The Best Streets for Bar Hopping in San Francisco

By Dan Rosenbaum

Explore San Francisco’s neighborhoods through the lens of a cocktail glass or beer mug on these streets, perfect for bar hopping.

San Francisco is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own character—and its own nightlife. That means visitors have incredibly diverse options for bar hopping.

Want a classic cocktail with farm-fresh ingredients? We've got those. Looking for a local brew? We got those, too. In the mood to explore our dive bars, take shots, and end up at a dance club? We have streets where you can do all of the above in one night.

Come on out and explore San Francisco’s various neighborhoods and be prepared to meet some new friends. The point is to see where the night will take you, and there's no better place for spontaneity than San Francisco.

Valencia Street

A bastion of bohemian San Francisco, Valencia Street is the dynamic Mission District's official party zone and quite possibly the largest in the city. For live local acts, try The Chapel (777 Valencia St.) or The Valencia Room (647 Valencia St.), which sports a cozy bar downstairs and live music above. Packed lounges perfect for meeting people like Blondies (540 Valencia St.) and Skylark (3089 16th St.) also abound in the area. Valencia Street is easy to get to by taking BART to 16th and Mission Streets and walking one block to the heart of the action.

If you go further down Valencia Street, there are favorite local bars at 22nd Street like the Latin American Club and Make-Out Room (to do what else?)

Polk Street

Polk Street is a full city sampler perfect for bar hopping the entire night away. Start at Kozy Kar (1548 Polk St.) to meet the creative set. On the other side of Broadway, dance-friendly Rouge (1500 Broadway) holds it down. Pop over to Taco Rouge (inside Rouge) if you get hungry. The 19 Polk Muni bus runs the length of this nightlife district while the California Street cable car line will drop you right in the middle of it.

Union Street

This Marina District stretch has a distinctly casual collegiate vibe with its many sports bars and local watering holes. To chat up the friendly locals, drop into the historic dive bar Bus Stop (1901 Union St.), where a variety of bar games await, or sample Northern California vino at West Coast Wine and Cheese (2165 Union St.). The neighborhood is easily accessible from downtown on the 41 or 45 Muni Bus.

Columbus and Broadway

This area is home to San Francisco institutions like Vesuvio (255 Columbus Ave.), where the Beat poets used to gather for drinks, as well as Tosca Café (242 Columbus Ave.), where opera music plays while you enjoy spiked cappuccinos enjoyed in lush leather booths. Festive locals rage at the Comstock Saloon (155 Columbus Ave.). To completely ditch the crowds, tuck into 15 Romolo (15 Romolo Pl.) for a cocktail. Take the 30 Stockton Muni bus from downtown and step off on Broadway.

Haight Street

San Francisco’s alternative scene is on full display on Haight Street in Haight-Ashbury. Check out the artsy design of NOC NOC (557 Haight St.) or the die-hard regular crowd at Molotov's (582 Haight St.) before heading over to Nickie's (466 Haight St.) for some dancing. If you're in the mood for beer, head across the street to Toronado where they have 40 beers on tap. The 7 Haight Muni bus gets you here from Market Street in a snap.

11th Street

This strip on the edge of SoMa is home to many incredible clubs. Feel the music—literally—at Audio (316 11th St.), with its powerful, one-of-a-kind sound system. See everything from a battle of the bands to burlesque at DNA Lounge (375 11th St.). Halcyon SF (314 11th St.) has hosted some of the biggest names in house and electronica, and LGBT-favorite Oasis (298 11th St.) always has some outrageous entertainment. Along the way, you can find the definitely not country Holy Cow Nightclub (1535 Folsom St.).

Duboce Triangle

Centered on Market Street where the Castro, Lower Haight and Mission Districts all come together, Duboce Triangle is a bustling nightlife area. Catch a live band at classic music venue Café Du Nord (2174 Market St.) before storming the mic yourself at the Mint Karaoke Lounge (1942 Market St.). Churchill (198 Church St.) and Blackbird (2124 Market St.) are friendly local bars worth checking out as well. Get here on the elegant F Market streetcar from downtown.

Union Square

Most people need a stiff drink after shopping till they drop. Luckily, the Union Square area transforms into a popping nightlife district after the sun goes down. Home to stylish lounges like Hawthorn (46 Geary St.) and lux nightclubs perched on top of historic hotels like Cityscape Lounge (333 O'Farrell St.), Union Square will have you set for the night. Micro-brew fans should check out the selection at the Golden Gate Tap Room (449 Powell St.) and swing by the in-house brewery in Bartlett Hall (242 O’Farrell St.). If you want an award-winning cocktail to start, continue or end your night, you need to check out Pacific Cocktail Haven (P.C.H.).

Divisadero Street

Stretching from the Castro to the Marina, Divisadero is packed with hip bars and cocktail lounges that make for some top-notch bar hopping. DJs and local live music usually spice things up at the Madrone Art Bar (500 Divisadero St.),. Mini Bar SF (837 Divisadero St.) is cozy and showcases local artists, Horsefeather (528 Divisadero) is a casual neighborhood cocktail gathering place, while The Page (298 Divisadero St.) offers pool tables and foosball. If you want arcade-style games with your drinks, head to the Emporium in the historic Harding Theater, a 100-year-old historic San Francisco venue. The 24 Divisadero Muni bus runs the entire street.

Castro Street

While the entire City by the Bay is LGBTQ-friendly, the Castro is the official home of the community and the nightlife here is like nowhere else. Go people-watching, cocktail in hand, on the balcony at Lookout (3600 16th St.), get your body in motion on the dance floor at The Café (2369 Market St.) or just meet and greet at Moby Dick (4049 18th St.), a Castro landmark. Sports fans should also swing by Hi Tops (2247 Market St.) to catch the game. Take the F Market streetcar to the end and you are here.

Clement Street

This Inner Richmond strip is a bit of East meets West, with some of the city’s best Asian restaurants as well as a great line-up of Irish pubs that fill up every night of the week. Sway to authentic Celtic music over a proper Guinness pint at The Plough and the Stars (116 Clement St.), join the boisterous after-work crowd at The Bitter End (441 Clement St.) or Ireland's 32 (3920 Geary Blvd.), and check out the local bands at The Scarlett Lounge (408 Clement St.). Take the 38 Geary Muni bus to Arguello Boulevard.

Fillmore Street

San Francisco’s original jazz and blues district still keeps things bumping in standout joints like John Lee Hooker's Boom Boom Room (1601 Fillmore St.). Head north on Fillmore towards Pacific Heights to Social Study (1795 Geary St.) for a unique day and evening lounge, Harry's Bar (2020 Fillmore St.), where an excellent whiskey selection awaits, or The Snug (2301 Fillmore St.) for a great place that showcases the best that California has to offer. Take the 38 Geary Muni bus to Fillmore Street, and you are in the bull’s eye.

Dan Rosenbaum

Dan is the Vice President, Global Marketing, at San Francisco Travel. San Francisco has been his home for over a decade (that makes him a local, right?). On the weekends, you can find him with a cup of craft coffee in hand, a playlist of good vibes, a growing list of books to read, or out at the city's hottest new restaurant or bar.