BARtab :: Bars

Taking the Detour: Fond remembrances of a sexy cruise bar

Taking the Detour: Fond remembrances of a sexy cruise bar

  • by Michael Flanagan
  • Jul 24, 2019

Fourteen years after the original Detour Bar closed, mention of it evokes strong memories for patrons, especially after news of a new very different bar taking its name. Let's recall the sexy, cruisy original.

From Stonewall to the White Horse: The Bay Area's part in uprisings that changed the world

From Stonewall to the White Horse: The Bay Area's part in uprisings that changed the world

  • by Michael Flanagan
  • Jun 26, 2019

Unlike 1969's Stonewall, disturbances in San Francisco started over job rights. Because the disturbances spread and issues multiplied, they would eventually include at least three bars, including Oakland's White Horse.

Twin Peaks Tavern on the Castro screen

Twin Peaks Tavern on the Castro screen

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Jun 11, 2019

"Through the Windows," a new documentary about the historic Twin Peaks Tavern at the corner of Castro and 17th Sts., will premiere at this year's Frameline LGBTQ Film Festival (Castro Theatre, June 24, 1:30 p.m.).

The Raid on Tommy's Place - a case of Cold War anti-queer crackdowns

The Raid on Tommy's Place - a case of Cold War anti-queer crackdowns

  • by Michael Flanagan
  • May 16, 2019

Paranoia, red-baiting and homophobia swept across the United States in the early 1950s like a cold fire, and San Francisco was not exempt from its reach. The vile Joseph McCarthy and his toady Roy Cohn engaged the country in the Army-McCarthy hearings.

Fickle Fox's founder, Don Cavallo - The multi-talent also created community

Fickle Fox's founder, Don Cavallo - The multi-talent also created community

  • Apr 10, 2019

Don Cavallo, a multi-talented restaurateur, actor and singer was also one of the first writers for the Bay Area Reporter. He seized the scene in San Francisco and made it his own from his 20s on, including opening the Fickle Fox.

Hole in the Wall's 25th - Celebrating a quarter century of beer, bikers and rock & roll

Hole in the Wall's 25th - Celebrating a quarter century of beer, bikers and rock & roll

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Apr 10, 2019

On Saturday April 13, the Hole in the Wall Saloon will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a party. The bar is best known for its colorful (some say surreal) decor, and for its rock music.

Bestie Peeps - Your favorite singers, MCs, dragsters and DJs

Bestie Peeps - Your favorite singers, MCs, dragsters and DJs

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Apr 3, 2019

They love the nightlife, they love to boogie. And this year, our creatures of the night like to mix it up. We've got all new winners in the bartending category, a ladies rout in the comedy club, and a wake-up call in the gogo guys competition.

Best Bars and nightclubs - 2019's reader favorites

Best Bars and nightclubs - 2019's reader favorites

  • by Michael Flanagan
  • Apr 3, 2019

The Besties give us an opportunity to visit some longtime favorite watering holes, to visit some of the newer venues in town and unfortunately to note the passing of one venue.

Best Events - Weekly, monthly and one-off parties rock

Best Events - Weekly, monthly and one-off parties rock

  • by Michael Flanagan
  • Apr 3, 2019

From drag shows to dancing bears, game nights and beer busts, cubcakes, mangos and other treats, your choices for Best Nightlife Events truly represents a diverse menu of options.

Divas' denouement: Historic bar to shutter this week

Divas' denouement: Historic bar to shutter this week

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Mar 27, 2019

Divas, the Polk district bar and nightclub that had long been a safe haven for the transgender community, will be closing its doors on March 30. The bar will celebrate its many years of service to the community with a closing night party.

Divas bar to close March 30

Divas bar to close March 30

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Mar 20, 2019

Divas nightclub, one of the last vestiges from the days when Polk Street was a major gay and transgender hangout, will close its doors at the end of March.

Ann and Maxine Weldon — allies from before Stonewall to the AIDS era

Ann and Maxine Weldon — allies from before Stonewall to the AIDS era

  • by Michael Flanagan
  • Mar 6, 2019

Ann and Maxine Weldon from Bakersfield, performed in clubs beginning in the 1950s, and developed relationships with their gay audiences that came to benefit both the audience and the performers.

Boy Division @ Cat Club

Boy Division @ Cat Club

  • by Steven Underhill
  • Feb 13, 2019

Boy Division, the monthly New Wave, goth, queer pop night, included groovy retro sounds, plus drag queens and puppets! The diverse crowd enjoyed a Dark Room drag show, and grooving to The Cure, Depeche Mode and other faves with DJ Xander at the Cat Club.

Lenny Mollet — The Godfather of Chez Mollet and other bars

Lenny Mollet — The Godfather of Chez Mollet and other bars

  • by Michael Flanagan
  • Jan 24, 2019

Lenny Mollet was a Grand Duke of the Ducal Court, the president of the Tavern Guild, and one of a generation of gay men who fought for a place of their own in the city. He owned a gay bar in San Francisco a decade and a half before the Stonewall riots.