San Francisco Nightlife
Nightlife in San Francisco is as varied as the city itself and the bars and clubs are largely localised in various different areas. There are dozens of piano bars and trendy lounges which often transform into lively clubs in the early hours, as well as a number of the skyscrapers in the city offering dazzling views while you sit back and sip a cocktail.
Although the city is best known for its restaurants, the inhabitants of San Francisco tend to spend most of their time in bars, clubs and theatres.
The city has an amazing art scene that should not be missed. San Francisco has a world-renowned opera and ballet as well as a number of high-quality theatres. The Asian Art Museum, which has just settled in its new location at the Civic Centre, is also worth a visit and is open in the evenings.
The Berkeley Repertory Theatre is also well worth a visit. Tourists can view award-winning progressive theatre which is edgy and contemporary. New works are regularly performed on one of the two stages near the downtown Berkeley BART Station.
Those who want to get tickets for shows in the city should take a trip to the Tix Bay Area which sells half-price tickets to theatre, dance and music performances on the day of the show. The Tix Bay Area also sells advance tickets for most sporting events, clubs and concerts.
For the more unusual and modern clubs, which play hip hop and electronic music, tourists should take a trip to San Francisco's South of the Market (SOMA). This is where San Francisco's most trendy restaurants and bustling streets are.
This area is also home to Union Square where there are a number of worthwhile and well-priced nightspots. For a treat visit Harry Denton's Starlight Room in the Drake Hotel's swanky top-floor lounge with views over the city. The nightly live music manages to draw an upbeat crowd and the food is to die for.
Those who prefer to bar hop and hang out in venues that cater for a rockier crowd should visit the Mission District. Travellers to San Francisco with little time and money should definitely check this area out. It offers authentic Mexican food, unusual cafes, cheap bars and a generally laid-back atmosphere.
However, visitors should be warned that this is not the safest area of San Fran and a fair amount of prostitution, drug dealing and violent crime occurs here.
Slightly more elegant, although just as fun and debaucherous, bars can be located in the Marina District. This is one of the most affluent areas of the city and offers a range of stylish bars and restaurants. This area boasts spectacular views of the Golden Gate and is ideal for taking an early evening stroll and a leisurely drink.
Night owls looking to party until the wee hours may be able to find their paradise on San Francisco's North Beach. Although most bars in the city shut up shop at around 2am, the North Beach is open until the sun comes up and is packed full of neon strip joints and cool hideaway bars. There are also a number of gay bars in this area.
San Francisco really is a city that has it all. When the sun goes down, San Fran comes alive and from the awe-inspiring ballets to the dazzling lights of the main boulevards, visitors to this Californian delight will certainly not be left disappointed.
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Nightlife
