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 February 28, 2003 with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Hot Topic, Inc. included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended February 1, 2003, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.



/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Los Angeles, California
August 26, 2003