Whether you're up for a show, down to get dirty or just need a good stiff drink, our readers who voted in our annual Best of the Bay survey have recommendations for you as to where is the best places to go. With options that span the bay and venues new and old you've got a lot of choices.
The variety of options will make you realize that perhaps our recent experiences with solitude have made us all a bit hungrier for time with the community. Rejoice! We've got it. With that in mind, let's take a tour through the Besties Nightlife venues and events.
Best Cabaret Venue: Oasis
Runners-up: Martuni's, Feinstein's at The Nikko
Best Dance Club: Oasis
Runners-up: Beaux, DNA Lounge
Our readers say Oasis is the place to be for both performance and dance, and it's no wonder. From the immersive "The Rocky Horror Show" and "Sqream: A Musical Drag Parody" to the drag theater version of "9 to 5," a reprise of their show "Bitch Slap!" (their take on Dynasty) and special events like Lady Bunny's "A Very Blue X-mas," the venue has gotten rave revues for performances in the last year that always draw crowds.
Dance parties like the Nachspiel queer techno party and the Queer Cowboy's disco dance continue to make Oasis' dance floor the favorite of bay area folks. Whether you are there to watch the show or to be the show, Oasis remains the favorite both for cabaret and dancing.
www.sfoasis.com
Best Drag Show: Princess at Oasis
Runners-up: Reparations at Oasis, Tie: The Monster Show at The Edge/Big Top Sundays at Beaux
Princess, Oasis' dance party and drag spectacular, comes in at the very pinnacle of Bay Area drag events in this year's poll. With performances in the past year by Plasma from "RuPaul's Drag Race," Glamamore, Nymphia Wind, Lisa Frankenstine, Kochina Rude and Madd-Dogg 20/20, the entertainment never stops.
Tito Soto, drag prince of the West Coast, has outdone himself as the producer of Princess this year. The competition in this category between Princess and Reparations is often fierce, but this year, Princess snatches the crown!
www.sfoasis.com
Best Nightlife Event: Disco Daddy at SF Eagle
Runners-up: Mango at El Rio, Daytime Realness at El Rio
DJ Bus Station John is the Disco Daddy in question and he's a musical institution in San Francisco nightclubs, with ongoing shows at both the SF Eagle and Aunt Charlie's. His forte is classic and rare disco and his musical selections are always surprising, entertaining and make you move your feet.
Add the charm of a cellphone and camera-free zone, as his events are, and you can understand that Disco Daddy transports its dancers to another world. It's obviously a world that they love. Congratulations Disco Daddy.
www.sf-eagle.com
Best New Venue: The Stud
Runners-up: Mother, Zhuzh
When The Stud reopened in April 2024, longtime patrons wondered if that new bar would live up to the name or the previous locations. Well, wonder no more. With a wonderful outdoor space as well as an ample dancefloor and performance space, the new Stud is a dream come true and is our reader's favorite new bar.
With events like the opening, which featured performance, and musical sets by decade from the '60s on, to Forever Queer Pride with dancing and drags, The Stud hits all the right notes with our readers and is their favorite new venue for a night out. We missed you, Stud. Welcome back.
www.studsf.com
Best Castro Bar: Twin Peaks
Runners-up: 440 Castro, Lookout
There are bars that just feel like home. For many of our readers, the Castro bar that typifies that homey feel is Twin Peaks. Whether you're whiling away a lazy afternoon, meeting friends or showing off the neighborhood to tourists, it's a lovely place that always feels welcoming. Now having been open for more than half a century, it's such an institution that visiting dignitaries like Queen Maxima of the Netherlands stop by here when they visit San Francisco.
Congratulations to Twin Peaks for being number one in the hearts of Bay Area Reporter readers.
www.twinpeakstavern.com
Best SoMa Bar: SF Eagle
Runners-up: Oasis, Hole in The Wall
With monthly events like the Tom of Finland leather gear and erotic art night, Adonis (a muscle fetish night), Filth, an evening for "nasty pigs and filthy animals," and the award-winning Disco Daddy, the SF Eagle knows its audience, and our readers love the SF Eagle. Wrestling the crown from last year's winner Oasis, it's the Eagle's year to soar. On bended knee we submit our congratulations humbly, sirs.
www.sf-eagle.com
Best East Bay Bar: White Horse Bar
Runners-up: Que Rico, Club 1220
Perennial East Bay favorite the White Horse again wins this category as the favorite bar of our readers in the East Bay. And really, it's no wonder, as the bar has stood the test of time.
Having been in business since the 1930s, it's seen the poet Jack Spicer get in a fight there in the '50s, had Gay Sunshine protests in the '60s, and pretty much nothing but love from the '70s on.
A lesbian-owned bar since 2023, it continues to serve up high end cocktails, beer and wine as well as mocktails for those going alcohol-free. The new owner has installed a better sound system and a larger dance and performance space, so it's clear the bar is investing back into the community and they love it.
With events like Queer Match (Sapphic speed dating), performances by the Rebel Kings and DJs like Lady Ryan and Olga T providing the soundtrack, it's no wonder the bar remains tops. Well done once again.
www.instagram.com/whitehorsebar
Best Cocktails: Martuni's
Runners-up: Blackbird, Town Bar & Lounge
Whether you like your martinis dirty or not, and whether you have them with gin or you're a heretic like me and have them with vodka, our readers agree that there is no better place on either side of the bay for a good stiff drink.
Martuni's returns as the winner of this category this year and it's no surprise.
If your tastes run toward sweet drinks, there are sour apple martinis, creamsicle martinis and a variety of lemon drops and Cosmopolitans. If you really must, they have beer, too. If you're lucky, you'll be there on a show night and hear some wonderful tunes as well, or one of the monthly literary events.
www.facebook.com/martunissf
Best Beer Selection: Pilsner Inn
Runners-up: SF Eagle, Toronado
The Pilsner Inn features 28 beers on tap, so you're bound to find something you like. Current offerings include a Grapefruit Sculpin IPA, Delirium Tremens Belgian Strong Golden Ale, Moose Drool Brown Ale and Huck It Blonde, to mention only a few.
The bar has a lovely back yard garden area, and there is a pool table, darts and pinball too. But really, it's the beer selection that's caught the attention of our readers and returned the Pilsner Inn to the top spot on the list once again.
www.pilsnerinn.com
Best Wine Bar: Blush
Runners-up: Swirl, Decant SF
Blush returns once more to win the best wine bar category, and it's really no surprise. Aside from the wonderful wines, this wine bar specializes in an atmosphere that makes you want to return again and again.
With live music Tuesday through Thursday, Tarot Readings and art from local artists on the walls, the bar is a treat for all the senses. The extensive menu of bubbles, whites, reds and roses is available via their website and the vineyards really span the globe. Congratulations to Blush.
www.blushwinebar.com
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