Entertainment: Venues, Theatres & Film, Bars & Clubs

in the Inner Mission & Nearby Areas


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THEATRES
CORRIDOR
WEST OF MISSION
CASTRO-MISSION BORDER
EAST OF MISSION
MISSION-SOMA BORDER
NIGHTLIFE
CORRIDOR
WEST OF MISSION
EAST OF MISSION
CASTRO-MISSION BORDER
MISSION-SOMA BORDER
UPCOMING EVENTS
SF MISSION ENTERTAINMENT
MISSION ENTERTAINMENT HOME
INNER MISSION & NEARBY
MID MISSION
BERNAL HEIGHTS & OUTER MISSION
RELATED
THEATRES IN OUR IMAGE SERVER
FILM FESTIVAL DIRECTORY
MISSION RESTAURANTS
DANCE
PARKING & TRANSIT

Theatres & Venues 

and the Organizations which fill them



Mission Corridor

San Francisco Improv Theater
965 Mission Street. SF, CA
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
415-896-6477

Theatre, performance, music, art and comedy
Events at upcoming.org

Armory 
1800 Mission 
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
Possibly the largest entertainment venue in the Mission

Site of one of the more memorable dot.com dot.gone battles in 2000. The Armory has been empty for decades. Consisting of 52 classrooms on Mission Street, a large gym suitable for college games and two huge floors underground which are often filled with water. Bob Kruezberger, local Mission historian, is frustrated that no would be developers ever discuss the Armory's history as a surgeon's college pre -UCSF. This structure, a historic landmark, is one of the most challenging development projects in the Bay Area. 
The redevelopment of the 1914 brick structure at 1800 Mission St. has frustrated many over the years. David Bracker, the executive director of Arriba Juntos, a job-training program for low-income residents located next door to the Armory left the Mission in 2000 partly due to his frustration with those who rather keep it empty in the name of neighborhood preservation.  more by sfbg.com

Dark Room Theatre
2263 Mission Street. SF, CA 94110
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
415-401-7987
Theatre, performance, music, art and comedy
"the owners passion and commitment to the independent theater of this city is an inspiration."  
Events at upcoming.org

El Teatro de la Esperanza || map
2940 16 St., 2nd Fl. (16th @ Mission) San Francisco, CA 94103
phone: 415.255.2320
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps


Mission Neighborhood Centers Inc. (MNC)  search google
365 Capp Street & 8 other locations south of Market Street 
Small auditoriums with stages at 365 Capp (near 18th St) and Precita Youth Center 
534 Precita Avenue in Bernal Heights

Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps

producers of Carnaval SF, the greatest multicultural show ever celebrated and the pride of the Mission carnavalsf.com 
Theatre Rhinoceros  map   
2926 16th St. SF, CA 94103 (415) 861-5079

Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
Theatre Rhinoceros is the nation's longest-running and most acclaimed lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender theater company.  Five Mainstage per year productions explore issues and social concerns from the perspectives of sexual orientation, gender, class, ethnicity, age, disability and culture. There's also a Studio Theatre
Queer theatre that puts theatre first. Very unique shows and a comfortable setup.

Victoria theatre  
2961 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
415-863-7576 voice 415-863-8551 fax
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
The Victoria theatre, built in 1908 as a vaudeville house, is now a city landmark and the oldest operating theatre in San Francisco. Stages plays, shows 16 & 35 MM films and hosts lectures seats 500. Originally called Brown's Opera House, it was operated as a vaudeville showcase by the ancestors of two California governors Locally produced original plays, concerts, film festivals (the theatre has 16mm and 35mm capability), musicals, international performing companies and many other kinds of performances.
  the Victoria has been home to some of the most original and outlandish performances that I can remember... it felt as though I was in a family room during a neighborhood party or something.


 

West of Mission
The Intersection for the Arts   
(446 Valencia (btwn 15/16th Streets) San Francisco, CA 94103
phone: 415.626.2787 box office: 415.626.3311
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
San Francisco's oldest alternative art space has a long history of presenting new and experimental work in the fields of literature, theater, music and the visual arts
Small 75 seat theatre and a gallery
it's an old organization, they've been around, but every thing they do feels NEW.

Mission High School
3750 18th Street (at Dolores) across the street from Dolores Park
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
Mission High School is ideally situated in the Mission District across the street from Dolores Park, a beautifully maintained urban open space.  Mission High boasts a 2,000 person auditorium, a dance studio, theater space, numerous classrooms for workshops, and more.  

New College     
776 Valencia St. (Theater), 766 Valencia St. (Cultural Center)
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
two halls which could handle small crowds of less than 200

Roxie Film Center    
3117 16th Street, San Francisco (415)863-1087  
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
300-seat main auditorium and upcoming 60 seat 2nd theatre next door
 The only regularly operating movie theatre in the Mission District is  San Francisco's oldest operating movie house. Opened in 1913 as The Poppy, then The Rex and finally The Roxie. Since 1976 the venue has served as a screening room for cult, classic, independent underground feature films. documentaries and offbeat repertory programming.  

Muni bus: 14 Mission, 14L Mission Limited, 22 Fillmore, 26 Valencia, 33 Stanyan. Muni Metro: J Church 3 blocks   
BART: 16th St 1 block away 
mistersf.com 

Since 1984 Bill Banning, has been the CEO  of both the theatre and film distribution company.Roxie Releasing was born in 1985 and is always looking for something great overlooked by the big boys. Among its notable successes are  KURT AND COURTNEY (complete with lawsuit threats from Courtney Love) and VINCENT, a documentary on painter Vincent Van Gogh, In April 2002 the showing of the Last Picture Show announced as a fundraiser to prevent eviction but a long running hit did the trick much better. Still other challenges remain such as the possibility of competition from a theatre showing similar fare at the Presidio possibly operated Sundance Films and maybe the SF film festival and (Robert Redford has a home in Tiburon).

In late 2005, the Roxie Cinema was acquired by New College of California and renamed Roxie Film Center. In addition to continuing its operations as an innovative cinema, the Roxie now doubles as a classroom for New College's Media Studies Department, as well as a place to hold special events. Through the relationship with New College, the Roxie is evolving into an educational institution for film-lovers and the film business, and will help perpetuate the future of independent film by nurturing film students. The theater's long-time programmer, Bill Banning, continues as artistic director 
Nice indie cinema with a lively crowd.... This is a great example of substance over style. A bastion for small, independent films. This tiny, decrepit theater features the most daring and edgy films and documentaries in the whole of San Francisco... Proof positive that you don't need fancy pants surroundings when you have something worthwile to project onto the screen.

  Castro/Mission Border
  Castro Theatre 
429 Castro Street
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
Positioned as both an anchor for Eureka Valley and a gateway to Market Street and downtown San Francisco, the Castro is considered not only the finest example of a 1920s movie palace in the country and was officially registered as a landmark in June 1977. The first of many in the celebrated career of Timothy L. Pflueger (1894-1946), who also designed the Oakland Paramount and the New Mission theatre. Pflueger chose an exterior design reminiscent of a Mexican cathedral. Following an extensive remodel by the Nasser family, the original builder of the theatre in 2002, the auditorium comfortably seats over 1400. The stage will accommodate live performance and often hosts opening or closing night galas for festivals or special programs. 
The famous Mighty Wurlitzer was added in the eighties

Tour Guide Trevor Haily discusses the social importance of the Castro Theatre to the gay and lesbian capital of America by sfgate.com/eguide/ 
This place is just an architectural and decorative marvel... the organist who performs at the beginning of every performance is worth the price of admission ... This place is an institution and a great addition to the neighborhood.

Everett Middle School  google search
450 Church Street, San Francisco, California 94114 ph 415 241 6344
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
Everett has a very nice wide auditorium with elegant entry on the J-Church metro, plush seating and good sight lines.

LGBT Center  
1800 Market Street at Octavia 
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
At the entry to the Mission from Market Street 
The country's only Lesbian Gay Bi Transgender Center built from the ground up. A mix of low-rent meeting rooms, large assembly spaces, performance venues, exhibition areas, and non-profit offices. You can find dozens of space options available for rental including the 400 person capacity Rainbow Room.

  East of Mission
 

Locus Arts
180 Capp Street
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps


 

A Traveling Jewish Theatre | map 
470 Florida St. (between 17th & Mariposa) San Francisco, CA 94110
phone: 415.399.1809

Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
In the polyglot tradition of Jewish culture, ATJT speaks many languages. It speaks poetry and it speaks story. It speaks secular Yiddish humanism and ecstatic mysticism. It speaks world history and women's wisdom. It speaks jazz and sacred chant. It speaks Jewish and it speaks American.

ODC Theatre  | map

3153 17th St @ Shotwell St San Francisco, CA 94117
Box Office: 415-863-9834
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
ODC was the first modern dance company in America to build its own home facility in 1979, from which it operates the ODC School, the ODC Theater, and the ODC Gallery. In September 2005, ODC opened its new 23,000 square foot performing arts center, the ODC Dance Commons, increasing its studio and performing space to 33,000 square feet. Through their various programs ODC strives to inspire audiences, cultivate artists, engage community, and foster diversity and inclusion through dance performance, training, and mentorship. There are plans to create five additional studios, the largest of which will measure 54 by 60 feet, with ceiling heights of 25 feet. five large studios, lockers, showers, a "Healthy Dancers" clinic, a community lounge, a pilates center, gallery spaces, and more.

In March 2006, the Rhythm and Motion Dance Center, with its global dance and dance workout programs, to the ODC Dance Commons.
Great space to see dance- intimate seating, but the performance space is surprisingly big.  Terrific lighting work

Theatre or Project Artaud Theatre

450 Florida St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
google search   
For most of the nineties, this was the premier modern dance forum on the West Coast. Owned by artist cooperative housing group in the same complex. Using the seats hold 280; with seats collapsed will do 420. For significant expense can move the stage back into the backstage area.
It's a cozy gathering place for people of all types to watch good, cutting-edge artsy theater.  If you want to get a feel for the arts scene in San Francisco at its most primal level (art for arts sake and artists doing anything to do what they love) . . . Project Artaud is a place to take you there.

Theatre of Yugen/Noh Space  map

2840 Mariposa St. (between Florida & Alabama) box office: 415.621.7978
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
Founded in 1978 to bring traditional Japanese aesthetics to American audiences, Yugen also works with modern Japanese and experimental fusion works. Noh Space, an  intimate & inviting 65-seat theater 

 

Mission/SOMA Border

 
  SOMA Cultural Center
map 
934 Brannan St. (between 8th and 9th) San Francisco, CA 94103
phone: 415.552.2131 & 415.552.7709
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
SomArts is a multicultural center with gallery, theatre and art studio spaces. Classes, space, special equipment or professional planning 
High ceiling and warehouse like space allow for shows requiring significant installation time.

Timkin Hall - California College of Arts

1111 Eighth Street View Map
(415) 703-9500
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps

Venue 9  map
252 Ninth St. (Ninth @ Folsom)San Francisco, CA 94103
phone: 415.626.2169info/reservations: 415.289.2000

Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
Footloose produces new and original work with emphasis on emerging artists  The company also often co-produces making its affordable, rental facility (Venue 9) and a rehearsal, class and low-tech performance space (Shotwell Studios) available for the entire arts community.  

 
 
Bars & Nightclubs
 
   
 
West of Mission 
 
  Hush Hush Lounge
Night Life, DJ

496 14th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 241-9944
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
I stumbled through the swinging doors and saw the lovely red glow (again, everyone looks so much better under red lights) and the expanse of circular diner style seating and large tables made of tree stumps.  The drinks here are stiff, and on Fridays, twenty-five cent PBRs flow like water.

 


Dalva
Night Life, Art

3121 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 252-7740
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
there's something beautiful and intriguing about the dark and unrefined interior of Dalva. After a few drinks, you'll find your eyes lingering on the latest artwork that adorn the walls and the strange, artsy films that play silently in the background ... Good live DJ most nights, and the best part for me: a proper wine selection. They have nonstandard beers on tap as well. I love this sweet little Mission institution.

Delirium
Night Life, Dive
3139 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 552-5525
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
ill ass dive. narrow ass hallway when you walk in. the drinks were not soooo cheap, but they were well priced. crowd was indie type o' style... Funky corner Mission bar with cheap drinks. Nothing special but the best in the area ... Friday and Saturday nights are crowded and crazy, with lots shaggy-haired, coked-out, 20-something kids spilling out onto the sidewalk.  
The scene kinda feels like a reenactment of Pat Benatar's "Love is a Battlefield" video.

Kilowatt
Night Life, Dive, Pool
3160 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 861-2595
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
great place, hot bartenders, nice pool tables. on sunday night they have free pool so you need to be good in order to actually play more than one game. There is a good jukebox, a few pool tables, pinball machines, darts, and it never fails that any conversation can suddenly be interrupted by someone wanting to talk about Metallica. 

Elixir
Night Life

3200 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 552-1633
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
Completely chill and low-key atmosphere. It's not all that unlike a tiny little modern-day saloon that draws a very down-to-earth crowd. The owner will explain that it's a historic spot, located on a corner where the first saloons in SF opened, right next to the Mission... Impressive rum and tequila selection! Comfortably downmarket without actually entering (too far into) the realm of divey.  

 


Zeitgeist
Night Life

199 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 255-7505
Notorious Mission hangout for bike messengers and hipsters.
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
I hate sunshine, and yet somehow a sunny afternoon on the patio at Zeitgeist is ok by me... This place is nifty (yeah I said nifty), not only for the smart assy allure of their stickers and sayings above the bar ("TIP YOU BASTARDS" being my personal fave), but the people are really friendly and approachable. 

Elbo Room
Night Life, Dive

647 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 552-7788
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
It's good place to go with some work friends or on a date, but if you're looking for a classic "Mission dive bar", this isn't it.  It's pretty clean-cut.  One of my friends even took her parents here... I've never had a bad time at the Elbo. Whether I'm upstairs rockin' it or downstairs for a super chill happy hour during the week, I'm digging this place. ...  the interior is dim and lit red to red orange, and is mostly wooden.  each pillar upstairs has a nifty spot for you to set down your drink.  the wall to the left facing the stage has a large mirror, just perfect for those who can't dance so that they can witness themselves and realize in embarrasment how visually disturbing their uncoordinated body gyrations are.

 


 

500 Club
Night Life, Dive
500 Guerrero Street, San Francisco, CA 94101
(415) 861-2500
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
If you want strong drinks, a very strong jukebox, and a strong dose of hipsters, then the 500 club is your spot... I have photos from the booth that should be burned, but they are essential, harsh reminders about the dangers of excess. The barstaff are sexy even when they're surly. Dog friendly makes it a bonus...
What a bar! Excellent jukebox-- "everybody was kung fu fighting!"

  EAST OF MISSION  
   
  NIHON Whiskey Lounge
Night Life, Restaurant, Japanese
1779 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 552-4400
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
NIHON offers contemporary Japanese food with a sophisticated twist on the traditional Izakaya style of informal dining.  Food is offered in an intimate lounge-like atmosphere in three dining areas, bar, mezzanine and private bottle room.
The decor is very cool inviting and the music is good.  The waitstaff is friendly, inviting and beautiful.  Did I mention they have whiskey?  and a very good selection of whiskey.... i too am into the decor, although i wonder how the waitresses like walking across the "river rock" floor (so hot right now), especially the places where it slopes up to meet and climb the support columns. but that has nothing to do with the food either, which is mighty tasty.

 


Wilde Oscar's
Night Life, Pub

1900 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 621-7145
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
I've always met some interesting folks here, good bartenders, good food too. Very accomodating about doing a private event as well... The fish and chips are off the hook!!!  The best place in town as far as I know... I came to regard Wilde Oscar's as a haven.  It's an Irish Pub with very Irish, female owners, and the vibe is kind of gay, in a good way.

 


Rite  Spot Cafe
Night Life, Restaurant, Art

2099 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 552-6066
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
I still think of it as a bar but I guess it is technically a restaurant.  Excellent crunchy-on-the-edges-fried ravioli;  eat'em while they're hot! When the live act isn't going they play good music, the crowd is anything from local contractor to first date, and I think Sheri pointed out it feels like you're in a David Lynch movie... As my grandma says, "Always remember who you are," so it's good to drink $3.50 house chianti now and then to keep it real. I'd go back, but maybe not for dinner."... Definitely a dive, but one with ambitions.  Some mighty strange artwork, both permanent and on exhibit.

 


Pink
Night Life, DJ, Dance Club

2925 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 431-8889
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
One of the best places to dance or just lounge out in san francisco. Very upscale decor as well as clientel. The grooves are hypnotic and the vibes good... t has transformed into a hot, upscale, sexy club.  The music is always incredible, and so are the hosts and all the crew at Pink... The club PINK is the standout club in the Bay Area for one main reason, the music! It draws the most amazing DJ's from all over to spin in this sexy, unique and all together original venue in SF's Mission District.

 


Circolo

Restaurant, Lounge
500 Florida Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 553-8521
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
I fell in love with everything on their menu. The setting, the service, the drinks, and the food all combine to make a great dinner experience. Bonus: if you have a late dinner here, you can just stay and party too ... The bar is sleek - this was after all the old Gordon's space redone in black - and the food is actually really good. Try the appetizer trio so you can select from some fun small plates like shrimp chile rellenos and beef empanadas. One of their siganture entrees is a rack of lamb, which is fantastic. Get some fried rice and arepas on the side and you are good to go. There is also the new 'wa' room on the side, which is cool for private events, but also gets hot and heavy on the weekends.

Portrero Brewing Company
Night Life, Brewery
535 Florida Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 552-1967
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
I found this little Brewery tucked away in a rather industrial looking building. Great home Brews, a fun atmosphere in an unlikely place. It's worth a look-see!

Whisper

Night Life, Patio, DJ, Dance Club
535 Florida Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 252-9442
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
Whisper has a really big smoking area with a mini-bar outside.  I personally don't smoke, but going outside to get air in their patio is pretty cool... i like the fact that there are two floors, two dancefloors to spread the traffic around and that there is a outdoor patio with small bar so you can get some fresh air or a smoke (i don't but it's convenient for friends that do).

Cort Jr Robert
Night Life
1890 Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 437-2337
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps

Verdi Club

Night Life, Dancing, DJ
2424 Mariposa Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 861-9199
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
On Thursday nights, one of the most well-known milongas in the bay area happens here. Dress to the nines, don't forget your dancing shoes, and Tango your little heart out... Tuesday nights have never been this fun. Stompy Jones is a perfect match for the decor of the Verdi Club, and when people dress up, swing dancing is even MORE fun!

Sadie's Flying Elephant
Night Life, Pool
491 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 551-7988
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
Sadie's is a true dive bar (popcorn machine, some sketchy furniture, tagged walls, a jukebox, pool, and peanut shells on the floor).  Word on the street is that the "tamale lady" stops by here frequently, which means the place must be doing alright... It's very clean. Possibly one of the cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen in a bar. The crowd is generally well-dressed (very hip) and they have all the top shelf liquor you could want. I think to be a "dive" bar you have to have some crusty old dudes permafixed to some stools at the end of the bar, and a pervasive smell of beer vomit... The jukebox has Peaches, Cibo Matto, lots of old school punk, Jesus and Mary Chain, and lots more goodies.

 
  SOMA-MISSION BORDER  
  Martuni's
Night Life, Martini Bar

4 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 241-0205
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
A horseshoe-shaped bar is the focal point of the small front room, where a casual and mostly classy, more mature (as in attitude) crowd gathers to socialize rather than cruise. Older patrons and drag queens in cheap makeup appreciate the minimal lighting provided by torch lamps and candles resting on high tables.... They should have a sign on this place that says "home of the $10 drunk" cause really, thats what happens here.  you lay down $5 for that first martini, and it goes down so smooth, you gotta have a second.  

 


Mighty
Night Life, DJ, Dance Club

119 Utah Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 762-0151
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
Don't go on a lark, but if you know a good DJ is throwing down, it's the pefect space. It's a "club" space without the clad in all black and wearing sunglasses at night crowd atmosphere.  If you want a VIP room, go to LA... The crowds are chill for the most part and in the my experience the bartenders not only pour well, they are actually surprisingly courteous, which is far too rare in venue like this one.

 


Slim's
Night Life, Live Music, Dining

333 11th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 255-0333
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
I can't remember the sound ever sucking here, and the size and feel of this venue is great. It's a cool place to catch your favorite up-and-coming band before they blow up! ... The tickets tend to be a lot cheaper than other venues and they have all different levels of artists, big or small... I also like the fact that under-age kids can also come here to watch a good act.  Now I have a place I can bring my little bro!!

Butter
Night Life, DJ, Dining

354 11th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 863-5964
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
They have a drink named 'Bitchin Camaro' (Dr. Pepper and Cap Morgan.. should be a Mr. Pibb instead of Dr. Pepper, but nobody here would know what that is huh).  The tater tots a few nights back were perhaps the best I have ever had.  And where else can you order spaghetti-o's in a paper bowl? ... I must admit that was pretty surprised by the quality of their tater tots-- hot, crispy, salty, and deliciously greasy! The deep fried Twinkie wasn't nearly as bad as it sounds and you should really try one at least once... I'm a big fan of any place that sells 40s.  The tater tots and fried twinkies definitely complete the cycle for me, and I'll look forward to heading back again soon.

 


DNA Lounge
Night Life, DJ, Dance Club

375 11th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 626-1409
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
I can't decide if I like DNA or not. Pluses include nice bartenders, intense bass from the soundsystem, nice lighting, cool layout, adequate ventilation, and tons of bouncers that throw out assholes. Minuses include stainless steel toilets without seats (um, and no toilet seat covers=ew!), overhead pipes that were dripping water onto the benches (and onto me), and $3 bottles of water...  The DNA lounge is my favorite place to go for a club event or concert. Its very professionally run, always tidy and the drinks are always good. They're big on technology so they've got a blog and a live video & audio stream from the club, which I reccomend that you check out.

 


Eagle Tavern
Night Life, Gay Bar

398 12th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 626-0880
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
A leather bar, mostly. But what makes the Eagle great is that it became a great, not-necessarily gay, live music venue when the dot-com boom f***ed all that up... i recommend getting really drunk and rolling over the fire pit. another one of those great bars where depravity is acceptable and nobody ever gets in your face about anything... I'm straight, but I love coming here for a show on Thursdays when the bear scene invites the indie-music scene to cross-pollenate.

 


Powerhouse
Night Life, Gay Bar
1347 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 552-8689
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
The Powerhouse, is not a leather bar, but some leather men go there. It is not an S&M bar, but you can catch a good flogging there now and then.  The beers are cheap at happy hour, just a $1 for a high life.  On a good night there are at least 5 porn stars there. The bartenders and bar-backs are hot and nice guys.  The porn is tame, but hey at least there's porn.  the wrestling nights are hot and steamy, and testosterone fills the room.... Yeah it's shady! Yeah it's dark and seedy and a leather bar! Yes that's vintage porn playing on the tvs behind the bar!

WISH
Night Life, DJ
1539 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 431-1661
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
i WISH the bartendress hadn't made such delicious manhattans so that i might have arrived at work sober this morning. god help me, i can't see the keyboard...  i really dig this place.  low lighting, chill music, stiff drinks, and hot bartenders.  yeah, i might be a straight girl, but i still appreciate a pretty face behind the bar! ... Small and dark, with a couple of *very* skilled bartenders and a beautiful selection of the sauce. It's refreshingly clean and chic, without being too lounge-y. Also, not overpriced for what they serve. All around, a classy bar.

 


The Stud
Night Life, Gay Bar

399 9th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 863-6623
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
The music and crowd is always FUN FUN FUN.  Trannyshack on Tuesdays is ALWAYS good times and they sure pack em in!  Both, quite the institution and worth the visit.  LOVE this place... trannyshack* alone would earn the stud 5 stars but everytime i have been here (more times than i can count on one hand okay two hands!) i am welcomed with open arms by some of the nicest bartenders and patrons this city has to offer and i don't even have a penis! ... This is the place you want to go if you want to dance dance dance and only dance.  The men are hot and plentiful, but are all gay gay gay.  So if you're a gay man, then by all means, this is where you want to be and if you are a straight girl and just want to dance without the gross guy factor then you should go there too.  

Lone Star Saloon
Night Life, Gay Bar
1354 Harrison Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 863-9999
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
No lions and tigers . . . but bears? Oh, my!  Papa bears, baby bears, and - if you scratch their surface - no doubt some mama bears inhabit this brighter than most gay bars, possibly because there's less emphasis on looks among this crowd... The Lone Star, an integral part of my Sunday regimen, is a great bar for GRRR-eat men.  The music is a bit eclectic (quirky might be a better word) and so are the men.  Generally a bigger crowd, the guys at Lone Star are representative of all backgrounds, you got punks, Latinos, Bears, Wolves, hairy men, all drinking pints o beer, and chompin on the peanuts.

 
  MISSION CORRIDOR  
  Levende Lounge
Night Life, Dining, DJ

1710 Mission, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 864-5585
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
Ummm... can I just start and end with "MAKE YOUR OWN BLOODY MARY BAR" on Sunday's.  The bartender hands you a glass of vodka and it gets dangerous from there! ... Our waitress and hostess were really cool, especially considering our relatively large group that poured in around 9pm on a Thursday night. The food is perfect for sharing, and priced affordably for the loungey atmosphere... its' not so much the dining that I'm there for but honestly it's for the great music, the fantastic people that work there and the even more fantastic people that hang out there.

Uptown
Night Life, Pool, Dive
200 Capp Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 861-8231
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
the crowd varies depending on the night but the same regulars from 10 yrs ago still sit in the same places daily... Pretty cool spot for a shot and a beer - decent pinball machine.  Definitely the place if you like boys who were in the philosophy club in high school.  The girl bartenders can be a bit dismissive to other members of the female persuasion, prolly cuz they wanna keep all the geek worship for themselves... A friend of mine once passed out on one of the couches and woke up with a pseudo-homeless, smelly guy cuddled up to him. Always something entertaining going on at the Uptown.
 

 
  Castro-Mission Border  
  The Mint
Night Life, Karaoke,
1942 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 626-4726
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
This place seriously ROCKS! All I know is when I got up there and belted "Beautiful" everyone in the bar were on their feet and I felt like a rockstar. The standing O was brilliant and even more, the fact that the crowd was getting their groove on was the epitome of good friends having a kick a...s.......s time!  ... Whether you're a singer, wannable idol or just a spectator, this place won't let you down. ALWAYS, always a super fun time here! With $10 pitchers for the whole gang this place can't be beat! ... imagine my surprise the night I took the stage here and brought down the house with a rendition of 'Pretty Woman' that sounded amazingly like Roy Orbison's original. I chalk that up more to my talent for impersonation and a very buzzed crowd than I do an actual ability to sing well.

Pilsner Inn
Night Life, Gay Bar, Pool

225 Church Street, San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 621-7058
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
Pilsner is a great gay bar that actually has a little thing called ROCK N ROLL on the jukebox and decent drink prices and, and, wait for it, A PATIO! ... I find the atmosphere here to be less oppressive than in most gay bars, maybe because the majority of the clientele appears to be here for socializing rather than heavy cruising... The Best Mimosa's in SF on Sunday's From Mike and A Fabulous Margarita called JERZ (that sounds familiar) and worth the trip to SF.  Intense Pool playing Thursday night and pool lessons Saturday morning from Tim and Bryan. A very Mixed Crowd on Friday (torelance required!) after all STR8 people have to go someplace that's not boring.

Lucky 13
Night Life, Games, Dive

2140 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 487-1313
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
This bar has one of the better (i.e. only) foosball tables in San Francisco, located on the balcony in the back, along with a couple of pinball tables... great place! good vibe...dive bar! free popcorn although i am not a popcorn fan (gets stuck in your teeth!). only 1 pool table but i have been able to get a couple of games in. the back patio rocks for those people who unfortunately smoke. ooo and hot bartenders here too! ... Lucky 13 is always a good time whether you're kicking it at the bar with some friends downing PBR, or meeting some interesting individuals while hanging outside. A decent jukebox, pool table, free popcorn, cool people, etc. make this bar a good choice to nurture your drinking habit.

Cafe Du Nord
Night Life, Live Music

2174 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 861-5016
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
 It's intimate, dark, red  and slightly speakeasyish. Fantastic show, great people, awesome bar...  It's a good venue for being up close and personal with artists.  The acoustics are great for singers, who either don't project well or know how to work a large crowd... yes, it's true what other yelpers are saying about Cafe du Nord...nice staff, reasonable ticket prices, easily accessible via MUNI (why bother with parking when you can just take the MUNI?).  If you call yourself a music fan, you owe it to yourself to see a show here.

Crave
Night Life, Dining
2367 Market street, San Francisco, CA 94101
(415) 865-0192
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
Original concepts.  Your out of town relative who complains a lot will love this place because it feeds her sickness.  She will spend next year tellling the children of Indianapolis we're a bunch of fruitcakes, and they'll repeat her story, earnestly unaware this is her way of passing for straight.... amazing food.  the interior is definitely reminiscent of the new york scene, non the less, it is sophisticated and different from most bars/lounges in the city.  you must try the shrimp and the grilled asparagus.  the martini salad with the vermouth vinaigrette is my favorite.  i've also had the sea bass and the penne vodka, both rocked my socks.  

The Men's Room
Night Life
3988 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 861-1310
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Small and unassuming, this is probably the least obnoxious and pretentious gay bar in the Castro, meaning you won't find any blaring house music, prissy twentysomething queens sipping Cosmos, or pseudo leathermen on the prowl anywhere near the premises... A bar in the Castro that's not teeming with Diesel jeans at 1:00am on a Friday is the big five in my book. Small, quiet, unassuming and friendly. Excellent bartender... Obviously I'm not a gay man, but the bartender and customers were still very nice to me while I watched my friend play Miss Pacman at 3 in the afternoon.

Moby Dick
Night Life, Pool
4049 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94101
(415) 861-1199
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For over twenty-five years, Moby Dick has been a fixture in San Francisco's Castro District. A friendly, down-to-earth neighborhood bar with a reputation for a fun and diverse crowd, personable staff, enticing drink specials, and... well ...fish.
I like this bar because the guys were reasonably cute but not plastic looking.  The real draw for me was the arcade of pinball machines against the back wall... I find this to be a bar where people go when they're tired of the dull, dreary cruise scene and just want to kick back and relax in a non-threatening or oppressive atmosphere. Pool, pinball, and conversation with a friendly neighborhood crowd... It's nice to actually go to a bar in the hood without the pretense, cute boys, and a pool table. I also really liked the underwater nativity scene, just wrong on so many levels.


Midnight Sun
Night Life
4067 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 861-4186
Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps
The large rectangular space, with just a handful of stools and devoid of much decoration, is dominated by two large screens that hold the attention of a mostly young crowd more interested in laughing with friends than trolling for a trick... I'm not sure watching old 80s TV shows is what I'd want to do on a night out of drinking.  The bathroom was clean though... this place is kind of cool if you just want to sit on your ass and watch American Idol while sippin a cocktail..

 

Main Page: sfmission.com/entertainment
Last Update JUNE 2006