Photo courtesy Nicolas Massé (CC)
Story by David Froehlich
Even though San Francisco has been statistically ranked the gayest city in the world, there were times that the nightlife was not reminiscent of that title until recently. With the opening of a handful new bars, establishment name changes, new owners and an assortment of new parties, San Francisco finally has something to call home about.
To start of in the epicenter, The Bar on Castro closed, moved and Q Bar reemerged with some new nightly parties featuring all the same friendly faces from behind the bar. Get your indie dance or rock jams on at Wanted on Monday nights or hang out with the girls on Tuesday’s for ladies night. Booty Call, with drag legend Juanita MORE! is on Wednesday nights and offers the best mid-week party in the city. Stop by and have your portrait taken in the back room with the weekly rotating art installation backdrops or watch the go-go boys, girls and trannies shake it like there is no going to work on Thursday.
Another newbie on the block is Toad Hall. The may be from the Harvey Milk days but the opening of this new bar where The Pendulum used to be has a new look and spacious dance floor, bar area and covered back patio in the back to mingle. A good choice when Badlands across the street is too crowded and they still offer a 2 for 1 happy hour special on drinks until 8:30pm.
Opening this summer in the old Expansion space on Market Street is the anticipated Blackbird Bar that will feature local artisanal craft beers and wines by the glass in a comfortable neighborhood bar setting. This might be old news for some, but The Metro bar overlooking Market Street became The Lookout awhile back and the deeply missed Transfer bar has now reopened as The BOC (Bar on Church) with a new look and some new weekly parties to satisfy someone.
Last but not least, the matchbook sized Men’s Room became The Last Call and can be a great stopping off point on your walk home.
With the all the new comers in the Castro, lets not forget about the old bars that kept us hydrated on those cold foggy nights. So enjoy them while they last, for the new places may be fun and exciting now but our old familiar bars will always be there for us when the newness wears off.
David Froehlich is part of Out Traveler.com's international team of Correspondents, reporting from around the world
on items of LGBT travel interest. If you would like to become a
Correspondent, e-mail us here after checking out our guidelines.
Been there. Done that. Don't miss the place.
Posted by: Liz Windsor | July 15, 2009 at 08:57 PM
Really? So, it's the number of gay bars that defines the "gayness" of a city? It isn't the fact that Gavin Newsom started marrying gay people because it was the right thing to do? It's not because San Francisco is home to a huge population of gay and lesbian people? It's not because the Bay Area's politics have been so friendly to gay, lesbian, and transgendered people?
I've lived in San Francisco since 1994. I am, in fact, a gay man. I have been to a gay bar about a dozen times since I've lived here--and only with friends... I've NEVER gone alone.
Please stop the inanity! Being gay has so much more than Abercrombie and Fitch, gay bars, and sex. Please stop reinforcing stereotypes.
Posted by: Tom | July 15, 2009 at 10:30 PM
You know TOM....Im really tired of you sanctimonious gay bar bashers. You may not enjoy going to bars, but some people do. Some people also enjoy gardening, photography, and internet porn. None of those are right for everyone. But when you criticize something that other gay people enjoy, you are basically saying you think you are better then them. Well, you arent. You will never be better then me and I will not tolerate your pretentions. I enjoy gay bars and have a good time being there. I am comfortable knowing the people there are gay, and I can relax and not worry about being judged or beat the crap out of by some stupid drunk straight ass. I can dance, flirt, drink, and enjoy myself. If its not what you enjoy, thats fine, but dont you dare pass judgment on me.
Posted by: Homohirsutus | July 16, 2009 at 01:26 AM
Hell yeah Homo... get it! I couldn't agree more. Gay people for the most part aren't like straight people... and honestly I don't want to be. Regardless of whether most of us fit stereotypes or not... we should have civil rights and we WILL eventually. Trying to be more "straight acting" whether it be in walk, talk or avoiding the gay "scene" is counterproductive. You may want to go back in the closet but I'll pass. One of the great joys of being gay for a lot of us is that we don't get tied down to the same traditional roles as straight people... it's a good thing and makes me glad to be gay. If I want to keep partying occasionally into my 50's... I can... and chances are most of my friends will be right along side me the whole time. Life is meant to be lived and straight people miss out on that by trying to conform to what they're "supposed to be doing". For a lot of us those friends that we go out with ARE our families... and WAY closer and more connected than most "real" families. So stereotype me... I don't care... my life doesn't revolve around trying to avoid your stereotypes. My life is about having fun and making the most of it... and if that is a gay stereotype... so be it.
Posted by: Jason | July 16, 2009 at 05:06 AM
what about trigger? which brings a different feel to the bars in the castro? and sad to say this... but the bars in boystown are kicking SF's ass. If your going to rate a city's gayness by it's bars then actually find the cities that have the best bars.
Posted by: David | July 16, 2009 at 05:17 AM
Um guys, this article was about night life. Why don't we all take a chill pill :) I'm not a club goer, either, but if a friend wants to go, I'll go with them. I agree that it would be refreshing to see other interests given a bit more attention, but maybe in another section of gay or out.com ;)
Posted by: Bryan | July 16, 2009 at 07:57 AM
The writing in this article was maybe worthy of a mediocre high-schooler. What (lack of) decision-making led to this drivel being posted for public consumption?
Posted by: David Q. Cooke | July 16, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Most of the opnions here just show that we gay are still not confortable enough about our sexuality and "what is be gay" so bars, dance clubs, and just relax at home are nice depending on your preference.
deep inside most gays still do not accept themselves as a plurality of genrers. all must be accepted and respected.
if we just look at straight mind, they are all different eventhough a generous part of them act similarly. why cant we act similarly without be "taget"?
Posted by: Denis | July 16, 2009 at 12:42 PM
I really think San Francisco has much more to offer than gay bars and parties. Maybe we should list the great independent theater groups, film festivals, the broad range of neighborhoods that are also gay friendly outside the Castro district. San Francisco is the most livable city for gays and lesbians in the country. The most important point that hasn't been made clear is we can enjoy the entire city openly gay. We are not trapped in a gay district as in many other cities.
Posted by: Carl | July 16, 2009 at 12:52 PM
I do not go out but am glad there are more options for people to go out to in the Castro and it looks like this article was an update on that and just that. Get your panties out of a bunch and be glad there are more options for people to go out to.
Posted by: Mark S | July 17, 2009 at 02:07 AM