Ruby Skye to close, reopen with bowling

Big changes are coming to the Ruby Skye nightclub in San Francisco’s Union Square, and one of them involves bowling balls.

The spot at 420 Mason St. is scheduled to close within two months and be remodeled into a music hall, restaurant, bar and bowling alley.

“I like bowling,” explained Nate Valentine, the restaurateur and developer who is taking over the spot.

Ruby Skye, an ornate hall often jammed with hundreds of sweaty young dancers bouncing around to DJ music, and its downstairs neighbor Slide Lounge will be combined into one large venue, expected to open late this year, Valentine said. The new name is expected to be August Hall.

The structure that houses Ruby Skye, called the Native Sons of the Golden West building, is an eight-story, granite-and-brick-faced edifice originally built in the 1890s with Art Nouveau trappings, and was home to the old Stage Door theater.

Valentine said he intends to maintain the building’s heritage while upgrading its facilities and fixtures.

“I love this city, and I love this building,” he said. “We want to preserve its history and bring it into the next phase of its life. It’s an iconic venue, and I want that to continue.”

At present, the hall is used mostly for electronic dance shows with DJs, with most tickets selling for $10 to $25. The new venue will feature live bands as well, along with occasional comedy shows. Admission prices have not been set.

The new downstairs restaurant will feature upscale dishes like avocado-and-sardine toast for dancers and bowlers to fuel up on, along with spareribs, Bolognese dishes and french fries.

Valentine, who developed the Harper and Rye bar and the Tipsy Pig restaurant in San Francisco, said he became excited when he “heard rumblings” that Ruby Skye was soon to become available. A spokeswoman for Ruby Skye said the current owner of the site was “ready to make a change.”