San Francisco

The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

This four-story tall, "Beaux-Arts" style building occupies an entire city block in the heart of the Civic Center and has 7,000 seats inside. Large and small bands, exhibits, concerts, and galas are all hosted at the Civic Auditorium. Check Ticketmaster to see what's playing.

The auditorium is not open to visitors or for tours, but only during event times which vary · Price varies depending on act · Wheelchair accessible

Vesuvio's

This quirky and historic bar was founded in 1948, and is famous for its association with jazz, poetry, and the Beat Generation. Neal Cassidy first made a pit stop here in the mid-1950s, and ever since it became a favorite hangout for literati celebrities, including Jack Kerouac. While you're there, why not order "The Jack Kerouac" — a healthy dose of tequila, rum, and cranberry juice. The bar is located next-door to the iconic City Lights Book store and what is now known as "Jack Kerouac Alley".

6AM-2AM daily

Great American Music Hall

Reputed to be the city's oldest nightclub, this ornate 600 capacity music venue presents hip music acts, some well-known among the cognoscenti, some so cutting edge that there's blood on the pavement. In the 1930s, this was fan-dancer Sally Rand's "Music Box." The interior, which was designed by a French architect, is known for its ornate balconies and columns.

Shows: hours vary; Box office: Mon-Fri 10:30AM-6PM, show nights 10:30AM-9PM, closed Sat-Sun (except during shows - opens 1 hour before show time) · Ticket prices vary by act but typically run from $10-30 · Limited wheelchair access

The Saloon

Old Blues/Jazz bar that has survived the raucous Barbary Coast and the 1906 earthquake. This is the oldest bar in San Francisco and it certainly looks like it too — it's grotty and rough looking inside and out, and it's extremely loud, but it can also be great fun and a must if you love the Blues.

Noon-2AM daily · Weekends — $5 cover charge · Live music · Wheelchair accessible

Golden Gate Yacht Club

Founded in 1939, this club is both a popular destination for pleasure cruises and for competitive regatta racing. It's plainer than its neighbor the SFYC, however it got a major boost of late when Larry Ellison and the Oracle guys signed up and the club became the challenge club of record for the America's Cup.

Bimbo's 365 Club

Bimbo's is a glamorous upscale event venue and nightclub that holds up to 700 people. It has three bars, a dance floor and stage. Robin Williams did his act here quite regularly.

Box office: Mon-Fri 10AM-4PM, Club hours: Vary

DNA Lounge

The DNA Lounge is a 2-story club which often caters to the geekier "digerati" crowd. One of the founders is Jamie Zawinski, a former Netscape superstar and Internet nabob. Events feature themed electronica dance nights (Industrial, Techno, Trance, etc.) and live bands. Open on Christmas for goth night.

There is usually a cover between $3 and $25 (for the bands)

Mechanics Institute Library & Chess Room

The Mechanics Institute is the oldest library in San Francisco, dating back to 1854 during the initial wild growth of San Francisco. The collection has around 160,000 items—many of them in the stacks in the building's basement and only accessible through the page desk—concerning a wide variety of topics, with special attention to local history and chess. The institute also hosts the oldest continuously operating chess club in the United States, with classes, tournaments, and scheduled non-competition play. The institute also hosts author talks, film screenings, book groups, and writer's workshops.

Mo,We,Fr 10:00-18:00; Tu,Th 10:00-20:00; Sa 10:00-17:00 · The facilities can be toured for free on Wednesdays at noon

ABV

Excellent cocktail bar with food until midnight, popular with industry types. No TVs and no Santas.

4pm-2am daily · Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible

Aub Zam-Zam

A 1930s vintage cocktail bar with a beautifully restored arabesque art-deco decor. Written up in 'W' and 'Newsweek' magazines for the best martinis in the US back in the 80s. Drinks are moderately expensive but of exceptional quality, even from the well. An intimate and classy setting for a romantic evening with a juke box that leans toward swing and big band music. Named for the Well of Zamzam, one of the holiest places in Islam, a source of blessed beverages.

Mon-Fri 3PM-2AM, Sat Sun 1PM-2AM · Wheelchair accessible

Blondies

Drinks are not cheap (several dollars more than every other bar on the block, but also twice as large), although to be fair the drinks are well made and strong. Truly good martinis, admittedly. Live music with older crowds M-W, DJs for the younger weekend crowds.

Mon-Thu 4PM-2AM, Fri-Sun 2PM-2AM · Wheelchair accessible

Elixir

One of the oldest bars in San Francisco, since 1858. Rock music, Pub quiz, charity events, great drink specials and a warm vibe. One of the largest whiskey selections in the city, especially scotch.

Mon-Fri 3PM-2AM, Sat noon-2AM, Sun 11AM-2AM · Built 1858

Ha-Ra Club

Standard but friendly dive-bar in the Tenderloin that serves cheap drinks. It was co-founded by pro-wrestler Hank Hanastead and boxer Ralph Figari. Great place if you're into the 'Loin's no nonsense dive bars.

9:30AM-2AM daily · Wheelchair accessible

Hi-Lo Club

A new venture by veterans of the Tenderloin bar scene. Nice, craft cocktails, signature house creations, and an impressive beer menu are set in a swanky new/old interior that intentionally has no TV.

Tue-Sun 4PM-midnight (later on the weekends) · Wheelchair accessible

Mix

Billing itself as a "neighborhood bar", Mix has strong drinks and a great back patio.

Mon-Fri 7AM-2AM, Sat-Sun 6AM-2AM · Wheelchair accessible

Press Club

This bar focuses on wine, with some of the finest from the nearby Wine Country. Sneak a peek at the wine cellar, and don't be surprised if you're super critical of the next glass of wine you drain outside the Press Club. Be prepared, however, to put a dent in your credit card or wallet by the end of the night.

Mo-Th 16:00-22:00; Fr 16:00+; Sa 14:00+; Su closed · Wheelchair accessible

Rite Spot

A longstanding neighborhood dive bar with live music every night. No cover, mostly locals.

Tue Wed 5-11PM, Thu-Sat 5PM-midnight · Wheelchair accessible

St Francis Yacht Club

Founded in 1927, this club has over 2,400 members and is also popular as both a cruise and regatta venue. It is reputedly the most exclusive yacht club in San Francisco and there are some serious vessels docked here.

Bourbon and Branch

This hard to find cocktail/spirit themed bar is a throwback to the prohibition days of the 1920s — this address used to be a thriving illegal "speakeasy" known as the "JJ Russell's Cigar Shop." Inside it's ornately decorated with dark woods giving the place a real cozy feel. It being a prohibition themed bar, they also have some strange house rules posted on the walls like "no photography" and "Please speak easy" They have an exhaustive selection of spirits and cocktails.

Mon-Sat 6PM-2AM

Cafe International

Offers net access, live music, food, and a variety of beverages from coffee, tea, beer, wine to fresh squeezed juices. Good desserts.

Wheelchair accessible · Vegetarian options

Dalva

It's very dimly lit but cool decor. Excellent jukebox, though after 9PM they tend to turn it up just a touch too loud. Frequently has great DJs playing funk and R&B but varies; clientele leans toward the gentrification crowd. Lots of smoke from the VIP room in the back filters out into the main bar. Excellent happy hour!

4PM-2AM daily

Latin American Club

Decorated in dusty kitsch, the LAC also has large paintings for sale by local artists. They can offer up some of the best, strongest margaritas in town. Just one, that's all it takes.

Mon-Fri 5PM-2AM, Sat 1PM-2AM, Sun 2PM-2AM

The 500 Club

Great neighborhood alterna-hipster bar, but in a good way. Formerly an old man dive bar that's been taken over by the thick black rimmed glasses youngster.

Mon-Thu 3PM-2AM, Fri Sat noon-2AM, Sun 10AM-2PM

The Comet Club

Good place to go if you like to boogie-on-down to the sounds of the 70s and 80s! It's a bit of a cramped space though and can get crowded as a result.

Sun, Tue-Wed 7PM-2AM, Thu-Sat 5:30PM-2AM

The Plough & Stars

One of the best Irish bars in San Francisco. Traditional live music almost every night.

Mon-Thu 3PM-2AM, Fri Sat 2PM-2AM

The Stud

Fun semi-dingy club. Don't miss Trannyshack, Tuesdays at midnight. Very worth the sleep deprivation at work the next day. A collectively owned queer bar.

Tue 5PM-midnight, Wed 9PM-2AM, Thu-Sat 5PM-2AM

Trick Dog

Very popular bar with unique cocktails and rotating themed menus. Bring a friend to help eat a kale salad.

Sun-Thu 4PM-midnight, Fri Sat 4PM-2AM

540 Club

Friendly bar with cool art, above-average beer selection, free wi-fi, and a great Sunday trivia night.

10AM-2AM daily

Doc's Clock

A truly great dive bar with a shuffleboard table and Connect Four, if that's your passion.

Mon-Thu 5PM-2AM, Fri Sat 4PM-2AM, Sun 3PM-2AM

Gino & Carlo Cocktail Lounge

One of a trilogy of bars that line up on Green Street, it's a classic North Beach neighborhood bar. It's colorful, has a great juke box, and attracts lots of locals looking to socialize.

6AM-2AM daily