San FranciscOI!
San Francisco isn’t all hippy guitar jam bands and psychedelic freak-outs. We’ve also got our share of shouting, spitting, and pogoing punk rock. In fact I’ll dare to say that we’ve got some of the best punk venues in the entire US of A, if not the whole damn world. Need proof? Well…
(Note: because punk rock usually involves heavy drinking, heavy drugs, and self-destruction, or at least the illusion of all the above, most of these clubs are 21 and over, unless otherwise noted.)
(Warning: because the punk rock ethos involves the narcissism which validates romanticizing self-destruction, some front-men, when inebriated enough, will wax poetic on subjects they are barely educated about, most commonly of the political variety, but sometimes and most frighteningly wandering into the realm of social and metaphysical philosophy.... be wary...)
ANNIE’S SOCIAL CLUB
917 Folsom St
(415) 974-1585
One of the last clubs in San Francisco that encourages moshing, Annie’s regularly hosts an impressive array of punk rocks’ brightest past and future acts. See also: PUNK ROCK KARAOKE!!
Upcoming shows: Thursday July 16th 3 BAD JACKS, LOS DRYHEAVERS, MOONSHINE; Saturday July 18th – THE MENTORS, BEFORE I HANG, HAMMERLOCK, THE MUTILATORS; Saturday July 25th – THE CORRUPTORS, TEXAS THIEVES, THE MEAT SLUTS
THEE PARKSIDE
1600 17th St
(415) 252-1330
San Francisco’s darling punk rock venue, - mostly on account of the large back patio which facilitates your smoking needs and provides you with a certain amiable feeling of distance from the sweaty, throbbing crowd. But be warned, for every punk rock gig at Thee Parkside, there is one black metal show. BE WARNED!
Upcoming shows: Wednesday July 15th - THE GIRLS, THE PETS, BARE WIRES, THE GROGGS; Friday July 17th - THE SWINGIN' UTTERS, OFF WITH THEIR HEADS, DEAR LANDLORD; Saturday July 25 - THE FILTHY THIEVING BASTARDS, JOE BUCK YOURSELF (Hank III) Feat. CAPT. SEAN/Throwrag, LIGHTNIN' WOODCOCK & THE BAD MOTHERFUCKERS
HEMLOCK TAVERN
1131 Polk St
(415) 923-0923
Ignore the fancy Nob Hill address; this place has a smoking room. A real live smoking room! What better way is there to rebel against the injustice of life then to slowly kill yourself by indulging in minor pleasures? Go ahead and say something like that and be lauded for your eloquence; self-hating, snobby effete post punk intellects rule this scene.
Upcoming shows: PUNK ROCK SHOW EVERY MONDAY; Sunday July 18th – URINALS, BRILLIANT COLORS, RANK/XERO; Saturday July 25th – THE RABBLES, THE REACTION, THE TOQUES
LUCKY 13
2140 Market St
(415) 487-1313
No live music here; just the embodiment of the punk spirit. Dark room, stiff drinks, and $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon.
