Henry Chinaski, Tom Waits, and a troupe of Gay Elvises walk into a bar... It's not a joke. There is no punch line. It's the Make-Out Room. So quick to be adored. (By me, at least.) I imagine I'd make it a point to be a regular here, if'n I lived in San Francisco. The bar is weathered and worn... the ceiling adorned with glimmer and shine in otherwise darkness...the bartender gruff, but in a very friendly sorta way. "What can I get you?" "Stoli and Cran and a Crown and Coke." "NO CANADIAN." "Jack, then." Begins to make drinks as our friends decide... "What can I get you?" "Red Bull" "NO ENERGY DRINKS." Proceeds to hand us our cocktails, to which we ask, "Do you have cocktail straws?" "NO STRAWS. BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT." I like this guy. He's blunt. He speaks only truths beginning with NO but he pours with a heavy YES. I found myself sipping, not downing, my Stoli & Cran with a wince and a sigh of pleasure. I held my drink close to the candle atop the table we moved our party to and inspected. Mmmm...barely a light pinkish hue. That's a strong drink, friends. Me likey. We didn't stay long. Sadly the DJ did not seem to understand the concept of conversation and the decibels were screaming from the sound system. But I'll be back... indeed, I will. *ps Cheers to you if'n ya know the character that IS Henry Chinaski. read more

People make out here. A lot. At least in the back booths and on the dance floor on Tuesday nights for Slow Jams: a night of 40s, 50s, and 60s R&B on 45s. If I could put together a night where I want to steal away, and choose one setting, this is it: Adults making out like teenagers in a basement. Adults dancing like teenagers in Junior High. Disco ball. Disco glow. Insanely stiff Manhattans. The crackle of soul singers on 45s. I could literally sit here in a booth and not say a word all night and be the happiest man between Bartlett and Chattanooga. And that I did, and that I'll do, again and again. read more

If only Yelp had an option for zero stars...this place tops my list for the worst spot in San Francisco. Here's to "quality" service and an immaculate environment. 1. Friends and I popped in at 10:30pm on a Friday night. Right when we entered, we were rushed to pull our ID's out to show the doormen (**note** there was absolutely no line). 2. Ordered 1 vodka tonic and 1 ginger whiskey. Then a friend popped in and added another one of each to the order. The female bartender's response "what else?" Me "that's all for us." Her, "Okay good, don't waste my time and make me add another drink to your order!" 3. My friend was pulling out cash at the atm as the drinks were being made. The bartender scolded us and said "WHY THE F!CK DONT YOU HAVE CASH READY?!" 4. Our friend returned with cash and we handed her $20 for the 4 drinks. Of course, at this point, there is absolutely no reason to reward her for her stalwartly service, so no tip was given. 5. Another scolding "NEVER F!CKING COME BACK HERE AGAIN!!!" 6. The decor is painfully tacky and the place is filthy. read more

Back in the day - by which I mean circa 1996 - I used to host Joe Night at the Make-Out room every Wednesday. Just so happened I had sorrows that needed drowning in booze, and a lot of friends named Joe - so why not? If you weren't Joe, you were still welcome, we just made you an Honorary Joe. When you bring a big crew of people to a cool bar on a slow night like, say, Wednesday, the bar tends to comp your drinks, too . . . just sayin'. The Make-Out room was my regular hang when the smoking ban went into effect. It was there that I realized how different bars look in the absence of a smoky haze in the air . . . and how nice it is not to get home to realize that your clothes stink of tobacco smoke. I've been back many times over the years (Jonathan Richman did an amazing show last year), and I was back at the Make-Out Room last night for Mortified, which was just hilarious. A great venue full of cool folks and $2 pints of PBR earns 5 stars. Minus one cuz it was too damn hot!! read more

I disdain paying cover to drink 100% profit marked up liquor. I question the logic why there is a comfy chair with table conveniently placed next to the men's restroom so it smells like a giant sulfuric fart blast mixed with lovely liquid smells every time the door opens? Aside from those two quibbles, the drink pours for a single neat are huge and cheap. There's plenty of space and while the DJ plays some strange music that I couldn't get jiggy with, there were certainly some fun moments on the floor. But alas, this is only a refueling station for a night out in the Mission. read more

People either get The M.O.R. or they don't (just read the rest of the reviews). If I may make some suggestions to those who don't: - Be stoned, or at least buzzed. - Variety is the spice of life. This club has survived for so many years by booking different things on different nights on a regular schedule. If you don't keep up with what's going on, then you may not like what's there on what night, but may like it better on another night. (I'm there only on live music nights.) - ignore any cheesy north beach visitors - try my favorite beer, the Belgian White Last and most importantly, - Pretend you're in a David Lynch movie. Follow my instructions young grasshopper and you will understand. read more

So, I've been here 3 times now and haven't madeout yet. False advertising. read more

It kind of pains me to write this review after the many years of frequenting the Makeout Room.. I went there tonight to see Mortified- a great show that I have been to a couple times before to see. Loved the show but not the "staff" cleaning up afterwards.. Right after the show the host of the show came over to offer us different chairs to sit on (there were foldable chairs for the show) and we took them and continued our conversation. A few minutes later a man cleaning the floors came over to tell us to move the chairs to the table area when we were done, in a very abrupt, rude manner, and we assured him we would when we were done (as it was quite empty and not an immediate need). After about 10 minutes, the cleaner came back over and instructed us to get up "now" "right now" so he could finish his job. I told him we would move them when we were done and that he didn't need to be so rude in asking- we weren't actually inconveniencing anyone. He completely shut me down and made me feel like a jerk, when it was very inappropriate to do so. I mean, really?! We are capable of moving TWO chairs 15 feet away. He insisted and practically used physical force (no joke) to remove me and my friend who had not been there to hear his previous request. I told him that I was sorry for holding up his job, and we got up, and he continued to talk to us in a very demeaning manner. After the confrontation, I watched the interactions and noticed that someone at the bar gave money to the cleaner and the bartender gave him a beer. After a bit, I approached the person at the bar who gave this cleaner money, and when I told him the situation he replied that he had only given the cleaner "a dollar" and could not change the cleaner's behavior. After telling the person who I am assuming is the manager about this situation, he basically told me that he could do nothing and that my patronage was not important (regardless of me and my friends all being long time customers of 3+ years and paying for many shows). So yes, Mr. Manager, I will be telling everyone I know NOT to go to your bar, and that you obviously do not value your customers in the slightest. Sad, but I'm over it. It was a great run Makeout Room. read more

I have only been here twice and they have both been on Saturday nights. Apparently those nights are Latin night which is my favorite so you know I was into it. There was no line to get in, even tho it was around 11pm. There is a charge of $10, cash only. The first time I came here it was totally spontaneous. My friends and I wanted a place to drink so we just went in. We had no idea it turned into a dancing space. I enjoyed it so much that 2 weekends later I was back with my friend and my guy. The age range varies, there were people who are probably in their 30s, late 20s. Both times I've came I believe my group and I have probably been the youngest ones there (we're in our early 20s) but that did not matter. To me it seems as if there's not a lot of dirty dancing here, like grinding. My friends and I were probably the ones that we're getting a little too wild, but honestly everyone enjoys it. We're all just trying to have a good time. The only thing that was kind of annoying was someone threw a beer can up in the air and it hit me on my head and spilled on the girl next to me. I'm the type to be very passive so I let it go, but if I would of been kind of tipsy I would of gone off on them. Even with that I'd still recommend it if you're in the mood to dance to some reggeaton, Cumbia and just Latin music with a mix of Hip Hop. read more

It's a 3-star bar, but I'm tossing in an extra star for a variety of reasons. 1. We were entering solely because as we walked by, we heard a live band. When we entered, the bouncer looked at us and asked, "You guys here for the band? There is a $10 cover..." I was taken aback by this because there were all of 20 people in there listening to the rather good band - but immediately, he adds, "Well, if you're just wanting a drink at the bar, come on in free of charge." COOL. 2. Who's a fan of Brandon Lee? He's bartending here - or at least he was a week ago on Sunday. 3. Reasonably priced, good drinks. The atmopshere was a bit on the grungier side, and the clientele, perhaps because it was a Sunday was slim and very mixed, but the live band (I wish I got the name) was great. However, by 9 PM or so, they were off the stage. Bummer. The Make-Out Room was just all around cool, and if hanging out in the Mission - this would be a venue I'd return to in a heartbeat. Ladies, did I mention Brandon Lee (lookalike anyway) tending the bar? read more

I decline to say if I made out at the Make-Out Room for the sake of maintaining my mystique. *cough* I hardly ever get to the Mission because it's so 'effing far away from my apartment and it is over-run with urban hipsters of the very worst kind. Though, every once in a while - given the correct persuasion - I can be lured into this area of town. Last night I went to hang out with a friend at Penny Arcade (the monthly acoustic show at the Make-Out Room) where we saw the most excellent bands Aim Low Kid, BeatBeat Whisper and The Avalanche Lillies. It was low key and mellow; and, was a nice change from the hectic week I've had thus far. As to the actual bar: it's decked out in lots of red. Tons of red. And, it looks like they either forgot to take down last year's Xmas decos or they have started deco'ing early for this year. Plus there is a really cool head in a jar w/glasses and baby bottle nipples for hair. I think that's my favorite thing about the Make-Out Room... that head... because, it's eerie and the glasses make you expect that the head will look at you at any second. I like weird. They served me wine in a water glass. I don't know how to feel about that - either they are going for a complete lack of pretension or it is a sign of a serious dive bar. Either is okay with me. They have happy hour until 10pm on weekday - beers are $3. They have PBR on draft for $2 at all times. If I lived closer I'm sure I'd hang here much more often. read more

All five stars are only for the Litpac and Iron Comic events they host. Although they do have a decent stage and the woodwork behind the bar makes me wish I could jump in a time machine and order a martini from this bar in its prime. I imagine satin dresses, finger waves, cigarette holders and witty repartee with Nick and Nora Charles. You have to squint to see this through the tinsel and bear pelt. I will have to bitch about the following: Your bartenders should know how to price a bottle of wine for sale even if you usually only sell it by the glass. (price per glass x 4). When selling 3 glasses of wine you should either allow the customer to taste or don't complain if they return it because it is corked. Anything worth doing is worth doing graciously. When said customers apologize (sincerely and are great tippers and we are industry) but want new glasses as the wine is clearly bad you should not (after serving new wine) say, "Just so you know, I JUST opened that bottle". Because not only are we done with you and your bar (I know she didn't just try and read us) but you sound ill informed because wine is often ruined by improper storage as well as being opened too long. Your cost per bottle is about $6-$8 and we are paying that PER glass, right? Are we spending any more cash here after that? You should probably do the math here and realize that it isn't our fault you look like Carla from Cheers. snap. (tm Jack M.) read more

Yes, I see more people making out here more than other place. I think the suggestive name gives a simple-minded drunk person the inclination to do it. But why is it so dead whenever I come here!? There's always people but does nobody dance in the Mission? Either way, come with some friends and it's a good time. That's more because of my friends than the venue though. We'll see if I have any better experiences. read more

Yep. I came. I saw my friend Martin's band play (Wayward Sway -- YAAAYYY Wayward Sway!!!). I made out for a bit with super-awesome-nearly-run-over-by-a-car-for-me-I-fell-in-a-hole-for-him-guy. And then we made our way OUT of the Make-Out room. There really wasn't any reason to stay. The Sway had even swayed on. Plus, the Attic is one block away! http://www.yelp.com/biz/Mpghm2DTdkBmmg_kvqXe3Q#hrid:C36cHsFIi5yUXLdY1PkgfQ Can't compete, sorry. But I will soon live just around the corner, so I suppose I'll occasionally be stumbling in. Because that's just what I do. Stumble, and frequent my neighborhood bars all too often. In no particular order. read more

Cool place and environment; but had this terrible experience with the bartender, this 50 y.o. dude with beard and glasses. Yelled at me and treated me disrespectfully in front of my friends. So rude! I've been working in the US for the last 5 months and I've never seen anything slightly similar happening to me or with other people. Shame on you, dude! read more

Is there anyone who doesn't like making out? Those monsters are well-advised to steer clear of this niche of nighttime necking. The Make-Out Room is a sexy, sexy dive where you can slide-in (sans cover) and slow dance to soulful tunes on a dance floor big enough for a Civil War re-enactment. Their stage seems well-suited for live music (though I have yet to experience this) and their bar is well-suited for stirring proper cocktails. In fact, it's worth underscoring that is a spot for cheap drinks, made strong. Only word of warning: Saturday night. The sexy, sexy vibe evaporates under the harsh conditions of fake world music and dudes trying to teach hipster lasses how to salsa. You'll be kissing your dignity, goodbye. Obligatory Title Pun-cronym: Keep It Sexy, Stupid. Menu Readability: Ain't no menus in your mouf. Need to mention: There are a lotta events there. Check the calendar. What this place teaches me about myself: A portmanteau of pun and acronym? Somewhere a logophile just ruined his pants. read more

EVENT: it's 9:30pm... it's after dinner.. we walked around... trying to find a place to sit and drink... and do some chatting... we had great parking already and didn't want to move. LOL! We thought this place had an interesting name... make-out room? haha... that's something to try... DRINKS - $4, $6 bucks! I guess not so bad.. Seating... interesting - wheely chairs and tiny round tables... Music - some salsa, so old school music = love it!!! Love the VIBE! Totally cool! Will come back again! read more

Decor: 4 stars. Drinks: 2 stars. Music: 2 starts. Cover charge: 2 stars. Having a bartender that ignores you for 20 minutes, then "forgets" to bring change and avoids you for the next 40 minutes until you give up and leave because chasing down a bartend for 7$ just ain't worth the effort: 1 star. Classy, eh? read more

If you like Mylar, you'll LOVE the Make-Out Room. It is just kind of an annoying place to see performance. If you're in the front, you're trapped, and if you're toward the back, you could be just about anywhere....there is a total disconnect from the long narrow bar area to the stagefront area, and total clusterclog to get to and from the bar/front door to anywhere else. The booths in the bar area are a swell idea for "making out" I suppose but they just suck up space. It got so crowded near the bar on a recent visit that some chick in a wheelchair ran right over my foot. I'm not saying she did it on purpose, I don't think she had a choice, and I'm not supposed to get mad I guess, but my foot hurts like hell. read more

My group and I had such a good time here that we were more than willing to miss the last BART and pay $100 to cab it back to Walnut Creek - I don't think that I can express my love for this place any better. (This review is for Saturday night - El SuperRitmo.) We nearly missed this place as the outside looked pretty shady to us (especially with the "wanna party?" sign hanging out front). After paying our $5 cover, we stumbled into the most gloriously blingy bar ever. If you look around you at eye level, you could almost believe that you're at a speakeasy in the 20s. Then your eyes go up... and you see the glittery tassels and the rhinestone reindeer mounted on the wall. Fabulous. The Latin/Afro-Caribbean music was a welcome change from the usual top 40 stuff (of which I'm a huge fan, mind you). We had a blast "learning" to "salsa" and the only breaks I took were for the bathroom (surprisingly clean and not crowded for having only one stall) and for the drinks. How much more can I compliment a place where a round of drinks for four is $15 and each one is more potent than the last? (Slight downer: cash only). Bonus points for being high-ceilinged so that no matter how packed it gets, you never feel like you're suffocating (coughBubbleLoungecough). I'm almost scared to come back here and not have it live up to last Saturday night... but I think I'll find a way to get over my fear :-). read more

I usually love the Make Out Room, but I'm usually there for the bands & burlesque and not the drinks. The bartenders/service there is god awful, though (and looking at the reviews, people tend to agree). There was a dollar left on the bar before we got there, and we ordered drinks and paid the bartender. She then came back and yelled at us for leaving her just a dollar before we even had the chance to tip her (you know, with the change she would have to give us first) When I corrected her, asked for our change, and tipped her (you know, now that we have change) she just shrugged, said "fair enough" and grabbed the money. Not so much as a sorry. PS: The drinks were horrible read more

I visited the Make-Out Room on Friday a friend's CD Release party. His band had actually tried to book other venues, but had trouble with their availability. So we arrived, payed our $6 entrance & quickly headed towards the bar for a pint. Anchor Steam on tap, a very good thing! We ended up waiting while some yuppy dude took drink orders from all of his friends & relayed them to the bartender. Then we waited longer when he decided it was time to break his $100 bill. To the Make-Out Room's credit, the bartender was very patient with him through all of this. Finally, after getting our drinks, we proceeded towards the stage to watch the band. The Make-Out room has a 'ragtime band stage'--two levels about 20ft wide where the band stands under red lights & does their thing. The acoustics of the place are good up front, but mediocre as soon as you hit the bar area. While I enjoyed seeing the band, I didn't feel comfortable at this place--felt too small & cramped for me. But who knows...maybe it was just my irritated mood that evening or quite possibly it could be cramped because it helps people to start making out? I will not be returning. read more

If you want to pay a cover to get your stuff stolen, come here. If you don't, I'd recommend going elsewhere in the Mission (there are so many better places to choose from!) I got my nice wool coat taken when I was here this weekend. Looked away for a second and it was gone. To make matters worse, though, the Make-Out Room staff could care less. There's no system for trying to reconnect people with their switched coats and their phone number just goes through to an answering machine, regardless of whether it's during their stated business hours or not. Rest assured, I won't be back and wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. p.s. If you happened to walk away with a knee-length women's black wool coat that isn't yours, please let me know! read more

I saw Mortified here with Alyssa G. and company on her birthday. The show was really good even though we had the farthest possible booth from the stage. They have a kind of ridiculous online-sales policy; they sell out online, but you can still buy tickets at the door. How does that work exactly? I like the vibe, though, and this is one of those large bars that makes good use of its ample space. So many big places in San Francisco try really hard to pretend they're intimate, which just makes them feel crowded. This place doesn't feel crowded even when it is crowded, at least near the dance floor. read more

Definitely an older crowd. Major old men creeping... And women in skimpy dresses, looking for who knows what. Latino crowd, Latino music. I don't know how else to describe it, maybe it's just the night I went on. $5 cover on Saturday. Long line for drinks. $8 for a cocktail, not bad. read more

Cool space. Horrible Service!! They only take cash, really?? With a $3.50 charge at ATM. C'mon, get with the times. Tatted up, dark haired bartender a total B with a bad attitude. Went there with some friends last night to celebrate. First round... ordered 2 drinks, gave her a $20 she gave me back ones. Left $2 tip on bar, walked away. Second round of drinks, bartender ignoring us, then finally comes over after my friend flags her down. Starts yelling at us... accusing me of not leaving her a tip that and I left my ATM receipt on the bar for her to clean up. Wanted to know if the ATM receipt was supposed to be her tip. Being completely ridiculous. Totally ruined the night, my friends and I will NEVER be back. read more

I came here last night for Stay Gold's Four-Year Anniversary. And for those who don't know, Stay Gold is a queer event that happens every last Wednesday of the month. It was my first time there, first time at Stay Gold. Not my favorite queer event. I really wanted to like the party. I had heard great things. Needless to say, I was disappointed. PLUSES: -$3 to get in -Seeing people you haven't seen at other queer parties -Short amount of booty-shaking music -Entertaining live performance (not sure if this was an anniversary special) -If you ever wonder where all of the hipster lesbians hang out, it is here. That's fer sure. MINUSES: -Long line to the bathroom. I didn't have to wait in it but my friend did. One bathroom stall for all of the vaginas in this joint. Fail. -Crowded. -Body odor. Look above at the plus...hipsters also don't wear deoderant or shower for that matter. -Fish smell...yes, I said it. I smelled fish. Too many pink tacos perhaps?! And I kid you not, my hair smelled like fish when I left the place. I was sitting on the bus and thinking...who the eff smells like fish?! I smelled my hair and there was that smell. I don't want to give off the wrong impression in this review. I love women. I love hipsters. It's just that sometimes, ya know?! I think you get the picture. If you have problems with this review, feel free to PM me. read more

This is specifically a review of the "MORTIFIED" event held here every month or so. I'm indifferent to the bar itself and I don't hang out here on nights without "Mortified" going on. The bartenders have always been really cool to me, but I've only ordered PBRs and I tip well; however, my fellow patrons seem to order lots of margaritas and other time-consuming drinks, so I probably serve as a bit of relief. Okay, so the actual event: "Mortified" is a reading of sorts, but not in an embarrassing sense--ok, it *is* embarrassing, but that's the point. You see, a group of people, who have auditioned and interviewed with the creators, choose a series of journal entries or poems written while the writer was a kid. As a result, the audience listens to "adults" read their deepest, darkest, and most sordid secrets from their teenage/junior high years. The results are absolutely hilarious and, in a perverse way, comforting (you realize you maybe weren't so weird or such a fuck up as a 15-year-old). Afterward, it's fun to compare who related to what with your friends. It's 12 bucks to get in, which is a bit steep for old cheapie stewart here, but totally worth it. The crowd is generally pretty douchey, but if everyone's responsive, loud, and encouraging then it doesn't matter (unless everyone's unresponsive, quiet, and un-encouraging, then it can be lame). Listening to people spill their teenage thoughts on sex, god, drugs, and, um, farm animals (seriously), is such a voyeuristic treat. . . I just know you want in! 1 star knocked off for the one-stall girls' room (and the ridiculous line that follows it)), the sometimes lame audience, and the steep ticket price. read more

I can't rate it as a music venue, but if you're into San Francisco's best authors reading their stuff, you'll love it. I caught the October 9th Litquake event, hosted by Stephen Elliott, and it was awesome. Stories of S&M, masturbating priests, swearing, orphaned children on the verge of growing up all wrong...it was all there, and more. Stephen Elliott has some nice arms. An entire show of Steve in a sleeveless shirt is worth my hard-earned money. I wouldn't care if he read bankruptcy ads the whole time. It was a cool place - I felt at home. read more

Came to this place last Saturday night and I have to say, I was actually pleased. From the outside, it doesn't look like much (just like most places in SF) but the cheap drinks and great salsa mix kept me there for longer than I expected. My party and I came around 11 and left by 1:30. The dance floor wasn't as big but it drew a large crowd in. There was no line when we came but as we came out for fresh air throughout the night, the line outside to get in was getting longer and longer. The only complaint I have was that it felt so suffocating while dancing. I felt no type of circulation in that place at all. Can't say much for the bathrooms since I didn't use it but it seemed pretty inconvenient that the men's bathroom door was right across from the bar and every time someone came out a whiff of bathroom stench would wafer out to whoever was standing near it. 4 stars for cheap drinks, good music, and interesting choice of decoration. read more

Just went out to the Make-Out Room, this is the first time I've been out since I moved to San Francisco last week. My girlfriend/boyfriend Merkin and I could only stay for an hour. It was pretty warm in there and Merkin, well, he was wearing some 100% nylon high-collar business, in other words sweating grease-back monkeys. It didn't matter though, both deejay ladies each had a set that had us cuttin' up some Make-Out room rug. Roll that rug up with the fun-loving vibes and you've got one hot tamale. read more

Of all the bars I went to in San Francisco, the Make-Out Room was my favorite. Squiggling streamers and stars funked up the ceiling, reflecting off the disco ball. Staring at me from above the bar was a buck head, covered in studs and rhinestones, probably with one of those Bedazzler tools from the mid 1990s. Spotlights illumined the art work, such as a glowing owl at twilight, a bear skin, a circular sheep diptych, and smiling creatures with snail antennas and faces but the bodies of cats. Plus, a star-shaped wall light wowed me, multi-colored stripes blinking inward and outward a la Rainbow Brite. When I arrived, the line for the night's Mortified performance flooded the sidewalk. A bunch of people annoyingly had saved entire rows of seats for their friends by stretching their jackets across the chairs. So I stood in back with a Death & Taxes, laughing my ass off at the show, numbing my aching feet. read more

You must remember this A kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh. The fundamental things apply As time goes by. And when two lovers woo They still say, "I love you." On that you can rely No matter what the future brings As time goes by. I can't help thinking that song like thinking of this place. This place really got me, and I think this place will stay in my memories of all time. I'm been seeing this girl for a while now, and she took me there. I think she was trying to make a statement. I really should have saw it, but I was clueless, now I wish I can replay that night ever night of my life. I never felt so much closer to her that night. I didn't mind the $5 cover charge ( after a certain time, it's free to get in), I didn't mind the one broken ass toilet, scorching hot inside or the crack dance floor that had more crack than Lindsey Lohan's nose. I was just focus on one thing and that was having a good time with my lady. There were a loud of people, and yes, some of them were making out. (Hints the name). There were booths full of them, too. The bar was fill with hippies and hipsters. Drinks are $4. I didn't care. My eyes was on her. I didn't mind the odd art work on the wall, the silly Disco Ball, the deer heads, hanging silvery tingel, or the other decorations on ceiling. My eyes on her. I didn't mind the cool mixed of old and new music from the DJ like Salsa, soul, electro, Funk, and others. I didn't mind the events themes such as Stay's Gold (Queer Night), the Writers with Drinks or even when 'Mortified' was playing live music. My eyes was on her. We dance the night away, and we were there when it closed. My eyes on her. I wish I went for the kiss that night, but I didn't. Damn. Now all I have right now is that song. Maybe one day, I get my girl back and give her the kiss, I didn't do. read more

I'm not going to lie: I feel like an awkward freshman at prom at big city clubs. You see, being fresh out of college, the whole concept of interacting with people that are several years older than you (and probably more mature as well) is kind of strange. People aside, my only recourse from this awkwardness is the music that's played -- and this is where the Make-Out Room shines. When I graced the Make-Out Room with my presence last Friday, a variety of eclectic DJs rotated performances. They all played semi-obscure songs, but the music was still rockable/grindable/danceable. The highlight of the night was this dude name Jeremy Ellis performing a live set on his little MIDI sampler. This man could fucking play. I'm not sure if he's on every night or if he was even just a guest performer, but he made my visit well worth it. read more

I really thought a bar called The Make Out Room would have been a little sexier. I was expecting nice lighting, red walls, candles, maybe a throw pillow? But the place looks like any other Mission Dive and is about as sexy as the dudes I passed peeing in the street on the way home. The DJ was really bad the night I was there, and I'm not very discerning. It's an ok place to go if you're already trashed. That's about it. read more

This review is only for the music/dancing part based on one night. Night of black friday, I had just arrived in San Francisco for the first time, no real plans, found myself in the Mission area. Had some ok Mexican food a couple of blocks away and was walking around just exploring. Walked past the Make-out room, heard some loud music coming from the inside, and decided to check it out. Apparently, I made it just in time as they had a $5 cover later in the night. Holiday weekend, not too crowded, got a seat at the end of the bar closest to the stage where a DJ was spinning some 60s/70s music. I loved the way the place looks inside, it was just bright enough. The crowd when I entered was a bit hipstery, I didn't fit in the way I was dressed. Some people did dress up to the theme, the music was great and there were a few cute girls dancing. Gradually got crowded later into the night, it's a good mix now, I struck up conversations with some really chill locals. I was doing just fine people watching, but the music was just too good to sit there. After my Mexican dinner settled down a bit, got a drink and joined the merrymaking. What a fun time! All in all I had a great night, and now I need to find a place that has 60s dance parties in Philly! read more

So this is almost on the verge of being a dive bar, but it's not--Its just old and has a very unique decor to it-- kind of like being at a prom with sparkles and disco balls hanging from the ceiling. We came for 80s night, and out of the four nights a month that they have 80s, we caught the one night it was 70s/80s combined. The DJs were playing all the good hits and were willing to take almost any request (as long as they had the track.) My friend and I arrived around maybe 9 or so, and the place was crowded. We got the dance floor going between the two of us and then everyone was dancing. The music was right, the decor was a trip, and the drinks tasted fine to me (not too strong, but not too light either.) We started our "80s night adventure" here and actually wound up coming back here at the end of the night as well, because they were playing the best throwbacks out of all our other stops! read more

Make Out Room - Dance Clubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

Poor customer service and some rude interactions with staff have left a bad taste in my mouth. On the way in, the bouncer--who was supposedly checking IDs without looking at them--very rudely yelled at those waiting to get in to not block the sidewalk. I understand the need to keep the sidewalk clear. But his tone and aggression were unpleasant and unnecessary. As a first time visitor I was very put off. Also, if you want the line to be orderly then buy a flipping velvet rope to indicate where the line should be. Don't be cheap. THEN the same bouncer later came to aggressively inform me that I could not sit on the stool as I was sitting on it. Again, it was the tone and aggression. He could have said the same thing nicely as I had just given $5 cover to get into the place. THEN I told the manager (bar tender) about what happened. He said "point taken." What he didn't do was apologize for his employee/co-worker, offer any kind of empathy, or hope that I had a good time. Very poor customer service. The decor is cool (esp the things hanging from the ceiling). The music was also cool and my girls are having a great time dancing as I write this review on a Saturday night. That is why this place got 2 stars instead of 0. Very diverse and mixed crowd though. A little bit of everyone in here. Girls dressed to kill and dudes who haven't showered and aren't wearing deodorant. Everyone! read more

"I like this place" that's what I said a couple of different times while sitting in the Make Out Room. Odd name aside this is actually a great little bar with a dance floor. It's not really a night club but given the size of it, that is a good thing. They don't try to do too much with their location which I appreciate. Located in the Mission this place can get lost in the outskirts of it much more popular brethren but the fact that it isn't too packed can be a good thing. The place oddly enough is more of a salsa joint than a dance club though they do have different theme nights. What I loved about this place is that people actually danced here. One of the few places in the city that I have actually seen that happen without provocation. The women that were there were attractive and genuinely wanted to try out their salsa moves with each other or the guys that were there. I came with a date so I didn't get to experience this myself but my date and I danced for a while without ever bumping into other couples and had a great time. There are some Salsa pros who seem to take advantage of the fact that there are so many women looking to dance and they lurk the dance floor looking for partners. But its not a creepy way much like the old country dance clubs I used to go to in Texas the guys here actually have skills on the dance floor and if you don't you will be bumped out pretty quickly. We made it there before the line and cover charge started but it doesn't seem to expensive. The bar is one the left as you enter and is pretty long and easy access to the bartenders who seemed super nice. They have some great classic drink combinations which I appreciate but this is the mission so if you aren't eccentric and old school you probably aren't getting business. The dance floor is actually pretty large and located in the back of the establishment. The DJ booth is located up on a stage above the dance floor with seating around the dance floor if you are tired and want to watch others get down. Be warned there are some really good people there so if you get embarrassed easily don't go out there. They will be swinging each other and spinning in circles you could even imagine. I did make out in the make out room but I did it because i wanted to say I had. I can't attest to the likely hood that you will make out with someone when attending this place but when drinks are around that is always a possibility. read more

I like this place. I like the events I've been to here. (Write Club? Super fun!) And genuinely, this would be a much higher rating... but. What. The. Flarg? You don't have straws or stirrers or swizzle sticks anymore. Seriously? This essentially means I stir my drink with my finger. Or a pen. It also means that you - a bar - don't really understand how alcohol interacts with ice. Or how humans interact with alcohol. So yeah. Two stars. And a warning to all comers to bring their own stirrers. read more