3 Best Nightlife in The Western Shoreline, San Francisco

Sure, it's the site of many high-school prom dates, and you could argue that the food and drinks are overpriced, but this is our pick if you must choose just one oceanfront restaurant/bar—its historical value is undeniable, and the views are terrific. The best window seats are reserved for diners, but there's a small upstairs lounge where you can watch gulls sail high above the vast blue Pacific.

A decidedly unglamorous pub where old-timers swap stories over pints of Guinness, this is your best bet for traditional Irish music. Bay Area musicians (and, once in a while, big-name bands) perform every night except Monday and Tuesday. Talented locals gather for seisiúns, informal sessions where musicians sit around a table and drink and eat while chiming in; anyone skilled at Irish traditional music can play.