Nightlife · San Francisco · United States
San Francisco nightlife
Where the evenings happen in San Francisco, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: User:Piotrus, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
San Francisco nightlife ranges from historic North Beach saloons and Mission cocktail bars to SoMa dance clubs and the LGBTQ+ bars of the Castro. State law ends alcohol sales at 2am. The main areas are Mission District, North Beach, SoMa, The Castro and Polk Street and the Marina.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 5
- Stay near the action
- North Beach
- Local drink
- Irish coffee
Where to go out
Mission District
Cocktail bars, dive bars and live music along Valencia and Mission Streets.
North Beach
Historic saloons and Beat-era bars such as Vesuvio Cafe beside City Lights Bookstore.
SoMa
Nightclubs and late-night dance venues south of Market Street.
The Castro
LGBTQ+ bars and clubs around Castro and Market Streets.
Polk Street and the Marina
Busy bars with a younger crowd, especially on weekends.
Nightlife tips
- The drinking age is 21 and ID is checked routinely; carry a passport or photo licence.
- BART does not run through the night, so plan a rideshare or night bus if you stay out late.
- Many bars charge a small cover at weekends for DJs or live music.
Evening sights
Historic site · San Francisco Bay
Alcatraz Island
Take an early ferry for a quieter cellhouse, or book the night tour for a different atmosphere and city lights on the way back.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- After dark
Museum · Embarcadero
Exploratorium
Book the Tactile Dome in advance; it is a separate ticket and slots are limited.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- After dark
Viewpoint · Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks
Go on a clear evening for sunset and the city lights; it gets cold and windy, so bring a jacket.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- After dark
- Couples
- Photo spot
What to drink
- Irish coffee — Hot coffee, Irish whiskey and sugar topped with lightly whipped cream. The Buena Vista Cafe near the Hyde Street cable-car turnaround is credited with popularising it in the United States in 1952.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. September has the warmest evenings, with lows around 14°C (57°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 17:14 | 8°C (46°F) | 11 |
| April | About 19:45 | 10°C (50°F) | 5 |
| July | About 20:31 | 13°C (55°F) | 0 |
| October | About 18:32 | 13°C (55°F) | 3 |
Getting home late
- Metro — BART trains run under Market Street and through the Mission to SFO, Oakland and Berkeley, while Muni Metro light rail serves the Castro and the western neighbourhoods.
- Tram — Restored vintage streetcars from cities around the world run on the F line along Market Street and the Embarcadero between the Castro and Fisherman's Wharf.
- Bus — Muni buses cover the whole city, including Golden Gate Park, the Presidio and the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza.
- Ferry — Ferries from the Ferry Building and Pier 41 cross the bay to Sausalito, Tiburon and Oakland, and Alcatraz boats leave from Pier 33.
- Walking — Most central districts are walkable, but the hills are steep; downtown, the Embarcadero, North Beach and the Mission are the flattest.
- Ride-hailing — Rideshare apps and driverless robotaxi services operate across the city, and taxis can be booked by app or found at hotel ranks.
Late-night bites
- Mission burrito — Taquerias along Mission Street and 24th Street in the Mission District.
- Fortune cookies — The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in Ross Alley, Chinatown.
Staying safe at night
Car break-ins are very common, especially at viewpoints and tourist car parks, so leave nothing at all in a parked car. Some downtown areas, notably the Tenderloin and parts of SoMa and Market Street, have visible drug use and can feel unsettled. Ocean beaches have cold water and strong rip currents, so swimming is not advised.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$ · Best for couples, food lovers, nightlife and culture
North Beach
North Beach is San Francisco's old Italian quarter, with espresso bars and trattorias along Columbus Avenue and Grant Avenue, Washington Square and City Lights Bookstore, the landmark of the Beat writers. Coit Tower and the Filbert Steps are up the hill, and Chinatown and the Financial District are a short walk away.
- Good
- Walk to Chinatown, the Wharf and downtown; Cafés, bars and Italian restaurants; Strong character and history
- Watch out
- Few large hotels; Steep hills; Strip clubs along Broadway
- Nearby
- Washington Square, City Lights Bookstore, Coit Tower, Chinatown
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in San Francisco?
Mission District, North Beach and SoMa. Cocktail bars, dive bars and live music along Valencia and Mission Streets.
+Which area of San Francisco is best for nightlife?
North Beach: Italian cafés, Beat Generation bookshops and Telegraph Hill.