Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Every skyscrapered city has a pricey cocktail lounge atop something tall, and
Carnelian Room
(555 California St., at Montgomery;
%
415/431-7500; www.
carnelianroom.com),
on the 52nd floor of the drab Bank of America Building, fills
the bill. Like so many such places it's all about the view, which includes the
Golden Gate Bridge and the Transamerica Pyramid. Though you may not want
to down too many drinks in this costly spot, one at sunset is a great way to kick
off the evening and feel like you're celebrating.
At this bar, the view isn't of the skyline, but of a fine work of art. It's not an inex-
pensive outing, but seeing as it's one of the most famous bars in the city, you should
at least raise a ginger ale at
Maxfield's Pied Piper Bar
55
(Palace Hotel, 2 New
Montgomery St., at Market;
%
415/512-1111; www.maxfields-restaurant.com; AE,
MC, V),
where one of the city's greatest art treasures, a mural of the Pied Piper by
Maxfield Parrish, presides over the woody, dusky bar. Keepers know how to mix a
classic drink here, but I hope they also know jujitsu, because the painting behind
them is now valued at $2.5 million. The back room serves as a restaurant, but do
you really want to spend $23 on a burger? It's bad enough that a simple vodka mar-
tini drains your account by $10.
GAY & LESBIAN NIGHTLIFE
San Francisco being San Francisco, there's no shortage of gay venues. Unlike in
other cities, though, gay-catering bars and nightclubs haven't yet blended very far
into the mainstream. Most gay clubs are not mixed venues for Generation Y, as they
largely become in cities across America. Each one has its own “type,” meaning cus-
tomers are usually looking for something particular in their fellow customers. Dress
the type—doormen and management throughout the Castro routinely shoot them-
selves in the foot by being snippy to guests who don't fill the bill.
For more ideas, check out
SFgay.org,
where upcoming events are listed for
venues around town. Other good sources for community information, events list-
ings, and bar tips include
Castro Online
(www.castroonline.com) and
Castro SF
(www.castrosf.org).
IN THE CASTRO
These aren't the only options, of course, but they are some of the most welcom-
ing. Once you arrive in the 'hood, which radiates from the intersection of Castro
and 18th streets, just ask whomever you meet at the first bar which other estab-
lishments you might like.
440 Castro
(440 Castro St., btw. 17th and 18th;
%
415/621-8732; www.the
440.com)
attracts a manly crew; wear jeans and/or leather to fit in.
SF Badlands
(4131 18th St., near Castro;
%
415/626-9320; www.sfbadlands.
com)
is a place people tend to outgrow by their mid- to late-20s, but for those into
the scene, and if you like to dance with your hands over your head, it's one of the
liveliest dance floors and bars in town. If this is your world, the blissfully shallow
scene at
The Bar on Castro
(456 Castro St., near 18th;
%
415/626-7220; www.the
barsf.com),
around the corner, will also do.
Esta Noche
(3079 16th St., at Mission;
%
415/861-5757)
is cheap, loose, and in a shifty part of town, but it's where to go
for a Latin crowd.
Harvey's
(500 Castro St., at 18th;
%
415/431-4278; www.harveyssf.com)
often hosts popular and busy gay-themed stand-up nights; it's usually free with a
