The best bars & nightlife in San Francisco

Relaxed, upscale digs offering craft cocktails as well as beer on tap and wine.

6282 Mission St (Daly City)

Martini bar serving slushies and hot dogs in a cozy space.

4210 Telegraph Ave (Oakland)

Historic family-run bar & grill with TV sports, plus a menu of American & Filipino dishes.

2800 Bayshore Blvd (Brisbane)

Whether your week needs a mini getaway, Adega Azul brings Brazilian-inspired tropical vibes to Westbrae with a curated wine list, small…

1287 Gilman St (Berkeley)

Elevation 66 Brewing Company keeps it neighborly with hand-crafted beers and an artisanal, seasonal menu sourced from local farms and…

10082 San Pablo Ave (El Cerrito)

Alta Vina pours an ever-curious lineup that invites you to taste outside your usual lane, with friendly guidance that feels more neighbor…

420 3rd St (Oakland)

This week, skip the flight, keep the flavor. La Catalana delivers classic and modern tapas, paella, and rare-to-find fideu, alongside…

3720 N First St Unit 10 (San Jose)

Need an easy win this week? Dashe Cellars pours wines at their Alameda winery, plus a reservation-only SF City View Patio that pairs sips…

1951 Monarch St Hangar 25 (Alameda)

Paper Plane has been crafting artful cocktails since 2013, backed by one of the Bay Area’s largest, highly curated bottle collections. Let…

72 S 1st St (San Jose)

North Beach classic Cafe Zoetrope brings a Roman trattoria vibe to the historic Sentinel Building, serving authentic Italian plates…

916 Kearny St

Industrial-style bar serving generous burgers, sandwiches & chicken wings, plus veggie options.

303 Grand Ave (South San Francisco)

Stylish setting for wine, cheese & charcuterie also offers beer & wine by the bottle.

1945 Hyde St

2-story Mission club with a bar downstairs & an upstairs space for dancing to DJ beats & live bands.

647 Valencia St

Comfy tavern with craft beers, large TVs & sustainable American eats in a historic brick building.

151 W Santa Clara St (San Jose)

Dim, trendy cocktail bar with steampunk decor prepares signature drinks with housemade ingredients.

679 3rd St

Cozy wine bar offering food, including Italian meatballs, in an intimate setting.

350 W Julian St Bldg 4 (San Jose)

Quaint neighborhood bar with a pool table serving cocktails, beer, and wine in a casual setting.

2030 Clement Ave (Alameda)

Cozy wine and sake bar with a selection of tinned fish and small bites, plus a wine club.

691 14th St

Wineshop with tastings and a wine club, plus knowledgeable staff.

420 40th St #2 (Oakland)

Bar with a convivial living-room vibe offering craft beers, spirits & regular live music.

1453 Webster St (Alameda)

Laid-back eatery, plus bar featuring natural wines as well as eats like oysters, arancini and pasta.

30 Fountain Alley #160 (San Jose)

Playful bar & arcade for a variety of drinks & vintage video-game machines in a neon-decked space.

2200A Market St

Stylish wine bar with a selection of natural wines, plus tinned fish, deviled eggs, and other snacks.

2845 18th St

Lively tiki lounge with a patio known for retro tropical drinks plus bands, themed parties & DJs.

1304 Lincoln Ave (Alameda)

Bold wallpaper & neon set the backdrop for cocktails & American snacks at this neighborhood lounge.

1439 Taraval St

Casual spot featuring a lengthy wine list, plus appetizers, salads and oysters.

234 Townsend St

Pub grub, draft beer & cocktails are on tap at this low-key, brick-walled hangout.

2940 431 Natoma St

Easygoing venue with indoor & outdoor seating plus seasonal Californian plates & ample wines.

368 Santana Row (San Jose)

Intimate theater is a permanent venue for magician & comedian Jay Alexander. Food & drinks served.

419 O'Farrell St

Hip skateboard & surf shop offering gear, attire & accessories, plus lessons & community activities.

254 Shoreline Hwy (Mill Valley)

Long-standing comedy club showcasing famous & up-and-coming comedians. Two-drink minimum.

915 Columbus Ave

Wines from around the world are paired with European dishes & tapas at this cozy, stylish bar.

476 Castro St

Cheese & small plates join 20 beers & wines on tap in a casual, wood-dominant space with a patio.

1389 Lincoln Ave (San Jose)

Sprawling spot with retro furnishings featuring 100+ beers, numerous TVs plus video & table games.

449 Powell St

Craft cocktail lounge and restaurant featuring seasonal dishes and a menu of creative cocktails.

66 S 1st St (San Jose)

Comfortable tasting room offering pours of the house's own vintages & bottles to take home.

200 2nd Street @, Jackson St (Oakland)

Stylish, upscale wine bar pairing natural & biodynamic blends with New American small plates.

1737 Broadway (Oakland)

Massive gastropub serving craft brews, creative cocktails & elevated pub grub for lunch & dinner.

620 Treat Ave

Draft beer, cocktails & pub grub in a relaxed scene with sports on TV, live local bands & a patio.

1645 Park St (Alameda)

English-pub setting for casual eating, trivia/karaoke nights, happy hours & regular DJ sets.

173 W Santa Clara St (San Jose)

Neighborhood eatery with a mid-century theme, serving American staples, craft cocktails and beer.

3343 Lakeshore Ave (Oakland)

Casual bar for sipping wine by the glass, plus bottled brews to go.

1690 Hayes St

Intimate, rustic-chic haunt offering wines from around the world, craft brews & select small plates.

1435 The Alameda (San Jose)

This stylish bowling alley offers billiards, bars, private lanes, a full food menu & sleek decor.

5420 Thornwood Dr (San Jose)

Neighborhood wine bar and restaurant serving small plates and hosting live music.

9 W Portal Ave

Dimly lit bar with a local crowd offering beers & spirits, plus darts, trivia nights & DJs.

1539 Lincoln Ave (Alameda)

Funky spot offering an eclectic mashup of an arcade, bar, dance club, and restaurant.

1255 7th St (Oakland)

Stylish traditional venue preparing classic Italian food & pairing it with mainly Italian wines.

320A Sharks Wy (San Jose)

Well-worn spot in an unassuming building known for local bands, loud music, drinks & a punk vibe.

98 S Almaden Ave (San Jose)

Mission spot serving beer & American cafe fare, plus live music, comedy & trivia nights.

433 S Van Ness Ave

Local taproom pouring house-made beers in welcoming digs with a barn-wood bar & outdoor beer garden.

845 Marina Bay Pkwy #1 (Richmond)

Cozy wine bar offering a selection of Mediterranean-style bites and happy-hour specials.

1830 Union St

A full bar & happy hour specials draw crowds to this low-key neighborhood lounge with a large patio.

2424 Telegraph Ave (Oakland)

Coffee shop, bar & event space boasting a modern setting complete with views & a librarylike vibe.

Center Building A, 2 Marina Blvd

Cozy, bustling locale offering extensive wine & whiskey menus, plus charcuterie, pizza & tapas.

65 N San Pedro St (San Jose)

Cozy spot in an old record store serves local brews, an extensive wine menu & modern American fare.

3565 20th St

Billiards & TV sports are popular at this low-key watering hole with burgers & 30 beers on tap.

2705 Union Ave (San Jose)

Bustling Italian eatery dispensing Neapolitan pizza, housemade pasta & more from an open kitchen.

2355 Chestnut St

Classic cocktails, inventive pub fare & weekly trivia nights lure locals to this basic sports bar.

1600 Powell St

Students & professors alike head to this alehouse for its beers brewed on-site & bar food.

1920 Shattuck Ave. (Berkeley)

Reservations are required at this swanky, dimly lit unmarked bar known for handcrafted cocktails.

501 Jones St

Wine bar with a cozy, friendly vibe serving charcuterie and other eats.

110 Folsom St

Pinball, pool & old-school arcade games, plus music, cocktails & craft beers, in hip, historic digs.

616 Divisadero St

Upbeat venue featuring gourmet pizza & wood-fired entrees, plus a waterfront patio & live music.

6629 Embarcadero Dr (Stockton)

Wine bar for European wines & small plates in a charming, narrow space with bar & patio seating.

458 Grove St

Snug haunt with a chill vibe, featuring mixed drinks, sports broadcasts & weekly taco specials.

303 Grand Ave (South San Francisco)

20+ draft beers plus bourbon & local wines in a laid-back space with a jukebox, pinball & patio.

1301 Park St (Alameda)

Spanish wine bar and taberna offering a selection of pintxos and tapas, plus live music.

2301 Bryant St

Cozy neighborhood bar known for its natural wine selection and tastings, plus outdoor seating and cheese plates.

3354 Grand Ave (Oakland)

Buzzing gastropub for craft cocktails & elevated American comfort food with seasonal tendencies.

69 N San Pedro St (San Jose)

Taproom of San Leandro brewery for house beer plus wood-fired pizza & more in former auto-shop digs.

2325 Broadway (Oakland)

Neighborhood wine and cocktail bar for conversation and nibbles, such as charcuterie, flatbread pizza, and vegan options.

201 Ocean Ave

Informal establishment featuring small plates, charcuterie and natural wines, plus snails.

4935 Shattuck Ave. (Oakland)

Chill, neighborhood spot with a cozy atmosphere, offering natural wines and charcuterie.

3516 Balboa St

Happening watering hole with a patio, plus beer on tap & rotating chefs dishing up cool snacks.

135 12th St (Oakland)

Hip wine shop and bar featuring small-batch wines from around the world, plus tastings and classes.

376 Grand Ave (Oakland)

Chic, cozy bistro dishing up elevated Italian pastas & wood-fired pizzas, plus wine & craft beer.

2339 Clement St

Part of a NYC comedy club chain started in the '60s, this spot hosts big-name & lesser-known comics.

62 S Second St (San Jose)

Renovated local watering hole draws crowds with its wooden bar & Prohibition-themed memorabilia.

2800 24th St