Claire
Raise your glasses, San Francisco. We’re cheers-ing to your rolling hills, hipster vibes, and passion for a fun-fueled, never-ending night out in the Bay area.
This beautiful city is a nesting ground for hip bars with fun twists, and the bustling areas offer hundreds of bars and clubs for the young San Franciscan looking to spread his or her drunken wings and fly.
So let us help you out.
Below lies your guide to a collection of 35 SF bars and clubs that will take your nighttime adventures to the next level.
Grab a drink and start going down the list. May the odds be ever in your favor.
Mission
Blondies – Mission
Channel your inner James Bond and hit up a martini-only bar. Don’t like martini’s? Better learn to. The portions are so big you essentially get 2 for 1 with every drink. Oh, and live music. As if it wasn’t good enough already.
Double Dutch – Mission
For all those hip hop and R&B lovers looking to groove: there’s finally a bar that will play the music you love all night. Just be prepared for a younger scene — and you better bet this younger scene knows how to dance.
Latin America Club – Mission
A night that starts at Latin America Club is a guaranteed good night — just not necessarily one you’ll remember. Their margaritas are strong enough to get you more than a little buzzed, especially since they come in a pint glass. Best $12 you’ll ever spend.
Make out room – Mission
The perfect place to get sloppy with cheap drinks, lots of dancing, and unique decorations. The killer DJ doesn’t hurt.
Elbo Room – Mission
Cheap Drinks + Fun Venue + Photobooth = Amazing drunk pictures to remind you what happened last night. You’re welcome.
Zeitgeist – Mission
Ahh, day drinking. With picnic tables outside, delicious food, and a large selection of craft beers, you officially have an excuse to get your buzz on early in the afternoon. Enjoy this hipster scene, and the eclectic people you meet there. Cheers.
Sycamore – Mission
Indiana Jones’ of the world, unite. And beer loving people who think fresh air might be good for their health, you can join too. Hit up the dollar off happy hour every day as you enjoy outdoor picnic tables with friendly fellow drinkers.
Beauty Bar – Mission
Here’s a twist for your average dance club: there’s a station where you can get your nails done. Maybe not the best setting for a relaxing manicure, but once it’s done you’re two steps away from a raging dance floor and wild DJ.
El Rio – Mission
Everyone’s favorite dive bar because (wait for it) FREE food. Unheard of, we know. This fun, mysterious looking dive bar gives out free oysters to the crowd on Friday’s. If the weather’s nice you can enjoy their spacious patio while you drain cheap drink after cheap drink.
Marina/Cow Hollow
Bar none – Marina/Cow Hollow
Back it on up into your undergrad days with this amazing, grungy college scene. Toss back cheap drinks while you win hearts with those stellar beer pong skills of yours.
Jaxons – Marina/Cow Hollow
Get your fix of southern comfort at one of the hottest country spots in SF. Dancing, good drinks, and all the southern feels you desire. Bring out your cowboy boots.
East Side West – Marina/Cow Hollow
Your easy go-to sports bar in a happening area of SF. Good food. Good beer. Good times.
Palm House – Marina/Cow Hollow
It’s your fratty Marina vibe with a tropical twist. Drink away your work week blues with the help of Palm House’s Caribbean style. Pina Coladas in coconuts. Need we say more?
Brixton – Marina/Cow Hollow
The ultimate fix for all the foodies out there. Don’t miss the chance to indulge in Brixton’s mouth-watering eats before ordering drinks and beginning the nighttime festivities. Maybe not the place to end your night, but the gastropub makes a solid starting place to sip on some liquid courage.
Stock & Trade – Marina/Cow Hollow
One of the most Marina-y of the Marina bars. Stumble in for a fratty/undergrad feel with drinks aplenty and room for dancing.
Duboce Triangle
Brewcade – Duboce Triangle
This bar is your 14-year-old dreamland, but better. Because it has wine slushies. Sip from a long list of craft beers, wine, and carbonated cocktails as you confidently crush your competitors in games like pac-man and pinball.
Blackbird – Duboce Triangle
Although considered a predominantly gay bar to some, this SF hub’s chill ambiance, strong drinks from mixology experts, and good music will please the masses. Get ready for good times with a diverse group of fun, friendly, SF people.
Beaux – Duboce Triangle
Special shout out to everyone’s favorite SF gay club, featuring a 2-for-1 happy hour everyday until 8. Good vibes and ready-to-rage attitudes only.
Financial District
Pagan idol – Financial District
Now throw ya fists in the air for SF’s fav tiki bar. It’s the tropical vacation your 20something-year-old self needs, but can’t afford, after spending all your money on Coachella tickets. We feel you. So get your drunken R&R fix with the help of volcanic explosions and those cool-looking drink bowls with really long straws.
Kels – Financial District
The ultimate SF Irish pub, where you can get down and dirty in close proximity to a packed, Guinness-filled group of fellow young to mid twenty-year-olds. Not always recommended for people who enjoy a so-called “personal bubble.” P.S. No cover after midnight.
SoMa
Bootie – SoMa
The solution to your routine bar game. Open only on Saturday night’s, the post 10pm $20 cover is worth the splurge. With different rooms featuring different shows and music styles, Bootie’s is a bunch of dance clubs rolled into one beautiful venue.
Butter – SoMa
Hipsters of the world: Here is a bar unrivaled by any other. Butter seems an appropriate name upon entrance, because the delicious buttery popcorn, free for all patrons, is always a fan favorite. Also, Jello Shots. Throw ya hands up.
Audio – SoMa
Its location next to the famed Butter officially gives you reason to never go anywhere but SoMa for nighttime rendezvous on Friday and Saturday. Get your fist pumping with their house music and impressive DJs.
DNA Lounge – SoMa
One of the SF dance clubs you can manage to never get sick of. Stumble into different rooms with themes and music styles that will keep you going all night. Find the pizza section for when you need nourishment. The fan favorite? Bootie night every Saturday.
Driftwood – SoMa
A bar you can be sure Captain Jack Sparrow would love. Inspired by a classy, shipwreck-y feel, this cozy bar is the place to go for a mellow vibe, good drinks, and live music. Enjoy the chill vibe with a one of a kind cocktail.
North Beach
Maggie McGarry’s – North beach
One of the most popular places to get your drank on with friendly Irish owners, a crowd full of lively people, and live music. Other perks? Step out of the bar and into an area will all the late night pizza you could dream of.
The Saloon – North Beach
Calling all vintage hipsters. This bar has been ruling the SF scene since 1861, and remains today as the city’s oldest bar. Standout for their unreal music and intimate setting.
Tupelo – North Beach
Here, you will become a star. Grab your food, grab your beer, and then grab your mic. It’s time for Tuesday karaoke ft. DJ Purple, who will play the smoothest saxophone beats behind your soon-to-be famous vocals. And if you’re a fun-hater and not into karaoke, go for the live music and good vibes.
Kennedy’s Irish Pub and Curry House – North Beach
Indian food next to an air hockey table next to a bar that gives you 2 for 1 tokens at happy hour. It’s the most unexpected combination of Irish and Indian, leading to one of the best drunk food experiences you could possibly imagine.
Other Spots
Harper and Rye – Nob Hill
Cocktail extraordinaire. A homey place that will have you questioning why you ever suffered through plain vodka soda’s and warm college kegs when there are cocktails this good in the world.
Dogpatch Saloon – Dogpatch
The place to be on a night you’re looking to enjoy craft beers and creative cocktails all while being able to hear yourself think. Not having food actually works in their favor — because now you can bring that damn good pizza from down the road into the bar with you.
Toronado – Lower Haight
Look like a regular and enter this chill beer bar with a sausage in hand from Rosalita’s next door. Enjoy the popular bar full of beer snobs like yourself looking for the perfect brew.
Mad Dog In The Fog – Lower Haight
Your sports bar and dive bar dreams have been answered. A perfect place for people that enjoy simplicity. Choose from beer or wine, dive into the delicious foods, and enjoy the games playing on every screen. To get the true Mad Dog experience, show up to trivia night at 9pm on Thursdays.
The Little Shamrock – Inner Sunset
The chillest bar for the chillest of the chill SF homies. After choosing a generously poured drink, sit on a cozy couch and pick up one of the many board games they have to offer. It’s like childhood, but better. Because there are $4 pints.
Mikkeller Bar – Union Square
The Danes know their beer, and they did us the honor of bringing a Danish microbrewery to SF. This trendy spot has some of the best craft beers you will ever taste, as well as killer food to go along with it. It’s the perfect meal to make sure you can handle more beer. Get there quick, though, it doesn’t stay quiet for long.