Nightlife Nip and Tuck in the Castro

Photo courtesy Nicolas Massé (CC)
Story by David Froehlich

Even though San Francisco has been statistically ranked the gayest city in the world, there were times that the nightlife was not reminiscent of that title until recently. With the opening of a handful new bars, establishment name changes, new owners and an assortment of new parties, San Francisco finally has something to call home about.

To start of in the epicenter, The Bar on Castro closed, moved and Q Bar reemerged with some new nightly parties featuring all the same friendly faces from behind the bar. Get your indie dance or rock jams on at Wanted on Monday nights or hang out with the girls on Tuesday’s for ladies night. Booty Call, with drag legend Juanita MORE! is on Wednesday nights and offers the best mid-week party in the city. Stop by and have your portrait taken in the back room with the weekly rotating art installation backdrops or watch the go-go boys, girls and trannies shake it like there is no going to work on Thursday.

Another newbie on the block is Toad Hall. The may be from the Harvey Milk days but the opening of this new bar where The Pendulum used to be has a new look and spacious dance floor, bar area and covered back patio in the back to mingle. A good choice when Badlands across the street is too crowded and they still offer a 2 for 1 happy hour special on drinks until 8:30pm.

Opening this summer in the old Expansion space on Market Street is the anticipated Blackbird Bar that will feature local artisanal craft beers and wines by the glass in a comfortable neighborhood bar setting. This might be old news for some, but The Metro bar overlooking Market Street became The Lookout awhile back and the deeply missed Transfer bar has now reopened as The BOC (Bar on Church) with a new look and some new weekly parties to satisfy someone.

Last but not least, the matchbook sized Men’s Room became The Last Call and can be a great stopping off point on your walk home. With the all the new comers in the Castro, lets not forget about the old bars that kept us hydrated on those cold foggy nights. So enjoy them while they last, for the new places may be fun and exciting now but our old familiar bars will always be there for us when the newness wears off.

 David Froehlich is part of Out Traveler.com's international team of Correspondents, reporting from around the world on items of LGBT travel interest. If you would like to become a Correspondent, e-mail us here after checking out our guidelines.

Photo courtesy Nicolas Massé (CC)
Story by David Froehlich

Even though San Francisco has been statistically ranked the gayest city in the world, there were times that the nightlife was not reminiscent of that title until recently. With the opening of a handful new bars, establishment name changes, new owners and an assortment of new parties, San Francisco finally has something to call home about.

To start of in the epicenter, The Bar on Castro closed, moved and Q Bar reemerged with some new nightly parties featuring all the same friendly faces from behind the bar. Get your indie dance or rock jams on at Wanted on Monday nights or hang out with the girls on Tuesday’s for ladies night. Booty Call, with drag legend Juanita MORE! is on Wednesday nights and offers the best mid-week party in the city. Stop by and have your portrait taken in the back room with the weekly rotating art installation backdrops or watch the go-go boys, girls and trannies shake it like there is no going to work on Thursday.

Another newbie on the block is Toad Hall. The may be from the Harvey Milk days but the opening of this new bar where The Pendulum used to be has a new look and spacious dance floor, bar area and covered back patio in the back to mingle. A good choice when Badlands across the street is too crowded and they still offer a 2 for 1 happy hour special on drinks until 8:30pm.

Opening this summer in the old Expansion space on Market Street is the anticipated Blackbird Bar that will feature local artisanal craft beers and wines by the glass in a comfortable neighborhood bar setting. This might be old news for some, but The Metro bar overlooking Market Street became The Lookout awhile back and the deeply missed Transfer bar has now reopened as The BOC (Bar on Church) with a new look and some new weekly parties to satisfy someone.

Last but not least, the matchbook sized Men’s Room became The Last Call and can be a great stopping off point on your walk home. With the all the new comers in the Castro, lets not forget about the old bars that kept us hydrated on those cold foggy nights. So enjoy them while they last, for the new places may be fun and exciting now but our old familiar bars will always be there for us when the newness wears off.

 David Froehlich is part of Out Traveler.com's international team of Correspondents, reporting from around the world on items of LGBT travel interest. If you would like to become a Correspondent, e-mail us here after checking out our guidelines.