by Helga Chilo on For my 200th review I wanted to write about a business I felt a personal connection with. I wanted to write about a place that really reflected myself and part of the Rateclub community and my colorful neighborhood in San Francisco. Unfortunatly, I had already written a review about Vertigo....and I was not so nice...and I learned some important lessons... See I didn't know what Rateclub was about when I started. Oh sure, I got the idea--you write a review, you read a review, blah blah blah.....But I didn't think anybody actually read these things! Oops.... The first person who called me on it was my Vertigo partner in crime (better known as Little One). She smacked me on the head and told me to stop being mean. Although Vertigo and I had issues, I loved it and it loved me. Then came the whole John H. saga... Based on that I will tell you about Vertigo and give this place the proper review it deserves. The owners, Kenny and Derek are honest, hard working, fun loving guys. They put so much of themselves into their business, to make it open and welcome to both locals and visitors alike. You'll see them frequently tending bar, chatting it up, causing trouble, within the confines of the walls of this place on almost every night. The feel of this place is a combination of divey and funky. The decor includes voodoo masks all over the walls; touches of plant life and the fans over the bar add to the tropical feel that extends to the speciality drink menu (more on that later). The low lighting adds to the mystique although frankly, I think someone went a little crazy in the 50% off disco ball ornament bin one year Kenny (i.e. the decor over the dance floor). Still, the layout is sectioned off in a way that somehow secures separation from each part (bar in the front, dance floor in the back to the left, smoking room to the right of the dj booth) which is impressive considering this isn't the biggest place. Speaking of the three sections, let me go into a little more detail. For starters, yes the dance floor can get elbow thrashing, toe stomping crowded (particularly on weekends and if you hear a guilty pleasure-i.e. "that's my song girl!", you and half the club will compete for the same 2 square feet of space). As others pointed out, the dance floor was notorious for lack of room and ventilation but since the first reviews were written there has been a fan added and the dj booth has been moved so that's some improvement to the situation. But you also have the option of dancing on the benches, so if you have any Coyote Ugly tendencies, here's your chance to act them out. The smoking lounge has usually the most room to move in or find a seat at. It's well ventilated and doesn't have that hotbox feel that many smoking rooms in the city have (meaning your buddies who don't smoke can come in here and won't fake cough/ piss and moan too much unless they're total jerks). The bar area itself can get a little sardinish, particularly on weekends (this is also due to the fact that front door is ten feet from the bar) but the wait is quick and more or less painless. I say more or less because the forementioned Little One is only 5 feet tall and has been nearly squished trying to place an order. However the cheery conversation and efficiency of the people behind the bar has kept her from being overlooked more than once (not that she'd let herself be ignored but that's a whole other tale...) If you are a liquor drinker, the drinks are top notch. Nearby Rateclub favorite Lush Lounge is their sister bar and everyone who works at Vertigo has the skills you'd expect of a 'tender at Lush. Their menu includes all your favorites plus a menu of tropical themed drinks (the Volcano a drink that's on fire and serves 4, has been a birthday request by more than one b'day girl I know) and the specials (featured prominently both outside and above the bar) pack a punch but not on your wallet. The beer selection, though not great, is definatly passible and there are plenty of drink specials for early birds and Sunday drinkers. This place can definatly have the feel of a college pickup scene. On some week nights it can also feel like a quiet neighborhood bar. No matter what though, this place tries its best to cater to one and all and provides an upbeat/ chill backdrop to a fun night out. The nights with guest Djs that are becoming increasingly common are quite popular and tend to draw out the locals in the neighborhood. Kenny, Derek, you both have created a place that many of us enjoy that has only gotten better with time. You're welcome to new faces (more or less) and pleased to see those of us who have been around awhile....even if it's a troublemaker like me (and for that I say: I'm sorry about the plant but besides that, you can't prove anything!). Vertigo: a place you can lose yourself, find yourself or at least find yourself having a good time. Cheers!
by Stuart J. on Only been on the Thursday middle eastern/belly dancing nights, but what a great night. I love the whole set up, dive bar, great patio, dance shack, It is a one stop shop for your evening. Much more intimate than Cocomo say.
