San Francisco - Alison Bing [155]
Lusty Lady (Map; 415-391-3991; 1033 Kearny St; admission per min 25¢; 11am-3am; 15) It’s owned by women, the strippers are unionized, and it operates like an old-fashioned peep show. Drop quarters into a slot in a private booth, and a nekkid woman dances behind glass till your quarters run out.
Mitchell Brothers O’Farrell Theater (Map; 415-776-6686; www.ofarrell.com; 895 O’Farrell St; admission $20-40; 11:30am-1:30am Mon-Thu, 11:30am-2:30am Fri & Sat, 5:30pm-1:30am Sun; 38) This infamous strip joint remains open, long after one of the founding brothers murdered the other. Jim and Artie Mitchell opened the theater in 1969 and began making porno, including the legendary Deep Throat, starring Marilyn Chambers. At its prime, the Mitchells’ multimillion-dollar empire included a production company and 11 California theaters. But the Mitchell brothers went the way of Cain and Abel, when Jim shot and killed Artie in 1991. He was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and served six years; a heart attack killed him in 2007. Despite its tawdry background, the O’Farrell Theater is generally regarded as a classy place (with a capital k). Even if you don’t go inside, ask to see the little porn museum by the door.
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RED DEVIL LOUNGE Map
415-921-1695; www.reddevillounge.com; 1695 Polk St; cover varies; from 8pm or 9pm, usually closed Sun & Mon; 19, 47
The up-and-coming and formerly famous (think Vanilla Ice and Sugar Hill Gang) play this narrow, intimate club. Your once-fave stars may have lost its luster, but console yourself with strong drinks.
RICKSHAW STOP Map
415-861-2011; www.rickshawstop.com; 155 Fell St; admission $5-35; 6pm-2am Wed-Sat; 40
Finally a club where 18-to-21-year-olds can (sometimes) get in for the high-school prom they wish they’d attended. Other nights the shabby-at-the-edges, nothing-fancy space and its changing lineup appeals to alterna-20-somethings. Friday it’s Blowup, big with the electro-indie crowd, when 18-and-over kids feature their hottest looks. Check the website for one-off shows and other parties.
RITE SPOT CAFE Map
415-552-6066; www.ritespotcafe.net; 2099 Folsom St; admission free; 4pm-2am; 16th St Mission
Possibly so-called because it’s the only spot for drinks around here, the Rite Spot is a tiny dive-bar and restaurant. You never know who’ll perform at the nightly music shows (think quirky lounge, burlesque piano and classic jazz), but it won’t be mainstream, and won’t be too loud for conversation.
SLIM’S Map
415-255-0333; www.slims-sf.com; 333 11th St; tickets $11-28; 5pm-2am; 9, 12, 47, F, J
Big acts like Prince and Elvis Costello have played this midsized club owned by R&B star Boz Skaggs, and usually you’ll find damn good touring and local bands. Shows are all-ages, though shorties may have a hard time seeing from the floor. Come early for burgers and fries.
THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE AT THE EAGLE Map
415-626-0880; www.sfeagle.com; 398 12th St; admission $5-10; from 9pm Thu; 9, 12, 47
It may be dead or packed, depending on the band, but there’s always music here on Thursdays, the only time you’ll see purses at the Eagle, an otherwise gay-only bar in a former light-industrial space, with a huge patio and big bar. Don’t come other nights unless you’re a motorcycle-riding leather-daddy.
WARFIELD Map
415-775-7722; tickets www.livenation.com; 982 Market St; cover varies; box office at the Fillmore 10am-4pm Sun, show nights 7:30-10pm; 6, 7, F; & Powell St
Famous names play this former vaudeville theater, including the Beastie Boys, PJ Harvey and the Dead. Get tickets at the Fillmore box office.
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NIGHTLIFE ACROSS THE BAY
Oakland and Berkeley have a wealth of unpretentious, often-unadvertised talent with die-hard local followings. Everyone knows