San Francisco's gay nightlife scene, after seemingly stagnating for many years, has seen an impressive renaissance in recent years. Here's an alphabetical listing of some of the best gay bars in San Francisco, from longtime Castro, Polk Street, and SoMa classics to edgy newcomers in the Church Street Corridor, Mission, Bernal Heights, Hayes Valley, and elsewhere. Additionally, here's a look at the Bay Area's gay bathhouses and sex clubs.
Aunt Charlie's Lounge
In the gritty, unvarnished meatiness that is the San Francisco Tenderloin District (and also the city's Little Saigon neighborhood), this beloved drag bar is an SFO institution of considerable acclaim. Just a few blocks east of Polk Street, tiny Aunt Charlie's produces a series of parties (some weekly, some once or twice a month) that rake in a dizzyingly eclectic mix of old-school queers, hipsters, drag aficionados, and the occasional curious tourist. Of particular note is the Dream Queens Revue (second and fourth Wednesdays), the Friday and Saturday Hot Boxxx Girls parties, Tubesteak Connection Thursdays, and first-monthly Suicide Tuesdays. Great music, hostess Gina La Divina, and performers Vicki, Pinky, Ginger Snap, and Hoku Mama Swamp enthrall the onlookers.
Blackbird Bar
photo by Andrew Collins
Part of the new wave of more eclectic and sophisticated gay hangouts that have steadily been gaining in prevalence and popularity in the Castro, the dapper and convivial Blackbird Bar is along the hip Church Street corridor (right at the intersection with Market Street). Inside what was for many years the Expansion Bar you'll find handsome space hung with changing artwork and filled with a mixed crowd of gays and straights, hipsters and wine lovers, and generally friendly and stylish sorts. Cocktails here are simply stellar. There's also a well-chosen wine list, a good mix of craft beers (on tap and in bottles), and highly popular happy hours (from 5 until 8 on weekdays). This is a must for any discerning drinkers visiting the Castro.
The Cafe
photo by Andrew Collins
The Cafe was formerly the Castro's main lesbian dance bar, and while it continues to attract plenty of women, over the years it's become favored by a more mixed-gender, though somewhat youthful bunch. At times it seems as though this rambling upstairs bar with a cozy interior patio has lost some of its cachet, but then you show up on what you think will be a quiet evening and find the place jumping. DJs here spin a nice mix of danceable hip-hop and dance tunes, and a pair of pool tables are nearly always in use. It's a club that fits a need in the Castro, which has few places for dancing, so here's hoping it remains popular.
Churchill
photo by Andrew Collins
Opened relatively recently in the space formerly occupied by the Bar on Church (the exterior of which is pictured here), Churchill has been a terrific addition to the increasingly scene-y Church Street corridor. As is true for this eclectic and lively part of the lower Castro, the bar draws a mix of straights and gays, and it's much more a place to go for superbly crafted cocktails (try the Churchill's Southside, with Raynal VSOP, Smith & Cross rum, lime, sugar, mint, and soda), well-chosen craft beers, and carefully selected wines by the glass than for cruising (hey, that's what your Grindr and Adam4Adam apps are for). The decor, which includes a bust of Winston Churchill, is a retro-cool homage to the Allied Forces of World War II.
The Cinch
Many, many, many years ago, Polk Street - which lies roughly between the Castro and downtown near the Civic Center and San Francisco Opera - was the heart of San Francisco's gay nightlife scene. There used to be more than a dozen gay bars lining this seedy street. Gradually, the GLBT presence waned, although arguably it's started to come back a little in recent years as nearby Hayes Valley has gentrified and even the nearby Tenderloin has show a few hints of rejunvenation. The Cinch is one of the few gay bars remaining on Polk, and it's worth a visit to watch amateur strip contests and partake of some serious hard-drinking. Other gay-bar survivors on or near Polk include Aunt Charlie's, Diva's, and Gangway (the oldest gay bar in SF).
Deco Lounge
Drag Shows, karaoke, a pool table, all-male strip shows, and a location close to the the heart of San Francisco's historic gay-bar strip, Polk Street - these are among the traits that make Deco Lounge a favorite "come one, come all" sort of queer hangout. It's a super-friendly spot with the ambience of a low-keyed house party.The Endup
A legendary spot that began as a bathhouse and has been going strong - give or take a few booms and busts - since it opened in 1973, the Endup enjoyed a supporting role in Armistead Maupin's Tales of The City serial novels. And it's no less relevant as a gay nightclub today, presenting an ever-impressive slew of parties. Fag Fridays are a must for many young scenesters, and many devotees swear by the Sunday "Church" T-Dances, which commence at 6 a.m. and pulse into evening, before the club is overtaken by a high-energy party called Super Soul Sundayz. If you love to dance, do not miss this one.
Esta Noche
photo by Andrew Collins
The Mission may be the city's eclectic, if self-consciously hip neighborhood, but for many years it was San Francisco's prime Latino neighborhood. It was during these years that Esta Noche opened, and it has remained the Bay Area's favorite gay Latino dance club ever since - a place where the bumping and grinding can get mighty intense on certain evenings. The drag shows on Friday and Saturday nights are among the dishiest in the city.
440 Castro
photo by Andrew Collins
Known for many years as Daddy's, 440 Castro has for years been a stalwart among gay neighborhood bars in the Castro. Back in the day, it drew a predominantly leather-and-Levi's crowd, and it's still definitely a go-to if this is your scene. But 440 has steadily broadened its reach in recent years, and on any given night you're liable to find all kinds here, from buffed gym dudes to rugged bears. One thing you can count on is a cruisy vibe, especially on Monday Underwear Nights and Thursday's CDXL Outlaw Parties (great music, hot go-go boys).
Harvey's
photo by Andrew Collins
Named for the legendary, late gay activist Harvey Milk, the quintessential gay brunch restaurant Harvey's - which opened in 1996 on the site of the old Elephant Bar (which has burned in a fire several years earlier) - is also one of the most popular queer bars in the Castro. Whether for evening cocktails or dinner, or to partake of the delicious brunch (served until 3 pm daily), Harvey's is a must-see for gay visitors. Inside the warmly decorated space are many photos of Harvey Milk and other aspects of the gay rights movement in San Francisco.
