Oakland
Busting out of its original brick-and-wood-paneled shoe box into a second storefront and outdoor back patio, this place specialises in Belgian ales. Two…
Must-see nightlife in The Bay Area
Oakland
Highwire is well known across Oakland and the East Bay for its well regarded, exhaustively sourced coffee, as well as a commitment to sustainability …
Berkeley
Craft cocktails and Indian-inspired bar food is the name of the game at East Bay Spice Company. Try a Gold of Harrapa – gin, Campari, potato liqueur and…
The Haight & Hayes Valley
The faintest ray of sunshine brings lines down the block for beer on draft and bratwurst at Biergarten – wear sunblock, order two rounds of seasonal Fort…
Oakland
A hip, tattooed young crowd hobnobs inside this red-brick-walled bar on a busy corner of Uptown. Order a creative house cocktail or classic concoction…
The Peninsula
This unpretentious downtown pub pours honest pints of Palo Alto Brewing Company (www.paloaltobrewing.com) brews and other craft beers on tap, with…
San Jose
Downtown at this industrial-chic watering hole with wall-sized, backlit shelves of liquor, tattooed bartenders willingly customize your drink if nothing…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
A rack of more than 700 bottles frames the wall at this austerely elegant storefront wine bar, which pours wines exclusively from California, Oregon and…
Berkeley
Ever notice how the weather is nicer in the East Bay? You'll feel that truth at the Moxy, a beer garden well beloved by Berkeley residents from students…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
Margaritas served in beer glasses go the distance here – just don't stand up too fast. Ninja piñatas and papel picado (cut-paper banners) add a festive…
San Francisco
This snazzy, skylit loft looks like an architect's office but tastes like a neighborhood brewpub, serving up dry, crisp Brut IPA and dishing out addictive…
San Jose
A cool basement lounge where sharply dressed bartenders artfully mix cocktails, with some recipes dating to before Prohibition. It's a justifiably popular…
San Jose
Haute coffee-roaster Bellano has opened a branch inside downtown's San Pedro Square Market, serving the same rich pour-over coffee, nitro cold brew and…
Berkeley
Find your bliss in this industrial-modern tea shop, where acrylic prints of verdant tea plantations overhang the bar. Handcrafted Indian chai, Japanese…
Berkeley
At this popular hangout with an inviting shaded patio, try the strong espressos or a sweet white-chocolate mocha. With a clientele of almost all Cal…
Excelsior
This stylish little bar is a nice blend of neighborhood watering hole and spot to watch the game. They pour a mean Moscow mule. Head here to rub elbows…
Berkeley
Berkeley’s oldest pub is one of the most inviting and friendly in the city. Some serious darts are played here and board games get played around many of…
Berkeley
Sample a flight of tasting pours or order a pint from the 16 rotating drafts (including some rare small-batch beers) on tap at Sierra Nevada brewery's…
San Francisco
Known as the beach cafe, visitors line up at this outlet of Andytown Coffee for the Kees van der Westen Spirit espresso machine, big-batch drip coffee and…
Berkeley
This downtown pub has loads of regional microbrews, a beer garden, decent pizza and live bands most nights. Sit upstairs for a bird’s-eye view of bustling…
San Francisco
Atomic-scale disco inferno tears through SF, with appearances at the Stud the first Saturday night of the month.
Marin County
Cyclists congregate here for the indoor bicycle parking, board games, European draft beers and sausages of the meaty or vegan persuasion (from $6).
San Francisco
This drag superstar throws fierce fundraising parties, especially for Pride, plus monthly fetish-drag parties at Powerhouse.
Oakland
With 50 beers on tap and hundreds more in bottles, there’s a lifetime of discovery ahead, so kick back on the sunny deck or park yourself at that barrel…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Back when SoMa was the stomping ground of sailors, alleys were named for working girls – and Harlot pays them homage. Vampire bordello is the vibe in this…
Japantown, Fillmore & Pacific Heights
Find out what it's like to join the old boys' club at Palmer's, a classic mid-century-American bar and grill complete with wood-paneled walls, tufted red…
San Francisco
Bike one block from Golden Gate Park and you've earned a Bean Smoke coffee or a delicious tap beer surrounded by charming pre-doping-scandal Tour de…
San Francisco
Post-work posses get their drink on fast with Toad Hall's two-for-one happy hour till 8:30pm. It's named after a famous 1970s Castro gay bar, as seen in…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Back in SF's wild Barbary Coast days, the Aventine's 150-year-old building fronted the bay – you can still see salt-water marks on the brick walls…
The Peninsula
After you've surfed at Pacifica State Beach, kick back at this local pub with a robust list of California-made beers on tap. There's also decent grub …
San Francisco
Determined 20-something club kids shimmy and shout over pop remixes on the cramped dance floor, while smokers flirt on the patio. Perpetually busy…
San Jose
Photos of local theater folks line the walls at this high-ceilinged hangout a few doors down from the California Theatre. Linger over a cappuccino with a…
Excelsior
This bar has a funny name, if only because you generally need to recover after a visit. It’s a fairly simple example of both a sports bar and a dive; you…
The Peninsula
Walk up the steps into this friendly little house and order a flight of craft beers including their own eclectic house-brewed collection of everything…
Oakland
No wireless internet, no artful decor, no hipster baristas. This is a barebones spot for local Vietnamese who come to play the lottery, gossip their ears…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
Bus Stop has 17 flickering TV screens, two pool tables and a manly crowd that roars when their team scores. If one of your party wants to shop but you…
Japantown, Fillmore & Pacific Heights
Toast to shopping triumphs at Harry's mahogany bar with freshly muddled mojitos or Bloody Marys made properly with horseradish. A Pacific Heights mainstay…
Marin County
At Cavallo Point lodge, this laid-back lounge serves wine, beer and cocktails with a tempting menu of small plates ($5 to $35). There's live music some…
San Jose
Inside the elegant 1931 Hotel De Anza, the Hedley Club is a good place for a quiet drink in swanky art deco surroundings. Jazz combos play most nights.
Oakland
Go Uptown to get down. At this long-running restaurant and lounge, DJs spin a soulful mix of hip-hop, R&B and Latin grooves Thursday to Sunday nights …
