Best LGBT Bars in San Francisco

A gay bar of the classic variety, it caters to bikers, daddies, leather-clad folk and pretty much all and sundry. There is a lot going on here during the week with events such as lesbian night, charity benefits, contests, open mic nights, live performances and pot luck dinners. Theme nights are pretty interesting too, giving bikes, beards, and tattoos their special time in the spotlight. Although primarily a gay bar with a touch of leather and bondage, all are welcomed here with equal enthusiasm. Service is friendly and the drinks are great, so come on by for a taste of the vibrant SF nightlife.

Tucked snugly in a Bernal Heights Victorian, Wild Side West is a second home to many city locals. Although it is primarily a gay/lesbian bar, everyone is welcome to enjoy a drink here. The knick-knacks, hanging art, and cozy atmosphere are pleasant and familiar. The blood-red pool table, on the other hand like the bar itself, is one of a kind. Settle back with your favorite drinks and enjoy the mellow ambiance and friendly clientele.

This popular biker bar is not the scene some biker bars can be. At the Long Star Saloon, you will find neither fashion police nor attitudes, just serious drinking and leather wearing. Check out the Sunday beer bust where you can drink all you want for a few dollars. It is a great place to hang out the rest of the week, too, with a vibrant leather scene on which to feast your eyes and bartenders.

Hi Tops is not only a gay bar but also a sports bar. Nestled in the Castro neighborhood, this casual hangout welcomes all into its lively ambiance. Television screens, displaying various sports, dot the walls, around which like-minded fans cheer for their favorite players while drinking cocktails and beers. The menu features a delicious array of finger foods. On offer are sandwiches, corn dog, pretzels, chili and burger, but the most popular of all is their Buffalo Wings.

The cigar-store Native American is your first clue that heading in here is like heading back to the Old West. Hitch yourself to the bar and enjoy a beer. Or mosey to the back, past the two pool tables, to a roofed patio complete with every cowpoke's favorites such as a wood burning fire and a right fine BBQ. The Cinch is a great place to laze away an afternoon or evening while making new friends or hanging out with old ones.

The Edge is a popular gay bar with a friendly atmosphere in the Castro. Happy hour is particularly happy here which lasts an extended time and features some amazing deals. Drop in, make new friends, enjoy the scene and find out how amazing this long happy hour is. With Cheap drinks, fun live events, and a great atmosphere, The Edge one of the best gay bars in city as well as one of the most budget friendly nightspots.

Aunt Charlie's Lounge is an unpretentious neighborhood kind of joint, which just happens to put on drag shows. It is a welcome refuge for older gay men seeking to escape the glitter and loud volume of trendier bars. It is an old-fashioned kind of place to get a drink and have conversation without the glitz, without the hype and without the hipper-than-thou attitude. The mood is friendly and the atmosphere is mellow, making it a great place to hang out and unwind. The place is famous for its 'Suicide Tuesdays'.

For decades, Twin Peaks Tavern has been one of the bars of choice for older Castro men. The interior, like the atmosphere, is quiet and slightly upscale. Most patrons here are quite handsome, well dressed, and well to do. However, the view from the floor-to-ceiling windows rivals anything you might look at inside. This tavern is on one of the district's most popular corners. Some people even think of it as the Castro's ground zero.

Some people complain that the Castro has commercialized and trendy. If so, then Pilsner Inn is one of the last authentic Castro establishments. Unpretentious and down to earth, this is a good bar to meet old friends or to find some new ones. The atmosphere is game-oriented, with pool, darts, and a smoking patio. Microbrew fans will enjoy the glycol beer system, consisting of 15 different home-made draft varieties.

Trax is hot, hip and definitely happening. If you are tired of the subdued and refined wine bars populated by thirty-somethings, and do not fit in at the hipster dive bars, this is the place to visit. As one regular patron pointed out, the drinks are cheap, so the decor is inconsequential. Nightly drink and cocktail specials are offered, as well. For the more in tune, however, the scene is relatively comfortable. The low-burning colored lights and the plush chairs are inviting, and encourage a long night of drinking and people-watching.