San Francisco’s Top 10 : Nightlife

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  1. Bambuddha Lounge

    The
    sumptuous restaurant in this ultra-hip nightclub serves Southeast Asian
    cuisine and all the dishes are priced under $15. The interior is an
    eclectic mix of modern slate fireplaces and floor-to-ceiling waterfalls,
    with a retro cocktail lounge and Asian artifacts. Bambuddha boasts a
    poolside dining area, and couples will enjoy the intimate corners and
    low tables for private conversations.

    Phoenix Hotel

    • 601 Eddy St, between Larkin & Polk

    • 415 885 5088

  2. Ten 15 Folsom

    You’d
    never know that this inconspicuous, windowless building houses one of
    the city’s most elaborate disco-extravaganzas. It features big-name DJs
    in a huge, SoMa multi-environment space, laid out on three levels. Don’t
    expect anything to happen of any significance until after midnight .




    Ten 15 Folsom

  3. Club Six

    The
    terribly seedy southern Tenderloin/SoMa location can be a major
    drawback late at night, but once inside you can join the diverse crowd
    in dancing to some righteous DJs in the roomy downstairs area. The music
    tends toward house, trance, or whatever gets people moving. Or head
    upstairs to the high-ceilinged, comfortable lounge to relax and chat.

    • 60 6th St between Market & Mission

    • 415 863 1221

  4. Pink

    Located
    in a nondescript no-man’s-land just on the edge of SoMa and the
    Mission, crowds are drawn by this club’s word-of-mouth reputation.
    World-class DJs play here, catering to diverse audiences that enjoy
    music and dance. The elegant interior with flowers and white drapes adds
    to the ambience.

    • 2925 16th St between Mission & South Van Ness

    • 415 431 8889

  5. Harry Denton’s Starlight Room

    Something
    for the 40-plus set, or even 50-plus. Twenty-two stories above Union
    Square, couples can dance to cocktail jazz and the milder R&B hits,
    and relax in the easy sophistication of the place. It’s 1930s-stylish,
    so consider it a chance to dress up in suits and party dresses, sip
    highballs, and enjoy the city’s seductive lights.

    Sir Francis Drake Hotel

    • 450 Powell St at Sutter

    • 415 395 8595

  6. Bimbo’s 365 Club

    Whether
    you are into swing, jazz, rock, or grunge, this San Francisco
    institution delivers. A retro-chic yet unpretentious music venue since
    1931, this hopping bar with glittering decor and old-school feel brings
    in all the top acts.

    • 1025 Columbus Ave

    • 415 474 0365

  7. Supperclub

    If
    ultra-chic surroundings are what you are looking for, then this is the
    club for you – San Francisco at its trendiest. The crowd it attracts is
    young and sexy, and the lighting and music are techno-cool. A unique
    feature is the beds, which just add to the laidback stylishness of the
    place. Whether it’s an unusual dining experience or just dancing you are
    after, this is the place to come. The cover charge is pricey but worth
    it.

    • 657 Harrison St

    • 415 348 0900

  8. Milk Bar

    The
    only true dance club in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. Fabulous music
    and a great crowd. The dance floor may be a bit small, but that just
    adds to the atmosphere. Don’t miss the 80s night on Fridays or the
    Reggae night on Tuesdays.

    • 1840 Haight St between Shrader & Stanyan

    • 415 387 6455




    Milk Bar

  9. Punchline Comedy Club

    A
    perfect alternative to bar-hopping, there is no better venue for a good
    laugh than this hilarious comedy club. National acts (and local ones
    too) headline a fun evening in an intimate setting. Buy tickets in
    advance for assured seating.

    • 444 Battery St

    • 415 397 7573

  10. Tonga Room

    This
    Nob Hill tiki bar is almost Disneyesque in its tropical effects,
    including indoor monsoons and a floating band. Aimed at grown-ups of
    every age, it delivers kitschy Polynesian dazzlement, and is often
    chosen as the venue for birthday celebrations. Weekday award-winning
    Happy Hour (5–7pm) includes an Asian buffet at nominal cost.

    Fairmont Hotel

    • 950 Mason St

    • 415 772 5278