OASIS

Powerhouse is one of the most popular gay bars of SoMa, offering a unique "no style" kind of style where a mixed but fetish-loving portion of the local queer community can hang out. It tends to draw a cruisy leather crowd, so if that's what you like then this is definitely the place to be. An interior decorated like an appropriately themed movie set provides a backdrop to specialist nights and parties where nothing is off limits.

The Castro's Toad Hall is open seven days a week for live DJ's and dancing. The bar is full of cocktails and beers at great prices, and you can hang out with your drinks in the booths or just enjoy the dance floor. There's a second bar on the outdoor patio if that's where you prefer to relax, and regular drag events, karaoke, and dance competitions mean there's always something going on if you want to join in.

This gay bar in the heart of The Castro neighbourhood is a popular hangout for bears and their admirers. It's busiest at the weekend with a mixed aged crowd enjoying strong cheap drinks and an intimate atmosphere. Regular themed events are hosted here throughout the week, including the understandably popular Underwear Night every Monday, which sees the bar packed with a cruisy, tipsy, and scantily clad male crowd.

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.

OMG provides an amazing clubbing experience in the heart of SoMa and Tenderloin, where you can dance under an audio-visual dome ceiling to music from a state-of-the-art sound system. There are also plenty of specialty cocktails on offer, handcrafted by resident mixologists using quality ingredients, which are a favourite every happy hour and the perfect addition to your night of dancing, fun, and regular drag shows.

The Cafe has been a staple of the Castro nightlife scene for decades and is one of the most unique venues in San Francisco. In this newly renovated bar and club, you will be surrounded by hundreds of people who just want to dance, with pounding club music from a state-of-the-art sound system. Three fully stocked bars serve a huge dance floor complete with an LED dance grid and a lively crowd to enjoy your night with. Sunday opening hours vary for special events, check before you go.