Late Night Round-up
Where to go when 2AM is too early
by Camper English
For as progressive a city as San Francisco is in other areas, it is quite conservative in the granting of after-hours permits for nightclubs. There are only a handful of places allowed to stay open past 2AM. For some of us, this is when the party is just getting good. The following is a round up of places we know that stay open late.
The EndUp
This
is the ultimate in after-hours venues. It is open almost all weekend without
close. The music played only ranges from gay house to very gay house and
the crowd by Sunday afternoon sometimes resembles an ensemble cast from
Night of the Living Dead, but if the city ever closes this place down
again I will personally set fire to City Hall. The ability to go to the
EndUp after 2 days after a crystal meth binge should be a basic right
of living in San Francisco, and the club should be protected with landmark
status.
Hours: Open until 4AM most days, 5:30 on Friday nights, opens at 5AM on Sundays
550 Barneveld
This relatively new and very big club is located far enough on the outskirts of the city to make the $12 cab ride each way prohibitively expensive. For this reason the crowd often is more from San Jose, where everybody drives, than from SF. Still, the space is nice with 2 dancefloors and a big lounge; and it hosts some spectacular parties such as Stompy. The events in this space change frequently and there is no guarantee on what type of event is happening on any given night, so make sure to find out what's happening there instead of just showing up.
Hours: Open until 3-6AM depending on the event
http://www.club550andstompy.htm
We all know it, we all hate it, yet we all go there. Ten15 Folsom is an unfortunate fact of life, like herpes and diarrhea. Sooner or later your favorite DJ or techno act will be performing there and you will go and you will wait 40 minutes in line and you will hate the crowd and how packed it is and you will swear that you will never go back, but you will. You will.
Hours: Open until 3-6AM depending on the night
The Stud
This is the smallest space on out list, and the only one that is always gay. Lord knows that gay men will party at any venue as long as it's open late, but here they actually show up early for the scene. On most nights the club closes by 3, but if what you're after is a long night at one location or one more hour of dancing after 2, this is the place to go. The music is especially good on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Hours: Open until 2-4 AM depending on the night
177 Townsend
Every time I attend Club Universe on Saturday nights in this location I am amazed that there can be so many perfect-bodied, beautiful men in one location. Of course, after a while you can't tell one built musclestud from another and only the guys with their shirts on stand out. Anyway, this gigantic space hosts different events on Fridays, but Saturdays and Sundays are big, long-running gay nights. After 2, the crowd becomes more mixed as late-night revelers of all genders and orientations pack in. It now stays crowded until after 4AM. Prepare to get sweaty.
Hours: Varies on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until 6AM
Ruby Skye
The newest, most posh location on our list caters to a strange crowd. Dot Commers and non-degenerate types love this place. It stays open 'til three in the morning to give you a little extra time to boogie down.
Hours: 9PM-3AM, depending on the night
Polly Esther's
This disco/retro theme club wouldn't merit a mention on our list if it only existed in its weekend night cheeseball incarnation. Then again, late-night bachelorette parties have to happen somewhere. Who are we to judge? The place is also the host of the long running Bondage-A-Go-Go on Wednesdays.
Hours: Open until 3 Friday/Saturday/Wednesday
DNA Lounge
This band-oriented club is closed but pre-approved for a late- night license on reopening. Check the website for details.
Sex Clubs: A club is a club, even if the dancing is horizontal. There are times when people just don't want to go home, and we here at Posthoc don't want you to have to stop until you are damn well good and ready. It seems as if most sex clubs are open past two AM. The Power Exchange, Blow Buddies, and Eros are three main ones.
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