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Shine
Category: Nightlife Dance Clubs Dance Clubs [Edit]
1337 Mission St(between Washburn St & Grace St)
San Francisco, CA 94103
Neighborhood: SOMA
(415) 255-1337
- Hours:
Wed-Sat 9 pm - 2 am
- Music:
- DJ
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ages Allowed:
- 21+
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
215 reviews for Shine
Review Highlights
"The photo booth is of course a blast too."
(in 76 reviews)
"The one-way mirror in the bathroom and the old-school photo..."
(in 10 reviews)
"You're always guaranteed a great time at Shine."
(in 10 reviews)
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215 reviews in English
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Review from glen m.
11/30/2011
What happens when a bunch of SF party hounds get drunk and decides to drop their overwhelming tech jobs and open a bar?
You get a pretty nice place.
Laid back. Danceable but not a club. Drinkable but not a boozer. one-way mirrors in the loo. Flickr-posting photobooth.
All in all, a Pretty Good Thing. We like. -
Review from Darrel D.
Castro Valley, CA
1/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
I was here for a social event, and am disappointed with this venue because:
1. Drinks are watered down
2. Bartenders will only make eye contact with you if you are hot girl with your boobs hanging out or a girl with short skirt who is showing the "goodies".
3. The neighborhood is not all that safe-when walking up to this place; it felt as if I was walking into some sort of a drug den. Some crazy guy outside of the door was trying to mug some other crazy guy.
My recommendations for the ladies who actually want to visit this place is to go to this venue in groups, and have mace (if you know self defense, then BONUS!).
4. Music sucks.Comment from SHINE L. of Shine 2/2/2012
Hi Darrel, First & for most thank you for coming to Shine.… More » -
Review from Nick B.
San Francisco, CA
1/15/2012
Doug called at like 10:30.
"Dude what are you doing?"
"Sitting around in my underwear, why?"
"We are going out, I'll be there in 15 minutes....call Tom"
Since Doug was still rebounding from his last girlfriend, by the Bro Code I had to saddle up and go out. I needed to find some pants asap.
Doug wanted to hit Shine and Tom met us there. Generally speaking this is a cool lounge. The bar is really nice sized and offers up quick service and well mixed drinks. You can dance, talk, chill, hit on girls, etc. But at the same time it really has that solid lounge feel compared to a straight club.
They get a solid 3 stars for covering all the bases. Nothing stands out as awesome or horrible but that's cool. It's nice to have a few places to go and have fun with different people.Listed in: Clubs, Bars, and Dives
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Review from Inigo M.
San Francisco, CA
2/5/2012
Nothing extraordinary.
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Review from Dana S.
10/25/2011
Shine, oh Shine, what happened to you? At the NuFunk Boutique last week, I barely recognized you.
It seems your new owners have not been kind. Gone are the cozy terraced booths, the glowing gold glass behind the bar, those chatty bartenders, that rarely-a-good-idea photobooth, and the funky furry lanterns--not to mention the ceiling-high mirror in the ladies' room. And what did you get in return? A slideshow of unhappy, even menacing patrons marching past on the projector screen and $2 tacked on the drink prices?
You're a shadow of your former self, and I don't think I can stand to see you this way anymore. So farewell, old friend. I'll miss you.Comment from SHINE L. of Shine 11/2/2011
Sorry you feel that way, shine has been in business for over… More » -
Review from Fraulein C.
Santa Clara, CA
10/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you know me well, I love dancing! My dancing feet got me itching to get some footwork in after my friend Ben and Lester wanted to hit up SF for a night out on an Indian type of summer late into October?! Of course, I couldn't pass up the opportunity!
Luckily, I didn't say no, after I found out this place would rock out some hard steppin' house beats, electro, a few trance hits here and there, and break beats if you're the type to do some infamous footwork. Occasionally, the DJ will throw in some Top 40 hits but mash it up with house beats mixed in. Check out their local DJs, DJ Gunz and Ace Tatsu, DJ DRC, Voodoo Blu, DJ Kimani, Freeform vs. Dubalicious, and follow up on their events either on their website, http://sfhousemusic.com or http://beforelastcall.com.
This isn't your typical lounge or dive bar nor a nightclub if you feel like getting drunk. It's a hidden gem that shouldn't be tampered with. Trust me, I love finding great places in which nobody, I'm telling you NOBODY knows about! Their little bar hidden behind an unobtrusive door sitting in the heart of SOMA has dark red painted walls, hardwood floors, and sparse furnishings that makes this feel so secretive that I want to keep it under wraps. There's a TV or large projector screen sitting next to the DJ booth with animated pictures and whatnot. Reminds me a bit like Cardiff in Campbell but with that extra "oomph" because it's in SF!
They do carry a variety of cheap and good liquor sitting in the back of the bar but they mostly mix typical drinks that won't break your budget. They have certain nights that carry happy hour specials! Surprisingly, they offer bottle service which is pretty nice. Not enough room to spare for a large party, but it works with what they have. Best time to show up is around 11pm when things start to pick up.
I'm glad I got to wiggle my booty and move my feet after awhile, but the crowd isn't too easy on the eyes. I highly recommend to bring in a few good dancers to get the people to dance.....literally know how to dance!! Don't get me wrong, it's a diverse crowd, but there's people here that should take a class in break dancing 101 or something.
Overall, I love the atmosphere this place carries. Awesome music, drinks, the crowd with their own flair of dance styles, and the nights when it's either free cover or less than $5 cover charge! When I came here on a Friday night, $1 cover charge...ALL NIGHT with a stamp so you can have INs and OUTs anytime you please. How can you beat that?!
Would I be back? HELL YES! This place SHINEs in my book!Comment from SHINE L. of Shine 11/2/2011
Thank you, im glad you had a great time, we hope to see you… More » -
Review from Ralph D.
Fremont, CA
Cool place. I went here during the Isotope Zombie bar crawl for the Walking Dead. The staff was cool and the drinks were made well.
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Review from Shirley J.
San Francisco, CA
10/22/2011
This is a place to come for cheap(ish for SF) drinks and with a large group of friends. I made the mistake of coming with just one friend, thinking we were going to dance. Wrong. The crowd is pretty diverse, from small cocktail dresses girls to large middle-aged men who put water bottles in the back of shirt behind the neck while dancing (for reals).
The DJ played some ....80s ish music mashed with house beats. It wasn't un-danceable, but I wouldn't say it was enjoyable. We asked for some JUSTICE or Daft Punk, and the DJ said he didn't know/didn't have them. Huh?
The music paired with the type of crowd I saw, I wouldn't come here again. -
Review from omar i.
San Francisco, CA
1/17/2012
Only giving 3 stars because the times i been there it was dead. I don't understand why though. the place has full of potential. I think the owners have to stop the bull shit with promoters and run their own shit . your not going to get much success as a business by having amateur promoters charging 10 bucks to get in the place when its 11:00pm and the club is dry as a desert inside. Honestly some times simple business models are the best way to go. Just hire a good DJ for 200-300 bucks and dont have a cover charge. The place will be packed . I haven't given up on shine yet .I hope to have a crackin time next time i go!
Comment from SHINE L. of Shine 2/2/2012
Hi Omar, Thank you for visiting shine and also thank you… More » -
Review from Gina S.
10/12/2011
Such a cool place!! Its a little divy but very cool and hip. The bartenders and the owner are super nice! Even though we stumbled upon a speed dating event here, they didnt kick us out at all! They included us in the $5 drink special that was offered for th event. SCORE! They had great music too. I was skeptical about the big mirror in the women's bathroom because it felt like it could be a two way mirror? So I had to ask the owner and he said it wasnt....but who knows? lol
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Review from Karen T.
10/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
I stumbled in here on a early Saturday evening and some guy asked us are you part of the event? We were like huh? What event?..Speed Dating! HAHAHA. It was entertaining watching the couples interact, then watching all the woman clear the place FAST right after the event..umm guess no match? haha. I like the space, it felt like a vampire's cave. Intimate, all red and black and cozy but not stuffy hot or anything. Bartenders are super cool and the new owner is also nice and attentive.
Comment from SHINE L. of Shine 11/2/2011
Thank you :) and we hope to see you again More » -
Review from Mariel F.
Alameda, CA
7/14/2011
Shine isn't bad.
I just think that everything could be better. -
Review from Jason B.
7/26/2011
Shiny disco balls.
Right over the bar. Paired with modern lighting. Nicely done.
DJ spins house, progressive and a little from today. Decent sized dance floor considering the relatively small space. More intimate seating at the bar for chatting.
Gin and tonic was mixed just right. $7 was no deal, nor was it overpriced.
Perfectly A-OK. -
Review from Stewart H.
San Francisco, CA
9/28/2011
Shine is the best bar/ lounge/ dance club in SF. I have been there several times and am never disappointed. My first experience was for my wife's birthday. I wanted a place that could take about 15 people to where we could talk and enjoy the evening, but also drink and dance to good music. Shine was an instant hit with everyone. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the night. The staff was friendly and helpful. There was never any wait getting a drink at the bar and they pour generous.
I have quite a few friends coming to visit me from around the states and we always seem to end up at Shine when I take them out for a night on the town. Since visiting Shine the first time over a month ago, I have been there four more times and found it to be the same quality of service/ music selection/ and overall ambiance that I fell in love with the first time I went....If not better.
I waited to write this review because I am not a person who visits a place once and then writes a review about it. I think it is best to visit a place more than once to get a more complete understanding of their quality and then write a review. Shine is Five Stars! Every time I have been there it was amazing. I highly recommend it! If you haven't visited Shine, then you are missing out. -
Review from Don W.
Oakland, CA
7/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
In a grubby space with quirky decor, sitting incognito right on Mission, reminiscent in some way of a speakeasy, Shine is a little civic center area dance lounge that attracts a diverse, fun crowd.
Entertainment varies from House/Techno/HipHop DJs to live bands, and the bar menu is fairly extensive and reasonably priced. The sound system is decent, and actually even a little impressive compared to what I was expecting.
People seem to consistently have a good time here, and while it won't be impressive from a visual point of view to most, it has charm and it's worth checking out if you're looking for something to do. -
Review from Christopher L.
San Francisco, CA
6/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
For all the guys out there that have a sense of rhythmn, and may not be the best dancers, this place is great. I can groove if I'm down with the music, and this place has some of the best nights for some hood house beats.
Come on a Freeform Dubalicious night, they bring some great tracks and the DJs are local favorites.
The bar is superb, awesomely courteous and won't break your wallet if you bring a date.
My friends love to congregate here, it's never too packed you can't dance and it's always crowded just enough to be crackling.
*drops the mic* -
Review from Grace C.
10/14/2010
Heard DJ Dragn'fly was going to be at Shine, so made the effort to go to Wish on a Wed night.
I arrive at 9:40p and my friends (NO, LD) are still at Wish. So, I plopped down at the end of the bar and ordered a water with lemon slices. Bartender didn't charge me and the couple (Tony & Hannah) sitting next to me began talking to me -- even invited me to move with them to the couch area and shared her Trader Joe's treats with me. They were so relaxed and friendly. Other people walked up to us. Vibe there is of an intimate house party. People are there to dance and mingle versus making a fashion statement or making out.
DJ Escobar was good and I especially liked the "scratching". He inspired people to dance and kept them on the dance floor. So, after getting up around 5a and working two jobs and being on my feet for hours, I danced quite hard for 90 min.
The wood floor looks new and feels good. I noticed someone spilled liquid on the floor between the bar and the dance floor and no one mopped it up. (Pet peeve - people dancing on the dance floor holding drinks in hand--why bother?)
Wish is located less than 2 blocks from Civic BART. Easy access. Just a pity that BART ends at midnight. Missed my chance to hear DragnFly.
Enjoyed the warm, unpretentious vibe and diverse crowd. I will return. -
Review from Glenn P.
Mountain View, CA
4/17/2011
Never knew this place even existed but read that it was a cool place to dance. So I decided to check it out. Arrived at around 10:45, paid the $5 to get in and the place was practically dead! With like 2 people on the dance floor. So I decided to leave and come back at around 11:30. It was a little bit busier later in the night. Not a whole lot of people though.
Its pretty much of a divey type place with a really small dance floor. There isn't much room around the dance floor and after a couple of people spilled their drinks it was pretty difficult to dance around.
Cool place to dance. Not really a superficial crowd and people were pretty friendly. Wasn't exactly the most exciting place but overall it was just OK. -
Review from Robert S.
Fresno, CA
2/6/2011
I live two blocks down from Shine, and ended up stopping in to see a friend dj. Spot is decent, although a little small. By time we left, there was only about 3 other people there but it was a Tuesday night but that's never stopped anyone in the city.
Anyway, drinks were good but a little more than I would have liked to pay. The bartender seemed to have a slight arrogant attitude. -
Review from Synnora B.
Sunnyvale, CA
6/5/2011
This is a cool place. I am not sure if it is because a lot of my friends go there or the friendly bartenders or if I was just drunk. :) It is kind of divey but it is totally fine. Drinks were good (too good) and the music was banging as Syd Gris was Dj'ing and the system there is remarkable for the type of venue it is.
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Review from Tommy P.
San Francisco, CA
7/26/2010
Pretty dope lil spot for drinks and music on a Saturday night. Came for the Mizumo music throwdown this past Saturday and wasn't disappointed. The drinks were strong, the music wasn't to loud or to quiet and it wasn't to packed or to empty. Shit was just right like Goldilocks son!
Only thing that was weird was the bathroom situation. They have one of those two way mirrors so you can see out into the main area but apparently people can't see in. Something about seeing someone just chillin right there lookin into that mirror while I'm trying to take a piss didn't sit right with me. That and the lock is broken (it's one of those single person bathrooms) so someone could just walk in on you as you're tinklin. Fix that shit!! -
Review from Thibault S.
San Francisco, CA
10/16/2010
Ended there a few times when crawling in the Mission with drinking friends. It's not the best bar in town, but it has some potential.
The drinks are good, and not too expensive (it's not a dive bar either).
I can't give more than 4 stars because I haven't been there too many times, and haven't been to the upstairs (paying) section. But from what I've experienced so far, it's a good place to hang out.
Small anecdote: during the gay pride, while waiting in line for the bathrooms, a guy decided to use the trash bin instead. -
Review from Yelper A.
San Francisco, CA
12/11/2006 ROTD 1/3/2007
I have one word to describe these guys - INCREDIBLE!
They accommodated me last minute, gave me a deal that was IMPOSSIBLE to beat, treated me like a QUEEN, and took a party for 100+ people with less than 5 days left for my 30th...
Who does that genuinely in a moment's notice and with the enthusiasm of someone who has been friends with you for well over ten years?! I wonder what they would have done if they knew I was a yelper - Ha!
Not only did I run into at least 6 or 7 people who I have met in the city time and time again who weren't part of our group - the same thing kept happening to many of my guests.
Yeah - do the math and it was a very cohesive clan by the end of the night! All of which ended up funner than all hell, sexy, crazy, classy, and fun fun fun!
The best part of the night is when they let me make a speech (which I STILL can't quite recall) and Ben (one of the owners) came over to my after party to help me serve drinks AND clean up until the wee hours in the morning!
And he even entertained my little brother! Showed him the 'ropes.'
INCREDIBLE!!Listed in: Amanda's Big Day Out
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Review from Lara H.
Los Angeles, CA
5/19/2008
Kick-ass DJs, cutting edge music (breaks, techno, tech house, electro, dubstep, house, etc.), modest venue, great crowd, friendly bartenders, cheap drinks, cool photo booth - what more could you possibly want on a Friday or Saturday night?
Shine is a great place to dance your ass off! You're always guaranteed a great time at Shine! -
Review from Lauren F.
Oakland, CA
10/25/2007
I expected a place with the name of Shine to have those huge beacon lights pointed straight up to the sky saying... "We're over here!!" Or, a large Neon sign with an arrow pointed to the door. Or an albino who just got all oiled up standing in the doorway (yes...Id imagine he would be shiny) But nope. Nothing shiny about this place. Upon first approach, I almost walked past it. The only reason I knew where it was was because my friends were smoking out front
I'm glad I found it.
I think that my evening was probably similar to a lot of experiences here because it was "rented" out for a party. Not really rented so much as just a space that my friend could have his birthday party in, order food from Shine, and bring in his own DJ's, but I think anyone could have walked in off the street. Granted it was a Tuesday and a lot of people don't go out on school nights, so the crowd was fair. Not too many people, and I worked the door for about an hour, so I got to keep the tally...I know.
I really like the space, and would like to check this place out again...on a "normal" night. Decent size dance floor, some couches to sit/snuggle on, and a free photo booth whose photos are sent to Flickr. Apparently it's not immediate though because I just checked...I went on Tuesday, it's currently Thursday and they aren't up yet. The food that was offered was outstanding. Bacon wrapped meatballs...bacon wrapped scallops...bacon wrapped...no, just the first two, but there was cheese, and spring rolls too. Tasty. Reasonable drinks...my vodka soda was $6. Standard.
They are always doing all sorts of "private" events...and charity work. The money we raised at the door went to something....and not the birthday boy's or the owner's wallet. Maybe ill have my next "private" party here too....or just expose my "privates" in the photo booth. Either way I guess.
Zanzibar! -
Review from Jason D.
San Francisco, CA
2/23/2006
Great bar with a great feel of "comfort" and a place you feel you could really just kick back and enjoy. I always love one way glass in bathrooms, makes me feel naughty (although some would also love the little mirrored shelf in front of the window, to feel really naughty!) Of course the photo booth was a cool idea, Tripp was a great host, but I have two hesitations..
The drinks were very, I mean VERY inconsistant in terms of pour, WOW, that was strong, and What? Where's the booze? It's sad when you can set two drinks next to each other and would have NO IDEA they were the same drink.
Also, I prefer when given my credit card receipt, that I get a break down of what I have been charged, not just the slip to sign. I may not recall how many I ordered, but at least let me take a look at it for my own piece of mind.... -
Review from InfodivaMLIS B.
San Francisco, CA
3/26/2009 3 photos
I had a great time at Shine. Nice decor. The music was retro pop top 40. There was no disc jockey for the event I attended. The bartender mixed some strong drinks. Gotta love that free photo booth, I have to hunt for my pictures online. I am still trying to figure out the black box wall displays that a full of alcoholic beverages and mixers.
I wish I had gotten up the nerve to play the Wii Sports game. I did not do much dancing just drinking and conversation.
What is up with that bathroom with the mirror?? Luckily us ladies did not get to see a show, the light bulb was burned out. -
Review from Miriam W.
2/23/2006
I Shine. . .You Shine. . .WE Shine. . .
When I read Mission Street (between 9th and 10th) I had trouble visualizing what this place would look like. There are no big, bright lights to guide you in, but once you step inside you'll find comfy sofas to relax on, friendly bartenders, a digital photobooth that goes straight to Flickr, and a bathroom with a very unique mirror.
My only suggestion for improvement? Fix the bathroom door lock!Listed in: Many thanks to Yelp
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Review from Autumn K.
1/19/2010
This is a great place to go if you want to run into every guy I've dated in SF over the past 10 years. Yes, 10 YEARS worth of boyfriends packed into one itty bitty space. That being said, they still get 4 stars from me.
Great music, decent drink prices, and all the burner booty you can shake a "Leave no Trace" bumper sticker at. Not really my type anymore, and it's probably safer that way. If you are anything like me, you'll show up tipsy, dance for a couple of hours, watch your friend's shirt be ripped open by a stranger, and then fall asleep on a bench. What can I say? Being a princess is an exhausting job! And I probably drink too much.
This is a great alternative to the other places in the hood. I now entirely lack the patience for large venues. Grittier than Wish (but everything Wish used to be and more) but waaaay cleaner than DNA and the like, and with all the good dj talent a girl needs, this is the perfect compromise. Underground party feel without the threat of being closed down and kicked out. Just come on the early side. A lot of people want to crash in those booths and there are only a couple of them. -
Review from Andrew W.
Los Angeles, CA
2/23/2006
Thanks for hosting a kick-ass event! I loved the setup and the fact that I could actually navigate around. Also, the flicker cam booth is a cool idea. Overall, I had a lot of fun at the Yelp Elite event tonight. My only qualm is with the bartender that tried to charge me for drinks...
SO, minus one little star. I'll give it back if I manage to come again and there are no further infractions...Listed in: My Yelp experiences thus…
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Review from Brianne K.
San Francisco, CA
9/28/2006
Okay, this place REALLY isn't my scene...the techno kills it. I hate techno. But I love the photo booth, which I used about 40 times in one night, and the drinks were great.
Unfortunately, their drinks were so good, that I had a few too many and left my wallet there. I called them after we left, and they confirmed that they still had it. I figured I'd just swing by on Sunday night. Tried that, they were closed. I emailed them, and they called me on Monday. Apparently they're under the same ownership as Sauce, so I stopped by after work to pick it up. It had all of my money and credit cards in it. I offered to give them money as a reward for finding it, but they refused. I love Shine because of that!!! -
Review from Susan B.
Burlingame, CA
5/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yeah, this place is great if you're looking for a chilled out place to dance. It's small and the drinks are strong and not too crazy expensive for being in SF proper. There are couches lining the wall and a few areas where a group can sit (I would imagine you should get there early to snag one of these). We went Friday night and started with 2 shots of jack and rum and cokes which was $22 (I think). The DJ was okay and everyone was dressed down... flip flops and sun dresses. Even though it was Friday and we were there from 11pm to 12:30am, it never got busy. Great place if that's your scene...
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Review from Tanya P.
2/23/2006
Shine for the 2-way glass? The photo booth? (Thank you for the demo of the booth Kristin and Nish). Would have to say it's Trip's excellent hosting and sweet albeit babyish staff!
Was expecting a more distinct or unique personality to be present from the various reviews and for such a vivid name. I would actually give it a 3 if it wasn't for the photo booth, bathroom glass and staff. Then again, the lights were bright enough to see everything so perhaps the ambiance didn't get in full gear. Never got to have my booze shot for my info trade (heh, karma biting me in the *ss for those info cards we made various elite squad fill out at the IO event), but my conversation partner had possession of the tickets. -
Review from Gretchen T.
San Francisco, CA
1/29/2007
When I went for a Yelp event last year, I loved the space, the table -service-on-a-wall, the yummy Sauce food and of course the Yelptinis (thank god I didn't make it to the photobooth, I am planning on running for president someday!), but I didn't get a club-vibe from it at all; more of a pre-function sort of place.
Last Friday, however, we followed Savvy Sav's advice and headed over for actual dancing. I was dubious, but willing (this combo gets me into more trouble than I'd like to admit). And what a night! Good music that I would have danced to, if I wasn't so busy accepting Jager shots from Brian (THANKS for twisting my rubber arm!) and pronouncing to a professional colleague's wife, who we ran into there and who just had a baby, not "Congratulations!" or "Is it a boy or a girl?!" but rather, "Oh, so there is milk in there!" pointing to her breasts.
(I actually was not raised in a barn. If I can fit a New Years' Resolution under the wire, it will be to work on my social poise, just a little.)
So if the folks at Shine can guarantee that I won't run into my work colleague ever again, I will check out the DJ schedule and keep coming back, manners intact. *curtsy*Listed in: Boogie Nights
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Review from gene x.
San Francisco, CA
11/27/2006 3 Check-ins Here
One of my favorite neighborhood places to go. Also owned by folks I know so I am particular to it. Shine is the perfect size - not too big, not too tiny. There's usually room on the dance floor although it might be crowded, but that's better than overly cavernous.
The photo booth is of course a blast too. Lots of good nights like Dirtybird and Angels of Bass too to check out for varying types of musical tastes...Listed in: For visitors to SF, My old 'Hood (around…
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Review from Nish N.
2/24/2006
I finally got over to Shine down in SOMA, of course for our Yelp Elite event, and was really impressed with the vibe. It's still a work-in-progress, sort of reminds me of the old days of going to26Mix or something, but that sort of low key vibe appeals to me.
The bartenders are fun too, and that adds a lot of course, and how can you not like the implicit debauchery of a photobooth with faux fur lining? Oh, and one of the bathroom's - I guess it's the men's one - has a nice surprise waiting too.
The room is layed out with plenty of seating to chill out with friends and watch people get sweaty on the dancefloor. You can tell these guys appreciate their DJs, a nice sound system and speakers give off beats that are solid but don't overwhelm the place.
Trip, if you ever read this, I think you should get a Magic Bus to transport people from dinner at Sauce to dancing at Shine! -
Review from Melanie N.
San Francisco, CA
4/4/2007
What do you do when you're about to turn 30?
Ask your friend who knows the city better than you to help you find a cool place to accomodate all types of friends for a kick ass birthday party.
Et voila! Shine!!
I had never been there and the reviews we had heard were mixed, but I had an amazing 30th birthday there (sans the vomiting outside the club, but that's ANOTHER story). While it was my friend who planned everything, from what I can gather they seemed very accomodating, we had our own lounge area with our own mini-bar. The bartenders were great and the crowd was very cool (well, a lot of them were my friends but you get the picture...) The atmosphere is inviting and friendly, not overly-pompous as so many places in the city can be! Beware the photo booth in back...pictures may be taken that you will regret....and posted on the internet! (Not that I speak from experience...ahem)
I've been back twice since then and it hasn't disappointed!
FYI - Music changes dramatically from night to night so make sure to check the schedule... -
Review from Brady K.
San Francisco, CA
4/1/2007
Shine is a homey bar lacking pretense. Its bartenders are friendly, serve decent pours, and Shine has enough space to accommodate bootie shaking, grinding or getting your monkey funky. There's even a nice loungy area with couches you can score if you get there early enough.
Minor gripes include lack of a coat check, and lack of a lock on the men's bathroom - but I suppose the novelty of its one-way mirror will distract you as dudes walk in, watch you pee, and walk out to wait their turn. -
Review from Nina M.
San Francisco, CA
9/1/2006
Checked it out last night for a Tall Sasha/ Playdoughboy DJ thing.
Fun small space, descent music (excluding some un-known kid who opened and didn't know how to use a mixer), cool crowd. Big minus for the pricey watered drinks. Big plus for the hilarious bouncer who amused w/his stories of working hip-hop shows in Queens! -
Review from Katie F.
Fremont, CA
7/3/2010
Plus: Friendly bar tenders, great tunes, great drinks, reasonably priced beer, clean clean clean restrooms.
downside: dead as a doornail until 11pm. still no one dancing when we left at 1130. LAME.
we went home and had a great drunken shag instead. took some drunken pics on the photo booth near the back.
Try an Irish Car bomb!!! they were so nice I got it for free!!
