BARtab :: Bars

B.A.R. launches memberships

B.A.R. launches memberships

  • by Cynthia Laird
  • Sep 18, 2020

In a continuing effort to receive support from readers, the Bay Area Reporter has launched its membership program.

SF LGBTQ bar El Rio awarded HRC, Showtime grant

SF LGBTQ bar El Rio awarded HRC, Showtime grant

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Sep 15, 2020

The queer-owned bar El Rio in San Francisco's Mission district is receiving financial help from the cable network Showtime and national LGBTQ advocacy organization the Human Rights Campaign to keep its doors open.

A weekend in the Castro: businesses, re-opened

A weekend in the Castro: businesses, re-opened

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Sep 14, 2020

Visitors to the Castro district on Sunday Sept. 13 enjoyed outdoor dining, drinks and shopping at local stores. Safety and health precautions were heeded as patrons enjoyed themselves while supporting local businesses.

What's the future of Bay Area nightlife? Talks series explores options

What's the future of Bay Area nightlife? Talks series explores options

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Aug 30, 2020

What is the future of local LGBT nightlife and how can businesses, employees and patrons continue to stay active in pandemic times? This and other questions were discussed in the first Queer Nightlife Fund talks series, held online, of course.

SOMA developers work with leather district as hearing nears

SOMA developers work with leather district as hearing nears

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Aug 19, 2020

The San Francisco Planning Commission will hold a hearing next month to determine whether to require sound proofing for a housing project at 1560 Folsom Street — adjacent to the LGBTQ-themed bar and nightclub Oasis.

Oasis reopens rooftop bar; D'Arcy Drollinger becomes sole owner

Oasis reopens rooftop bar; D'Arcy Drollinger becomes sole owner

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Aug 11, 2020

Good news for nightlife fans. Oasis, the popular SoMa nightclub, announced plans to re-open its rooftop bar on August 14, with proper social distancing rules in effect Fridays through Sundays. D'Arcy Drollinger is also now the sole owner of the nightclub.

SF Castro's Badlands to close permanently

SF Castro's Badlands to close permanently

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Jul 30, 2020

The Castro nightclub Badlands at 4121 18th Street will not be reopening, according to a post on its Facebook page.

Moby Dick fundraisers support bar, staff

Moby Dick fundraisers support bar, staff

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jul 28, 2020

Moby Dick, the popular Castro district bar, is raising funds for employees and the owners' expenses in two online fundraisers.

Castro bar The Mix files cross-complaint after lawsuit from shareholder

Castro bar The Mix files cross-complaint after lawsuit from shareholder

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Jul 16, 2020

The corporation that does business as The Mix, a Castro neighborhood bar, filed a cross-complaint last month against Lawrence "Larry" Metzger, who sued the corporation and two of its shareholders in October 2019.

The Polly Polaroid Paradox: Tracking down the woman behind the legend

The Polly Polaroid Paradox: Tracking down the woman behind the legend

  • by Michael Flanagan
  • Jul 14, 2020

Polly Polaroid was a presence for around two decades in the gay bars of San Francisco — and yet no one seemed to remember her story. She would make her rounds in the bars, saying "Photo to remember the evening?" to all patrons — and yet she disappeared an

Twin Peaks Tavern documentary's benefit screening July 10

Twin Peaks Tavern documentary's benefit screening July 10

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jul 8, 2020

A Castro district institution for decades, the historic Twin Peaks Tavern is the subject of a 2019 documentary, to be screened as an online fundraiser July 10.

Memory's River: vibrant pre-AIDS history revealed in Mark Abramson's 'River Days, River Nights'

Memory's River: vibrant pre-AIDS history revealed in Mark Abramson's 'River Days, River Nights'

  • by Michael Flanagan
  • Jun 23, 2020

The town of Guerneville and the Russian River area are lovingly portrayed in Mark Abramson's latest, 'River Days, River Nights.' The memoir covers the period from 1976 through 1984, an era of considerable change for the region.

Oakland's Port Bar's open for cocktails and tacos

Oakland's Port Bar's open for cocktails and tacos

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jun 15, 2020

Need a bit of nightlife drinks and food in Oakland? The Port Bar offers To Go service every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday until they are allowed to move to the state's allowance for "Dine-In".

Online Extra: The Stud's closure ends an era, for now

Online Extra: The Stud's closure ends an era, for now

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • May 21, 2020

The Stud is dead, but long live The Stud. The historic bar's collective owners are leaving the current location, planning a possible future, and a fabulous funeral.