We came here to see Diplo presenting Higher Ground. Everything was good. The security staff were professional and friendly. Lots of food trucks on the block. Great sound system. The visuals were also not bad. The only huge downside is that it's impossible to get in touch with the venue! I had a different event that I needed to attend on the same day as Diplo was playing. I tried emailing multiple times. Called them the same day right when they opened and an hour later. No one ever picked up! Tried reaching them through Instagram and Facebook many times and nothing. By the way, I started texting/emailing them 2 weeks before the date of the event. All I needed to know was the set times. They are terrible at communication. It says that they'll respond to your email within the next couple of hours. That is simply a lie. In the end, I was able to make it on time but still was upset that no one reached back out to me. I think it's super messed up. read more

The Great Northern - The Great Northern block party - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've been here a bunch and the door guys need to be fired well at least one of them. They apparently have a no ins and outs policy which is complete bullshit as I've been able to go out before without problems. All I needed was my charger from my friends car and the guy was being a complete dick, probably because he hasn't seen his own in many years. Steer clear unless it's a DJ or an artist you really wanna see. Not surprised on the 3.6 stars. read more

Great venue w lots of types of events-- not just music. Been here from day time first pumpers - to 3am benders - to art nights!! Thank you for attracting some of the best music talent. Most recently had the pleasure of being front row for Diplo - dream come true. read more

See all

Fun club with a beautiful art deco vibe. There's two dance floors (the upper room is quite small but comfy). I loved the convenience of having a coat check available. read more

This place is pretty fantastic if you love dancing. And trust, baby, you love dancing ;) Every time I've been here, there have always been pretty decent DJs, but that you can get anywhere. What's always been very lovely, for me personally, is the crowd! Always met a lot of great people here and had fantastic times! My man Jojo, the bouncer here, is probably one of the coolest dudes I've ever met in my life. Homeboi remembered me from like, 4 years ago! How you do that?! Tell me your secrets brotha! Don't worry, I haven't forgotten - I still have your care package waiting to be delivered, so you'd better be there this saturday ;) read more

This used to be one of my favorite places for djs. It's a night club. They have a killer sound system, but last night i tried to dance to my favorite dj and i felt like i was at a coffee shop. They wouldn't turn the music up. Everyone was talking On The Dance Floor. It's for dancing. If you want to talk, go behind the speaker. If I actually leave my house and drive to the city, I expect the music to be bigger than in my car. read more

Small venue Security everywhere which is a plus for me Bartenders did well Sound system was ok Not much of a dancing night club base on size Overall not bad :) read more

Same stupidity as other SF 'clubs'. If you're gay there's a fantastic scene here. If straight, it's just dumb. You can go if you take some edibles (some people do more than that) and dance by yourself or at least not near anyone. That's fine and normal, no matter how much you're flailing your arms around. But try to talk to any women and you're playing roulette as to whether they don't feel your vibes and go talk on a bouncer on you. Happened to me earlier. When it's 70/30 guy to girl ratio (a problem in every club in SF), of course the bouncer will just kick you out no questions asked. Maybe it's just this particular bouncer they have lately. Same night this happened, I read on Reddit that there was some guy that was wearing flip flops and dancing like an idiot who finally got kicked out. The fact that he got let in is basically par for the course in this city. If in SF, the best club is just Dolores Park on a warm, sunny afternoon. Save your money. 1 extra star for having some pretty cheap beer and you can get in with very low cover charge if you get a deal online. read more

Always a good time here! Been here twice and both times are characterized by good music, great atmosphere, and strong drinks! My favorite part is the mural above the bar! read more

The place is nice and The Abba Night was awesome, but the people at the door were so rude. I really have no idea why they hire these people, so unprofessional and they know nothing about customer service and dealing with people. The experience was already bad just dealing with these people! I wanted to go outside to drop something in the car and then get back, they didn't let me and they asked me to buy a ticket again. Such an unpr and unpleasant experience! read more

Great sound system. Big floor space. Way too pricey for even the basics. $7 for a Liquid Death can, really!

cool spot but stick to beers if you have a beverage. there was dead flies in the cocktails. this happened to multiple times to me and other people as well read more

The Great Northern has grown to be one of my favorite venues for nightlife entertainment within the past 7 years I've lived in San Francisco! The location is optimally nestled in between the Mission District & Portrero Hill, just below the rest of downtown. The room is very well curated, as the sound system and the aesthetics of the venue compliment any artist who is scheduled to perform. The staff at The Great Northern is what really makes this place a hot spot destination. It's not uncommon to see a disturbingly long line of attendees in front of nightclubs in San Francisco, with wait times leading up to multiple hours. The FOH staff does an incredible job at guiding the herd of people, and the attendees seem to have a better attitude because of so. Bartenders, security, and the works make this place one of the best the City has to offer! One particular staff member, Moon, has been such a pleasure to interact with every time we happen to cross paths. If I ever seek guidance or assistance, he is always there to point me in the right direction (and with a smile at that!). Very much looking forward to my next show at The Great Northern very soon. read more

The Great Northern - Higher Ground @ The Great Northern - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

Lots of memories here at Great Northern. The music for this experience was not that great. In fact, the DJ's style was not a very popular one. The crowd was nice with cool ambiance. Restroom was clean enough. Not sure if I would've paid the price for this style of music. Service was pleasant. read more

A "Mighty" Fine Reincarnation! SITREP My first time to this venue, but not to this space: I spent some fun times here in the early 2000s hitting events like New Wave City and other awesome 80s New Wave events when it was "The Mighty". Now this space's current incarnation is "The Great Northern" (Could someone tell me why this reference? Just curious) and it is still an exceptional space to have a terrific DJ-Dance party in! LOSING MY GAME Ha. What a funny funny event name: "Losing My Game". On the face of things, NOT the catchy name that would inspire my attendance. HOWEVER, my gal pals Grace & Chrissy were dragging me out (and you can't say "No" to them!) https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-great-northern-san-francisco-2?select=twhmTSwoch5thXXJs9-dpg And as it turns out, one of my favorite djs, DJ Kristin Graff, was mixing the beats, so for me this was a *WIN-WIN-(oh! they were buying drinks too!)-WIN!* evening of fun for me. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-great-northern-san-francisco-2?select=GKMcQYcMEfplu_g5iS-W0A&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w DECOR & VIBE The light show, the decor, and the ambiance were all exceptional. The dancing-heads (of the group the "Yeah Yeah Yeahs!") was hiLARious! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-great-northern-san-francisco-2?select=5k4IZcEuiEg6lq6RPhWryg&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w I admit, it's at some point it's hard to know where does the promoter-DJs work end and the venue's responsibility pick up, but I look at like a package deal, which is why if there is another "Losing My Game" event here, it will be a terrific night no doubt. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-great-northern-san-francisco-2?select=Qzkb7lIONDpM6ruG8Oyf9w&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w PHYSICAL PLANT The bartenders were friendly and the drinks were reasonable ($10 Whiskey & Coke, pretty much par for the course in the Bay Area). I am a fan of the bar being in the large adjoining room, and NOT in the same place where the crowd, dancing and noise are. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-great-northern-san-francisco-2?select=3iSSrIOzWLVt3dKKFkhoCQ&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w There were places to sit, tables to put your drinks on while you chat, and plenty of room to mix about. I am one that likes where the dancing takes place in the large space in the middle of the room, with the crowd dispersed around the perimeter of the room. Oh yes - and the bathrooms were clean and roomie. THE LOWDOWN The Great Northern makes for a mighty night of fun! read more

See all

Came here for ABBA Night earlier this month, and absolutely loved it!!! Lots of decorations, a foam/bubble machine, disco blow up balls, and a great DJ. As far as clubs/dance venues go, I felt like this was a safe space! I also really appreciate the EMT working that night because he came up to us outside and checked up on my friend who wasn't feeling too good. He also gave us clear instructions and recommendations on how to safely position her in case she needed to throw up while we waited for the rideshare. Overall good experience and would love to come party here again! read more

The Great Northern - Dance floor - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

My review is based on our experience attending the Art Battle SF event hosted here! It was one of the most unique experiences - supremely talented artists, great dj, reasonable drinks and well organized. The venue is spacious with a solid sound system. I've heard people having bad experiences with security however we didn't encounter any issues. They have a few food trucks outdoors in case you want a quick snack. read more

See all

I saw John Digweed, one of my favorite DJs of all time, at the Great Northern last weekend. They do a really nice job with the decor and lights, and the sound system was very good. The bartenders did a pretty good job with the crowds. Water is served in a can. It's certainly mesmerizing to get brief Cirque du Soleil-like dancers during the set. I've never seen anything like that at a DJ gig before! The crowd was very shove-y. Usually, that gets better as the night goes on, but I found it to continue as the night continued and even as the crowd thinned a bit. I wouldn't say that's this venue's fault, but perhaps it's something about the crowd that is drawn to this venue. (I've seen Digweed in lots of cities, and this experience was memorably shove-y.) No pat down with entry. Long lines for the bathroom. read more

One of my friends was beat up and dragged out of the bar on New Year's Eve. He ended up in the ER because they beat him up so bad. Management said there was "no way to access camera footage." Which is whole lot of BS. Do not come here unless you want to be assaulted and discriminated against. read more

The Great Northern - Knees from being dragged on the ground - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Easy, free parking? Gorgeous space? Delicious drinks? Check, check, and check! I went to a private event here and was truly wowed. A stunning art deco vibe, good sound, huge dance floor, and a real stage. They even have a coat check! Bartender mixed me the most delicious non-alcoholic beverage. Stalls for miles in the ladies room, with great lighting for makeup touch-ups and bathroom selfies. I'd gladly return to this gem in the city! read more

Wifey and I were there last night to catch the diplo after party. Place is awesome! Drinks were poured heavy, which is a huge plus. Bathrooms were clean. Moon and his security were on point the entire night. We didn't feel unsafe at all. Towards the end of the night, we were sitting outside and moon came up and gave us a couple of waters. We probably looked like we needed it haha! The great northern is always poppin, and as long as moon and his security staff are there, we'll continue to go! read more

I came up from Southern California to attend the NYE ABBA Glitter Disco event for 2025 New Year. I was grateful for at least 30 minutes I was able to dance easily to some of the music, but it got packed FAST! People were dressed with a 70's DISCO vibe. The music was fantastic! I've attended Gimme Gimme Disco which plays for about 2.5 hours max and if you're lucky for 3 hours. I got 5 hours of ABBA and other DISCO songs mixed in. I want to thank this venue for such a wonderful evening. Your staff was so helpful and kind too. Thank you for giving me a night to remember. I was the super-tall guy with the ABBA t-shirt near the DJ booth. The acrobatic artist was a nice touch to the evening too. I hope to know it's coming back soon (ABBA Glitter Disco). Have a prosperous New Year! The set list of ABBA- I Am the City, If It Wasn't For the Nights, Head Over Heels, Thank You For the Music, Fernando (Cher's version), Chiquitita, Take A Chance On Me, Mamma Mia (Meryl Streep), Lay All Your Love On Me (ABBA and the movie), Knowing Me Knowing You, Voulez Vous, Honey Honey (In English and Swedish), When I Kissed the Teacher (Mamma Mia Here I Go Again Version), Waterloo, Dancing Queen (ABBA and movie version), Angel Eyes, Super Trouper, which means it was almost 20 ABBA songs! I was very pleased and can't wait to return soon. read more

Visited Sat, May 19 2018 @ 10AM We came for Daybreaker: Twerk du Soleil and spent: $22.60 per person for the event Service: free hugs at the door for Daybreaker Vibe: artsy, colored and strobe lights, face painting, aerial acts, striped jumpsuits, printed yoga pants Good for: morning detox, dance addicts, costume lovers Overall verdict: we had such an amazing time here for Daybreaker! Great vibes and an awesome, fun loving crowd. Obsessed with the live wind instruments and awesome DJ (FDVM). Can't wait for the next Daybreaker! read more

See all

My partner and I just left the art battle after a terrifying experience. My partner was standing there when a woman, who honestly we assumed was homeless based on her presentation, walked up to him and asked for some water from the water bottle in his hand. He was confused and asked a question trying to understand what she wanted and the woman grabbed his wrist and wrenched the water bottle from his hand then dumped the water on the floor and crushed the bottle. My partner scared and confused asked the bartender if she knows this person and to our shock she says "Yeah. She works here". She told us that the water bottles from the food truck parked out front were not allowed so I quickly threw mine away because I was scared of being physically assaulted as well. The woman who attacked my partner glared at us the entire night and kept walking and circling us which I can only presume was to menace us. We wanted to try and talk to the GM but were scared if we approached her it would set off another attack. This happened so quickly, it was loud and my partner speaks English as a second language. He should not be physically attacked by staff ever but especially not when he didn't even understand the question being asked. Tons of other people had the same water bottles as us and yet no one approached them to throw theirs out or was physically assaulted for having a water bottle. We stayed because we paid to get in but it was a truly awful experience. I can only assume the employee has substance use disorder or some sort of mental challenge causing emotional lability and I am unsure why a business in the service industry would take the risk of employing such a person and endangering their customers. read more

Came here for a show recently. Can't understand why SF has a lot of venues, but they're all meh. My notes: 1. Venue is pretty big and spacious. 2. It's kept clean for the most part. Except the bathroom situation can get become bad if there's no one assigned to clean it throughout the night. 3. Sound system is pretty good. Fairly clean, although it can get bass heavy. 4. Depending on how packed the crowd is, you could easily get to the front and be pretty close to the DJ. That is, if you were about somehting like that. 5. LACK OF VENTILATION is the worst. Literally every spot on the dance floor is way too hot. If there were a reason for me to not come back here, it would be for this reason alone. I've been in worse venues for sure, but the fact that Great Northern is so hot is a significant buzzkill for me to consider coming back. read more

We come here regularly for Art Battle (live competitive painting) which is really fun and hosts an auction for all the pieces produced that night. Really incredible event space with 30ft ceilings and massive timber columns. 2 bars, dj booth, tables, and pop up taco bar. Coat check. Outdoor smoking area. Easy parking in the old Design District. read more

The Great Northern - Art Battle: live competitive painting! - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

Aggressive bartender, grabbed my wrist violently for getting a paper cup for water off the top of the bar when there were none next to the water fountain and threatened to throw me out when I told him not grab me. read more

The interior detail of the club is stunningly beautiful. Everywhere you look has had specific flawless design work. The door people are somewhat stone faced, but that may be the persona and part of the decor. The crowd is usually nice and sophisticated. Great sound system. Excellent dj line up all the time (Hernan Cattaneo!) read more

If you want to go to an event only to be watched super closely by security go for it. They are over reaching their power. They use scare tactics to frighten completely normal people not doing anything wrong if they have a "hunch" that you have an illegal substance on you. Once they have honed in on you they will interrogate you until you are completely scared, demand you pay them money in order to stay in the club and not have the police called. or if you do have something on you they will take it and after thoroughly scaring the Shit out of you let you stay but then pass what you had around to the staff for personal consumption and joke about it. Don't believe me? Heard it directly from their mouths. read more

That's a good Place to hang out and have Bar but I do not drink have a lotta good music! The music needs to be much louder!!!!wow read more

The Great Northern - Disco lights - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

A group of friends and I came here for a ABBA disco dance party and it was a riot. The music quality and volume is perfect. Not too packed but definitely full of people. The organizer and DJ loved our group and said we brought the party, so she is really friendly. They had drag performances. Bubbles shoot out from the top of the ceiling, more like blobs of bubbles than individual ones. Security is really nice and inviting. Not jerks. read more

This was a good venue to see a live show!! I did not even know they had another room upstairs until about halfway into the event. Granted it's small but it was still really fun and the music was still loud. Downstairs the bass is booming and the overall quality of music I would say is pretty good 8/10. There are 2 bars although only 1 was open when I was there (all that event needed honestly). I met some really friendly people while I was here with my girlfriend and that was refreshing. People were having a great time and the overall atmosphere was amazing. I would definitely come back! read more

The Great Northern is a kool place for any party. Been here twice, Both nites where packed ya diggg with easily 150 people. The staff, owner, and manager is way kool. This place is very ideal for just about any party/concert. Two bars on both sides of the venue, lots of places to sit and chill too read more

The Great Northern - Great Venue - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California