Fishnets and fog machines meet twinkle lights at this gothic spin on the holiday season, tucked inside the dim, rock-soaked walls of Backstage Bar & Billiards. Expect a dance floor filled with black lace, leather, and velvet as DJs spin the moody synths and brooding basslines of darkwave, post-punk, and classic goth tracks all night long. The pool tables and dive-bar charm of this Fremont East staple make for an unlikely but fitting backdrop to a night that trades candy canes for cold wave and eggnog for something a little darker.

It's the kind of gathering where Siouxsie and Bauhaus mingle with twisted takes on holiday classics, and the crowd leans into the theatrical side of the season—think smoky eyeliner, pale skin, and maybe a Santa hat with spikes on it. Billiards tables sit just off the dance floor if you need a break from the bass, and the bar keeps the drinks flowing for anyone looking to toast the season in a decidedly unconventional way.