Show up too early, and you’ll think you’ve got the wrong place. Come 11:45, though, Edinburgh Castle’s usual pub crowd is peppered with bouffants, pencil ties, and skintight cords. “It’s a movement!” shouts guest DJ Senator Soul. Welcome to 1964, the longest-running ’60s night in San Francisco and the inspiration for a rash of imitators—at last count, it had spawned 18(!) other like-minded nights. While most of these parties are biweekly or monthly, a well-orchestrated rotation assures that you can do the mashed potato almost every night of the week.

The DJ at 1964, Matt B, has hosted the show for its entire seven-year run, earning celebrity status alongside other nightlife gurus like Primo and Paul Paul. He prefers the early ’60s (even the late ’50s, he scandalously admits). “Of course I romanticize it, but there was an undeniable innocence to that time,” he says. Other nights range from American Bandstand–style dance halls to psychedelic or soul-powered events. No matter what the party, you can count on a faithful following, the nostalgic scratch of a 45, and, of course, endless libations—all of which make it easy to relive the famous words purportedly uttered by Jefferson Airplane’s Paul Kantner: “If you can remember anything about the ’60s, you weren’t really there.”

Edinburgh Castle Pub, 11:53 p.m.

THE SCENE
Bewigged bombshells suck down martinis at the bar, while an arsenal of sweating lads twists away on the dance floor.

THE SOUND
Classic Phil Spector and heavy on the girl groups. DJ Matt B has an obvious affinity for the Chantels.

LET’S TWIST AGAIN
1964 experienced a (very) brief hiatus after the fire marshal 86ed the party from its original location in the bar’s attic. But the night soon reopened in its new home downstairs.

EAVESDROPPING
“Lemme bag two Boddingtons—one for me and one for the doll,” says the tall drink of water at the bar.

1964, every other Wed., 950 Geary St., S.F., castlenews.com

Elsewhere
It takes three DJs to run this soul train, and they blow the doors off the Saturday Night Soul Party. Sporting a miniskirt or Nehru jacket gets you a discounted cover—but even without, it’s well worth the 10-spot. 1st and 3rd Sat. at Elbo Room, 647 Valencia St., S.F., elbo.com

The deep-Mission location and inventive drink specials guarantee a neighborhood party. Run by DJ Primo and friends, Oldies Night lives up to its tagline—“It’s nasty.” 1st and 3rd Fri. at the Knockout, 3223 Mission St., S.F., theknockoutsf.com

The surreal setup at Lost & Found includes tinsel and silver streamers hanging from the sky-high ceiling, as DJs Lucky and Primo spin sleepy northern soul. Every Tues. at the Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd St., S.F., makeoutroom.com