(For a listing-by-night that's easier to view at a quick glance go here.)
(With the exception of the images, everything on these pages, including the identities/names “SFGothic”, “SFGothic.net”, and “Mister Mephisto”, is © 2011, 2012, 2013. Images belong to their original creators and/or owners.)
Death Guild - DNA Lounge (Every Monday Night, San Francisco)
Death Guild - More Goth Than Thou
Ages: 18+
So, Death Guild is my personal favorite hang out.
Supposedly the oldest weekly goth/industrial night in the country and the second oldest in the world. I'm not sure who tracks that - but it certainly sounds awesome.
The drinks can get a little expensive (though they are well-mixed), but the DNA Lounge has nice ambiance, they now own the nearby pizza shack (Woo! Late night PIZZA!!), and it's easy to get to. Not to mention that the music is excellent, the clientele in-theme, and there isn't a bad seat (okay, standing position) in the house if you're there for a show.
DJs: Melting Girl, Decay, and Joe Radio (in the main room) and Sage, Lexor, and (occasionally) Intoner in the Lounge in the back.
So, Death Guild is my personal favorite hang out.
Supposedly the oldest weekly goth/industrial night in the country and the second oldest in the world. I'm not sure who tracks that - but it certainly sounds awesome.
The drinks can get a little expensive (though they are well-mixed), but the DNA Lounge has nice ambiance, they now own the nearby pizza shack (Woo! Late night PIZZA!!), and it's easy to get to. Not to mention that the music is excellent, the clientele in-theme, and there isn't a bad seat (okay, standing position) in the house if you're there for a show.
DJs: Melting Girl, Decay, and Joe Radio (in the main room) and Sage, Lexor, and (occasionally) Intoner in the Lounge in the back.
NOX - King of Clubs (Every Tuesday Night, Mountain View)
Ages: 21+ (NO COVER!!!)
First Tuesday of every month is RetroNox, focusing on Classic Goth, Darkwave, and "more".
Every other Tuesday is regular Nox programming embracing everything from Trad-Goth and Post-Punk to Darkwave and EDM to Post-Industrial and Electro.
Nightly drink specials include special $4 mixed drinks and $3 shots!
DJs: Rota, Darksonic, Neshamah, and Obfuscate
First Tuesday of every month is RetroNox, focusing on Classic Goth, Darkwave, and "more".
Every other Tuesday is regular Nox programming embracing everything from Trad-Goth and Post-Punk to Darkwave and EDM to Post-Industrial and Electro.
Nightly drink specials include special $4 mixed drinks and $3 shots!
DJs: Rota, Darksonic, Neshamah, and Obfuscate
Bondage-A-Go-Go - Cat Club (Every Wednesday Night, San Francisco)
Bondage-A-Go-Go
Ages: 21+ (now that they're at the Cat Club again)
Who doesn't like a little fetish with their goth? Certainly no one I want to hang out with.
Bondage was the first goth club I used to go to (way back in the days of the Trocadero - before it turned into the Glas Kat and nose-dived as a business). Now it's moved yet again. This time to the Cat Club.
Otherwise, the combination of fetish-fashion, live bondage-play, actual go-go dancers, GLBTQ tolerance, and all the awesome music puts it pretty high on the list.
DJs: Damon, Tomas Diablo
Who doesn't like a little fetish with their goth? Certainly no one I want to hang out with.
Bondage was the first goth club I used to go to (way back in the days of the Trocadero - before it turned into the Glas Kat and nose-dived as a business). Now it's moved yet again. This time to the Cat Club.
Otherwise, the combination of fetish-fashion, live bondage-play, actual go-go dancers, GLBTQ tolerance, and all the awesome music puts it pretty high on the list.
DJs: Damon, Tomas Diablo
Disorder - The Knockout (2nd Wednesday Night of the Month, San Francisco)
Ages: 21+(??)
Disorder has moved into the City and now runs on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at its new venue.
Musical choices generally range from New/Dark/Minimal Wave to Deathrock and Postpunk.
Live bands are a regular feature, if you're itching for a show!
DJs: Nickie and guests
Disorder has moved into the City and now runs on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at its new venue.
Musical choices generally range from New/Dark/Minimal Wave to Deathrock and Postpunk.
Live bands are a regular feature, if you're itching for a show!
DJs: Nickie and guests
Club Apparition - Lido Club (Every Thursday Night, San Jose)
Ages: 21+ (No Cover, except for band performance nights)
Necromos and Ash bring you a weekly dose of Goth, Ambient, Ethereal, Darkwave, Post-Punk, Deathrock, and Industrial tunes to get your undead groove on.
With no cover charge most nights and drink specials before 11 p.m., Club Apparition might be the best deal we darklings are ever going to see for a club night.
So drink up, my pretties. And bring out your dead!
DJs: Ash and Necromos
Necromos and Ash bring you a weekly dose of Goth, Ambient, Ethereal, Darkwave, Post-Punk, Deathrock, and Industrial tunes to get your undead groove on.
With no cover charge most nights and drink specials before 11 p.m., Club Apparition might be the best deal we darklings are ever going to see for a club night.
So drink up, my pretties. And bring out your dead!
DJs: Ash and Necromos
Club Hollow - District 30 (Every Thursday Night, Sacramento)
Ages: 21+ (CURRENTLY ON HIATUS WHILE SEARCHING FOR A NEW VENUE)
A club built from, for, and by the goths of the Sacramento area!
Goth, Swirly, Dark '80s, and Synthpop, Industrial, EBM, Terror, and Dark Electro for your listening pleasure!
DJs: Rotating DJs.
A club built from, for, and by the goths of the Sacramento area!
Goth, Swirly, Dark '80s, and Synthpop, Industrial, EBM, Terror, and Dark Electro for your listening pleasure!
DJs: Rotating DJs.
Club Equilibrium - Faces Nightclub (Every Thursday Night, Sacramento)
Ages: 21+ (No cover if you show before 11 p.m.)
Taking over one of Destination's three dance floors, Equilibrium promises the finest Goth, Industrial, and EBM tunes to violate your auditory nerves.
FREE ENTRY if you show up before 11 p.m. And only $5 if you show up afterwards.
DJs: Circuitry and guests
Taking over one of Destination's three dance floors, Equilibrium promises the finest Goth, Industrial, and EBM tunes to violate your auditory nerves.
FREE ENTRY if you show up before 11 p.m. And only $5 if you show up afterwards.
DJs: Circuitry and guests
Alt Dance - DanzHaus (Every Thursday Night, San Francisco)
Get your electro-swing on with SwingGoth's addition to the City's night-life!
And even a little LARPing for those of that persuasion (not me, of course; but each to their own, I suppose).
Doors open at 7 p.m. Dance lessons from 7:30-9:30 and open dancing from 9:30 until the steam-powered cows come home.
$5 for entry. An additional $3 for the Beginner's lesson or $5 for the "Beyond Beginners" lesson.
Lessons are in basic swing, advanced swing, and blues dancing.
And even a little LARPing for those of that persuasion (not me, of course; but each to their own, I suppose).
Doors open at 7 p.m. Dance lessons from 7:30-9:30 and open dancing from 9:30 until the steam-powered cows come home.
$5 for entry. An additional $3 for the Beginner's lesson or $5 for the "Beyond Beginners" lesson.
Lessons are in basic swing, advanced swing, and blues dancing.
Caritas - Lido Club (2nd Thursday Night of the Month, San Jose)
Ages: 21+ (No Cover, except for band performance nights)
Caritas was once Portland's one and only goth and industrial karaoke night.
But now it's all ours, children! So get up there and croon us a song about how black your heart has become!
Doors open around 9, but singing doesn't start until about 10:30.
Plays at Lido Club alongside Club Apparition!
KJs (that's Karaoke Jockey, kiddies): Dodger and Jack
Caritas was once Portland's one and only goth and industrial karaoke night.
But now it's all ours, children! So get up there and croon us a song about how black your heart has become!
Doors open around 9, but singing doesn't start until about 10:30.
Plays at Lido Club alongside Club Apparition!
KJs (that's Karaoke Jockey, kiddies): Dodger and Jack
BLITZ! - The Townhouse Lounge (3rd Thursday Night of the Month, Sacramento)
Ages: 21+
Bored in the capital? Is it the third Thursday, yet?
If so, it's time to get BLITZed.
Spinning 80's New Wave, Dark Pop, Goth, and Post Punk for your anachronistic delight!
DJs: Roderick and guests.
Bored in the capital? Is it the third Thursday, yet?
If so, it's time to get BLITZed.
Spinning 80's New Wave, Dark Pop, Goth, and Post Punk for your anachronistic delight!
DJs: Roderick and guests.
Strangelove - Cat Club (1st Friday Night of the Month, San Francisco)
Peter Sellers was Goth before it was cool.
Ages: 21+
Monthly themed club nights at the Cat, spinning dark electro, industrial, new wave, and goth tunes for you to dance to.
Pretty much the only club night at the Cat Club with its own webpage.
DJs: Tomas Diablo and rotating guest DJs
Monthly themed club nights at the Cat, spinning dark electro, industrial, new wave, and goth tunes for you to dance to.
Pretty much the only club night at the Cat Club with its own webpage.
DJs: Tomas Diablo and rotating guest DJs
Solace - Prop Box Studio (2nd Friday Night of Alternating Months, Oakland)
Club Solace - Elegant Goth
Ages: 18+
An intimate and classy salon masquerading as a semi-monthly club-night.
But bring your finest Goth, because the dress code is strictly enforced. No jeans, no sneakers, my darklings.
Musical preferences lean towards the gothic, the ambient, and the neoclassical.
Check the calendar or the Solace website to make sure which months Solace is taking place.
DJs: Persephone and guests.
An intimate and classy salon masquerading as a semi-monthly club-night.
But bring your finest Goth, because the dress code is strictly enforced. No jeans, no sneakers, my darklings.
Musical preferences lean towards the gothic, the ambient, and the neoclassical.
Check the calendar or the Solace website to make sure which months Solace is taking place.
DJs: Persephone and guests.
Dark Shadows - Cat Club (2nd and 4th Fridays of the Month, San Francisco)
Dark Shadows - MetaGothic
Ages: 21+
NOW TWICE A MONTH!!!
Find detailed info at either their Facebook page or the Cat Club's website.
Break out your black lace, velvet, and PVC, boys and girls. Maybe even your fangs? Dark Shadows is dripping with ambiance - so play the part for one of Meph's favorite Goth nights. Go-ghoul dancing provided by the ever-so-awesome Visceral Vixens.
Two rooms, so you can pick and choose your preferences between goth, swirl, synth-pop, industrial, stompy, and EBM.
DJs: Melting Girl (whom we at SFGothic.net hold in very high regard) and Daniel Skellington, plus guest DJs.
NOW TWICE A MONTH!!!
Find detailed info at either their Facebook page or the Cat Club's website.
Break out your black lace, velvet, and PVC, boys and girls. Maybe even your fangs? Dark Shadows is dripping with ambiance - so play the part for one of Meph's favorite Goth nights. Go-ghoul dancing provided by the ever-so-awesome Visceral Vixens.
Two rooms, so you can pick and choose your preferences between goth, swirl, synth-pop, industrial, stompy, and EBM.
DJs: Melting Girl (whom we at SFGothic.net hold in very high regard) and Daniel Skellington, plus guest DJs.
Witching Hour - Cat Club (3rd Fridays of the Month, San Francisco)
Ages: 21+
As the clock strikes the time, the ringing gong warns you that it is now the Witching Hour.
Moving into the Cat Club's open slot on 3rd Fridays, a new breed of club for the darksider scene.
Fade to Grey in one room, listening to classics both beloved and forgotten. Or get into the New Black in the other, getting a taste of a darker breed of music.
Runs 8:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. $3 before 10 p.m. and $7 after.
DJs: Daniel Skellington, Sage, Melting Girl, and guests.
As the clock strikes the time, the ringing gong warns you that it is now the Witching Hour.
Moving into the Cat Club's open slot on 3rd Fridays, a new breed of club for the darksider scene.
Fade to Grey in one room, listening to classics both beloved and forgotten. Or get into the New Black in the other, getting a taste of a darker breed of music.
Runs 8:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. $3 before 10 p.m. and $7 after.
DJs: Daniel Skellington, Sage, Melting Girl, and guests.
Requiem - Il Pirata (1st Saturday of the Month, San Francisco)
Ages: 21+ (NO COVER)
Get your Goth, Deathrock, Post-Punk, and New Wave fix over at Il Pirata on the first Saturday of the month (2nd Saturday for August 2012).
DJs: Xiola and Dire Delorean (plus occasional guests)
Get your Goth, Deathrock, Post-Punk, and New Wave fix over at Il Pirata on the first Saturday of the month (2nd Saturday for August 2012).
DJs: Xiola and Dire Delorean (plus occasional guests)
Wicked Lounge - The Blue Lounge (1st Saturday of the Month, Santa Cruz)
Ages: 21+ (NO COVER!)
From the depths of the Pacific, something dark rises from its ancient sleep and slouches towards Santa Cruz! It's the newest Goth-Industrial night out on the California Coast. Even hippy-central has some dark-siders hiding in the shadows! (Meph lived there for a bit, so he claims to totally know.)
It's an all-goth collaboration: classic goth, swirly, anthems, and stompy tunes all for your dancing amusement from 10 in the p.m. to 2 in the a.m. at the newly remodeled Blue Lounge on Seabright.
DJs: Fem Mystique, AMP Pyre, and guests
From the depths of the Pacific, something dark rises from its ancient sleep and slouches towards Santa Cruz! It's the newest Goth-Industrial night out on the California Coast. Even hippy-central has some dark-siders hiding in the shadows! (Meph lived there for a bit, so he claims to totally know.)
It's an all-goth collaboration: classic goth, swirly, anthems, and stompy tunes all for your dancing amusement from 10 in the p.m. to 2 in the a.m. at the newly remodeled Blue Lounge on Seabright.
DJs: Fem Mystique, AMP Pyre, and guests
Club Nocturne - Prop Box Studio (3rd Saturday of Alternating Months, Oakland)
Ages: 18+
Looking for the classic feel of early goth's underground clubs and more guitar than synth?
Then you're looking for Club Nocturne. Wilted lace and mohawks. Black lipstick and old leather. White face and too much eyeliner.
Spinning a mix of Classic Goth, Deathrock, Post-Punk, and New Wave, the DJs start the night at 10 p.m. and play until 2 a.m.
As it's a semi-monthly affair, make sure to check the calendar to verify if Club Nocturne is happening on a given month.
DJs: Burning Skies and guests
Looking for the classic feel of early goth's underground clubs and more guitar than synth?
Then you're looking for Club Nocturne. Wilted lace and mohawks. Black lipstick and old leather. White face and too much eyeliner.
Spinning a mix of Classic Goth, Deathrock, Post-Punk, and New Wave, the DJs start the night at 10 p.m. and play until 2 a.m.
As it's a semi-monthly affair, make sure to check the calendar to verify if Club Nocturne is happening on a given month.
DJs: Burning Skies and guests
Club Satori - The Blank Club (3rd Saturday of the Month, San Jose)
Ages: 21+
Haven't made it to the Satori, yet, what with it being in San Jose and on the same night as Club Solace.
That said, it's been around for 6 years, now. So that's an impressive pedigree.
The resident DJs spin a lot of Gothic, New Wave, and Industrial music for those San Jose darksiders (of which I have heard only legends).
DJs: Vitus, Kevin, and guests.
Haven't made it to the Satori, yet, what with it being in San Jose and on the same night as Club Solace.
That said, it's been around for 6 years, now. So that's an impressive pedigree.
The resident DJs spin a lot of Gothic, New Wave, and Industrial music for those San Jose darksiders (of which I have heard only legends).
DJs: Vitus, Kevin, and guests.
Reverence - Midtown Barfly (4th Saturday of the Month, Sacramento)
Reverence - Sac Gothic
Ages: 18+
It used to be Trauma. But now it's Reverence.
The crowd is lovely. So strap on your Docs and get yourself hither!
Lots of goth, dark 80s, and remixes, with a bit of industrial and EBM to keep things moving.
DJs: Panic Daniel
It used to be Trauma. But now it's Reverence.
The crowd is lovely. So strap on your Docs and get yourself hither!
Lots of goth, dark 80s, and remixes, with a bit of industrial and EBM to keep things moving.
DJs: Panic Daniel
Dark Room - Cafe du Nord (Last Saturday Night of the Month, San Francisco)
Ages: 21+ (Next installment is May 18th instead)
Dark Room is an LGBT-oriented, but straight-friendly, goth party blending new and vintage Dark Electro, Punk, Industrial, and Gothic music for your audio pleasure.
The only rule is: "No drama."
Featuring live bands and performances, dark drag numbers, and, of course, the resident and guest DJs spinning through the night.
Cover also includes a free shot of whiskey until they run out.
DJs: Le Perv, Faux King, Phatima, and Lady Bear.
Dark Room is an LGBT-oriented, but straight-friendly, goth party blending new and vintage Dark Electro, Punk, Industrial, and Gothic music for your audio pleasure.
The only rule is: "No drama."
Featuring live bands and performances, dark drag numbers, and, of course, the resident and guest DJs spinning through the night.
Cover also includes a free shot of whiskey until they run out.
DJs: Le Perv, Faux King, Phatima, and Lady Bear.
The Lost Room - Charlie's Bar & Nightclub (Last Saturday Night of the Month, Stockton)
Stockton Gothic
Ages: 21+ (No COVER!!)
Resident DJ Lucid Luminos reached out to me and gave me the undead skinny on The Lost Room:
"The Lost Room is a monthly club night with a focus on the darkly sexy, the beautiful, and the stompy side of music. Come devour a blend of Goth • Post-Punk • Darkwave • Industrial • Synthpop • Deathrock • Trip Hop • Shoegaze • Dreampop • Ethereal • EBM • Futurepop • Dark Cabaret • Dark Electro • with a splash of the finest dark 80s/90s and other delights.. Drink and dance the night away with us! The Room is ever shifting.. expect a different experience every month!"
DJs: Lucid Luminos, Akshun Figuh, God's Ex Girlfriend, Evil Rey, and guests.
Resident DJ Lucid Luminos reached out to me and gave me the undead skinny on The Lost Room:
"The Lost Room is a monthly club night with a focus on the darkly sexy, the beautiful, and the stompy side of music. Come devour a blend of Goth • Post-Punk • Darkwave • Industrial • Synthpop • Deathrock • Trip Hop • Shoegaze • Dreampop • Ethereal • EBM • Futurepop • Dark Cabaret • Dark Electro • with a splash of the finest dark 80s/90s and other delights.. Drink and dance the night away with us! The Room is ever shifting.. expect a different experience every month!"
DJs: Lucid Luminos, Akshun Figuh, God's Ex Girlfriend, Evil Rey, and guests.
Factor IX - The Midtown Barfly (Every Sunday Night, Sacramento)
Ages: 18+
Born from the ashes of Asylum, DJ Bryan Hawk comes back to Sacramento with a vengeance bringing back his unique blend of all that music goths crave.
Set to have several theme nights in the future, as well as a monthly fetish night.
DJs: Bryan Hawk and guests
Born from the ashes of Asylum, DJ Bryan Hawk comes back to Sacramento with a vengeance bringing back his unique blend of all that music goths crave.
Set to have several theme nights in the future, as well as a monthly fetish night.
DJs: Bryan Hawk and guests
The Box - The Blue Lagoon (Every Sunday Night, Santa Cruz)
Ages: 21+ (NO COVER!!)
Living out by the edge of the sea and in need of some darkling delights?
Then the Box is the place to be every Sunday night, to cure you of those humdrum mortal life blues... by replacing them with lovely, lovely BLACK.
Spinning a collection of Goth, Darkwave, Industrial, EBM, 80s, and Noise for your auditory satisfaction.
DJs: Julian, Doc Deth, Shadow Angel, Stats, and Bats.
Living out by the edge of the sea and in need of some darkling delights?
Then the Box is the place to be every Sunday night, to cure you of those humdrum mortal life blues... by replacing them with lovely, lovely BLACK.
Spinning a collection of Goth, Darkwave, Industrial, EBM, 80s, and Noise for your auditory satisfaction.
DJs: Julian, Doc Deth, Shadow Angel, Stats, and Bats.
New Wave City - Locations and Dates Vary (Variable Dates, San Francisco)
New Wave City - '80s Goth
Ages: 21+
If you like your goth '80s New Wave flavored, NWC is the place to go.
For those unsure of what that means (or not yet born then), think: the Smiths, the Cure, Depeche Mode, and Siouxsie and the Banshees. (Oh, Siouxsie, Siouxsie Sioux. We love you.)
Check their website and Facebook page for their next event!
DJs: Skip and Shindog (plus guests)
If you like your goth '80s New Wave flavored, NWC is the place to go.
For those unsure of what that means (or not yet born then), think: the Smiths, the Cure, Depeche Mode, and Siouxsie and the Banshees. (Oh, Siouxsie, Siouxsie Sioux. We love you.)
Check their website and Facebook page for their next event!
DJs: Skip and Shindog (plus guests)
