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    Ginger's

    4.1 (45 reviews)
    InexpensiveGay Bars, Cocktail Bars
    Closed 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Ginger's Photos

    GINGER'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Classy
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Ginger's

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    Reviews With Photos

    Outside
    Jerry C.

    Being born and raised in San Francisco, but having moved away 20 years ago, I frequented a lot of SF gay bars "back in the day." I'm pretty sure I've been to three incarnations of Ginger's. This LGBTQ dive is hard to find, in a side alley off Kearny St in Downtown. Luckily my friends brought me. It's almost like a speakeasy, down in the basement of Rickhouse. It has all the gay bar basics, like a pool table, small drag stage, cubby corners, and cute bartenders. An added Yelp star for Ginger's paying homage to SF gay bar history via their cocktail names. Endearing and clever, most of the younger crowd probably don't even realize why the cocktails are named that way. Of the 13 cocktails with historical and closed bar names, I've been to 9 of them scattered throughout SF Castro, Polk Gulch, SoMA, Mission and Tenderloin (I'm really aging myself)...like Metro, N'Touch, The Gangway, Este Noche, Daddy's, Marlena's...hey where's QT? The bartenders were fun and our group had a great time. I want to return when Ginger's reopens. I love dive bars like this!

    Bar
    Liz B.

    Ginger's is worth searching for. And trust me, you won't know it's there until you look for it. Stuck at the end of an alley way, this cute dive bar has great music, attentive bartenders and a bunch of funny cocktail specials. I mean, it's a gay bar so you're obviously going to have a lot of fun with these drinks! Came here on a Friday afternoon after work for one last sendoff for a dear coworker of mine. Honestly, it was basically empty around the time I got here, maybe 4pm or so. I just got a cider and eventually the atmosphere perked up and a few more people trickled in. I have to say, I'm glad I left early because it's a small basement. I'm sure as soon as more people slowly come in, it'll be standing room only. There's a few tables and booths, a pool table, and restrooms somewhere in the dark. Ginger's is decorated in all the colors, lively, and fun with great music. Great for after work drinks or a low key date. I hear they have shows a few times a week too. I'm guessing drag shows and music? Look them up!

    Jon L.

    Hidden gem of a bar in the basement of Rickhouse. Cheers to this reincarnation of Ginger's. It's just so great to find a spot after work in the FiDi where you can find seats and enjoy a drink. Speaking of drinks, the lovely bartenders here mix up great cocktails. My personal fave is the Ghost of Ginger's which is a refreshing gin concoction with plenty of mint, ginger beer, and sparking wine. If you like gin and Moscow Mules, you'll probably like this too. If you're a fan of tequila, the Esta Noche is a pretty popular cocktail too. Plenty of seats, pool table, friendly bartenders, and lovely drinks make Ginger's a lovely spot for post-work drinks.

    Erica C.

    Cute place located down a small alleyway just past Rickhouse. Look for the rainbow flag at the entrance or you might miss it. After being carded you walk down the stairwell into an eccentrically decorated lounge are with pool table and stage. Several nights a month they host a drag show, which I didn't get the chance to see. During my visit DJ was playing 90s music and everyone was friendly. LGBTQ friendly and very comfortable atmosphere. Friend and I had a fun time here singing along to music we grew up with. Drinks are reasonably strong and well priced.

    The bar area with decoration.
    Jamie J.

    I love this somewhat hidden gem and that it's located outside of the Castro district. It felt like a gay speakeasy because you walk through the alley to get to it. Not that the bar is hard to find, but it's not on a main street with through traffic and it sits across from a parking garage. You go down the stairs and you find yourself in a cool space which was fully decorated for Halloween. The music was on point and the bartender was very friendly. The drinks are fairly cheap which is definitely a bonus and rather hard to find in the area. I would love to come back here during the weekend for my next visit because it felt like a place that's more my speed.

    colorful umbrellas hanging from the ceiling

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    Ask the Community - Ginger's

    Is Gingers currently open and what time do they close?

    Is Ginger's wheelchair accessible? (I know Ginger's is below street level - is there an elevator?)

    Yes, just ask the door host and they will direct you to the elevator entrance

    View All 3 Questions

    Review Highlights - Ginger's

    Decorations are super cute, and there's usually theme nights throughout the week (karaoke, drag shows, etc.).

    Mentioned in 12 reviews

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    Oasis

    4.3(277 reviews)
    1.4 miSoMa
    $$

    The Oasis is so much fun! Everyone who works there is very friendly and gracious. Cocktails are…read morecreatively mixed and served elegantly. They have some of the best shows, and the ambience of the club is perfect for theater, music, comedy and of course, DRAG! . I just saw Back In Business, San Francisco native Matthew Martin's amazing cascade of classic characters, from a 70's Susan Hayward to a classic Judy Garland! It was a very well done show. Matthew Martin is amazingly talented and funny. Costumes were on point- well done and easy to recognize the characters he seamlessly transformed into. Loved his witty rapport with the audience as Bette Davis or whatever form he shape-shifted into. I'm not sure which was my favorite, but Kate Hepburn (from Lion In Winter) and Peggy Lee were at the top of my list!

    I have been to Oasis many times and was thrilled that it had been saved and able to stay open…read more Which is what makes this such a hard review to write. The shows have always been amazing and I will go back to see some of them. However, I can't say I'll be back for anything else. I went for Dore Alley Fair. I waited in line an appropriate amount of time no issues there. Paid the entry went it in and ordered a drink. I asked the bartender if he could cash a larger bill that the ATM had given me and he said yes but it may be a lot of 5's, 10's and some 1's. No problem there. The music was good, crowd was good having a great time. After drink three I decided to go out and get some food from the truck that was just outside the club... literally, you opened the door to leave and you are standing in front of the truck. When I went to pay for my food it was then I realized something was not right. I paid and while I waited counted what was in my wallet and I was off by $40. This has happened to me before at Oasis but thought maybe this.. maybe that ... happened and gave the benefit of the doubt. etc... Now it is just before 7:30 pm and I go to enter the club and I am denied. They announce no more entry into the club for anyone ... the club is full. I showed them my stamp and said "but I have a stamp..." They said it didn't matter and closed the door on me, literally. First what is the point of paying and getting a stamp if you can't leave and return, I didn't even go but a few feet away and when I walked out there was still plenty of room in there. Secondly, How is it possible that a club that size is full at 7:30 pm on Sunday even when it id Dore Alley Fair? So while there shows I will go and see because I enjoy them I am not going to pay a door fee, spend $16 per cocktail ($14 + $2 tip) to be treated so rudely and to be ripped off by a bar tender.

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    Oasis - Oasis, Drag Shows and  Cabaret Performances.

    Oasis, Drag Shows and Cabaret Performances.

    Oasis - Oasis, July 2023. "baloney" was possibly the worst show I've ever seen.

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    Beaux - Manimal Fridays GoGo crew!

    Beaux

    3.7(358 reviews)
    2.5 miDuboce Triangle
    $$

    I have yet to update my last review. A lot of things have changed but some of the former bartenders…read morestill remain. Matthew my old time favorite is still there and I'm always happy to see him. He is super fun to hang but also enjoy his delicious cocktails. Vinny is my new favorite, still looking forward to my smash brother game against him but lovely charming man. Excited to be back soon.

    I always avoided the Castro i haven't been in a decade. It just wasn't my thing…read more.. Ever since discovering Beaux, I have a different perspective! Such an incredible time at the drag brunches they host! Everyone is so nice like... the customer service is impeccable. Like SO nice!!!!! We even brought a very political person from the orange team.., and he had a BLAST!!! Food? GREAT! The nachos are a hit, the burritos are huge, and the drinks are YUMMY! They KnOW how to make a great Michelada. oh! They even have a huge vegetarian option menu! The venue is just so cute! I feel so comfortable just being there and chilling. Plenty of places to sit, and just so clean. I throughly enjoyed my time there (this is my second time) and it's worth it. Like - Barnes and Nobles comfortable where it makes you go bathroom because it's that comfortable Check out the drag brunches for your birthday, bring your whole crew, and enjoy yourself! Btw - don't forget to bring dollar dollar bills yall!

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    Jolene's Bar - Nice drinks

    Jolene's Bar

    3.8(121 reviews)
    1.8 miMission
    $$

    I have really loved coming here, but over time I feel like it's kind of lost its spark. I took a…read morebreak from going and noticed that the room where the DJ used to be has these decorations from the ceilings that seem out of place. I hope they'll remove them, honestly. I wanted to write a review after visiting Gossip Grill in San Diego because it was so lively there. I think it's less busy here now, but don't know exactly why or if I'm just imagining it. I love playing at the pool table when it's only two bucks and have had a lot of fun playing with other people who I'm just meeting for the first time. I think I would give this place another star if the music were more consistent. It's subjective to me, but I didn't enjoy the DJs that were playing EDM music/mixes. I've been here many times, but of all the bars I've been to in the past, which I'll say is not many or too often, the music was not great here. Regardless, the past two or three times I've brought friends here, I really actually had a really great time. It wasn't super crowded and I had the breathing room and space to talk with my friends and fiancé more. The bathrooms were easy to access. Amazingly, even when it's slow, they'll have dancers up on the bar, which is always cool to see. I saw a Meetup group that was here recently, if you're interested in finding them to check the bar out with.

    I went for kpop night and it was LIT! Tickets were $15 cash at the door or $10 online (didn't know…read moreif we were going or not so didn't get them early, unfortunately). We went a little early so we didn't see much movement until around 11 or so. Drinks were a little expensive at around $20 each (tip included) but were tasty and the bartenders were so friendly and fun. Music was great, though the music variety was a little lacking. Though it was kpop night I thought I heard the same artist throughout the whole night. I didn't try the food, though there was an instant ramen bar and boba. My favorite part was the decor, which was very tasteful. I felt safe there and loved the drag show. I saw there was a 90's-00's pop night so I'll definitely hit it up again!

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    Jolene's Bar - The most important and beautiful area of this establishment...THE HIGH QUALITY H2O department! Follow instructions....OR ELSE!

    The most important and beautiful area of this establishment...THE HIGH QUALITY H2O department! Follow instructions....OR ELSE!

    Jolene's Bar - The front door. Come on in.

    The front door. Come on in.

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    Badlands - Front entrance

    Badlands

    3.2(656 reviews)
    2.7 miCastro
    $$

    IS THIS A PHONE STEALING FACTORY OR A CLUB???? LMAO. I haven't been here since pre-COVID, and…read morehonestly I had a great experience until my phone and wallet were stolen. On Pride weekend. Wow. Badlands is either willfully ignorant of this rampant issue or potentially complicit -_- I get that there's always been a bit of a seedy grungy vibe, but the insane amount of pickpocketing at this location is just absurd. All this security and surveillance for WHAAATTTTT PROS: - Cheap and decent drinks - Throwback music + Top 40s always - Staff are super friendly but now IDK if that's a front to lower your defenses - Security line goes pretty fast considering how packed it was CONS: - Not ventilated at all. It's HUMID and the mirrors are fogging up with steam - Need to take a photo before entry for "protection" but this is baffling considering our current administration and LGBTQ safety overall - Very grimy... I hoped they'd improve this since reopening - WELL, the glaring pickpocketing issue lol. The DJ halfheartedly mentioned to watch out for pickpockets mid-set, but by the end of the night, EVERY OTHER GROUP we passed by had someone saying something like "my phone/wallet's gone!", easily 20+ people. Meanwhile, the staff is roughly pushing everyone out with complete disregard to the panic Thankfully I'm able to replace everything with little inconvenience and wasn't too stressed in the moment, but now seeing the other reviews how this has been a regular occurrence for them for years (and targeting women/femmes also...), this is ridiculous. I went to the Sac Badlands for years and nothing like this has ever happened. If you want to risk coming here, present as male or use a phone tether I guess!

    Great music and drinks. There's a dance floor. Service is excellent. Music slaps here! Great…read morevibes! Highly recommend with my most respectful regards.

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    Badlands - Dance floor

    Dance floor

    Badlands - Bar

    Bar

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    The Stud - Montage of images from The Stud

    The Stud

    3.3(10 reviews)
    1.0 miSoMa

    The front door person was very easy to talk with.The playspace was my main interest and made for a…read morefun time.The guests were fun and colorful people,I will go again and hope to meet new dolls for some energetic play time.

    The Stud is back. It was hard to miss at its old location at the corner of 9th and Harrison because…read morethat's where everybody turned right to drive through the city. But its doors shuttered in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. Now it's back relocated to the space that I fondly remember as Julie's Supper Club. It's still a good size space with multiple rooms, a second bar, and a patio. I came by early in the evening during their soft opening phase. There wasn't any prominent signage, and I just walked in to see just a handful of customers at the bar. I got a smoothly spiky $11 Tequila Sunrise which I took with me as I walked the space (photo: https://yelp.to/J-XZJEOVHj). They were still setting up, and I was having flashbacks to the fabulous drag shows they used to hold, in particular, Trannyshack hosted by the late, great Heklina. I still remember a classic Judy-Barbra duet that had me in tears. I look forward to seeing more shows here. Refreshingly, it's run by a cooperative which is probably why it survives today. DRINKS - 4 stars...a nice pour AMBIANCE - 5 stars...spacious enough for appropriate cavorting SERVICE - 5 stars...everybody's so happy to be here TOTAL - 5 stars...The Stud is BACK! RELATED - Exploring western SoMa? Here's my collection of places I've patronized and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2H0vGTV

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    The Stud - Main bar

    Main bar

    The Stud - Patio

    Patio

    The Stud - Wall art

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    Wall art

    Ginger's - gaybars - Updated September 2026

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