Public Works

Public Works is still the best nightclub on Earth. Hifi lovers, you are home here! I wish there was a Public Works in every city in the world. They are such a gift to the music scene. The sound quality is unreal. I never have to bring ear plugs to any show here -- in fact, I discourage it, because the audio technicians at Public Works are so world-class and expert that you will want to experience every detail of PW's perfect sound system. The layout is AWESOME, and it is always well-ventilated and air conditioned. Plenty of perfect views of the stage and DJ booth and crowd. Perfect crowd size. The community are super respectful and sweet, inclusive music lovers. Unlike Audio, you will never encounter harassment or any other issues. I don't know how Public Works manages to capture that kind of safe, perfect vibe -- but they do, year after year. A San Francisco institution. I will often attend shows alone and solo here as a woman -- and I never regret it because it is so safe, and staff are always so considerate and looking out for you. Even on the coldest, rainiest, windy days, the staff are super kind and careful. Booking is stellar. I wish every electronic artist and DJ I love would choose this venue on their SF stop. The tiny side stage with a loft area often debuts some of the most innovative DJs and local talent. Cannot imagine my world without Public Works. They are a #1 reason why I continue to love San Francisco and why it is so hard to leave.

This place is sketchy as fuck. I came here to see Nora En Pure tonight and I didn't even make it in. Don't get deceived by the pictures from the business owner and all the ladies in the photos. I was going to see Nora by myself and as I kept walking towards this warehouse I turned back around and went home. I didn't want to get jumped, kidnapped, or experience something worse. There's no parking around and it's just plain ghetto. It's a shame this DJ performs at sketchy clubs like this and Temple where I almost got raped by a body guard because I took a Molly for the first time. I had to snap out of it and pretend I was interested for him to let me get out of the basement. I learned from that in 2019. I can only imagine how sketchy the staff and customers are in here. Save yourself the trouble and find a different venue to see your favorite DJ. Also, scroll all the way down. All the bad reviews are hidden. I wish I would've checked prior to going. I still made a good night out of it for myself and am grateful I'm home. :)I guess the one star can go to SpotHero for getting me a really nice, safe parking lot on Market street.

I'm thankful that Public Works is still doing their thing. Still bringing quality music to the SF area.I was thrilled to be able to attend an Ant-ten-nae and Polish Ambassador set the other evening here.The staff were super helpful and the security was professional, but low key (always a nice combo).The whole evening was smooth and magical. It was a lovely vibe. Good people with big smiles.Though I did wish that there was a little bit more seating on the ground floor - mostly to put my stuff down, I welcomed the opportunity to dance - and I had no problem finding seating while I was there.I appreciated that the bathrooms were clean, that the bartenders were on top of things (I stuck to water) - and the quality of the sound in the main room.Public Works has always had their act together. The owners and staff have made sure to keep the events calendar stacked and up to date - and the space seems well run and efficient. Trust.

Went here for the first time on a Friday night to see Ferry Corsten. Took Waymo here and then an uber home. Unsure how parking is around here. Staffs were friendly including the bar tenders. The venue has a good sound and lighting system. It's not a huge space which I like for an intimate setting but it can get crowded. There's a 2nd floor which over looks the bottom floor so the dancing space is smaller. There is limited seating along the wall on both floors. You can buy water in a can at the bar or get free water from the water dispenser by the corner. I would bring a reusable water bottle next time. The only issue I had was the bathroom was not cleaned enough. It smelled so bad, it's slippery and disgusting. At the time I went someone took a dump on top of the toilet seat and it was there the entire night. After leaving the venue there was a couple of bacon hot dog carts outside for those with munchies.

I don't usually review nightclubs because, let's be honest, they're normally so trashy , even when you have the best time that it's not worth it to actually Review them. Came here for Gorgon City on a Saturday night. And the venue was completely packed by the time it hit eleven o'clock. I thought the crowds here were really chill. I didn't see anybody get thrown out. Everyone with super respectful, and I loved the venue space. They had 2 different inside stages and also the outside area, which was the smoking area, housed a silent disco, which was fun. I liked that the main stage area had seats in the back that people able to use to get a better view. If you wanted seating, it was all over the second area as well as outside which I thought was a great touch. They have cool art everywhere that lines up.

I'm so tired of waking up the morning after a show here with a sore throat from all the vaping people do on the dance floor. There's a designated smoking area outside that must be fairly empty, because people constantly billow out massive plumes of vape clouds inside and security doesn't bat an eye. It's just nasty. I've been to plenty of other venues in bigger cities that actually manage to keep vaping off the dance floor.

What a sad little club! The people at the door were absolutely miserable. I was yelled at for waiting for my friend (who had my tickets!) and told to "move move move I know you're waiting for your friend but you've got to keep it moving" ...when there was no one else in line?? The immediately harshed vibes were not at all in line with the kind of place this was marketed to be. Hard pass on trying it again

Attended a comedy show here, Story Party: True Dating Stories with Emily Van Dyke. The show was fantastic and hilarious (you can see my separate review for "Story Party"). But I felt the venue was lacking, or just very ordinary. First off, it's located in an alleyway that doesn't look the safest to walk into (at least if I were by myself). And the building doesn't look like much on the outside, though there is some subtle artwork near the entry door, if you look more closely.Inside, we showed our admission tickets at the counter, and the staff gave it a glance and just let us in (a quick and hassle-free process). Then we walked around to check the place out and get some drinks before showtime. It looks like a warehouse inside with wooden flooring, like a space for holding raves. It didn't seem run-down or notably unpleasant in any way, it just looked like an open space with a bar, a little bit of colored lighting as decor (mainly in the bar area), and a stage, with rows of folding seats set up for the show. The specialty cocktails on their menu were pretty good (we had the Old Fashioned and Tropical Storm), but the drinks were filled with ice and in small plastic cups, so I'd say a tad overpriced for what you get. The sole bartender on duty offered pretty standard service, nothing special, but sufficient. I did notice a little bit of random decor, some very confusing as to what they use this space for, ie. what looked like coin operated kiddie rides against the wall leading from the entrance to the bar (idk, photo ops for adults?). Also, a disco ball hanging from the ceiling that didn't seem like it fit in with the overall space. Their second level was not in use for the show I attended, so I only got a view from downstairs.The stage was also very plain, just a couple plants and a table (for the performer during the show). The sound system was decent.Again, my review is not based on the club scene here, but as a show venue, Public Works is pretty average, not outstanding in any way, but also not bad... If there's a good show I really want to see, I wouldn't hesitate to return (if "Story Party: True Dating Stories" happens here again, I'd recommend checking it out).

Small venue but had a blast, left a jacket at coat check and they were able to mail it back to us. Staff was really friendly through and through

Had a great time at public works. Great space and delicious drinks. The friends and I danced the night away.