When the lights go down in the City, head for San Francisco’s best bars and clubs
Posted by sfhi on Jul 9, 2006
From authentic Irish pubs and laid-back neighborhood bars to ultra-hip lounges and high-intensity dance clubs, the opportunities are endless for partying the night away in everyone’s favorite City by the Bay. When the skyline begins to sparkle under the stars, San Francisco’s nightlife comes alive–check out these popular spots for sipping cocktails, late-night dining, or dancing till dawn.
Union Square
By day, Union Square and the financial district are filled with busy professionals and shoppers; when the sun goes down, these streets offer up some of the swankiest lounges in the city.
Often a place for celebrity sightings, The Redwood Room in the Clift Hotel is a cherished historical and San Francisco landmark, newly renovated by notorious Ian Schrager. The ambiance is chic and glamorous, featuring original redwood paneling and an enormous bar, which, legend has it, was carved from a single redwood tree. The ever-changing arrays of digital artwork emanating from plasma screens throughout the room bring these massive walls to life. 495 Geary Street, 2 blocks from our San Francisco Downtown Hostel, 5 blocks from our San Francisco City Center Hostel.
This month’s issue of Esquire magazine surveys the best bars in America, and one of their picks is The Owl Tree:
[Sadly, C. Bobby Cook has passed away, and The Owl Tree is now closed. –Ed.]
From the great Jerry Thomas, who jumped ship in 1849 and got right to mixing, to the late, legendary Bruno of the Zam Zam, who’d kick you out if you ordered anything but a gin martini, San Francisco has always had great bartenders… That said, the best San Francisco bartender is Bobby "C. Bobby" Cook, the pixilated gent who has owned and presided over the Owl Tree since 1977. The owls are all over the place–hundreds of ‘em, stuffed, painted, sculpted, macramed, you name it. The place looks like something out of a dream sequence in an early Richard Widmark film. But an eccentric line of decor will get you only so far; to achieve true greatness, you’ve also got to be rude to the customers when they need it (which is usually), slip in a friendly remark when they least expect it, and, of course, be able to transform a buck fifty’s worth of middle-shelf hooch into a vision of a better life. C. Bobby qualifies on all counts. 601 Post Street, 2 blocks from our San Francisco Downtown Hostel, 6 blocks from our San Francisco City Center Hostel.
SOMA
The South of Market area, known as SOMA, hosts stylish restaurants, theaters, art galleries, great shopping, and the nation’s most beautiful ballpark–all in just two square miles. At night, SOMA comes to life with San Francisco’s hottest nightclubs.
Catering to all the senses with a creative restaurant and dance club all in one, Asia SF is known for their spectacular "gender illusionists" serving delicious Asian-fusion cuisine, color-morphing shoji screen walls, signature cocktails, and fantastic DJs. 201 Ninth Street, 8 blocks from our San Francisco City Center Hostel.
San Francisco’s latest addition to the nightlife scene in SOMA is Fluid Ultra Lounge. As soon as you walk in, the one-of-a-kind computer-controlled lit walkway and bar, with striking white walls reflecting infinite colors and patterns, will blow you away. Sip specialty drinks like the Fluid Martini or the Wetrosexual while hanging out in the luxurious velvet-draped VIP lounge. 662 Mission Street, 7 blocks from our San Francisco Downtown Hostel.
Rack ‘em up and head over to Jillian’s 9 Ball Lounge to blow off a little steam. Located at the Metreon, Jillian’s not only features tournament-quality billiard tables, but also multiple large-screen TVs to catch your favorite sporting and media events. After watching the game on the 50-foot video wall and munching on popular American cuisine, watch the transformation as the dining room morphs into a dance floor and shake the night away to the beats of great DJs. 101 Fourth Street, 7 blocks from our San Francisco Downtown Hostel.
For music junkies, Mezzanine is a richly diverse gathering space showcasing live and electronic music from all genres–rock, dance, hip hop, soul, jazz, salsa, world beat–as well as multimedia art events, fashion shows, and video installations. With state-of-the-art lighting technologies and custom-built sound systems, Mezzanine features both shows with the newest bands and intimate engagements with world-renowned artists. 444 Jessie Street, 5 blocks from our San Francisco Downtown Hostel, 7 blocks from our San Francisco City Center Hostel.
North Beach
A virtual adult playground at night, this Italian-flavored neighborhood is well known for its eclectic nightlife offerings, from classic jazz clubs and historic beatnik bars to adult entertainment and trendy nightclubs.
Dolce is a high-concept DJ lounge enveloped in white curtains where everything is sweet, soft, and smooth. With its main bar, dance floor, and VIP lounge, Dolce offers up a 2,500-square-foot nightclub in the heart of North Beach. Dress to impress as the dress code is strictly enforced. 444 Broadway.
With luxurious fabrics, gorgeous lighting, 30-foot ceilings, and a magnificent bar that spans the front room, Suede offers a winning combination of DJs and live bands, with a top-of-the-line sound system sure to keep partygoers dancing all night long. Suede’s VIP service has gained a favorable reputation amongst San Francisco hipsters. 383 Bay Street, 8 blocks from our San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel.
Kick back with a Guinness at O’Reilly’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, or choose from over 20 ales, stouts, ciders, and beers offered from solid brass taps, plus a plethora of bottled imports and microbrews. Known as the place to spend Saint Patrick’s Day, this pub boasts a huge mahogany back bar, 30 feet long and 15 feet tall, complete with a canopy supported by pillars, stained glass panels, and life-size portraits of Irish writers including Oscar Wilde and W.B. Yeats. 662 Green Street.
One of Esquire magazine’s recent picks for "Best Bars in America" is Vesuvio:
No matter how many tourists drop in for a pint or one of the bar’s rudimentary mixed drinks, it still feels as though it’s full of locals. The gallery upstairs is a particularly fine place to spend the day thrashing out what it all means. 255 Columbus Avenue.
Marina/Cow Hollow
Despite the distinct turn-of-the-century architecture and Victorian storefronts, this area is where some of San Francisco’s most au courant and upscale come to play.
Opened by blues master Boz Scaggs more than 20 years ago, The Blue Light offers "down-home meals with a Texas Twang," classic cocktails, and lots of good old rock ‘n’ roll. 1979 Union Street, 9 blocks from our San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel.
Nectar Wine Lounge is a wine lover’s heaven boasting a gorgeous stainless steel and glass centerpiece of nectar that glows from within, and a sleek, multi-level bar with contoured mahogany seats and fur-sheathed ottomans. Their selection of 40 nectars by the glass is always evolving, and their 800-plus list of bottles grows by the day. 3330 Steiner Street, 10 blocks from our San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel.
Mission District
The Mission District is a great location for seeking an atypical night out in San Francisco’s most colorful neighborhood. Known for delicious taquerias, vibrant murals, and specialty shops, the culturally abundant neighborhood is also lively at night.
Esquire magazine’s "Best Bars in America" names Zeitgeist as THE best bar in San Francisco:
Zeitgeist looks like a biker bar, but really it’s a bike-messenger bar, and anybody’s welcome as long as they’re cool and don’t mind a lot of leather jackets and tattoos. Because the people who come here tend to prefer two wheels, motorized or not.
It’s been here forever, since before the neighborhood was gentrified, back when this was San Francisco’s ghetto. The inside of the bar looks like a double-wide decorated in beer signs and bumper stickers. The stickers say, MASTURBATING IS NOT A CRIME and I’M SAD BECAUSE I’M SO FUCKING BORING.
It might not sound like the best bar in San Francisco, but it is. The drinks are generous. The Bloody Mary has so many vegetables, it’s practically healthy. Pitchers of microbrew are twelve dollars. There’s a giant outdoor beer garden with rows of picnic tables in a line of portable toilets so you don’t have to wait. A fence keeps the wind out, and a eucalyptus tree provides the shade. And every night the tamale lady comes with her cooler, selling the best tamales you will ever have.
But there’s something at Zeitgeist that goes beyond the great food and the great beer garden. The bar seems angry. The symbols are angry. The bumper stickers are angry. But Zeitgeist is not an angry place. In fact, it is unmistakably friendly and open, even happy. At Zeitgeist, nobody’s a freak, not even the guy in the khakis and polo shirt. 199 Valencia Street.
Nob Hill
It seems as if Nob Hill and some of the buildings on Polk Street are frozen in time. On Nob Hill you can find some of the best views of San Francisco Bay, but be sure to take a moment to hop off the cable car and enjoy some classic fun.
Dubbed the "most romantic lounge in San Francisco," Top of the Mark is a top-notch destination for an evening out with the one you love. Located on the 19th floor of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel, this lounge offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the City and the Bay, with an inviting ambiance, stylish decor, and live entertainment. Order a cocktail from the famed "100 Martinis" menu and soak in a sunset over the San Francisco skyline. 999 California Street.
"There’s not a bad seat in the house" at Green’s Sports Bar. With a celebrated happy hour, fans can watch the game on one of the 15 televisions or make a friendly wager on a game of pool in the back. Sports memorabilia covers almost every inch of wall space, making Green’s a haven for sports fanatics. 2239 Polk Street, 9 blocks from our San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel.
Castro
This colorful and historical "Gay Mecca" is filled with nightlife destinations that are distinctively San Francisco.
Located in the landmark Swedish-American building, Cafe Du Nord is a nightclub and restaurant featuring quality live music seven nights a week. During Prohibition, this classic lounge was a speakeasy. Throughout time it has retained some of its Victorian interiors and now boasts a 40-foot hand-carved mahogany bar. It’s a great place to enjoy traditional cocktails and the "most eclectic live music in town." 2170 Market Street.
Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is one of San Francisco’s most visited sites.
The Buena Vista is a San Francisco favorite dating back to 1916 when it was a boardinghouse. In 1952, they introduced America to its now famous Irish coffee. The Buena Vista, "good view" in Italian, indeed has old-world charm and a great scenic view of the fleet of historic ships at Hyde Street Pier, the Maritime Museum, and the Bay. 2765 Hyde Street, 5 blocks from our San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel.
Hayes Valley
Just a short distance from Civic Center is one of San Francisco’s newest neighborhoods, Hayes Valley, featuring nightlife options for those looking for originality and fresh venues.
For some South of France indulgence head over to Absinthe Brasserie and Bar. Satisfy late-night cravings with savory American-influenced French cuisine while dining in softly lit rooms decorated with mosaic tile floors, copper-topped tables, pressed-tin ceilings, and walls adorned with period art, murals, and original Absinthe posters. Be sure to try the traditionally inspired Absinthe; it’s an experience you won’t quickly forget. 398 Hayes Street.
Best Bartenders
In addition to C. Bobby at The Owl Tree, Esquire recommends seeking out, "the marvelous Alberta at the Orbit Room Cafe (1900 Market Street; go early and be sure to try one of her aviations), Jacques and Marco, the tequila wizards at Tres Agaves (130 Townsend Street), the crusty traditionalists at Absinthe (398 Hayes Street; have an Old Pal), and even Duggan at Frisson (244 Jackson Street), who thinks nothing of tossing a bit of squid ink into the mixing glass."