The Cafe (re)opened its doors after months of renovations. Expectations were high last Friday night for the Castro staple to deliver a stunning new space, especially since the previous night’s planned opening was called off by the SF Fire Department. The club is an important venue, both because it draws a young hip crowd from around the area and because of its prime location on Market Street, half a block from Castro Street.
The verdict was generally positive. The space was opened up considerably, allowing for a much better flow. Some complained that the decor was rather plain, lacking the New York cool-factor of Trigger, which opened recently across the street in the space of what was once the Detour. The biggest change (pictured below) is the removal of the awkward center column that divided the main bar space and corralled the dance floor into an often uncomfortable and cramped clump of tangled bodies.
The flow of space is fluid now–dancers seamlessly integrated with those standing & socializing over drinks. Elbows did not send Cosmos flying. Other changes include installing a retractable glass roof over the patio in case of rain and downsizing the number of pool tables to one. The great balcony overlooking the intersection of Market and Castro remains. The upper bar area (pictured below) now has a more comfortable feel, and leads into a back lounge that was sparsely populated throughout the night.
The nicest part of the night was knowing that Friday’s BoyBar is back to stay. The weekly event attracts San Francisco’s party guys to one massive mingle-fest –a breath of fresh air, quite literally, given the plethora of cramped, packed bars that populate the Castro scene. Naturally, the boys were out in droves.
Some San Francisco locals enjoy the new space.
Local DJ Lee Decker (right) engages in a serious stare-off.
Travelers from Los Angeles take advantage of the opportune timing of their visit by checking out the opening.
