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Categories: Lounges, Dance Clubs
Neighborhood: Union SquareWed. 10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Thu. 9:30 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Fri. 5:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sat. 10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
"i am going to make it brief Make reservation for a party of 16 at 8...got there at 8:30...place closes at 9...they let us stay later to…" read more »
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Vessel is awesome. What more can I say?
It can get hot in there because it's a little bit on the smaller slide but it doesn't matter. This place has great dj's and a great sound system. Vessel will play house, hip hop, top 40, etc all depending on the day you go and who's DJing/ promoting so make sure to check their site to ensure you'll enjoy the type of music playing when you go...Lines on weekends can be a bit ridiculous but it doesn't matter when you know the promotor or dj that night, so no waiting in line for me =)
Yea it's a Vessel, vessel in a slave ship. It gets hella hot up in there. Luckily my friends had a table which were pretty nice. You get a comfy spot to sit at and you can get up on the tables and start dancing! The wack part was when strangers would come up and try to dance. Um, I don't think so ho.
Anyhoo, I do like the location of this place. Convenient if you rely on BART but still want to have a little fun on a Saturday night. Drinks were pretty good, kinda pricey though, $12 for a specialty cocktatil. The DJ that night was cool. The bathroom situation is a little confusing, they have one of those stall monitors to ensure that no one is getting frisky or doing coke.
This is a cool place for when you want to start off the night. I wouldn't kick it there for too long because it gets crazy crowded. I forgot to minus another star due to the fact that the guy at the door is a dick.
This is a cool spot. Vessel is a little small but that doesn't matter. What vessel has is a great sound system so it more than makes up for its lack in square footage. There's only one bar and it can get packed but don't let that hinder you from having a good time. There's always great dj's and a sexy crowd that's well manicured. *including oneself and company :)
You can think of it as a mini ruby skye with the great quality of dj's.. It's sure to be a good spot to get your ass on the floor.
I'm shy.
You'll find me dancing on top of a table only after a cocktail.
Okay.
Maybe after a cocktail, three Kamikaze shots, a post-dinner wine buzz and some coaxing from girlfriends.
Vessel has a nice square layout, mood lighting, sturdy wooden tables which held up to our dancing, soft suede comfortable booths, very friendly table service. Although I prefer to shake it like a salt shaker to hip-hop rather than hard house/techno music, I found my rhythm after downing those drinks. But surprisingly, there is enough room to move around the dance floor without feeling like sardines stuffed in a can.
I don't like the semi-private bathrooms. Sharing the wash area with the boys is fine, but the fact that they're THERE when I'm re-adjusting my bra is kinda awkward even in my alchohol-induced state.
I had so much fun but was wiped out by the time I got home. Before I closed my eyes, I remember thinking, "I hope my knees/hips don't hurt tomorrow from dancing in my heels for 3 hours straight."
Well, it does.
I think I'm getting old.
I have never felt so disrespected in my life. I come from a small town in Northern California where discrimination and prejudice are expected but to feel this way in one of the country's most renowned cities makes me ashamed and disappointed. A city like San Francisco, so historic, so diverse should be one of the last places where a person should feel discriminated against.
The first time I went to Vessel, I had a wonderful experience. My friends had the post grad commencement at this venue and it was perfect so when I suggested it as a place for one of my close friend to celebrate a birthday, I thought it was a sure thing. I am regretful to say it was a huge disappointment.
I don't even know where to begin with the situation. My friends and I reserved a table and apparently another party reserved a spot adjoining ours. No problem; or so we thought. Apparently, these three guys to our group of 20 were so intimidated and bitter that we had a bigger group, decided to stake their claim as if it was the f*ckn Western Movement all over again. As if gold was to claim. To make matters worst, they had to involve security because their futile little falics were not suffice to claim their territory. But I would have to blame the club for this inconvenience for setting up and area to accommodate groups of three to twenty??? If a party of 20 people reserve a table, shouldn't the club organizers take that into account and not put a group of three at the same place? FRUSTRATING and IRRITATING!!! HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE.
What a huge disappointment. Vessel is a racist, discriminating venue.
Hands down my favorite club in SF. I am a music loving, dancefloor rocking, night crawler. Yes, I am a foodie and a lover of all things beautiful, but I am first and foremost at music loving dancer.
Vessel is particular. It is upscale but casual. It is older and younger. It is deep house and hip-hop. I've said this before, and I'll say it again. Vessel is the Cielo (http://www.cieloclub.com/) of SF, and I think I recently heard that both club shares owners, which was not a surprise at all!
Wednesday night for "Infatuation" was for indie electro DJ's with a 2 for 1 drink special at the bar. Recently they've changed it to more famous underground DJ's. Last night they had Steve Lawler at the decks.
Thursdays are my usual nights at Vessel with their house/techno scene. Last month they had Roger Sanchez and Lee Burridge on their Thursday night line-ups.
One of my favorite things about going to Vessel is seeing Gordon, manager/part owner, and of course Alessandro, Saul, and Jason. I love those guys!
One of the "nicer LA type" of lounges.
I came here to check out Paul Ritch on a Thursday night of LE Weekend.
The location is on a small "side street" or what I like to call alley way.
DECOR: Dark (yes you can look fine as fawk up in this joint), intimate and keeping to its "vessel" theme. I realized the plush little pods we were sitting on resembled those large things that boats tend to be tied down to (whats the word for it?). Plenty of ample seating AND you can dance on the tables. Any club that lets you dance on tables w/o getting the dirty eye from the bouncer gets a 4star in my book. Unisex bathroom (but all had private stalls, yes ladies and gentlemen you CAN drop a deuce.. LOL).
SOUND SYSTEM: It was okay, sometimes a bit too loud and you can feel the bass vibrate on to you. The lighting goes from dark to light to dark which can be cool. They have lighting that moves underneath the vip platform and also the bar.
PATIO: Supermall and can fit maybe 5 people max, it gets real smokey tho since it is covered. My friend asked the front door guy upstairs if we could just stand outside and smoke and he was happy to oblige.
STAFF: The guestlist girl outside the door was an absolute doll. I had just arrived into SFO and didn't have a chance to eat yet and I asked her if we could get our tickets first and then go eat and come back and she was fine with that.
CROWD: Upscale (not dresses, but nice jeans and nice top - not too much hoochie gear here). Yes the crowd is a bit EURO and a mature crowd (mid to late 20's here). I actually felt like I was in LA. There was a gang of Persian/Middle Eastern people that night which was fine. Overall it was a chill crowd. To possible SF people, they may feel the vibe being a bit stuck up, but it just felt like home to me. Definitely go for the music and go with your own group of friends. I'm not sure if this is a minglin kinda spot.
Open Svedka Vodka Bar until 10:30PM on Thursdays. Aww yah~! :)
4 Stars
HUGE IMPROVEMENT from last time!!!! All of the staff was very friendly...and I really feel that the "security" staff here is the best trained staff that I have ever seen. They should run seminars for staff at other clubs and teach those clowns how to behave appropriately!
The crowd was cool, music was great, and the drinks were decent (too sweet and weak for me, but not bad).
After this experience, we'll definitely be back.
2 Stars
If I would have yelped this place the first time I came here, it would've been a 3-4 star…
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On the guestist? Check
Looking cool but comfy with my black beater and black suede Maddens- Check
Homeskillet in tow- Check
Jacket cuz it's cold as f in San Francisco - Check
DJ with the same old mashups - Check
Vessel is cool - nice ambiance, low lighting
Good looking crowd
Upscale, dress code in full effect
Nice VIP area with plenty of room to shake my fine azz
DJ is pretty good, but, if I hear another rock songs in the club (and the same 3 or 4 at that), I'm officially gonna swear off SF clubs entirely.
Muisc is a BIT loud, though, I'll be honest- It's not that I don't like loud music, believe me I'll b the first one to bump Trey Songz new beat in the club if I had the ability to do so but, this shit was waaaay too loud for that place. I still want to be able to hear my girls talking shit about that hoe bag in front of me who's trying to take my spot in front of the speaker. OH no she didn't!!!
And, you still find those stupid girls who get way too drunk too early and fall all over the place by the time 11pm rolls around.
There is an upside though, I totally have a crush on the cute boi who was keeping it real with the old school dance moves when the place was closing down. I so wanna do more than the kid n play with him.
You know, I actually really liked this place.
It's hot. It's pricey. But the space is nice, the music is good, and the people were a good mix of hotties and normal folk.
Where should I start? With the $20 cover for a place with no caché, no line, nothing. The ridiculously arrogant and rude door staff who stood there looking pretentious, vain and dumb and let at least 15 of their coked-out train wreck party friends with bad over-brushed Barbie hair extensions in ahead of us because they all knew the secret handshake? (And I only say coked-out because I actually saw them rubbing their noses and making snorting sounds before they teetered up to the bouncers in their 5-inch stilettos).
I think that's enough, right? I leave this overrated spot to the party girls and the bridge and tunnel.
If it was not for local dj talent and good music talent they bring in I would not go here at all.
Drinks are small watery and pricy and it seem like this place more suited for the vegas or LA mentality without the level of swank necessary to pull it off. The attitude presented is very not warm, welcoming or very SF. Sorry. but the heavy handed security, velvet rope for a half filled club, and lame VIP bottle service if you want sit down is so not part of the SF nightlife scene. Never has and I hope never will. Vessel will be popular with the bridge & tunnel, just moved into town crowd and foreigners who don't know any better options. Don't imagine it becoming a favorite with the local nightlife crews.
I came down for a happy hour that some great local DJs were playing and watched it turn into a disagreement from the bar staff to turn up the music so it could be heard and an obnoxious very young (and incredibly rude) female staff member who kept complaining about the sound volume. Sort of ruined the vibe.
An the poor DJ's who were stuck in the middle. She actually had the nerve to reach onto the mixer to turn the sound off while the DJ's were playing. Good thing she had no idea what she was doing. The levels were fine and appropriate (they do have a great system).
I walked outside for a phone call to see one of their staff having an argument with someone else outside. They way people treat each other is indicative of how they will treat you. Don't expect me to be here unless they have a show that I have to go to. I would really prefer to go elsewhere if I had a choice.
Vessel of Bad Vibes!
Vessel is a classy nightclub tucked away from the busy streets of Union Square. A small black entrance sign signals the entrance into the club. At first glance the space appears small - but walk past the coat check and down the stairs to find a sleek, spacious venue.
A long, dark bar lines the right side of the room underneath the stairs. Bartenders are attentive and adorable - serving up shots with sweet smiles. Luxurious couches and tiny tables outline an intimate dance floor. A DJ plays house hits from the elevated stage space at the front of the room, keeping the crowd moving at an enjoyable pace. Unisex bathrooms offer partiers a polished place to freshen up. Space is small - but their are plenty of stalls. The clean counter tops are decorated with designer hand soaps and lotion - a sophisticated upgrade from the usual bar bathroom. From the posh couch pillows to the polished, professional staff - everything about this club is classy, chic, and comfortable.
Vessel's superb service and stylish space makes it the perfect place for a saucy Saturday night!
A girlfriend and I went to see DJ Donovan here. We walked in and were really confused about where the rest of the club was. There was just one little area. I was expecting more than one level or another room at least.
We noticed that the main room was poorly lit and realized that they hadn't set the ambient lighting yet. I can't believe they would let us in without the place being ready to show. And what is with the coed bathrooms?
Once the lighting came on, however, the place looked better. I liked the loungy couches and cool glass tables.
When the place started to fill up, I noticed that the crowd was really young. All is saw were kids. Blech. I prefer late twenties to late thirties. None of this 21-year-old crap.
I wanted a drink, but my friend said DJ Donovan was going to get us bottle service, so I waited. Well midnight rolls around and that hasn't happened, so I'm getting more and more irritated by the minute. Especially since there were so many idiots in the club. Can you believe there was a guy with mini vodka bottles and chew. Chew? Who freaking chews tobacco at a night club? Or anywhere really. This isn't the South, Mr. Redneck. Really? And his buddy was wasted. Like, randomly touching people wasted.
I needed a drink ASAP. This was no easy feat, though. I tried to push myself through the crowd toward the bar and got nowhere. This irritated me even more. I would have left but DJ Donovan hadn't come on yet. WTF?! Finally, I got a guy to help get me through the crowd, paid my $10 for a vodka/cran from the a**hole bartender and pushed my way back through the crowd.
DJ Donavan came on at 12:30ish and I started having fun. I will give them that. He put on a good show; they just should have had him start earlier, considering the place closes at 2. Dumb!!
We went to see Hector Romero vs. Satoshi Tomiie and the sound was good.
Sure the drinks suck but if you get in on the guest list and drink beer it's a decent spot. The bouncers where cool about my friend being a little wasted.
@rebecca There where a good number of ladies out last night. It was about half and half. But gag me with a spoon? Did you go on 80's night or just revert to Valley Girl mode? :p
Came here spontaneously on Friday night. My home girl/co-worker hooked me and a couple of our work crew up on the guest list. We walked in with not a second glance. I felt so out of place, because I was about to tug in my backpack, but my little crew told me to check it in and just pay the tips. The music was good that was good and there was enough space for me to dance.
Our little group did get pulled into the middle to dance with my HG and it got super crowded. Lucky for me and my not so sexy moves, I MADE room for me and my group. Haha. I just wish it wasn't so darn hot. I will definitely be back.
While waiting to get in, I heard many European accents and saw a lot of passports. Right then and there, I knew this was my kind of place :D
Bartenders are super nice and friendly. Drinks are strong and reasonably priced. And they let you dance up on the stage by the DJ booth. Unless you are a creepy guy.
Oh, and the unisex bathrooms are quite interesting.
Came here for a party second to last weekend of August. Dolce was throwing a party here. The space here is awesome!
Gi-normous tables you can dance on! That is true table service. Reasonable prices for bottles, great music, very mixed crowd.
This was my first time here. But Ill definetly be back with another group and get a table by the tree.
I hate bouncers. We're standing in line, our group has six people, the bouncer only lets 4 in, tells 2 to wait. Who does that? Why would you separate a group?
My friends being the high rollers that they are got bottle service. One bottle, half a couch, and we're $300 plus bucks lighter. The club is pretty cool. Both upstairs and downstairs. Huge. Huge enough that even when filled with plenty of people it still has some breathing room. Room to walk around and do some actual dancing (which is rare). So the club alone gets 4 stars, but due to the bouncers, its down to 4.
Came here last friday (7/10/09) this was my second time here at Vessel. For both times I had a great time with my friends. A friend of mine hooked it up so no line wait ^ ^ and my girlfriend and I got in for free ^^ yay !! Otherwise the over charge is $20 per person. and free coat check !! holla !! lol
Drinks were pricey...=( about $10 each i think...and I drink alot so....that's alot of $10 bills lol that adds up fast and I mean FAST !
Bartenders were very fast and friendly. Great service.
Great music, although a few songs were like " whaatt? 0.0 hmm...i cant' dance to this... lol " *stands there like a idiot and laughs it off* lol Mostly hip hop which is the only thing i can dance to lol =x
I really like the layout of this venus, very spacious. The tables/sofas were very cozy and table service was quick. There's also a smoking area in the back. Bathroom stayed pretty clean throughout the night.
For the two times i've been here it has been both mixed crowds. Guys were a little more aggressive...got my ass pinched...=/ but other then that conclusion of my night at vessel = great time. =D
Vessel...FAILURE TO LAUNCH !!!!!
word of advice: ****Don't waste your time here****
No room for opportunity here!!!!
I was here Friday night July 10th with a group of girlfriends from San Diego. -Hot girls ready for a good SF party time. NOT the case @ Vessel.
Very unorganized staff. DJ wasn't good. The music @ Abercrombie and Fitch is way better. (seriously)
a reserved table runs about $450. Bottle of your choice up to 7 people..... ( If you wanna wait 45 minutes for it to arrive) Not kidding 45+ minutes and a inattentive RUDE waitress with it. A rude waitress that threatened me with a "You better watch it" because I called her out, on her poor manners and lack of skills for a "VIP" area. Chick do your self a favor and get out of sight!
A VIP area that should be roped off and treated better especially if someone is running and $500 service tab... That's what a well organized establishment does EVERYWHERE!
I'm not asking for the world here but a bit more of class and etiquette would be nice. Very Simple. You get what you give.
If your in the mood to get ripped off and treated like DIRT, Vessel is the place.
I also got ripped off @ the bar twice!
1st -4 chocolate cake shots w/ tax and tip $60 (Methinks NOT!)
2nd - 2 vodka tonics $16 (if you pay cash, otherwise they charge tax & tip...... WTF and YES I DID NOT LEAVE A TIP. On top of which they ran my card a second time for an unauthorized tip charge!!!!
( A bit sketchy if they only charge tax on credit cards, that would lead me to believe they pocket the cash and only charge tax on a paper trails..... SHADY!!!!)
YES I know this is very distasteful and un-classy BUT I drew the line.
EVERYONE, run for the hills and save yourself from Vessel, failure to launch you with a good time!!!
Save your money, blast the ipod and hit up the liquor store.
Ah, I am always really conflicted with this place. There's always something good and then something bad that happens here. Lets go with the latest time I was here.
Arrived at about 9:45 (same group of ppl as Kathy D.) That's the earliest I've ever been there, but it's also the first time I got in for free! Other trips, I've just been waiting and waiting...and waiting, until guestlist ends.
We get in and no one is there yet. No problem! Easier to get drinks. Music has always pretty been pretty good here and you can find some space to get your dance on. The venue itself is pretty clean and its got a cool, chill vibe goin'. As fun as the night was, it ended really early because of a flood? Dance floor was a giant puddle and we got out of their quick!
My friends and I had a bad experience here! There is just waaaayyy too many negatives to go into detail about all of them but here is a small amount...
* lost my friend's sweater at coat check...
**was told I was not allowed to be in my own VIP area...
***then had my own friends kicked out of my VIP area to allow the promoters friends instead!
****Broken Glass everywhere!
*****Waited 30-45 for first bottle...then waited an hour for the next....
******As a result my friends had to pay for the overpriced drinks....
********Argued with Bouncers to kick people out of my VIP Booth or get them back in etc.
Grr i'm irritated just thinking about...
There are still other issues I haven't touched on yet but it doesn't matter apparently they are developing a bad reputation for themselves all on their own...
Been here a couple times, once for the ad-tech and another time was with friends. Donovan was the new DJ and spinned some really good bass of the music.
It was very packed but overall a good crowd-- all well dressed and not too pushy. Drinks were good too and we did shooters that were not bad.
The bathroom actually had someone moping after every use for a while!! I do like the semi-unisex style even there are signs of men and women.
This is a 1 star review I really wish I didn't have to write.
I've been wanting to come to Vessel for MONTHS, and I finally got the chance to go since one of my friends was having part 1 of his birthday of celebration here tonight. I signed up for the guestlist (free til 10:30), me +4. Line was short and fast! 2 of my +4 were running late so I was told that they'd still be able to get in as long as they were "polite" and to let them know they were with me. They got in with my problems.
So had the night not gone bad, this could have been a 4 star review. Maybe 3?
Atmosphere was great! I loved the lounge areas (bottle service required), bright red lights, what seemed to be comfy couches..very sheik! Mixed crowd was nice, too. Maximum capacity was 288, supposedly, but holy crapppp it was so crowded. People were pushing left and right! The bar was packed, drinks were spilled. $10 for a red bull & vodka, which was more vodka than red bull *gag* but its cool..we got drunk before we got there to save money =] Bathrooms were "co-ed" just rows of stalls, boys on the left, girls on the right, sinks shared. I thought this was pretty cool!
So, the reason for the 1 star review? Someone decided to clog a toilet in the bathroom, which caused the pipes to flood, which caused sewer/toilet water to come up from the drain on the dance floor. GROSS. We stood in poo water! At first they just started to rope off areas as they cleaned, but it got so bad everyone just left! They cleared out the club and people were all standing in the alley trying to figure out what to do. How disgusting! My friends socks were soaked, pants were wet on the bottom..girls with open toe shoes..fail.
I'm glad we were on the list and didn't have to pay cover. I would have been pissed If I paid cover and got kicked out at 12:30! This one unfortunate incident will not stop me from coming back, however. I will gladly give Vessel 2nd chance..but ugh. Disinfectant, please!
This is one of those places where OPO (old, plain & overweight ) women are totally dismissed/discriminated againt - well, almost incriminated, on busy weekend nights.
Come weekday nights, however, they host some parties that are more laid back, offer good music, and don't require participants to look "hot." Thursdays seem like a good night here.
The decor is nice, they make decent (yet expensive) drinks for a club of this kind (no plastic cups), and the sound system is decent. You just need to know when to show up, depending on what you are looking for.
Vessel.....
definitely sunk like the Titanic last Friday night..
1230am.. the whole crowd was covered in at least 1 inch high worth of poop water...no matter where you walked to try to avoid the bathroom leakage.. it was inevitable.. you couldn't... so we all evacuated..one of my friends got some vouchers though but i didn't..
It was my friend's birthday where we took a nice walk from Sanraku to Vessel since it was walking distance. We got there at like 945pm, stood in line for a bit and all got in for free with guestlist. What I liked about Vessel was the free coat check right when you walk into the venue! I mean you can tip but not mandatory! To get into the club, we had to walk down a flight of stairways into a beautiful, chic, lit decor. The LED lights changes colors at the bar and around the club. Nice VIP/table service couches area around the venue. It is not a very large club compared to Temple or Roe but the ambiance makes up for it. They had $4 redbull vodkas from 9pm to 10pm.. which we unfortunately missed by 10 minutes... That was sad part. Drinks were average $10 each.. not bad.. basic for SF.. and the service was quite fast from the bartenders though.
Bathrooms are co-ed with nice sinks and attendants to help you out. But because of these.... it ruined our fun fun night!
Music was at first techno/trance when we got to the club but it slowly turned it up which pumped all of us up.. hip hop.. top billboard music.. equals to a bunch of dancers going wild!!!
Definitely will hit Vessel back up again.. Hopefully the ship will be back in full service and in recovery by then!
I'm pretty fed up with the service at this club. I've been trying to contact these people regarding a reservation for my birthday party. I called a day or so before the night, left messages, and no one has returned my phone call. I'm taking my business somewhere else and shall not be returning.
This place is great! They were playing house music all night long! The crowd was mixed which I love! The decor was cool! We came here for my homegirl's birthday and got VIP service! She works for Temple night club so she got the hookup here tonight! We were all crazy last night! It was great seeing some old friend and making new ones!
There were 2 bottles of Kettle One vodka on ice when we arrived. I made sure I took advantage of the alcohol! I made myslef a few vodka tonics and a few vodka cranberries throughout the night! I even had some chick at the next table make me a grey goose tonic for me at the next table!
I had an awesome time last night and will probably come back!
I'm more of a bar girl so this place really isn't my scene. I came with 4 girls + 1 guy so luckily we got in without having to pay the $10 cover charge (I love how places with cover charges also tend to have the most expensive drinks). The place itself is really cool -- It's got a very chic ambience with flattering lights that change color. However, I wasn't feeling the crowd -- major hooches and sleezy guys.
Some more basic info: there's a smoking room (indoors... not so ventilated, but there's no ins and outs so that's where you gotta go if you want a smoke); the bathroom consists of several unisex stalls (sorry ladies but no private mirror/sink area to do makeup -- it's out in the open... if you care about that sort of thing...); seats are for vip only
Overall the place wasn't terrible but I definitely don't care to ever go back.
Two strikes, Vessel.
First was when my friend had a table and still could not get in because the doorman thought he was in Vegas.
Second for when my other friend actually did get in and the pipes exploded and the ENTIRE club was evacuated at midnight. Shitty situation, literally. Dance floor wet and all. Good thing we had the VIP table which was raised a foot. Where's our free bottle?
Weird because about a year or so ago this place was cool, way more laid back, and didn't take itself too seriously.
Hope you scrubbed those floors good!
Saturday night at Vessel was one hour I will never get back. This place is terrible, a total disaster. Upon walking up to the door of the club, I asked the man in front if there was a cover charge. He replied, "Yep, $20 but for you $40." Him and his greasy bouncer friend shared a sweet moment of joy. I didn't get mad, as of I knew this was simply a bouncer who fit the stereotype. The staff inside the club was equally unclassy.
No wonder this club has 3 stars. Whoever manages, or owns this club, cares very little about its customers. I'm the kinda guy that when I spend upwards of $100 out for a night, I prefer a place that caters to its guests and looks to show them a good time.
The music and interior of this joint are mediocre. I get the feeling the average person who comes to Vessel has never been to a club before.
There are so many other great clubs in this city. I recommend you avoid this place like the plague.
So previously everytime I travel I make sure to stop by at least a couple of night clubs to scout out the women and music of the city.
After the last couple of times I think I am going to stick to food and sight seeing when I travel and go clubbing while I am in town.
The money and time I save on these out of town clubs is much better spent on food and clothes while I am away from home.
Now that I am done with my rant on to the club.
After leaving the hotel, we made our way over the Vessel at about 12. The line was all the way to the corner so we were like let's check out one of the many other dance clubs near by.
We then made our way to Slide and Ruby Skye...(See previous reviews)
We came back to the Vessel after about 30 minutes and the line didn't move an inch. We said screw it and waited in line. There was a couple of cute girls who came in line to wait. We stood around making small talk until they decided to strut their stuff and try to cut...
5 minutes later the girls come back and say screw it and left.
Who denies hot women???
Apparently if you weren't one of their people you weren't getting in.
Finally around 1 am they finally let people in.
We made it in a couple of minutes after 1 am.
So I was expecting a happening club...NOPE.
3/4ths full, plenty of walking room and barely any women.
At this point I just want a drink after standing out in the cold for over an hour and paying 20 dollars cover.
The drinks were 8 bucks a mixed drink and 14 dollars for a shot of patron. I think they were taxing us on the alcohal too???
Either way this was the only good thing about the club, the bartenders were fast and the drinks were strong. I ended up getting more wasted because we tried to catch up.
Once I had a good buzz I was ready to dance but they were playing weird west coast music. I was totally lost.
Waste of a night and a good amount of money.
Came here on a Friday with another couple. The place is well decorated. In fact the decor gives the illusion that you are in a super swanky exclusive club but your not it is just a typical lounge/club in SF.
The dance floor is small but there is space available at the bar if you watch for it like a hawk. This is not the type of place you go just to dance, which is weird because the music is so loud that it is also not the kinda place you can go to hang out. I think if this place was more lounge less club it would be much better off. Either way it got the job done when it came to giving us a spot to hang after a late dinner.
Here's the good part: cool space, somewhat exclusive, and an interesting location.
Here's the bad part: the crowd was super cheesey, I was the only Caucasian male over the age of 23, music was run of the mill Chris Brown/Ludacris/BlackEyedPeas, took forever to get a drink, $10 cover charge is ridiculous, girls were all 20 years old and outnumbered by dudes in A/X and FC shirts 2:1, staff at the club was really rude and pushy.
I will never go back to this place ever again.
Oh Vessel. I've been to you many many times. There are things that I like, yet too many things that I hate.
First, I love that your bathrooms have a water sound playing so that we don't have to hear each other pee. I've always been the one with the stage fright. Also, they're coed, which I'm totally in to.
Second, if you pay for the bottle service and get a table, it can be a great place to sit with friends and use your sign language skills, but if you want to actually talk? Forget it. Great place to sit down to rest after dancing, and that's about it.
Speaking of the dancing, this place seems to have A LOT of off nights. No one likes to be the only one on the dance floor, so I'd cut down on the techno, and mix a little hip-hop in. Sure, later on in the night, I couldn't care less what I'm dancing to, but 11pm is not the time to test out the new obscure techno beat you threw together right before you got to work, Mr. DJ.
Drinks? Not even memorable enough to comment.
Lastly, doormen. They are so rude, it isn't even funny. I hate paying SO much for a table, then being denied entry by the doorman. Especially when there is no line, and hardly anyone in the place. Denying people just to flex your power is very un-SF.
Bottom line? Almost any other club is better. Heck, the starbucks down the street is better. And the floors in this place are disgusting. Try not to look down.
Friday must have been a good night because every thing people said about the vessel was different than my experience. Maybe because we were early ( i hate lines) but I didn't get any static from the bouncers. Me and the GF lined up for 5 minutes and got put in. Cover was 10 bucks each. Free coat check, just do a courtesy tip. Inside I liked the layout with the changing colors. No seats though for regular people... by the end of the night all I want to do was crash on those big bottle service sofas.
The bartenders were fast and courteous. Too bad they served shorts for like $11 bucks for mixers. At least they were in glass, not el cheapo plastic dixie cups. I never had to wait more than 2 minutes to get a drink. Early on there were a lot of hipsters rolling in. Apparently they were too cool to dance at first, standing around like tools with a drink in one hand and an Iphone in another. No ghetto people or tapout douchebags really. Later around midnight it got packed, lots of people dancing about .
The crowed was mixed which was nice to see. Most of the girls just danced by themselves on top of tables and around the DJ booth. The music was mixed pretty good. However, Michael Jackson died the day before so it was MJ marathon most of the night. Maybe i'll try again some other night. The crowd went wild for it so i guess it was good to play it.
Ok, anything that ever has an open bar with no cover automatically deserves 4 stars. I came here on a Thursday and they had open bar from 9:30-10:30. Got me feeling really goooooood. And when it hit 10:25 I went up, ordered myself 4 vodka cranberries (for myself) and they didn't even question it! So it was more like open bar for Tiffany until 11:30.
The bartenders were great. Even after the open bar had ended I ordered a double shot of vodka (this time for my friend) and the bartender gave it to me for free. Awesome.
The place itself is pretty small, but has a lot of area to sit down and chill. Definitely on the swanky side, and mostly filled with white people who can't dance. Except, me, I can dance, but not to their crappy music. Nooooo way. I hate dancing to techno garbage. Bring on the hip hop, you prissy fucks!
I loved loved lovedddd the bathrooms. They were kinda coed but very fancy and CLEAN. Which is hard to believe when it comes to clubs. The stalls even had a resting spot for my drink. Perfecttttttt!
I'll see you next Thursday, Vessel, at 9:30 ON THE DOT!
Went with some friends from out of town, so thought i'd check out the spot in Union Square. The bouncer, Jason, is actually a really nice guy. Yeah you might haveto talk him into comps or reduced, but atleast he's polite... other bouncers will be so full of themselves, they won't even look at you.
We got in 4 girls 1 guy and managed to get the girls comped and the guy reduced to $10. The music inside was techno all night with lots of europeans... not really my thing so i wasn't exactly dancing all over the place, but it was okay. The people I was with were fun so it was a cool night overall.
If you ever get a phone call from family to ask about the weekend and have nothing to say, you've either:
1. Done jack squat because you have no friends
2. Sat on your ass because you were sick, got dumped, or "worked too hard"
3. Or went to a club and cannot admit the details
Fear not, freaks and geeks! I have a solution for you: Just say you went to a new kind of church called Vessel.
What, you say? How the heck can you call Vessel a church? Well, you see, churches and night clubs are very similar. Here's why:
1. Both are places to meet hot, good looking singles - Don't pretend the catholic school girl look isn't hot. While nightclubs are more for the casual hook up, both churches and Vessel offer a place for the gorgeous to congregate, get sloshed off of liquor or punch drunk off Jesus, and have insane monkey sex after. Praise be to God!
2. Both focus on music - Like nightclubs, different churches have different styles of music. If you don't like a classic church with regular hymns, join a gospel church. Likewise, if you hate the deep house at Vessel that pounds out the "untz untz untz," then you're not clearly not drinking enough or need to switch it up to a hip hop venue, like Azul.
3. Both establishments offer temporary solace and escapes - Churches are a sanctuary where people can find peace. People go to Vessel and other nightclubs to unwind after work and delay reality for a day or two, while drinking and dancing their woes away, getting all dressed up so they can feel cool. Welcome to how it feels like to be me. Everyday. Without the cool part. *Shakes fist* Damn corporate job!
4. Both will take your weekly allowance - You give away dollars at a church or if you're nuts, you tithe. Vessel's cost of escape is somewhat expensive since it includes an entrance fee of $20 (waived if you're a hot chick or got the hook ups) and somewhat pricey drinks (though nominal for SF nightclubs). And you're certainly either going to need a cab, barf, or eat food, so there's more money down the hatch.
So there you have it. Am I going to hell for comparing the house of the Lord to a decadent and sinful nightclub? Maybe.
Save me Jeebus!
P.S. John R said: Jeebus wore a dress, drank wine, and partied with eight other dudes in dresses and one town whore. After it was all said and done, he got nailed... literally. Trust me, you're forgiven!
2 for 1 drinks
Neighborhood: SOMA
Happy Hour in J-Town!
Neighborhood: Pacific Heights
Neighborhood: Claremont
Category: Art Galleries
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
Category: Dance Clubs
Neighborhood: SOMA
Category: Dance Clubs
Neighborhood: Union Square
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: SOMA
Category: Dance Clubs
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