Highlights
- Live music
- Live performances
- Great beer selection
oChef » DNA Lounge – San Francisco
DNA Lounge - San Francisco
Photo from DNA Lounge
DNA Lounge at a glance
San Francisco West SoMa
- 🍻 Bar & Pub
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 64 of the guests
#2228 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#145 Bar & Pub out of 151 in San Francisco
Average
5.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
486
Reviews
51.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Engaging music
- Attached pizza
- Concert venue
Frequently criticized
- Poor service
- Pricey drinks
- Crowded space
The bar & pub DNA Lounge in San Francisco’s vibrant West SoMa neighborhood offers an unforgettable experience. You’ll find yourself immersed in a lively atmosphere, perfect for a night out.
Known for its incredible live music, this spot is where you can catch dynamic performances and enjoy a fantastic selection of beers. Whether you’re looking to dance the night away or simply unwind with friends, this trendy venue has you covered.
Overview: Introducting DNA Lounge
DNA Lounge offers a vibrant experience, often praised for its friendly atmosphere and engaging music. Many appreciate the convenience of the attached pizza place, making it a unique spot for entertainment.
However, some experiences with staff and the quality of certain food items have left patrons wanting more. While the venue provides a lively setting for events and socializing, there are occasional reports of disappointing food quality and service inconsistencies.
It appears to be a place where the overall vibe often outweighs specific culinary expectations, drawing a crowd looking for a good time.
Average
5.6
out of 10
486
Reviews
51.6%
Satisfaction
203
negative
32
neutral
251
positive
The overall experience at DNA Lounge registers an average Restaurant Score of 5.6 out of 10, with Customer Satisfaction sitting at a mixed 51.6%. These figures, drawn from 486 customer observations, suggest a venue that delivers an acceptable experience, though not consistently outstanding.
The positive feedback (251 instances) slightly outweighs the negative (203 instances), indicating a balanced reception. Looking closer, Food scores a respectable (6.8), while Ambience also performs adequately at (6.3), often highlighted for its engaging music and overall vibe.
However, Service (4.3) and Value (4.5) lag behind, indicating areas where patrons frequently encounter issues. This suggests that while the setting and some offerings are appreciated, operational aspects could benefit from attention.
What people like
- Engaging music and vibe
- Convenient attached pizza
- Good concert venue
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service/security
- Overpriced beverages
- Crowded conditions
For those seeking a lively atmosphere and good music, DNA Lounge could be a suitable choice, especially with its convenient attached pizza option. However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service and consider that beverage prices might be higher than expected.
It’s a place where the overall event experience often takes precedence. With a Recommendation Score of 5.8, it suggests that while many find something to enjoy, it’s not universally recommended without reservations.
If you prioritize the social scene and music over flawless service or budget-friendly drinks, it might be worth a visit for specific events.
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Verdict: Our expert take on DNA Lounge
Food (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 37% of the guests
When it comes to the food, guests generally have a good experience, with a solid 70% customer satisfaction and a score of 6.8, indicating its leaning towards good. Many rave about the delicious pizza, especially the vegetarian offerings and the crispy thin crust. With 42 positive remarks out of 60 total, it seems theres plenty to enjoy, including tasty onion rings and even free food at times.
However, not everyone is completely thrilled. Some found the pizza to be barely edible or described slices as overpriced and tasting like undercooked cardboard. A few comments, totaling 11 negative remarks, also pointed to issues with the overall quality and value, suggesting that while some food items shine, others might disappoint.
Food
60
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
11
negative
7
neutral
42
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good pizza
- Crispy crust
- Free food
What people don't like
- Bad pizza
- Overpriced slices
- Poor quality
Often praised
- pizzaI used to consider this a good place to get pizza late at night. However, my recent experience was disappointing.
- foodI also appreciate the great people and community here; it's not overly crowded, making for a fun, low-pressure experience that is unique in the Bay Area. While the food was rated a 4, the atmosphere and service were a perfect 5.
- drinksHands down, this is one of the best nightclubs in San Francisco. I had a great experience with a friendly and accepting atmosphere, great music, and good drinks. It's a great place to make friends and hang out.
- pizza placeMy experience at this club was positive. It's a nice club with two main music rooms and a quieter pizza place. They regularly schedule events, including theme nights, concerts, and special events.
- DNA Pizzapopped next door for DNA Pizza
- FoodFood:5
- So Stoked prideMy first experience at DNA was the So Stoked pride.
- Vegetarian optionsThey have a vegetarian pizza thats pretty good!
- Weeknd dedicated setit was amazing!
- attached pizza placefun that they have an attached pizza place
Frequently criticized
- drinksthe drinks I had here were the worst I've ever had
- Coca-Cola$15 for a Coca Cola
- DrinksDrinks are standard overpriced SF fare
- FoodFood:1
- Jägerbombs2 jeager bombs we’re $40
- Vegetarian optionsOverpriced slices that taste like undercooked cardboard
- cocktailscocktails aren't already $14
- drinkspilling the drink on me and cutting my mouth on the straw
- pizzaPizza is barely edible
- qualitypricey for the quality it ended up being
Overall, the food here offers a decent, if sometimes inconsistent, experience. While the pizza often gets high praise, some items might not live up to expectations. It's a solid choice for casual bites, but manage your gourmet expectations.
Service (4.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 72% of the guests
When it comes to service, many guests have had some genuinely positive interactions, with 56 positive remarks out of 156 total. Patrons frequently praise the friendly staff and accommodating nature of employees, from the coat check person to specific bartenders like Austin and Jesse. Many appreciate how security and staff ensure safety and are generally helpful, even going above and beyond for special requests.
However, the picture isn't entirely rosy, with 96 negative comments painting a different scene. The overall score for service sits at an average 4.3, but customer satisfaction is a poor 35.9%. Many experiences highlight aggressive security and rude bouncers, leading to poor customer service and even unjustified ejections, sometimes with physical force or perceived discrimination.
Service
156
Reviews
35%
Satisfaction
96
negative
4
neutral
56
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Accommodating special requests
- Security ensures safety
What people don't like
- Aggressive, rude security
- Unjustified ejections
- Discriminatory treatment
Often praised
- staffI didn’t get to try the pizza, but I heard it was good. All of the staff was really nice, except for the manager or owner. I was put on the guest list and have been going to a lot of the shows and working at them with a lot of these guys since about 2006.
- serviceI also appreciate the great people and community here; it's not overly crowded, making for a fun, low-pressure experience that is unique in the Bay Area. While the food was rated a 4, the atmosphere and service were a perfect 5.
- ServiceService ... were both a perfect 5/5
- bartenderThere were no regulations and no well-trained staff. The bartender was really nice, but they need to work on their capacity limits. The security service was very ignorant.
- safetyensuring it didn't go too crazy snd everyone stayed safe!
- securityOther than that, it was a pretty cool spot. The bartender was cool, and so was all of the security. Management, who was only one guy, was extremely unpleasant to deal with and a complete buzz killer.
- AustinShoutout to Austin and Jesse!
- DJBut in all fairness, I have never tipped on a cover before. Other than that, DJ was great and all other staff seemed to be doing a great job.
- JesseShoutout to Austin and Jesse!
- VIP tableIt's an intimate venue that I liked a lot. The staff went above and beyond to accommodate a very specific juice and water request for our VIP table, as we do not consume alcohol. I'm sure this meant they had to go out to the store.
Frequently criticized
- staffI bought a drink for a girl who was inside the bar. Unfortunately, the staff approached me and asked me to leave because I bought a drink for her while she was in the nightclub. This situation is ridiculous.
- securityThey oversold tickets, so while the floor was extremely packed, a massive line for people who had already pre-ordered were stuck outside. There was also no proper calculation being done to check if the room was above capacity; people were sneaking in, and security was really bad. While most people just want to have a crazy fun time, we don't want to be put in danger.
- bouncersone of the bouncers literally punched one of the other people
- entryMy experience at this restaurant was quite negative. I was a sober monitor for my sorority event and they didn't let me in, and refused to breathalyze me. This was a very disappointing experience.
- security guardEverything was going well during the night until a security guard suddenly approached me and demanded that I chug my beer in one gulp. I refused, and then he, along with two other guards, forcibly removed me from the premises.
- bouncerThe main issue? The bouncer. We were kicked out so rudely it was shocking.
- kicked outThe pizza place attached is pretty good. However, I got kicked out for throwing out a white claw in the trash next to the venue. Someone had thrown it on the floor next to me when I went to take a breather, and I went back to throw it out before continuing to party.
- serviceextremely disappointing due to the service.
- treatmentI refused, and then he, along with two other guards, forcibly removed me from the premises. Once outside and upset, someone mentioned that they were probably closing soon, but there are no excuses for such treatment.
- ID being confiscatedThe food was great, and the staff were excellent. However, the only issue I encountered was my ID being confiscated by the bouncers.
If you're looking for a place with consistently smooth and friendly service, this spot might be a gamble. While some staff are genuinely great, the frequent issues with aggressive security and rude bouncers could easily sour your experience.
Ambience (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 79% of the guests
Based on 232 customer remarks, the ambience here presents a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.3 and customer satisfaction at 60.3%. Many rave about the fun and cozy venue, highlighting the great atmosphere and vibe for music events. People love the impressive sound system and the variety offered by multiple rooms and themed events.
However, some experiences point to areas needing improvement. Concerns include cramped space and overcrowding, leading to a hot environment. There were also mentions of sound system issues and worries about fire safety due to a narrow stairway, noted in 75 negative comments.
Ambience
232
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
75
negative
17
neutral
140
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fun, cozy vibe
- Great sound system
- Diverse events, rooms
What people don't like
- Cramped, hot space
- Overcrowding issues
- Safety concerns
Often praised
- atmosphereHands down, this is one of the best nightclubs in San Francisco. I had a great experience with a friendly and accepting atmosphere, great music, and good drinks. It's a great place to make friends and hang out.
- venueMy experience at this venue was excellent. It's a good venue for concerts, and no matter where you stand, you will get a good view. The staff were also awesome.
- musicHands down, this is one of the best nightclubs in San Francisco. I had a great experience with a friendly and accepting atmosphere, great music, and good drinks. It's a great place to make friends and hang out.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere were both a perfect 5/5
- vibeI went for the all women dance after Saturday's Pride event in San Francisco and loved it! It was a great venue with friendly staff and an amazing vibe. I felt safe enough to cut loose and enjoy myself.
- clubbest 18 and up club I’ve ever been to
- Deathguild eventMy experience was on a Monday for the Deathguild event. It was a fun and entertaining Gothic/Darkwave Event with good DJs and a sound system 🔊. When we got hungry, we popped next door for DNA Pizza 🍕.
- cool placeit's a cool place
- live musicone of my favorite spots for live music
- sound systemthe sound system is strong and clean
Frequently criticized
- bathroomsThe bathrooms were terrible
- clubMy experience at this restaurant was an absolute scam. Despite there being no one in the club, I was charged $30. If I could give it 0 stars, I would.
- coldIT WAS TOO COLD and cold air was blowing right on me
- cramped spacePerhaps they aren't the draw they used to be. Had I known I was going to be in this cramped space with too many other people, I would never have bought the tickets for my girlfriend and me. The food was surprisingly good, scoring a 4 out of 5, but the atmosphere was a significant letdown, rated at 1 out of 5, and the service was also poor, receiving a 2 out of 5.
- musichorrible music
- noise levelNoise level:Very loud, hard to hear
- sounddidn't think sound was that great
- steep stairsCONS STAIRS there's some very steep stairs
- venueIf I wanted to party in a 1000 square feet I would have stayed home
- PLURI wanted to experience PLUR, but the staff was not embodying it that night
If you're looking for a lively spot with diverse events and a strong sound system, this venue could be a great fit. Just be prepared for potentially crowded conditions and some tight spaces, especially during popular events.
Value (4.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
When it comes to value, some guests found the experience to be somewhat positive, noting that prices were often fine and even affordable for shows. Many appreciated the free street parking options, making arrival less of a hassle. With 13 positive remarks out of 38 total, there's a glimmer of good, contributing to an overall score of 4.5, placing it in the average range, though customer satisfaction sits at a poor 34.2%.
However, the value proposition takes a hit with 21 negative comments, as many felt things were quite pricey. Common complaints revolved around expensive drinks, overpriced pizza, and hefty cover charges that felt like a ripoff. The cost of bag check and issues with oversold tickets also left many feeling like they wasted their money.
Value
38
Reviews
34%
Satisfaction
21
negative
4
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable show tickets
- Easy street parking
What people don't like
- Expensive drinks
- High cover charges
- Oversold tickets
Often praised
- drinksreasonable priced drinks
- 5 starsmy only requirement to give an establishment 5 stars
- ParkingParking down the block is pretty easy to find
- Parking optionsFree street parking
- Parking spacePlenty of parking
- Price per personPrice per person was between $30–50
- PricesPrices are fair
- affordableThe show is always fun (and affordable!)
- priceluckily that only cost 10 dollars
- pricesprices are fine
Frequently criticized
- drinksThe area was way over crowded with little space to move, and the heat was suffocating. To make matters worse, the drinks were expensive, and the bathroom situation was a joke. There was a super long line in a slim hallway leading to tiny bathrooms.
- priceWe payed 25$ each to enter
- alcohol pricethe price of the alcohol
- coats bag ectpay to put up coats bag ect
- cost of bag checkmost egregious is the cost of bag check
- cover charge$25 cover and literally no one was in the “club”
- dollars spentworst 30 dollars I’ve ever spent
- entrance feepricey entrance fee
- greedygreedy to oversell the tickets
- no refundsthey don't do refunds ever under any circumstances
If you're looking for an affordable show and can find free parking, you might find some value here. However, be prepared for potentially high prices on drinks and other extras, as many feel the overall experience can be a bit of a ripoff.
How are the prices at DNA Lounge?
You’re looking at roughly 39 per person – reported by 64 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Bar & Pub, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at the bigger picture, while many Bar & Pubs in the area fall into the $21–$30 range, this spot leans a bit more towards the premium end, though San Francisco also offers plenty of pricier options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 64 reviews.
A look at how this spot’s value for money compares to similar places in San Francisco.
Considering its a Bar & Pub in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. Its a good spot if you’re looking for something a bit nicer than your average pub, without breaking the bank completely.
Customer Reviews: what people think about DNA Lounge
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Loud
6
Cozy Venue, Average Drinks, Loud Music
My experience at this cozy venue was mixed. The drinks were average and priced at $15. A notable inconvenience was the single bathroom for women.
The view from above was neat, though I wished the performers were on the actual stage instead of a bunch of half-naked dudes. The noise level was very loud, making it hard to hear.
- drinks5
- view from above7
- bathroom2
- performers3
- noise level2
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Loud
9
Great Venue for Local and Bigger Artists
My experience at this venue has been consistently good over the years. It's a small venue, but it excels at supporting local events and showcasing bigger artists in a more intimate setting compared to larger venues nearby. The food is good, and the staff are typically friendly and helpful.
What truly stands out are the multiple rooms and the second-story balcony, which offers great views of the stage. I've attended countless events here and almost always have a good time.
- small venue8
- supporting local events9
- bigger artists8
Price per Person
- $51–$60
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Loud
9
Best 18+ Club Experience
I didn't eat anything, so I can't say much about the food. However, I can confidently say this is the best 18 and up club I've ever been to. While the entrance fee is pricey, and there's an additional charge for coats and bags, it's well worth it.
I visited on a random Sunday night and the place was packed with 800 to 1000 people, creating a good vibe.
- club10
- vibe8
- entrance fee4
- coats bag ect4
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
1
Expensive and Disappointing Experience
My experience at this restaurant was an absolute scam. Despite there being no one in the club, I was charged $30. If I could give it 0 stars, I would.
This was an absolute regret, the worst $30 I’ve ever spent. The music was horrible as well.
- club1
- music1
- price1
Price per Person
- $51–$60
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Loud
7
Great Food, Extremely Loud Venue
My experience at this venue was centered around the food, which was excellent with a score of 5. However, the atmosphere was significantly impacted by the noise level, described as 'Very loud, hard to hear'. While the venue is nice, I'd recommend bringing earplugs if you plan on dancing due to the acoustics and extremely loud music.
The vegetarian offerings were clearly labeled, making it somewhat recommendable for vegetarians. Parking was difficult to find, with paid street parking available. The price per person is in the $50–100 range.
- food10
- atmosphere8
- vegetarian offerings7
- noise level2
- parking3
What DNA Lounge offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Dancing
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Food
- Wine
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Seating
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Trendy
FAQs
Is DNA Lounge accessible for everyone?
Yes, DNA Lounge prioritizes accessibility for all guests. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring easy access into the venue. Once inside, there is wheelchair accessible seating available, and the restrooms are also wheelchair accessible, providing comfort and convenience during your visit.
What kind of entertainment and drinks can you expect at DNA Lounge?
At DNA Lounge, you can look forward to a vibrant entertainment lineup, including live music and exciting live performances. You’ll find a great beer selection, hard liquor, wine, and cocktails, with happy hour drinks available. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy dancing and a wide array of alcoholic beverages.
How does DNA Lounge generally perform according to customer feedback?
DNA Lounge holds an average Restaurant Score of 5.6 out of 10, with customer satisfaction at a mixed 51.6%. While Food (6.8) and Ambience (6.3) receive decent marks, Service (4.3) and Value (4.5) are areas where customers often express concerns.
What do customers typically enjoy most about DNA Lounge?
Patrons frequently highlight the engaging music and overall vibe, appreciating the venue as a good spot for concerts. The convenience of the attached pizza place is also a noted positive.
What are some common issues or drawbacks reported by visitors?
Recurring concerns include inconsistent service and security experiences, often leading to frustration. Many also find the beverages to be overpriced, and the venue can sometimes feel crowded.