Gay things to do in san francisco
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The St. Regis is home to the Michelin-starred restaurant Ame, where guests can enjoy a fusion of American and Japanese flavours, while the exclusive Remède Spa offers a sanctuary of relaxation with personalised treatments. Powerhouse is known as being San Franciscos ‘raunchiest’ gay bar, where anything goes.
Self-branded as San Francisco ‘cruise-bar’ this is the place to be if you’re looking to pick-up as opposed to hitting the dance floor, although there will be a DJ playing most nights!
Powerhouse also hosts various events, but bordering on the slightly cheeky – underwear nights, wet underwear contest, leather events, armpit competitions etc.
Expect a mixed crowd in attendance – but definitely a firm favourite with the leather crowd and those into kink.
Address: 1347 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
The Eagle – Soma
Did you really expect a city with such a prominent leather and fetiʂh scene and history to not have an Eagle?
San Franciscos Eagle can be found in the Soma district, the heart of the city’s leather community.
To this day the LGBTQ+ community in San Francisco remains one of the largest and most prominent in the United States, with almost 15% of San Franciscans identifying as LGBTQ+. Celebrate summer’s best gay events in San Francisco
Seasonal gay extravaganzas are afoot all year long in San Francisco but it’s around summer solstice when the event calendar is most packed.
No-one actually knows the reason the sea lions decided to first reside here, but the food in the bay, and the sheltered conditions mean they decided to stay, and they have now been present at Pier 39 for over 30 years.
Whilst the number of sea lions naturally changes throughout the seasons, on average there are over 300 present, and they can be observed from the viewing platform and walkway behind Pier 39.
Pier 39 is also home to multiple shops and dining venues – many of which specialize in seafood given the location.
Here you’ll discover crystal waters, with views of the Golden Gate and Alcatraz Island, as well as naked beach-dwelling gays towards the north-west (although you’ll have to get a little closer to fully appreciate these sights). The Four Seasons is within walking distance of Union Square’s high-end shopping, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), and Yerba Buena Gardens, while the Castro District’s famed gay nightlife is just a short ride away.
Set in a majestic neoclassical building atop Nob Hill, The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco blends historic charm with contemporary luxury.
The movie palace, which became San Francisco Historic Landmark number 100 in September 1976, has remained shuttered throughout the pandemic but has found a second life as a place to catch street performances outside the ticket booth. The film house plans to reopen before its 99th birthday later this year.
Tucked away in an easily overlooked pocket of greenery off Market Street, fifteen waist-high triangle monoliths sit inside a park that’s smaller than 4,000 square feet.
The hotel’s rooms and suites boast sweeping views of the city and San Francisco Bay, complementing the modern, yet warm décor. Whether you're looking to dance, enjoy a quiet drink, or take in a show, San Francisco's LGBTQ+ nightlife offers something for everyone.
LGBTQ+-related tours of San Francisco
San Francisco offers a variety of LGBTQ+-related tours that provide insight into the city's rich queer history and vibrant culture.
Also watching the car arrive at the end of the line onto the turntable where it was manually turned around by hand was very impressive!
Cable car tickets must be purchase prior to boarding. The bridge is most often partially covered in fog, but we found this to just add something to our photos and make it even more dramatic!
Ride a Cable Car
San Franciscos cable cars have been transporting people around the city since the late 19th century when they used to run 23 routes.
Whilst nowadays the locals may choose more efficient modes of transport to get around, the cable cars are a key attraction to the city, and taking a ride on one is an iconic experience for almost all visitors.
There are three of the original 23 lines still operating, taking passengers up and down the hills of San Francisco, through various neighbourhoods.
There was something so iconic about walking through the streets and hearing the cable car bells ringing even from blocks away!
Due to the AIDS crisis, the local government started to shut down the bathhouses, and impose severe regulations on many of the bars and meeting places for the gay community at that time, in particular amongst the leather subculture. Take a gay day trip to Napa Valley and Sonoma
Serving as the setting for many movies including Keanu Reeves’ 1995 A Walk in the Clouds, Sideways and the more recent Netflix comedy Wine Country, are the winemaking regions of Napa Valley and Sonoma.
As this one is known to sell out fast, make sure to book your tickets to screenings and other connected events well in advance.
Then there’s Fresh Meat Festival, the edgy cherry atop an already sweet, gender-bending June in the city. The fair has over 200 exhibitors and vendors – selling food and drinks, as well as all sorts of fetiʂh clothing, toys, gear etc.
You can expect to see all kinds of fetiʂhes on display, with attendees dressed in leather, rubber, sportswear as well as other kinds of fetiʂh clothing.
With its daily-changing menu designed to reflect modern Californian styles while maintaining a focus on locally sourced ingredients, Frances has garnered both a stellar reputation and a Michelin star to boot in its short time on the Castro scene. Discover more with a walk along San Francisco’s own version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, known as the Rainbow Honor Walk.
Now, the landmark bar offers more than a dozen beers on tap and an assortment of classic cocktails with a side of excellent people watching from the first or second floor.
A walk across the city’s most colorful crosswalk is a must-do, especially during Pride month.