I often get asked from out of towners as to where to go in SF, so I decided to put up a page of my resources. This list is by no means exhaustive. I tend to be a South Of MArket (SOMA) minded person, so that is what this information revolves around. By SOMA minded I tend to mean leather, bear, kink, rather than dance-boy, fashion oriented folks. No one will care if you are wearing Prada's, and will probably spill beer on them.

SOMA:


My favorite hangouts on a Sunday afternoon are the Eagle Tavern and the Lone Star Saloon. Both their websites have links to their calendar of events. You can be comfortable at either of these places in leather, or jeans. On a 3 day weekend on a warm Sunday afternoon, the Eagle Tavern is a MUST. Folks will often start at the Eagle (around 3 or 4 pm on a Sunday), and then head over to the Lonestar afterwards.

The Lone Star is almost all bear all the time, with the leather crowd mixing in on some Friday or Saturday nights. (Check the SF Leather Calendar listing below). The Eagle is VERY eclectic (except for Sunday afternoons as mentioned above.) You can get every sort of freak and non-freak passing through the Eagle on a Friday or Saturday night. Young, old, male, female, and other self defined. If I head out on a Saturday, it is usually to the Lone Star.

Also in the area is the Powerhouse. This is also popular with the leather boys. I'm just not a big fan of the venue itself. And for serious drinkers who let it all hang out, there is always The Hole in the Wall. Chaps II seems to be the new and very popular bar where they men go all leathered up. For leather events check out the San Francisco Leather Calendar.

The SF Citadel is a space dedicated to all sorts of Kink. Check out their calendar. Be aware, the Citadel parties aren't just about just gay boys and lezzies, there are straight and pan-sexual parties there as well. Just choose the right party for you.

In the Castro:


Friday happy hour at The Edge (18th & Diamond, one block off 18th & Castro, the heart of queer-ville) is a madhouse and a lot of fun. A lot of folks I know will also head to 440, at 440 Castro, which has a very popular underwear night.

Dancing bears:

Bearracuda has twice monthly dance parties. They can be quite frisky.

Sundance Saloon is very wholesome and a log of fun for Country and Western Dancing.