Mezzanine is probably one of the best venues for nightlife in San Francisco. Part club, part live music venue, this place knows how to book talent. Like the Fillmore, many acts that could play larger venues, (LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip, Fisherspooner, etc.) choose to play at Mezzanine instead. Go to a show there and you'll know why.

Mezzanine was not always the hot spot that is now. When it first opened it had troubles establishing a name and a vibe for itself. The venue is laid out like a night club but DJ culture never really embraced the space. Their move to almost a 100% live music venue though proved to be their salvation. The nightclub vibe with the live music entertainment is their secret sauce. Today, Mezzanine consistently sells out and brings in the best of music's rising stars. Ghostland Observatory, Common, RJD2, Justice, MIA, Michael Franti, Gift of Gab, Honeycut and the list goes on and on. With a late night permit, the music ends near bar time, but sometimes goes well into the night.

The club has 6 bars and a mezzzanine (appropriately) that surrounds the main floor with lounge furniture throughout the upstairs. Drinks are more expensive than dive bars but less expensive than "nightclubs". The venue gives a person the feeling that they could be focused on the music, drinking with their friends, or hanging out and talking. In fact, on any given night, there are people doing just that. The crowd is usually a mix of old skool rockers, too cool for school hipsters and pretty girls. You can usually find yourself in a random conversation at least once a night, especially out smoking in the huge open air space in the back of the venue.