Jellyfish Gallery

My first time at Jellyfish was actually for a long-​form improv show of 4 troupes.
It’s a wonderful, small gallery. It was an interesting space for improv, but the art exhibited on the walls was a nice juxtaposition.
The show on exhibit was graphite drawings of people, very sexual, and really good.
If there’s ever another event here, I would definitely go. Just be careful of your surroundings getting here at night!

I’ve been here several times. A great space for art and small-​medium events.

I am by no means an art gallery connoisseur. I went to Jellyfish on the opening night of Spy Emerson’s opening night. The space was decent sized and open and most of all the exhibit was fun. No one was overly pretentious or annoying. Thumbs up.

First, the good things. The space is cheap, ideal for parties, the employees are friendly and helpful. And jellyfish: how cute! They have good lighting, sofas, big coolers, kitchen stuff, and a good sound system, and they’re in a part of town that doesn’t care so much about late-​night noise.
If you’re looking to host a medium-​ish party (birthday, dance, holiday), this place is great.
But…if you’re intrigued, and you’re really interested in renting the space, do read this cautionary tale.
– THE CAUTIONARY TALE. –
Two friends & I held a big big dance-​slash-​birthday party on a Saturday night. We had a guest list and someone manning the door, but of course some friends-​of-​friends-​of-​friends (eg, strangers) slipped through. We’d been expecting it, and for the most part it was all good. What’s better at your party than new hotties, amirite?
But in one case I ran into a couple near the bar that didn’t know me, or *anyone* I knew, who kept suspiciously repeating «they didn’t just walk off the street». Ruh-​roh! I explained I was a host, and this was a private party, and I didn’t know the «guests» they named, and then I asked them to leave.
And then… they refused to leave.
I was floored.
I’d like to say I came up with some clever comeback, but, well, no; I didn’t know what to do. I walked away. I danced. I chatted with guests. I hung out. Then I came back. They were still there! I asked them to leave again. No dice. I asked a few male friends to help me get them to leave. It didn’t work.
Since physically removing them wasn’t an option, all I could think to do was tell the bartenders to stop serving them alcohol. Successful gatecrashers they may be, but I wasn’t about to finance their Saturday night out.
Apparently this decision did not sit well with one of the uninvited guests, who found the gallery owner and complained.* He found me & told me that she was a friend of his, and that knew some of my guests, so she could stay.
I told the owner that I didn’t know her.
I explained I didn’t know any of the people she mentioned.
I emphasized that I’d asked her to leave, and she flat-​out refused.
His reply: «I know her, she’s cool, and she can stay.»
I rather forcefully made it clear that I simply did not WANT her at my birthday party.**
He didn’t care: «I don’t know what kind of guest list you had set up, but she says she knows some of your guests, so she stays.»
Uh-​huh. And it didn’t stop there: when the bartenders refused to serve the unwelcome couple, _​the owner threatened to shut the bar down_​. Apparently to run the point home, he then told another host that that the party would have to end early… because I tried to kick his friend out.
Back. the truck. up. Did this guy forget it wasn’t his party? I don’t know! Did he forget we had payed him cash monies to rent out the place for a private event? Maybe! Does he owe me and my friends drinks? Yes he does!
Anyway, that whole thing was uncomfortable, and it was weird.
– WE ARRIVE AT THE MORAL OF THE TALE. –
The moral of the tale is this: if you want to have a party at the Jellyfish Gallery, hire a bouncer, keep to your guest list, and make sure the owner is out of town.
——
*Really. WTF squared.
**I mean who wants somebody like THAT around? I had Michelle Tanners dancing around saying «How rude!» in my head the whole time.

On Sat 31Jan09, I had the pleasure of attending a cosmic-​ly awakening event at SF’s newest art space, the one and only temple to the jellyfish. I felt like a supremely enlightened being to get the chance to peek in these doors!
This art gallery has a good backstory. According to one of the current tenants, it was a hip underground spot during the dotcom boom, but then sort of died out like all the stock options. When they got into it a few months ago, it took lots of TLC to render it to its current pleasure dome status.
Located on Folsom at 9^th, it shares some great real estate with Paradise Lounge and Anon Salon which are only spitting distance away. The neon illuminated jellyfish in the window next to the door are your clue that you have arrived.
Inside is a large, clean art gallery space with a functional area for serving the «must have» wine and cheese to accompany your HIT of an opening. The night I was there, it held 100 people and a full on media and dance performance. There are two upper areas, one where the occupants live has a nice couch and library feel and the tiny rooftop smoking porch supports the most addicted in comfort.
I like the intimacy forced by the size and fire code restrictions. You get to interact personally with other gallerians and also feel like you are on the cusp of discovering the newest and most hidden.
I strongly recommend seeing this place first hand, although you will have to keep your eyes out for events. They don’t have a web presence yet and must be courted by knocking on the door. Bring wine and cheese, they will be more lenient to your cause.