SOMA District Bars and Clubs

Bar owner Annie is favorite among San Francisco punk rockers, both for returning this SOMA bar to its music roots (this is the old location of the Covered Wagon, a veritable San Francisco punk rock institution) as much for the cozy attitude. The indie karaoke every Tuesday and Saturday night is a nice touch, too.

A glittery, cavernous hipster bar just off Sixth Street, a gritty San Francisco downtown street that weeds out the meek from the brave, Arrow gets packed on the weekends, with a tougher, more local crowd patronizing the small, dark interior during the week.

Asia SF is a renowned restaurant and nightclub located in the heart of San Francisco's vibrant South of Market district. Comprised of a restaurant, lounge, bar and subterranean dance club, AsiaSF is a journey into exotic culinary and entertainment delights.

The birth of Butter was perhaps the peak moment in the White Trash revolution. More than a few tater tots and microwaved White Castle burgers are served up at this San Francisco bar's in-trailer kitchen, and can be gracefully washed down with a Pabst. Or a dram of Scotch. (Review: Michael Stabile)

The spacious yet intimate Cat Club is divided into two large rooms. The front room features a lounge, espresso bar, big-screen tv, small stage, and a monthly art show. The back room has a wooden dance floor, bar, stage, elevated dj booth, an excellent sound system, and is fully equipped for live shows.

This San Francisco dance club features two separate dance rooms, a multi level lounge, three bars, intimate VIP suites and private cabanas available for rental.

This 6th Street nightclub is the closest manifestation of an underground party in an above-ground place. Décor is at a minimum. Water comes from an industrial size igloo at the end of the bar (that's right, no $5 water). The upstairs has a very nice, loft-like feel with lounge music playing (so as not to disturb the neighbors). The basement is like being at an underground rave: low ceilings, lasers, dark hallways and moist walls. Here you can find amazing entertainment with a friendly staff. That is a lot more than can be said for its neighbor down on Folsom St.

DNA Lounge features themed nights with two rooms hosted by rotating DJs pumping out similar styles of dance music. Live bands also take the stage on a regular basis.

An international roster of DJs make Duplex bounce and shake, but the vaulted ceiling, full mahogany bar and skywalk overlooking the bar are what makes this club unique.

The Eagle has come into its own, of late, with bare chested bears, punk rock dyke bands and such a hardcore following and laid back vibe that even Ben Sherman-ed straight kids are getting in on the action.

For a club that's been around since 1973 (and that's probably older than a lot of its patrons), the Endup is still popping after all these years. Unique amenities include a fireplace, heated outdoor deck and patio area with a waterfall.

A vibrant array of hot colors illuminate the dance floor at Fat City. The club also hosts an art gallery and rock concerts.

Ultra hip art and even hipper patrons are why the Gallery Lounge has been chosen "best lounge" by San Francisco Magazine. The lounge holds regular DJ dance events on Thursdays and Fridays.

Plush seating and vibrant colors highlight Glas Kat's upbeat and warm environment. With a full restaurant (including a tapas menu) and bar, dining, dancing and drinking come together at one location.

Holy Cow's slogan is "never a cover, always a party." This club features DJ dance events all weekend, spinning everything from club classics to disco to hip-hop.

On the weekends, Kate O'Brien's is a rowdy Irish pub, filled with spillover from the nearby 111 Minna Gallery and out-of-towners (the Bay Bridge is a block away). A small smoking patio and a traditional menu of hefty Irish fare keep Kate O'Brien's occupied all week long.

"Dine, dance, lounge" at Loft 11. Come early and partake in Pacific Fusion tapas, or show up fashionably late to dance the remainder of the evening, with regular themed dance nights Thursday through Saturday.

DJs crank out funky grooves in two rooms at this nightclub/lounge. Luna features two dance floors, a bar room and a smoking lounge, each with an atmosphere all its own.

Mezzanine has the feel of a local's guarded secret. An industrial, multi-level space on an alley off Sixth Street, Mezzanine hosts a variety of music (including Noise Pop) and fashion events. With four bars, many rooms and an open-air smoking patio, Mezzanine is always popular.

An art gallery and entertainment venue rolled into one in San Francisco's SOMA district. Mighty takes what was once a turn-of-the-century brick warehouse and turns it on its head, with loud live bands, DJs and dancing and a variety of other performances throughout the week.

Nightclubbing is about a lot of things, but mostly it's about energy, and while this city is bursting with fine disco emporiums, in our opinion, the best is 111 Minna. The vibe is just better here -- you won't be frisked upon entering, the cover charge is never steep, and once inside you'll find a decidedly non-bridge-and-tunnelish, peaceful, hip crowd, some of the best electronic music in the city, and stylish art to boot. What the place lacks in some departments (sweaty people bumping into you on nights when world-class DJs spin) it more than makes up for in others (a liberal in-and-out policy, a no poseur-infested VIP room, shaken Martinis and Cosmos, and lime-perfect Margs). The music has expanded to sooth more than house fans: rock out on Friday Happy Hour at the Steen and Dave Showe, chilling on psychadelic wood furniture with the aforementioned shaken. If you can't feel it here, you probably never will.

Located off Townsend between 3rd & 4th Street in the thriving South Beach /Soma area, 330 Ritch Street has been hosting events, receptions & clubnights for over a decade. Known for it's underground appeal, hipsters flock to this club 5 days a week for its various musical genres.

An open, brick warehouse brewery in SOMA with simple, honest food. The grape soda is homemade, as is the impressive selection of strong-winded beers.

A bright spot in the Bay Area, Playbar features soulful dance grooves from Wednesday through Saturday.

Self described as an "adult sexual play space," the Power Exchange is an open forum for desires of the legal crowd. The venue's website hosts personals ads and the club is open until the wee hours of the morning Thursday through Sunday.

Sundays at Shadow Lounge don't mean late night dance parties, but instead the club offers First Call, a wake up and dance from 6am until noon with no cover. The lounge also hosts special events and weekend theme nights.

A quintessential San Francisco live-music space with alt-pop, alt-country, alt-rock and any other alt you can think of. Afterwords, hit the grunge-glam South of Market bars for a post-ironic shot of Jagermeister.

Sno-drift features a blend of house music and Top 40 R&B beats.

Fawn at singing trannys, sweat to swirling beats and chug that rum and Coke. The Stud changes parties nightly but is always on target. Crowds of devilishly cute boys, kick ass ladies and nip-and-tuck gendernauts drink 'til blackout in this South of Market home. (Review: Michael Stabile)

Supperclub is an international venue. Literally. There are Supperclub sites in Amsterdam and Rome, plus clubs are in the works for London and Singapore. In San Francisco, the club is a dinner and dance venue all in one, open Tuesday through Sunday from 6:30pm until 2am. It is a unique experience where on any given night there could be an aerial dancer, DJ and massage therapist all there to entertain Supperclub's guests.

The line at this San Francisco mega-club is daunting, but after you've been frisked by the doorman and made it past the bouncer, the multi-floored dance music mecca reveals its booming base grandeur. (Review: Michael Stabile)

A gorgeous new art gallery (the red brick exterior is pure maritime San Francisco) and wine and beer space in SoMa, off an alley near Minna Street Gallery and owned by a crafty bunch of Oakland metal welders and artists.

Ever wonder what happened to the rave scene? Well, at least some of those party people grew up and are hanging out at places like Wish. They dress a little nicer and drink fancier cocktails but they still love to dance to great house music. The location and naked concrete ambiance give the place an industrial mood, but velvet curtains, wine-colored walls and huge mirrors make it more of a pimped loft than the underground basement parties of yesteryear.

The swank lobby bar of SOMA's hip W Hotel, XYZ features signature cocktails, young, professional bartenders and a well-heeled mix of locals and hotel guests chatting in the dim lights listening to mellow, ambient grooves.