space to let 1,400 souls mingle, drink and dance the night away. Set in the SoMa District, the club has 5 rooms spread over 3 floors, each with full bars and DJ booths.

1015 Folsom has been around since the 1980s, but it’s kept its look relevant, with sleek and modern design features, high-tech lighting and sound systems, and a huge LED-lit waterfall wall. It hosts annual dance events like Get Freaky Afterburn and Gus Presents Massives, as well as the popular weekly Latin dance party called Pura Saturdays. While 1015 Folsom club has a swanky design, there’s no dress code here.

Raven Bar has carved a space for itself in SoMa’s increasingly crowded nightlife scene with its fun throwback dance nights and tasty cocktails. This former jazz bar turned nightclub has a moody design with dark leather booths that was inspired by such film noir classics as The Maltese Falcon and Dark Passage.

For a more relaxed start to the evening, you could hang out in Raven’s downstairs lounge or outdoor patio and order some happy-hour drinks. Having 2 dance floors set over 2 levels gives dance demons plenty of elbow room to groove to a diverse range of sounds like hip-hop, R&B and grunge. Go early if you don’t want to spend much time waiting in line.

Madrone Art Bar is a unique place where art and after-dark entertainment collide in fun and surprising ways. The bar’s look is always dynamic, with constantly changing art installations and exhibits of all kinds of art from painting to mixed media to film to fashion. Madrone’s live shows also span a wide range of styles with not only music but also dance and spoken word performances. Those who come to Madrone can expect to be flung into an all-sensory social experiment, no matter which night they visit.

Each night brings a different musical theme, with Motown Mondays kicking off the week, followed by Phat Tuesdays for jazz, funk and soul, while Sundays are for jam sessions. Expect to pay a modest cover charge for entry.