Gay bars in soma

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Just beer and wine — oh yeh, and sake, fresh from the microwave. Live music on Thursday nights is a nice counterpoint to the often wild and unexpected Friday and Saturday night parties that feature everything from lube wrestling to gaymer nights.

Big, meaty men gravitate to this self-styled Bear Bar in SoMa. Whether for its notorious back patio where poppers and cigarettes get equal attention or its crowd, which would prefer to shmooze than dance (despite the DJ spinning house most nights), this is arguably the most popular gay bar in San Francisco.

Think again, my friend.

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Reviews summary

Powerhouse in San Francisco's SoMa district earns high praise for its lively, inclusive vibe and leather-centric theme. They were humble beginnings indeed but at a time when HIV/AIDS was ravaging our community it was more about a sense of place than anything else. It is fair to say the bar has a very special place in a lot of people’s heart, countless encounters started here, some lead to marriages that are still strong to this day.

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Powerhouse, located in San Francisco's SoMa/Folsom district, is a renowned leather bar known for its unapologetically bold atmosphere.

 

ABOUT THE LONE STAR SALOON

The Lone Star Saloon first opened its doors in 1989 on the corner of Howard and 7th. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. You can learn more about them from their bios on the Bar Staff page.

 

San Francisco’s fabulous LGBTQIA+ scene is no surprise if you know anything about the city’s history.

Weekends brunch fare like fried egg sandwiches and chicken and waffles pair perfectly with bottomless mimosas..

The Mix has a more laid-back approach to LGBTQ revelry than other spots in town. A true neighborhood bar in every sense of the word, the drinks are strong, the patrons are friendly, and the back patio is generous.

gay bars in soma

Several nights a week men compete to win lube, drinks and cash like at Thursday’s underwear and gear night’s junk in your trunk contest. But above all it meant you were proud to identify as a bear.

The Lone Star has been open for business and serving bears ever since. Whether you’re looking for friendly lesbian bars, balls-to-the-wall Latinx dance parties or a very memorable drag show, these are the best gay bars in SF right now.

While there are a handful of great queer patios in SF, El Rio's large, light-strung, plant-laden backyard is one of the best, with outdoor ping pong competition and free al fresco oysters on Friday evenings at 5:30pm.

This friendly neighborhood bar is one of the most low-key options in the Castro.

It's a hotspot for anyone keen on the leather scene, drawing a diverse crowd ready to dance and mingle. While known for charging a cover, many find the exhilarating experience well worth it. The dance floor, brightly lit and papered in tasteful black-and-white breasts, thumps to the beat of DJs on Friday and Saturday nights.