The @DNAlounge is in trouble.
20161228: The DNA has started a Patreon account to accept donations!
20161222: It seems that the DNA Lounge is coming up with contingency plans, and they need our help!
Yesterday, JWZ, owner and operator of the DNA Lounge in San Francisco, CA made an upsetting and disturbing announcement.
The DNA Lounge is in danger, and may have to close down soon.
JWZ bought the space that is now the DNA roughly 17 years ago and during that time it's become one of the premiere hotspots of SF nightlife. Just about any kind of event you can imagine has been thrown here, from a local motorcycle club renting it out while their primary clubhouse was undergoing repairs to the Electronic Frontier Foundation's silver anniversary, and raves a-plenty over the years. Many have come to see a burlesque show or two at the DNA, or catch an up-and-coming band in a new and strange genre of music, or even come for a slice of pizza and a glass of beer while hoping to be tapped for the stage show of Point Break Live once upon a time. I don't think anybody can easily count the number of concerts the DNA's hosted over the years (though I've no doubt that JWZ would probably know off the top of his head). Long time readers are probably aware that I usually haunt Death Guild, the country's longest running gothic/industrial club night as well as Turbo Drive, the only synthwave dance night I've found anywhere in the country.
In the last two years attendance has dropped off noticeably, and it's hurt the DNA Lounge in a real way. JWZ says that he can't afford to subsidize it anymore, and it might have to go out of business for good.
All I can ask of any of you, gentlebeings, is this:
Please re-share this post far and wide, so that as many people can see it. If you'll be in the Bay Area for any length of time, please visit the DNA Lounge. Go on a night of the week and pay the club a visit, it's not expensive to get in and the people there are genuinely cool folks; treat them well and they'll treat you well. Give the music on that night a fair listen that night. You might like it, you might not, but either way you'll be exposed to something new. If you can't make a concert or a club night (or the night's really not your thing), visit DNA Pizza next door and pick up breakfast, get lunch, or maybe have a slice or two and a cold one after work. DNA Pizza's open 24x7 and they have some of the best pizza in SF. Hell, if you're on the other side of the country and there's no way you'll make it to California in time, consider buying something from the online store?
The DNA Lounge is a fixture in the community of San Francisco. You can see just about any kind of live act, hear styles of music you've never heard before, and dance until your legs are sore. This club means a lot to many of us and we don't want to see one of the few places that we can be ourselves go away. Please, if you can, help JWZ out and keep the DNA Lounge alive.