This gay bar is an anything goes place although you can't do what you can in a European bar on the bar stools so go to the back of the bar for that. If this is your first rodeo nobody gay who is worth hooking up with arrives before 10:30. The cover is usually ten bucks but if they say it is only five it is an off night so find another place to go to. Small coat area on the ground floor which can hold a huge number of coats and customary to give the man or woman taking them a buck. Techno music is loud and booming so that you can start dancing right away. Usually two or three go go boys too. Nice bar keeps. Like in all bars some guys have attitude issues but most are easy to get along with. Great porn screens and Roman like frescos on the wall. For the leather crowd mainly. Nights here can be unbeatable or not worth the effort but that happens everywhere, If you look under 40 have your ID's ready emo boys. read more

Powerhouse - Birthday celebration - Gay Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great service from Carlton, always. I only have drinks (or other stuff that's meaty but not edible ;) ;)) here, never food... so I can't speak on the food-side of things. He's been a staple of the bar for as long as... I have been able to visit the establishment, which has been for about 16 years now, give or take, and of course the owners are still there; they come in and mix and mingle during the daylight hours typically, but sometimes they will be there at night as well! Tons of fun. Dancers, on box AND around the bar/club. The outside "vape smoking" seating is REALLY nice to have, especially when the bar gets crowded and then REALLY gets hot inside. It doesn't happen ALL the time, but enough... that you may want to step out there from time to time. I have enjoyed every themed night, or event that I've been to here. Coming back again super soon! (See you soon, Carlton!) If you're a local, and you see this and visit Powerhouse regularly, add me! ;) :) read more

Powerhouse - Available for play at Powerhouse! Pinball Machine - Star Trek themed! - Gay Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I don't leave reviews for places, but I had a terrible experience with a bartender at the Powerhouse cash bar at Folsom. After waiting in line for a beer, he smirked and told us, "I can only serve you water," and laughed when I asked if they were out of alcohol. He then claimed he doesn't serve alcohol to people "under the influence"--said to two sober people--while others around us, clearly drunk and stumbling, were being served without issue. No one at this bar was even being ID checked. Petty, unprofessional, and insulting. I won't be back. read more

Powerhouse is one of my go-to spots in SoMa. It has great energy, solid drinks, and a crowd that is always ready to have fun. The music and themed nights make every visit feel different, and it is easy to meet people or just hang out and enjoy the vibe. If you are looking for a fun, no-nonsense bar with a true San Francisco feel, this is the place. read more

The music was so loud my watch was reading 98 decimal to 102 the music doesn't have to be that loud

What a fun place! Great music, delicious drinks, and good dancing! The staff were also very friendly and the entire vibe was sexy!

Time heals all wounds. A year ago I posted a review about the horrible racist experiences I encountered there. I have not been back since, and I also ended up speaking with the owner about my experiences on Instagram. Very empathetic and it was an open and honest conversation, very respectful and accountable. A year-ish later, I finally decided to go back with a friend of mine. NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENCE!!! There's more people of color there, plus different body types hanging out, the bartenders were POC and attending to EVERYONE no matter how they looked, it was a completely different atmosphere and such a positive uplifting experience!!! This now feels like a happy and inclusive gay space where all races and bodies are welcome!!!!! I'm thrilled to see this positive change and excited to be a regular again! read more

The guy at the entrance ripped me off. The cover was $5 on the ads but he said it's $10 and later on I came back and why he charged me 10$ for cover and he said I should have asked for the $5 back. He was so shady It was on 7/23 around 10:30pm read more

Even with low expectations it sucked! We like a cruisy gay dive bar and travel the country drinking at them. Powerhouse has the bones to make it fun yet it's sad and boring with shitty tasting drinks. Went on consecutive Saturday nights. Watched countless people come in use the restroom and leave? What ever fountain they're using or possible infected lines, the drinks taste bad; the "coke" is not identifiable as cola? Millennials that only want to smoke, a couple tired drag queens and borderline homeless are the regulars with a clueless DJ. read more

This is actually one of my favorite go-to bars. I highly recommend if you're visiting town but if you show up on the wrong theme night, you may not enjoy it. That's the reason I knocked off one of the five stars. Besides that the staff is fantastic, drinks are cheap, and everybody is in a fun judgment, free, mood. Definitely give it a shot Just make sure you check that website thoroughly for dates and timing. read more

Awesome gay bar with dancing and great drinks. Totally good vibe, we closed down the night there and made some new friends!

Absolutely everything from the time u r lining up to pay the cover which a bit expensive but worth every penny as there is this burst of energy everywhere inside. I also love the loud booming electric music to make you feel fantastic the crowd is obviously having a good time. The barkeeps are friendly and do a great job. This is not a place for every type although nobody would be turned away Also this is kind of place where u can never be sad read more

You have to like electronic dance music to enjoy the music. I love the fact that you are as likely to see a 65-year-old gogo boy dancing on the bar as you would a 25 year old. All races, all sexualities, men and women, and you might be sitting at the bar next to an investment banker or next to a homeless person. The PowerHouse is truly a place for everybody, one of the few I've ever had the pleasure of patronizing. In fact it's really the only gay bar I will visit anymore. read more

After being a regular for a couple of years, if you are not colored you are not welcomed here if you are within your normal weight limit, you will be excluded from all contests. So for all those bigger boys who want to feel body-positive please avoid it. I can't believe that people will literally exclude you from any contest and I am not being a sore loser at all Because I'm above that Just don't be surprised if you sign up for anything and the host is too incompetent to actually to call you up stage and not even allow you to compete. The amount of drugs that would s witnessed, surprise it's still running. I will be surprised if this place doesn't get shut down soon. For all the bears please please go somewhere else. For all the clored who are not white washed please please just not even attempt to go here read more

Horney, sex positive, and leather welcoming, the Powerhouse is overall an exciting place that caters to a certain showy crowd, a physical type that dress thelselves a particular style, yet as attested by some of the posts seen here, attracts many a complainer who are clueless as to why they are ignored: as the old saying goes, "they're just not into you." The Bay Area boasts scores of bars and venues and gatherings for every type and every taste. I myself don't happen to fit in at many venues that cater to a certain crowd or physical type, but guess what? I move on and am able to find my body positive dark skinned tribe gathering elsewhere. Expecting that everywhere you choose to poke your nose in the door that you will be enthusiastically included is childish. read more

This happened last year, but several of my friends have since encouraged me to speak my truth, so this is me speaking out, and I hope this gets taken seriously. I've had some pretty bad racist experiences there. Powerhouse is famous for being a sex positive space, which I very much love and support! Sex positivity is a great way to build community and foster connections. However, one night there was basically an orgy inside, and it was 99% white. Myself and other people of color were also there and very much wanted to be included, but nobody, not one person acknowledged us. They literally only let one black person join, and the rest of us were walking around awkwardly because of how openly off the vibe was. It was like we were legitimately invisible. Nobody talked to us, not even on a platonic way. Even the bartenders didn't care or talk to us. It was a horrible thing to experience in a place that's supposed to be a safe and inclusive space. Haven't been back since. The gay community is supposed to be a safe and inclusive space for all, but if it starts turning into openly segregated sexual spaces in public venues, this means as a community we are backpedaling. I won't go back to Powerhouse, but I hope this message reaches them, I hope it's taken seriously, and I hope this situation doesn't get repeated. Nobody should ever be made to feel how I and others felt on that night. read more

$5 cover on a Sunday night. I'm new to the neighborhood and would love to make this my hangout but I can't justify paying a cover so I can spend money on beer. Went next door to Hole in the Wall for a similar crowd and didn't get charged to spend money. read more

I was refused service for No God Damn Reason! The bartender then had the nerve to yell at me when I left.

This place is not what it used to be. It is pretty boring with few people show up on weekdays and not a huge crowd on weekends. Typical bar scene which is dying slowly in SF. The bar used to be cruise bar - it is not anymore. Do not have high expectations if you think this is cruise bar. It is not read more

Hey, it's an extreme dive bar. Enter at your own risk. Not that it's dangerous, but if you're into going to swanky bars, lounges holding Krug Grande Cuvée or Perrier Jouët in a floral art déco flask poured into a Baccarat or Lalique flute, Power House is definitely too low brow for you. PH continues the decades long tradition of being one of the many leather-levi cruise bars that used to be ubiquitous along Folsom and Harrison South of Market. Also Eagle Bar and the Hole in the Wall may be the last remnants of this proud heritage. Due partly to the dot.com high tech moneyed invasion of San Francisco from Silicon Valley, property values and rents have driven many small establishments out of business as well as the associated ultra gentrification driving many long time residents out of The City. So SoMa is no longer providing low rent for idiosyncratic spaces for like minded people to congregate. Honestly closer to 3 stars, but just for holding the line and continuing to uphold a long held tradition, Power House deserves the 4th star. read more

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Very fun and good vibes at the place. Awesome for multiple rooms and ability for different vibes in one venue ! read more

Too loud tonight! You're waking up neighbors. You should limit your microphones and not exceed more noise!

Went to such a fun themed night here called "Bimbos G-String"! The energy in the bar was amazing and everyone was so nice. The bartenders were killing it and they made me some really good margaritas. The place was popping and we all had such a great time! read more

Powerhouse - Bar prices - Gay Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

front desk cashier/bouncer at midnight was extremely sexually agressive towards my partner to the point of forcably hugging, groping, touching, and soliciting sex "after he got off his shift". At no point did he ask for consent, and repeatedly harassed him both on the way in and on the way out, blocking his exit from the door and forcably wrapping his arms around him to keep him from leaving. Disgusting behavior, and on the night of the folsom street fair, I'm genuinely shocked someone would show so much disregard for consent on a day meant to celebrate sex positivity and inclusivity. Somebody needs to teach the cashier some manners/consent. read more

Hidden gem. There's a ton of great places with good music if you're looking for a woman's night out

Admittedly I've only been here once, but I plan to go back many more times for a specific event held here every first Sunday of the month. I was invited to PoleSexual by several fellow pole dancers from SF Pole & Dance. I love that the supportive community there is instantly brought wherever the people are. Also I didn't have any drinks (pre-gamed at a friend's) but everyone seemed to be having a great time. I never visit nightclubs or anything that involves dancing because I'm a buzzkill germaphobe, but I didn't get any weird vibes at Powerhouse. Everything seemed neat and clean. The show itself was fantastic and SO worth staying up until midnight to watch. The emcee (Ma) was fabulous and inclusive. All the dancers speak highly of doing PoleSexual at Powerhouse every month, so much that I might consider doing it in the future! read more

Great happy hour prices on drinks. Awesome vibe with good music and friendly bartender.

Visiting from Dallas. The bartenders specifically "Brady Bunch" was an amazing bartender 10/10 would return. read more

Powerhouse - Gay Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Awesome bar for underwear night for some people! I had a terrible experience though as a visitor so the only thing I can do now is make a review. Things I didn't like that may have already been repeated by other multiple reviews: -Lack of ventilation, you would suffocate of the sex + smoke smells. Fantastic if you're into that. -Rude bartenders + hosts -People get hostile real quick like they haven't had sex in a long while, makes sense judging by the demographic and clientele there. -Cover charge is diabolical and lame af. Nothing else to say. Maybe be nice and be better. Go to Castro if you're looking for less sleaze and rudeness. Thanks! read more

This staffer was very rude. I would suggest any of the other bars in the area especially considering the ridiculous cover charge. read more

Powerhouse - I always have a great time here, but not this evening. This staff member was very rude. - Gay Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Tonight was just not my night, I guess. First of all, the ATM machine at Powerhouse was malfunctioning, so the doorman told me to go next door to Hole in the Wall, "then come back here....." to pay my $5 cover charge for admission on a Sunday night. Hmmmm..... I did exactly as he told me, but I should have stayed next door. What pissed me off the most was that my second drink was taken away by the bar back despite the fact that I was sitting right there at the bar! He did it when I was staring at the porn slideshow on the monitor. When I complained, the bar back replaced it with his own version of a Cape Cod. But, it sucked. Not surprisingly.... he's not the bartender. When I complained to the usual bartender, to whom I'm always in the habit of tipping well, he told me "he's young" and "he's only doing his job", and then gave me an iced water as a consolation! Yikes! What happened tonight at Powerhouse?! I continued ordering drinks until closing because the DJ was great, but bar service tonight sucked!!! I have no enthusiasm about returning to this place. read more

We stopped by the bar on 7/5/2019. We had read a lot of information about it, and we have heard some positive stuff about the bar. So we put it on our bar hopping list of, "places to go"- we had read about a "back room"- so that definitely got our attention. When we got there first thing you notice is THIS IS A CASH ONLY BAR! We typically don't do cash only places- but we were there so we gave it the benefit of the doubt. Drinks were average- nothing positive or negative. It was like any other bar drink. The place is SMALL and definitely qualifies as a "dive bar". Using the word, "eclectic" would be a stretch for this place. Dark, sleazy, odd mix of people- most seemed to be locals. We were "outsiders" clearly compared to the crowd. The "DARK ROOM" you may read about ISN'T a darkroom but the smoking area- behind the bar. This smoking area AKA "Dark Room" is probably 40 feet long by 20 feet wide. It's long and narrow. It was definitely a "hodgepodge" of people In this area. If you go expecting " steamworks Berkeley" level people- YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED. My husband felt the bar staff was less than friendly or personable towards him-probably because we were outsiders and not locals. We like dive bars but this place was definitely across between dive bar, AARP meeting and meth lab. We intended to go to Powerhouse on Sat too- we scratched it for Saturday after this visit. Once was enough- when it comes to bars we have low expectations- this place managed to fall below those low expectations read more

To the owner/general manager of this establishment. The scene I caused last night, during one of the sleaziest festivals in SF, Up Your Alley, at your bar, Powerhouse was not unprecedented. First, allow me to say I work in the service industry. I got better service by the patrons in the urinals last night, at your bar. Not at the bar, by the bartender, which he is supposed to pour, well, beer, very disappointed. But then again, I got the same great service by the patrons at the fair on the street. Sleazy being of the operative word. Now, the bartender that got served a corona yesterday, sprayed, tossed and drenched by me, well deserved it. Frankly, your bar is not my first choice, as the alley next to it exists...and so do other establishments. I like it, yes, but then I also like the alley right next to it and the other establishments. But, you see, is not about me having choices, no. Is about you choosing your team members. You see, I don't mind the piss smells that comes from, well every corner from your bar. Nor the smell of dick. No, good job at doing that...I give you 10 stars for that! Not sure who is doing your training for this self-entitled little kids that work for you...who happen to think when and who to serve and when and who not to...where are we? New York? At the Cock? No. Bartenders in NY actually can get away with that cockiness...Because they are actually model material. The little cocky kid I served last night...not so much. You see, I was not any drunker than anybody dancing or behaving in a lewd manner. I simply wanted 2 beers. Was ignored 5 times. Which is fine as the bar was happening. But he tried to direct me to go ask another bartender for service? Of course, as you can read, that's not how I am talked to. Courtesy, lack of respect I got from Mr. Corona. I will call him that. I go to your bar to drink beer and be with friends. Not to engage with the service on a sub/dom activity. No, he got that very wrong. The second round which was bought by me...with my money, after I was utterly ignored, snubbed and looked lesser than...even I asked with a friendly demeanor: Can you give me a reason why you are not serving me? More than 3 times, (mind you, had he said, you are wasted, I would have exited without a dramatic departure, after all, there was more booze outside) But no, not only he snubbed me, he did not give me a reason to why he kept on directing me to another bartender. He was being a dick. So, I became a bigger dick. Fittingly enough, I was the bigger dick that drenched your employee. I hope he learned. And if he didn't I wish you more success. Your security...man...he manhandled me the right way...He made me feel like a trashy Britney Spears handled in jail...WOOF! He actually did his job right! 10 more stars! MR. Corona? Boooooooo no stars. Actually MR. Corona: -20 stars. So I give you no stars. Your customer service SUCKS ass. (also fitting). Thank Mr. Corona for that. read more

Power house is a well put together place by all the raunchy bear/leather fuckers who've made this their man cave sanctuary. It's dark, loud, cheap and cruisey just the perfect elements to a good night and bad decisions. The bathrooms are a real treat for all those that love to take a peek or show off a nice tool. Saturday night happened to be underwear night and these boys were all in it to win it. *2 Dance floors *Back patio *2 Bathrooms *Tiny Coat Check Had a blast coming to this place can't wait for my next visit. any questions on BATH HOUSE or SEX CLUBS check my reviews, like em and ask me anything ! read more

One of those bars that I would have never found by myself. A friend in San Francisco took me here to demonstrate a contrast between SF Badlands (where we went to a while before). It was a bit sleazy (okay, a LOT sleazy), but he bartenders were friendly and there was a wide mix of customers (old, younger, white, Asian, etc.) to provide ample people-watching. The back patio wasn't my scene at all-but at least I can say "I was there". All and all, an interesting and slightly scary place. I would only go there again with a group, though, since the neighborhood seems dodgy. read more

My first thought when I walked in on a quiet Monday evening: "It smells like Folsom Street in here!" No, Folsom Street doesn't smell like this everywhere or every day, but the essence of Folsom at its peak of Folsomness was very prominent here. The collaboration of urine, old sweat, leather-smothered-and-extracted sweat, liquor, and faded cologne may not be pleasant for most, but it is one to be appreciated if you're familiar with all there is to love about Folsom and its reputation, even if you're not into the scene. It was a quiet Monday so I didn't get to experience this place at its peak, but I can imagine it would be a good time! Great energy, great drinks, great bartenders! Happy Hour was till 8pm so I chugged a few cheap ones before heading out. Travis was the one who took care of us that evening...and how cute is he?!!! My group had a few sessions in the photo booth and Travis joined me in one at the end. He collects the pics! Does this mean I might make it on the walls or the bar?! One can only hope! read more

Great little hole in the wall gay bar with underwear night (my favorite) being the choice "go-to" for thursday's night life in SF. The back room/smoking area is a great show and tell zone where all the magic happens as it's "folsom style" remains festive year round. read more

Powerhouse is probably one of my favorite sleazy San Francisco bars. It's the place you go to by yourself to meet someone (or someone(s)) for the night. The house music is fun and ranges from upbeat house to deep house and the drinks are affordable. The best part about Powerhouse is the welcoming, non-pretentious crowd. It's the kind of acceptance that you will most likely not get in the Castro. Definitely swing by the Powerhouse if you're up for some good old fashioned San Francisco fun :) PS: take a gander inside the backroom but beware, it's not for the faint-at-heart read more

I have always liked this bar for many reasons. It has its flaws but I have to defend some of the negative comments that seem to be coming from tourist and bay area suburbanites who do not know the true meaning of a gay SOMA bar. Jose, Travis and Rick are the best and most friendly bartenders. Scott is sweet as pie and loves his patrons. The Powerhouse has some of the most amazing bartenders in SOMA. It is laid back, no pressure, fun and you can go and let your hair down without any apologies. People go and hang out in SOMA instead of the Castro because the Castro is not very welcoming to people 35 or older. People who do not fit the phony image of stuck up, shallow, back stabbing queens who wear clothes that are too tight for them hate the Castro. SOMA welcomes people who do not fall into stereotypical boxes of what a gay man is suppose to look like. Men are just normal guys who are more fun to talk to and become friends with. If you are looking for men of a certain false image then stay ur stuck up ass in the Castro or the burbs (Grant S. of Sunnyvale). SOMA scene is opposite of Castro and before you judge too harsly about who you think is nasty and old and ugly, remember you too will get older with each year passing and who knows what you may look like. So let's not judge too harsly. read more

At Powerhouse's recent Saturday night event "Hooker" they had a special visitor: ME! I had a feeling things were gonna go terribly "bad" when I arrived with Nick R. and Robert P. and I was already rather loaded from our brief stop-over at Midnight Sun. (Our cab ride was very interesting - where in ten minutes we had established that one of us was a bottom, one of us was a top, and one of us was 50/50...) My initial reason for going to Power-blouse tonight was because a few friends were going - there was some sort of fundraiser for the AIDS Ride. Needless to say, one friend bailed out, the other friend I barely saw, and I did not buy a single benefit jell-o shot. My admission got me a free Jaeger shot. I believe I had a few more. After that I really don't remember much. I think I knocked over several drinks, I think I was making out with some guy who was celebrating his birthday, I think I went into the back room to "smoke".... It really was a blur. I do remember Powerhouse was PACKED wall to wall - not all leather daddies but a cool mix of smokin' hot men. The music was great and you can't beat the risque videos (I think Nick had made note of how at Midnight Sun we watched Mariah videos but at Powerhouse what we saw was quite different). I seem to remember minding my own business when that angel Robert P. appeared out of no where, grabbed my hand and led me through the throng to a waiting cab. Thanks Nick and Robert!! Jaeger is a foul and evil drink and I think my reputation will never be the same. But then Powerhouse is not about your reputation - its about having a blast. And I did! read more