San Francisco - Nightlife - BlackBook Guides

488 Hayes St., San Francisco
415-864-6672

Marlena’s

With the Empress Marlena lording (ladying?) it over the bar, it’s hard for a boy, girl, or boy/girl to go wrong here. Euro-disco bumping from the speakers, J Ho working the room, and weekend drag/v... read more

2062 Divisadero St., San Francisco
415-567-6565

Lion Pub

Inexplicably referred to as the Lion’s Den, though there’s no sign, and that’s not its name. Just “LP” to you and me. Allegedly bit of a shag den as well—snuggle up to the fireplace with your new s... read more

916 Grant Ave., San Francisco
415-982-0072

Li Po

Bad lighting, Buddha statue, red vinyl booths and the banging of dice cups at this Chinatown mainstay. No karaoke here, but a bare-bones performance space in the basement, supposedly a former opium... read more

600 Stockton St., San Francisco
415-296-7465

Lobby Lounge at the Ritz-Carlton

The lush life. Oversized stuffed chairs welcome rich and weary as they sip from snifters of brandy and wait for James to bring the Bentley around. Crystal chandeliers, roaring fire, harpist in the ... read more

415 Sansome St., San Francisco 94111
415-788-4811

London Wine Bar

Unassuming pub-like spot calling itself “America’s oldest wine bar.” Wanna Philly cheese steak or sausage platter to accompany that horizontal flight of zinfandel? Owner/bartender is down-to-earth ... read more

1548 Polk St., San Francisco
415-441-8413

N’Touch

We’re betting that you didn’t even know there was an Asian gay bar and dance club in the city. Trannies, hot bodied go-go dancers, karaoke, pole dancing… those gaysian boys really know how to throw... read more

1811 Haight St., San Francisco
415-752-2971

Murio's Trophy Room

Stiff drinks, big cans of PBR, pool tables and feisty barkeeps. That's it, plain and simple. The lighting is a little strong for a dive bar, like it's closing time all night. Kickass jukebox but no... read more

1092 Post St., San Francisco
415-771-2022

Lush Lounge

It might take a while for the camo shorts–wearing bartender to mix your watermelon martini (he’s too busy reenacting the dance-off from that Pat Benatar video), but he doles out shots to make up fo... read more

2140 Market St., San Francisco
415-487-1313

Lucky 13

Saturday barbecue on back patio is just what we had in mind. We like having our smoke and drinking our $2 PBRs two at a time. Dig the tattoos and punk jukebox, but not so much the weekend B&Ts and ... read more

1315 9th Ave., San Francisco
415-661-4340

Mucky Duck

Lovably plain neighborhood dive with good game face. Regulars know how to while away an afternoon running a healthy tab and watching the Giants or Niners on HDTV. Pool table in the back for a casua... read more

201 Columbus Ave., San Francisco
415-362-1545

Mr. Bing’s

Just when you were about to give up on the cheese ball North Beach nightlife scene. Tiny, unassuming tavern, formerly just a dive, now the next big divey thing. Must be the V-shaped bar. Cute girls... read more

85 Campton Pl., San Francisco
415-433-8585

Vessel

Yet another McClub for posers and socialites who live for being on the list. Sharks in suits ply the waters for bridge-and-tunnel blondes looking for sugar daddies. Nikki Beach meets Financial Dist... read more

501 Jones St., San Francisco
415-346-1735

Bourbon & Branch

It seems like a cheesy gimmick, needing a password to get in (ala prohibition days), but we love it nonetheless. Another welcome addition to the Tenderloin drinking scene, built to resemble a 1920s... read more

688 Geary St., San Francisco
415-474-4448

Rye

This jacket is a symbol of my individuality and my belief in personal freedom. And the right to smoke ‘em if you got ‘em. Tenderloin hotspot beloved for its smoking cage and affable mixologists ser... read more

430 Mason St., San Francisco
415-421-1916

Slide

Sleek and sexy subterranean club with oodles of old school elegance and mahogany, but douche bag bouncers with L.A. attitude have locals laughing. Hard to get in if you don’t have ovaries.. Groups ... read more

901 Grant Ave., San Francisco
415-362-1792

Buddha Lounge

“HELLO BUDDHA!” she shouts into the phone. Tiny Chinatown bar that’s more divey than Greg Louganis. Sorta like Charlie Chan meets Blue Velvet meets Barfly meet snuff film. Too scary for tourists, s... read more

216 Townsend St., San Francisco 94107
415-896-2120

District

Hottest wine bar in the city doubles as headquarters for the cougar club. The exposed steel, brick, wood look you’ve seen a thousand times. Sorry, sommelier Caterina Mirabelli (yes, as sexy as her ... read more

Pier 23, San Francisco
415-362-5125

Pier 23

Sunny day seduction, sitting bayside on the pier sipping minty mohitos with your mates and muching on peel-and-eat prawns. On warm weekends this weathered wharf-side hut is packed with tourists and... read more

950 Geary St., San Francisco
415-885-4074

Edinburgh Castle

Serving the city’s best fish-n-chips wrapped in newspaper since 1958. Inside looks like a Glasgow culture museum that imploded. Sip a single malt while listing to Po Bronson read from his latest no... read more

657 Harrison St., San Francisco 94107
415-348-0900

Supperclub

International chain of clubs from Amsterdam finally arrives to SF. Follow Alice through the brass door and down the rabbit hold to world of white, weird and whacked. Euro-stark monochrome setting w... read more

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