They still
serve phosphates!
|
Night life - Reviews (provided by various net contributors)
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Great American Music Hall, 859 O'Farrell
In the heart of the Tenderloin--so you may want to take a cab-- the
Great American Music Hall is a spectacular place to see a band, a
comedy performance or a literary reading. Headliners have included
Robin Williams, Jane Siberry, David Grisman... The interior hasn't
changed much since the turn of the century--an elaborate SF dance
hall with red velvet wallpaper and gold and crystal chandeliers.
Vesuvios Cafe, 255 Columbus
The locals call it 'Vesuvios'. If you go to one bar while in
San Francisco, this should be it. Sit upstairs and watch
the traffic on Columbus at Broadway. Drinks are cheap and
the decor is hysterical.
Bimbo's 365 Club, 1025 Columbus, 415/474-0365
Not always open (so call in advance for booking info), but a real treat
when it is. The decor in this WWII era nightclub hasn't changed --just
the music (everything from big bands to Iggy Pop).
Tosca Cafe, 242 Columbus
Excellent alcohol infused cappuchino. Loud opera music on
the jukebox and occasional impromptu piano playing. The
waiters are great and you'll often sit next to a famous face
at the bar.
Spec's Twelve Adler Museum Cafe, 12 Adler (next to Tosca Cafe)
You'll feel like you've walked into a Keroauc novel at
Spec's. Very bohemian. People still smoke at Spec's...
Hotel Utah Saloon & Bistro, 500-4th Street
Weird bar. Good music. Cheap drinks. *Interesting* clientele...
Persian Aub Zam Zam, 1633 Haight
The owner of this strange little bar only opens when he feels like it.
If you're lucky and the doors are unlocked, he'll let you in, tell you where
you can sit, and what you are allowed to order (sometimes he only serves
martinis...) Why go though this? Zam Zam is a perfect little piece of
Art Deco inside. And, San Franciscan's have a soft spot for extremely
rude characters (i.e. the late great world's rudest waiter: Sam Wu).
Nightbreak, 1821 Haight
Newly reopened 'thrash/punk/grunge' club. Local bookings. Unofficial
'home' of Chris Issak's band.
CW Saloon, 911 Folsom, 974-1585
Acoustic, new wave, folk, punk. Rowdy crowds.
Garden Court in the Palace Hotel, Market Street & New Montgomery
If you like to dance, they have dancing Fridays and Saturdays (maybe
Thursdays and Sundays, too) from 8-12. No cover. Drinks are about $5.
Lou's Pier 47, 300 Jefferson Street
Has about 17 bands a week. The owner has great taste and finds
newcomers who go on to bigger and better things. The dance floor is
quite small but the music is consistently good.
Silhouette's, 155 Jefferson Street
Has a good barbecue every Sunday evening as well as bands several
nights a week. The dance floor is larger than Lou's, but not much and
it's not much better.
The Metronome Ballroom, 1830 17th Street
There is ballroom dancing on Friday and Sunday nights, Swing on
Saturdays. The level of dancing on Fridays isn't so hot but Saturdays
and Sundays the dancing is as good as you'll find anywhere. It's great
fun to watch, too, and you can do so through the large windows facing
the sidewalk.
Brain Wash, 1122 Folsom Street @ 7th Street
A coffee house/cafe/laundromat, which features good food, great
music and a SF Net terminal. SF Net is San Francisco's coffee
house (internet linked) BBS system; coffee house philosophers can
argue with same in other coffee houses via these terminal/tables. One of
SOMA's hot spots.
Paradise Lounge, 1501 Folsom Street @ 11th Street
A small, honest club in SOMA that sometimes features free live bands.
Some are terrible, some are amazing, but none of that matters
when the cover charge is free. (Cover charge on other nights ranges
from $5 to $15.)
Slim's, 333 11th Street (near Folsom Street)
A blues club in SOMA founded by Boz Skaggs, a local pop
musician. Only great music is presented here (International and US
headliners).
DNA Lounge, 375 11th Street, 415/626-1409
Occasional live music, usually extremely 'hip' dance music and a very
fashionable crowd.
Nickie's, 460 Haight Street, 415/621-6508
Young, sometime's 'spring-breakish' crowd. Good DJ dance music. Campy
decor and cheap drinks.
Cafe Pacifica, 333 Bush Street (415) 296-8203.
This fledgling hybrid serves three German-style beers (pale, amber, and
dark ale), along with satisfying and inexpensive Chinese fare in a
cheerful Financial District setting.
Gordon Biersch #3, 2 Harrison Street, 415/243-8246.
Part of a chain producing a trio of German-style beer and serving an
eclectic bill of fare, ranging from Asian noodle salad and beer-steamed
seafood to braised lamb shank and vegetarian polenta.
San Francisco Brewing Company, 155 Columbus Avenue, 415/434-3344
Set in a historic Barbary Coast saloon that features live music most
nights, this North Beach watering hole features about six brews- try the
Emperor Norton, a rich amber lager-plus a Christmas beer and wheat
beers (in the fall and spring). A handful of specials round out the menu of
fried appetizers, poached salmon salad and a variety of sandwiches.
Twenty Tank Brewery 316 11th Street, 415/255-9455.
This popular, two story SOMA (South of Market Area) brewery offers
upwards of six house-made beers extending to barley wine (winter only)
and other specialty brews on occasion. From the kitchen comes beer-
roasted corned beef on rye, a chef's salad, fresh-made chili, nachos and
such.
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Excellent views of the Bay Area (day and night) can be had at the following
bars/cocktail lounges.
The Hyatt Regency, Market Street at Spear Street
Top floor lounge revolves continuously for ever-changing views. Prices are
steep.
Top of the Mark, Mark Hopkins Hotel, California Street at Mason Street
Elegant top floor cocktail lounge features extremely good service and
moderate prices. Dress up a bit to go to the Top of the Mark.
Mariott Hotel, Fourth and Market Streets
Another, newer, top floor bar with spectaular views from all sides.
Prices are quite reasonable and the service is good.
Sherlock Holmes Esquire Public Room, Holiday Inn, Powell Street at
480 Sutter
Top floor bar with views toward Sausalito. Good prices and free happy hour
munchies.
The Carnelian Room, Bank of America Building, 555 California
Expensive. A favorite for prom night couples.
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Accommodations (provided by various net contributors)
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Seal Rock Inn, 545 Point Lobos Avenue, 752-8000
Out near the Cliff House. Quiet and comfortable. Walk on
the beach in the morning. $72-94 Double (free parking).
Mansion Hotel 2220 Sacramento Street
The owner runs this historic hotel and restaurant as a hobby/labor of love.
Excellence is the norm. The food is superb, the atmosphere private, opulent
and, well, eccentric. (The owner can be seen on certain special
occasions performing magic tricks or playing the saw in private
performances for his guests.)
The Juliana, 590 Bush Street, 415/392-2540
$124-$134 single/double
Great location near shopping, Financial District and Chinatown.
(House restaurant, Vinoteca, is well regarded.)
Hotel Union Square, 114 Powell, 415/397-3000
Great location right on the cable car line--though a bit too close to
Powell and Market for some people. Parking is available. Rooms are
small but nicely decorated. Rates are reasonable.
Hotel Diva, 440 Geary, 415/885-0200
Very 'LA', and expensive. Great location right downtown.
Miyako Inn-Best Western, 1800 Sutter, 415/921-4000
Nice hotel--some rooms has traditional Japanese decor and baths.
Located in Japantown. Parking available. Excellent house restaurant (Elka's).
Red Victorian Bed & Breakfast, 1665 Haight Street, 415/864-1978
New-Agey B&B in the heart of the Haight. Each room is decorated in a
particular 'theme'. Safe, moderately expensive.
The Phoenix Inn, 601 Eddy, 415/776-1380
Renovated motel that is popular with traveling bands. Pool, parking.
Reasonable rates-- but some might consider this a very bad neighborhood
(the Tenderloin/Polk Street). Fun bar/restaurant (Miss Pearl's Jam House).
Stanyan Park Hotel, 750 Stanyan, 415/751-1000
Overlooking Golden Gate Park. Near UCSF. Moderately expensive. Very nice.
Pacific Bay Inn, 415/673-0234, $199 week, email: warrior@also.hooked.net
(Adam Sparks, Mgr.), 3 blocks from Union Square, cable tv, weekly rates
only.
Hotel Dakota, 606 Post St. @ Taylor, 415/931-7475, $39 night, 4 blocks
to BART.
Ritz-Carlton San Francisco, 600 Stockton Street, 415/296-7465
Only for those who don't need to ask 'how much does it cost.' (It costs
a lot...) Possibly the most elegant hotel in SF. Very stuffy.
The Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason at the top of Nob Hill, 415/772-5000
Very expensive. Very San Francisco. Nice lounges and restaurants. You
definately get what you pay for.
Four Seasons Clift Hotel, Geary & Taylor Streets, 415/775-4700
Elegant. Excellent restaurant. Expensive.
HOSTELS: AYH @ Union Square, 415/788-5604
AYH @ Fort Mason, 415/771-7277
Stratford Hotel (Privately owned), 415/788-3207
242 Powell
A bit of a dump, but the location is excellent
as are the prices. This is right on the cable car
line and just around the corner from Macy's.
For seriously budget-minded traveller's only.
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THE EAST BAY: OAKLAND & BERKELEY
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The area code changes on this side of the bay (use 510) as does the
weather. A short trip on a BART train can take you to another world.
WHAT IS *there* IN OAKLAND?
College Avenue (shops and dining), Lake Merritt (Fairyland for the kids,
jogging and boat rentals, Camron-Stanford House), Chinatown, Jack London
Square, Paramount Theater (a fabulous art-deco movie palace), The Oakland
Museum, and the Mormon Temple -- to name just a few!
When in Oakland, check out the following:
Camron-Stanford House, 1418 Lakeside Drive (built in 1876, beautifully
restored Victorian house at Lake Merritt).
Children's Fairland, Bellevue Avenue at Lake Merritt (theme park for
the kiddies with puppet shows and entertainment).
Dunsmuir House & Gardens, 2960 Peralta Oaks Court (40 acres of hills and
gardens--tours on Sunday and Wednesday).
Lake Merritt, Lakeside Drive at Grand Avenue (jogging path, Fairyland,
Camron-Stanford House, gardens, boat rentals, Natural Science Center).
Oakland Coliseum, Hegenberger Road of I-880 (big name entertainment,
the Oakland A's and the Golden State Warriors).
The Farmer's Market, Broadway and 9th Downtown (organic produce,
bakers and artisans every Friday from 8am to 2pm).
Rockridge, College Avenue from Broadway to Alcatraz, (Market Hall shops
at the Rockridge BART station, antique stores, excellent restaurants,
gourmet food and clothing shops).
Oakland Temple 'The Mormon Temple, 4770 Lincoln Ave. (9 to 9 daily,
free guided tours).
Oakland Zoo in Knowland Park, 9777 Gold Links Road of I-580 (African
lion exhibits, petting zoo, train and skyride).
Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway (stop by after dark to see the beautiful
neon lights that hang outside or attend a performance inside this 1931
Art Deco masterpiece). The Oakland Hertitage Alliance offers walking tours
of Oakland landmark buildings like the Paramount. Phone 510/763-9218 for
details.
Oakland Museum, 1000 Oak Street (museum of Californian art, history
and natural science with roof top gardens and museum cafe).
The Ashby Bart Flea Market, Ashby BART station at Martin Luther King
Jr. Way (Saturdays and Sundays aprox. 9am to 4pm -- everything
from Nigerian imports to bootlegged punk rock). Free entry.
|
Kimball's East, Emery Bay Public Market, Emeryville, 658-2555
(National acts, jazz supper club)
Oakland East Bay Symphony, 1999 Harrison Street (Nov. through May)
Eli's Mile High Club & Restaurant, 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way,
655-6661 (blues nightclub with soul food kitchen).
Yoshi's Nitespot, 6030 Claremont, 510/652-9200
Jazz and sushi? Yes, and both are great! (Big name headliners and
local artists).
Stork Club, 380 12th Street, 510/444-6174
Jazz.
|
Le Cheval, 1007 Clay, 763-8957
Wonderful Vietnamese food. Inexpensive.
Oliveto's, 5655 College Ave., 547-5356
Up-scale Mediterranian cuisine. Moderately expensive.
Scott's Seafood, Jack London Square, 444-3456
Nicely prepared seafood and Bay views for unadventurous eaters.
Expensive.
Mama's Royal Cafe, 4012 Broadway, 547-7600
Good breakfast joint with long waiting lines and moderately high prices.
The Bay Wolf, 3853 Piedmont Ave., 655-6004
Moderately expensive, and reservations are essential--but the food is
excellent (modern American cuisine). Outside patio available during
summer months. (This place rivals Berkeley's Chez Panisse--and sometimes
wins the fight!)
De Vanni, College Avenue at Broadway, 510/597-1320
Updated Thai dishes in a small, romantic restaurant. Good prices. Try
the stuffed calamari appetizer--it is fabulous!
Gaucho's, 5478 College, 652-3462
Mediterranian cuisine (roast chicken). Good prices. Nice decor.
Zachary's Pizza, 5801 College
Some people claim this is the best pizza in the world--and the lines are
often *long*-- but you can order to go. Try the Chicken and Pesto, or
the Spinach Tomato Deep Dish pizza.
Le Creme de la Creme, 5362 College Ave.
A good choice for a romantic dinner -- they have an outdoor patio in
warm summer months. Excellent filet mignon and pasta dishes are
moderately priced. Very small, neighborhood restaurant.
T.J.'s Gingerbread House, 741 5th Street, 510/444-7373
A unique, Oakland institution -- Creole/Cajun influenced cuisine served
inside a meandering Victorian house filled with toys. Expensive.
Reservations are essential. Food *is* unique, but overrated...
Mexicali Rose, 701 Clay Street
Huge Mexican restaurant that hasn't changed much in 30 years or more.
Good margaritas, huge hamburgers and platters of Mexican classics. In-
expensive and near the freeway entrance.
Gulf Coast Grill & Bar, 736 Washington
Not much of a bar here, but they have an excellent Sunday brunch for
people who like a wide variety (grits, omelets, homemade cinnamon
rolls).
Sorabol Korean Cuisine, 372 Grand Ave.
Near Lake Merritt. Moderately expensive and very small portions, but
everything is beautifully presented and tastes great.
Dutch East Indies Restaurant, 30 Jack London Square
Hot, spicy East Indian cuisine moderately priced.
Sweet Coconut Thai Restaurant, 3314 Piedmont Ave. at Broadway
Cute little Thai restaurant with dynamite food and a a hidden outdoor
patio during warm weather.
Fenton's Creamery, 4226 Piedmont
An old-fashioned family restaurant for lunch and hot-fudge sundaes. Hasn't
changed in 30+ years.
Carmen and Family BBQ, 3250 Adeline (near Ashby BART)
Tiny family run Jamaican BBQ joint! Goat is served, but I can
only recommend the pork ribs, sausages and potato salad...
Flint's BBQ, 6609 Shattuck
An East Bay institution that is hard to explain. It's a dump. You can't
sit down (to go orders only). The staff is outrageously rude, but the
food --as far as BBQ goes-- is excellent. The potato salad is another
story... Inexpensive and messy as hell. Order your sauce 'medium' or
'mild'--hot *means* hot.
The Crab Shack, 294 Hegenberger Road
This, like Flint's, is one of those weird kind of 'Only-in-Oakland' places.
Crab by the bucket in a buttery garlic sauce. Bad neighborhood.
Dave's Coffee Shop, 4299 Broadway, 510/658-2455
Steak and eggs kind of place where time has stopped. *Real* American
cuisine.
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TravelLodge, Broadway at 7th, 510/451-6316
Reasonable rates. Right across the street from both the jail and the
up-scale Parc-Oakland hotel (which is much more expensive).
Parc-Oakland, 1001 Broadway, 510/451-4000
If it's good enough for President Clinton...
The Claremont Resort and Spa, Ashby and Domingo, 415/843-3000
Very expensive. Rooms has wonderful Bay views, but are strangely
out-dated for the price. Full bar and restaurant. Parking and tennis
courts. Spa services are extra.
Bayside Boat and Breakfast, 77 Jack London Square, 510/444-5858
'Spend the night on a yacht.' Ranges from $115 to $250 a night.
Thunderbird Inn, 233 Broadway, 510/452-4565
Not cheap, but nice. Near Jack London Square. parking, pool, spa.
Waterfront Plaza Hotel, 10 Washington Street at Jack London Square
510/836-3800
View rooms. Shuttles to San Francisco.
|
Le Cheval, 1007 Clay, 763-8957
Wonderful Vietnamese food. Inexpensive.
Oliveto's, 5655 College Ave., 547-5356
Up-scale Mediterranian cuisine. Moderately expensive.
Scott's Seafood, Jack London Square, 444-3456
Nicely prepared seafood and Bay views for unadventurous eaters.
Expensive.
Mama's Royal Cafe, 4012 Broadway, 547-7600
Good breakfast joint with long waiting lines and moderately high prices.
The Bay Wolf, 3853 Piedmont Ave., 655-6004
Moderately expensive, and reservations are essential--but the food is
excellent (modern American cuisine). Outside patio available during
summer months. (This place rivals Berkeley's Chez Panisse--and sometimes
wins the fight!)
De Vanni, College Avenue at Broadway, 510/597-1320
Updated Thai dishes in a small, romantic restaurant. Good prices. Try
the stuffed calamari appetizer--it is fabulous!
Gaucho's, 5478 College, 652-3462
Mediterranian cuisine (roast chicken). Good prices. Nice decor.
Zachary's Pizza, 5801 College
Some people claim this is the best pizza in the world--and the lines are
often *long*-- but you can order to go. Try the Chicken and Pesto, or
the Spinach Tomato Deep Dish pizza.
Le Creme de la Creme, 5362 College Ave.
A good choice for a romantic dinner -- they have an outdoor patio in
warm summer months. Excellent filet mignon and pasta dishes are
moderately priced. Very small, neighborhood restaurant.
T.J.'s Gingerbread House, 741 5th Street, 510/444-7373
A unique, Oakland institution -- Creole/Cajun influenced cuisine served
inside a meandering Victorian house filled with toys. Expensive.
Reservations are essential. Food *is* unique, but overrated...
Mexicali Rose, 701 Clay Street
Huge Mexican restaurant that hasn't changed much in 30 years or more.
Good margaritas, huge hamburgers and platters of Mexican classics. In-
expensive and near the freeway entrance.
Gulf Coast Grill & Bar, 736 Washington
Not much of a bar here, but they have an excellent Sunday brunch for
people who like a wide variety (grits, omelets, homemade cinnamon
rolls).
Sorabol Korean Cuisine, 372 Grand Ave.
Near Lake Merritt. Moderately expensive and very small portions, but
everything is beautifully presented and tastes great.
Dutch East Indies Restaurant, 30 Jack London Square
Hot, spicy East Indian cuisine moderately priced.
Sweet Coconut Thai Restaurant, 3314 Piedmont Ave. at Broadway
Cute little Thai restaurant with dynamite food and a a hidden outdoor
patio during warm weather.
Fenton's Creamery, 4226 Piedmont
An old-fashioned family restaurant for lunch and hot-fudge sundaes. Hasn't
changed in 30+ years.
Carmen and Family BBQ, 3250 Adeline (near Ashby BART)
Tiny family run Jamaican BBQ joint! Goat is served, but I can
only recommend the pork ribs, sausages and potato salad...
Flint's BBQ, 6609 Shattuck
An East Bay institution that is hard to explain. It's a dump. You can't
sit down (to go orders only). The staff is outrageously rude, but the
food --as far as BBQ goes-- is excellent. The potato salad is another
story... Inexpensive and messy as hell. Order your sauce 'medium' or
'mild'--hot *means* hot.
The Crab Shack, 294 Hegenberger Road
This, like Flint's, is one of those weird kind of 'Only-in-Oakland' places.
Crab by the bucket in a buttery garlic sauce. Bad neighborhood.
Dave's Coffee Shop, 4299 Broadway, 510/658-2455
Steak and eggs kind of place where time has stopped. *Real* American
cuisine.
|
TravelLodge, Broadway at 7th, 510/451-6316
Reasonable rates. Right across the street from both the jail and the
up-scale Parc-Oakland hotel (which is much more expensive).
Parc-Oakland, 1001 Broadway, 510/451-4000
If it's good enough for President Clinton...
The Claremont Resort and Spa, Ashby and Domingo, 415/843-3000
Very expensive. Rooms has wonderful Bay views, but are strangely
out-dated for the price. Full bar and restaurant. Parking and tennis
courts. Spa services are extra.
Bayside Boat and Breakfast, 77 Jack London Square, 510/444-5858
'Spend the night on a yacht.' Ranges from $115 to $250 a night.
Thunderbird Inn, 233 Broadway, 510/452-4565
Not cheap, but nice. Near Jack London Square. parking, pool, spa.
Waterfront Plaza Hotel, 10 Washington Street at Jack London Square
510/836-3800
View rooms. Shuttles to San Francisco.
|
Au Coquelet Cafe, 2000 University Ave.
Gen-X hangout in the early evenings. Good coffee and breakfasts.
Open till 1:30am.
Bette's Oceanview Diner, 1807 4th Street
Long lines for satisying breakfast food (average wait seems to be 45 min.)
Ginger Island, 1820 4th Street
Casual, moderately expensive cuisine on the 'alternative' side. Freshly
made ginger ale and spicy ginger fries are popular. The burgers are very
good.
Ochame, 1830 Fourth Street
Very expensive Japanese food with a modern twist.
Plearn Thai, 2050 University
Very good Thai food at reasonable prices.
Cafe Venezia, 1799 University
Big, noisy space with excellent pasta dishes and salads. Moderately
expensive. Long lines for a table, but there is a bar area to wait in.
The Cheese Board, 1504 Shattuck Ave.
A cheese and bread store, *and* a pizza shop (with very limited hours).
The pizza is excellent (if you like goat cheese or unusual vegetables
on pizza), and the store, which is collectively owned by its employees,
is one of a kind.
Mario's La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant, 2444 Telegraph Avenue
Very inexpensive, filling Mexican classics. Chicken or Pork tamales are
great. Wine and beer only.
The Blue Nile, 2525 Telegraph
Slow service and poor lighting, but excellent, satisfying Ethiopian food.
Inexpensive.
Larry Blake's, 2367 Telegraph
Crowded at night with drinkers, serves moderately priced burgers, pasta
fish, etc. all day long. The food is surprisingly good.
The Great China, 2115 Kittredge
Sometimes good, sometimes excellent --try the Chicken in Lettuce, and/or
the Walnut Prawns. Inexpensive and casual.
Chez Panisse, 1517 Shattuck, 548-5525
World famous and deservedly so. Two options: a $50 all enclusive dinner
downstairs (where reservations are essential), or a moderately priced
dinner upstairs in the noisy cafe (where long lines are inevitable). The
food is as good as you've heard.
Brick Hut, 3222 Adeline Street
Breakfast joint near the Ashby BART station. Neighborhood favorite.
Cafe Fanny, 1603 San Pablo
Off the beaten track. Owned and operated by Chez Panisse's Alice Waters.
Long lines on weekend mornings.
Hong Kong Villa, 1923 University
Very good Hong Kong-style noodle soups (duck, bbq pork) and pot
stickers --and very inexpensive.
Cambodiana, 2156 University
The portions are small, but the presentation and taste is extraordinary!
Small, family run, moderately priced.
|
The Bancroft Hotel,
Newly opened. Rooms are beautiful. Corporate rate is about $60 a night.
No restaurant, but it sits right next to the popular coffee house Cafe
Strada-- and it's right across the street from the CAL campus.
Grandma's Bed & Breakfast Inn
Cute B&B about a half mile from the UCB campus. Just started
serving dinner, but has been famous for its brunch for years. Popular
spot for weddings.
The Hotel Durant, 2600 Durant, 510/845-8981
Two blocks from the UCB campus. Restaurant on first floor. Reasonable
rates (beginning about $70). Direct shuttle pick up for airports.
YMCA, 2001 Allston, 510/848-1130
Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Avenue, 510/848-7800
For extended stays only (this is a private club that you must pay to
join). Rate is about $1000 per month which includes some meals and
use of the swimming pool. Beautiful building designed by Julia Morgan.
The Beau Sky Hotel, 2520 Durant, 510/540-7688
Unusual, newly opened hotel in an 1800's building just off the
Telegraph shopping strip. Reasonable rates.
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