The Dark Entry

I love supporting indie goth stores, but The Dark Entry can make it hard to love the establishment.
From the exterior, there’s the standing cutout of the winged demon dominatrix brandishing a whip, and the windows are taped all over with goth posters, so it’s not too difficult to miss.
Inside, it’s cluttered and dimly lit. There is a lot of great merchandise to look at, including clothes, accessories, toys, props, tarot cards, shoes, etc. The lady who works here is really nice, but there are times when she kind of hovers and stares at you while you’re looking, which is kind of off-​putting and makes me not want to buy anything.
Also, many things here are vastly overpriced. Especially considering the cheap quality of some of the items. I wish I could support this place more, but I can’t on a student’s wallet.

If I could rate this place it would be a zero It was my first time there and I bought a pair of pants they had no dressing room to try them the person that waited on me did not tell me there was no returns or refunds had I known I would have never bought the pants THIS IS BAD BUSINESS!!! I will never buy from them again Buyers Beware!

love shopping here, friendly awsome goth clothing, friendly customer service ok prices, and easy to get to via bart and ac transit from san francisico. could have better prices though

Awesome spot, they have a wide selection of pretty much anything. I managed to find a few things I liked and am going to come back for, The price isn’t very expensive, and they’re really nice.

A bit messy… On a good note the blonde lady employee was very sweet and helpfull. I feel bad that she has to take on this entire store on her own. Not sure if the guy was a Boyfreind, or son… but his lazy butt sitting on the couch. looking at the internet could have helped her organize! I used to work in a cluttered costume shop. Keeping it up was a job. but… it was a JOB… last time I checked we get payed to Work. This business has such potential with the vast array of clothing, accesories, and products. With proper care and organization this store could be much more. If i lived in the area and was hired i can predict my organizing and cleaning OCD would equal # 1 employee! They have excellent hair dye! And a few manic panic makeup options. I can see this place going well during september, and october for halloween.

I am all for an independent goth store but I’m confused about what The Dark Entry is. It’s dimly lit, sparsely staffed, plenty of clutter and items that appear to be randomly shoved into the display cases. This all makes me think thrift shop or used consignment store. But then judging by the prices and the other Unilocal reviews I guess it’s a regular store with new merchandise? Huh.
Anyway there’s a lot of cool merch to check out, regardless of the general haphazard condition of the store. There’s tons of clothing, accessories, band tees, costumes, shoes, boots, makeup and costume props. The glass display cases are packed full of everything from buttons to belt buckles to knives to knuckles to sex toys and adult novelties. The service wasn’t bad and the lady behind the counter helped us out when we asked.
If you’re into the goth/​industrial/​punk/​fetish scene or if you’re looking for a costume, definitely check out The Dark Entry.

DO NOT SUPPORT THIS BUSINESS
I found a boot I loved on display and tried it on. It fit perfectly so I asked to buy it. She couldn’t find the other boot so after waiting I left. I returned to see if she found it and she had so I bought the boots for 40 $. I wore them to a show and after walking for 10 mins they broke in half. I returned to the store to ask to return them and she laughed in my face and said no. LOW CLASS MONEY HUNGRY DOESNT CARE FOR CUSTOMER CROOK AND SHITTY QUALITY MERCHANDISE. Do not waste ur money your items will break I’m not the first person who this has happened to. Get organized and learn how to run a business you are embarrassing.

They have Special effects in store! No hassle of having to pay for shipping!
The employees are always very helpful. But the store is a bit cluttered and packed tight so it’s a bit overwhelming.

It was a rainy stormy afternoon and I had no time to get to The Dark Entry to pick up the very last bottle of hair dye I needed. They were kind enough to hold it but once I realized I wasn’t going to make it, I called to have them hold it a while longer. INSTEAD the wonderfully kind owner of The Dark Entry said she would bring me the dye herself after her day was over. We both work in the same area, but still. How amazingly nice of an owner to do that! This place is awesome, the owner is a wonderful human and I totally recommend this place for anyone!

I began shopping here when this place first opened up.
when they first opened up they were like the BEST store.
then one day it became a sloppy ran store… now if they happen to have more than one location then its understandable. but when they first opened up the staff was SO helpful and would always help me find what I needed in my size! I mean both the male and female staff were great now there seems to be one person who doesn’t usually remember me or that I’ve been shopping here for many years its almost offensive as I like come to your store so I feel as though you should like me coming back whenever I need what I need.
Their aren’t many stores true to this kind though with the costumes/​clothing and honestly I would say it IS reasonably priced but let me explain. the types or clothing accessories wigs etc that you buy here aren’t your average thing so its going to be more expensive so its pricy but a good deal pricey if that makes sense.
I feel a bit uncomfortable shopping there and the clerk usually seems very over whelmed and over stressed out I mean I’ve been shopping here for a while and she really looks like she needs a vacation!
anyway you can still get what you need from the store the person working there is nice but overly worked so she may not be the nicest at ALL times but she is not mean.
all in all that’s why this is getting 3 stars like 5 stars when they first opened and 3 stars for their current reign as one of the go to stores for gothic clothing.
one important this is they do NOT accept debit

If you are making a special trip for this store, the trick is to CALL ahead. I came by at 1pm on Sat 1|18|14 to find it closed. Ended up walking past in the evening to find it open! Keep your eye out for the sidewalk sign (vampire-​dominatrix) in a corset — if it’s there on the sidewalk, shop is open. The shopkeeper Linda is the nicest woman, but she’s pretty much the only person running the show. So, have some patience. It’s worth it, AWESOME collection of CORSETS (fashion) and I think they even have some waist-​thinning kinds. :)) Will return!

I think the shop is pretty neat. I came in briefly right before new years not expecting much… just to end up finding exactly what I was looking for. It was a little odd that the tag was ripped, but I thought I was buying a vintage product… until I started searching online and found something practically the same at Party City for half the price.
Oh well, hole in the wall place… and I did get some pretty good service.

I’d love to support this place, I really really would.
I spent close to $ 200 when I went there. Unfortunately $ 120 was wasted on boots I bought new that fell apart immediately, and they refuse to take responsibility.
These boots (T.U.K. brand) were pretty pricey but less so than some other brands. That’s because the material quality is inferior enough, that after 3 hours use, the seam split on one of them.
I called and asked to work with them to return them for store credit– not a refund, but credit, because I wanted to support them. The lady on the phone told me all sales are final and it was my fault for breaking them. Nuh-​uh! Not with 3 hours of regular everyday use.
I mentioned that I would work with them and return the goods, but if they refused to work with me, I have to do a credit charge dispute. The lady got mad and told me to contact the manufacturer to see if they will replace. Well, I’m reasonable so I looked them up to do that. They aren’t making boots any more (hmm, I wonder why?) Do you think she directed me to do that, because she knew they weren’t making the boots any more and wanted to give me a runaround? And besides, should it be customer responsibility to work with the manufacturer, not retailer responsibility?
With no other alternatives, I returned the boots in the mail with signature confirmation, and showed that to the bank to win the credit charge dispute.
Any way you slice it, this place deserves 1 star for dodging responsibility for selling me defective goods. Too bad, I wanted to like it, and I spent money there to support it. Not any more.

Great place for costume shopping. This year, I dressed post-​apocalyptic for the Ghost ship party on Treasure Island. I went to 5 stores in Berkeley and San Francisco looking for parts for my outfit and ended up getting most of my costume at Dark Entry. They pretty much have everything you need for goth/​industrial outfits. LOVE the boot selection! I did not purchase any, as I was trying not to spend $$$$ on a Halloween outfit that I’d only wear once. As it was (OF COURSE) I ended up spending more than I intended on.
The prices for clothing and accessories are very reasonable (except boots are fairly pricey @ $ 100 – 200). The store is a bit disorganized but the staff seem to know where everything is. It’s probably best to ask them for what you are looking for, and they will show you where it is (or tell you if they carry it or not).
I want to give a special shout out to Linda, the blonde girl who was working there every day I came in. She was seriously the NICEST, SWEETEST person ever. I also was helped one time by another woman who was also very helpful and friendly. I guess the Dark Entry must have read the reviews about poor, unfriendly customer service because they have the best people working there now!

They have a great selection of Vintage and Contemporary Goth, Industrial, Punk, & Alternative Attire, Boots, Shoes, Accessories, Make Up, Hair Color & Dark Needs. Glad they’re there, since Daljeets, in SF, is gone.
Also, their website is a convenient way to shop online or browse at

And their facebook page features all their new stuff. There are also links that will take you to their official website, to order and buy. Check out their photo albums, to see all items listed.

The store carries a lot more. So, it’s worth it, to visit.

Cool stuff, yes.
Unorganized and messy, yes.
Expensive, yes
Waiting 20 minutes before I’m even helped, yes
This place is meh. Sometimes I find cool stuff. Sometimes I just want to run back out.

It’s kind of like hot topic back when they were really awesome. The dark entry is advertised as being an adult store but that is just a small part of what you’ll find here. From goth gear to costumes, to jewelry to gimmicky toys, you’ll find the selection to be unique and satisfying.
Points are lost for lack of organization and lack of personable help.
Overall this store is at least worth a look.

Been seeing their cool looking ads and have been wanting to come here for years, but never knew where it was. Discovered it accidentally the other day and finally had a chance to check it out.
The store is longer and taller than it looks from the outside. Pretty amazing selection of cool t-shirts…some of them were pretty wild. Saw some interesting goth and fashion accessories… all in all, I guess it was cool, but not quite what I expected.
With a name like The Dark Entry, I thought it would be darker and cooler… more like the wicca/​spiritual stores (The Sacred Grove and Serpent’s Kiss) in Santa Cruz. Those are the real deal. This store was not like that at all and more of a goth fashion store… kinda like something you might find in the Haight. Not one gargoyle either.
As for assistance, my experience was very similar to that of Deborah D and no one even greeted me. I thought perhaps it was because I was dressed up (professionally, not goth in case you were wondering), but after reading her review, realize this was not the case. I actually said hi to a person who I thought I worked there, but she turned out to be a customer. Okay…
I did like the promo postcards they had up front for clubs and goth events though. Like other Unilocalers have mentioned, the store is really cluttered… kind of a mess.
If Monk came here, he’d probably be stuck for days trying to set things right.

Edit: 2÷7÷11
This place has slipped even more in the last year.
You thought it was bad before? Cluttered before?
You were wrong. Dark Entry is now an overpriced garage sale.
The have no hours listed and it’s a toss up if they’ll be open any afternoon you show up. 3pm on a Thursday? Sorry sucker.
This last visit I was even more surprised to find a couple tables in the back isle. Tables that used to house folded clothing… but now house _​literally_​used shoes. Thrift store type items.
The smell from that table alone kept me from standing too long in the back area.
Well maybe they’ve changed their style towards used and cheaper priced goth wear?
No.
Hanging in the front were 199.99 dollar pants.
I will never pay for 199 dollar anything from a store that looks this shockingly messy.
I don’t care that I got my awesome purse here or that their customer service is moderately okay.
This store creeps me the hell out.
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Edit: 3÷28÷10
I get constant compliments on the purse I purchased here so I’m upping it a star.
Darn you DE, you just keep dragging me back.
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Ya know… I’m less a fan of this place now.
This last time I and a friend dropped by we were taken aback by the utter unkempt disorder that takes up the space behind the counters.
It looks like they were robbed or someone homeless lives there.
We received no greeting, but were finally acknowledged by the women who was on the phone the entire time, after our browsing moved closer to her.
It seemed like she’d been hired only minutes ago and knew nothing about the stock. But when I asked about a purse, then decided they were charging too much for it and put it back, she cut the price in half.
I dunno what the story is with DE, but yea, not so much good.

Shoes.
Lets get some shoes.
Shoes.
Oh. My. God. Shoes.
These shoes rule!
These shoes suck!
These shoes RULE!
Yeah, I know. There’s great clothes, jewelery, chotchkes, lighters, bags, hats, skate gear and a million other things that rock in here.
I’ve bought a bunch of that stuff too.
But this time, I found and fell in love with a sexy, chic pair of shoes, (see pic!) and my husband found a pair for himself. And all total, we paid less than $ 55. Gotta love when they have sales!
The very pretty thin blonde lady behind the counter is in there every time I am. She’s helpful, patient, and is always really sweet. She totally made my day by giving me a very nice compliment. (And no, it wasn’t a «salesperson» compliment. It was sincere.) She was never pushy or overbearing.
It can be expensive, but I’ve found that the quality of the clothing, bags, shoes, etc, is equal to the price. The items I’ve bought here have endured all kinds of indignities and trials, and still look very nice.