San Francisco Nightclubs Reviews
Nightlife in The City Comes To Life In These Clubs

It's a sexy scene at San Francisco's nightclubs, like here at Infusion Lounge.

Diversity not only describes the City, its neighborhoods and people, but its nightclubs, as well.

In this town, you just don't step out the door and head to the nearest club. You first define your type of club, then head out. What you want to wear, what kind of crowd you want to drink, what you want to do (drink, mingle, dance, listen to music, etc.). Maybe grab a little food for starters.

It's no stretch to say clubbing is fun in San Francisco.

Infusion Lounge infuses San Francisco nightlife with Vegas-style shows.

Some people go head over heels for the nightlife, like here at Infusion.

Most of the clubs enforce a pretty strict dress code. Jeans are a no-go (although fine for the restaurant/bars). Guys fit right in wearing either leather/suede or suit pants and a button down shirt. Ladies can always opt for the little black dress. Most clubs charge a cover. Some do not accept credit cards at the bar – good to know before you order drinks.

For San Francisco on a more casual scene, check out our Pubs Guide. For where to hangy for Happy Hours, as well as which bars are best on which nights of the week, see our Bar Guide.

"The Scene"

It's a hip scene in San Francisco's clubs and locals love it.

San Francisco is very much of a "scene" town. Locals like to be trendsetters and enjoy hanging out in the latest hot spot.

Spend much time here and it doesn't take long to realize that the weather isn't the only thing that changes in a hurry. This "scene" moves all over town, starting here, going to a new place that just opened, back to an old original, back to the not-newly-opened-anymore spot, then onto the next new bar. The places try to attract the upscale local crowd, which must be a fickle lot because they move onto a new place about every six months.

Here's the current scoop on what's hot, what was hot but still gets a crowd and what is likely to be hot in the future. While the places may seem to be scattered all over the city, they're only a 10-15 minute cab ride away, and some are even walking distance from one another.

The City has had a recent infusion of nightlife thanks to Infusion Lounge in the Fusion hotel by Union Square. It's kind of New York-ish in that it requires going down some stairs to reach and then upon arrival it appears one might have made a wrong turn and wound up in Vegas. There are couches, VIP lounge areas to the right and left, a DJ booth fronted by a musician playing the guitar and even fiddle. That music is fun, Euro-style classy party tunes, which has the 20s to mid-30s singles crowd eating it up.

Infusion also has salsa Tuesday nights from 6-11 p.m., (no cover) with free lessons (7-0 p.m.) and $4 margaritas.

It's a party in San Francisco's dance clubs.

In the back there's a dance area with different music and sometimes the patrons give way to club dancers who put a show out on the floor. There's an extensive menu of specialty drinks poured by busy but lively bartenders. (There's a small bar in the back, but a full the packed house pretty much demands a second one needs to be added). This place cranks even during weeknights and Wednesday is particularly popular. Arrive by 10:30, and before 10 on weekends (9:30 even, as this is the "in" place right now).

If you want to be seen in San Francisco, Matrix (Marina District) is a place to do it. Dark and cool with hip music, couches and a unique fireplace, it's a real scene. It's also one of the city's few good Sunday night places. Unfortunately for guys (but not girls), the place got discovered quickly and is wall-to-wall men. If Merix wears out your welcome, walk across Lombard to Cosmo's (Chestnut Street).This is a real scene with one of the best crowds in San Francisco. Its best nights are Thursdays. Expect about 60/40 men/women. [MAP]

Rosewood on Broadway (between Stockton and Powell) is another spot with mellow electronica spun by a DJ. [MAP]

Near Union Square, the place to be seen is The Redwood Room in the Clift Hotel. The dramatic ceilings must be at least 25 feet tall and the Redwood walls give this bar a definite ambiance. It's one of the new chic "in" spots in town. This sophisticated bar also offers the feeling of being in a haunted mansion. Check out the "pictures" on the wall and you'll know what we mean. {MAP]

For the heck of it, we're including a few of the past scene spots. There's Charlie's on Union Street, whose all-black dress attire and cool factor were the best in the city until it became fished out. It's ust around the corner from Matrix and other cool Marina District bars.

The G Bar (California Street) preceded Charlie's as THE place.Then it died quicker than a crab at Fisherman's Wharf. It became so out that it's starting to be "in" again.[MAP]

The Bubble Lounge, so named because it specializes in champagne, is dated, but some still call it home. In the Financial District, it has a high-class dress code and a low-class crowd.

Restaurant/Bars: Broadway, SoMa

It's Girls Night Out, a common sight in the City.

One of San Franciscans favorite night pastimes is to combine dinner and drinks in the same place. As a result, several restaurants that have a thriving bar scene.

Every city has a place that, if you can't quite decide where to go, you head there because something big and fun could happen. In San Francisco, that place is Enrico's. It's located on Broadway, just down from all the strip clubs. The food is good, conversation often better and the bar and outdoor patio are always packed. It's almost as famous for its mojitos as it is for the mingling. If nothing else, it's a good launching pad for other bars in the area: Romolo, a very dark bar around the corner from the bookstore; Glow, a good spot for a great meal or just a drink and The Velvet Lounge dance club.[MAP]

Those seeking the "new city" should head South of Market (SoMa) and the Mission District. At SoMa, Momo's is a gleaming new spot right across from Pac Bell Park. It's obviously quite busy before Giants games but also gets a good drink-only after-work gathering (especially on Fridays). Across the street is Paragon, which is a bit more upscale. These places are also featured in our Happy Hours section.

The Mission District has dozens of small (25-35 capacity) places that combine food and drink. Luna Park is one such example. It's a favorite among longtime locals who come for the outstanding food – especially the "somemores," the graham cracker-marshmellow-and-chocolate dessert that you mom used to let you make in front of a campfire.

Other spots are Keur Baobab (at the "eats" and "bar" neon signs), Bruno's (live music), Bacar (a real "scene " and a downstairs wine bar), Butterfly and Walzwerek (with a tiny lounge in the back that serves strong East German beer). Places here tend to be trendy, but there's always a bar scene and if you choose to eat, the food is terrific.

Butterfly and Keur Babob – you just gotta love those names – are the most popular. Butterfly's decor was described this way in the San Francisco Chronicle: "Built from the ground up in an old auto shop, Butterfly looks as shiny and new as Pac Bell Park, with brick veneer on the facade.

On the inside, it looks like a hockey rink." It has live jazz, the cool decor and good food. It's a bit of a scene for local singles. Keur Babob has exotic drinks with names like Flamboyant and Magnifique. Before 10, people pack the bar and the sidewalk waiting for a table. After 10, when the kitchen closes, the bar-goers takes over the restaurant.

Polk Street Bars, Russian Hill (Straight)

At Tonic, it's hipnotic, many with neighborhood locals.

An fun part of town away from the massive crowds (and tourists) is an area in Russian Hill on Polk Street from Union to Broadway. It's anchored by Tonic on one end and Shanghai Kelly's on the other. Tonic is the coolest place on the row, a low-lit hypnotic hangouti with an owner/bartender who is usually wearing one of his many Aloha shirts. It has one of the best crowds in the City – classy and well dressed yet far from pretentious.

Shanghai Kelly's (at Broadway) is at the other end of the spectrum. It's a neighborhood Irish pub, as casual as Tonic is classy. Occasionally, it organizes bus trips to Giants and 49er games, where one price includes a ticket to the game, beer on the bus and the all-important seatmates.

In between Tonic and Kelly's are a few bar-hopping spots. Royal Oak is what we like to call a "fern bar," meaning it has a lot of plants. It's a pretty friendly place and is second to Tonic in people-meeting potential. The Rex Cafe is a popular eatery with decent pub potential. The Buccaneer is a complete dive that occasionally goes off.

In the mood for more dancing and drinking? Rouge is a red (rouge, really) lounge on Polk and Broadway. Don't be surprised if Harry Denton clears the top of the bar to allow for girls to perform a traditional little dance routine.

For live music, locals and visitors-in-the-know head to the Red Devil Lounge. It's a red, devilish small bar with some kicking local bands.While on the subject of bands, by the way, jazz freaks love Lou's Blues Club in the Wharf (right next to the famous Fisherman's Wharf sign). The Boom Boom Room on Fillmore Street also has live jazz; warning, it's really loud.

Dance Clubs

People cut loose in one of San Francisco's many dance clubs.

The city's top dance club is Ruby Skye (Mason and Post). It was converted from a theater a couple years ago so the architecture is amazing. This is a true club – house music, a stage for short shows and $20 cover. Probably the worst thing is a small dance floor that gets really, really crowded.

The Sound Factory (Fifth and Harrison) is another large dance spot, open 'til 4 on Saturdays. It has three dance floors and four bars. Young dance-seeking locals like it most on Thursdays with people from other parts of the Bay Area (Walnut Creek, San Jose, etc.) filling it up on Friday and Saturdays.

The Hall of Justice (Divisadero and Fell). This is a cool spot, big-bar dance club. Everyone there is getting wasted and having a good time.]

Harry Denton's Starlight Lounge on the 21st floor of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel is a dance club for an older (30s) crowd. It was once the old-timers martini lounge of choice.

Feel like dancing in a ski lodge? Sno-Drift Bar is like a ski chalet designed by George Jetson. It's located in a funky industrial area by Pac Bell Park. Thought the posted closing time is 4 am, it has ermission to stay open until 6.

Holy Cow (Folsom at 11th) has been here seemingly forever. It used to be THE place – half-gay, half-straight, good music and fun crowd. On occasion, it recaptures its glory days.

The End Up is so called not just because it's a gay bar because it's open late and everyone looking to be out late eventually "ends up" there. It has a small dance floor, fireplace and big patio with a fountain. Another late-night spot is 1015 Folsom – no alcohol but it's open until almost daylight. Three levels provide plenty of entertainment options.

Gay Bars

Two areas primarily serve San Francisco's gays: Castro Street and Polk Ave., in the Geary/Post section.

At Castro and Market, The Cafe pleases the younger (21-30) mixed gay crowd with dancing, a full bar, redwood courtyard/patio and no cover. The Bar (Market and 18th) has a "Queer as Folk" show on Sundays and DJs other nights. Daddy's is for the leather crowd and Pendulum and Badlands are other popular places in the area. Pendulum is mostly an African-American hangout. Badlands has gone to a LA-look and the tank-topped patrons eat it up.

The Lush Lounge is a popular late-night spot at Polk and Post.

– SAN FRANCISCO CLUB LOCATIONS -

• 1015 Folsom: 1015 Folsom St. (415) 431-1200
• Badlands: 4131 18th St. (415) 626-9320
• The Bar: 456B Castro Street. (415).626.1061
• Bacar: 448 Brannan. (415) 904-4100
• Boom Boom Room: 1601 Fillmore St. (415) 673-8000
• Bruno's: 2389 Mission St. (415) 648-7701
• Bubble Lounge: 714 Montgomery St. (415) 434-4204
• The Buccaneer: 2155 Polk St. (415) 673-8023
• Butterfly: 1710 Mission St. (415) 864-5575
• The Cafe: 2367 Market St.(415) 861-3846
• Charlie's: 1838 Union St. (415) 474-3773
• Cosmo's: 2001 Chestnut St. (415) 351-0175
• Daddy's: 440 Castro Street. (415) 621.8732
• Enrico's: 540 Broadway (415) 982-6223
• End Up: 401 Sixth St. (415) 357-0827
• G Bar: 488 Presidio. (415) 409-4277
• Glow: 498 Broadway (415) 982-6666
• Holy Cow: 1531 Folsom Street. (415) 621-6087
• Infusion Lounge, 124 Ellis St. (415) 421-8700
• Luna Park, 694 Valencia. (415) 553-8584
• Lou's Blues Club: 300 Jefferston St. (415) 771-LOUS
• Matrix: 3138 Fillimore Street. (415) 563 4180
• MoMo's, 760 Second Street. (415) 227-8660
• Oxygen Bar: 795 Valencia St. (415) 255-2102
• Pendulum: 4146 18th St.(415) 863-4441
• Red Devil Lounge: 1695 Polk St. (415) 921-169
• Rosewood: 732 Broadway. (415) 981-4866
• Redwood Room: 495 Geary, Clift Hotel. (415) 775 4700
• Rouge: 1500 Polk. (415) 346-7683
• Ruby Skye: 420 Mason St. (415) 693-0777
• Sarlight Lounge: 450 Powell St. (415) 395-8595
• SnoDrift: 1830 3rd. St. (415) 431-4766
• Sound Factory: 525 Harrison St. (415) 339-8686
• Tonic: 2360 Polk St. (415) 771-5535
• Velvet Lounge: 443 Broadway (415) 788-0228