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With a blazing fireplace to warm you on foggy days and a jukebox chock full of 80s favorites, this cozy pub will keep you in your seat until last call rolls around. Whether you’re looking for friendly lesbian bars, balls-to-the-wall Latinx dance parties or a very memorable drag show, these are the best gay bars in SF right now.

san francisco gay bar

Dark even in the middle of the day, this cowboy-themed spot with a pool table and patio is hung with erotic art, and, although it’s a little rough around the edges, the Cinch is as friendly as they come. 

Once upon a time, El Rio was a Brazilian Leather Bar. Today, this brightly colored space caters more to the lesbian crowd, with plenty of indie bands and nights dedicated to worthwhile causes to draw those from diverse corners of the city.

Thursday and Friday nights Jolene's kitchen serves satisfying comfort fare with plenty of veggie options. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

Been there, done that? SF is known for electing Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the US, and is still known today for its thriving queer community. 

At the epicentre of it all is San Francisco’s Castro District, full of drag shows, bars and great restaurants, but there’s plenty more to discover throughout SF (and Oakland) if you know where to look.

The comic, electric show is different each time, with the Queens taking on everything from Disney princesses to pop stars. 

The self-styled "safe space" is stylish and modern, with a large front room with booths, a pool table and plenty of bar seating, and additional tables in an alcove at the back.

A true neighborhood bar in every sense of the word, the drinks are strong, the patrons are friendly, and the back patio is generous. Think again, my friend.

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Mary's Pub

3845 Mission St San Francisco, CA 94110

The EndUp

401 6th St. San Francisco, CA 94103

Trax

1437 Haight St San Francisco, CA 94117

440 Castro

440 Castro St San Francisco, CA 94114

620 Jones

620 Jones St San Francisco, CA 94102

Cat Club

1190 Folsom St San Francisco, CA 94103

Driftwood

1225 Folsom St San Francisco, CA 94103

Hole in the Wall Saloon

1369 Folsom St San Francisco, CA 94103

Lone Star Saloon

1354 Harrison St San Francisco, CA 94103

Mother

3079 16th St San Francisco, CA 94103

SF Eagle

398 12th St San Francisco, CA 94103

The Cafe

2369 Market St.

San Francisco, CA 94114

The Mint Karaoke Lounge

1942 Market St San Francisco, CA 94102

Twin Peaks Tavern

401 Castro St San Francisco, CA 94114

Lookout

3600 16th St San Francisco, CA 94114

Aunt Charlie's Lounge

133 Turk Street San Francisco, CA 94102

Cinch Saloon

1723 Polk St San Francisco, CA 94109

Edge

4149 18th St San Francisco, CA 94114

Jolene's

2700 16th Street San Francisco, CA 94103

Midnight Sun

4067 18th St San Francisco, CA 94114

OASIS

298 11th St San Francisco, CA 94103

Space 550

550 Barneveld Ave San Francisco, CA 94124

The Detour

2200 Market St #102 San Francisco, CA 94114

Toad Hall

4146 18th St San Francisco, CA 94114

Wild Side West

424 Cortland Ave San Francisco, CA 94110

San Francisco
Gay Bar Map

Upcoming Events

Driftwood Bar Happy Hour

Daily 4PM to 6PM

$9 Margarita’s, $9 Old Fashions

$1 Off Draft Beers & Wine

Edge Happy Hour

Monday to Sunday 4PM - 9PM

2 for 1 drink (drink + chip)

San Francisco’s fabulous LGBTQIA+ scene is no surprise if you know anything about the city’s history.

Opened in a former gay bathhouse in 2015 by San Francisco drag legends Heklina and D’Arcy Drollinger, the 8,000-foot space comes alive each weekend with a myriad of amazing performances, including ever-popular interpretations of classic TV shows like Sex and the City, The Golden Girls and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, DJs spin power-pop, glam-rock, and retro “homo bar” classics.

For forty years, Wild Side West has welcomed queer women and those that love them to their authentic tavern and lush outdoor patio. Weekends brunch fare like fried egg sandwiches and chicken and waffles pair perfectly with bottomless mimosas..

The Mix has a more laid-back approach to LGBTQ revelry than other spots in town.

On Sunday afternoons, the Lone Star is the default second-choice destination for those in search of an afternoon beer bust.

What Aunt Charlie’s Lounge lacks in location (it is tucked away in the Tenderloin), it makes up for in character. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

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Been there, done that?

Wednesday nights are for Miss Kitty's trivia, half comedy show, half competition. Live music on Thursday nights is a nice counterpoint to the often wild and unexpected Friday and Saturday night parties that feature everything from lube wrestling to gaymer nights.

Big, meaty men gravitate to this self-styled Bear Bar in SoMa. Regular all-day drink specials offer just one more reason to drop in, no matter the time.

One of the few San Francisco gay bars outside the Castro or SoMa neighborhoods, the Cinch is equal parts dive bar and dance club.

Think again, my friend.

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