On the frayed edge of San Francisco’s Tenderloin, there’s a twice-monthly happening for anyone who believes nightlife is a food group, music is oxygen, partying is high art, and fashion is a religion.

“The club kids are back,” says Lights Down Low’s doe-eyed cohost and resident DJ, Rchrd Oh?!, 26, referring to his trendsetting patrons’ penchant for dressing up and partying down. “Nightlife is all about pageantry, right?” asks fashion photographer and Lights Down Low’s official picture taker, Parker Day, 24. “And dancing! It’s always about dancing,” adds Oh?!, a culinary-school graduate who shelved the dream of opening his own restaurant after catching the DJ bug.

Lights Down Low’s location, just off the mainstream-clubbing map, helps keep away half-curious preppies and would-be wallflowers. It also ensures there’s always room on the intimate, basement-level dance floor for omnisexual scenesters to happily sweat through their American Apparel tees, stretch out their skinny jeans, and spill vodka on their vintagewear.

“Being in the Tenderloin has been a good filter for us,” Oh?! explains. “It’s not exactly the greatest neighborhood, so the people who come really want to be here. And they’re serious about having a good time—which I love.”

Lights Down Low, 12:15 a.m.

THE SCENE
After slaloming around the lingerers outside, twentysomething hipsters prepare for the wild night ahead with a cocktail at the bar.

THE LOOK
The rules are the same for both sexes: You can never show too much skin, and your clothes can never be too tight.

THE SOUND
Oh?!’s signature blend of classic party jams, hip-hop, and not-in-stores-yet electro keeps dance-floor inhabitants dripping.

EAVESDROPPING
“It’s like a shard of fierce in my eye!” One stylish chick’s runway-worthy look gets a thumbs-up from a gaggle of gays at the bar. Lights Down Low, 2nd and 4th Fri. at Club

222, 222 Hyde St., S.F., myspace.com/lightsdownlow


Elsewhere
Hold Yr Horses
Rchrd Oh?! and school-night party types go at it weekend-style at this bimonthly dance-off, held at one of San Francisco’s few remaining tranny bars. 2nd and 4th Tues. at Aunt Charlie’s Lounge, 133 Turk St., S.F., myspace.com/holdyrhorses

Stiletto
Girl-about-town Parker Day throws this sexy themed soirée. Party­goers of every persuasion dress the part and dance like their lives depend on it. 3rd Fri. at AsiaSF, 201 9th St., S.F., myspace.com/stilettosf

Sucker Punch
Super-shejay Rapid Fire and friends play whatever they darn well feel like at this low-profile, house party–style weekly. Every Mon. at the Transfer, 198 Church St. (at Market St.), S.F., myspace.com/suckerpunchy