DNA Lounge is an all-ages nightclub, restaurant and cafe in the SoMa district of San Francisco owned by Jamie Zawinski, a former Netscape programmer and open-source software hacker.

[3] The club features DJ dancing, live music, burlesque performances, and occasionally conferences, private parties, and film premieres.

Known as "Above DNA," this space has its own entrance to the street as well as connecting doors to the main room balcony and upstairs lounge.

In 1985 it was purchased by Jim English, Jeff Mason and Brian Raffi who opened for business under the name DNA Lounge on November 22, 1985.

[6][7] Jim English left around 1988 to open Club Townsend.The earliest regular DJs were Ted Cousens, Adam Fisher, Michael Snyder, and Brian Raffi.

Many of DNA's posters and flyers were designed by the San Francisco-based artists Scott Williams and Rex Ray.

In the early '90s, the club hosted many rave-themed nights with acts including Right Said Fred, the Hardkiss Brothers and Tasti Box, and afterhours events such as Lift- it was an important venue in San Francisco rave history.

From 1995 until 1998, the DNA was a popular late-night destination, featuring unpublicized shows by such top pop musicians as Prince and Metallica, and weekend dance parties headlined by retro bands Grooveline and the M-80s.

[12] When non-essential San Francisco businesses were forced to suspend operations in early 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, DNA Lounge continued hosting online-only events via its webcast.

[20] During the period that DNA Lounge was closed for remodeling, Zawinski spearheaded a successful grassroots effort to maintain its late-night permits,[21] facing opposition from several neighbors and the SFPD, but was unable to procure an all-ages license.

Many complained that ABC was unfairly targeting DNA Lounge, and their homosexual clientele in particular, pointing out that the specific allegations are far less "lewd" than the standard behavior at heterosexual strip clubs.

[28] DNA Lounge remained in business, pending resolution of their appeal, and a legal defense fund soliciting donations was set up to help offset the cost of contesting the decision.

[46] A number of regular DNA Lounge events are perennial winners as well, including Bootie ("Best Party Producers", "Best Dance Party"), Smash-Up Derby ("Best Cover Band"), Death Guild ("Best Weeknight Dance Club",[48] "Best Dance Party"[39][41]), Hubba Hubba Revue ("Best Burlesque"[41]), Bohemian Carnival ("Best Circus Troupe"), Trannyshack ("Best Drag Show"), Bearracuda ("Best Club for Queer Men") and Fog City Wrestling ("Best Body Slams").

On November 22, 2010, the date of DNA Lounge's 25th anniversary, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors issued a resolution proclaiming that day to be "DNA Lounge Day",[49] "to convey the City's sincere respect for their ability to successfully run an entertainment business for the past 25 years."