Oh jeez, sad news this morning from EO, owner of great, actually-underground rave cave 222 Hyde. Due to a change in ownership of the nightlub’s building, and some continued trouble with the ABC state liquor and license patrol, 222 will be closing March 9.
There’s gonna be a huge closing party that night of course! (Stay tuned for details.)
This marks the loss of one of the most truly open-eared venues to come along in a while, a space that had room – well, a little room, at least, that basement dancefloor got packed! — for ambitious electronic experiment as well as balls out crowd pleasers, but always on the cutting edge. The staff is pretty great, too — and the space itself is a historic nightlife landmark. I don’t want to make any grand statements about the blandification of SF nightlife, you’ve heard it all before, but 222’s size insured that lesser-known acts, or ones not so familiar in the US, could perform to a vibing dancefloor, rather than risk the cost of larger venues. (And I regret not making it to some of the recent parties like Wednesday’s “What?!” party and the appearance by Skooz. Next time!)
EO will continue on with his ear-grabbing electronic music production — I wish him and his staff well and thank you for the music! Let’s make sure the next few weeks and the closing party are real blowouts. EO’s message to me after the jump:
Hi Marke,
I have some news regarding 222 Hyde.
Sadly, we are closing our doors. Our last event will be March 9, a farewell party with djs and acts who have been staples at 222 over the years. Lineup to follow, but so far Jeno, Atish, Sleazemore, Polk & Hyde (live), and more to come. The final week we are open will be one for the books, starting with the final Tutu Tuesday March 5, As You Like It w/San Proper March 8, and the closing party March 9.
A few things factored into what is leading us to close. Problems with the ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) over a technicality concerning a condition on the license being one of them. Also, the building that houses 222 is also changing hands in a couple months, and the new owners would not be sympathetic to the club or it’s operations. We were lucky to have a great landlord for years and his departure signaled the last sign that it was time to move on.
222 will be remembered as a unique and special place in the SF club landscape, and we know it will be missed. It will live on in everyone’s memory, and there is something to be said for ending on a high note.
Personally, I will have even more time to devote to my first passion, that being producing and performing electronic music on my own, as well as with my collaborators Kenneth Scott (Moniker) and Jonah Sharp (Polk & Hyde). There are a string of upcoming releases on deck and I look forward to having more time to focus on music.
We would love to see everyone at any and all of the last events at the club!
eo