San Francisco gay guide 2024, gay bars, clubs & hotels

Gay San Francisco

San Francisco is a city ruled by love and celebration of diversity, where the Castro neighbourhood is one of the original LGBTQ neighbourhoods in the USA and the queer hub of the city. Shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs cater welcome everyone, and any place that isn’t explicitly queer is bound to be accepting. Visitors can explore LGBTQ history, visit the Rainbow Honor Walk, and experience a huge drag and nightlife scene. San Francisco’s annual pride is also the biggest gathering of LGBTQ people in the country, and the city is widely regarded as the queer capital of the USA.

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San Francisco Gay Bars

GayMapper brings you information about gay bars and cruising bars in the city. Here are the top choices, read more about these bars or click below to see listings of all gay venues in this city.

Cinch Saloon

Outdoor Seating

The Cinch Saloon is the only gay bar left on Polk Street, the place where San Francisco's reputation for queer nightlife all began. It's got an old-fashioned gay bar with dive vibes and a western theme where all identities are welcome, and offers strong drinks, pool tables, pinball, DJs and absolutely no attitude. The patio at the back is a place to smoke and relax with one of the many good but very cheap beers on tap.

Aunt Charlie's Lounge

Drag, Cocktails

Aunt Charlie's Lounge is an eclectic Tenderloin gay bar known for its amazingly cheap drinks and popular drag shows. It's a small place but full of warmth and character, from the pink-lit cocktail lounge to the lively and entertaining drag acts. Friday and Saturday night drag shows are particularly popular and draw a friendly local crowd, and there's a dance party every Thursday with a local legend DJ. The bar is reliably packed with great people looking for a fun night.

SF Eagle

Bear, Older Crowd, Fetish, Outdoor Seating

The SF Eagle has been an important meeting spot in the West SOMA community for more than thirty-five years. The bar welcomes everyone from leathermen to bears to pups and all their admirers, so you'll find a broad cross-section on San Francisco gathered together on the patio of this bar. You can be yourself and make new friends over beers, live music, karaoke, themed parties, and comedy nights.

Beaux

Cocktails, Dancing, Dancers

Beaux is one of The Castro's newest gay venues and is open seven days and nights a week. This versatile bar is the perfect place to meet with friends or make new ones, as it seamlessly transitions from a craft cocktail lounge by day to a lively dance club at night. With a daily 2-for-1 Happy Hour and a party every night, it's no wonder that Beaux is already so popular with the local queer community.

Moby Dick

Cosy, Sports

This long-time Castro neighbourhood watering hole exudes a laid-back with games and a number of TVs that play music videos and sports. This spot hasn't changed much since first it opened in the 1980s and it continues to welcome everyone with its friendly and homely vibe. Nightly drink specials make it a local favourite for a relaxed night with friends, complete with pool, pinball, video games, and of course the fish tank behind the bar.

Ginger's

Drag, Cocktails

Financial District gay bar with drag shows and DJ's, serving cocktails named after historic LGBTQ mainstays. This fairly new addition to the LGBTQ scene is a throwback to the classic gay bars that were once prominent in the area, paying homage to traditional cocktail lounges with a range of reimagined drinks. With a pool table, dance parties, karaoke, and drag shows, Ginger's is the perfect spot to unwind or catch up with friends.

San Francisco Gay Bars

Recommended gay friendly hotels in San Francisco

GayMapper brings you a curated selection of accommodation gay destinations around the world, which are in preferred locations and are welcoming to LGBTQ+ travellers. Grab a great deal on your hotel stay when you book via GayMapper!

3* Beck's Motor Lodge

Beck's Motor Lodge is located in the Castro, one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the heart of San Francisco and has long been a favourite with gay travellers. Recently refurbished, it is nestled on a tree-lined street near local attractions. Free WiFi and free parking are included. A small refrigerator and cable TV are provided in each guest room at Beck's Motor Lodge. An en suite bathroom is included. While staying at the lodge, guests can enjoy a spacious sundeck. The motel also provides on-site laundry facilities. Beck's Motor Lodge is ideally located only moments from the city's historic cable car lines, offering direct access to Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square. Dolores Park and San Francisco's Mission District are just 15 minutes' walk away from this motel. A number of antique shops, cafes and unique stores are located in the neighbourhood.

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3* Hampton Inn Downtown

Featuring a fitness centre, Hampton Inn San Francisco Downtown/Convention Center offers rooms with free WiFi. The hotel is conveniently located 700 m from Union Square. A cable TV and seating area is provided in each guest room at this hotel. Private bathrooms come with a bath or shower. Free breakfast is served daily at Hampton Inn San Francisco Downtown/Convention Center. A 24-hour reception is available. Other facilities offered at the property include luggage storage. San Francisco City Hall is 1 km away. San Francisco International Airport is 19 km away.

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3* Kensington Park Hotel

Situated 2 minutes' walk from Union Square and a classic Cable Car stop, this San Francisco hotel is in the heart of downtown San Francisco shops, galleries and restaurants. All elegant rooms offer free WiFi. Styled in white fine linens, each room features black out drapes, mahogany furnishings and a light-up mirror at Kensington Park Hotel - A Personality Hotel. A flat-screen cable TV and free spa toiletries in the en suite bathroom are offered. A spacious desk and coffee-making facilities are also provided. The Grand Lobby reception offers sherry pours each evening for guests of Kensington Park Hotel - A Personality Hotel. Dry cleaning services are offered to all guests. A business centre and a 24-hour reception are also provided. Designed in ocean-inspired details, The Farallon Restaurant features coastal cuisine and spacious booths for dining pleasure. Guests can marvel at custom shiny shell imprints in the architecture and blue tile artistry throughout. Fisherman's Wharf is 25 minutes' cable car ride away. The Ferry Building shops, restaurants and ferries to Sausalito and Tiburon are 1.6 km away from Kensington Park Hotel. San Francisco International Airport is 40 minutes' drive away.

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3* Parker Guest House

Parker Guest House is located very near the Castro gay area in San Francisco. Just steps away from all that the area has to offer including its famous attractions, amazing shops, trendy restaurants, parks, exciting nightlife, and the Muni Metro. Parker Guest House features accommodation with a garden and private parking. This 3-star hotel offers a concierge service and luggage storage space. The hotel has newspapers and a fax machine and photocopier that guests can use. With a private bathroom fitted with a shower and a hair dryer, rooms at the hotel also boast free WiFi. At Parker Guest House, rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The accommodation offers a continental or buffet breakfast. Parker Guest House offers a sun terrace. San Francisco City Hall is 2.4 km from the hotel, while University of San Francisco is 3.7 km from the property. The nearest airport is San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and is about 20.8 km from Parker Guest House.

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3* Stanyan Park Hotel

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Stanyan Park Hotel offers Victorian-style rooms with free WiFi in the bohemian Haight-Ashbury neighbourhood. It serves a daily expanded continental breakfast. Golden Gate Park is steps away. A flat-screen TV, ironing facilities and an en suite bathroom with free toiletries and a hairdryer and provided in each room at this completely non-smoking hotel. Each suite includes kitchen facilities. A wine & cheese hour and evening tea service on weekday evenings is featured. A 24-hour reception greets guests of Stanyan Park Hotel. The property is handicapped accessible. San Francisco's lively Haight Street is just 1 minutes' walk away from this hotel. San Francisco City Hall is 3.3 km away and Union Square is 4.6 km away. San Francisco International Airport is 18 km away.

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4* Argonaut Hotel

The Argonaut is a 4-star boutique hotel in Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco with incredible amenities and great location for an unforgettable experience. Featuring in-room spa services and a traditional seafood restaurant, this luxury Fisherman's Wharf eco-friendly hotel offers beautiful views across the San Francisco Bay. Valet parking is available. The nautically-themed rooms of the Argonaut are decorated with rich blue and white furniture. A flat-screen cable TV, minibar and coffee maker with coffee from San Francisco's Vasquez Coffee Company are included. The Blue Mermaid at the Argonaut serves homemade chowder and fresh seafood in a casual historic setting. The full bar offers California wines and ocean-themed cocktails. A free newspaper is offered to guests each weekday. A fitness center, in-room yoga channel and free yoga accessories are also available. A 24-hour business centre is also included. The Argonaut is 8 minutes' walk from the USS Pampanito Submarine and less than 4 km from the Exploratorium.

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Tours & Experiences in San Francisco

Make the most of your travels by pre-booking our popular tours and experiences. There's a whole range of options, from cultural and historical to food, drink and nightlife. Get under the skin of your destination, and book a tour or experience now.

Tours & Experiences in San Francisco