Must-see nightlife in California

  • Radhaus

    The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers

    It always feels like Octoberfest at this gleaming, Bavarian-style beer hall, installed in Fort Mason in 2018. Offerings include nine taps of German beer,…

  • Lookout

    San Francisco

    Soon there may be a groove worn across Market St between the Castro's biggest gym and the Lookout, where 30-somethings pack the street-view balcony. Hot…

  • Beach Chalet

    San Francisco

    Microbrews with views: watch Pacific sunsets through pint glasses of the Beach Chalet's Riptide Red ale from the comfort of the formal upstairs dining…

  • Drake's Dealership

    Oakland

    East Bay craft brewer Drake's Brewing Company has transformed a humdrum Dodge dealership into a lively restaurant, bar and outdoor beer garden with fire…

  • Civil Coffee

    Los Angeles

    A lofty, minimalist coffee shop with photogenic floor-tiles, Civil peddles a rotating cast of single-origin espresso, cold brew and drip coffees to…

  • Cafe Flore

    San Francisco

    Watch the entire gay world go by on the sun-drenched patio at the Flore, the Castro's hub since 1973. Weekdays regulars hold court over Purple Arnold…

  • Uva Enoteca

    The Haight & Hayes Valley

    Indie-rocker servers dole out sass and sound advice, with top-notch Soave and Montepulciano by the taste or carafe. Take their pairing suggestions for 8oz…

  • Hôtel Biron

    The Haight & Hayes Valley

    Duck into the alley to find this walk-in wine closet, with standout small-production Californian, French and Italian vintages and a cork-studded ceiling…

  • HiTops

    San Francisco

    At Castro's first gay sports bar, you can wear rainbows and team colors (as long as they're either blue and yellow, or orange and black). Giant-screen TVs…

  • The Cafe

    San Francisco

    With a Harvey Milk mural and rainbow light-up dance floor, The Cafe is the obvious place to throw your own coming-out party. Most nights the crowd seems…

  • Rock Bar

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    Eureka! Inside these rock-veneer walls you're golden, with original concoctions made of craft spirits and priced to move ($10 to $12). Get fancy with…

  • Top of the Mark

    San Francisco

    Twirl above the clouds on the city's highest dancefloor. Friday and Saturday evenings, a full jazz band plays; Wednesdays and Thursdays have live piano…

  • Thee Parkside

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    A motley Potrero Hill crowd of bikers, art-school profs, Google VPs and chefs-in-training converge for twangy and hardcore bands at weekends (cover free…

  • Hopwater Distribution

    San Francisco

    A sanctuary for beer drinkers above the downtown fray, with 30+ ales, IPAs, pilsners and lagers on tap. The full kitchen offers choice pairings:…

  • Brig

    Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey

    Old-timers remember this place as a divey pool hall owned by ex-boxer Babe Brandelli (that’s him and his wife on the outside mural). Now it’s a bit…

  • KitTea

    The Haight & Hayes Valley

    Need some soothing tea and cuddles? Say hello, KitTea. San Francisco's cat café serves Japanese tea and feline cuteness for a good cause: all the kitties…

  • West End Tap & Kitchen

    Santa Cruz

    Another recent opening amid the gathering of brewpubs, cafes and wine-tasting rooms in the Ingalls St Courtyard, West End Tap & Kitchen combines beers…

  • Dig

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    Great wines that won't break the bank: San Francisco's dedicated wine drinkers totally Dig it. Enter a well-curated wine library featuring the work of…

  • Amélie

    San Francisco

    With lipstick-red counters, well-priced pours and plates piled with cheese and charcuterie, this wine bar is a shameless charmer – especially at happy…

  • Doc's Clock

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    Tickle in your throat? Time to see the Doc – head directly to the Prescriptions Counter at this gruffly lovable green-certified dive for local craft brews…

  • Buddha Lounge

    North Beach & Chinatown

    Vintage red neon promises evenings worthy of WWII sailors on shore leave. Drink in the atmosphere, but stick to basic well drinks and beer straight from a…

  • Big 4

    San Francisco

    Nob Hill society was once dominated by four ruthless railroad barons – but now it's your turn to give the orders in this swanky hilltop cocktail bar…

  • Wild Side West

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    Lesbian-owned since 1962, Wild Side West has kept its clientele busy making herstory in the beer garden and making out on the pool table (Janis Joplin…

  • The Avenue

    Oakland

    Walk into this dive bar (skulls) and you may notice a certain decorative flair (skulls); it's a presence you'll feel as you order a drink (more skulls),…

  • Homestead

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    Your friendly Victorian corner dive c 1893, complete with carved-wood bar, pressed-tin ceiling, salty roast peanuts in the shell and Mission characters…

  • Chill Bar

    Greater Palm Springs

    More high energy than chill, but an essential stop on the Arenas 'boys town' strip. Relax at the rectangular bar or on the wraparound patio, and mingle…

  • Virgil's Sea Room

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    When exploring 500-plus Mission murals takes the wind out of your sails, restore your spirits at Virgil's. Dock here for unfussy cocktails named for SF…

  • Monk's Kettle

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    Unlike some gastropubs, Monk's Kettle realizes you're here for beer – and delivers, with 28 cult draft brews ranging in hue from Portland's Allagash white…

  • Catalina Island Brew House

    Los Angeles

    This storefront across from the water does triple duty: cafe, bakery and possibly California's micro-est brewery. Tiny tanks in the corner dispense brews…

  • Four Barrel Coffee

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    Surprise: the hippest cafe in town is also the friendliest, with upbeat baristas and no outlets or wi-fi to hinder conversation. Drip roasts are complex…

  • Mix

    San Francisco

    The last Castro bar to open at 6am, Mix lives up to its name with a full rainbow of colorful neighborhood characters – acclaimed lesbian playwrights, AIDS…

  • Edge

    San Francisco

    A classic Castro bar that's been a local favorite for more than 25 years. Drag divas and leather daddies bond over show-tune sing-alongs Musical Sundays,…

  • Peter B's Brewpub

    Monterey

    Often heaving with locals and tourists, Peter B's combines huge meals – the burgers are really good value – with a solid array of craft beers brewed on…

  • 540 Club

    San Francisco

    Bank on bargain booze in this converted savings-and-loan office – just look for the neon-pink elephant over the archway. Come for weekday happy hours …

  • Heinold's First & Last Chance Saloon

    Oakland

    At this 1883 bar constructed from wood scavenged from an old whaling ship, you really have to hold on to your beer. Keeled to a severe slant during the…

  • Yield

    The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill

    It’s easy being green at Yield, a storefront wine bar with a rotating list of sustainably farmed vintages served at rough-hewn wooden tables. Pull up an…

  • Ernest Coffee

    Greater Palm Springs

    The tiki torches and the name are a nod to this perky cafe's earlier incarnation as Don the Beachcomber's founded in 1953 by Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt…

  • Dublin Square

    San Diego

    Guinness? Check. Corned beef? Check. But what sets this rambling pub apart are its long happy hours (lasting five hours early in the week) and its live…

  • Bike Dog Brewing Company

    Sacramento

    Everyone likes bikes, everyone likes dogs – thus, a concept was born. Bike Dog welcomes you with a bright, cheery interior that reflects the zing of their…

  • Sunset

    Malibu & Pacific Palisades

    Right across from the ocean is this low-slung, converted whitewashed beach house with tasty flatbreads and a popular weekend brunch. But we consider it to…

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