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After hours, the city’s business folk and workers give way to costume-clad partygoers, hippies and hipsters, downtown divas, frat boys, and those who prefer something a little more clothing-optional. Downtown and the Financial District remain pretty serious even after dark, and Nob Hill is staid, though you can't beat views from
After hours, the city’s business folk and workers give way to costume-clad partygoers, hippies and hipsters, downtown divas, frat boys, and those who prefer something a little more clothing-optional. Downtown and the Financial District remain pretty serious even after d
After hours, the city’s business folk and workers give way to costume-clad partygoers, hippies and hipsters, downtown di
After hours, the city’s business folk and workers give way to costume-clad partygoers, hippies and hipsters, downtown divas, frat boys, and those who prefer something a little more clothing-optional. Downtown and the Financial District remain pretty serious even after dark, and Nob Hill is staid, though you can't beat views from penthouse lounges, the most famous being the Top of the Mark (Hopkins). Nearby North Beach is an even better starting point for an evening out.
Always lively, North Beach's options include family-friendly dining spots, historic bars from the city's bohemian past (among them Jack Kerouac's old haunts), and even comedy clubs where stars such as Robin Williams and Jay Leno cut their teeth. In SoMa there are plenty of places to catch a drink before a Giants game and brewpubs to celebrate in afterward. SoMa also hosts some of the hottest dance clubs, along with some saucy gay bars. While Union Square can be a bit trendy, even the swanky establishments have loosened things up in recent years.
Heading west to Hayes Valley, a more sophisticated crowd dabbles in the burgeoning "culinary cocktail movement." Up-and-coming singles gravitate north of here to Cow Hollow and the Marina. Polk Street was the gay mecca before the Castro and still hosts some wild bars, but things get downright outlandish in the Castro district. Indie hipsters of all persuasions populate the Mission and Haight districts by night. Keep in mind, though, that some of the best times San Francisco has to offer are off the beaten path. And a good party can still be found in even the sleepiest of neighborhoods, such as Bernal Heights and Dogpatch.
Dark-wood paneling and green leather banquettes lend a masculine feel to the bar at the Huntington Hotel, where the over-30 crowd orders single...
Dark-wood paneling and green leather banquettes lend a masculine feel to the bar at the Huntington Hotel, where the over-30 crowd orders single-malt Scotch and stiff martinis. To accompany your whiskey, try the potpies or French onion soup. This place is a San Francisco history lesson and trip back in time, complete with nightly piano music. To get more out of the experience, read up on the Big Four railroad barons—Stanford, Hopkins, Crocker, and the hotel's namesake—before you go.
The Huntington Hotel, 1075 California St., at Taylor St., San Francisco, California, 94108, USA
Although this spot reeks of Prohibition-era speakeasy cool, it's not exclusive: everyone is granted a password, though it's highly recommended...
Although this spot reeks of Prohibition-era speakeasy cool, it's not exclusive: everyone is granted a password, though it's highly recommended to book a reservation. The place has sex appeal, with tin ceilings, bordello-red silk wallpaper, intimate booths, and low lighting; loud conversations and cell phones are not allowed. The menu of expertly mixed cocktails and quality bourbon and whiskey is substantial, with cocktails leaning more in the spirit-forward direction. A speakeasy within the speakeasy called Wilson & Wilson is more exclusive, but just as funky.
501 Jones St., at O'Farrell St., San Francisco, California, 94102, USA
At the end of the Hyde Street cable-car line, the Buena Vista packs 'em in for its famous Irish coffee—which, according to owners, was the first...
At the end of the Hyde Street cable-car line, the Buena Vista packs 'em in for its famous Irish coffee—which, according to owners, was the first served stateside (in 1952). The place oozes nostalgia with its white-jacketed bartenders and timeless atmosphere, drawing devoted locals as well as out-of-towners relaxing after a day of sightseeing. It's narrow and can get crowded, but this spot is a sip of history and provides a fine alternative to the overpriced tourist joints nearby.
2765 Hyde St., at Beach St., San Francisco, California, 94109, USA
Called CBS by locals, this friendly tasting room meets liquor mart has a wine bar's sensibility. Perfect for both connoisseurs and the merely...
Called CBS by locals, this friendly tasting room meets liquor mart has a wine bar's sensibility. Perfect for both connoisseurs and the merely beer curious, CBS stocks hundreds of different bottled beers, and more than a dozen are on tap to enjoy on the patio or the bar seats in front of a whimsical mural depicting aquatic animals flying around the Bay Bridge.
1148 Mission St., between 7th and 8th Sts., San Francisco, California, 94103, USA
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...
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.
1090 Point Lobos, at Great Hwy., San Francisco, California, 94121, USA
A dive bar in the best sense, El Rio has a calendar chock-full of events, from free bands and films to Salsa Sunday (seasonal), all of which...
A dive bar in the best sense, El Rio has a calendar chock-full of events, from free bands and films to Salsa Sunday (seasonal), all of which keep Mission kids coming back. No matter what day you attend, expect to find a diverse gay and straight crowd enjoying local beers and margaritas. When the weather's warm, the large patio out back is especially popular, and the midday dance parties are the place to be.
3158 Mission St., between César Chavez and Valencia Sts., San Francisco, California, 94110, USA
The cocktails are well crafted and affordable at the city's second-oldest saloon location—various watering holes have operated on this site...
The cocktails are well crafted and affordable at the city's second-oldest saloon location—various watering holes have operated on this site since 1858. It's San Francisco's best example of a retro/vintage neighborhood favorite with all the finest elements of a modern, ingredient-focused cocktail bar. Don't miss the holiday cocktails if a trip happens to be in December. Sunday's do-it-yourself Bloody Mary bar is popular with the locals.
3200 16th St., at Guerrero St., San Francisco, California, 94103, USA
An after-work FiDi crowd fills this brick-walled and dimly lit, speakeasy-ish drinking spot, revered for its extensive whiskey menu and curated...
An after-work FiDi crowd fills this brick-walled and dimly lit, speakeasy-ish drinking spot, revered for its extensive whiskey menu and curated list of seasonal cocktails. It's a beautiful space with barrels aplenty, an evening oasis in a neighborhood that traditionally rolls up the sidewalks at sunset.
246 Kearney St., near Bush St., San Francisco, California, 94108, USA
With the decor of a pirate ship and a slew of rum-based cocktails, you half expect Captain Jack Sparrow to sidle up next to you at this offbeat...
With the decor of a pirate ship and a slew of rum-based cocktails, you half expect Captain Jack Sparrow to sidle up next to you at this offbeat, Disney-esque hangout. But don't let the kitschy ambience fool you. The folks at Smuggler's Cove take rum so seriously they've even had it made for them from distillers around the world, which you can sample along with more than 550 other offerings, some of them vintage and very hard to find. A punch card is provided so you can try the entire menu (featuring 80-plus cocktails) and remember where you left off without getting shipwrecked. The small space fills up quickly, so arrive early.
650 Gough St., at McAllister St., San Francisco, California, 94102, USA
The Palace Hotel's clubby, wood-paneled watering hole takes its name from the 1909 Maxfield Parrish mural The Pied Piper of Hamelin, which...
The Palace Hotel's clubby, wood-paneled watering hole takes its name from the 1909 Maxfield Parrish mural The Pied Piper of Hamelin, which covered most of the wall behind the bar for a century. In 2013, the hotel management put it up for auction, but locals howled in protest. The painting then went to a restorer before returning to the bar, which draws an upscale clientele for two-olive martinis, Manhattans, and other trad libations.
The Palace Hotel, 2 New Montgomery St., off Market St., San Francisco, California, 94105, USA
You come to one of the city's most popular dive bars for one thing and one thing only: the reasonably priced beers, about four dozen of them...
You come to one of the city's most popular dive bars for one thing and one thing only: the reasonably priced beers, about four dozen of them on tap. The menu, which runs along the upper wall, will put a kink in your neck as you try to decide. The Toronado opens in the late morning and has a good-size crowd by early afternoon, so show up early to sit at one of the highly coveted tables. Just make sure to bring cash, as they don't accept credit cards. Don't worry about eating beforehand. It's okay to bring in or order in outside food.
547 Haight St., near Fillmore St., San Francisco, California, 94117, USA
San Francisco's most talked about craft cocktail bar for several years running is still arguably the city's most innovative one: every drink...
San Francisco's most talked about craft cocktail bar for several years running is still arguably the city's most innovative one: every drink has at least one "huh?" ingredient. But no worries, you're in the hands of some of the most capable bartenders that you'll ever have the honor of enjoying a drink from. It gets very crowded, both for the drinks and for the outstanding hot dog–shaped burger and beloved kale salad.
3010 20th St., San Francisco, California, 94110, USA
If you're hitting only one bar in North Beach, it should be this one. The low-ceilinged second floor of this raucous boho saloon hangout, little...
If you're hitting only one bar in North Beach, it should be this one. The low-ceilinged second floor of this raucous boho saloon hangout, little altered since its 1960s heyday (when Jack Kerouac frequented the place), is a fine vantage point for watching the colorful Broadway and Columbus Avenue intersection. Another part of Vesuvio's appeal is its diverse clientele, from older neighborhood regulars and young couples to bacchanalian posses.
255 Columbus Ave., at Broadway, San Francisco, California, 94133, USA
It's a dive but one of the city's best beer bars—there are almost 50 on tap—and a great place to relax with a cold one or an ever-popular Bloody...
It's a dive but one of the city's best beer bars—there are almost 50 on tap—and a great place to relax with a cold one or an ever-popular Bloody Mary in the large "garden" (there's not much greenery) on a sunny day. Burgers and brats are available, and if you own a trucker hat, a pair of Vans, and a Pabst Blue Ribbon T-shirt, you'll fit right in. This is one of the city's quintessential experiences, both in terms of bars and of simply having fun.
199 Valencia St., at Duboce Ave., San Francisco, California, 94103, USA
It doesn't get more trendy, modern-day San Francisco than this gallery and coffee shop by day, bar and dance club by night in a warehouse space...
It doesn't get more trendy, modern-day San Francisco than this gallery and coffee shop by day, bar and dance club by night in a warehouse space on a small side street just south of Mission Street. It draws a mix of techies networking and the trendy art crowd hobnobbing. Dance events typically take place on Friday and Saturday from 9 pm until 2 am, though the bar opens around 5.
111 Minna St., between 2nd and New Montgomery Sts., San Francisco, California, 94105, USA
Easy to miss on an alley and overshadowed by neighboring adult-entertainment venues that are parallel along the Columbus strip, this craft cocktail...
Easy to miss on an alley and overshadowed by neighboring adult-entertainment venues that are parallel along the Columbus strip, this craft cocktail den with a Basque theme serves up tipples of sherry, a few thoughtful wine picks, and creative cocktails. Pair your drink with tasty, Spanish-driven bistro snacks, such as pressed tuna baguette sandos, house-made pickles, pintxos (Basque tapas with bread), and croquetas (a fried snack). With a non-Internet jukebox and a photo booth, this place oozes vintage hipster vibes but with old-world sensibilities.
15 Romolo Pl., off Broadway east of Columbus Ave., San Francisco, California, 94133, USA
Known for its range of beer types, this popular brewery has multiple taps going at all times. In the summer, the Hell or High Watermelon—a wheat...
Known for its range of beer types, this popular brewery has multiple taps going at all times. In the summer, the Hell or High Watermelon—a wheat beer—gets rave reviews. Serious beer drinkers should try the Back in Black, a black IPA-style beer this brewpub helped pioneer. The space has an upmarket warehouse feel, though exposed wooden ceiling beams, framed photos, whitewashed brick walls, and hardwood floors help keep it cozy. It's a good spot to warm up before a Giants game and an even better place to party after they win.
563 2nd St., between Bryant and Brannan Sts., San Francisco, California, 94107, USA
The popular restaurant's nearly two dozen specialty cocktails—or even a plain old Manhattan—make a trip just to the bar worthwhile. The classic...
The popular restaurant's nearly two dozen specialty cocktails—or even a plain old Manhattan—make a trip just to the bar worthwhile. The classic but modern French cuisine, California and French wines, and beautiful vintage bistro decor are terrific, too, so it's best to pair a cocktail with a few bites before or after a show.
398 Hayes St., at Gough St., San Francisco, California, 94102, USA
One of the city's top cocktail bars offers elevated small plates (the burger has a devoted following) late into the night to pair with the excellent...
One of the city's top cocktail bars offers elevated small plates (the burger has a devoted following) late into the night to pair with the excellent cocktail menu, which includes such favorites as a Mumbai Mule featuring saffron vodka. A knowledgeable and friendly staff serves a diverse, energetic crowd that knows their drinks, in a smart modern setting with hard surfaces, bar-stool seating, and a giant mural. The sidewalk tables are popular on sunny days. Pay attention to the schedule of the upstairs loft, Over Proof. When open, it's one of the city's best themed cocktail–pairing dinner experiences.
3174 16th St., San Francisco, California, 94103, USA
A slice of modern French life, this cozy and romantic wine bar is an ideal spot for oenophiles, with a list strong in French selections. Vintage...
A slice of modern French life, this cozy and romantic wine bar is an ideal spot for oenophiles, with a list strong in French selections. Vintage-theater seating is available up front—perfect for mingling with strangers. The prices are reasonable, the pours handsome. Sit at the red-lacquer bar to learn about wine and pick up a French phrase or two.
1754 Polk St., at Washington St., San Francisco, California, 94109, USA
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