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$3 Bill Cafe
Squishy couches, strong coffee, free wireless and smiley staff invite you to join San Francisco history in progress: sparkle subversively with Radical Faeries; organize Green Party bake sales with moms' groups; and stitch and bitch with SF's sharpest knit wits. Don't be shy about stepping up and out on Queer Open Mike, the second and fourth Fridays of the month - you're among friends here.
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1015 Folsom
Posse in tow, you'll gravitate to this booming after-hours club. 'Ten 15' shows off international DJs in its main dance hall with 4 other dance floors and a 500-ft 'water wall' for variety. The crowd's diverse, the lighting funky-cool and the sound system strong enough to sound-blast your clothes clean. Be prepared for a pat-down before you enter; there's a serious no-drugs policy after some problems with the SFPD. If you get there by , it's free.
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111 Minna
The downside of 111 Minna is that inviting that cutie back to your pad to look at your sketches is out, because the quite decent ones on the walls here might show yours up. The upside is that the art gives you something to talk about. If said cutie seems bright, mention that you appreciate an artwork's 'inherent theatricality' (non-specific yet impressive); if not, say you find it very sensual, with a meaningful glance. Discuss over drinks, etc.
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26Mix
It looks like an ordinary dive, but Latin-owned 26Mix is clearly all about DJs and dancing. A little ways beyond the central Mission District, 26Mix showcases the talents of local DJs every night of the week, with karaoke on Wednesdays. The sound system pops and the crowd is pretty low key. The club tends to get cranking later in the evening, and when it's packed it gets downright steamy. Early weeknights can be slow, and drinks are pricey.
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540 Club
A self-proclaimed 'DIY' club, it takes everyone's suggestions seriously, ending up with a grown-up Prom, a Mobsters Ball and Catholic School Karaoke on the calendar. Hardcore punk alternates weirdly with anime up on the big screen, but after you chain your bike up outside and order the green chartreuse, you'll understand what 540 is all about.
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A Traveling Jewish Theater
Founded in 1978, this theater presents a variety of genres focusing on Jewish and American cultural issues. Borscht Belt comedy, music, storytelling, and serious and comic drama play out in Bay Area locations as diverse as Theater Artaud, Berkeley's Julia Morgan Center for the Arts and way out to suburbs like Mountain View.
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Amber
Amber's retro stylings are matched by an old-fashioned tolerance of smokers. You're free to light up and puff away on one of the sleek, early-1960s couches or right at the bar itself. Nonsmokers seem to flock here, too, no doubt simply because it's a good-lookin' spot that's been claimed by a friendly, mixed crowd.
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Amc Loews Metreon 16
Housed in a mega-entertainment complex, the 16-screen Metreon has stadium reclining seats, digital projection screens and blockbusters shown on IMAX. Once it heralded the age of the multiplex; now it needs some cleaning and updating, but on the plus side, it's central to downtown and you can hang out in Chronicle Books before and after (downstairs). Bargain alert: on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, all tickets are around US$6 before noon.
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American Conservatory Theater
Breakthrough shows destined for London or New York must first pass muster at the turn-of-the-century Geary Theater, which has hosted ACT's landmark productions of Tony Kushner's Angels in America and Robert Wilson's Black Rider, with a libretto by William S Burroughs and music by the Bay Area's own Tom Waits.
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Amnesia
Behind the swinging portico parlor doors is an equally swinging scene, nostalgic of the '40s jazz era, but in a weirdly hip way. Red-hot jazz in a dim, red-walled dive attracts a boho crowd looking the part (think zoot-suit pinstripes and leopard coats). Gaucho, a tribute to gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, performs on Wednesdays for free.
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Annie's Social Club
At this karaoke hot spot, certain Monday, Friday and Saturday nights call for a punk-rock rendition of ABBA's 'Waterloo,' followed by a heartfelt ballad version of 'Pepper' by The Butthole Surfers. The audience expects you to murder songs and possibly do a little cheeky pogo burlesque. Live punk shows that'll do wonders for your flagging street cred include local and international names.
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Argus Lounge
Insomniacs rejoice: this young locals' hangout named after a mythical monster that never slept will supply jukebox beats and killer Bloodys to match your red-rimmed eyes. Peacocks and cattle skulls festoon the walls, inspiring dreams and the odd nightmare; a popular pool table wakens competitive spirits.
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Asiasf
The name that everyone who's been to SF drops when you mention you've booked your airfare. You know, the all-Asian tranny lounge with respectable drinks served by waitresses who'll make you look thrice and you still aren't sure? Well, it's as they say, only there's a twist: the dinner menu. With such a distinctive draw, it's not like AsiaSF needed the Asia-dilla, a quesadilla with duck, peppers, and sundried-cherry crème fraîche. Look out, ladies: we've got a scene-stealer.
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Aub Zam Zam
Arabesque arches, jazz on the jukebox and enough paisley to make Prince feel right at home capture the purist Persian charm of dearly departed cocktail fascist Bruno, who'd throw you out for ordering a vodka martini. Now Zam Zam is more gently run by Bruno's former customers, who carry on the venerable tradition of top-shelf cocktails at low-shelf prices for an appreciative Haight St crowd of poets, musicians and smooth-talking specialists.
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Aunt Charlie's
Like any lady of mystery, Aunt Charlie rocks sunglasses indoors and negligees under raincoats. Weekends this drag bar brings vintage pulp fiction covers with the Hot Boxxx Girls. Thursday is the Tubesteak Connection, when vintage bathhouse anthems and '80s techno draw crowds of art-school gays until corsets are tightened to make room for more. Check the rags for celeb DJ Bus Station John's fab-fab monthly parties, the Rod, and Double Dutch Disco.
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Bambuddha Lounge
Canopy beds, mojitos and glimpses of rock stars through bamboo thickets: could this be Miami? On balmy nights and sunny Sunday afternoons, the whole town crashes the tropical party by the pool. Indoors it's more Zen-monk minimalist, with gaunt women picking at tiny, pretty dishes, so booze it up outside and invite total strangers to rub your belly for good luck - bet you'll find takers.
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Bar
Pretensions do not fly at Bar, which is as unremarkable as its name save the rough-edged clientele loudly comparing tattoos. Expect to feel like a distant cousin in this place, but eavesdrop and you'll be entertained. And don't ask about the name.
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Bar 821
Bar 821 has a noteworthy selection of Belgian beers, but seems to want everyone to know that it doesn't want to be discovered by anyone. There's no sign out front (look for a bit of decorative neon around the door), and the highly visible house rules instruct patrons not to tell anyone about the place. (This review violates Rule No 5.) Another odd twist: the doors close nightly at for an 'after-party' that ends at midnight.
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Bats Improv
Crash an office party, sabotage a fast-food drive-thru, meet your long-lost twin in jail: Bay Area Theatersports throws ordinary people into awkward scenarios and lets hilarity ensue. Watch what happens next at completely improvised weekend shows, or take center stage yourself at an improv comedy workshop. Think fast: classes fill quickly.
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Beach Blanket Babylon
Say it 10 times fast, or just sit agape, wondering how those famously enormous hats stay on the performers' heads. BBB is San Francisco's longest-running cabaret, a spoof on current events with content that changes so often, stagehands giggle along with the audience. Some personalities seem a little dated (Richard Simmons?) but they're in and out so fast the overall effect is hilarious. Spectators must be 21 and over, except at matinees.
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Beach Chalet Microbrewery
Sunny days mean sunset views of the Pacific over microbrewed beer at the Beach Chalet - and the entire city knows it. But the wait gives you a chance to admire the recently restored 1930s Works Project Administration frescoes downstairs by Lucien Labaudt, showing a condensed history of San Francisco and the development of Golden Gate Park.
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Berkeley Repertory Theater
Nights here are full of award-winning, progressive theatre. A little more edgy than its sister at the Geary downtown, they'll do Shakespeare, but they'll also do work by Tony Kushner or Culture Clash. Classic, contemporary and works hot off the page are performed on one of their two stages near the downtown Berkeley BART station.
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Bigfoot Lodge
Got cabin fever? Come out of your shack, Ted Kaczynski, and have a drink at this kitschy lodge decorated with more felled trees than a redwood forest managed by the Bush Administration. Yes, there really is an 8ft Sasquatch over your shoulder - but the Sasquatch to fear is the signature cocktail. So tasty, but try standing up after a couple. Timber!
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Bimbo's 365 Club
Rita Hayworth (aka Rita Casino) once kicked it up in the chorus line here, and the club still plays it fast and loose with strong drink and danceable live music. Anything goes behind these velvet curtains - local jazz, big-band sounds, pop or electronica. On special nights in The Continental Lounge, a nude 'mermaid', Dolfina, is projected into the fish tank.
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Biscuits & Blues
The Mississippi Delta it ain't, but this is a definite bet for good live blues. With a steady lineup of blues and jazz talent, Biscuits & Blues has actually earned a reputation as one of the best blues clubs in the USA. And the name isn't just a gimmick - the joint serves up hot biscuits, catfish and chicken to get you fully experiencing the Southern love.
