Morrissey & Smiths Tribute Is One Of The Best New Wave Nights…read more SITREP New Wave City (NWC) is the longest-running club event in San Francisco. I've been a regular to NWC) since it's first year in 1994. Every month is a treat, and often is a special "tribute night". In fact, this most recent past Saturday was the monthly club night for December and it was a tribute night for Morrissey & The Smiths. The energy of this crowd was kinetic and made for a great dance night! BLACK CARD The longevity of loyal followers has it's benefits and on the 5th anniversary of my coming to New Wave City (1999), I was presented with the rare NWC BLACK V.I.P. CARD which I've kept in my wallet for 15 years, proving the adage, "Membership Has It's Privileges" - my guest & I are treated to free entry into all NWC events. SET-UP New Wave City is now sited at The Cat Club (1190 Folsom Street, SF), but was once much more of a revolving-venue club, enjoying being sited different months at different places, including: the KING STREET GARAGE, the TOWNSEND, 550 BARNEVELD, BIG HEART CITY, THE CHERRY BAR, the GLASS KAT, and most recently, the DNA Lounge. SPECIAL EVENTS NWC always promoted special galas and incredible "80s Prom Nights". With the Cat Club, NWC still is able to maintain two (2) separate rooms of music, each specializing in a different format, and with revolving door of talented DJs. NEW WAVE DANCING Dancing is what we come for and a stellar dance-environment is what we are provided. You can't ask for any better, and with the Go-Go Boxes in the back room, there is always ladies & gents who enjoy being a bit - how shall we say? - a bit EXPRESSIVE & OUTGOING in their dancing on the box, in front of the mirrors, and losing themselves in the music! THE LOWDOWN NWC remains the best ongoing club night and truly keeps keeps the momentum of the New Wave movement going strong!

I've been dancing like Molly Ringwald at NWC since I was in my 20's...and that was more than 20…read moreyears ago now...So, yes we've aged together! The music is fun. The two rooms at the Cat Club let you bounce between scenes (I have always hated Depeche Mode, so this is important as DM is on heavy rotation sometimes). I always have a great time and the crowd is friendly and always weird just like New Wave was and still is. Recently I went after a long hiatus and danced my a off like my a hasn't seen in a while. My favorite moment was Shriekback "Nemesis" followed by Echo and the Bunnymen "Never Stop" Yes, I was the superfan dancing like a maniac, maniac, on the floor, Dancing like I've never danced before.

OUTSTANDING EVENT FOR ENJOYABLE DANCING MADNESS!…read more SIT-REP *DIVE! DIVE! DIVE!* [NO. That is not a command with the KLAXON HORN alert indicating that a SUB is SUBMERGING, but rather the heads-up that we have entered the "DIVE BAR" ZONE! - Translation: "A GREAT TIME is AHEAD!"] CLUB GOSSIP resides on 2nd Saturdays inside THE CAT CLUB, one of the most awesome dive bars that I patronize and love. CLUB GOSSIP is one of the best "WOW!" I mean "WOW!" experiences. This is truly one of the few EVENT-VENUE combos I really enjoy, which is why it is extremely nice for me to take my FIRST "YELP"-opportunity to write about it. THE SET-UP First came to CAT CLUB back in 1994 (that I actually remember - it may have been as early as 1990 when I first clubbed in SF, but as a passenger I was usually a bit discombobulated to actually know "where" I was since i trusted to my friends to get us around in those early days of my clubbing). The CAT CLUB is a DELICIOUSLY DIVY bar with wooden floors and walls in the SOMA (South Of Market Area) district of San Francisco. It is basically two separate rooms that permits two separate DJ-dance parties to go on simultaneously. It has vaulted ceilings (which are more pronounced in the front room) and has an air of spaciousness. So though DIVY, it is NOT claustrophobic. THIS adds to the place's charm. CURRENT CLUB GOSSIP DJ-FUN CLUB GOSSIP plays Synthpop, Goth and Electro in the front room & 80's Video Classics in the back. CLUB GOSSIP (2nd Saturdays) is propelled by the awesome DJ MELTING GIRL and DJ DAMON BOYLE, playing the best Dark Wave 80s, EBM and Industrial-lite that you will enjoy! If you want get the latest updates on their TRIBUTE-THEMED nights, then send an email to: clubgossip-subscribe@topica.com and DJ Damon will keep you in the loop! BAR & SECURITY STAFF In sum: BEST in the business! RANDY MAUPIN is an outstanding Bar Manager and makes us all feel like we at an incredibly fun house party. With him in the front and ALTHEA in the back, great coverage. LIESL remains my favorite bartender in SF, possibly WORLD - I love this gal like nobody's business! MICHAEL CHESTNEY, STEVE WASHINGTON and their team are best security guys you'lll ever meet. [I have to take a moment for my friend STEPHAN WILSON who passed away from medical complications at a young 40 this past year. I first met him here at the Cat Club, though I've had the privilege of meeting him at other venues he also worked at. He was a fun presence wherever he was and we, his friends, will miss him terribly...] THE LOWDOWN You are bound to have an incredibly fun time at CLUB GOSSIP and THE CAT CLUB!

Situated inside the beloved Cat Club (see my other Yelp review for the venue) is Club Gossip, a…read moredance night centered around New Wave/synthpop/80's music that's held once a month, every second Saturday. I particularly like Club Gossip because they tend to host a lot of tribute nights for a particular artist (ie: Madonna) or artists (Joan Jett vs. Pat Benetar). The last night we attended was the David Bowie & Prince tribute night, which they apparently plucked from my dreams of best dance club themes. The front room spun the biggest danciest hits of Bowie, glam rock and synthpop, while the back room bounced with Prince, funk and 80's music. Both rooms played accompanying music videos or movie clips featuring both artists. There was a vendor booth selling amazing jewelry and gifts, and around midnight there was a dance troupe performance in the back room headed by an amazing Prince lookalike. I seriously can't remember the last time I danced so much- we were completely sweaty by the time we left! Club Gossip is well worth the drive to SF, every time!

This is one of my favorite club nights in SF. It's britpop, so really, how could it not be? When…read moreall the djs are on their games, it's impossible not to drink and dance all night. Suede, Smiths, Blur, Stone Roses...a britpop fan's dream. And even when they're throwing some questionable tunes in there (last time i checked pixies are from NEW england, and that no one really likes the fratellis), you'll still have tons of fun. Unfortunately, I never got to experience Leisure back in its hey-day at Annie's. From what I hear, those were some fun times. When it was at Paradise, I feel like half the place was filled with people who didn't know what was going on because they were too-drugged out of their minds. Cat club is an improvement, but still not really ideal in my opinion. The $8 cover charge is lame and the drinks are a bit pricey. I'd love to see Leisure move over to a place with real personality, but I suppose it's too big for a lot of the smaller clubs around town. Though it's not really my bag, you can also do britpop-themed karaoke in the front room.

If you're a fan of Brit Pop, Madchester, Mod than there's nowhere else you want to be than at…read moreLeisure the first Saturday of every month. You can expect all the tunes you have9had) in your own collection. It's just great to hear them on a big sound system. Morrissey, Pulp, James, Joy Division, Happy Mondays, yes and even Oasis(YAWN. So over them). But they're the band you love to hate, no? Solid monthly that's been going on for years, with a solid scene too. Makes for some great people watching. Lots of stylish eye-candy, 'crumpets' as it were : )

Once a year, Ecstatic Dance takes their party outside. This is their fourth year, the format is…read moresimple, come and enjoy. Starts at noon, ends at five. Each DJ plays an hour set. A friend asked me to join him for their fourth year celebration and I agreed. Armed with our picnic lunch from Phat Matt's, we set up our blanket in the shade. From the left, we had an excellent view of the DJ set up, dance floor (located at the Bandstand), dancers (young, old and everything in between), jugglers, acrobats, babies and dogs. What a beautiful day and awesome time. I heart Lake Merritt and I hella heart Oakland.

I went to the basement of Asia SF to check out Miss Parker Day's club, Stiletto. I knew San…read moreFrancisco's ultimate indie fashionista / club promoter / photographer would have some serious tricks up her sleeve. The first thing I noticed was lots of beautiful people. I mean, these folks put the hip in hipster. Every month has a theme, and this one drew inspiration from the movie Warriors, so young hot things were dancing around, scantily clad in furs sporting bedroom eyes. By the time I stumbled out onto SOMA's gritty sidewalk, I felt thoroughly worked over from the evening's festivities, including a fashion show and a whole lotta dancing. I suppose it's not surprising I fell in love with these people. Let us all dress in costume and drag every day!

Minus not getting our drinks right, we had a good time. Great dance floor and plenty of water for…read moreus non-drinkers. Music was awesome!

Best Latino bar in Bay Area. Great drinks and music. Love the drag show. In the heart of San…read moreFrancisco California.

This was an okay bar, vibe was great from the guests and the employees but I believe it was the…read moremanager or owner who did this - setting the scene. Me and my SO were enjoying the dancing and then went to use the restroom we looked at the sign and it said it was gender neutral so we both went in. It would've been totally ok if someone knocked on the door and said hey only one person may use it at a time. But instead they barged in and basically broke the lock on the door and said "only females allowed in here" and I simply walked out of the restroom and pointed at the sign that said gender neutral. The man said only female, only female. It was incredibly rude and uncalled for. He simply could've just knocked and said one person at a time but I don't even think that would've been ok with him. I was so confused about the whole situation we just left the bar.

first I wanna say STAMINA sundays are the best. awesome drum n bass b2b I never knew existed. if…read moreyour all about community and vibes. go her and may i state the security staff and bartenders are so friendly and helpful. and there's free snacks for example there was gouda cheese and crackers i thought I was in Napa valley wine tasting no joke. It's me and my gf favorite place to go any day of the week. keep up the great work guys thank you so much for providing such a great safe space

First time here, and I dig it…read more Stopped in on a Saturday night for an event known as Chunk during Dore Alley weekend (end of July) - I didn't see a lot for advertising on the F8 website or their social media which is kind of sad TBA - love that they support events like this and help foster a safe space for all especially QTBIPOC as advertise on many of their regular nights and events - but don't enjoy that they didn't promote this body positive inclusive event as much as others or advertise (really) with the exceptions of tags and stories. The music was cool (very house), but a little beyond blaring at times, they eventually adjusted it - there's nightclub great and there's I need ear plugs just to enjoy myself/adjust - might just be my more laidback mellow nature. Being a big event I purchase a ticket online weeks in advance when planning my weekend in SF - not too many people were as familiar with F8 in my circle of friends including locals, my boyfriend (who lived in the area for years before moving to LA - and frequent visitor) definitely hadn't heard of it and having a solo outing to myself I went in with an open mind and Saturday Night fever. Drinks were good - good alternatives to cocktails also - Golden State Cider was my friend instantly along with their RUM PUNCH via the Craft/Signature Cocktails they offer. Lighting is very clubhouse scene meets lounge fun but give your eyes a second to adjust - can be more bright and colorful during their EDM, Dance Wave. Luckily I ran into my new friend Justin visiting from Arizona and spent the rest of the night getting to know him better, both of us only stayed for I think two hours, enjoyed the drinks - bartenders were nice (hard to hear at times), DJ was pretty dope well - the one in the main room especially There's a small, more intimate dance floor with another DJ, which I hung out in for a little before it got a little tight to move around. Didn't want to get trapped in the dance stew for too long. Awesome energy. Restrooms were decent and easy to access - the lines were never too long. The private lounge typically reserved for private parties was open for the event night - mingle with several people here and unwound finishing my last drink - it was nice after some dancing and whatnot. The coat/clothing/item check is just before this room - depending on what you're checking the price might vary - since I put my items in my drawstring bag and my vest they gave me the bag check price (only $5 compared to I wanna say 2 to 3 dollars). Hold onto that number or take a picture of it because you will need to verify when you're ready to leave. Updates to F8's space: "F8 seeks to maintain a safe and inclusive space for all, especially the QTBIPOC folks in our dance community. We have zero tolerance for harassment of any kind--sexual, physical, and verbal, including expressions of racism, misogyny, and bigotry. If you are a victim of such behavior, please notify any member of f8's staff who will take immediate action." Looking at upcoming non-third party fun, the Run It Back: Underground Showcase night seems like a fun event - free with RSVP until 11p plus complimentary champagne from 9p to 10p - cheers to this. Not always a cover night or event, but definitely keep an eye on their calendar for your dance club experience. Also, a venue for all sorts of parties and occasions - submit and inquiry and expect a timely response. Party hardy, drink not necessarily Bacardi, enjoy responsibly, and of course dance like no one's watching ;)

Dope after hours spot if you are into house music! Or maybe it was because it was right after the…read moreNYE events let out, and everyone ended up here. I don't know, but the dj had the house jumping. Got here around 3a, and was a little skeptical when we walked inside. The interior looked like the inside of the Flintstones's house on the cartoon, and the bar had minimal drink choices. They did not offer your basic club experience alcohol like Hennessy, Ciroc, beer, etc. The best part was the dj, and the cool crowd of people that started to trickle in. The later it got, the more people seemed to want to come out and party. By 430a the dance floor was packed, and before we knew it, it was already 6a and time to go!