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    Wild Side West

    3.9 (332 reviews)
    Open • 3:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Wild Side West Photos

    Business Info

    WILD SIDE WEST ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Juke Box
    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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    El Rio - Hella generous pour of Hendricks...until I spilled the entire glass. = / ($10 cc minimum + dog-friendly patio)

    El Rio

    4.1(810 reviews)
    0.6 mi•Bernal Heights, Mission
    •$

    I'm not sure why I've been so lackadaisical about writing my personal appraisal of El Rio. I've…read morebeen just a handful of times in the past year, and honestly not been disappointed with my experiences here. The only times that dishearten me was when they decided to close the bar for private events, often leaving me disgruntled to find another place to wet my whistle. I can think of worse things in life like JD Vance becoming VP. Now that would be a tragedy. I usually find myself here when they open at 5PM during the week. Jasmine has been my bartender of choice, and she makes a mean cocktail whether it be a rollicking $8 Tequila Sunrise (photo: https://yelp.to/zp4Bw0t2Cx) or one of the house specialties, the smoothly spiky $12 Margarita Silencio Mezcal (photo: https://yelp.to/NJiZldM8EI). More often than not, I find myself sauntering over to the expansive back patio where one part was usually being decorated for an imminent group event, while the remainder was free for solitary drinkers looking for a moment of reflection while imbibing a libation or three. I've yet to have a problem of overstaying my welcome, but then again, that's part of the inclusive nature of El Rio. Indeed I belong here. DRINKS - 4 stars...not lethal but potent enough to make me think the Carmen Miranda cutout actually moved AMBIANCE - 4.5 stars...it may have the only vibe in SF close in spirit to WeHo spots like The Abbey SERVICE - 4 stars...usually greeted with genuine enthusiasm...Jasmine is a gem of a bartender TOTAL - 4 stars...if you need space for your cavorting, this be it RELATED - Exploring Bernal Heights? Here's my collection of places I've tried and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CaaWFe

    0 STARS DUE TO THE RUDEST BARTENDING STAFF IN SF…read more It's always a great time partying at El Rio -- the energy, music, and vibe are unmatched. Unfortunately, my most recent experience at the bar left a sour taste. My friend ordered two mixed drinks and was served in plastic cups with no ice. When I asked a different bartender for just a scoop of ice and explained that my friend hadn't received any, the response from his co-worker -- loud enough for us to hear -- was, "NO TIP, NO ICE." The other bartender simply shrugged and apologized before moving on without offering any ice. As someone who has worked in the service industry and bartended for 5 years, I understand bar etiquette, customer flow, and the tipping culture. Tipping is appreciated, but it's never guaranteed -- and it should never determine whether a customer receives a properly made drink. Serving a room-temperature cocktail without ice out of spite is unprofessional, unnecessary, and frankly spiteful. To be clear: tips are a bonus, not a requirement -- they're not taxes. Respect, quality service, and basic hospitality should be the standard, not something customers have to earn. I hope management takes this seriously. A place as legendary as El Rio deserves bartenders who contribute to the good vibes, not tear them down.

    Photos
    El Rio - Thursday fun

    Thursday fun

    El Rio
    El Rio

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    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

    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

    Wild Side West - gaybars - Updated October 2026

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