The Best Streets for Bar Hopping in San Francisco | San Francisco Travel-贝博体彩
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The Best Streets for Bar Hopping in San Francisco

Explore San Francisco’s neighborhoods through the lens of a cocktail glass or beer mug on these streets, perfect for bar hopping.

San Francisco is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own character—and its own nightlife. That means visitors have incredibly diverse options for bar hopping.

Want a classic cocktail with farm-fresh ingredients? We've got those. Looking for a local brew? We got those, too. In the mood to explore our dive bars, take shots, and end up at a dance club? We have streets where you can do all of the above in one night.

Come on out and explore San Francisco’s various neighborhoods and be prepared to meet some new friends. The point is to see where the night will take you, and there's no better place for spontaneity than San Francisco.

Valencia Street

A bastion of bohemian San Francisco, Valencia Street is the dynamic Mission District's official party zone and quite possibly the largest in the city. For live local acts, try The ChapelOpens in new window (777 Valencia St.) or The Valencia RoomOpens in new window (647 Valencia St.), which sports a cozy bar downstairs and live music above. Packed lounges perfect for meeting people like BlondiesOpens in new window (540 Valencia St.) and Skylark (3089 16th St.) also abound in the area. Valencia Street is easy to get to by taking BART to 16th and Mission Streets and walking one block to the heart of the action.

If you go further down Valencia Street, there are favorite local bars at 22nd Street like the Latin American Club and Make-Out RoomOpens in new window (to do what else?)

The Chapel

Polk Street

Polk Street is a full city sampler perfect for bar hopping the entire night away. Start at Kozy KarOpens in new window (1548 Polk St.) to meet the creative set. On the other side of Broadway,  dance-friendly RougeOpens in new window (1500 Broadway) holds it down. Pop over to Taco Rouge (inside Rouge) if you get hungry. The 19 Polk Muni bus runs the length of this nightlife district while the California Street cable car line will drop you right in the middle of it.

Nick's Crispy Tacos and Rouge

Union Street

This Marina District stretch has a distinctly casual collegiate vibe with its many sports bars and local watering holes. To chat up the friendly locals, drop into the historic dive bar Bus StopOpens in new window (1901 Union St.), where a variety of bar games await, or sample Northern California vino at West Coast Wine and CheeseOpens in new window (2165 Union St.).  The neighborhood is easily accessible from downtown on the 41 or 45 Muni Bus.

Columbus and Broadway

This area is home to San Francisco institutions like VesuvioOpens in new window (255 Columbus Ave.), where the Beat poets used to gather for drinks, as well as Tosca CaféOpens in new window (242 Columbus Ave.), where opera music plays while you enjoy spiked cappuccinos enjoyed in lush leather booths. Festive locals rage at the Comstock SaloonOpens in new window (155 Columbus Ave.). To completely ditch the crowds, tuck into 15 RomoloOpens in new window (15 Romolo Pl.) for a cocktail. Take the 30 Stockton Muni bus from downtown and step off on Broadway.

15 Romolo Bar

Haight Street

San Francisco’s alternative scene is on full display on Haight Street in Haight-Ashbury. Check out the artsy design of NOC NOCOpens in new window (557 Haight St.) or the die-hard regular crowd at Molotov'sOpens in new window (582 Haight St.) before heading over to Nickie'sOpens in new window (466 Haight St.) for some dancing. If you're in the mood for beer, head across the street to Toronado where they have 40 beers on tap. The 7 Haight Muni bus gets you here from Market Street in a snap.

11th Street

This strip on the edge of SoMa is home to many incredible clubs. Feel the music—literally—at AudioOpens in new window (316 11th St.), with its powerful, one-of-a-kind sound system. See everything from a battle of the bands to burlesque at DNA LoungeOpens in new window (375 11th St.). Halcyon SFOpens in new window (314 11th St.) has hosted some of the biggest names in house and electronica, and LGBT-favorite OasisOpens in new window (298 11th St.) always has some outrageous entertainment. Along the way, you can find the definitely not country Holy Cow NightclubOpens in new window (1535 Folsom St.).

Exterior of the Oasis Nightclub

Duboce Triangle

Centered on Market Street where the Castro, Lower Haight and Mission Districts all come together, Duboce Triangle is a bustling nightlife area. Catch a live band at classic music venue Café Du NordOpens in new window (2174 Market St.) before storming the mic yourself at the Mint Karaoke LoungeOpens in new window (1942 Market St.). ChurchillOpens in new window (198 Church St.) and BlackbirdOpens in new window (2124 Market St.) are friendly local bars worth checking out as well. Get here on the elegant F Market streetcar from downtown.

Inside Churchill, a bar in the Duboce Triangle

Union Square

Most people need a stiff drink after shopping till they drop. Luckily, the Union Square area transforms into a popping nightlife district after the sun goes down. Home to stylish lounges like HawthornOpens in new window (46 Geary St.) and lux nightclubs perched on top of historic hotels like Cityscape LoungeOpens in new window (333 O'Farrell St.), Union Square will have you set for the night. Micro-brew fans should check out the selection at the Golden Gate Tap RoomOpens in new window (449 Powell St.) and swing by the in-house brewery in Bartlett HallOpens in new window (242 O’Farrell St.). If you want an award-winning cocktail to start, continue or end your night, you need to check out Pacific Cocktail Haven (P.C.H.)Opens in new window.

Cocktail from Pacific Cocktail Haven

Divisadero Street

Stretching from the Castro to the Marina, Divisadero is packed with hip bars and cocktail lounges that make for some top-notch bar hopping. DJs and local live music usually spice things up at the Madrone Art BarOpens in new window (500 Divisadero St.),. Mini Bar SFOpens in new window (837 Divisadero St.) is cozy and showcases local artists, HorsefeatherOpens in new window (528 Divisadero) is a casual neighborhood cocktail gathering place, while The PageOpens in new window (298 Divisadero St.) offers pool tables and foosball. If you want arcade-style games with your drinks, head to the EmporiumOpens in new window in the historic Harding Theater, a 100-year-old historic San Francisco venue. The 24 Divisadero Muni bus runs the entire street.

Inside the Emporium

Castro Street

While the entire City by the Bay is LGBTQ-friendly, the Castro is the official home of the community and the nightlife here is like nowhere else. Go people-watching, cocktail in hand, on the balcony at LookoutOpens in new window (3600 16th St.), get your body in motion on the dance floor at The CaféOpens in new window (2369 Market St.) or just meet and greet at Moby DickOpens in new window (4049 18th St.), a Castro landmark. Sports fans should also swing by Hi TopsOpens in new window (2247 Market St.) to catch the game. Take the F Market streetcar to the end and you are here.

Cocktails from Hi Tops in the Castro

Clement Street

This Inner Richmond strip is a bit of East meets West, with some of the city’s best Asian restaurants as well as a great line-up of Irish pubs that fill up every night of the week. Sway to authentic Celtic music over a proper Guinness pint at The Plough and the StarsOpens in new window (116 Clement St.), join the boisterous after-work crowd at The Bitter End (441 Clement St.) or Ireland's 32Opens in new window (3920 Geary Blvd.), and check out the local bands at The Scarlett Lounge (408 Clement St.). Take the 38 Geary Muni bus to Arguello Boulevard.

Outside the Snug on Fillmore Street.

Fillmore Street

San Francisco’s original jazz and blues district still keeps things bumping in standout joints like John Lee Hooker's Boom Boom RoomOpens in new window (1601 Fillmore St.). Head north on Fillmore towards Pacific Heights to Social StudyOpens in new window (1795 Geary St.) for a unique day and evening lounge, Harry's BarOpens in new window (2020 Fillmore St.), where an excellent whiskey selection awaits, or The SnugOpens in new window (2301 Fillmore St.) for a great place that showcases the best that California has to offer. Take the 38 Geary Muni bus to Fillmore Street, and you are in the bull’s eye.

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Dan Rosenbaum Headshot
Dan Rosenbaum

Dan was part of the San Francisco Travel team for more than a decade, most recently as Vice President, Global Marketing. His favorite ways to spend a weekend in the city are with a cup of craft coffee in hand, a playlist of good vibes and a growing list of books to read, or out at the hottest new restaurant or bar.

The Golden Gate Bridge at sunset with a multicolored sky and the San Francisco Bay in the foreground.
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