What separates these three: Rush Hour is the showcase format, rotating lineup, crowd that shows up to be loud. Golden Gate is the sit-down-and-pay-attention room. Mirthquake is the neighborhood bar version — $5 drinks, a Monday, the kind of crowd that actually wants to be there on a weeknight. Each serves a different appetite.

Practical notes: Richmond parking is easier on Clement side streets than on Geary. For The Function, check the venue's Instagram the day of — lineups sometimes shift. BART to Civic Center or 16th/Mission depending on which show you're hitting; bus options vary by neighborhood.

If you've got two hours, pick based on energy level: want to sit and focus, go Golden Gate. Want a drink and a laugh without making it a whole thing, Mirthquake on a Monday is the move.