BARtab :: Bars

Obituaries: Robert Neal Thornton

Obituaries: Robert Neal Thornton

  • by BAR staff
  • Jun 14, 2023

The obituary for Robert Neal Thornton, who owned The Cinch Saloon on San Francisco's historic Polk Street.

Russian River's recovery & revelry

Russian River's recovery & revelry

  • by Enrique Asis
  • May 30, 2023

As summer events in Guerneville and Monte Rio return, it's worth looking back to see how Russian River venues have recovered from the pandemic and a series of floods and fires.

Feelmore Social, Oakland's latest cool bar

Feelmore Social, Oakland's latest cool bar

  • by Heather Cassell
  • May 30, 2023

Downtown Oakland has a new hangout that's a little bit wild and sexy: Feelmore Social. Nenna Joiner, owner, said, "We want to create a space where sexual weirdos can come."

Going Out, May 25 - June 1, 2023

Going Out, May 25 - June 1, 2023

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • May 25, 2023

June 1 kicks off Pride Month, but we've got a lovely bouquet of rainbow-licious arts and nightlife events in the last week of May as well. Get going out.

Town Bar adds style to Oakland's nightlife

Town Bar adds style to Oakland's nightlife

  • by Heather Cassell
  • May 9, 2023

Oakland's newest gay bar, Town Bar & Lounge, is a family affair, as owner Joshua Huynh explained. The intimate bar is one of a few new LGBTQ-owned venues in the East Bay.

Drag entertainers to refresh Russian River Women's Weekend

Drag entertainers to refresh Russian River Women's Weekend

  • by Sari Staver
  • May 3, 2023

Two popular drag entertainers with years of experience producing queer events hope the 2023 Women's Weekend Russian River, May 12-14, will mark the turnaround for an event that once drew thousands of women to Guerneville for the annual gathering.

The White Horse Bar's gay 90th, and a new owner

The White Horse Bar's gay 90th, and a new owner

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Apr 25, 2023

The longest-running LGBTQ bar in the United States is under new queer ownership. Patty Nishimura Dingle took over Oakland's White Horse Bar from longtime gay owner, and patrons young and old are enjoying it.

Mother's day: new women's bar at the former Esta Noche

Mother's day: new women's bar at the former Esta Noche

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Apr 11, 2023

Queer women have a new watering hole, Mother Bar in the Mission District, thanks to Malia Spanyol. Queer women and their friends of all ages are responding, Spanyol is thrilled.

Beleaguered Castro seeks signs of hope

Beleaguered Castro seeks signs of hope

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Mar 1, 2023

January's abrupt closure of Harvey's lit a fire under mounting anxieties that San Francisco's storied Castro LGBTQ neighborhood is in decline.

Bare Chest Calendar raises more than $205K

Bare Chest Calendar raises more than $205K

  • by Larry Rich
  • Feb 21, 2023

On February 16, the Bare Chest Calendar held its third preliminary competition for the 2024 Calendar at the Powerhouse bar in SoMa, which included a presentation of last year's fundraising total, a whopping $205,190.

No deal yet for Badlands space, liquor license in process of being surrendered

No deal yet for Badlands space, liquor license in process of being surrendered

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Feb 21, 2023

The location of the former Badlands in the Castro is in the process of losing its liquor license just as its landlord and prospective new operator have stopped providing updates on the space's future.

Badlands owner Natali says Castro space could become a new club soon

Badlands owner Natali says Castro space could become a new club soon

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Feb 9, 2023

The old Badlands space on 18th Street in the Castro neighborhood may be occupied by another nightclub in as little as eight weeks, property owner Les Natali told the Bay Area Reporter Thursday.

Castro's Q Bar to reopen this spring, co-owner says

Castro's Q Bar to reopen this spring, co-owner says

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Feb 8, 2023

The co-owner of Q Bar in San Francisco's Castro district anticipates a spring reopening after the business was damaged by a fire in 2019.

Betty Fresas: repping Latin culture in the Castro

Betty Fresas: repping Latin culture in the Castro

  • by Christopher J. Beale
  • Feb 7, 2023

"Betty's look is very regular girl, very approachable, very easy," said San Francisco-based drag performer Betty Fresas, host of Media Noche at the Midnight Sun. "But she's super colorful!"