BARtab :: Bars

Election Night @ Oasis, Calle 11

Election Night @ Oasis, Calle 11

  • by Steven Underhill
  • Nov 7, 2018

Candidates in Supervisor, local and state offices celebrated their victories (including Matt Haney and Gordon Mar), the Democratic House majority flip, as well as 100s of progressive victories nationwide, at Oasis and Calle 11.

When Polk Street Exploded: Tear gas, murder and the tradition of the Halloween buses

When Polk Street Exploded: Tear gas, murder and the tradition of the Halloween buses

  • by Michael Flanagan
  • Oct 24, 2018

Mention Halloween violence in the LGBT community, and most people think of events of the last decade, which ended the closing of Castro Street for the holiday. But history does repeat itself, as the '60s and'70s Halloween celebrations prove.

Live from the Stud! - Etta James, Sylvester and more - when live music first ruled Folsom Street

Live from the Stud! - Etta James, Sylvester and more - when live music first ruled Folsom Street

  • by Michael Flanagan
  • Sep 19, 2018

When we think of entertainment in our bars, the chances are that we think of drag performances or DJs more often than live music. But from the 1960s to the 1980s at the Stud (then at 1535 Folsom Street), live performances often ruled the night.

Drag & Burgers @ Hamburger Mary's

Drag & Burgers @ Hamburger Mary's

  • by Steven Underhill
  • Sep 5, 2018

Serving up burgers and drag shows, the recently opened Hamburger Mary's has become a popular Castro district restaurant for locals and tourists alike.

Beats, Bohemians and Bars: Jack Spicer, Allen Ginsberg and their circle's San Francisco haunts

Beats, Bohemians and Bars: Jack Spicer, Allen Ginsberg and their circle's San Francisco haunts

  • by Michael Flanagan
  • Jul 25, 2018

A literary spark started fires on both U.S. coasts following World War II. The Beat writers in New York and the Berkeley renaissance poets in the Bay Area started out separately, but they converged in a conflagration that burns to this day.

20th Anniversary @ The Cinch

20th Anniversary @ The Cinch

  • by photos by Steven Underhill
  • Jul 18, 2018

Celebrations for the twentieth anniversary of The Cinch Bar's ownership by Bob Thornton and Robby Morgenstein, held on Saturday, July 14, included a festive array of drinks, food, and a live performance by Maria Konner.

The Monster Show @ The Edge

The Monster Show @ The Edge

  • by photos by Steven Underhill
  • Jul 11, 2018

The Monster Show, The Edge bar's weekly drag show, scintillates and scandalizes with campy big numbers on a tiny stage. Last week's 'Bruno Mars vs. Marina & the Diamonds' theme featured an 'illegal alien' number by host Intensive Claire.

Manimal @ Beaux

Manimal @ Beaux

  • by photos: Steven Underhill
  • Jul 3, 2018

Friday nights at Beaux see a diverse fun crowd of patrons who enjoy Manimal, the dance music night that features gogo cuties in the spacious club venue.

BFD @ Oasis: Gogo studs galore

BFD @ Oasis: Gogo studs galore

  • by photos: Gooch
  • Jul 3, 2018

Big Fat Dick, Los Angeles nightlife producer Mario Diaz' gogo stud-focused event, returned to Oasis in SoMa on June 29.

Frank Banks, musical master of The Mint

Frank Banks, musical master of The Mint

  • by Michael Flanagan
  • Jun 20, 2018

From 1975 to 1988 Frank Banks was both defined by and helped define The Mint (1942 Market) in San Francisco. He would go on to play other bars before he left and his presence here was felt all the way to City Hall, but The Mint was his home.

Pride parties: Celebrate, dance and enjoy

Pride parties: Celebrate, dance and enjoy

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Jun 20, 2018

There's a lot going on for Pride weekend before and after the parade. Here's a select list of just some of the weekend's events for those who want to party, dance and enjoy some nightlife talents.

Giving Back During Pride Month

Giving Back During Pride Month

  • by Juanita MORE!
  • May 30, 2018

Juanita MORE! highlights June events that benefit us all, and provide a lot of fun.

Gay Gaymes:  Geek out at gaming nights

Gay Gaymes: Geek out at gaming nights

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • May 23, 2018

Tuesday nights at The Midnight Sun are the newest Gaymer nights in the Bay Area. These evenings, which co-organizer Saul Sugarman promises will be loads of fun for gay geeks and their friends, will feature popular video games.

Cinco de Mayo @ Castro Bars

Cinco de Mayo @ Castro Bars

  • by Steven Underhill
  • May 9, 2018

Despite being an obscure battle victory in Mexican history, for patrons of Castro bars, the May 5 holiday remains an excuse for margaritas and specialty cocktails.