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,…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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:…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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),…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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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