Best Places To Go Dancing In San Francisco

Only steps from DNA Lounge, Audio has a discreet entrance leading down into the club that some say has best sound and visual experience in the city. Audio's Funktion One sound system is tough to beat, and the club's strong reputation means that the Doukakis brothers have the benefit of being able to get top talent from all around the world to play at Audio. The deco interior with multicolor LED panels and an infinity mirror is stunning, but the small sunken dance area can get really packed. Fans like Audio's sister, Bergerac, the downstairs lounge with high top tables, bar food, and comfy couches. Audio is open Friday and Saturday nights until 2 a.m.

Featuring a new layout in the former Vessel space just off Union Square, Chris and Peter Doukakis have partnered with Audio co-owners to invest in an 18,000-watt Funktion One sound system with bass that sends vibrations through your whole body. Opened in late 2015, the 5,700-square feet is filled with chandeliers and black leather complemented by funky art, neon signs and giant 3D projection screen behind the DJ. Get on the guest list, reserve a table, or check out the VIP area that surrounds the DJ booth ($20 drinks minimum). Check out the talent lineup for upcoming weekend nights until 2 a.m.

A DJ booth suspended from the towering 22-foot ceiling? Why not. A huge urban industrial warehouse with hardwood floors and exposed brick walls suits the name of this party space with three bars. Find it tucked under the highway where Mission meets Potrero Hill. Tech geeks can visit the website for a full rundown of the classic Richard Long & Associated sound system and all the audio visual specifications. They're pretty impressive, and serve to attract international electronic artists. See what the next chapter will be, as the seven-year-long residency of DJs Shortkut, Apollo and Vinroc has recently come to an end.

This is the place with the lady aerialists dangling from hoops on the ceiling at the vintage-looking upstairs bar and a free photo booth. Downstairs, there's disco, boogie, moombahsou, deep house and vibez going on -- but often with a cover. DJs are both upstairs and down. In the underground space, the custom gold Void Acoustics are considered by Beatport as a "top 10 in the USA" audio system. Open every night except Monday, some say the sketchy location not far from Moscone Center is attracting convention delegates from out of town -- a great (rare) option for Sunday nights until 4 a.m.

On a Saturday night, arrive before 10 p.m. for Bootie's half-price cover ($10), where the 11 p.m. mash-up is called the world's biggest. It's followed by a midnight show. On Monday nights, Death Guild here calls itself the oldest weekly goth/industrial dance night in the entire country (23 years and going strong) with six DJs in two rooms playing "a mix of gothic, industrial, synthpop, noise, ambient, and weird stuff for those who love the darker side of things." Seven nights a week, DNA Lounge is open until dawn, so pizza at 3 a.m. is totally do-able. For the 18-plus crowd, Codeword on Folsom and 5th is the latest project from the DNA team.