Dore Alley San Francisco BRUT 2026
- 27 Jul
- San Francisco, CA
- Details
Dore Alley, often branded Up Your Alley by the organisers at Folsom Street Events, is San Francisco’s leather and kink street fair that takes over South of Market each midsummer. While Folsom Street Fair draws a diverse global crowd in September, Dore Alley remains the smaller, raunchier sibling where the dress code leans toward harnesses, rubber and bare skin. The next, according to the Rainbow Index listing for Up Your Alley 2025. The organisers have yet to announce dates for subsequent years, so 2025 is the last confirmed instalment.
The fair stretches along Folsom Street between 9th and 10th and spills onto Dore Street, just outside the Powerhouse bar where the party’s roots began in the 1980s. It’s a benefit event for local nonprofits that serve the lgbtq+Q+ community, with admission by donation. Vendors set up stalls hawking leather gear, latex, toys and fetish art; there are community organisation booths raising awareness around sexual health, housing and harm reduction. The central stage features a line‑up of house and techno DJs who spin for a dancing crowd bathed in sunlight. Over 10,000 people attend, and the demographic skews towards gay and bisexual men, but the organisers remind everyone that all bodies and identities are welcome provided attendees are 18 or older and respect consent.
Part of the draw of Dore Alley is its unapologetic celebration of sexual liberation. Unlike the more mainstream Pride parades, here you will find BDSM play equipment on the street, puppy play mats and live fetish demonstrations. Long‑time attendees describe it as a day to let go of shame and embrace community; first‑timers are advised to come with an open mind and plenty of sunscreen. The fair is known for its strict clothing check at the entrance, so be prepared to strip down or gear up. Local venues like Powerhouse, Eagle and other SoMa bars host official after‑parties that go late into the night.
If you’re traveling to San Francisco for Dore Alley, base yourself around the South of Market or Mission neighbourhoods for easy access to the fair and nightlife. Public transit and ride shares are recommended, as parking can be scarce. Because the 2025 fair is the only confirmed date at the moment, keep an eye on the Folsom Street Events website for announcements about the 2026 calendar.