The Best Nightlife - San Francisco Day by Day - page 122

Boogie down to the blues at the Boom Boom Room.

★★ Suppenkuche HAYES VALLEY
The best selection of German beers
and food in town. (See “San Fran-
cisco Dining A to Z,” p 120).
★ The Tonga Room &
Hurricane Bar NOB HILL With
umbrella drinks and fake thunder-
storms, it doesn't get kitschier than
this. But the $7 Asian-style happy
hour is a bargain. Fairmont Hotel, 950
Mason St. (at California St.) y 415/
772-5278. www.tongaroom.com.
Bus: 1. Cable car: All. Map p 119.
★ Tosca NORTH BEACH This
relaxed North Beach institution
draws local politicos and celebrities.
With a dark wood bar and red
leather stools, it's a true classic. 242
Columbus Ave. (between Broadway
St. & Pacific Ave.) y 415/986-9651.
Bus: 12, 15, 41. Map p 119.
★ Vesuvio NORTH BEACH Once
the favored beatnik watering hole,
Vesuvio still draws an artsy crowd.
Order the Bohemian coffee: brandy,
amaretto, and lemon twist. 225
Columbus Ave. (at Pacific Ave.)
y 415/362-3370. www.vesuvio.com.
Bus: 12, 15, 41. Map p 119.
★ Zeitgeist MISSION This indie-
rocker Mission staple has a spacious
outdoor beer garden, a long list of
microbrews on tap, and many
devoted customers. 199 Valencia St.
(at Duboce Ave.) y 415/255-7505.
zeitgeist.citysearch.com. Bus: 26.
Map p 120.

Blues Bars
★ Biscuits & Blues UNION
SQUARE This basement nightclub
is a nationally known blues venue.
401 Mason St. (at Geary St.). y 415/
292-2583. www.biscuitsandblues.com.
Cover during performances $5-$20.
Bus: 2, 3, 4, 38. Cable car: Powell
lines. Map p 119.
★★ The Boom Boom Room
WESTERN ADDITION This dark,
steamy joint hosts some of the
best blues bands in the country.
1601 Fillmore St. (at Geary Blvd.).
y 415/673-8000. www.boomboom
blues.com. Cover free-$15. Bus:
22, 38. Map p 120.

Brewpubs
Gordon Biersch SOMA SF's
largest brewery restaurant, big with
the after-work crowd, serves tasty
German-style brews and decent
food. 2 Harrison St. (at The Embar-
cadero) y 415/243-8246. www.
gordonbiersch.com. Bus: 12. Street-
car: N. Map p 119.
★ San Francisco Brewing Com-
pany NORTH BEACH This old-time
saloon, complete with stained-glass
windows and mahogany bar, serves
a complete menu and homemade
brews to a usually-packed house.
155 Columbus Ave.(between Jackson
St. & Pacific Ave.) y 415/434-3344.
www.sfbrewing.com. Bus: 12, 14, 15.
Map p 119.