Nightlife in San Francisco
Just like the saying that nobody in San Francisco is really from San Francisco, a few members of our Vertoe team have been able to call San Francisco home for some period of time in the past. What that means for us individually is that we each have strong opinions about the best streets in San Francisco or the best nightlife in San Francisco. What that means for us as a team is that writing a list of the best places for bar hopping and enjoying the nightlife in San Francisco will be as varied as the people, like you, reading this blog post.
However, as the time came to sit down and finally compile the list that we’ve all been eager to write, Covid’s shelter-in-place had taken full effect and many of the spots we would recommend aren’t open or available for the foreseeable future. So we’ve decided to do something different. What you’ll find below is a selection of the best places for bar-hopping sans crowd in San Francisco that comply with the current shelter-in-place restrictions – the parties at home! – and then the second grouping of some of the best San Francisco nightlife spots to look forward to once the beloved city starts to reopen again. When it does and you’re in town with a load of heavy bags to spare, do not hesitate to look us up and store your bags with Vertoe San Francisco Luggage Storage Services.
Keep your sweatpants on and don’t even brush your hair – the best bar-hopping in San Francisco is now in your home. Check out these places for delivery or pickup (if you’re feeling brave and have plenty of face masks to spare) cocktails, beer, and wine.
- Macondray – One of the newer of the Polk Street bars in San Francisco, this amazing spot is offering both takeout and no-contact delivery. Choose between an 8oz cocktail for two or a 16oz for your quarantine crowd. Wine and snacks are also available. Something noteworthy – they provide a roll of toilet paper with all 16oz drink orders. Share it or not, we won’t judge.
- The Seven Stills Brewery and Distillery – Want your drinks with a side of hand sanitizer? That’s possible! Seven Stills is a popular spot located in the center of the Design District neighborhood. Order delivery or pickup and choose from an extensive menu of local beers, craft cocktails, and bar snacks and you’ll really have everything you need for a bar night at home.
- Rye Bar – Sure, Tenderloin isn’t one of the most highly recommended neighborhoods in San Francisco but now that you can have Rye Bar’s cocktails delivered there’s no excuse not to add this gem to your plan. Insider tip? Our Partnership Manager swears by the Ratu Rum Old Fashioned… many fun nights have started with it. You can head back to Mission or a bar with a bay view once quarantine is over.
As promised, the second half of this article is a bit of hope with a dash of fingers crossed for soon-coming better times. Golden Gate City certainly has no shortage of incredible nightlife options but one thing that really makes it stand out from the rest is the intertwined nature of it all – you never just stay in one bar and you never just talk to the person you came with. When the social distance gap has closed and things start to return to normal in the bay area, visit these spots for unforgettable parties, great clubs with live music, nightclub performances, or a good ole drag comedy show during all hours of the night. And if an unwanted bag/bags are a bother, come drop your bags at any one of our San Francisco Baggage Storage.
- Johnny Foley’s Irish House – Though this pub-up-top, bar-down-below Union Square place might not look much during the day, the lines at night will tell you a different story. And yes, it’s well worth waiting in line and paying the cover fee. Get your hand stamped and walk straight downstairs (just follow the noise) and you’ll find some of the most fun, energetic and rambunctious dueling pianos you’ve ever heard. Everyone here, and there are a lot of people, looks like they’re having the most fun of their lives and, really, you can’t go wrong by starting your night with a cheap cold beer (or wine) and loud singalong.
- Duboce Triangle – Called the Triangle because it connects three districts (Lower Haight, Mission, and Castro) you and your friends will have no shortage of fun options. Decide what you’re in the mood for and whether that’s karaoke, classic music, or a laidback dive bar you’ll find something for everyone to enjoy. Its location means that it’s arguably one of the best jumping-off points for further nightlife hopping.
- Bourbon and Branch – Come on, did you really think we’d get through this post without a speakeasy? No matter what the occasion, size of your party, or if you came here last Friday Bourbon and Branch will be just as good as it was every night before. The cocktail menu is more of a book and the vibe is like a warm and cozy lounge. Make a reservation if you’re a planner or risk it if you’re not but either way, make sure you don’t forget the password to enter!
In retrospect we should have started this with a disclaimer, but better late than never, every district in SF has handfuls of incredible spots for either quarantine or post-quarantine bars and nightlife. You can’t go wrong with whatever you choose here but definitely, definitely let us know if you stumbled into any of the ones above and fell in love with it. Any other suggestions we have to include? A new club, date spot, or dance floor? Give us a shout. Until then, cheers!
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