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Scoma's
Hidden on a tranquil pier between the bay and Fisherman’s Wharf’s bustling main shopping street, this old-school San Francisco seafood restaurant would be worth visiting even if it…
The Grove
Though not a destination in itself, this comfy outpost of a popular local cafe chain is the right place to come in Hayes Valley for a fortifying, generous “healthy-ish” meal at a great…
RT Rotisserie
“Fast-casual” is quickly becoming the new norm for San Francisco restaurateurs as they seek to offset the soaring costs of doing business in this city. Still, it’s pretty awesome to…
Tommy's Joynt
This San Francisco institution is a love-it-or-loathe-it kind of place, where vibrant murals outside and flea–market decor inside set the perfect scene for ultracasual cafeteria-style…
Alembic
What started out as a casual-yet-refined cocktail escape from the grungy Haight Street vibe is now known as a great place to eat. Plunk yourself at a window seat for fantastic…
Bimbo's 365 Club
Family-owned-and-operated since 1931, this intimate, retro-stylish North Beach performance venue still manages to be hip, with its wide variety of fresh musical acts (I’ve seen Beck…
The Boom Boom Room
To get a sense of what San Francisco was like when Fillmore Street was the most important scene for West Coast blues, head to this little venue that packs a big sound. Opened by the…
Bottom of the Hill
One of the few places in town to offer a ton of all-ages shows, this Potrero Hill venue’s savvy programming (and excellent sound system) bring in the crowds. You’ll hear everything…
The Chapel
Named 2013’s best new live venue by SF Weekly, this bar/restaurant/venue is still an incredible place to catch dinner and a show in the Mission District. You don’t even need to change…
The Fillmore
Though concert halls around the nation are now called the Fillmore, this is the original, and it’s a treasure of San Francisco history. In the 1960s it was the heartbeat of San…
Great American Music Hall
Acts and audiences alike revere this saloon-like ballroom in the Tenderloin that recalls San Francisco’s scandalous past. Opened by a crooked politician as Blanco’s Café, at one time…
SFJAZZ
The only structure in the U.S. built just for jazz, this $64-million building, which debuted in 2013, is a must-visit for music fans. The lineup consists mostly of jazz, though…
Badlands
The barely legal Abercrombie crowd comes here to dance under the giant disco ball and throw back happy hour two-for-one cocktails, from 3 to 8pm Monday through Saturday. Videos blast…
Diva’s Nightclub and Bar
Located in the Tenderloin, all is not as it appears at this transgender-friendly dance and drag bar. Want to go back to school? Naughty schoolgirls appear each Wednesday at 10pm. The…
440 Castro
At this warm and fuzzy bear bar for the Levis-and-leather crowd, most cruise between the video bar downstairs to the dark intimate bar up a few stairs in the back. Always popular,…
The Lexington Club
San Francisco’s premier lesbian bar features a full roster of events, an always-busy pool table, cheap drinks and a chill atmosphere. For those on the prowl, it’s also commended for…
The Lookout
With two walls of glass and a massive deck looking down on the heart of the Castro, this karaoke bar is a good place to dance and belt out your best rendition of “I Will Survive.”…
Twin Peaks Tavern
Known locally as the gay “Cheers,” Twin Peaks was the first gay bar in the country to unblock the floor-to-ceiling windows and let the world see just what was going on inside. It sits…
Bar Agricole
In mixology circles, the name Thad Vogler carries major weight. He’s the drink master behind this chic, sleek cocktail bar, which opts for a look of modern sophistication with clean…
Bourbon & Branch
Meet San Francisco’s modern-day speakeasy, right down to the password you have to give at the door to get in. The folks behind Bourbon & Branch are determined to create an…
Burrit Room
If you want a Prohibition-era cocktail without the fussiness and exclusivity of Bourbon & Branch, pop into this stylish upstairs bar in Union Square’s Mystic Hotel. Some of the…
Edinburgh Castle
An oldie but a goodie (founded in 1958), this Scottish pub has the finest selection of single-malt scotches in the city as well as a number of unusual British ales on tap. Beloved of…
Local Edition
Hidden in the bowels of the historic Hearst Building on Market Street, this subterranean bar pays homage to San Francisco’s newspaper history, while its craft cocktails nod to the…
Smuggler’s Cove
Behind a nondescript Gough Street exterior lies this pirate-y tiki bar which also happens to be one of the world’s best bars. The space is transformed into a vintage pirate ship a la…
Terroir Natural Wine Merchant
With its rustic wooden beams and a library loft—not to mention a selection of wines to rival any Napa or Sonoma store—this is the oenophile’s Shangri-La. Sit at the bar and get an…