We few months ago, we reported on some pending changes to San Francisco's gay nightlife scene. We now have some updates.
Trigger
As we reported a few weeks ago, Trigger has finally opened and is now the newest gay bar in the Castro. Already we've been to several events there, including one of the Desperate Divas drag competitions. It's truly the most swankiest gay bar in the city, with touches of an LA vibe (but fortunately without the LA drink prices!). And with a capacity of 270, it's currently also the largest gay bar in the Castro pending The Cafe's remodel.
The Cafe
Speaking of The Cafe ... regretably, there's not much to update. Renovations continue, but there appears to be so much left to do and the promised May 23rd deadline seems impossible at this point. Maybe ... July?
Frathouse, Palace, and Epic
Gus Presents has now closed two of their weekly events. Frathouse helped bring younger guys to 440 Castro, formerly the near-exclusive domain of leather, denim, and daddies before Culture Whores started holding Faggot there once a month. Faggot closed several years ago, and several months later Gus started Frathouse. It had a great run for a few years, but was abruptly cancelled without notice a few weeks ago. Even more surprisingly was the sudden cancellation of Palace, Gus' temporary Friday night club at Mist. Palace was expected to continue to run until Boy Bar could return when The Cafe reopens.
In their places, Gus is starting a new once a month club at 1015 Folsom called Epic, which will be held on the second Saturday of every month. This leaves Gus Presents with only two weekly clubs: Social Club at the LookOut on Saturdays, and the 18+ club The Crib at 715 Harrison.
Alas, Epic also conflicts with the another second-Saturday club, Cock Fight at Underground SF. Cab drivers are gonna love me (at least they will once a month).
2124 Market Street
We mentioned before that when The Metro left the space that is now the LookOut, they took over The Expansion before giving up their lease after only a year. For a brief time after The Metro moved out, it reverted back to being a straight bar called 2124 Market (easy to find at lease).
Now it's closed, gutted, and appears to be undergoing massive renovations. Rumor on the street is that they gay owenrs intend to keep it as a straight bar when it reopens. Not that there's anything wrong with that -- lord knows we have enough boozy options in the 'hood, and of course we'll pop in anyway from time to time if the place is cool. We're just curious to get the details. Anyone know?
I'm sure you've seen this by now. But from Tablehopper: http://www.tablehopper.com/2009/05/lush-may-19-2009.html
"The Metro Bar on Market has been closed for renovations, and will be reopening as ~BLACKBIRD BAR~. The project from Shawn Vergara and Doug Murphy of Moby's and 440 will be something new for the Castro: a warm and cozy rustic-modern bar, more in the stylistic vein of Four Barrel and Rye. In another departure, Craige Walters (known for doing most Greg Bronstein locations around town) is designing the space to be more woodsy than glam. There will be smoky colors, banquettes, suspended Edison bulbs, a variety of tables and seating areas, plus a pool table and a photo booth. The front will have a painted wood façade, and windows that slide open. There will be straightforward cocktails (no mixology here), plus 12 beers on tap (craft and local beers), and 10–12 wines by the glass (quality wines that are a good value, around $10 a glass and under). The music won't be the usual Castro pop soundtrack, and will instead be an eclectic mix of electro, old school rock, and more. Vergara has been in the business for 20 years, and wants the place to be approachable. He said it may be gay-owned, but they want to be inclusive to everyone. The opening is slated for June 25th, with the grand opening in July. Look for canned beer night Wednesdays, awwww yeah. 2124 Market St. at Church, 415-503-0630."
http://www.blackbirdbar.com
Posted by: SeanC | July 08, 2009 at 03:52 PM