Plus the patrons are just fab. Known for its extravagant productions and diverse lineup of performers, Oasis offers a unique experience for drag fans. It was very open there. Photography: Harry James HansonFloral Styling: Devin AntheusAssistant: Deb LealExecutive Producer: Sasha Velour. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There were a lot of faces of regulars missing over the years. The first time I went to Marlenas, though, was way beforearound 1995, maybe? Self-styled as San Franciscos cruise bar, the Powerhouse is the place to be if youre looking to pick up. Truly gifted and magical. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Paradise Club features signature nightlife programming" more. The self-styled "safe space" is stylish and modern, with a large front room with booths, a pool table and plenty of bar seating, and additional tables in an alcove at the back. 5,000 of the Mission districts original inhabitants, Ramaytush speaking Ohlone, are reputedly buried somewhere near Dolores Park. Get Tickets 30 Jun Sex and the City - LIVE! - The Castro's Musical Drag Revue, Save this event: House of Ms Barrelhouse Drag Brunch, Save this event: PRINCESS w/ JESSICA WILD, Save this event: Illusions The Drag Brunch San Francisco-Drag Queen Brunch-San Francisco, CA, Save this event: Queer Mythos: A Lake Merritt Drag Show, Save this event: Drag Story Hour! The couch-laden, dart-throwing Shamrock has been in operation for just shy of 130 years. I miss seeing the people constantly. This is a review for gay bars in San Francisco, CA: "I lived near here for over a year and SO regret never coming until later. Top 10 Best Drag Bar in New York, NY - July 2023 1st Tuesdays: Host Hera Wynn & DJ Frida Joy, 4th Tuesdays: Host Melanie Sparks & DJ Stanley Frank Sensation. Google distances itself from drag performance after employee OASIS opened New Years Day 2015 in the heart of San Francisco's SOMA district, and offers an unforgettable San Francisco nightlife experience in an 8,000 square . Get Tickets on Eventbrite Venue Information 298 Eleventh St. San Francisco, CA 94103 (415) 795-3180 info@sfoasis.com. All the essentials: top fashion stories, editors picks, and celebrity style. Dark even in the middle of the day, this cowboy-themed spot with a pool table and patio is hung with erotic art, and, although its a little rough around the edges, the Cinch is as friendly as they come. Many people would wear Santa Claus dresses. Marlena was my drag name. Ben Ospital (former regular at Marlenas): Hayes Valley once had a reputation as a rough-and-tumble neighborhood. What are people saying about gay bars in San Francisco, CA? Aunt Charlie's Lounge 223 Gay Bars $Tenderloin Closed until 10:00 AM "Heck, how could you not with all the glitters of sassy drag queens and the heaviest hand bartender!" more Outdoor seating 2. Oh, yeahyoud certainly see the rows of Santa figurines lining the walls. This former skating rink was a Bill Graham venue that . This place can get crowded at happy hour and on weekends, so get there early if you prefer to sit. The two-story bar is an ideal destination for low-lighting, pool-playing, shuffle-boarding. Chucka lives just up the hill from there. I am amore, I really love this bar! Our establishment seamlessly blends the elegance of a restaurant, the electrifying energymore. 22,590 were here. All tickets are sold as General Admission and are not assigned until the evening of the show. Opened in a former gay bathhouse in 2015 by San Francisco drag legends Heklina and DArcy Drollinger, the 8,000-foot space comes alive each weekend with a myriad of amazing performances, including ever-popular interpretations of classic TV shows like. Photo by Ryan Curran White, courtesy of Hoodline. 5. The comic, electric show is different each time, with the Queens taking on everything from Disney princesses to pop stars. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Join the newsletter for more info. Come [the holiday season], though, there wasnt a space of wall that you could see. 10 San Francisco Bars With More to Do Than Just Drink. 16 Excellent Sushi Restaurants in San Francisco, Take a Look at San Franciscos Most Beautiful Restaurants, 15 Primo Italian Restaurants in San Francisco, Dives are that special egalitarian breed of bar for anyone and everyone. "Come [the holiday season], though, there wasnt a space of wall that you could see. Trannyshack skewed younger. Front two bathrooms are wheelchair accessible. READ MORE: The Drag Queen Who Accidentally Broke the Internet Slays at Brunch. Marlena: I live right above where the bar was these days. As for me, Id always be Mrs. Claus, not Mr. Claus. Now its almost completely gone. You had to compete against 1,000 Santa Clauses. It was basically all Santas. A lot of people died from that earlier era. This low-key bar tends to be frequented by the neighborhood's older residents, which, along with the windows lining its walls, has earned this spot the nickname the Glass Coffin. Regardless, most everyone will roll into this classic tavern at some point, drawn like martini-chasing moths to its rainbow-colored lights. It was like stepping into a bar from the 1970s each time. Our celebrity impersonation drag queen dinner show and drag queen brunch show is perfect for a bachelorette party, gay bachelor party, birthday party, couples night out, guys night out, ladies night out, moms night out, or for no damn reason at all but to just to see the most amazing drag queen show in town! The Cinch | San Francisco CA - Facebook Finally, my bf goes to ask the bartender and he said, "u have to come to the bar!" Galilea: On Saturdays, wed all get dressed downstairs, bar hop, and then come back and get ready for our show. They feel a little cleaned-up, more sanitized. Everyone has a story about Marlenas. Sponsored by Marco Marco with monthly model guest appearances. Photos, fashion, and free cover what more could you ask for on a Tuesday night! 3.0 . Get directions. Now, Hayes Valley is very sanitized and white. Love it here. Be sure to bring singles and plan to tip every girl. The queens are some of the longest-running performers in the city, and the few remaining community members who can recall what the scene was like before gentrification and the rise of Silicon Valley changed the landscape. Location 86 Hardie Place San Francisco, CA, 94108 Down the alley, under the flag, and down the stairs. Everybody was comfortable at Marlenas. We approached each shoot with reverence to the observing gods and goddesses. They were characters who you felt that this was the only place they could be. Please note that most tables seat 4, meaning that parties of 3 or fewer may be sat with other small groups and share tables. San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library Show More Show Less 8 of 33 Winterland Ballroom, Post and Steiner, 1966-1978. Their collective experience spans the better half of the last century. The Golden Girls Kitchen San Francisco - Bucket Listers It was kind of a place where people could go and be themselveswhich sometimes meant being really bitchy. Legends of San Francisco: The Elders of Drag Who Are Still We all figured that if Marlena wanted to go and she was happy, then it was time for her to go. . READ MORE: This Indian Restaurant Is Secretly a Gay Bar. Finocchio's, the world-famous Broadway nightclub where female impersonators have strutted their campy stuff since 1936, is folding November 27. We did our last show that Sunday. click here to make a reservation! Book now at Laurel Court Restaurant & Bar - Fairmont San Francisco in San Francisco, CA. - Drag Brunch coming every Sunday starting May 21st through July 30th at 10:00 AM, 10:45 AM, 11:45 AM, and 12:30 PM . In 1966, three summers before Stonewall, a queer riot broke out when the SFPD tried to enforce a curfew at Comptons Cafeteria, a late night place for queens in the Tenderloin to gather after a night out. You felt like youre part of San Francisco. You could fit ten people on stage at one time. Which Gay Bar San Francisco Features Regular Drag Shows? Kauffman: I just thought, gah! Our diverse roster of programming includes local and visiting drag stars, cabaret and performing artists, live musical acts, amazing DJs . 298 Eleventh St. San Francisco,CA94103(415) 795-3180info@sfoasis.com. Marlena: We did a big show that night. Wednesday nights are for Miss Kitty's trivia, half comedy show, half competition. It was much poorer. A veritable Lower Haight institution, Molotovs is buttressed by stalwart comrades Noc Noc and Toronado on the same block. To this day, the ICS continues to hold regular drag shows to. Save this event: Polly's Follies Drag Brunch Battle! Try another? One talented local is known to croon Tennessee Whiskey, just to remind the drunk college kids whose bar it is. Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Ciroc Apple, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, house-made lavender water, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Paradise Club. Carrie and Co Have Been Reduced to Shadows of Their Former Selves. He was the first openly gay man to run for public office, even before Harvey Milk. On a weeknight. By 10:30, though, the bar was packed. Save this event: REPARATIONS: w/ LUXX NOIR LONDON! and only-in-SF fetish fests, genders, and sexual orientations of all stripes are welcome. These are the people who are still around to tell it. Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when youre feeling flush). They were pretty hard to miss. The faces of frequent patrons may have disappeared, either to other bars, other neighborhoods, or other cities, as many San Francisco residents have due to inflated costs of living. There is nothing like that now. When I was there, there were still women working the corner and drug dealings going on. "Drag Race: All Stars 8 Viewing Party" Fridays. Very elegant and beautiful. VJ Lu playing all the best music videos. with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. For forty years, Wild Side West has welcomed queer women and those that love them to their authentic tavern and lush outdoor patio. The first year without the bar was really very hard, but its easier now because my health hasnt been as great, so there are more distractions. The gay bar culture was coagulating around three different spots: the Castro, Polk Street, and Soma. OASIS - 364 Photos & 252 Reviews - 298 11th St, San Francisco Oasis is located at 298 11th St (at Folsom) in San Francisco. An enormous Kraken Rum light-sign-advertisement thing is hung outside the bathrooms. Good night from Galee. Specialties: Oasis is a theater / cabaret / nightclub owned by D'Arcy Drollinger located in the heart of San Francisco's SOMA district. Emerging from the rubble of the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989, it established itself as a queer oasis for Hayes Valley, a now-gentrified neighborhood that had historically been devoid of dedicated public spaces for queer people. The stories they tell are quite literally ghost stories within communities like the ones they move through, of people who have lost entire generations of elders to AIDS, and the bio-political nightmare the disease wrecked upon the city throughout its first decades. The closest BART station is Civic Center (1 mile away) Plan Your Trip, The closest MUNI station is Van Ness (0.4 miles away) Plan Your Trip. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. We already have this email. People were crying happy and joyful tears. GO.". What Aunt Charlies Lounge lacks in location (it is tucked away in the Tenderloin), it makes up for in character. Doors open 1 hour before the show. It became a time when we figured, we better say goodbye to our neighborhood gay bars, because theyre going. When I was in Prague, I went to a factory there that made Russian Santa Clauses. Drag plays a rich part in San Francisco's history, beginning with Finocchio's, the North Beach club that featured cabaret-style drag shows from 1936 until the club's closure in 1999. While there are a handful of great queer patios in SF, El Rio's large, light-strung, plant-laden backyard is one of the best, with outdoor ping pong competition and free al fresco oysters on Friday evenings at 5:30pm. Join one of the bars two pool teams or just belly up to the bar for a drink, literally: shirtless men get $2 off all drinks every Thursday night after 10pm. Sadly, one of the biggest icons of San Francisco drag was lost this week. Aunt Charlie's Lounge 223 Gay Bars $Tenderloin "There was a drag show. We have just closed an era of drag in San Francisco that well never see again. I said goodnight to Marlena. Jonathan Kauffman (food reporter, San Francisco Chronicle): When the freeway was still up, it cast this huge physical and psychic shadow over Hayes Valley. No other drag queen in the world would have to compete against that! The place to see and be seen for everyone from leather-clad bears to tiny twinks to party-hardy lesbians. Trademark: 1123 Folsom St., San Francisco, CA 94103. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! For Women, Is Casual Sex Ever Really Worth It? Treat yourself! In Defense of Having One ChildAnd One Child Only. One of the first lesbian owned places, first to have windows instead of walls to the outside. Have a Main Character Moment at These 10 Top-Notch Karaoke Bars in San Francisco. There was already a cluster of boutique stores, which lent it the population that could support a gay bar. A Monday college and industry night! Seating will be based on party size, arrival time, and is up to the discretion of the management. Venues & Event SpacesDance ClubsLoungesUnion Square, I don't usually write reviews, but in this case I just had to. Top 9 Places To Catch A Drag Show In San Francisco NORTH AMERICA / USA / CALIFORNIA Blake Montgomery 23 November 2020 View San Francisco is home to more queens per capita than anywhere else on earth. Ive got a roommate. Marcia Gagliardi (founder and editor, Tablehopper): Whether you were gay or straight, you were welcome there, and theyd cheers you with Marlenas infamously enormous mugs of booze. I met Marlena as Gary first. Beaux transforms from a craft cocktail lounge by day into a full dance club with revolving themed parties at night, a few being The Kiki Tuesdays, Pan Dulce Wednesdays, Manimal Fridays, and Big Top Sundays, which features the stars of RuPaul's Drag Race. At theseLGBTQ spots,San Francisco nightclubsand only-in-SF fetish fests, genders, and sexual orientations of all stripes are welcome. First opened more than 40 years ago, Midnight Sun rejoined the A-list after a makeover. Casamigos Blanco Tequila, muddled strawberries and basil, freshly squeezed lime juice, angostura bitters, poured over ice, with a tajin rim. I had five bartenders and two or three barbacks, a soundman, and an official emcee. After dark, regular events include 1 Up gaming night on Tuesdays, Wednesday night karaoke, and bar-dancing-go-go-boys on Friday and Saturday nights keep the crowd in excellent spirits. Renita Valdez serves as the fashion manager of the local Community Thrift Store, where she said that the "thrift gods" are ever present to ensure that customers find precisely the item they seek. Behind the bar, a giant fish tank offers a little something to focus on during lulls in conversation, and, up the steps at the rear, a pool table and pinball machines allow for a little friendly competition. Which was fine back then! This neighborhood spot, with walls of windows that open wide to the street on sunny days, hasnt changed much since opening in the 1980s. The Hole in the Wall does its name proud: dark and divey with walls plastered with band posters and news clippings, light-bright installations, and motorcycle ephemera. In its 23 years in Hayes Valley, Marlenas stood defiant, a welcoming den of kitsch and flamboyance in a shapeshifting city. The Riptide is the see-and-be-seen Outer Sunset dive bar, and its fostered a deep community among locals so much so that when it burned down some years ago, the whole neighborhood was distraught. You couldnt move. By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Bieschke: Marlenas was this weird, gay fairy tale that felt so San Francisco. Chablis: It was a big loss. Repeatedly Voted Best Gay Bar in SF Info Hours & Map Menu Calendar Private Events Photos. The ambience was amazing at Drag Brunch! Then there were more traditional drag bars that tended to be a little more working-class. The bar was seriously decked out to the hilt. For drag purists, it is Oasis weekly Saturday revue, Mother, that really kills. The Mission is home to several botanicas and storefront churches, and the neighborhood itself is named after the mission system, the chain of Spanish Catholic settlements that dot the California coastline and initiated the state's long history of colonization. Marlena looked at me and said, Good night. We both started crying, and I walked off. But these 11 dive bars are where those lucky enough to be in San Francisco right now ought to head for a moody, lovely respite from the weary world. Janice owned the rest. Show at 9:30. I was a Mission girl; I never knew what the other side of town looked like. Chablis: The neighborhood was different then. Queer Performance & Dance Club Calendar OASIS Many of the performers we photographed with have faced evictions and felt the loss of beloved haunts over the years, as the city's inequality has skyrocketed. Speak with bottle reservationist about options. When her husband died a few years ago, I had to run it, because she had four other bars. The Imperial Court was founded by Jose Sarria in 1965. Marlena's functioned in so many different ways for so many different people. By signing up you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement. San Franciscos 10 Best Restaurants and Bars to Nurse a Broken Heart. The audience caught herit was kind of a stage dive, just not planned. Blackbird draws San Franciscans of all genders, ages, and sexual orientations with artisan cocktails served in vintage-inspired style. Chablis (Absolute Empress XXXVI of San Francisco, Stage Manager of Marlenas): Marlenas was the hub of the Imperial Court, basically. Bieschke: When you walked into Marlenas, you felt safe. Don Julio Blanco Tequila, agave nectar, freshly squeezed lime and orange juices, on the rocks. I would work with her anytime. Voted Best of the Bay in multiple categories including: Best Drag Show & Best Cabaret Venue. Today the Castro still has a lot of gay bars that . If youre in town for one of our fabulous events and are looking for accommodations, check out the Marriott Marquis - Official Hotel Partner of SF OASIS! Bell: Her decor was over the top year-round. The Imperial Court system is the oldest gay fundraising organization in the world, and, every year, the public elects an Emperor and Empress. Marlena came down to my dressing room and said, Galee, I have something to tell you. I asked her, Madam, whats wrong? She told me we sold. About Oasis NightClub & Drag Legend D'Arcy Drollinger OASIS Marlenas may be gone, but everyone has a story to tell about the most Christmassy drag baror draggiest Christmas barthere ever was. The bar fit 100 people in there. Celebrate it in all its gritty glory. Open in Google Maps. Adding a business to Yelp is always free. Every Saturday night, [Marlena] had drag shows. Select a few bottles of your favorite liquors and four mixers (a variety of Red Bull flavors available) and let us know which table area you would like: 1 bottle = Table options vary nightly. Saturday, though, I was a disaster. The space occupied the ground floor of 488 Hayes Street, where it became a refuge from the despair and hopelessness of the AIDS crisis at its nadir, until Marlena sold the bar in 2013. What Your Ticket Includes . Love it here. Galilea (Absolute Empress XLI of San Francisco): I joined Marlenas as a performer in 2002. I would go there and see younger people who would want to order hot toddies around the Christmas decor. Don't miss out on events, deals and more! They would hang a glass shelf behind the bar and glass shelves around the bar so they were all displayed around there. Save this event: Illusions The Drag Queen Show Oakland - Drag Queen Dinner Show - Oakland, Save this event: Illusions The Drag Brunch Oakland-Drag Queen Brunch-Oakland, CA, Save this event: TOY BOX - THE CUTEST CREEPIEST DRAG SHOW IN THE BAY, Save this event: MONDO DRAG / MOHAMA SAZ / MOONFUZZ, Save this event: YAAAAAASS, AND A DRAG AND IMPROV SHOW, Save this event: THE 27th ANNUAL SF DRAG KING CONTEST. The riot was a response to the violent and constant police harassment of drag queens and trans people, particularly trans women. Oasis is a queer and drag cabaret space and nightclub in San Francisco SF Oasis | San Francisco CA Queer artistic expression thrives at Oasis, a club and cabaret theater in SoMa. On Sunday afternoons, the Lone Star is the default second-choice destination for those in search of an afternoon beer bust. Kevin VandenBergh (left) and Harry Breaux, San Franciscohome of the country's first openly gay elected official (Harvey Milk), the birthplace of the rainbow flag, the first city in the United States to legalize gay marriage, and host of the best damn, in the countryremains a major LGBTQ epicenter. Youd also witness a diverse assortment of patrons guzzling vodka-crans, baby queers who'd just moved to San Francisco rubbing shoulders with older folks whod lived in the city for decades. Weekends brunch fare like fried egg sandwiches and chicken and waffles pair perfectly with bottomless mimosas.. Cool off at this vibey bar after a pricer Patxis pizza or cocktails from Anina. The pic was vodka to the line and then a SPLASH of soda water to go with my "double vodka soda" - highly recommend. For the best views of the sweaty crowd, head upstairs to snag a seat on one of the cozy sofas. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Late night, this cocktail lounge with laser-cut wood screens, distressed leather sofas, and polished brass decor at Beaux transforms into the Castros best dance club. It was the most densely packed Santa experiencewall-to-wall Santas, from creepy ones to quirky 60s ones to old school Saint Nicholas to international Santas. Within the varied queer communities of the city, those bodies rendered as otherthe disabled, the racialized, the gender variant, the elderly, the sickhave been especially marked for erasure. We reserve the right to ask any individual to leave an event. Top 10 Best Drag Queen Bar in San Francisco, CA Casamigos Mezcal, triple sec, freshly squeezed lime juice, on the rocks.

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