El Rio is a renowned nightclub and community gathering space located in San Francisco, California, in the United States. Established in 1978, El Rio has held a prominent place in the city's nightlife and cultural tapestry, especially notable for its long-standing embrace of LGBTQ+ communities, people of color, activists, artists, and music lovers. Originally opened by Malcolm Thornley and Robert Nett, two openly gay men, the venue was conceived as a neighborhood bar and social center, initially with a Brazilian theme that helped cultivate a fun, inclusive, and open environment.

Over the decades, El Rio became famous for its "Your Mama's House" parties, legendary backyard patio, signature free oysters on Friday happy hours, and commitment to progressive politics and social justice, hosting countless fundraisers and benefit events for local causes. The space itself, with its unassuming façade on Mission Street, offers a unique mix of indoor and outdoor experiences, including a sunny back patio, dance floor, and intimate stage, fostering a welcoming vibe for all kinds of people. El Rio has remained at its original location (3158 Mission Street in the Mission District) and kept much of its original structure, maintaining both its historic character and the sense of community that has always defined it.

Through changes in ownership—most significantly the transition in 2007 from the original founders to Dawn Huston and a team dedicated to preserving the club’s values—El Rio has continued to be an anchor for San Francisco’s queer and creative communities. Its reputation is built not only on being a place to dance and celebrate, but also on supporting local artists, providing an accessible, diverse, and safe space for intersectional communities, and continuously fighting gentrification and cultural erosion in a rapidly changing city. Over the years, El Rio has welcomed a wide array of notable performers, from internationally recognized musicians and DJs to beloved local acts.

Its stage and dance floor have featured artists such as The Coup, Honey Mahogany, Punk Rock Orchestra, Bebel Gilberto, Gina Breedlove, DJ Marky, Beth Ditto of The Gossip, and San Cha, as well as drag performers like Heklina and Peaches Christ, and DJ collective Hard French, among many others who contribute to the venue’s ongoing legacy as a cultural and creative hub in San Francisco.