HALLS and our intrepid party reporters hit dance floors coast-to-coast to find the coolest ongoing parties in the country. It was a hard job, but somebody had to do it. On our trip, we uncovered the coolest hot spots in SF where serious dancers seriously get down. We’re talkin’ places that really know how to party. So join us and get ready to let the cool in. It’s gonna be Mentho-Lyptical.
The People drums up Oakland’s finest in sound, food, art, and fashion each month. Over the years, this home grown affair has blossomed into some of the best of what the city has to offer, not least of which is a dance floor that booms until the lights go on. The music? “Cutting edge bass driven broken rhythms folded into Afrobeat or Brazilian flavored tracks”, and plenty of other influences from hip hop to global beats take you for a major ride.
Every 4th Saturday at The New Parish, 579 18th St, Oakland
Skip this one if you’re too cool to take your shoes off. For the more adventurous, leave the conversation at home and bring your fave flowy dance pants. This alcohol-free throwdown is 3 hours of high vibe grooves from local and guest DJs that will leave you seriously blissed out.
Every Wednesday 8-11pm and Sunday 10:30am – 1pm at Sweet’s Ballroom, 1933 Broadway, Oakland
The Space Cowboys are a collection of crazy geniuses known mostly for their Burning Man antics. To fund these desert shenanigans, they throw fundraisers in the default world. Turns out, their underground parties (like the annual Breakfast of Champions) are epic endevors in themselves, and bring the creative spirit of Black Rock City (minus the dust, plus a little extra whomp) back to the Bay Area.
Semi bi-monthly at venues around SF (see website for updates)
This outdoor afternoon soul party boasts a super diverse crowd along with tasty BBQ. Hard dancing and “hard cruising” are welcomed, as long as it’s French. In all seriousness though, these guys also raise money for charity with their photobooth festivities, and do a major service for soul music.
First Saturdays 3-8pm at El Rio
Founded 10 years ago by IDM/EDM influencers Kitty-D and MiKHAL, Beat Church is your bi-weekly chance to soak up some of the more cutting edge sounds coming out of the Bay right about now. If you like your music on the dark side with a little extra glitch and a major helping of bass, you can get down with these folks.
Every first and third Thursday at Icon Ultra Lounge – 1192 Folsom St, SF
If you can handle a party dedicated to the art of the mashup, this one’s your best bet. Bootie’s received major accolates for its balls to the wall atmosphere and unabashed theme nights. A good place to get wild.
Every Saturday Night at DNA Lounge, 375 Eleventh St SF
This bar/restaurant moonlights as the Mission’s most beloved (and crowded) global dance floor every Saturday night. Music ranges from reggae and dance hall to Afro-Latino beats, and the chaotic happiness you’ll find there is more than enough to keep you inside as sweat drips down the walls.
Global beats bump after 10pm on Saturday nights (see calendar for music schedule), 3388 19th Street SF
These guys take their 80’s seriously, with 2 floors and a fully comprehensive experience. The front room sounds like your typical 80’s jam, with all the pop smashes and one hit wonders you love (don’t lie). The back gets down and dirty with the decade’s dark underbelly of Gothic, Industrial, Synth-Pop and Electro sounds. $2 well drinks until 10pm will bring you straight back to prom.
Every Thursday night at the Cat Club, 1190 Folsom SF
Noise Pop Record Collective Vinyl Record DJ Party
Vinyl lovers rejoice! And bring your favorite record to this bi-weekly party in which only the hardest core turntablists assemble the treasure trove of musical contributions into an evening of human jukeboxing.
Monthly – changes locations each month
Afrolicious are masters at invoking that good feeling with DJs, live percussion and brass, guest artists and a raucous crowd. In their words, they’re “an ambrosial mix of musical interpretations influenced by the African diaspora, created in a collective and organic manner.” We just call it a good time.
Every Thursday at the Elbo Room, 647 Valencia St SF