Rating: 3.75 out of 5 bottles of water

by Jim Hauck

San Francisco welcomed the return of a old club under a new name last night as the Trocadero became The Grand.

The space is amazing now that it is opened up again. You are welcomed into the club to a large wrap around bar that gives you direct view out to the main dance floor. On the main floor it is surrounded on sides by what will often work as VIP bottle service booths and a stage under the DJ altar, relocated from the entry area to the far back above the old stage. The stage itself is lined with benches. The upstairs has been completely opened up and the rafters of the club exposed. Booth seating and a potential additional dance space exist upstairs and gorgeous chandeliers are hung tastefully all over the club.The central lighting rig has been updated with new lighting units and digital projection units and a mirror ball like nothing else around that is covered in LED lights so you can produce full images on the surface of it. Strobes align the walls above the DJ booth and high powered full spectrum laser is above the DJ booth and it does a whole bunch of cool patterns. Cryo is installed from the lighting rig which will be great for when the parties get a little hot and steamy. The entire space is gold colored offering a rich scheme, with glass rails along the balconies keeping a very open feel. The restrooms are impeccable and huge. The owners of the club are very friendly and really look forward to having many gay events as well.

Now specifically about this party. Music for the night was provided by Steve Fabus who played a classic disco vibe and gave a nice, slower, easy start to the night. Classic disco hits, reminiscent of parties like Remember the Party, it was a fun way to start an evening and in polar opposite to events of the night before. Some mixing challenges as tunes seemed to be jammed together, but still a warm sound that was easy to dance with and at the same time have social interaction with your friends. Steve was praised with a huge round of applause when he finished and handed over the decks to Paul Goodyear.

Paul Goodyear took the set through some classic disco sounds but really opened up the sound system and we got a chance to hear what the club could sound like with some good house tracks as well. Paul really played a set of love showing his depth and breadth of experience from classic disco sounds to that progressive house sound with all of the Goodyear production values you want. He got the dance floor filled and the crowd riled up with the sexy beats and good thump he brought out. Paul was able to keep a good crowd right up to the end, or at least until I pulled my departure around 1130.

Staff was abundant and the space kept clean. Trashcans were missing on the floor, making it hard to find places to dump bottles or gum when you wanted to, but that can be addressed easily. Perhaps my biggest concern is the space is bright. The bathroom lighting is painfully bright and spills out to the dance floor from a lack of a closed door on the ladies room. The overall lighting in the club is also a bit bright which limits the dark corners to feel like you can get a little nasty at a dance party. When the cool new toys like the LED mirror ball came on the entire place is set ablaze with light, which may be a bit much and it may be worth some work on figuring how to dim the ball down just a bit (mostly because it is an incredibly cool toy). The booths in the dance floor space feel a bit oppressive on the dance floor, but for many straight parties that is a big money maker so I understand the need. Overall any of my concerns can easily be taken care of with a little time in the production build out of an event.

I look forward to future events at this club and seeing how the local producers start to mold this space into something they want for us all to enjoy. Congratulations to Luke Johnstone and Gus Bean for getting a new space opened and off the ground and to Steve Fabus and Paul Goodyear for giving us a dose of loving disco tea!

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Sunday, October 2, 2011
Castro Street Fair – 18th and Noe Street
11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

The Petting Zoo is a party with a purpose, raising funds for a variety of charities including PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support). The Petting Zoo encourages people to express themselves in a unique and charitable project, by gearing up in their favorite sexy, fury, critter gear. Yes, think about that furry thing you want to be, that pig, that dog, or any number of animals. It’s the call of the wild as you join bears, beefcakes and hotties and enter the World of Wonderment entertainment area. Drink, dance and frolic the day away while official Zoo Keepers tend to your needs, cool you with misters and provide you with refreshments.

No Costume is too simple or too complex and creative expression is encouraged, however pig snouts and tails will be provided to those who have either not found their inner critter or just need a little more encouragement to give it a shot. Be sure to stop by and take part of this unique San Francisco experience.

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Look out for more events from The Juice Box Presents in the near future, and mark your calendars for Sunday, June 24, 2012, for the next REACH Pride T-Dance.

We wish you a speedy and safe recovery from your SF Pride Weekend.

The dance party landscape in San Francisco has more opportunities for fun this weekend. Please be sure to check out the events from our promotional partners below for more dance floor magic.

Bearracuda Scruff Night

Saturday, July 2, 2011
9:00PM to 3:00AM
Club 8, 1151 Folsom Street, San Francisco
DJ Medic and the Bearracuda premier of DJ Russ Rich

Ceremony Tea Dance

Sunday, July 3, 2011
5:00PM to Midnight
715 Harrison Street (at 3rd), San Francisco
Moto Blanco (UK), DJ Jay Santos, and DJ Grind

Thick (Get Dirty)

Sunday, July 3, 2011
11PM to 3AM (Immediately following Ceremony Tea Dance)
Club 8, 1151 Folsom Street, San Francisco
DJ Luke Johnstone

And for our friends in Seattle, WA

PLAY – Seattle

Sunday, July 3, 2011
5PM to Midnight
Neumos, 925 East Pike Street, Seattle, WA
DJ John Le Page

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Adding to the 11th Street clubbing zone in San Francisco, this area has played host over the years to many nightclubs and party spots including:

• Slim’s – opened in 1988 by legendary artist Boz Scaggs, and the host of many live music events and the popular gay dance BlowOff
• DNA Lounge – originally a leather bar called Chaps in 1985, converted in the 90’s to a late night dance spot with popular raves like ThumpRadio and the PLAY T-Dances of Past Curfew.

Andy Zivic and his partners secured the club space at 314 11th Street that has been shuttered for a number of years in the heart of the clubbing neighborhood. Formerly known as Studio Z and Fat City, the club is a beautiful old garage/warehouse style space. Zivic’s team has worked day and night to strip the walls to reveal gorgeous brick, an exposed metal beam and strut ceiling and amazing skylights. Extra touches like a grid metal sculpture wall near the front of the club and a large-scale wooden bar add to the ambience of this restoration. Zivic has a very keen eye for what he wants in a club space, and the hopes of this opening are to reach into the gay, Burning Man, and arts communities to create and event space. Naming the club The BEATBOX, he hopes to host dance parties, corporate events, and more. The BEATBOX will open on San Francisco Pride weekend with a couple dance events.

Saturday night, June 26, is opening night with an event called RUB. The team of Frisco Disco Events, with a history of producing events like The Disco and Aftershock, will open the BEAT BOX with this new exclusive and special event featuring San Francisco DJ Craig Gaibler promising an uplifting sound and sexy and fun crowd. Tickets are limited and everyone will be treated like a VIP and can be secured by contacting Kyle Picket at kyle@friscodisco.net, or through retail outlets at Body on Castro or Mr. S Leather.

Sunday night, June 27, the group We Were The Future takes over the space for an event called BLAM! Promising a taste of the local scene with live bands and DJs including the popular Ejector and Robot Bomb Shelter, Trevor Sigler, Mikey the Nut, Ben Holder and Papa Tony.

Great opportunities to check out the newest club and some new events featuring something different to ignite your pride, the BEATBOX fits a niche for a medium size venue with the ambiance to make it attractive to many events.

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The Juice Box Presents is very excited to announce that a portion of the proceeds from the REACH SF Pride T-Dance will go to support the GLBT Historical Society (www.glbthistory.org).

Recently opened, the museum located in the heart of the Castro at 4127 18th Street, is one of only 2 LGBT museums in the world. If you’re visiting San Francisco for Pride, or if you live here, be sure to visit the museum and show your support.

The Juice Box Presents is an eager participant in the preservation of our rich GLBT heritage and it was an easy decision to support the continued growth and development of the GLBT Historical Society, an organization that benefits us all through continuing education.

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