Club Fugazi Experiences

I went to Dear San Francisco on Valentine’s Day with my "friend," who had never seen a circus show before. Having now seen this production three times, I can confidently say that this iteration is the weakest of the ones I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing.

The show starts strong, weaving a bit of San Francisco history with poetry and a lively group tumbling act. The Seven Fingers excel at creating dynamic yet accessible ensemble acrobatics in small spaces, and this production is no exception. If you’re familiar with their signature style, you’ll recognize their strength in movement composition right away.

From there, however, the performance remains impressive by general circus standards but pales in comparison to previous renditions by the same company. While the cabaret format allows for flexibility, much of the show lacks the je ne sais quoi that turns acrobatics into true spectacle. One notable exception is the near-perfect straps act, which stands out as a highlight.

Other acts, however, fall flat. The bounce juggling sequence replaces what was once a dynamic and playful hat juggling number, stripping it of its former charm. What’s left is technically proficient but lacks storytelling—it’s a demonstration of tricks rather than a fully realized act. The double trapeze routine is perhaps the most disappointing; in past versions, it was a masterclass in creative mounting and dismounting of an aerial apparatus. This time, the performers clearly lack aerial specialization, and the execution suffers as a result. The main base’s pull-up pullover, for instance, looks under-rehearsed, with bent legs and unpointed toes—details that should not be overlooked in a professional production.

In the midst of this mediocrity, the show oddly incorporates… trivia? It seems like a misguided attempt to make the experience feel interactive, forgetting that circus, at its best, is already deeply engaging. The humor, largely relying on clichéd San Francisco stereotypes, feels watered down—more suited for first-time tourists than locals who truly know the city.

I may be particularly critical because I’ve seen The Seven Fingers at their best, but it’s clear that this cast does not measure up to previous iterations. That said, you’ll still have a great time with your date, and Club Fugazi’s ambiance remains a wonderful draw. However, Dear San Francisco and The Seven Fingers as a whole appear to be on a downward trajectory. If you want to catch this show at its best, you may want to get your tickets sooner rather than later.

A note on Club Fugazi: The venue’s old-world charm adds to the experience, with a brief historical introduction setting the stage in a fun, fact-driven way. However, service is understaffed, which is understandable for a dinner theater but still noticeable. Despite our server’s friendliness, they were clearly overwhelmed. Also, note that an 18% gratuity is...

Amazing show with circus acts, dancing, and story telling all wrapped into one! We just arrived in SF and thought this would be a beautiful introduction to the city and we were right! We purchased stage seats which were incredible, the performers were all around us the entire time. We got there early and lucked out as we were seated next to a former employee of Club Fugazi who was able to tell us more about the club history and the Beach Blanket Babylon, the former show that ran for 25 years pre-covid, which we found so interesting.

The club itself looked amazing! There really wasn't a bad seat in the entire house. The only draw back to our stage seating was that it was difficult to see the acrobats done at the top of the pole, since the roof of the backstage blocks them once they climb high enough. With that said, I still think the stage seating was the way to enjoy the show and missing 5 seconds of the pole action doesn't take away from the overall immersive experience.

The story they tell is beautiful and passionate. You can tell this is performed by people who genuinely love what they do and it really feels like they love eachother just as much. Watching them goof around during the show and cheer eachother on showed me that they are not just friends, but more like family. It's really beautiful when that translates on stage.

With stage seating, a few things to note: you can't get up during the performance so use the washroom when you arrive. There was a brief 3 minute "intermission" at one point where they let the stage seated guests run to the washroom, but the line formed quickly. Plan wisely!

Our server was great and was very attentive to us throughout the show. They would choose their moments carefully so they're not interrupting the performance in anyway and would come check in on us for more drink/food order. I ended up getting the gelato (strawberry creme fraiche!) and a Blood Orange pop - both were really good! My boyfriend ordered a beer. The menu is limited so it's not to be considered as a "dinner and show" place - it's a snack and a show!

The bar serves beer and wine (and mimosa I believe). I wish there were some cocktails personally, since I don't drink beer or wine. The Blood Orange drink was really tasty - I kind of wish they offered that with a shot of vodka - that would also be delicious!

My favourite part of the whole experience was the post cards. The ones read on stage made me tear up. It's so clear that SF has been a safe haven for so many people from different walks of life. SF just accepts you as you are and supports the crazy dreams you might have! It was really special to hear why the city has meant so much to so many people.

My love letter to SF now includes this beautiful show and everything it made me feel.

Thank you 7Fingers for the...

After 2 years of no birthday for my daughter, friends, and family we planned this most excellent venue for our Birthday Bash. In the weeks leading up to the event Dori (group sales) made it so easy to plan and was nimble in the ever growing changes we had. The catering division headed up by Katerina was exceptional (as was the food). The day of we came in with no expectations and was completely blown away by how fantastic the Fugazi experience was. David Dower's welcome speech covered key events that took place at Club Fugazi (e.g., The Grateful Dead, Thelonius Monk, Queen Elizabeth and a ode of love to the SF Giants! ) We were in the Tiria Room (a special seating area which was built for Queen Elizabeth) Gorgeous space, really great post-Beach Blanket Babylon renovation done, restoring the vintage jewelbox character to this theater while catering to contemporary audiences. The exceptional service starting at the front of the building through the catering service and performers were awesome. I big shout out to our Usher and Server who were amazing……the personal touches and as well as their ability to go above and beyond were incredible. The show itself rooted itself in the old San Francisco before tech came in….it was how I remember growing up there the depth and history was amazing and accurate. The love letters from the audience that the performers read were amazing. The opening phone booth scene was amazing. This was followed up by fantastic performances one after the other, each one showcasing the graceful athleticism and showmanship of each artist. What I love most was how each piece--from the unicycle, the hanging bar, the Chinese yo-yo, the dual pole work, etc. was infused with personal stories framed against the city's history. It was moving and beautiful, made more poignant by the realization that I miss my San Francisco (as I live in Sonoma County now) I reflect on how the city has changed and challenged me and how, in my own small way, have done the same in part through two decades of my participation through my trials and struggles and my joys and finding my true love on a blind date in the Mission District. This is a beautiful production worth seeing whether you're new to San Francisco, a native, or just a person who...