San Francisco offers much more than just a vibrant bar club scene. The City by the Bay has unique activities lurking in every inch of its seven square miles every day of the week, so grab your friends and head out to these fabulous alternatives to cruising the bars–so you can cruise outside of bars!
Meet The Ladies Of Asia SF
Grab the crew and witness the ridiculously talented trans ladies of AsiaSF atop the red dragon runway while enjoying Cal-Asian cuisine. Add in oversized signature drinks and color morphing shoji screen walls and you have a unique and enjoyable night. Performances on the hour nightly, and there’s even a club downstairs if you want to make a full night of it.
Cost:Free performance. Food and drinks vary
A Peaches Christ Show
San Francisco reigning drag theatre queen Peaches Christ always puts on a show. With renditions of movies like Clueless and Hocus Pocus, her standards bring in the biggest names in drag and are a hoot to boot. Be sure to book in advance though, as tickets are a commodity among San Fran locals.
Cost:$15-$100
Skate at The Church Of 8 Wheels
The San Francisco roller skate club The Church Of 8 Wheels is old school fun every night of the week, with LGBT night every Thursday. Skate until you drop, or drop until you can skate for the entire night in a rink of utter fabulousness – the lights and decor are nothing less than holy.
Cost: $10 entry, $5 Skate renntal
Sundays Are a Drag at The Starlight Room
Feathers, sequins, bouffant hairdos galore at Harry Denton’s Starlight Room. A San Francisco institution for nearly a decade, Sunday’s A Drag stars Donna Sachet, featuring song and dance routines by elaborately costumed drag queens and transgender performers during two Sunday shows.
Cost: $60
Get Your Trivia on at Hi Tops
Tuesday is trivia night at the bar renowned for its jocks and sports enthusiasts. Cheap drinks, an assortment of alcohol-themed prizes, and great real and eye food, what could be better? Grab your buds and come up with a creatively queer team name in the 3-part pub quiz at Hi Tops in the Castro. Cheer on the Warriors and the Giants as the shoot for more trophies.
Cost: Free
Spread A Blanket at Dolores Park
On a sunny weekend afternoon you’ll find the area packed with sunbathers in speedos on what’s deemed as the “Gay Beach” quarter of Dolores Park, fresh of a 20 million plus renovation. This is perfect for a date afternoon, hanging with a group of buds, or even going solo to dog- and people watch (and cruise). Boom boxes, beverages, and bare boobs encouraged. Watch out for “special” brownies and truffles being sold. (And please, no littering.)
Cost: Priceless
Movie Night at The Castro Theater
The iconic Castro Theatre is busier than ever. Hosting smaller, independent flicks, Castro theater is a glorious Art Deco trip back in LGBTQ history. It hosts regularly scheduled retro movie nights, and even better, (adult) Disney sing-alongs – a must do on your San Francisco bucket list.
Cost: $8-$40
Frolic In The Sand at Baker Beach
With stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Baker Beach is located on the southwest side of the Presidio. Pack beach towels and a cute bathing suit and head to the north end, the area that attracts your crowd. Be forwarned, especially if you’re planning to don your birthday suit: It may be a California beach, but it can get chilly.
Cost: Free
Crack A Laugh at Beach Blanket Babylon
Beach Blanket Babylon is a San Francisco institution by any definition. Running over 30 years every day of the week, this show mixes current events with humor and music to paint a delightful portrayal of city life. While this isn’t specifically gay, it’s San Francisco-themed, it’s theatre, and there’s booze. Book in advance for the best seats.
Cost: $30-$150
Drop In on a Show or Sexitude Workshop at Oasis
Heklina’s Oasis is all the rage in Drag-cisco. It hosts weekly dance parties, creative shows, fundraisers, and even a dance class and performance for the public. Pack your neon leggings and rally your buds on over to a Sexitude class – a body-positive, sex-positive, age-positive choreography experience. Or just come out for some good old dancing &drag and fun.
Cost: $7-$40, depending on event