Find out all about San Francisco nightlife. The city is full of bars, clubs, restaurants and entertainment. In other words, your evening strolls will be very lively.
Fillmore Street area in San Francisco
The perfect area for a night out in San Francisco is Fillmore Street. Considered a jazz district, there are many nice restaurants to visit. And for those who like bars, there’s the Rasselas Jazz Club Bar, Boom Boom Room and Yoshi’s. All the bars are jazz-oriented and offer delicious drinks.
In the case of Yoshi’s, the experience is even more different. Its structure was built with its tables facing the stage in the center, making it a great place to enjoy jazz, hip hop, funk and R&B performances. All this with mouth-watering Japanese cuisine.
Bars in San Francisco
1. Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant
To start our list of the most unmissable bars in San Francisco, we need to mention Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant. It’s an excellent all-rounder, alternating between a restaurant and a typical Mexican bar.
And, of course, the highlight is the authentic Mexican tequila, perfect for a night out with friends. It’s worth noting that they take the house principle of serving the best tequila in the world very seriously, offering more than 300 tequila titles on the menu.
Not to mention the delicious traditional Mexican meals that win over all visitors.
- Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday, from 12pm to 11pm.
- Address: 5929 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco.
2. Smuggler’s Cove Bar
One of the most famous bars in the entire state of California is Smuggler’s Cove, located next to Jefferson Square Park. Its main distinguishing feature is its décor, which features items reminiscent of ships, giving you the feeling that you’re inside the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.
And like a good pirate bar, Smuggler’s Cove has plenty of rum and beer. There, your evening’s entertainment is guaranteed. Be sure to check out this successful bar, loved by locals and tourists alike.
- Opening hours: open every day from 5pm to 1.15am. Get there early and make the most of it.
- Address: 650 Gough Street, San Francisco.
- Important tip: San Francisco is a city with many tourist attractions, such as museums and tours. That’s why our tip is to always buy your tickets in advance. We buy everything on this website that has the best price.
3. Wilson & Wilson Bar
A place that offers a great happy hour is Wilson & Wilson in San Francisco. It’s located in Union Square, one of the city’s most beautiful and bustling areas, with many bars, restaurants, shops and cultural centers.
And just like Smuggler’s Cove, the bar’s decor is very original, following the film-noir style, with half-lights, retro wallpaper, classic wooden furniture and old cash registers.
On the menu, you’ll find drinks of all kinds, as well as more elaborate dishes, making for a great dinner on your trip. Don’t forget to book your table on the official website, as it is always full.
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
- Address: 505 Jones Street, San Francisco.
4. RickHouse Bar
Our final tip is the RickHouse Bar, another excellent place to enjoy a night out in San Francisco. When you enter the bar, the first thing you notice is its wooden décor, with its barrel tables.
In this sense, the stylish venue attracts a lot of young people, who enjoy the evening there to the sound of good live music, with lots of snacks and drinks. And the best tip for enjoying the music is to sit near the RickHouse mezzanine, where you can get a better view of the bands on stage, who are always very good.
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 3pm to 2am. Saturday from 6pm to 2am.
- Address: 246 Kearny Street, San Francisco.
Nightclubs in San Francisco
1. Raven Bar
Having been around since the 1990s, Raven Bar is one of the best nightclubs in San Francisco. With a retro style, Raven Bar’s DJs play the best of retro Hip Hop, Pop and R&B for everyone to dance the night away on its two dance floors.
The nightclub offers a complete audiovisual experience, showing many music videos of acclaimed songs alongside a laser system that illuminates the entire nightclub. And if you’re looking for a lively birthday party with great music and delicious drinks, Raven Bar is the place to be in San Francisco.
- Address: 1151 Folsom St, San Francisco.
2. DNA Lounge
Voted the best dance club in the city since 2008, DNA Lounge is a big name when it comes to San Francisco nightclubs, and has been mentioned in media outlets such as The Guardian, SF Weekly and 7×7 Magazine.
Opened in 1985, the club has gained popularity due to its eclectic events, which cater to all tastes. There’s lots of live music, four dance floors, two stages, bars and restaurants offering delicious drinks and snacks until late at night. If you can, don’t miss the opportunity to dance a lot during your trip at DNA Lounge.
- Address: 375 11th St, San Francisco.
3. F8 Nightclub & Bar
Located in South of Market, a San Francisco neighborhood full of warehouses and entertainment, is F8 Nightclub & Bar. Like DNA Lounge, F8 offers an eclectic experience, with music ranging from hip hop to techno. And of course, serving various types of specialty drinks for your evening.
With a capacity for 250 people, F8 offers its space for private hire. If you want to have an incredible private event in San Francisco, it’s worth getting in touch on the nightclub’s official website.
- Address: 1192 Folsom St, San Francisco.
4. Cat Club
Another highlight of San Francisco’s nightlife is the Cat Club. With three decades of existence, the nightclub hosts exciting events for San Francisco locals and tourists alike. You can expect events ranging from 90s hip hop to 70s disco. The Cat Club’s motto is a mix of everything from music to people.
With state-of-the-art lights, you’ll be dancing until the early hours on the two dance floors available, while sipping the best drinks. And, if you prefer, there are exclusive smoking areas.
- Address: 1190 Folsom St, San Francisco.
5. El Rio Nightclub
Finally, we need to mention a place with a Brazilian touch in San Francisco: El Rio nightclub. Located on Mission Street in The Mission neighborhood, El Rio is a totally eclectic nightclub for all audiences, featuring the Leather Brazilian Gay Bar, one of San Francisco’s liveliest LGBT clubs.
There’s also country music, salsa and, of course, lots of Brazilian music. All types of people are welcome to enjoy the night in a comfortable and fun place.
- Address: 3158 Mission Street, Mission, San Francisco.
Important tips for nightclubs in San Francisco:
A characteristic of California’s nightclubs and bars is that most of them close around 2am. Many tourists find this time strange, as they are used to arriving at nightclubs at 10pm, 11pm or even midnight. To avoid any unforeseen circumstances during your trip, remember to schedule your nightlife for much earlier in the day and enjoy the best of San Francisco’s nightlife.
Restaurants in San Francisco
1. Zuni Café Restaurant
The Zuni Café is considered one of San Francisco’s most classic restaurants. Opened in 1979, it quickly won the hearts of locals, tourists and celebrities alike.
Chef Judy Rodgers, in charge of Zuni’s kitchen, is always coming up with delicious new dishes, making each visit there different from the last. Not to mention the fact that they offer different meals for lunch and dinner.
One of their hits is the Roast Chicken, a super tasty dish that you must try. And after an excellent meal, you can visit a great tourist attraction in the area: the Orpheum Theatre.
- Opening hours are Tuesday to Thursday from 11:30 am to 11 pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 11:30 am to midnight and Sundays from 11 am to 11 pm.
- Address: 1658 Market Street, San Francisco.
2. Gotts Roadside Burgers and Shakes
If you like a juicy burger, our recommendation is to go to Gotts Roadside Burgers and Shakes. Being one of the most traditional in the city, many locals frequent the place with an interest in its tasty snacks and milk shakes.
And just like the previous one, it is also located near one of San Francisco’s tourist attractions, the Ferry Building.
- Gotts Roadside Burgers and Shakes is open from 7am to 10pm every day.
- Address: Ferry Building – Market Street and Embarcadero, San Francisco.
3. Gary Danko Restaurant
Another restaurant that deserves to be on the list of must-try restaurants in San Francisco is Gary Danko, located near the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. There, you’ll find a wide variety of meals, ranging from salads to caviar – and all the dishes are delicious.
The reason the meals are so good is due to the talent of the owner, renowned chef Gary Danko, one of the best in the United States. We therefore highly recommend that you visit the restaurant. And if you’re a vegetarian, the place is one of the best at providing quality dishes for vegetarians.
Don’t forget to guarantee your presence by booking through the website.
- Opening hours: every day from 5:30pm to 10pm.
- Address: 800 North Point Street, San Francisco.
- Important tip: to make the most of your trip to San Francisco, staying in the best areas is essential. So, if you want, check out our article explaining the main areas, the hotels and how you can save a lot on accommodation.
4. Crab House Restaurant
Located on Pier 39 in San Francisco is the famous Crab House. It’s the ideal option if you want to dine in a touristy and traditional place at the same time.
The entire decor of the restaurant simulates a boat, making it one of the most original places in the city. And, as the name implies, the restaurant specializes in crabs and other seafood.
- The Crab House is open every day from 11:30 am to 10 pm.
- Address: 203 Pier 39, San Francisco.
Tips for restaurants in San Francisco
We have an important warning if you plan to dine in a restaurant in San Francisco. Everyone in the area has a habit of dining early, which means that restaurants close even before midnight. So don’t forget to plan your schedule well so that you don’t have to find restaurants to dine in late at night. This applies not only to San Francisco, but to the whole of California.
Save money on your trip to San Francisco:
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Hotels: our article on where to stay in San Francisco. You will find out the best areas and how to save a lot on the hotel.
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