DNA Lounge

DNA Lounge

DNA Lounge logo
Location	SoMa, San Francisco
Coordinates	37°46′15.63″N 122°24′45.70″W / 37.7710083°N 122.412694°W / 37.7710083; -122.412694Coordinates: 37°46′15.63″N 122°24′45.70″W / 37.7710083°N 122.412694°W / 37.7710083; -122.412694
Type	Nightclub
Genre(s)	Various
Opened	November 22, 1985 (1985-11-22)
Renovated	July 13, 2001 (2001-07-13)
Owner	Jamie Zawinski
Website	http://www.dnalounge.com/

DNA Lounge is a late-night, all ages nightclub in the SoMa district of San Francisco owned by Jamie Zawinski, a former Netscape programmer and open-source software hacker.^[1] The club features DJ dancing, live music, burlesque performances, and occasionally conferences, private parties, and film premieres. It is located at 375 Eleventh Street, near Harrison Street.

The club consists of a large main dance floor and stage, surrounded on three sides by a balcony, open to below. There is also a back room with its own dance floor and separate sound system. There are three full bars, and a full kitchen, serving Mexican food. DNA Lounge also has a number of unconventional features, including a free wireless network for internet access. The club also provides continuous audio and video webcasts of all events free of charge.

From 2001 through 2009, the club also provided several publicly accessible computer terminals (running Fedora). They were eventually removed due to maintenance difficulties, and a belief that the prevalence of internet-enabled phones made them obsolete.^[2]

History

Sound check, 2009

The venue first opened for business in 1977 as a leather bar called Chaps, owned by Chuck Slaton.

In 1985 it was purchased by Jim English, Jeff Mason, and Brian Raffi who opened for business under the name DNA Lounge on November 22, 1985. The name was rumored to be an acronym for "dancing, not art". The earliest regular DJs were Ted Cousens, Adam Fisher, and Brian Raffi. One of the early doormen was Doc Martin, who later became a popular house music DJ. Some nights were genre-specific, with both live bands and DJs. Notable nights and resident DJ's included DJs Blackstone (who spun hip-hop and rap on Wednesday nights), DJ Damon (who spun alternative and industrial) and Kelly Spencer (who played punk and new wave on Tuesdays). Many of DNA's posters and flyers were designed by the San Francisco-based artist, Rex Ray. There were wildly psychedelic, fluorescent murals of strange and twisted monsters with stretched perspectives on the otherwise black downstairs walls and a black and white motif in the upstairs VIP lounge that was painted by celebrated late graffiti artist Keith Haring.

During the early 90s, the DNA offered a black membership card for $10 that offered free entry most nights. Employees got a gold card which allowed up to four guests at no charge, and there was a rumored 'platinum' card that was said to be a free pass to unlimited entry, guests, and drinks. It hosted many rave-themed nights with acts including Right Said Fred, the Hardkiss Brothers and Tasti Box, and afterhours events such as Lift- it was an important venue in San Francisco rave history. The DNA Lounge was also one of the few bars in San Francisco that would serve the Flaming Dr Pepper, an ignited drink.

In 1994, the club was purchased by Tim Dale, John Schneider, and comedian/actor Rob Schneider. From 1995 until 1998, the DNA was a popular late-night destination, featuring unpublicized shows by such top pop musicians as Prince and Metallica, and weekend dance parties headlined by retro bands Grooveline and the M-80s. But, starting in 1996, the Schneiders had to devote the bulk of their time to Rob's TV sitcom Men Behaving Badly. They left the daily operations of the club to subordinates, and it fell into disrepair.^[3]

The club was purchased by Jamie Zawinski in 1999. The club was closed for extensive remodeling and soundproofing from April 1999 until it re-opened on Friday, July 13, 2001.^[4]

In 2011, Zawinski purchased the pizza restaurant next door to DNA Lounge, renaming it DNA Pizza, and announcing his plans to expand DNA Lounge into that space, combining the two businesses into a single all-ages nightclub, restaurant and cafe.^[5]

Conflict with local regulatory agencies

During the period that DNA Lounge was closed, Zawinski spearheaded a successful grassroots effort to maintain its late-night permits,^[6] facing opposition from several neighbors and the SFPD, but was unable to procure an all-ages license. In September 2008, after two and a half years of legal battles, the club's operating permits were successfully modified to allow patrons of all ages, instead of only those 21 years of age or older.^[7]

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) launched an investigation against the club in 2009, resulting in an accusation of "running a disorderly house injurious to the public welfare and morals", and asking for permanent revocation of the club's liquor license, which would result in the club closing permanently.^[8]

The accusations pertain to lewd behavior at certain gay and lesbian events which no longer take place at the club. Members of the community^[9] were outraged by the ABC's allegations and the severity of their proposed punishment. Many complained that ABC was unfairly targeting DNA lounge, and their homosexual clientele in particular, pointing out that the specific allegations are far less "lewd" than the standard behavior at heterosexual strip clubs.^[10] ABC has not commented on this accusation. Many have claimed that ABC's punishment is in retaliation to DNA's successful appeal to receive an all-ages liquor license, and that this appears to be part of a larger shift in policy by the ABC to crack down on all-ages music venues.^[11]

In April 2009, ABC ruled to revoke DNA Lounge's liquor license. DNA promptly filed an appeal citing insufficient evidence in the ABC's case as well as challenging the constitutionality of ABC's code^[12] that pertain to regulating sexual behavior and morality.^[13] DNA Lounge remained in business, pending resolution of their appeal, and they have set up a legal defense fund soliciting donations to help offset the cost of contesting the decision.^[14] On November 10, 2009, a settlement was announced, reducing the revocation of their license down to a 25-day suspension, effective January 4, 2010.^[15]

Awards

DNA Lounge won "Best Dance Club" in the San Francisco Bay Guardian's "Best of the Bay" readers' poll in 2008,^[16] 2009^[17], 2010^[18] and , 2011,^[19] and "Best Bar Staff" in 2011.^[19] A number of regular DNA Lounge events are perennial winners as well, including Bootie ("Best Party Producers", "Best Dance Party"), Smash-Up Derby ("Best Cover Band"), Hubba Hubba Revue ("Best Burlesque"), Bohemian Carnival ("Best Circus Troupe"), Trannyshack ("Best Drag Show"), Bearracuda ("Best Club for Queer Men") and Fog City Wrestling ("Best Body Slams").

On November 22, 2010, the date of DNA Lounge's 25th anniversary, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors issued a resolution proclaiming that day to be "DNA Lounge Day",^[20] "to convey the City's sincere respect for their ability to successfully run an entertainment business for the past 25 years."

On the same day, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom presented the club with a Certificate of Honor, stating that the club "contributes to the rich cultural history of San Francisco's entertainment scene and our beloved historic South of Market District."^[20]

Events

Luxxury at DNA Lounge, March 17, 2007

The space functions as a venue for both live music and regular dance nights.

Popular regular events at DNA Lounge include:

• Bootie, a four-times-a-month all-mashup dance night
• Blow Up, a monthly electro dance party
• Death Guild, the longest-running weekly gothic/industrial dance night in the country
• Meat, an industrial dance night featuring free barbecued meat
• New Wave City, San Francisco's longest-running new wave and 80s event
• Hubba Hubba Revue, a monthly burlesque show, featuring classic striptease, vaudeville comedy, variety acts, and live music
• Trannyshack, a drag and performance art event (occurring every other month)
• Bohemian Carnival, featuring eclectic dance music and circus performances (occurring once every two or three months)
• Mortified,^[21] an event where adults read from their most embarrassing adolescent journals.

DNA Lounge has also hosted several notable tech-industry events, such as CodeCon (a hacker con) and Ignite (a technology conference). The release of Mozilla 1.0 was celebrated there in 2002. Cypress Hill's music video for "Insane in the Brain" was filmed at DNA Lounge in 1993.^[22][23] In the background of some shots can be seen parts of the Keith Haring mural that used to adorn the walls of the upstairs lounge. The title sequence of the SingStar Amped video game was shot at DNA Lounge in 2007.^[24][25]

Live music

DNA Lounge has been well known for both DJ dance nights and live concerts. Since the club was purchased by Zawinski, they have been focusing more on live music,^[26] and in 2008 they procured an all-ages liquor license to facilitate this. Currently, dance events are generally 21+, but most live shows are all ages.^[27] Concert highlights since 1985^[28][29] include:

• Abney Park (2010)
• Afrika Bambaataa (2002, 2004, 2005)
• Agent Orange (1986)
• Alien Sex Fiend (1990)
• Anamanaguchi (2009, 2010, 2011)
• Andre Nickatina (2009)
• Aphrodite (2003)
• Arrested Development (1992)
• Bad Manners (2002)
• Borgore (2011)
• Brand X (1993)
• Cherry Poppin' Daddies (1995)
• Chris Isaak (1986, 1987)
• Club Foot Orchestra (1987)
• Consolidated (1988)
• Counting Crows (1992, 1994, 1995)
• Crash Worship (1998)
• Cypress Hill (1993)
• D.O.A. with Jello Biafra (1990)
• Deftones (1996)
• Digable Planets (2005, 2008)
• Digital Underground (2004, 2005)
• El Vez (1995)
• Epica (2010)
• Eric Lewis (2009)
• Exene Cervenka (1996)
• Finntroll (2011)
• Fishbone (2010)
• The Fixx (2003)
• Flipper (1987)
• A Flock of Seagulls (1989)
• Foetus Inc. (1990, 1991)
• Front 242 (2005)
• Game Theory (1986)
• Garaj Mahal (2001, 2002)
• Genitorturers (2003-2006)
• Goldie (2003, 2004)
• Grandmaster Flash (2002)
• Green Day (2009)^[30]
• Groovie Ghoulies (2005, 2006)
• GWAR (2004)
• GZA (2004)
• Hallucinogen (2001)
• Hanzel und Gretyl (2003, 2010)
• Henry Rollins (1987)
• House of Pain (1992)
• Hypocrisy (2010)
• Incredibly Strange Wrestling (2002-2007)
• Infected Mushroom (2002)
• Invisibl Skratch Piklz (1993, 1994)
• Jello Biafra (1990, 1996, 2009)
• Jim Carroll (1986)
• The Jim Rose Circus (1993, 2009)
• Julian Cope (1991)
• KMFDM (2002, 2004)
• KRS-One (2003)
• Lee Presson and the Nails (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
• Legendary Pink Dots (1995)
• Lene Lovich (1990)
• Lords of Acid (2010)
• Lydia Lunch (1987, 1996)
• Mark Farina (2001-2007 residency)
• Marques Wyatt (2002-2007 residency)
• MCM and the Monster (1995)
• Miami Horror (2011)
• Midnight Oil (1993)
• Miguel Migs (2001-2008)
• The Misfits (2007)
• Mixmaster Mike (2004)
• The Mutants (1989)
• My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult (2002, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2010)
• Nas (1996)
• Neurosis (1995, 2002)
• New Model Army (1993, 2003-2009)
• Nina Hagen (2002-2005)
• Opio (2005, 2008)
• Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (1991)
• Peelander-Z (2011)
• Pentagram (2009, 2010)
• Phish (1991, 1994)
• Pigface (2001, 2003, 2005)
• Primus (1988, 1991)
• Prince (1993, 1997)
• Psychic TV (1986, 2004)
• Q-Bert (2003, 2005)
• Reverend Horton Heat (1996)
• The Roots (1995)
• S.U.N. Project (2002)
• Sean Paul (2005)
• Sorrow (2004)
• Spin Doctors (1991)
• Spinderella (2003)
• Steel Pole Bath Tub (2002)
• Swans (1992)
• Swingin' Utters (2002)
• Talib Kweli (2002)
• 2 Live Crew (1990)
• Village People (1996)
• VNV Nation (1999, 2001, 2005, 2010)
• Voltaire (2005)
• W.A.S.P. (2004)
• Z-Trip (2003)

References

1. ^ Evany Thomas (2001-07-16). "From Netscape to Nightclub". Wired Magazine. http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,45264,00.html. Retrieved 2009-02-26. 
2. ^ "DNA Lounge blog entry about kiosks". 2009-07-05. http://www.dnalounge.com/backstage/log/2009/07/05.html. Retrieved 2009-08-29. 
3. ^ "DNA Lounge: Ancient History: 1906-1998". 2000-12-13. http://www.dnalounge.com/backstage/log/1906-1998.html#1994. Retrieved 2009-02-26. 
4. ^ James Sullivan (2001-07-12). "DNA Lounge set to reopen tomorrow; New owner brings top technology". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/07/12/DD161466.DTL. Retrieved 2009-02-26. 
5. ^ "DNA Lounge blog entry: "Wherein the Empire Expands"". 2011-02-16. http://www.dnalounge.com/backstage/log/2011/02/16.html. Retrieved 2011-07-27. 
6. ^ Andrew Leonard (2000-02-10). "Free the Night Life!". Salon. http://dir.salon.com/tech/feature/2000/02/10/zawinski/index.html. Retrieved 2009-02-26. 
7. ^ "DNA Lounge blog entry about permit change". 2008-08-18. http://www.dnalounge.com/backstage/log/2008/08/18.html. Retrieved 2009-06-17. 
8. ^ "DNA Lounge blog entry about ABC accusations". 2009-02-13. http://www.dnalounge.com/backstage/log/2009/02/13.html. Retrieved 2009-06-17. 
9. ^ Matthew S. Bajko (2009-02-26). "Gay party venue fights to remain open". Bay Area Reporter. http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=3744. Retrieved 2011-07-27. 
10. ^ Violet Blue (2009-02-26). "The ABC's New Anti-Gay Crusade? ABC's recent targeting of LGBT events at the DNA Lounge is a tragic non-surprise.". San Francisco Bay Guardian. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2009/02/26/violetblue0226.DTL. Retrieved 2009-06-16. 
11. ^ Marisa Lagos (2009-04-11). "State goes after legendary all-ages music clubs". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/04/11/MNK217038L.DTL. Retrieved 2009-06-16. 
12. ^ "California Code of Regulations". http://www.abc.ca.gov/LawsRulesReg.html. Retrieved 2009-06-16. 
13. ^ "DNA Lounge blog entry about filing of appeal". 2009-04-11. http://www.dnalounge.com/backstage/log/2009/04/11.html. Retrieved 2009-06-16. 
14. ^ "Legal Defense Fund". DNA Lounge. 2009-02-22. http://www.dnalounge.com/donate/. Retrieved 2009-05-01. 
15. ^ "DNA Lounge blog entry regarding settlement". 2009-11-10. http://www.dnalounge.com/backstage/log/2009/11/10.html. Retrieved 2009-12-05. 
16. ^ "Best of the Bay 2008". San Francisco Bay Guardian. 2008-07-29. http://www.sfbg.com/bob/2008/ent.php. Retrieved 2009-02-26. 
17. ^ "Best of the Bay 2009". San Francisco Bay Guardian. 2009-07-29. http://www.sfbg.com/printable_entry.php?entry_id=8921. Retrieved 2009-08-29. 
18. ^ "Best of the Bay 2010". San Francisco Bay Guardian. 2010-07-27. http://www.sfbg.com/specials/best-bay-2010-readers-poll-arts-and-nightlife. Retrieved 2010-11-25. 
19. ^ ^{a b} "Best of the Bay 2011". San Francisco Bay Guardian. 2011-07-27. http://www.sfbg.com/specials/best-bay-2011-readers-poll-arts-and-entertainment. Retrieved 2011-07-27. 
20. ^ ^{a b} "Board of Supervisors Proclamation, "DNA Lounge Day"". 2010-11-22. http://www.dnalounge.com/backstage/log/2010/11/22.html. Retrieved 2010-11-25. 
21. ^ ""It's Better and Cheaper than Therapy"". Newsweek. 2006-07-24. http://www.newsweek.com/2006/07/23/it-s-better-and-cheaper-than-therapy.html. Retrieved 2010-11-25. 
22. ^ "Cypress Hill music video for Insane In The Brain". 1992. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RijB8wnJCN0. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
23. ^ "DNA Lounge blog entry explaining architectural features visible in the Cypress Hill video". 2001-09-18. http://www.dnalounge.com/backstage/log/2001/09/18.html. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
24. ^ "DNA Lounge blog entry about SingStar Amped". 2008-07-02. http://www.dnalounge.com/backstage/log/2008/07/02.html. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
25. ^ "SingStar Amped title sequence". 2007-09-18. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBk3AIWUSGc. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
26. ^ "DNA Lounge blog entry about live music". 2007-04-18. http://www.dnalounge.com/backstage/log/2007/04/18.html. Retrieved 2009-06-17. 
27. ^ "DNA Lounge". 2009-02-26. http://www.dnalounge.com/. Retrieved 2009-02-26. 
28. ^ "Bands that have performed at DNA Lounge". 2010-12-06. http://www.dnalounge.com/calendar/ledger.html. Retrieved 2010-12-06. 
29. ^ "DNA Lounge Calendar: 1985-1999". 2009-04-04. http://www.dnalounge.com/calendar/1985-1999.html. Retrieved 2009-04-22. 
30. ^ Jim Harrington (2009-04-10). "Green Day unveils new album '21st Century Breakdown' in 2nd S.F. club gig". Mercury News. http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12115962. Retrieved 2009-04-22. 

External links

• Official website