Monroe

Me and my friends went out to Monroe's a few times. Great staff, especially Lucy. We love Lucy, she made our night so much fun and made sure that it was a safe environment. All around great experience.

Lucy is amazing as a guard in this bounce of bodies. she made me feel so safe! She was so great at telling me which spots to dance.

Lucy the security guard was great and took care of me and my gfs!!good music all night highly recommend this club

Pictures don't do it justice. It's my go-to club. My friends and I have yet to find a club to beat Monroe.

IMO they have all three main components of a good club and so far it's the only place to have them all: crowded (no awkward empty dance floor), dark, and good music. I hate when there are empty areas on the dance floor and when I can SEE... the ambiance of Monroe is top-notch, perfect clubbing setting. The music is usually really solid, even on the worst nights, it's better than most other clubs. It's a variety of R&B, rap, pop, throwbacks, etc. Also, the crowd is mostly early 20s.

Drinks are pretty good (more on the strong side) and usually cost $15-$20. I recommend the main bar in the front, rather than the mini side bar near the other exit. The bathroom is a little small, but it's nice and clean. There is a cover, but girls get in free.

We are San Francisco locals and have been going to Dragonbar before it became Monroe 15 years ago. We used to really like Monroe especially for their battle of the decade night on Friday. I literally recommended it to all my friends who visit me and bring them there.

Well we are never going back. We had the strangest experience with the owner of Monroe - Payam Arvin. I have never seen him before. It was 6:40pm on a Friday (Aug 2024) and the club is pretty empty still playing 70s music. I am dancing a little by the dj booth and this guy in a short jacket bumps into me to get to the booth it seems. There was room to walk around so I was a little annoyed but no biggy. I thought he was just rushing to go to his booth or something. 5 min later he walks the other way and kind of push me out of the way again. Again nothing big but noticeable rude. I dismissed it as maybe he had a few too many drinks. I don't really drink so I just try to ignore people who are tipsy. . 5 min later, he again passes us to push his way to the booth this time abruptly pushing past my husband who reacted and bumped him back a little. My husband actually then said sorry. It was just reflex for him. This guy then asked my husband to leave the club. I was incredulous as we are having fun waiting for 80s music to begin. I went to the guy and asked him why. He said he works at Monroe and my husband has to leave. I am thinking but you bumped into my husband and the fact you worked here and is this rude was upsetting enough. We got our stuff and walked out the backyard calmly with him.

I asked for his full name. I wanted to make sure the owner knew this guy is perhaps drunk on the job. To my surprise he said I am Payam Arvin. I am the owner. He gave me his business card. Well. I guess Monroe is too successful and they don't care about their long term customers any more as the owner was probably the rudest worker we have met at any club in sf. So you decide whether you also want to experience this level of arrogance from this Owner.

I am sad actually to experience this first hand also as a local. We already had plans to come back with our friend in September but now will change all of our plans. It's a sad day for sf for an owner of a beloved club to let the success of the club go so much to his head as to have this happen. . I had to double check on Google for his photo in case he was bluffing to be the owner. He is the owner. He didn't lie about that.

I've been here a couple times with my friends after a night out of bar hopping. On Friday nights, they play music from different decades at every hour. On Saturday nights, they play top hits and throwbacks.

Definitely come early if you don't want to wait in a long line! Majority of the crowd are college students, so it does feel like a frat party at times. Their drinks are also more affordable than other clubs.

Going to the bathroom is always a mission, once you're deep inside the dance floor. The bathrooms are next to the bar and the intersection gets really crowded. However, I love that they offer complimentary coat check downstairs. Great spot if you enjoy dancing and don't mind the college students.

I only come to Monroe SF for their Friday battle of the decades night for great music and great deals on drinks! I recommend coming early, there was only a small line when I got there at 9pm. When I left at 12am, the line was massive and could have easily been over an hour just to get in.

The earlier you get there, the cheaper the drinks which I certainly took advantage of, though the most expensive it gets is $5 a drink. The music is always really good with everyone singing and dancing and the DJ does a good job mixing. Crowd is generally friendly with everyone having a good time. If you have a big enough group, booths are definitely the way to go.

Staff are all really nice, from the bartenders to the bouncers. Complimentary coat check downstairs is super clutch since it gets HOT in the main room. This is such a fun weekly event, I love that I can live out my middle school dreams and hear Fall Out Boy and T-Pain and Katy Perry all in the same night :D

I wish i could leave a zero star

the bouncers have big egos and we stood in line while having paid and waiting for a table

insane how lame this place is

We booked Monroe for our wedding reception of 75 guests. It is an absolutely stunning venue that is classy and elegant, giving an intimate atmosphere. The venue has everything you need to host a party from drinks, food, a perfect space for a Photo Booth, DJ. Payam was responsive to our many questions and provided many options to support our event, his staff were professional and friendly to our many guests. Most of all, this venue transforms a beautiful night to one filled with even more fun and laughter as you break out on the dance floor with a state of the art sound system and lighting to go with it. So many guests said it was the most fun reception they've ever been to - an incredibly memorable venue!

I can't believe I haven't written a review for Monroe yet.

I'm a big fan and I have been for many years.

Monroe is a beautiful versatile space that is ideal for hosting events. The owner and staff are hands on and it shows throughout every aspect of this memorable venue.

I've always appreciated that Monroe is both elegant and chic - while still remaining accessible. The space looks just as stunning during the day - as it does in the evening - not an easy feat for many lounges.

It is also one of the few venues in the area - that has a heated outdoor lounge. And a what's up one - at that. I have yet to visit Monroe - since they've updated their outdoor area - with vivid bright colors, and retro furniture, but just from photos alone - I'm a fan. It's perfect for late night photo sessions and memorable hangs with friends/loved ones on a classic brisk San Francisco evening.

If quality drinks are your thing - Monroe's cocktail list is well curated and well executed. There is also a nice array of comfortable seating - both inside and outside, so you can enjoy your drink(s), while people watching.

And yes - if people watching is your thing - Monroe is great for it. They host regular fun dance nights, along with drink specials; ideal for nights when you just need to groove or forget about your week.

One of my favorite aspects of Monroe is its rich history. The building has a legendary past. From 1948-1957 - the building was known as Mona's Candlelight - the first openly lesbian club in SF. Later from 1957-1969 - it would become The Jazz Workshop - housing jazz greats like Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Thelonius Monk, and Johnny Coltrane. Comedian Lenny Bruce was even arrested in this building - during a live performance back in 1959. (Please note that all of this info was taken directly from their website - https://www.monroesf.com/history/). The building has seen a lot throughout the years. It's truly lived.

I am so thankful that a place like Monroe exists. I can personally attest that Monroe is not only a fantastic place to host a event, but that it is a wonderful space to attend one as well. I've recommended it to friends throughout the years as both an event venue - and a weekday/weekend lounge/dance spot. It has always delivered.

Thank you Monroe for keeping the spirit of San Francisco alive and dancing.

Trust.