Ah , burlesque : the mostly socially satisfactory direction for sexy strangers to make you laugh … and feel a short funny in your pant simultaneously . In San Francisco , we ’re blessed : almost any night of the week , you may ascertain beautiful women ( and some men and non - gender - conforming folks , too ) strip show , tease , and tantalize at one of the city ’s many burlesque events . While finding inventive way to flaunt T&A is certainly a cornerstone of the art form , burlesque is its own breed of performance art , and one that hits more note than just “ sexy . ” Sometimes nerdy , sometimes super out there , and often absolutely screaming , the babes in the Bay do it decently , putting on display that hit all the fall guy while pushing boundaries . Whether you want to see classic ecdysiast , celebrate body positivity , or just dig some tassel twirling , we ’ve let you cover . Or uncovered … except for pasties . Here are the best spots to hoot and holler your grasp in San Francisco and the Bay Area .
< strong > Metro Operahouse ( < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / salute / san - francisco / bars / oakland - metro … ; target="_blank”>address and info )
< em > OaklandTourettes might be hump for its fire spinning , pierced suspension , muddy haikus , and rap battles , but you ’d be a patsy not to come for the burlesque as well . Many Tourettes night are theme – we ’ve seen burlesque breathe in by < em > Hellraiser ’s Pinhead and cannibal lady of the house acts ( yup ) – you ’re fundamentally ensure to see some mind - twist , insurgent burlesque from aphrodisiacal and malcontent ladies . Get in note ahead of time for this popular show on the first Thursday of every month at the Metro Operahouse .
Gabriel Hurley/Tourettes Without Regrets
< substantial > DNA Lounge ( < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / consume / san - francisco / eatery / dna - loung … ; target="_blank”>address and info )
This long - lam show in SoMa ( performing every 2nd Friday at DNA Lounge and every Monday at < a href=“https://www.dnalounge.com / booking/" ; target="_blank”>Above DNA ) mixes comedy , classic striptease , and circus humanistic discipline … and also has some of the the highest output time value act in the city . Friday night revues are theme – guess taken up house - themed burlesque – and feature performing artist from across the country performing with a springy banding . Hubba is also home to < a href=“https://www.dnalounge.com / calendar/2016/06 - 10.html" ; target="_blank”>Burlesque Nation , an annual invitational of the full in burlesque from across the country and around the world .
< strong > Elbo Room ( < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / drink / san - francisco / taproom / elbo - room" ; target="_blank”>address and info )
RJ Johnson
< em > MissionOne of the entry point to the Bay Area burlesque scene is Bombshell Betty ’s burlesque school and seminars , where sept can learn to titillate … and even tassel twirl . Bombshell Betty and her Burlesqueteers take the upstairs stage at the Elbo Room to show off their formulate skills on the 2d Tuesday of each month .
< strong > Club BNB ( < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / drink / san - francisco / bars / club - bnb - terrace … ; target="_blank”>address and info )
< em > OaklandThis monthly show happens every third Friday at Club BNB , and never die to bring a genuinely sizzling lineup of burlesque , drag , circus , clowning , and other performance . Hosted by poet and pestiferous haiku fable Wonder Dave , Seduction features performer across the gender spectrum and crest the dark with a queer dancing party after the show .
Courtesy of Seduction Feroce
Red Hots
Multiple locationsRed Hots promise that you ’ll never see the same show doubly , even though you could chance one of their shows somewhere in San Francisco three clock time a calendar week . Its international , splay mould include burlesque , drag performers , comedians , and sideshow acts from performers of every sexuality , size , and race . check off out theirBurlesque Brunchevery Sunday at PianoFight , Wednesday night atBEATBOX , or Saturday nights at theCat Clubfor rock’n’roll ' n ' roll dancers ( which of track they refer to as a " Rack and Roll BurlyQ. "
The Body Political
Location variesWho say you ca n’t get deep and sexy at the same time ? The inspiration of Bay Area burlesque bombshells Laika Fox and Andi Stardust , this " emotional rollercoaster " of reality , joyousness , and struggle tells personal stories about bodies through performance art . While performers often explore themes of body image in their performance , Body Political takes a deep diving into the ways soundbox are controlled , deny , and marginalized by social and political institutions . This show only happens twice a year , so contract up for the mailing leaning to find out when you may catch it next .
Womanopoly
Eli ’s Mile High Club(address and info),The Townhouse(address and info)With two shows in the area , Womanopoly has the East Bay on ringlet . The brainchild of burlesque performers Elyse Elaine and Sgt . Die Wies , the burlesque variety show is at time slow , natural , and intimate , and at others , glamorous , and extremely furious .
< strong > Skylark Bar ( < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / drink / san - francisco / bars / skylark - bar&qu … ; target="_blank”>address and info )
< em > MissionJust in time for the weekend and steps away from 16th St BART is a destitute ( as in , you do n’t have to pay money ! ) cabaret at Skylark Bar . master of ceremonies Hunny Bunny presents a lineup of comedians and contortionist , in summation to some of the surface area ’s best burlesque performer . The show starts at 8 pm … and is a surefire elbow room to have something to utter about with your drinking companion afterward . & nbsp ;
Amber Gregory
DIVAfest
EXIT Theatre(address and info)TenderloinEvery leaping , DIVAfest returns to the Exit Theatre for a themed burlesque consequence that ’s performed like a shimmer . Past show have riffed onAlice in Wonderlandand the history of performance artistry , with rotating prepare pieces and mould . This year ’s event ( get ticket ASAP ! ) isThe Big Hot Mess , written and performed by Catherine Debon .
Sinister Twist
Multiple locationsSinister Twist takes you back in time to the neon daze of an ultra - sleazy Las Vegas , meet seductive rock ‘ n ' paradiddle , exotica and bump ‘ n ' pulverization beats . The four - piece acts as the subservient backing ring to a badly smokin ’ burlesque show from some of the Bay ’s biggest names . Unlike other appearance , Sinister Twist does n’t have a set home , but you ’re potential to catch them in the Mission atBender’sorElbo Room .
< strong > The Legionnaire Saloon ( < a href=“https://admin.thrillist.com / admin / pinnacle / trailer / bm9kZS8zMDU2MTIz" ; target="_blank”>address and info )
< em > OaklandStep back in time and observe " the golden eld of classic Hollywood glamour and Las Vegas showgirl glister " with Fishnet Follies . Produced by Mynx d’Meanor , the Fishnet Follies revue is feature educatee performers doing mostly traditional - mode parody – think large , feathered rooter and uncoiled - up peeler . Head to The Legionnaire Saloon on the first Thursday of every calendar month to take in all that they declare oneself , including features solo performers as well as troupes .
Hunny Bunny and Her Hot Toddies
< strong > Doc ’s Lab ( < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / toast / san - francisco / prevention / docs - lab" ; target="_blank”>address and info )
< em > North BeachNamed after a part of the city renowned for its hazardous past times , Barbary Coast Burlesque is one of the oldest shows in San Francisco . run by local fable Bunny Pistol , BCB leans on the raucous history of the Barbary Coast and features top performer with a sophisticated hang . antecedently homed at Yoshi ’s , BCB is now at Doc ’s Lab on the first Saturday of the month.<a class=“vortex - subject " data - campaign=“2846 " href=“https://signup.thrillist.com/" ; target="_blank”>Sign up here for our everyday San Francisco email and be the first to get all the food / crapulence / fun SF has to offer.
Sinister Twist
Jeff Spirer
