Just as salsa dancing and tango waltzing attract their steadfast followers, so does ’80’s music. I’m serious.

Cat Club has been hosting Thursday night ‘80s night for as long as I’ve lived here (and possibly much longer). I know because it was a stop on one of my first dates in the Bay Area. The one where the guy, who smelled rank, made me drive, and we bounced from club to bar to club handing out flyers for some show he was trying to promote. Then he gave me $1 for gas. Terrible. 

After a multi-year absence, I returned to the Cat Club and found two separate rooms blasting ‘80s music. The back room plays deeper, darker, industrial ‘80s while the front spins more happy go-lucky ‘80s, songs where everyone knows the words and passionately sings along. 

And there are regulars! I couldn’t believe it. There are people who go week after week to Thursday ‘80s night at the Cat Club. Now, it doesn’t seem so strange to me why. The night is addictive. Who would not be psyched when Hall & Oates "Maneater" comes on? Whoaoah here she comes, watch out boys she’ll chew you up! The song is classically awesome. About 100 times that night, I thought oh my God! I have not heard this in soooo long! Looking around the room I saw that nostalgic moment in people’s brains all around me as the look of joyful recognition hit their faces in unison.

This is not even the best part (the music, dancing, and vibe are), but Cat Club serves $2 well drinks until 10 p.m. From INXS’ gut-wrenching "Need You Tonight," to Billy Idol’s pre-happy hardcore "Dancing With Myself," there were few sets when the crowd dissipated to the bar to replenish (and it was a fleetingly sad moment when one of us had to). It’s pretty much the most carefree, fun night you can have in San Francisco. Do it.

All 80s Thursday is tonight and every Thursday night at Cat Club, 1190 Folsom Street (@ 8th). 9pm-3am. $6 cover (free before 9:30pm).

$2 well drinks until 10pm

$3 12oz or $5 Tallboy PBR's all night