Where to go in San Francisco?
 

I’m going to San Francisco sometime in late April early May and I want some recommendations on places to go out at night/things to see in the day.

If anyone can suggest some cool bars with a not too scenester vibe, I’d appreciate that. I tend to like places that are kind of half dive, half hip? You know a nice mix of young people, regular bar drunks plus the occasional drug addict or cripple or whatever. A great jukebox is essential; I guess I could live with a DJ as long as it’s some good 80’s or else old school R & B or something. If that’s not asking too much, please suggest away. I’m pretty sure we’re staying in the Mission but we’re wiling to travel for a nice night out.

There are a few things that I’m going to do for sure already, here they are:

De Young Museum/Legion of Honor

Dinner at Cha Cha Cha (mmmm… Sangria)

Dinner at A16

Lunch at Naan & Curry (Should I?)

I’d like to try some good Dim Sum and a nice Thai place too. Any suggestions here?

Omid?!

Anyone?

Anyone?

By way of Google-

Here is a list of some cool bars and dive bars in San Francisco.

more

Dive bars


As far as Dim Sum is concerned, there should be plenty of good options there as it's the biggest Chinatown in the US:blink: !

Thanks, I'll definitely check out those links.

I know I can do a lot of searching on my own on Google, I'm just *hoping* for some first hand suggestions. Personal favorites, you know?

I know, don't you hate that when people just contribute google results:lookaround: ?!

Where's Som and Omi when you need them:comando: ?!

Hopefully someone comes along soon... :taz:

Naan & Curry is good. Dim sum, well, as Tony said-- just wander into Chinatown. -_- The others I'm not familiar with.

Also try not to miss the Asian Art Museum!! :wub:

Okay, Naan and Curry for sure then, thanks, J.

Anywhere else you particularly liked?

A cool coffee shop or MMMM... ice cream shop?

Eh, I'll find out... there are a few places but I don't remember them off the top of my head.

*patiently waiting*

I went to a wicked gay karaoke bar when i was there last month. It was called encore. www.encorekaraokesf.com
It had such a good mixed crowd. half gay, half straight, regular old guys, birthday parties, drunken girls. Loved it!!!!:afro:

Just wanted to bump this thread so I might potentially get some more advice!

HELLO! ;)

I know everyone hates itinerary questions, but how about this: will I be back-tracking too much doing any of this?

Saturday
Breakfast at Kate’s Kitchen
De Young & Legion of Honor
Lunch at Singapore Malaysia?
Japan Town (for stationary)
Maybe go to Giant Robot?
Explore the Mission
Dinner @ Bissap Baobab


Sunday
Breakfast
SFMOMA and/or Yerba Buena
Lunch at Naan & Curry (16th Near Valencia)
SF Camerawork
Ice Cream at Bombay Ice Creamery (Valencia near 16th)
Check out FCUK
Walk from Powell St. through the neighborhoods
Dinner @ A16

san francisco
 

i live in the city, here are some things i like to do on my days off:

-breakfast:
either Boogaloos on Valencia (for dinner style brunch)
or pastries at Tartine on Guerrero and 18th, soooo so good

-Missed Breakfast:
bloody maries at Zeitgiest on Valencia and Duboce, hands down, road house style outside bar with picnic tables and bbq

-Lunch:
pizzeria delfina, best in the city, guerrero and 18th
also, if it's nice out, go to Dolores Park a block away on Dolores and 18th, always super packed and tons o fun
the Creamery on the same block also has awesome ice cream, try the burnt carmel

-Outdoors:
take the ferry (at pier 39, but otherwise avoid this area at all costs!) to angel island, bring lunch, hike to the top of the mountian and enjoy the best view of the city you'll find, or hike to the secret beer gardens in Muir Woods

-Night:
you could wander around the mission going to dive bars, the attic (24th), pops (also 24th, but a ways away) and the phone booth (25th and van ness) are a few of my favorites, if your into something fancier, try the bourbon and branch, you have to make reservations and get a password the day of to be allowed in

enjoy!

Zeitgeist is awesome. Someone got me drunk there... twice. :blink2: And Dolores Park is also very cool.

Joanie babe, I pm'd you. :)

I went to San Francisco but hardly went out at night, I was too bloody tired from walking up all the hills!

Ok, ok, I've been summoned to this thread.

All the above ideas are great. Except dinner at Cha Cha Cha: Ok Sangria, passable tapas, horrible wait & tourist trappy. Go for tapas & sangria at Picaro (16th & Valencia-ish) instead. It's not luxe, but a better experience. Or for serious tapas & sangria, Alegrias, even though it's in the uber-yuppie Marina district.

Dim Sum: Golden River on Geary or Happy Garden on Clement (both Richmond district) for the most authentic, cheap experience. City View Dim Sum in the Financial District for a more upscale yet authentic experience.

Thai: Manora's Thai (around Folsom & 11th) is the best of the "fancier" thai placesl, but authentic as sworn by my Thai coworker. Across the street from Wish, one of the best bars in town (although a bit lame on Fri & Sat nights). Osha Thai in downtown (Geary & Leavenworth) is my other favorite Thai, and it's open 'til 3am for good post-partying munchies.

Bars: Zeitgeist (as covered umpteen times already) especially if it's nice out, though it'll be crowded. Bourbon & Branch is cool & low-key - good for a small group of friends or even a date, reservations required. I know one of the owners but that hasn't helped me much in the past ;) Sadies Flying Elephant (Potrero Hill) and Delirium (Mission, on 16th) have a couple of the best jukeboxes in the city. I second Phone Booth as well. Hemlock Tavern (Polk St.) has a cool crowd most of the time, as well as live music in the back room for a small fee. I usually hang out at my neighborhood bars, 821, The Page, Place Pigalle, Jade

I left my heart in San Francisco
 

well, thank you kindly, finally!

okay, so i went up to san francisco this weekend for a quick trip. it was only 24-hours but boy was it worth it. thank god i hadn't read this thread (had it been written yet?) because i did go to cha cha cha and i loved it! the sangria was nothing to write home about but i thought the food was great. i tried the cajun shrimp and the calamari and loved every bite.
i've written down everyone's suggestions though, especially the bar recs ;)

i can't wait to go back in april. i'm totally sprung on SF now! the greenery, the scenery, the architecture, the vibe. i'm sold. i'm actually considering moving up there in the next year or two!

san francisco: i - love - you!