I have really loved coming here, but over time I feel like it's kind of lost its spark. I took a break 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. read more

I went for kpop night and it was LIT! Tickets were $15 cash at the door or $10 online (didn't know if 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! read more

Jolene's Bar - DJ - Gay Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came here for Halloween This place is a vibe Music is good Bartenders are friendly and make good drinks Decor totally sets the vibe!! There was 2 dancers on the bar that danced amazingly and set the tone of the nite No drama Other guests were friendly Credit card and debit card accepted Street parking only read more

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Bouncers super rude. Gave more free tickets than they can accommodate. Compared to the customer service and ambiance at other queer establishments I didn't recommend this bar. read more

I came in genuinely excited to support a queer/lesbian space, and unfortunately I left feeling the opposite. I forgot to close out my tab and the card initially got declined because I had just updated my banking info. Instead of simply re-running the card (which eventually DID go through), the bar decided to search my personal social media and DM me asking for money. Let me be very clear -- a bar tracking down a customer's Instagram profile over three drinks is not normal. In a space that's supposed to be safe, inclusive, and respectful, that level of boundary-crossing felt genuinely invasive. What's worse? They doubled down in their public reply instead of acknowledging how inappropriate it was. Rather than apologizing for searching my social media accounts and contacting me privately, they basically said "well we need people to pay their tabs." No one is arguing otherwise. But resorting to online searching and private social media messages over $60 is absolutely crossing into doxxing territory, and that should never be happening in a queer community space. The fact that they defended those actions publicly made it ten times more unsettling. Huge lack of accountability and zero awareness of how unsafe that behavior can feel to LGBTQ people, especially women. Super disappointed, and honestly alarmed that this was considered acceptable customer service read more

Jolene's Bar - Screenshot of my google review showing the owner's public response to a review I left - Gay Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Literally served me spoil vodka and when we tried to tell them they ignored us and insisted it was fine.

Couldn't have felt even more welcome to come in if someone was literally holding my hand and guiding me! Dammit, what I'm trying to say is that it felt like home!! Feelings of community and belonging for sure present. Jolene is so humble and involved in the crowd and activities, engaging and at the same time enhancing vibes and guest experience! Thank you for being born Jolene! Hella appreciate you and your imagination. You're doing magical things. Shout out to Jose in the kitchen! Holding it down, showing off his culinary skills and importance of a clean kitchen. The tacos are delicious! Such a great price for the quality and presentation! I had no idea! And to top it off we got GRACE over here killing it behind the bar. She's handling 5 jobs with a smile and I can't take it! That's it...I'm coming back and all of yall are getting a raise from the heavens! Make a million beautiful people. read more

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If you plan to have a Girls night out on a Friday, Jolene's bar is definitely the place to be. This was my first time at a queer/lesbian bar and I had such a fun time! The bar staff were super attentive, the dancers were entertaining, and the dance room was packed with all around good vibes. Also, say hello to the beautiful Jolene herself! I am an old colleague of hers and I was surprised she remembered me 6-7 years later. LOL! Gender inclusive environment, reasonably priced drinks, pool table, Sunday brunches, what's not to love!? Queer or not, come support this awesome woman owned establishment! read more

Jolene's Bar - Gay Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

What an experience. I came here on a Friday night with some bi friends and a gay guy friend. It was like 90% lesbians/bi girls and 10% everyone else, including gay men. It's in a warehouse-type area so there really isn't much outside. There's some street parking around. Outside the door, a security guy runs a metal detector wand over you. At the front you're greeted by a super tall drag bouncer who collects your $10 cover, cash only. The first area inside is the bar and seating, with a pink pool table. It's decently roomy and has comfy breathing space. Prices for shots were pretty average for a bar, like $12ish. When you go farther in, there's the DJ booth and dance floor. We requested Doja Cat and Beyoncé by holding up text on our phones but the DJ said no. I don't think they do any requests anyway because the DJ booth is so high up. The vibes here are very, very SF hipster gay. Loud walls, quirky neon signs, various dancers on the bar, everyone cheering for everyone. All the girls were really open to dancing with everyone if you're tryna find someone to dance with. read more

I rarely write a bad review but this warranted one. I Went here for the 2nd time and brought 8 friends last Saturday night. The website made it appear that you needed a ticket to get in and there was a show 7-9pm $20.50 so we all purchased tickets and got there at 7. apparently didn't need them. So $140+ wasted. When we walked in and tried to show tix on our phones, the "manager" said "we don't need that"....... Like what ?!?! Apparently The show didn't start until 10 and we had other plans. Strike one. When we got to the bar there was literally no one but us and one other solo person. The bartender ignored us for at least 15-20 minutes as I stood waiting to order - 3 songs played. I learned later that was the manager. Obviously not well versed in customer service or being any type of friendly ..... not even a look over to say "I'll be with you in a moment" just no acknowledgement at all. When the bartender took our order they came off bothered and clearly appeared like they didn't want to be there. The other bartender that night 3/7 was lovely and I let her know that I was surprised that the previous person helping was the manager and complained about being ignored. She was very apologetic. Left a bad taste in all of our mouths, we left after an hour and got treated better down the street at Butter. Send your manager to a hospitality seminar .... read more

Food & entertainment is amazing here. The shows they put on is amazing. They have like 5 different performers. The vibe is a total turn up. You're never bored. Food is real good as well. The owner is very nice. The setting is dark & club-like. You order by the scan menu on the table. read more

Jolene's Bar - Yummmm! - Gay Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Oh how I wish this bar existed in South Florida. Just to be surrounded by queer people (mostly lesbians) I went by myself and everyone was very welcoming. My only slight is that the music could be less house music and more variety. But overall, a really great bar, drinks, and tacos. If I lived here, I would make this my local bar. read more

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I met my wife here I understand my experience is very rare but shout out to these small businesses that provide a safe space for queers to dance and mingle~ read more

I'm not even going to say much... Do not come here. It is not a safe space for queer people. If you want to know why. Feel free to reply. I was going frequent but I had to stop... the owner called my bf weird & I haven't been back since. & will never return... I met some great people there tho... read more

Brunch review. I've been to brunch several times before but this is my first time having the new buffet. As always the performers were amazing. Here are the issues we had: 1. We got there around 12 to eat brunch, but the food was already cold since there was no heat source keeping it warm. The food used to be so good and now it's not worth the $25 they are charging. The tater tots were the smiley face ones that you yet at Costco and they weren't as good as the ones they used to serve. 2. We ordered a spiked coffee drink we had before that was amazing, but this time it had barely any coffee in it and tasted watered down. Not worth the $14 they were charging. 3. The show actually ended early at 2:30 since there weren't as many performers as usual. For the amount they charged, I left feeling disappointed. I really hope they fix these issues since they used to have one of the best brunches in the Bay Area. read more

Been trying to get to Jolene for forever.. i lucked up and had bar sets for the show on Juneteenth.. @womanmonolopysf put the show of all show..burlesque drag.. .. amazing show from start to finish.. it was a vibe a twerked from my seat and everything.. omg I was amazed .. can't wait to come back again... my only down fall was the food .. definitely bar snacks which was fine .. I was expecting more of menu other thanks basic breakfast.. pancakes eggs and bacon.. dnt forget to add your seat number when purchasing from the app... I spilled my drink took over 20 mins to get help and I was sitting at the bar.. it's like the waitress zoned out to just making drinks and not paying attention to people sitting at the bar.. but I definitely come back read more

Jolene's Bar - Lumpia - Gay Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I have yet to experience a bar tender with a smile on their face. Does everyone hate their job? Says a lot about management.

Good drinks but mediocre music most of the time so it goes dead just past midnight the times I've gone. Place glorifies and worships the bar top dancers a little too much in my opinion. If I cared about that, I'd go back to a strip club and get more action. I think this place definitely caters to and attracts a certain demographic of queer/sapphic women that is on the hipster/Bay Area transplant side with a splash of locals in the mix. It's usually popping during Pride week by any other time is eh. read more

During Pride weekend Pros: - $3 Jell-O shots (delicious!!) - Gender neutral bathrooms - Self serve water fountain without a line - Amazing, welcoming, and fun people all around! Everyone I met was a great time - Relatively easy to order a drink at the bar - Bathrooms were so clean and fully stocked with paper towels and toilet paper the whole night Cons: - $50 cash cover charge - Only 3 bathrooms stalls read more

We walked in and walked right out because it stinks like urine. No thanks. Makes me think the whole place is dirty. read more

Years later and this is still my favorite queer bar. Jolene's throws incredible events for SF PRIDE weekend and is home to insane lineups of performances, DJs, queer parties. Don't sleep on Jolene's / Uhaul!!! read more

Love this place. Great drinks, dancers and ambiance. Very nice venue but the bathrooms could use a little bit of cleaning read more

Jolene's Bar - you are safe here neon sign - Gay Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Amazing entertainers, clean establishment for the most part, fast bartenders, tasty drinks. Only downside is that the line was super long but that's to be expected during the last weekend of pride month. My group and I got to Jolene's around 9:13pm and waited almost 2 hours, but the drinks and atmosphere alone made up for it in my opinion. read more

The music was so good, dancers and bartenders were amazing, being surrounded my women and queer people it was such a safe place and had a great birthday celebration here read more

So grateful for Jolene's! The drinks, the ambience, the service, the events, and Jolene herself is incredible. This place is iconic and legendary. It's not just a bar, it's a place of connection to community, a place to make memories, and it's a foundation upon which the queers of future generations can stand upon. read more

I opened a tab last Saturday 4/12 and they made a fraudulent charge on my credit card. I wonder if they signed my name and how they got away with it. I called my bank and it looks like it is not the first time they hear about Jolenes doing this. Be careful do not give your credit card to the bartenders. read more

I feel so sad for the performers leaving this review because I'd give them a 10 star if I could, but Jolene's as a whole needs to change a few things - as our experience for 'brunch' was terrible for the first hour or so of arriving. First off, there was a huge mixup with the tables and we were being scolded by the staff for sitting on the actual table that had our names on it (nothing to do with us, someone put too many chairs at the table or something, we still have no idea why there was such confusion) and then after everyone was seated there was no apology for the mixup (which was on their end and had nothing to do with us) Secondly I wasn't expecting Michelin star cuisine but for the price, the food was sub par. (And took over an hour to get to us, we were f****ing starving!) don't advertise brunch if you can't serve it. The app to order was a nightmare and for the first 30min, everyone was trying to figure it out instead of enjoying each others company (can't order drinks without the app so no one was even drinking yet which would have numbed the tension) the app was only working for a few peoples phones so we had to combine orders which was also confusing and time wasting. (Get rid of the app for at-least drinks... or give everyone a free drink when they come in if you are understaffed) Or download the 'SmartTab app' now before arriving so you're ready to order some mediocre food. I liked the divey feel of the place, and the host, Alotta Boutte, was absolutely fabulous. She was everything you could want in a host/performer/singer and a whole lot more! All the performers were amazingly entertaining and talented as hell and would definitely recommend coming for them and throwing all your dollar bills at them. Knowing they get paid made me change my review from a 1 to a 3. They made my afternoon. Again. I'd give the performers a 10 star on here if I could. But the vibe and service was so shit when we got there I was disgusted and appalled and hugely turned off. Very conflicted writing this review, but hoping it can help serve as a wake up call to management and change something for the better at Jolene's, because it has potential. read more

Brunch review. Tickets said free complimentary mimosa with ticket, the bartender said they didn't do that. Lol. We bought two bottles of champagne so it doesn't matter but whack that you offer that and then bartenders say no, we don't do that. Loool. The lady that hosted was great, show was chill. Food was decent, but for as many people as they had, the food kept running out and it was all you can eat. read more

I made a drag brunch reservation at 11:45 on Open Table, and Open Table allowed us to make a reservation. After waiting in line, it turned out we needed tickets from EventBrite and their website did not mention anything like that. We got turned down and was offered no peace solution other than being in the waiting room. We were here to eat, not to stand. Hopefully they fix their website soon so this doesn't happen again. read more

Perfect place to be tonight *rainbow* Love the vibes, staff was nice, music was 70s fun, line was long, inside wasn't as packed as it could've been which was a relief. Thanks for creating for this safe loving space. Had a great time on the dance floor *disco dancing* read more

So fun!! So queer!! Go go go :) Fun, inclusive, judgement free bar with great vibes, people, and dancing space + a pool table. A place you must visit if you visit san fran read more

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This is a great place to come if you want to get hit on by men. Half of the place is men and they don't hesitate to get between you and the people you're with. One even going so far as to stand in front of the bathroom, hitting on women as they walked in. Security chatting at the door, none inside. read more

This place is hands down the place to be!!!! The food is amazing and the staff are so attentive and chill ! Not to mention they have one of the best Sound systems in the city! If you haven't been make sure to check it out and be prepared to dance !!! read more

Jolene's Bar - The subs - Gay Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Love supporting places that provide queer and inclusive spaces! We went last night for the coyote show, and it was AWESOME. The drinks weren't overpriced and were good. Didn't get to try the food though so will definitely come back for it later. Thank all the sweet and friendly staff for a fun and safe night! read more

Sunday drag queen brunch was amazing!!!!!!! Busy, raunchy, amazing! Food was good, drinks were great, performances were on point!

I loved the coyote queer! One of reasons why I go! Bar does get pretty hectic and they take awhile to get the order but overall def a good gay bar! read more

Thank dog there's a new dyke/queer bar in SF. This has been long needed. There was an excellent drag show when I went, and the brunch of aperol spritz and smashed potatoes was delicious. Most importantly it's queer centered, so give this place your dollars! read more

Jolene's Bar - Gay Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Cover is $100 a person tonight, finest chicks though totally worth the long wait around the block to dance with hot girls , hits max capacity at 200 every weekend read more

good vibes and good music! they serve late night tacos and have a cute pool table! the dancers are also really good! i liked the lights and how spacious this bar is read more

If you're in the Mission area and want to find a place for tasty drinks, snacks, and accommodation for a big group -- come to Jolene's! I came here on a Thursday evening with a group of coworkers. They easily accommodated all of us (~20 ppl). There's a few medium high tables and small tables plus bar seating. The layout of the space allows for people to roam around and mingle easily. I'm a fan of the COCKTAILS here. Tried the JOLENE'S MARGARITA and the hibiscus agave added a nice touch to this drink! The Pretty in Pink was also tasty with the addition of passion fruit. You can tell the drinks focused on great flavor and unique ingredients, which made me OK with paying $$ for them. Jolene's also offers FOOD here! I'm always a fan of having some kind of substantial snacks when going out for drinks. Some tasty bites include: ROSEMARY FRIES (ugh the garlic shoyu aioli is so good), AVOCADO EGG ROLLS, and POPCORN CHICKEN. My favorite was the chicken -- they use dark meat so the bites are extra juicy! Food is also at $$ SF prices. Portions are a bit on the smaller side. Some things I hope Jolene's will add in the future: happy hour pricing and being open more nights! Overall I'm happy the Misison area has a place where big groups of people can come enjoy quality food and drinks, especially for queers in need of a safe space. I hope Jolene's will stick around! read more