Gay San Francisco - Castro District
This the birth of all gay districts in the grand USA! Castro St. and Market St. marks the entry into the very first 'gay ghetto'. While indeed this area is quite gay, with all the shops we've come to love (think Diesel), and all the gay shops (where else to find our rainbow trinkets?), this is THE place to begin your journey bar-hopping. From here, work your way back on Market, going towards the financial district. The Café is the one place you have to check out, from there, it's all good!
Badlands
4121 18th St.
415-626-9320
Hours: open until 2am
1/2 block up from Castro; gay; includes: Dance floor with video screens, music rotates as played on the video screens. Clientele is so mixed in age range, so there is no certain group age. This is a medium- to large-size bar.
The Bar On Castro
456 Castro St.
Hours: M-F 3pm - 2am; Weekends 12pm -2am
Gay; includes 1 pool table and live DJ's playing Top 40 house to deep house, depending on the day of the week; Clientele is mainly men 21-35; nice social setting in a newly remodeled space. This is a medium size bar.
The Cafe
2367 Market St.
415-861-3846
Hours: 12:30pm - 2am daily
Gay; includes 2 pool tables, 1 pinball, and 1 video game. Live DJ's 7 nights a week. Very top 40's house music. Patio and balcony for smokers. Music: House, top 40, hip-hop. Clientele is well mixed gay men and woman every night of the week. The longest running dance club in the Castro. This is a large size club - holds 350 people.
Daddy's
440 Castro St.
415-621-8732
Hours: M-F 9am - 2 am; Weekends 8am- 2am
Gay; Deep Dark house music; Clientele is mainly men 30+ a leather bar for sure. A leather man's dream in the Castro! This space offers a great place to hang out and be cruised. This is a small bar.
The Detour
2348 Market St.
415-861-6053
Closed for remodeling; Gay; Includes: 1 pool table, 2 pinball, and 2 video games. Live DJ's every night. More to the deep house side. Clientele mainly men from 21-35 and if you don't get cruised you went to the wrong bar!!!!
The Edge
4149 18th St.
415-863-4027
Hours: M-Th 12pm-2am; Weekends 6am-2am
One block up from Castro; Gay; Clientele includes a collection of former Emperors and Empresses of SF. A bit of an older crowd; 40+. This is a small bar - holds 49.
Harvey's
4149 18th St.,
on the corner of Castro and 18th
415-431-4278
Hours: M-F 11am-2am; Weekends 9am-2am
Gay; The Gay "Hard Rock" of San Francisco! Clientele is mixed well here; mainly a bar with food in the day and evening. Drag shows from time to time. Just a nice place to have a drink with friends and watch the Castro as it happens. This is a small bar - holds 75.
The Lion Pub
2062 Divisadero
415-567-6565
Hours: 3 pm - 2 am daily
Nightlife; Includes a lounge space and fireplace. Clientele: 35 and over mixed straight and gay crowd. This is a small bar - holds 49.
The Men's Room
3988 18th St.
415-861-1310
Hours: 12pm-2am daily
Gay; Includes 1 pinball and 2 video games. Clientele mainly men 30+. Clean and a nice place for just having a few drinks. This is a small bar - holds 49.
The Metro
3600 Market St.
415-703-9750
Hours: 2:30pm-2am daily
Gay; includes: a balcony for smokers. Clientele is mixed men and women 21 - 40. Plays house music for the crowd on most nights with Karaoke on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is a medium bar - holds 99.
The Midnight Sun
4067 18th St.
415-861-4186
Hours: 12pm-2am Daily
Gay; Clientele would be the yuppies of the gay community! Well groomed Financial district folks who love to stand and model while chatting with friends. Nice crowd after work and on the weekends. This is a medium size bar - holds 60+.
The Mix (formerly known as Uncle Bert's Place)
4086 18th St.,
1 block down from Castro
415-431-8616
Hours: 6am-2am daily
Gay; includes 1 pool table, 1 pinball, 1 video game, back patio for smokers and, on weekends and special events, a grill selling food. Piped-in mixed music or from the jukebox. Clientele is a very good mix of men and women all of the time. Friendly people and a great place to catch a football game! This is a medium size bar - holds about 50+.
Moby Dicks
4040 18th St., 1 block down from Castro
Hours: 12pm-2am daily
Gay; includes 1 pool table, 4 pinballs, and 1 video game. Music is mainly house. Clientele is mainly men with a few ladies from time to time. This is a small bar holds about 50.
The Pendulum
4146 18th St.,
1 block up from Castro
415-863-4441
Hours: 6am-2am daily
Gay; includes 1 pool table, Smoking Patio, 5 video games, Live DJ's on weekends and holidays. Music varies. Clientele is mainly men of color and their admirers. This is a medium size bar - holds 174.
Twin Peaks
401 Castro St.
415-864-9470
Hours: 12pm-2am
Gay; Clientele is 40+ for the most part. This is a small bar.
Special Nights
Color Wheel
795 Valencia St.,
located at 22o2 Oxygen Bar
415-255-2102
Hours: 1st Saturday of each month 9pm - 4am.
Nightlife; includes: live DJ, 1 Dance Floor, 18+. Music: Down tempo, drum and Bass, house, dub, 2 step. Clientele is 18 - 35 years of age. This is a medium size bar holds around 125 people.
Lesbians
Alley Catz
4146 18th St. (Ladies' Party), located at the Pendulum
415-863-4441
Hours: 6pm - 2am every Thursday.
Includes: 1 pool table, 2 video games, Live DJ's, Large Smoking Patio; music: Hip-Hop, Funk, Rap, Dancehall; Clientele is mainly women 21+ everyone welcome; This is a small to medium size bar - holds 150+ people.
