Exhibit 23.1


                         Consent of Independent Auditors


    We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
(Form S-8), pertaining to the 1996 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, of our
report dated March 10, 2000 with respect to the consolidated financials
statements of Hot Topic, Inc. included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended January 29, 2000 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Los Angeles, California
August 17, 2000