Mission District Bars and Clubs

Known for its live concerts, 12 Galaxies boasts a main floor and a mezzanine, a full bar on each floor, two lounges upstairs, an art gallery, a pool table and video games.

A big, cavernous club nestled at the far end of the Mission, 26 Mix is about the music. Unfortunately, the sounds system inside does not lend itself to hearing the finer points of the music that is being served up by the talented DJs that get their start here. Cheap drinks and cheap covers get people in along with the skill of the promoters who have parties at 26 Mix. Definitely a destination (there are not many other places around) so be sure of what you are going for before choosing the club as your partying spot.

This Belgium beer bar is a great Mission spot to chill with its red glow, bench seats and free pretzels. Amnesia has a neighborhood bar feel with some panache and DJs spin anything from '80s new wave to funk to house. Friday Happy Hours go off with progressive house and great beer prices.

It's a tight squeeze in this tiny Mission District hole-in-the-wall bar where the bartenders sport biceps and bruises. Then again, squeezing ain't the worst thing in the world.

With its indelible mix of glam rockers and Betty Page turners, this retrofitted beauty parlor dispenses more than its share of tonic. And while the decorative hair-dryers now serve as chairs, there's always a manicurist on hand.

Take a step back to the be-bopping days of the '50s & '60s at Bruno's, with its high-back leather wrap-around booths, swanky bar and jazzy tunes. Bruno's has three distinct parts: the dining area serving family-style and retro Italian cuisine, the bar area where you would expect to see JFK, Marilyn and Frank all sipping cocktails, and the club with live jazz, funk and soul reminiscent of the original Blue Note. A great spot for a date, to chat with the bartender or to get away from the over-crowded pick-up joints over on Valencia Street.

One of San Francisco's smallest bars pumps out great music on the turntables, great drinks and a very nice, relaxing atmosphere. An old, rough wooden bar awaits you with a good selection of beers, as well as one of San Francisco's best juke boxes, with eclectic music from around the world. Smoking is a tongue in cheek taboo in Dalva's secret back room. On the weekends, Dalva's gets crowded, as it is one of about a half-dozen bars worth visiting in the 16th & Valencia vicinity.

A true Mission district neighborhood bar, many of Delirium's twenty and thirty-something patrons made a short walk to stiff, cheap cocktails and rowdy games of pool played to the juke box's ample selection of rock music.

Just a couple of the things you will find at the Elbo Room: great music, pool tables, cheap drinks, an instant-photo booth. The Mission's Elbo Room is, as the aforementioned mellow attributes might suggest, unpretentious and crowded. The upstairs offers live music ranging from rockabilly to funk to salsa and it can get really hot up there when the music gets bumping and peoples feet get jumping. There is always a great time to be had at the Elbo Room.

A gender-bending outer Mission bar known for a lush outdoor courtyard and a calendar chock full of music and community events, El Rio is a mixing ground for lesbians, hipsters and those who love them both.

Beautiful booths, great DJs, and simple, yet endearing décor make this spot a must visit for those who want to feel a little of what San Francisco nightlife is all about. On the wall to the left of the dance floor is a maiden perched on a sliver of a moon. Above her it says Hush Hush. And this Hush Hush really is a secret spot; other than the people smoking out front you probably would not know it was there. The DJs spin primarily Latin/Cuban House with funk/soul/R&B mixed in. That is what you can expect if you hit Hush Hush on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. Get your feet ready, because they won't stop until you leave. One of SanFrancisco.com's favorites!

Jelly's is a different concept in dancing. This dance club is open in the early evening, hosting themed parties such as the Sunday night "Club Havana" and weekly special events.

This venue packs a one-two punch, with live music and DJs Tuesday through Sunday and a daily happy hour. Plus a pinball machine, bingo on Thursdays and a photo booth—not things you see just anywhere.

DJs spin smooth, lounge grooves with an international flair. On most nights, there is a film of the DJs choice playing on the wall facing you as you enter. There are also seats available on a small second floor that is reached via a steep wrought-iron staircase at the back of the bar. This place has great presence, as well as offering some hard-to-find cocktails like a real caipirinha, made with mashed limes, raw sugar and distilled sugar can juice. It attracts some of the upper crust due to its affiliation to the Foreign Cinema next door, but Laszlo's lacks attitude and is a sweet Mission spot to get away to.

Levendre is forging new ground in the restaurant and nightlife scene in San Francisco, featuring both distinct cuisine and a stylish entertainment atmosphere, including live local artists and DJs all week long.

A conversation-ready Mission bar with lots of furniture. Make out in the dark or just (more likely) hang out with friends over beers. The Make-Out Room is a little out of the way which makes it more of a destination bar rather than one bar in a foggy progression of bars. Live music on the weekends is primarily indie rock, and DJs most other nights.

Maverick is nestled into one of the grittier blocks of the Mission District amongst authentic taquerias, seedy dive bars and the neighborhood's hallmark junk and thrift stores. Truth be told, it's more restaurant than wine bar, open only for dinner on weekdays with an added brunch on the weekends. The wine is carefully chosen, however, and you won't leave disappointed if you're willing to part with a little cash. Try the "Bubble Flight" to jumpstart a rowdy night on the town. Seating is limited, so arrive early (or better yet, make reservations) and be prepared for a lively crowd.

Intellectual ennui and surges of testosterone mix wildly at this refurbished Mission hang out. The jukebox is full of Nirvana, Weezer and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the patrons are full of cold San Francisco Anchor Steam. Cute boys, cute girls, fluid sexuality.

Just because this dance club is called Pink doesn't mean it's girly. This night spot features theme nights such as Better Days and LeBoom throughout the week and is open until 2am or later every night. Closed Mondays.

Bustling and attentive bartenders will serve you concoctions to quell any thirst. Combine that with a perfect location close to scores of other bars, restaurants and ATM machines (cash only here), and the Skylark is a perfect spot anytime. Skylark tends to get busy later, after 10pm most nights. There is a small dance area in the back, and a long bench seat that stretches the length of the right wall opposite the bar with cocktail tables and chairs to boot. It gets very crowded on the weekends, and the music is loud. If you want a place to have a soft, quiet moment, this is not the right San Francisco bar. If you want strong music and inventive drinks (the Chivas Regal cocktails taste nothing like scotch), you are in the right place.

"San Francisco's sexiest dance lounge." Whisper brings the "life" to "nightlife" with invigorating themed dance and social nights, a full-service restaurant and bar, muliple floors for different experiences in one venue and DJs pumping out electronic dance music late into the night.