Much like the city's iconic Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco's finest club is one of both immense scale and inspiring architectural beauty. Originally constructed back in the 1890s, Ruby Skye is a venue that inspires instant awe in each and every person that crosses its historical threshold.

An epic Victorian amphitheatre that somehow retains a tangible, electric intimacy, the main room's elegant art-nouveau stylings and classic 19th century touches are more befitting of a Moulin Rouge cabaret than the laser-shot cauldrons that erupt here each weekend.

But whilst stepping into Ruby Skye's uniquely vintage setting on Mason Street is like a portal into a lost age, the soundsystem and lighting are as futuristic as they come. And this is where Ruby Skye really comes into its own. In full flow the place is a dizzying audiovisual blitz of piercing lasers and soaring screams to match any on Earth.

"The club itself is just a full epic space with a classic wraparound balcony - it's gorgeous," explains Ruby Skye regular D:Fuse. "You don't often get to play in an old ornate theatre and it's always an experience that sticks out.

"But beyond that, I've always thought that San Francisco in itself is one of the best scenes worldwide," he adds. "It's always been about people that are very cultured and very enthusiastic about music."

The superlative lauding of the San Fran's scene might seem overstated but delve into its history and you soon learn otherwise. Ever since Mark Farina's Mushroom Jazz parties back in the early-'90s, the Californian city has been loved worldwide for the sunny West Coast house style that Farina helped architect.

More recently, underground names like Justin Martin and Claude Von Stroke's Dirtybird crew have created a fresh techno template with their new-wave strain of deep, wonky techno and bumping underground house. And look closer into San Fran's crevices and you'll find homemade dubstep, d&b and breakbeat movements flourishing within the city.

But Ruby Skye itself remains a golden bridge to the global clubbing scene at large and - as with all epic amphitheatres - it is match-made for the soaring cathedral rushes of trance. It's no surprise that UK trance superstars Above & Beyond brought their 'Anjunabeats 100' tour to the club last June, whilst the club's 8th birthday in May saw the mighty Tiësto descend.

And diversity remains key at Skye. Over a 12-month span, the line-ups remain as mixed as the crowds that flock to enjoy them. Sasha, Digweed and Derrick Carter have all torn the place apart of late with everyone from Danny Tenaglia and Timo Maas to Ferry Corsten and Armin Van Buuren forming part of its nine-year clubbing history.