Matthew
Boston
My girlfriend and I are heading to San Francisco next weekend and I'm looking for things to do at night, as in post dinner. We're fairly open and adventurous. I really like cocktail bars or pubs and live music is always a plus. We are staying right near Union square park, if that helps. Thanks.
One of the best bars I have ever been in is
Bourbon and Branch You have to get reservations. It is a very cool speakeasy. I also like
Rickhouse,
House of Shields http://sf.eater.com/archives/2012/11/27/13_iconic_san_francisco_dive_bars.php#more
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You should check out
Cantina or
Local Edition (691 Market St). And if you like it even fancier,
Press Club (20 Yerba Buena Ln). It's a bar and a lounge, not a dance club. Have fun!
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San Francisco is a great place to experience fantastic Jazz and Jazz clubs. Try Cafe Du Nord, Top of the Mark at the Mark Hopkins Hotel, and the San Francisco Jazz Center. Also not to be missed is see anything at Yoshi's San Francisco on Fillmore Street.
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So many great things happening in that neighborhood! Here are some of my favorite bars. I hope you like Bourbon (or whiskey in general)!
I don't know how walk-happy you two are, but if you're feeling a little more adventure, either walk or cab to North Beach (I do this walk all the time!) and hit up places on Columbus Ave.:
From North Beach, you can also go for a walk along
The Embarcadero. Everything will likely be closed after dinner time, but it's still a nice walk.
If you're into clubbing at all, in Union Square, there's
Ruby Skye and
Infusion Lounge.
If you want to check out dive bars, head to
Tempest. Huge warehouse-looking bar, sometimes with a live band, and super cheap and stiff drinks. Word of advice -- walk there from the 5th St. side of things, not 6th St. 5th St. is super high end with Bloomingdales and Nordstrom and all, then things somehow go very south by the time you get to 6th St.
Another good bar near there is
Monarch. Really great cocktails and sometimes an acrobatic show right above the bar. Free photobooth. For a cover charge, there are usually DJs spinning downstairs.
For another dive bar, there's
The Showdown. This is on 6th St., but very close to Market St. Only walk there from the Market St. side of things.
If you want to check out another neighborhood, I highly suggest the
Mission District. Let me me know if you want any recommendations there. Have fun! :)
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A lot has been mentioned by prior posters, but you might want to go to the The Independent for live music.