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Ladies in a club by LOGAN WEAVER – Unsplash
20 Best Lesbian Bars in San Francisco
San Francisco has the nightlife to match its variety of daytime attractions. If you’re looking to explore the City by the Bay after hours, there are quite a number of joints to explore along the San Francisco neighborhoods. Since the early 20th century, San Francisco has been a haven for the gay community and it now features a wide selection of lively gay bars and lesbian-friendly joints.
San Francisco’s gay village is most concentrated in the business district located on Castro Street from Market Street to 19th Street. It extends down Market Street toward Church and on both sides of the Castro neighborhood from Church Street to Eureka Street. Lesbian bars have long been sites of refuge, validation, community, and resistance for women whose sexual orientations are considered deviant or non-normative.
In this article, we feature the 20 best Lesbian bars in San Francisco.
1. Wild Side West
Wild Side West is a longtime lesbian bar that was opened in 1962 by out-and-proud lesbians, Pat Ramseyer and Nancy White. Every night is a blend of lesbians, locals, electric art and the neighbourhood sports bar.
Every once in a while, the Wild Side West hosts a local fundraising event or a friendly game of pool. Music lovers also get to enjoy the internet-connected jukebox’s wide selection of songs. The bar has two outdoor spaces, the patio on the ground level and the sculpture-filled beer garden on the lower level.
Practical Information
Address: 424 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States
Open: Mon-Sun 2 pm – 2 am
2. Toad Hall
A group of people having fun by Efren Barahona – Unsplash
Toad Hall Bar is a gay bar in San Francisco’s Castro District. This versatile space draws gay crowds with DJs, a lengthy bar, a smoke-friendly patio and happy hours. There’s a large dance floor, booths, and an outdoor patio.
Toad Hall offers fun drag shows, karaoke, and dance competitions. Toad Hall’s menu features delicious drinks like Vodka pink lemonade, Don Julio margarita, Jack & Coke, Bombay Tonic, and a selection of premium beers.
Practical Information
Address: 4146 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States
Call: +1 415-626-9320
Open: Mon – Thur 3 pm – 2 am Fri – 1pm – 2 am Sat 2pm – 2 am Sun- 1pm – 2 am
3. Lobby Bar
Lobby Bar is a brand new, sultry cocktail bar and restaurant in the heart of the Castro. This posh and intimate bar is a relative newcomer to the Castro, though not the first new business in the neighborhood since the liquor licenses opened up for the first time.
When you go to this bar, you’ll see queer artists pulling shifts as servers and bartenders. Lobby Bar is gay-owned and gay-operated.
Practical Information
Address: 4230 18th St Unit A, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States
Open: Mon-Wed 5 pm – 11 pm Thur – 5 pm – 12 am Fri, Sat – 5 pm – 1 am Sun- 2- 10pm
4. 440 Castro
A lesbian club by Jakayla Toney – Unsplash
440 Castro is located at 440 Castro Street in San Francisco. They are near the intersection of Castro and Market and directly across the street from the Castro Theater. 440 Castro offers drinks and events that draw casual, bearded crowds to this local gay hangout.
Their website reads We are a neighborhood bar that’s home to locals and tourists. If you’re visiting San Francisco Gay Pride, Up Your Alley Dore Alley Fair, or the Folsom Street Fair, 440 is a great place to meet up with friends and make new ones.
Practical Information
Address: 440 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States
Open: Mon-Sun- 12 pm – 2 am
5. The Cafe
The Cafe is the largest LGBTQIA+ dance club and has been a staple in the LGBTQ+ Castro community for almost 30 years. They recently upgraded the space to a brand-new, state-of-the-art bar & nightclub and opened it up to patrons to experience it.
The Café represents the best of the 21+ Castro bar scene. With weekly lined-up events, both gays and straights dance the night away at this vibrant club with top DJs & popular theme nights.
Practical Information
Address: 2369 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States
Call: +1 415-779-3171
Open: Thur – 10 pm – 2 am Fri, Sat – 9 pm – 2 am Sun – Wed – Closed
6. Twin Peaks Tavern
Night club girls by Jeff Tumale – Unsplash
Twin Peaks Tavern is a gay bar serving classic cocktails and beers on tap, also boasts vintage furniture & big glass windows. Their website reads, that this bar is a gateway to the Castro which is a legend in its own time. The bar offers the best view of the Castro, any day, any time. Windows to watch the world go by with unquestionably the neighbourhood’s best cocktails, beers on tap, and wines by the glass.
The Twin Peaks Tavern is often referred to as the gay cheers located on the historic corner of Market and Castro under the oscillating rainbow arrow, offers regulars the comforts of home, and visitors a warm welcome to the neighborhood and one of San Francisco’s greatest assets.
Practical Information
Address: 2 401 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States
Call: +1 415-864-9470
Open: Mon – Wed – 12 pm – 2am Thur – Sun – 11 am – 2am
7. The Mix
The Mix is known as the friendliest gay bar in San Francisco with the best outdoor patio in the Castro. The bar also offers a small gay bar that has a patio and pool table, plus frequent happy-hour specials. Twin Peaks Tavern is an American historic gay bar. It first opened in 1935 and is located at 401 Castro Street in the Castro District in San Francisco, California.
Current owners Jeffrey Green and George Roehm took over the bar in 2003 after being bartenders at the Tavern for more than 10 years. The small balcony, daily patrons and card games, and location in the epicentre of San Francisco make Twin Peaks the perfect atmosphere for meeting up with friends or on a first date.
Practical Information
Address: 4086 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States
Call: +1 415-431-8616
Open: Mon-Sun – 12 pm – 2 am
8. Beaux
A girl having fun in a club by Abstral Official – Unsplash
Beaux is one of the Castro’s premier LGBTQIA+ venues. Beaux transforms from a craft cocktail lounge by day into a full dance club with revolving themed parties at night, a few being Vamp Mondays, Pan Dulce Wednesdays, Manimal Fridays, and Big Top Sundays, which features the stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
They also offer fun-filled drag brunch shows every Saturday and Sunday. The sound system at the bar is good, the drinks are stiff, and there’s a small space upstairs for whenever you need a minute to breathe.
Practical Information
Address: 2344 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States
Call: +1 415-431-8616
Open: Mon- Fri – 3 pm – 2 am Sat, Sun – 12 pm – 2am
9. Hi Tops
Hi Tops is a gay bar supplying top-shelf fast food and drinks plus TVs tuned to sports in a setting with gym décor. Hi Tops is known for crowded, mixed, raucous scenes on big game days, as well as a less sports-centric crowd on weekend and Thursday nights, which are the only party nights here, with go-go and shot boys and a locals-only scene.
There’s a cocktail menu and a food menu with an above-average burger and a great fried chicken sandwich, and trivia night on Tuesday which is pretty popular as well.
Practical Information
Address: 2247 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States
Call: +1 415-551-2500
Open: Mon-Wed – 12 pm – 12 am Thur, Fri – 12 pm – 2 am Sat, Sun – 10 am – 2 am
10. Pilsner Inn
Girls having fun in a club by Abstral Official – Unsplash
Since 1980, Pilsner Inn has been entertaining and quenching the thirsts of San Francisco’s gay community. Over the years they have maintained a deep commitment to many of the community’s sports teams, including softball, bowling, pool and many more.
The bar was voted Best Beer Selection in San Francisco several years by Citysearch, they proudly boast 30 draft beer selections served ice cold from a state-of-the-art draft system. Their full bar selection offers cocktail-drinking patrons a vast choice of liquors from around the world.
Practical Information
Address: 225 Church St, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States
Call: +1 415-621-7058
Open: Mon-Thur – 1 pm – 2 am Fri – Sun12 pm – 2 am
11. Friends & Family
Friends & Family is a woman-owned, queer-owned bar, and even the site of a beloved queer speed dating event, this business also as a conduit for numerous nonprofits and local organizations supporting various causes.
This bar also offers a range of drinks and cocktail offers to all its patrons. If you’re looking for a fun-filled night where you get to freely interact with the gay community, this is the spot for you.
Practical Information
Address: 111 Quint St, San Francisco, CA 94124, United States
Call: +1 415-400-4998
Open: Mon-Thur – 1 pm – 2 am Fri – Sun12 pm – 2 am
12. The Port Bar
A club by ibuki Tsubo – Unsplash
The Port Bar provides a DJ and drag queen to host in the BackSide Lounge from 7-9 p.m. This way the organization can focus on bringing out supporters and raising funds.
All beer sales during the 6-9 pm hours are donated to the beneficiary organization. This Festive LGBT-friendly watering hole is known for its potent cocktails in a vibrant, repurposed setting.
Practical Information
Address: 2023 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612, United States
Call: +1 510-823-2099
Open: Tue -Thur – 5 pm – 12 am Fri – Sat 3 pm – 1;45 am Sun 11 am -11 pm
13. Que Rico Nightclub
Que Rico Nightclub is the Bay Area’s Most Diverse Nightclub with the Hottest Drag Brunch featuring delicious Quesabirria with a touch of Drag and Unlimited Mimosas. Que Rico Nightclub and Restaurant was created by long-time Promoter in the LGBTQ+ Latin Community Valentino Presents. Valentino brings with him 15+ years of experience in the nightlife and restaurant business and is ready to give you the entertainment you deserve.
Having produced some of the biggest events in the Bay Area and produced some of the best Stages at Oakland Pride and San Francisco Pride, Valentino is all about bringing you top-notch entertainment and experiences.
Practical Information
Address: 381 15th St, Oakland, CA 94612, United States
Call: +1 510-823-2099
Open: Mon – 8 pm – 2 am Tue – 6 -11 pm Wed, Thur 5- 11 pm Fri, Sat – 5 pm – 2 am
Sun 11 am – 5 pm
14. Lone Star Saloon
Two girls in a club by Abstral Official – Unsplash
The Lone Star Saloon first opened its doors in 1989 on the corner of Howard and 7th. At first, it was a bar for old gay hippies. The Lone Star has been open for business and serving bears ever since. It is fair to say the bar has a very special place in a lot of people’s hearts, countless encounters started here, and some lead to marriages that are still strong to this day.
Most recently, the bar has been purchased by two of the longtime bartender’s Bruce and Charlie. Bruce and Charlie, as well as their crew, are determined to make you comfortable and show you a good time.
Practical Information
Address: 1354 Harrison St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Call: +1 415-863-9999
Open: Mon-Sat – 4 pm – 2 am Sun 2 pm – 2 am
15. Aunt Charlie’s Lounge
Aunt Charlie’s gay bar is known for really cheap drinks & drag shows on select evenings. Aunt Charlie’s plays host to a rotating cast of hip kids and neighbourhood bar flys, as well as tourists from all over who catch wind of the rag-tag and very old-school weekend drag shows.
This bar is a well-worn place that feels authentically San Francisco, and like a window into the gay dive bars that used to dot every neighbourhood in the city but are now mostly gone.
Practical Information
Address: 133 Turk St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States
Call: +1 415-441-2922
Open: Tue – Fri – 12 pm – 12 am Sat, Sun 10 am – 12 am Mon – 12 pm – 12am
16. Powerhouse
A club party by Andre Hunter – Unsplash
The Powerhouse Bar is unquestionably the biggest and most popular South of Market bar. They have set the style for no attitude, dirty, South of Market fun. Their style has been imitated all over the city, but it is here that you find the best pumping and cutting-edge music and the loveliest gay crowd.
The Powerhouse has a long history within its walls, dating back to the early ’70s. Anything goes in this gay leather bar with basic décor, stiff drinks and weekend crowds in the mood to cruise.
Practical Information
Address: 1347 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Call: +1 415-552-8689
Open: Wed-Sun – 4 pm – 2 am Mon – 4 pm – 12 am Tue – 8pm – 12am
17. San Francisco Eagle Bar
San Francisco Eagle Bar is a brand that has grown to embody the heritage of the venue it supports. Established in 1984 as one of the first “Leather” bars, the SF Eagle caters to the local LGBTQ+ community.
Through remarkable periods of exuberance, and revolutions in cultural expression, the SF Eagle remains an enduring symbol of pride to the LGBTQ+ community in San Francisco’s West SoMa district. Over the past 40 years, the SF Eagle has emerged as a rallying point, and community hub, attracting a vibrant and evolving patronage that makes the venue an integral part of San Francisco’s diverse character on the frontier of human social expression.
Practical Information
Address: 398 12th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Call: +1 415-552-8689
Open: Mon – Thur – 5 pm – 12 am Fri – 2pm – 2am Sat – 12 pm – 2am Sun – 12pm – 12am
18. OASIS
A neon sign in a club by Sam Mar – Unsplash
OASIS opened New Year’s Day 2015 in the heart of San Francisco’s SOMA district and offers an unforgettable San Francisco nightlife experience in an 8,000-square-foot converted gay bathhouse. OASIS’ diverse roster of programming includes local and visiting drag stars, cabaret and performing artists, live musical acts, amazing DJs and more.
OASIS is one of the biggest clubs in the San Fransisco area and is very community-focused and was a welcome addition to the otherwise dwindling nightlife landscape when it opened.
Practical Information
Address: 298 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Call: +1 415-795-3180
Open: Tue, Sun – 6 – 10 pm Thur – 6 pm – 12 am Fri, Sat – 6 pm – 2 am
Mon, Wed – Closed
19. Cat Club
The Cat Club has been an institution in the San Francisco nightlife scene for over three decades. Known for hosting some of the best events and parties from its long-running weekly 80’s night to monthly Goth/Industrial, New Wave, 70s Disco, and 90s Hip Hop nights and everything in between. Always a mixed scene of people and music, this nightclub likes to mix it up.
One google reviewer states, “This is the greatest nightclub in the Bay Area. Great nights, great drinks, great bartenders and staff and wonderful camaraderie. I always go there when I’m in town. Definitely my favourite. I can’t wait to go back the next time I’m in town!”
Practical Information
Address: 1190 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Open: Wed-Sat – 9 pm – 2 am Sun – Tue – Closed
20. El Rio
El Rio is an LGBTQ+ space that is welcoming to all good people. They actively invest in communities to promote social change. They actively invest in the local arts and music scene to give space for artists. They actively pursue underserved communities in the use of their space.
They have two indoor spaces and an outdoor patio with heaters. They do live big bands and acoustic and DJ music, film and art showings, comedy, drag, spoken word, jams, burlesque and fundraisers to no end.
