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    Wild Side West

    3.9 (332 reviews)
    Closed • 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Wild Side West Photos

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    WILD SIDE WEST ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Juke Box
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Casual

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    Ed U.

    This Bernal Heights spot has been a lesbian bar since it first opened in 1962. When I paid my first visit quite recently, the irony was that most of the customers were guys. It was a chill vibe, and the bartender Heather had a been-there, done-that sense about herself which I quite respected. She made a fine $8 Tequila Sunrise (photo: https://yelp.to/JnNpJ_qvKl) which I promptly took out to the back deck. There was a female customer sitting contently on a couch, and she shared her long history with the place and generously walked me down to the large bucolic garden downstairs. I was surprised how large and private it was with lots of outdoor sculpture and various art pieces scattered among the foliage. I sat peacefully in my own private enclave. What a nice find on a mellow afternoon. DRINKS - 4 stars...the drink provided a nice balm AMBIANCE - 5 stars...definitely an unbeatable garden SERVICE - 4 stars...not much conversation but quick TOTAL - 4 stars...the secret garden, for sure RELATED - Exploring Bernal Heights? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CaaWFe

    It's chill
    Mela S.

    At first it was three stars but after having a few beers with my queers it quickly became a five. It transformed to a six after walking down all those Dag stairs which led to a secret garden when it got darker the lights came on it was whimsical.

    Drag Queen Bingo
    Jen C.

    Wonderful neighborhood bar ! Monday night's have Drag Queen Bingo Come on down and have a gay o

    Nathan B.

    The decor and set up of this place is super cool. It has a home feel to it, very cozy. They have a couple of games to choose from, as well as a pool table. The drinks are a good price. I had sat down at the bar where it looked like someone was finished drinking/eating. The bartender quickly came to me and rudely said, with an attitude "someone's sitting there, don't you see all of that" while pointing aggressively at the trash on the bar. I received this same treatment when ordering. I had my partner order drinks instead because it seemed like the bartender would rather speak with fem folks.

    Palomas and Tequila Sunsets
    Naina S.

    Wild Side West is a great local neighborhood bar with an even better backyard space. I love the patio area so much, it's like stepping into a different world for a bit. It's a great date spot or a cute area to hangout with a small group of friends. The bar has $7 tequila sunsets and palomas that taste bomb and such a great steak in SF. The bar staff are all super friendly and want you to have a great time. The inside has a pool table and cool red color ambiance too. I will definitely be back with friends over and over!

    Marlena Z.

    Had a fantastic time the other night. My family found this Lil gem. It's pretty rad Lil neighborhood bar. The patio is very cool.

    Beers outside

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    The garden is a lovely place to be on a summer evening. There's no better backyard bar than the Wild Side.

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    Ask the Community - Wild Side West

    Does anyone know if this place has a smoking area/allows smoking in the outdoor areas? Saw a few pictures of the outdoor areas on instagram that seemed to have ashtrays but they're all from a few years ago.

    The establishment allows smoking outside in back garden/patio - hence, cigarette smells inside.

    View All 2 Questions

    Review Highlights - Wild Side West

    “Everything is better in Bernal Heights and Wild Side West totally proves that.”

    Mentioned in 22 reviews

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    Recovery Room - Buffalo wings

    Recovery Room

    4.4(72 reviews)
    1.3 mi•Mission Terrace, Outer Mission, Excelsior
    •$$

    Great neighborhood bar to stop by when you want to have a drink and hangout! The bartenders are…read moregreat and the food is awesome, there Taco Tuesdays were delicious and i'm assuming its still going on, I just haven't been on a Tuesday in a while. They have Tv's to watch sports or if you just want to decompress, enjoy a beer with your local neighbors, this is the place to be!

    The name alone was the reason I wanted to check this place out when it first opened. formerly known…read moreas Pissed Off Pete's and then bought out by the co-owner of the (now closed and conveniently located) Last Stop in Daly City where the Muni 14 Mission bus terminates, Recovery Room is a pet-friendly, laid back dive with a great selection of draft and bottled beers, some cocktails and large flat-screens above the bar area that makes it an ideal spot to catch a game or 3. some memorable personal encounters of mine thru the years include members of the Mongolian national (?) basketball team hanging out and being drunkenly invited by some hella friendly Samoans and Tongans to a biannual picnic at Candlestick Point. there's a back kitchen that dishes out wings, some of the thickest and juiciest burgers around (with plenty of choices for toppings) as well as hot sandwiches that include pastrami and turkey. every once in a while, they'll also feature live music/bands. I think there's even a karaoke night, to boot. though I still miss the Last Stop, Recovery Room has nicely filled in its absence and continues to be one of my favorite bars in this part (Excelsior District) of town.

    Photos
    Recovery Room - Inside w/plenty of TV's

    Inside w/plenty of TV's

    Recovery Room - Delicious pastrami sandwich.

    Delicious pastrami sandwich.

    Recovery Room - Vodka soda

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    Vodka soda

    Holy Water - Drinks and holy decor

    Holy Water

    4.4(331 reviews)
    0.1 mi•Bernal Heights
    •$$

    Super cute bar in SF! Went here at night with friends. The decor is kinda crazy but fits with the…read morename of the restaurant. Was really impressed with the design of the menu! There's plenty of tables and seats inside! All the drinks were great and strong. We tried the Sacred Valley which was fun! Definitely had a fruity taste, followed by a strong vodka aftertaste. They provided water and lemonade for those of us who didn't want to drink. They also had special branded cups, which was a nice touch!

    On a visit to San Francisco after an evening at a brewery nearby, we weren't ready to let the night…read moreend so we walked to Holy Water. This is a gorgeous spot; the detail from the welcoming greens sign, to the cozy lighting, tasteful religious kitsch, and well thought out style, we had a wonderful visit. The decor made us explore the bar before we sat down; they have tables and different seating areas around, but it seemed like the bar was the place to be. They have a full selection of liquor, plus a cocktail menu, and killer tap list of mostly local draft beer. I absolutely loved their glassware too! The bartender was very friendly; I failed to notice the tap list above the bar was different from the menu so I was glad that was pointed out for my second beer. Prices are reasonable for the experience of being here. The other clientele at the bar were also friendly, it has a neighborhood vibe but is welcoming to all.

    Photos
    Holy Water - IPA

    IPA

    Holy Water
    Holy Water - Inside view of bar

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    Inside view of bar

    The Lucky Horseshoe - Inside - view of the stage

    The Lucky Horseshoe

    4.0(104 reviews)
    0.0 mi•Bernal Heights
    •$

    I come to this bar pretty regularly but have never thought to write a review. I always have a good…read moretime, but saw Fleetwood Macramé on Saturday night, and it was off the hook! The band was amazing, the vibe was awesome with everyone singing and dancing - and I mean everyone, not just the people on the dance floor, but on chairs and benches. It was so much fun!! The drinks are good, like, proper cocktails, so for the price I think they're really reasonably priced. In other bars good cocktails are usually 3 or 4 dollars more. They have a pool table, the bartenders are friendly and fast, and when there's not super fun entertainment, it's a super nice mellow place to chill at the bar.

    Super cute, really cozy and wonderfully friendly karaoke bar…read more We came to the Lucky Horseshoe for a friend's going away party and for our first time, it was a pretty awesome place. Neither of us are into karaoke so we stayed back and were happy to encourage and cheer on others who were performing. There's also pool tables if you prefer games to singing. Standard beer and well drinks, it's a neat dive bar with an alternative/punk feel. Bartenders were quick and attentive as well as friendly. This would definitely be location to stop at in our regular dive bar rotation if it was closer to where we live, it's definitely a neat place to stop in for a quick drink or stay for a few hours and chat with others.

    Photos
    The Lucky Horseshoe
    The Lucky Horseshoe
    The Lucky Horseshoe

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    The Knockout SF - Bar

    The Knockout SF

    3.9(314 reviews)
    0.4 mi•Bernal Heights, Mission
    •$

    A True Mission Gem -- Gritty, Loud, and Full of Heart…read more Caught Star Belly Bug here recently and had an absolute blast. If you're looking for a venue with soul, personality, and a healthy dose of weird -- The Knockout is it. The Scene: This place screams underground SF in the best way. The walls are plastered with stickers from hundreds of bands, artists, and regulars that have come through -- it's like a living punk flyer wall. Dim neon lighting and vintage touches give it a divey charm, but not in a try-hard way. The Virgin Mary painting above the bar and eclectic photo strips tucked in every corner add a little extra mystique to the already vibrant decor. The Music: Star Belly Bug was killer -- great sound for a small venue, and the energy was contagious. The stage is super intimate, so you're right up close with the band, no matter where you're standing. The Knockout clearly supports local and underground talent, and it shows in the diverse lineup and passionate crowd. The Bar: Drinks were strong and reasonably priced (especially for SF), and the bartenders were cool and efficient even when things got packed. There's a solid cocktail list on the board, but also plenty of cheap beer and no-nonsense options. Vibe: Inclusive, weird in the best way, and 100% authentic. This is the kind of place where you can dance, lose yourself in the music, and just enjoy being part of the scene. Zero pretension. Lots of regulars. Great people-watching. Whether you're coming to catch a band, dance your face off on theme nights, or just grab a stiff drink, The Knockout delivers the goods. A Mission must-stop.

    Nice place to play - very cool people, sound man knew what he was doing, helpful and got a good…read moretone. small place - but 40 people feels like 100 so I don't mind. Place was clean, I don't drink alcohol but some folks loved the drinks and they had some new alcohol-free options which I appreciated. Than you guys! one thing to consider if your'e a band playing here, parking is tough and unloading becomes a little dicy when double parking. Ended up having to park 4 blocks away.... that said, would play it again. cheers!

    Photos
    The Knockout SF
    The Knockout SF - Shoegazey photo of the excellent watermelon mezcal paloma

    Shoegazey photo of the excellent watermelon mezcal paloma

    The Knockout SF - Simpsons Trivia

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    Simpsons Trivia

    Bottom's Up

    Bottom's Up

    3.4(228 reviews)
    1.5 mi•Mission Terrace, Outer Mission
    •$$

    Bottoms Up Bar and Grill in Mission Terrace is the kind of neighborhood spot that proves a…read moreneighborhood bar doesn't have to be a dive to feel welcoming. We visited Bottoms Up for a friend's birthday party, and our group pretty much took over the first floor. We arrived a little after noon, even though they weren't set to open until 1:00 PM when the 9ers game kicked off. Despite the early arrival, we were greeted and welcomed by Shirley, the owner. She is super nice and incredibly accommodating--though she definitely runs a tight ship. She's rule-based (fair warning: keep your Starbucks on the street where it belongs, as no outside drinks are allowed). While scanning the promo flyers around the room, the $1 wing night and speed dating events caught a few people's eyes for a future visit. Our group had a huge spread of food, including lumpia, popcorn chicken, calamari, and both honey garlic and lemon pepper wings. Of everything on the table, the lumpia completely stole the show--crispy, savory, and easily the best bite of the afternoon. The wings came in a close second with great flavor. The only miss was the popcorn chicken, which had a mouthfeel that felt almost entirely like batter. Over at the bar, the service was great and the bartender was exceptionally nice. I opted for the non-alcoholic route and ordered a virgin mojito alongside a mango mocktail--both were delicious and well-crafted. Oddly enough, the mocktails actually cost a bit more than a house margarita, but the drink quality and chill vibes made up for it. The ambience here is best described as above dive bar and slightly below an upscale bar and grill; everything from the clean floors and plush booths to the main bar area and exceptionally huge bathrooms feels well-maintained, comfortable, and fresh. Whether you're dropping in to catch a game or gathering with a large group, Bottoms Up delivers a great, clean environment to kick back in. Overall, it's a solid spot with reasonable prices across the board.

    Got the kamikaze which was balanced with the alcohol and flavor, not too sweet. Loved the lychee…read moremojito too! Tasted pretty good but also can still taste the alcohol. Music choices were nice. You can join and play your own song when you download the app! Our server was kind and quick.

    Photos
    Bottom's Up - Vodka soda

    Vodka soda

    Bottom's Up
    Bottom's Up - Speed Friending and Games!?

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    Speed Friending and Games!?

    Wild Side West - gaybars - Updated October 2026

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