Tag Archives: SOMA

Let It Rain, Because There’s Shine

What Shine nightclub thoughtfully lacks in seating, it makes up for it in getting clubbers moving.  In San Francisco, there’s no hotter up-and-coming locale to put on a great dance Picture 7party than SOMA, the “South of Market” district.  Once home to the sea before the great earthquake filled in the landscape, this part of town is now home to a bit of the old, a lot of the modern, and many open spaces to get the diversity of the area mingling.

And that’s what Shine nightclub is all about, being in the perfect on-everyone’s-commute-home location and making sure everyone gets friendly once they’re here.  With no VIP sections or $400 bottle service, Shine has figured out how to personalize the party within the party for everyone who enters – call ahead and they’ll stock your own booth with a customized mini-fridge.  For $200, Shine provides you and your crew a choice of liquor and mixers, so you can have it your way and any way you like, while dancing the night away.

It’s a Creative Whirlwind of Exposure at 111 Minna Gallery

Ask anyone where the latest in San Francisco cuisine, music, performance, Picture 11and most importantly art resides and they will tell you at the famously dynamic 111 Minna Gallery in SOMA.  Gallery by day and dance floor by night, this gallery changes every six weeks to embrace the latest in local, national, and international urban art.

With gallery space that easily converts itself into spaces for as little as 50 and up to 500 people, including the bar and dance floor, 111 Minna is the cities go-to for the hottest events.  And they’re here to showcase anything and everything in the world of art.  With Emily the Strange creator Rob Reiner’s exhibit, San Francisco’s Poet Laureate Diane DePrima readings, World-Renowned DJ Vinroc, and even the EAT street food pop-up restaurant every Monday night, nothing is off topic, too outlandish, or out of range for 111 Minna’s creative initiative.

54 Mint Wine Bar’s Italian Charm

SOMA’s new 54 Mint Wine Bar is technically a three-in-one punch of vineria (wine bar), ristorante, and alimentari (food store), but really it’s all imported deliciousness. As the only distributor of some of its Italian fine wines to the straight-from-Italy sheep’s milk cheese and handmade Italian plates, 54 Mint serves up an authentic Italian meal that tastes even better coming from the hand of the heavily accented servers.

This hotspot is the work of native Umbrian owners Alberto Avalle (of NYC’s Il Buco fame) and Claudio Ricciolini- and 54 Mint can’t be a better ode to their homeland. Even the famous Umbrian olive oil is sprinkled into nearly every dish and is even displayed beautifully for customers to buy.

During good weather, make sure to hit up the patio for some great people watching in the trendy SOMA district.