Gay Bar entertainment in California
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A
Aunt Charlie's
On one of Downtown's worst blocks, divey-chic Aunt Charlie's brings vintage pulp-fiction covers to life with the Hot Boxxx Girls, the city's best classic drag show, Friday and Saturday nights at 10pm (call for reservations). Thursday is Tubesteak Connection ($5), when bathhouse anthems, vintage porn and early '80s disco draw throngs of art-school gay boys. Other nights, it's the classic old-school dump.
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B
Lone Star Saloon
Like bears to a honeycomb, big guys with fur are drawn to Lone Star. There's a huge back patio with a friendly bar, a highly competitive pool table, and so you don't have to wait, a trough urinal – plus a lone outhouse stall for shy cubs. There's no women's bathroom, because this is a guys' scene, with the rare exception of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fanboy nights. Busiest Thursday through Sunday.
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C
Lookout
To hook up with locals, swill margaritas at one of Lookout's drag or sports-team fundraisers. Hot rugby players come Sunday afternoons for Jock. Please, no catcalling from the balcony over the street.
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D
Martuni's
Slip behind the velvet curtains to see who's tickling the ivories at the city's last piano bar, where gay and straight, salt-and-pepper regulars seem to have committed the Great American Songbook to memory. You'll be singing too, after a couple of top-notch watermelon, apricot or Godiva chocolate martinis under $10.
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E
Pilsner Inn
A fave of gay-softball leagues, the Pilsner is the classic neighborhood joint, with big smokers patio, pinball and pool. Good meeting point if your group is splitting in two directions, SoMa and the Castro.
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F
Cinch
The last of the old-guard Polk St gay bars still has an old-timey saloon vibe, with pool, pinball, free popcorn and a big smokers patio where you get yelled at if you spark a joint (but people do it anyway).
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G
QBar
Twenty-somethings pack shoulder-to-shoulder to shout over ear-splitting pop and dance on a tiny dance floor. Occasional go-go boys add spice; smokers pack the front room. Wednesday's Booty Call is a staple. 'Too many girls!' declare old-timers, who stay far away.
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H
Deco Lounge
There's usually a party at this indecorous dive club, where the all-male clientele rocks into the wee hours. Theme nights range from disco-queen to shirtless-bear extravaganzas, and drink specials embolden patrons to enter occasional wet-jockstrap contests. Sports queens watch Giants games off hours.
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I
Moby Dick
The name overpromises, but not for the giant fish tank behind the bar, which provides a focal point for shy boys who would otherwise look at their shoes. Weekdays it's a mellow spot for pool, pinball and meeting neighborhood 20-to-40-somethings.
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J
Truck
Truck is relentlessly clique-ish, with local artists, out-of-face drag queens, off-duty DJs and underground celebs, but draws a happy crowd and serves burgers and fries. The scene is gay neighborhood bar most nights, but Wednesday is drag night, and Friday Truck Wash lines 'em up and hoses 'em down. Dirty boys: get the password for Tuesday's speakeasy for $1 bourbon shots all night.
reviewed
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K
Blackbird
The Castro's lounge-bar draws a mix of guys in tight T-shirts and their gal-pals. The look is sleek and clean, but not overstyled. We dig the macabre news clippings on the walls, the cocktails are strong, and there's a good selection of wines and craft beers by the glass. Bartenders provide eye candy. Ideal spot to begin a Castro pub crawl, but it gets packed weekends.
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L
Mix
The last Castro bar to open at 6am, the Mix is a must on a pub crawl. We like the low-ceilinged pool and bar area, but prefer the open-air back smokers patio. Expect gal-next-door lesbians, 20-something gay boys, trannie pals and the odd stumbling drag queen. Great drink specials keep everyone wasted. Mondays there's free pool.
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M
Midnight Sun
This video bar is a favorite of khaki-clad suburbanites who aren't entirely comfortable socializing unless there's something specific to divert their attention. The Dynasty era marked its heyday, but crowds still come for American Idol, and it remains a reliable place to…well, watch TV. Best time: early evening.
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N
Twin Peaks Tavern
Don't call it the glass coffin. Show some respect: Twin Peaks was the first gay bar in the world with windows opening to the street. The jovial crowd skews (way) over 40, but they're not chicken hawks (or they wouldn't hang here), and they love it when happy kids show up and join the party. Ideal for a tête-à-tête after a film at the Castro, or for cards, Yahtzee or backgammon (BYO).
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O
440 Castro
The most happening bar on the street, 440 Castro draws bearded, gym-fit 30-something dudes – especially for Thursday's 'CDXL', when go-go boys twirl – and an odd mix of Peter Pans for Monday's underwear night.
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P
Badlands
The Castro's long-standing dance bar gets packed with gay college boys, their screaming straight girlfriends and chicken hawks. If you're over 30, you'll feel old. Weekends, expect a line.
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