gregorygarver.com

[robert495713]

Besides having to abide by a California state law that mandates clubs must stop serving alcohol by 2:00am, in most clubs the owners literally start "kicking out" the patrons at 1:30am, regardless of whether is a weekday or weekend and the exit scene is quite nasty. There is no current "entertaiment district" in the City of San Francisco that would extend the hours of operations for clubs to remain open perhaps until 4:00am on weekends. If San Francisco is to compete for tourism in a global economy, then it should start enacting laws more open and less "structured" and begin evolving as a major city should be. It's a shame a citiy like San Francisco provides a image of not being flexible and accomodating to it's own citizens and to the thousands of tourists from the world it receives. SAN FRANCISCANS WAKE UP

[rance42]

You must not frequent San Francisco...or be familiar with its' history. These regulations came about as a result of keeping people SAFE! In the 80's, I went to the clubs every weekend...the Palladium, Dance your Bleep Off, Old Harrison Street Theater (Danseur), THe Oasis Ballroom....They all, at that time, stayed open 'til like 4 in the morning, but had "last call for alcohol" at 1:30 AM - to make sure all was served and consumed by 2AM per the state law. However, there began a spree of violence including murders, rapes and arsons that were happening that were attributed to some of these clubs not following the law and selling to minors. I was at the Palladium in 1983 when it was locked down because of the gang that stormed the place, taking hostages and killing people. THis was also shortly after Dance your bleep off was burned to the ground. Still to this day, the Palladium is open 9 PM to 6 AM.AND the following clubs in SF do have late night hours1015 Folsom330 Ritch Street7th Note ShowclubBackflipClub TownsendDNA LoungeEl RioThe EndupJohnny Love'sJustice LeaguePalladiumSound FactoryUp & Down ClubV/SFAtriumAvenue BallroomBig Heart CityBopper's House of RockCesar's Latin PalacelCamelotClub DV8Firehouse 7New Orleans RoomOasisPalladiumThe StoneStud

[jenni_ajaz]

there are a lot of places that are open beyond 2am. you just don't know where they are. and, a lot of clubs are closing at 2am because of two main reasons. First, liquor license laws that prohibit selling alcohol after 2am. that is their big money-maker. why would they keep the place open if they can no longer sell alcohol (to make money). And second, it is for the safety of the crowd and neighborhood. In the 80s and early 90s the club scene was good until after 2am, when the belligerent crowd would start to wreak havoc in the clubs and on the streets. there were also gang activity... imagine the club security, which is at best 10-15 people, try to contain gang members of 25-40 per gang. not a pretty sight.

[jadsCagials]

The 2 AM law really does hamper nightlife in San Francisco (and L.A. as well)...nightclubs are businesses, so if they're not selling alcohol, that's time they're operating for FREE. And from the purely money-making standpoint, there's really no reason for them to stay open.But that's the law, and there's very little local government can do about it. As long as Arnold and the state legislature continue to view the ban on late-night drinking as a deterrent to crime, they won't change the rules.Still, there are plenty of clubs and restaurants open after hours. You just have to know where to look for them and the local ritual is when it comes to going out.Late-night restaurants are concentrated in the Castro (Orphan Andy's, Baghdad Cafe), North Beach (pizza/pasta joints mostly, The Globe), the Mission (El Zocalo, Taqueria San Jose) and Chinatown (Sam Wo, New Sun Hong Kong). It's no mistake that it forms a "ring" around the Downtown area. They're mostly there to serve the people who've been kicked out of the clubs Downtown before they go home. There are also various Mel's Diners scattered around the city. Pretty basic stuff, but way better than the typical Denny's.As I've noted, Downtown nightclubs are pretty much done at 2 AM. Although Ruby Skye at 420 Mason St. (closes at 3 AM) and SuiteOne8One at 181 Eddy St. (closes at 4 AM) keeps the party going a bit longer.Those folks that don't eat and then go home...head to SOMA. SOMA has a much wider selection of after hours clubs (but practically no late-night restaurants). Too many clubs to list fully, but the most popular are:4 AM Closings...DNA LoungeParadise LoungeMightySno-DriftThe Endup 7 AM Closings...1015 FolsomThe Stud