by Luana Roehrs on I think it's interesting that most of the reviewers that gave it 5 stars seem to know someone from the club, were on the list, or are promoters themselves. Coming from Sally Nobody, they aren't very nice to you unless you know someone, hence the change in stars. The bouncers weren't bad (probably because they don't have to deal with all the North Beach types) but once inside the bartenders were a little pushy and the other patrons were a little swarmy. Plus the music is SOOOOOOOOOO loud on their not-so-good sound system to where you can't hear anything your friends are saying... even when they're saying "This place sucks! Do you want to go?!" We were there on a weekend and something went horribly wrong with the bathrooms (flooding in front, icky smell) with no instructions on where else to go and didn't look like anyone was in a hurry to clean it. Saw some guy that looked like the manager (?) but also looked like he had been partaking in too many "party favors" so rather than ask him where the closest bathroom was, we left. I could see how this place might be fun if you didn't have to pay/ wait in line/ pay for drinks/ worry about a place to sit/ could hear yourself/ had room to dance, but then again, most clubs in SF would be awesome if they met all of those standards! If I want a fun vibe in a smaller club, I would rather go to Slide or Ambassador.
by ELIZABETH W. on Who needs to join a gym when you got the mezzanine. Shit this place is off da hook! Went and saw Mos Def sportin his back pack while performing here last night. I have never been to this place more crowded, but I didn't mind. The staff is awesome, the crowd low key..all in all I have never had a bad night here. My friend's purse did get stolen here once and although that sucked, the staff could not have handled the situation better!
by rena s. on This ain't just the home of world-beat sounds. Within the last 10 years SOB's has emerged as NY's #1 hip-hop venue. In one week alone the club has featured names like Mobb Deep, KRS One, Slick Rick and Rakim. And though you won't find the great sounds of New York's favorite indie bands like Shy Child or My Morning Jacket getting too comforatbale within these halls the club maintains as diverse an atmosphere as ever, mixing their hip-hop with their salsa, their bhangra with their neo-soul. The VIP room would be better left as a coat check, and the two huge bannisters that guard the stage like security can make for the worst of sightlines BUT if you get there early enough to secure your footing and manage to bear the cost of one of their blue caiparinhas you're most likely in for a night of great, great music.
