Union Square is packed with expensive bars and restaurants...but tucked away in a small alley is Ginger's...a lovely and friendly LGBTQ bar. Great people, great bartenderette. Love the the art and decor! $10 for a Hamm's beer can and shot....or just $4 for a can of Hamm's beer. LOVE! read more

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On gosh, it's been like forever since I had been to Ginger's Trois, and I just assumed COVID made it a more permanent casualty. However, Jamie W let me know they were having a grand reopening after some extensive renovation work. Well, this was certainly welcome news to us because the FiDi is a barren wasteland when it comes to gay bars. This struck us as ironic in a city as epic as San Francisco. It's like rain on your wedding day. It's a free ride when you've already paid. It's the good advice that you just didn't take. Isn't it ironic, don't you think? Well, we decided to give Ginger's a spin on the evening they debuted their drag karaoke show, but unfortunately technical difficulties delayed the performance much to the chagrin of the glamorously accessorized headliner. No matter to us since we weren't planning to warble. The refreshed subterranean bar looked good. There was a relatively small bar but plenty of cafe tables as well as a pool table. Their signature cocktails are $14. Jamie had the Queen Bee, a sweet-spicy mix of tequila, lime, passionfruit, vanilla, peach, and habanero, while I went for Mona's 440, really an espresso martini made with vodka, espresso liqueur, Irish cream, and abuelita chocolate (photo: https://yelp.to/poJXuivsXi). Yummy. COCKTAILS - 4 stars...solid libations befitting of the venue FOOD - 3.5 stars...Emeli's Pupusas had a pop-up that evening, and the $5 Mixed Pupusas were pretty good (photo: https://yelp.to/1tC4iMMkHE) AMBIANCE - 4 stars...resuscitated to its former glory SERVICE - 3.5 stars...bartenders were busy TOTAL - 4 stars...Ginger's is back...and it's my 100th gay bar review RELATED - Looking for a gay bar? Here's my collection of bars I've patronized and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3LJO7fd read more

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What a hidden gem! In town for a work trip and a large group of us stopped in for a drink, with the intent on bar hopping, but ended up staying till close. The music was great and the drinks were flowing. Special shout out to the bartender Amelia who had tons of great drink recommendations and ensured our team had a great time! We will be back! read more

Being born and raised in San Francisco, but having moved away 20 years ago, I frequented a lot of SF gay bars "back in the day." I'm pretty sure I've been to three incarnations of Ginger's. This LGBTQ dive is hard to find, in a side alley off Kearny St in Downtown. Luckily my friends brought me. It's almost like a speakeasy, down in the basement of Rickhouse. It has all the gay bar basics, like a pool table, small drag stage, cubby corners, and cute bartenders. An added Yelp star for Ginger's paying homage to SF gay bar history via their cocktail names. Endearing and clever, most of the younger crowd probably don't even realize why the cocktails are named that way. Of the 13 cocktails with historical and closed bar names, I've been to 9 of them scattered throughout SF Castro, Polk Gulch, SoMA, Mission and Tenderloin (I'm really aging myself)...like Metro, N'Touch, The Gangway, Este Noche, Daddy's, Marlena's...hey where's QT? The bartenders were fun and our group had a great time. I want to return when Ginger's reopens. I love dive bars like this! read more

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Ginger's is worth searching for. And trust me, you won't know it's there until you look for it. Stuck at the end of an alley way, this cute dive bar has great music, attentive bartenders and a bunch of funny cocktail specials. I mean, it's a gay bar so you're obviously going to have a lot of fun with these drinks! Came here on a Friday afternoon after work for one last sendoff for a dear coworker of mine. Honestly, it was basically empty around the time I got here, maybe 4pm or so. I just got a cider and eventually the atmosphere perked up and a few more people trickled in. I have to say, I'm glad I left early because it's a small basement. I'm sure as soon as more people slowly come in, it'll be standing room only. There's a few tables and booths, a pool table, and restrooms somewhere in the dark. Ginger's is decorated in all the colors, lively, and fun with great music. Great for after work drinks or a low key date. I hear they have shows a few times a week too. I'm guessing drag shows and music? Look them up! read more

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Hidden gem of a bar in the basement of Rickhouse. Cheers to this reincarnation of Ginger's. It's just so great to find a spot after work in the FiDi where you can find seats and enjoy a drink. Speaking of drinks, the lovely bartenders here mix up great cocktails. My personal fave is the Ghost of Ginger's which is a refreshing gin concoction with plenty of mint, ginger beer, and sparking wine. If you like gin and Moscow Mules, you'll probably like this too. If you're a fan of tequila, the Esta Noche is a pretty popular cocktail too. Plenty of seats, pool table, friendly bartenders, and lovely drinks make Ginger's a lovely spot for post-work drinks. read more

Ginger's - Gay Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Cute place located down a small alleyway just past Rickhouse. Look for the rainbow flag at the entrance or you might miss it. After being carded you walk down the stairwell into an eccentrically decorated lounge are with pool table and stage. Several nights a month they host a drag show, which I didn't get the chance to see. During my visit DJ was playing 90s music and everyone was friendly. LGBTQ friendly and very comfortable atmosphere. Friend and I had a fun time here singing along to music we grew up with. Drinks are reasonably strong and well priced. read more

Ginger's - Gay Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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What a fun place. I have gone here several times and have always found it inviting with good people and fun music. I love the history of Gingers and it being the only LGBTQ bar in the financial district makes it unique amongst the surrounding bars. They even have free pool to play and the Friday night drag show is always fun. I can't wait to go back for more fun and drinks. read more

This place was amazing before the pandemic. It was a bar for everyone. The drag shows were inclusive of everyone regardless of age, gender, or race. Now it seems very exclusive. It is no longer a place for everyone. The new manager does not make this place seem welcoming for the marginalized. Such a shame, this place used to be such a welcome change from the cliqueyness that is endemic to SF read more

What's not to love about this little gay oasis in FiDi? First of all, it's tucked away down a side street and surrounded by popular and notable bars. There's always plenty of room here to sit and talk or stand if you want. Did I mention they have a pool table? This has got to be one of my favorite bar layouts in SF. There is a just-the-right-size bar in the corner with plenty of room for mixing and mingling. It's a great after-work spot for a group and I recommend trying one of their signature cocktails. read more

Ginger's is a great place to unwind after work for a cocktail or or two. It's also a great LGBTQ+ establishment that serves its purpose for those who don't want to trek all the way into the Castro from the Financial District. The vibe is super laid back and casual, with those red Sterno bar candles, wooden table and rickety seating. They've got a great little stage, where they host a drag show or two, trivia nights and the occasional DJ set. Best part, is that it's hidden enough that it's doesn't get too packed or loud. If you're deep into a conversation you're actually able to hear the person! Overall, Ginger's is a great go-to for anyone looking for a solid cocktail after work. Their menu is pretty extensive and there is a drink for everyone, complete with friendly bartenders. So, skip the vodka soda (gay water) for your first drink, and venture into something new. read more

I love this somewhat hidden gem and that it's located outside of the Castro district. It felt like a gay speakeasy because you walk through the alley to get to it. Not that the bar is hard to find, but it's not on a main street with through traffic and it sits across from a parking garage. You go down the stairs and you find yourself in a cool space which was fully decorated for Halloween. The music was on point and the bartender was very friendly. The drinks are fairly cheap which is definitely a bonus and rather hard to find in the area. I would love to come back here during the weekend for my next visit because it felt like a place that's more my speed. read more

Ginger's - The bar area with decoration. - Gay Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

If you blink you might miss it! My coworkers told me about this place, and the drinks are amazing. They have a pool table, and some night they have drag shows. We went on a Friday night, and the drag show by far was one of the drag shows I've seen! The environment is fun, and you just feel so happy in here. read more

I felt about the original Ginger's the way fictional Norm must have felt about fictional Cheers. It was the clichéd place where everybody knew my name in my whisky-swilling twenties. I passed it every day on my way to and from work at the Lusty Lady, and many days, I stopped for a drink both before and after my shift. I used to pick up takeout elsewhere and eat my lunch there too. Lots of people did because it was a glorious oasis of queerness in the hetero-normative cesspool that is the Financial District, a place to take a real break and be yourself. The new Ginger's has migrated just down the alley from the original entrance but has the same warm, neighborhoody environment. When I walked in, I half expected to see my old pal Mason behind the bar. Gay bars are disappearing, a fact one glance over Ginger's cocktail menu will remind you, since some of their drinks have long-gone-bar tribute titles like the Lexington Manhattan and the Esta Noche. But if our bars have always been our safe spaces, and we're actively creating a world where we can be safe in all spaces, then maybe gay bars are more important in places where we're not yet all that visible, places like small towns and financial districts. Ginger's feels like a gay bar in a small town. Maybe it's the hidden entrance and the stairway down into the place. Maybe it's the furniture or the tiny cabaret stage. Maybe it's the friendly door babe or the super-efficient bartender. Maybe it's the location, the same thing that always made Ginger's feel like a kind of hideaway home. Definitely, it's the atmosphere: welcoming, cheerful, friendly, and warm. read more

This is a bar that not many people know about because it's so well hidden. My first time coming here I kept going in circles because I didn't think it was in an alley. Walking into the door you do have to go down a couple flights of stairs and then you enter this very dark dive bar kind of feel. It really makes you forget that you are in FIDI. A lot of the customers that come here are probably just getting off of work and just want to get some drinks after and have a good time. My personal favorite day to go is Thursday because there's a drag show and Ru Paul night when it's airing! There's nothing to get you screaming more than drag queens performing right in front of you! The drinks here are pretty cheap for the city, and the Esta Noche is really good if you like tequila and a spicier drink. I haven't tried their other house made cocktails but this is my go to. Bartenders here are always nice and welcoming read more

A go-to for happy hours with my coworkers and friends. First found this place for a work happy hour for my company's resource group since it was the closest gay bar to where we worked. I love the vibe of the bar. It's a pretty decent sized space (as a lot of gays seem to run small) and it's well decorated. I especially love the decor of umbrellas on the ceiling close to the bar. The pool table is a nice touch too is great to keep a group entertained. The bar itself has a great low key feel. The music volume can be a mix, I've had times where it is pretty loud but a lot of times it has been just right. read more

Wait, a gay bar in the Financial District? How cool is that. It's been awhile since there were any gay bars in the FiDi. I went there to check it out. It's a sweet spot, pool table, good music, and friendly bartender. When we first arrived, right after work, there weren't many people there, but as the evening went by it was hopping by the time we left. Even with the rainbow flag in the alley, this place was not easy to find. But give it a try. read more

We had so much fun! The drag queens were amazing and the costumes very colorful! Even the drinks were good and reasonably priced.

Great ambiance. Love the decor and delicious drinks. I highly recommend the Esta Noche. read more

Ginger's - colorful umbrellas hanging from the ceiling - Gay Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Great drinks, atmosphere, friendly staff! We came across this bar which a drag show was performing and it was a good time! Reminds me of a speakeasy bar read more

I had so much fun here! No cover, Great drinks,Really nice bartenders, and a great DJ! I spent the night dancing with people I met at the club and also saw a drag show! I will definitely be back! read more

This bar is a hidden gem in the financial district, good drinks at good prices, friendly bartenders, and a great atmosphere.But definitely the best feature of this bar is their Drag Show, which takes place each first and third Saturday every month. I believe it is called Galilea Saturdays, and it is definitely one of the best drag shows in the city, plus there is NO COVER! The performers do an splendid job and Galilea is so FUNNY!!!Unquestionably, Ginger's is the perfect spot for an awesome casual night with friends or ideal for any sort of celebration. Not to mention that is is a breath of fresh air from the Castro bars. Undoubtedly, for my friends and I Ginger's has quickly become one of our favorite spots to go out for a great time, and enjoy a fine quality drag show. read more

My favorite bar in the city (and the only gay bar in FiDi)! a refreshing gay bar in san francisco! all the bartenders are amazing and have a variety of entertainment! drag shows, karaoke, drag trivia, ru paul's drag race screenings! it has it all! a breath of fresh air in the lgbtq community read more

Oh,.. I remember, Empress Ginger and her Bar on 6th Street.. I always felt as a member of The Royal Court under Bruce n Collette... I felt so Special when she accepted a Black n White Print of me and hung it proudly in the Wall,.. Its Nice to See this Place, Cute,.. Classy,.. Just like Ginger,.. I will be returning to SF for Pride 2019... I have to Stop in and Carry a CD in My Bag... Beautiful Pictures.. Looking forward to Seeing you all... Hugs, Ms Dolly of SF, 1984 read more

I love the menu's tribute to gay bars that have gone the way of the dodo. I love the space. I love the location. I love the drinks. It's just too noisy for a codger like me. read more

Amazing low key gay bar in the Financial District! Good drinks and friendly gays! Perfect to end the night after dinner

A fantastic new edition to SF's gay bar scene (a miracle these days!) comes the reimagined Ginger's Trois. The space is gorgeous and features lots of little tables to sit at, including a secret room behind the bar. There's a small stage that I imagine drag shows and other performances will grace very soon. The cocktails are artisan and delicious. I look forward to returning again and again. read more

Today, August 3rd, Gingers held a debut event. They even sold tickets to get in. Turns out the tickets were donations. I was hoping that this would at least give me entry to the bar-- it didn't. I was rudely turned away by the bouncer who couldn't even give me a reason why they weren't letting people in. My friend who was already inside said there was it was hardly half full. I would hope that my "donation" would at least guarantee me a spot in the bar so that I could give them more money for drinks. If they can't let guests in, they'll never get my patronage. read more

I used to go to the old Ginger's when I worked nearby. It's a bit of a hike for me now, but I've headed down here twice now, to be turned away at the door both times. The first time no reason, second time mumbling doorperson: "we are over the occupancy". Really? Feels like something else. Not gonna try a third time. Meh read more

Cute place, downtown, down a little alley, and down some stairs. Great cocktails and a cool vibe. Frequent drag shows, too!

Good cocktails and beers , good music , great atmosphere, very friendly service ,nice decor for Halloween

Absolutely love this place. Great diversity of house cocktails (all of which are named after old gay bars in the city that have since closed down), and reasonable prices. It's in the basement of Rickhouse, where it used to be located before its previous incarnation closed down, which means a lot of people tend not to realize it's even there. But that also means it's rarely super crowded, which is a welcome change for a great bar in the Fidi. Decorations are super cute, and there's usually theme nights throughout the week (karaoke, drag shows, etc.). They also have pool, if you're just looking for a low-key hangout after work. read more

Love the Drag shows by the veterans from Marlenas and Esta Noche!!!! Every two weeks. Welcome addition to my area.

Came here for the first time to spread good news to a couple of best friends. Cute bar, great service and strong drinks... This place will see me frequently. :) read more

Great little hole in the wall gay/drag bar in the heart of downtown San Francisco's financial district. They care about your drinks, and you can tell by they way they are made, thank you Rachael. And the Saturday night drag show was super fun and the music was just right. Can wait to come back to San Fran and go to Gingers again. read more

I love this bar. Free pool. Good drinks. Great DJ (on Saturdays. Bartenders are friendly and there is a little stage if you want to get drunk and perform. read more

Come here with extremely low expectations. The Door lady who seems to never move is just funny. I like her. She's legit in the same spot. Wearing the same thing. Giving you dirty looks no matter how nice you are to her haha she doesn't even greet you. The only way I figured out she works the door was because people before me were showing her ID. The Bartender is one unfriendly muchacho who dislikes you ordering drinks from him. You can FEEL his annoyance with you asking him for a drink. I made the mistake of bringing my boss and co workers for an impromptu happy hour. We saw a HUGE roach hanging out right by the pool table! It was huge! We approached the bartender and with his all time sunny personality basically rolled his eyes at us and went to "take care of it" He didn't. He killed it. But didn't notice that instead of picking it up he DROPPED IT! Haha we went to tell the Bartender again! And AGAIN! He seemed bothered by us. Don't come in here thinking you're going to be treated nicely. It's a shame too, place would have that much more potential if only its employees reflected a more welcoming atmosphere. They not only lost my business, but 5 other people who could of potentially brought in more customers. But after the roach incident and the treatment we received....we are good!. That is all. read more

Great little bar, reminiscent of the speakeasy days of the 20's. The drag show with Galilea every other Saturday is so much fun. Comedy and great performers. Drinks and the bartenders are both great. Highly recomend read more

I LOVE going to Gingers on Saturday nights for the drag shows. It is just perfect reflection of gay life in San Francisco, fun, entertaining and amazing time. Galilea and cast never fail to bring it every other weekend on a Saturday night! read more

Gorgeous and fun space. Was excited to find it. Claims to be a gay bar. But it's not. And not just the clientele it attracts in a widely straight neighborhood. But the music was very straight the night I went (on a Friday). Jumping from soul to R&B with almost zero queer options. I don't mean it needs Madonna. But it was entirely straight. Not one single queer idol. Not even deep cut. I bet it becomes straight within a year. read more