San Francisco - Alison Bing [147]
MINT Map Bar
415-626-4726; www.themint.net; 1942 Market St; noon-2am; 22, F, J
Die-hard singers comb through giant books for the perfect song at this mixed-straight-gay karaoke bar, where show tunes are serious stuff. Best with a big posse.
SUGAR LOUNGE Map Bar
415-255-7144; www.sugarloungesf.com; 377 Hayes St; 4-11:30pm Mon-Thu, to 2am Fri & Sat; 21
Cozy low-slung velvet snugs, chill down-tempo beats, red lights and rock-candy-like wall sconces set a sexy mood at this tiny Hayes Valley bar, ideal after the symphony or opera, or for catching a buzz after shopping for strappy sandals up the street.
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top picks
FOR BEER
Toronado (opposite)
Church Key
Edinburgh Castle
Zeitgeist
Beach Chalet Microbrewery (below)
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MOMI TOBY’S REVOLUTION CAFé Map Cafe
415-626-1508; 528 Laguna St; 7:30am-10pm Mon-Thu, 7:30am-11pm Fri, 8am-10pm Sat & Sun; 6, 7, 21, 71
For once, a cafe that’s not an internet port. Dig the boho scene, with artists on both sides of the counter, swilling coffee and wine. Take sun at outdoor tables, or snag a window seat inside and meet the locals. There’s another location in the Mission that hosts Classical Revolution on Sundays.
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GOLDEN GATE PARK & THE AVENUES
540 CLUB Map Bar
415-752-7276; www.540-club.com; 540 Clement St; 11am-2am; 2, 44
Regulars love to party at this neighborhood bar inside a former bank with two-story-high coffered ceilings, dusty red velvet curtains and cool pop art. Bartenders pull 12 brews on tap, and everyone seems to know each other – you will too after a couple of games of darts.
BEACH CHALET MICROBREWERY Map Bar
415-386-8439; www.beachchalet.com; 1000 Great Hwy; 9am-10pm Sun-Thu, to 11pm Fri & Sat; 5, 18, 31, 38, N
Gaze over the Pacific with microbrewed beer at the Beach Chalet. There’s always a long wait here, but that’s OK because it gives you time to admire the downstairs 1930s Works Project Administration (WPA) frescoes, showing a condensed history of San Francisco and the development of Golden Gate Park.
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top picks
FOR WINE
Hôtel Biron
Cav Wine Bar
California Wine Merchant
Yield
Bubble Lounge
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BITTER END Map Bar
415-421-7033; 441 Clement St; 4pm-2am Mon-Fri, 11am-2am Sat & Sun; 1, 2, 33, 38, 44
Tuesday-night trivia is big at this beat-up pub with worn wood floors, big tables for six, two pool tables and an overlit dart board. Pretty good pub grub makes it a good spot to start the night.
PLOUGH & THE STARS Map Bar
415-751-1122; www.theploughandstars.com; 116 Clement St; 3pm-2am Mon-Thu, 2pm-2am Fri-Sun; 1, 2, 33, 38
Rumor has it the owners here are celebrities back in the Emerald Isle, which would explain how they manage to pull in top Celtic talent with little fanfare or advance warning. Other nights, shoot pool, throw darts and make merry with neighborhood locals.
TRAD’R SAM’S Map Bar
415-221-0773; 6150 Geary Blvd; 11am-2am; 2, 29, 38
Snag a rattan island-themed booth at this threadbare faux-tiki gem. Classic-kitsch lovers order the Hurricane, which comes with two straws to share for a reason: drink it by yourself and it’ll blow you away.
JAVA BEACH CAFé Map Cafe
415-665-5282; www.javabeachcafe.com; 1396 La Playa St; 6am-11pm; 18, N;
Fearless surfers fuel up on coffee and carbs at the last stop on the N Judah, right before the beach. If it’s not foggy, score an outdoor table, but we prefer to sit inside and cruise the dudes.
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NIGHTLIFE
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COMEDY
CLUBBING
LIVE MUSIC
JAZZ, BLUES & FUNK
PUNK & METAL
ROCK
SALSA & SWING
LOUNGES
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top picks
Yoshi’s
Qoöl
Triple Crown
Cafe Cocomo
Beach Blanket Babylon
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What’s your recommendation? www.lonelyplanet.com/san-francisco
If you’ve been misled to believe there’s such a thing as a clubbing ‘strip’ in SF, think again. This city spreads