Drink.
Most of the San Francisco gay bars are found in the well-known gayborhood of Castro. Castro, Market, and 18th Streets all have bars and clubs; you could spend an entire night bar-hopping and see something new at each venue.
Mission District, south of Market Street (SoMa, for those in the know), is the city’s second queer playground. It’s home to Folsom Street, where the legendary Leather Fair takes over every September—because who doesn’t love a street full of leather, chains, and barely-there outfits? San Francisco gay bars definitely lean into the bear, daddy, leather, and kink crowd. Subtle? Not a chance.
Meanwhile, the once-thriving gayborhoods of Polk Street in Nob Hill and the Tenderloin District have been reduced to one gay bar each.
Filter your night
Located right on Folsom Street in the SoMa district, Powerhouse is predominantly a bar, yet people come here to cruise. It’s described as an ‘anything goes gay leather bar,’ and that’s the perfect description. It’s open Wednesday to Sunday, 4 pm to 2 am, midnight on Mondays, and closed on Tuesdays.
Facilities: Bar, Live music, Dancing, Go-go show, Dark Room, Cruise, ID Required Aged 18+
Beaux is the French word for boyfriends and the name of one of the Castro district’s most well-known bars. It’s a cocktail bar by day, but once 9 pm hits, it turns into a giant dance party. Themes include drag brunch weekends, Latino go-go boys on Wednesdays, and Drag Race viewings on Fridays.
It’s open weekdays from 3 pm to 2 am and weekends from midday.
Facilities: Bar, Live music, Dancing, Drag Show, Go-go show
Oasis on the corner of Folsom and 11th in the Civic Center district was once a gay bathhouse and is now a cabaret bar and nightclub. In 2022, it won The LGBTQ Best of the Bay, including the best cabaret venue, nightclub, drag show, and SoMa Bar. The huge dance floor plays host to cabaret events most nights.
Oasis doesn’t share its opening hours on its website or Google Maps.
Facilities: Bar, Live music, Dancing, Drag Show
Midnight Sun on 18th Street, half a block from Castro Street, has been a gay hangout for over 50 years. There’s something for everyone here: drag shows, karaoke, Latin nights, go-go boys, and dance parties. Videos are running on the enormous screens all night, every night.
Midnight Sun is open weekdays from 2 pm to 2 am and weekends from 1 pm
Facilities: Bar, Live music, Dancing, Drag Show, Karaoke, Go-go show
On 12th Street, the long-running SF Eagle is one block from Folsom Street in the SoMa leather district. Events include beer busts every Sunday, legendary Filth parties on the first Saturday of every month, and bear nights every second Saturday. There are also pups and cubs nights, karaoke, and Drag Race viewings.
SF Eagle is open Mondays to Thursdays from 5 pm to midnight, Fridays from 2 pm to 2 am, Saturdays from 11 am to 2 am, and Sundays from midday to midnight.
Facilities: Bar, Live music, Dancing, Karaoke
MIX is on 18th Street, half a block from Castro Street. For over 20 years, it’s been ‘your friendly neighborhood bar. MIX is the perfect place to start your night; the cocktails are cheap yet strong.
MIX is open daily from 12 pm to 2 am.
Facilities: Bar, Live music
The Cafe on Market Street, one block from Castro Street, is a gay and straight-friendly nightclub that’s been operating for over 30 years. Theme nights include Latin on Thursdays, Drag Race viewing on Fridays, and DJs and hot go-go boys on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Cafe is open Thursdays from 10 pm to 2 am, Fridays from 8 pm to 2 am, and Saturdays from 9 pm to 2 am. There are special events on Sundays; check their Instagram for details.
Facilities: Bar, Live music, Dancing, Drag Show, Go-go show
Jolene’s Bar & Restaurant in the Mission District on 16th Street is an LGBTQI venue where everyone is welcome. The diverse range of events includes pool tournaments, karaoke, drag brunches, burlesque shows, and DJ nights.
Closed Mondays to Wednesdays, Jolene’s Bar and Restaurant comes alive Thursdays to Saturdays, 7 pm to 2 am, and drag brunches on Sundays, 12 pm to 4 pm — bookings essential.
Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Live music, Dancing, Drag Show, Karaoke, Go-go show
Aunt Charlie’s Lounge is the last remaining bar in the Tenderloin District and deserves a visit. In-house DJs keep the party going on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with drag shows on Fridays and Saturdays.
Located on Turk Street, Aunt Charlie’s Lounge is open weekdays from midday to midnight and weekends from 10 am.
Facilities: Bar, Live music, Dancing, Drag Show
Ideally located on the corner of Market and 16th Street, the Lookout gay bar has a wraparound window so patrons can watch the night get going on their doorstep. It’s been repeatedly voted the Best Gay Bar in SF. Themes include karaoke, drag brunches, jock parties, as well as local and international DJs on Fridays and Saturdays.
Lookout is open every day. The hours vary Monday, Thursday, and Friday, 3.30 pm to 2 am; Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 3.30 pm to midnight; Saturdays, midday to 2 am; and Sundays, 1 pm to midnight.
Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Live music, Dancing, Drag Show, Karaoke, Go-go show
The last remaining gay bar in Nob Hill — the 1950s gayborhood — The Cinch Saloon is a cowboy-themed venue. It also specializes in theme parties; Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are popular days. There are also RuPaul Drag Race screenings on Fridays and NFL viewing on Sundays for sports lovers.
The Cinch Saloon is open daily from 2 pm to 2 am.
Facilities: Bar, Restaurant
Club OMG is located on 6th Street, one block south of Market in the Civic Center district. It has many themes, from Latin nights to stand-up comedy and underwear parties.
The opening hours appear to fluctuate week to week, and it’s best to check its Facebook page for the latest.
Facilities: Bar, Live music, Dancing, Drag Show
The Lone Star Saloon is a bear bar on Harrison Street, one block from Folsom Street in the SoMa leather district. Theme nights include onesie parties, Super Bowl screenings, wrestling challenges, disco nights, beer busts, and a weekly knitting club.
The Lone Star Saloon is open Mondays to Saturdays from 4 pm to 2 am and Sundays from 2 pm.
Facilities: Bar, Live music
In the Lower Haight district right on Market Street, the Academy SF is unique as it’s a social club designed to assist gay people in making genuine connections. The 3-story club is more than just a bar; it’s a membership-only establishment. There’s a wine bar, a speakeasy, and daily activities.
The club is open from 5 pm to 11 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays and closes at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Facilities: Bar, Restaurant
Toad Hall Bar is located on 18th Street, one block from Castro Street. The large dancefloor is kept busy with live DJs and music videos. Every day, there’s a 2-4-1 happy hour. Events like drag shows, karaoke, and dance-offs ensure something for everyone here.
Toad Hall Bar is open until 2 am every day. It opens at 3 pm on Mondays to Thursdays, 1 pm on Fridays and Sundays, and 2 pm on Saturdays.
Facilities: Bar, Live music, Dancing, Drag Show, Karaoke
Destinations
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