Mary's on Haight

Jolene's Bar and Restaurant is a safe queer space run by and for the LGBTQ community in Mission District. This is a laid-back space serving American fare and brunch at the weekends, plus bottomless drinks to keep you refreshed and tipsy throughout your night. There's pool, plenty of dancing, and live shows on offer to keep you entertained and fuel a thoughtfully created dining and cocktail experience.

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.

Small neighbourhood bar located in an old carriage house with a fireplace and old school jukebox. It's part dive, part buzzing Castro gay bar with a fun and friendly atmosphere, plus very cheap drinks at the daily happy hour. This bar is a welcome break from the loud music of the rest of the scene, and it's the perfect place to chat with friends or have a more low-key end to your night if you're tired of partying.

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.

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.

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.