Gay bars in castro
Map: The Castro's Most Significant Queer Locations
Operated by Harvey Milk from 1972 to 1978, the store became the center of the neighborhood's growing gay collective. It was more than a camera shop in that it offered back to those who moved to and lived in San Francisco in seek of freedom to openly express their sexual individuality, and was also headquarters for Milk's various campaigns for elected office. Later turned into a much-missed toiletry store, it is now the HRC's San Francisco's office.
Nurse and soon AIDS activist Bobbi Campbell used the front window of this pharmacy to post a flyer in 1981 warning the collective of "Gay Cancer”—because neither the local nor national government would sound the alarm—showing photos of lesions caused by Kaposi sarcoma (the rare cancer was found to be a result of HIV's toll on the immune system). Star Pharmacy closed in 1985, but the Walgreens across the street has erected a commemorative plaque in honor of Campbell and those who possess been affected by HIV/AIDS.
The theater opened June 22, 1922, and is the crown jewel of the neighborhood. It’s also abode to the annual Frameline LGBT Film Festival, countless sing-a-longs, and Peach
A Gay Guide to the Castro
The Castro is San Francisco’s legendary gay district. It became America’s first and most iconic gaybourhood. In the 70s, tracking the Stonewall Uprising and the first Pride march, the Castro was the headquarters of the gay liberation movement.
Armistead Maupin’s Tales Of The City Novels immortalised gay San Francisco, especially the Castro district. San Francisco became a magnet for same-sex attracted Americans. Things include changed in recent years. The Castro is still very gay, but it’s prohibitively expensive. The rise of Silicon Valley and the tech giants has reshapes San Francisco. House prices in San Francisco almost doubled between 2009 and 2019. That being said, the Castro is still very gay.
The Castro’s gay history
During WW2, many troops put off to combat in Europe from San Francisco. They also landed in San Francisco on their way house. With so many young men risking their lives, it was an intense time to be alive. Quite a lot of these men had relationships with each other. San Francisco was a hub of gay activity. Visualize all those soldiers in one municipality - there was a lot of action.
By 1980, it was estimated that 17% of San Francisco’s population was gay
Castro’s newest gay bar
The name is a nod to the city’s 49 square miles and also an exclusive lineup of over 49 beer and wine options, and 10 beers on draft.
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Take a few moments to customize your Bar 49 eGift card. There is no delivery fee and cards are delivered within minutes.
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Monday- Friday until 6pm
$3 off tapped beers
$3 off house wines
$10 Frose, spritz and frozen margaritas
Midnight Sun
Est. 1971
Servicing the Castro over 50 years
Midnight Sun began its journey in the vibrant 1970s at 506 Castro Street, most recently home to the now-closed Body Shop. In 1981, we moved to our current location around the corner at 4067 18th Street.
Originally a windowless plumbing warehouse, the brand-new venue transformed into a lively social hub, pioneering the concept of a video bar at the same period as the go up of MTV. Our screens showcased tune videos, interspersed with clips from famous shows like Lgbtq+ as Folk and Sex in the City.
While Twin Peaks Tavern made history in 1972 as the first same-sex attracted bar in San Francisco to install plate glass windows, Midnight Sun bookended this history in 2011 by becoming the last queer bar in the Castro to combine windows, embracing openness and visibility, and contributing to the rich tapestry of San Francisco’s LGBTQIA+ history.
RSVP
THU – FRI | 2pm – 2am
SAT | 12:30pm – 2am
SUN | 1pm – 12am
MON – WED | 2pm – 12am
4067 18th Street
San Francisco, CA 94114