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San Francisco's very own little Italy, North Beach, has some of San Francisco's best restaurants and bars. Restaurants like Rose Pistola offer up some of the most innovative Italian fusion, while places like North Beach Restaurant keep it classic. North Beach nightlife is vibrant, with bars like Kell's (think inhibition-free dancing on tables) and Impala (think beautiful people) that have crowds pumped up until the wee hours. The outer parts of the district serve as San Francisco's red light district, where places like Larry Flynt's Hustler Club thrive in the after-hours.
15 Romolo (in the Basque Hotel)
15 Romolo Pl., San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.398.1359
When you've seen enough booty-shakin' and pole dancing at the nudey bars along Broadway, escape down this side alley for classier indulgence. The lounge on the first floor of the extended stay Basque Hotel is simple and unassuming, lacking the in-your-face entertainment style teeming from establishments just around the corner. Soothing ambient electronica puts you at ease while reclining on high-backed bright blue polyester booths.
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Bamboo Hut
479 Broadway (at Kearny), San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.989.8555
North Beach's answer to the Tiki bar, the Bamboo Hut is a classic North Beach nightspot (complete with waterfall and a 7-foot Tiki god statue) for tropical cocktails and an equatorial vibe, even when the frosty fog comes rolling in through North Beach.
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Dolce
440 Broadway St. (between Montgomery and Kearny), San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.989.3434
The concept for Dolce is "sweet, soft, smooth." Because it hosts three different areas—a main bar, dance floor and VIP lounge—this night spot provides something for everyone.
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Dragon Bar
473 Broadway, San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.834.9383
Start off with a cocktail and then let loose and dance all night. Dragon Bar is the best of both worlds with a full-size bar and DJs spinning Tuesdays through Saturdays with the party going until 2am.
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Fuse
493 Broadway (at Kearny), San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.788.2706
This hip North Beach haunt oozes nouveau Beach cool. With its dim lighting and stylish interior, it provides a welcome respite for Euro-trippers and blonded women in sample sale couture.
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Golden Boy Pizza
542 Green (between Grant and Stockton), Tel. 415.982.9738
Even if Golden Boy isn't officially a saloon, you can still sit at the counter and order good draft beer or a glass of jug wine, and anyway, by this point in the evening you'll need a nice thick slab of the establishment's fragrant focaccia pizza to help you make it through the night.
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Gino & Carlo's
548 Green (at Grant), Tel. 415.421.0896
Conclude your revels with a wobbly game of pool in the back room, with its autographed photo of Frank Sinatra and other memorabilia. Few bars offer a friendlier vibe, and the jukebox ain't bad either; it's the perfect place for a nightcap. Now take two aspirin, drink a gallon of water, and get some sleep.
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Jazz at Pearl's
256 Columbus (at Broadway), San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.291.8255
At this point in history it's pretty clear that thirtysomething white professionals have a predilection for jazz and Chardonnay, especially together. If you like good jazz, get yourself to Pearl's, order a bourbon and ignore the Ann Taylor Loft collection sitting next to you.
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Kells Irish Restaurant & Bar
530 Jackson (at Columbus), San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.955.1916
Tucked away on a secluded alleyway, decked out with tables and chairs when the weather's favorable, Kelly's Irish Restaurant & Bar has the feel of an old Irish pub, complete with a rough hewn vibe and pictures of the Emerald Isle.
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Rose Pistola
532 Columbus (at Stockton), San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.399.0499
Step inside Rose Pistola to an inviting open space and a lively North Beach bar where the wine flows as freely as the upscale cocktails. After cocktails, Rose Pistola doubles as one of North Beach's most popular Italian restaurants.
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San Francisco Brewing Company
155 Columbus (at Pacific), Tel. 415.434.3344
Begin the evening in this heritage-rich Barbary Coast saloon (established 1907) where Jack Dempsey was once employed as a bouncer and Baby Face Nelson was apprehended by the FBI. The original mahogany-and-beveled-mirror bar is a fine spot to sip the house-brewed Emperor Norton Lager or Alcatraz Stout.
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Specs'
12 William Saroyan Alley (at Columbus), Tel. 415.421.4112
Up the alleyway across Columbus is this ancient, dimly lit seafarer's saloon decorated with amazing and unearthly artifacts from around the world. Postcards from homesick regulars are in a shoebox on the bar for your perusal, and huge wedges of Monterey Jack (carved on some antique contraption out of Two Years Before the Mast) are available for purchase. Beer No. 3, coming up.
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The Saloon
1232 Grant (at Vallejo), Tel. 415.989.7666
Now head up Grant—the Vieux Carré of the West Coast—and settle in at San Francisco's oldest watering hole (established 1861 or thereabouts). Live music bounces off the well-worn walls and encourages the dancers who crowd the place on weekends. Time to switch to bourbon.
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Savoy Tivoli
1434 Grant (at Green), Tel. 415.362.7023
Grab a seat on the patio and watch the world amble by at this perpetually packed landmark. Young urban professionals are the plat du jour, if you're into that sort of thing. Yeah, I'll have another bourbon, on the rocks this time.
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SUEDE
383 Bay St. (at Mason), San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.399.9555
This weekend hotspot holds true to its name, featuring plush interior, rich hardwood floors and subdued lighting. There are two sides to Suede, with one room hosting a spacious dance floor and another for lounging and conversation.
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Velvet Lounge
443 Broadway (at Montgomery), San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.788.0228
For hip hop, dance and the requisite set of out-of-town weekend warriors, Velvet Lounge is a plush spot for colorful Cosmo shots on its two bars and two dance floors.
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Vesuvio
255 Columbus (at Kerouac), Tel. 415.362.3370
The glorious old bohemian bar, with its stained-glass windows, mezzanine seating, and overwhelming, ever-evolving décor, is your next stop. Beatifically located next to City Lights Bookstore. Give a listen to Charlie Parker on the jukebox while you down a pint of Anchor Steam and discuss Rimbaud.
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SanFrancisco.com reviews by Paul Adams, Steve Bjerklie, Holly Erickson, Hank Hamilton, Michele Jenkins, Sarah Lawson, Alanna Lee, Christa Palmer, Erica Pedersen, Dan Pulcrano, Kathryn Roszak, Michael Stabile, Zack Stentz, Claire Taylor and Christina Waters. |
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