Thanks to everyone who helped sell out July 15th’s Basement Bootleg soiree, our underground speakeasy held in an undisclosed Mission location. Revelers were dressed in their swankiest outfits — fedoras, feather boas, suits, flapper gowns, the whole nine yards — and they dined on delicious food from local merchants. We had mouth-watering arepas from Pica Pica Maize Kitchen, delectable sausages and meatballs from Aidells, inventive spreads from Slow Jams and mmm butter!, hearty homemade bread from Sour Flour, and sweet cupcakes from Mission Minis. Of course, there was plenty of booze on hand too. No one went home thirsty with a special assortment of small-batch wines from Forlorn Hope, a keg of Blue Bell Bitter from Magnolia Brewery, and cocktails from Bulliet Burbon.

We ate, we drank, and we learned a little something — thanks to David Katznelson of the San Francisco Appreciation Society, who gave a brief history of local speakeasies — and then we danced. Seth Augustus’ trio gave a spirited performance of haunting urban blues.

It’s important to support underground culture in San Francisco — and we found it’s even more fun to do so while partying deep below street level.