Powerhouse

First opened more than 40 years ago, Midnight Sun draws a mixed crowd of bears and hot guys in minimal clothing that keep coming back for the nightly happy hour and regular events such as karaoke and TV viewing parties. The Friday evening happy hour is especially popular - watch out for the very strong cocktails! On Friday and Saturday nights you can expect hot boys dancing on the bar and the whole venue is unsurprisingly packed, with music videos and TV playing all night to complete the lively atmosphere.

Lone Star Saloon in SoMa is a nightlife hub for the local bears. The outdoor patio is regularly filled with a "rough around the edges" crowd of bears, otters, leathermen, and their admirers, who can all enjoy a beer and the odd game of pool. This bar is particularly busy on the weekends and when people flock here to begin their nights out, and the Sunday afternoon beers parties are especially popular.

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.

Pilsner Inn has an everyday bar feel with big TVs playing sports and lots of beers on tap, plus a peaceful garden patio. The bar's commitment to the community sports teams draws a loyal local crowd, so for a traditional experience of Castro's gay scene this is the place to go. Plenty of classic bar games and great special offers on drinks make for a fun and friendly experience at the Pilsner Inn.

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.

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.