The Cafe

2369 Market St, San Francisco
(415) 779-3171

Recent Reviews

Mindia Mindia

Amazing place, excellent staff, awesome music and great

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Vivian Vasquez

They denied my partner entrance into the bar stating that her identification looked "off" when her identification is perfectly legal, meaning that they likely took issue with her ethnic features (she is the only visibly Latina person the white and Asian group we were with) or her Florida identification. If you are Latina or from Florida (emphasis on Florida) you might be discriminated against at this bar.0

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Eric Curry

In my opinion this place destroyed their reputation by forcing a Pride month grand opening back in 2019- they’ve never recovered, and it might have to do with the fact that the remodels weren’t finished….? I mean at least sweep the saw dust off the floor? And where on earth do you get off charging cover though ?

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Santiago G.

I was trying to clarify that with one of the security how the line works as there were other clubs without lines and with just as good vibes. Marco(s?), the bouncer checking IDs, was not only being so round about, but he told me to go to another club after I mentioned that he was not being clear with the way it worked. Feeling like I was therefore not able to enter the facility, I told the rest of my group that I wouldn't be able to enter freely & asked that we leave. Once he heard that, he told me to just go in & after that I was left confused because I was just trying to clarify how things worked here. Weirdest & most ostracizing moment of my life. I'm from Los Angeles so I'm not sure if it's an SF thing. Anyway, once I was in, had a great time and glad that line with Marco(s?) didn't make me give up on this place. Recommend coming here if you can get past that weird lines, which can be hard hence the 2/5!

Colton Redwine

The worst mixes I’ve ever heard in my life

Atmosphere: 3

Poomin Suttavireesan

Big shop, fun, dancers, very good entertainment, lots of people late at night, around 11:00 p.m. and up. Drinks aren't expensive.

Atmosphere: 4

Claire Denman

This club ranks as the second best in The Castro (in my opinion). I give this place a 4-star rating, mainly due to their cash-only policy. However, as someone who typically doesn't carry cash (except for the cover charge), this stood out. Rating the music feels unnecessary because, well, it's The Castro—where we trust the gays with that <3Moving on to the venue itself, it offers ample space for a city club and a semi two levels, providing a nice sense of roominess. The dance floor isn't solid, as it encircles a platform used for performances. Drink prices fall within the normal range for bars/clubs, though you’ll get a gay pour. So it kinda balances itself out for price per ounce of liquor. I estimate an average spend of $30-50, considering most people consume around three drinks.The vibe here starts out okay and gradually amps up throughout the night. It's worth noting the presence of straight girl groups (not surprising for a popular gay club) among the predominantly millennial crowd. But what truly stands out is the very clean restroom section, featuring a huge LED-bordered mirror and multiple single, gender-neutral bathrooms—always maintained by attentive staff.The highlight? A server often circulates on the main floor with an array of creatively themed shots, making group outings a blast!

Atmosphere: 4

Service: 5

The BacDoc

I used to love this place. I lived in the Castro in the mid-nineties, my roommate and I, along with two of our friends who lived above us, in an old Victorian house that was converted into a half a dozen apartments used to live at that place almost every weekend. Three out of four of us worked at Nordstrom SFO center. One was a store operator, the other worked in men's Shoes.I can remember standing in that same line along market street, waiting to get in. There was no cover back then. It was all cash ? even back then to, that's how must of us used to pay...lolThey played the best music, and all the hot younger guys ( mostly twenties and some thirties) used to frequent that place.This was before they served Food to. It was open seven nights a week back then. I remember having this crush on a hot Asian ? bartender with black hair to.I was such a regular even on Monday nights that one of the female bartenders ( white lady with a Huge afro) used to have my first two drinks already ready when I walked up to the counter. It was a shot of Yager and a rolling rock. I would religiously tip a buck or two for every drink, and they really appreciated it to. Those bar tenders used to make Bank.This was most definitely the good Ole days. I moved out of San Francisco in 1999, and have never been back since. This place however gives me fond memories of San Francisco.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Nope Nah

Got in at 10:30, no people, no good music (latin night, so I expected fun music) decited to leave and ask if I can get my money back since I was there for 5 minutes and was not satisfied and will not give me my money back. I paid 10$ and I didn't get a drink or anything but they won't give it back. So heads up. I might give it another try in the future but for now, 1 star (might change the review in the future)

Atmosphere: 1

Service: 1

Polo Mills

Terrible! Mostly straight couples . I have a partner so I wasn’t there to pick up someone but there’s something nice about being a gay guy and being around other gay men sharing a space but instead we are surrounded by straights dirty dancing and grinding, making out, taking pictures, laughing at their bf getting checked out. I liked it better when they hated us and stayed in their own spaces. This new generation and the straight queers are problematic. I couldn’t imagine being a gay teen today!

Atmosphere: 1

Service: 5

Jennifer N.

That moment when you were supposed to go home but last minute rallied to go to this club and end up staying up into the wee morning even though your body cannot hang anymore (the joys of being in your 30s). We had a lot of fun here, the DJ was good that night and the dance floor was packed. Pro tip: Its cash only. But they have free water station so thats a bonus.

Andrew Estrada

Unfortunately, very disappointed. It doesn’t matter that this place is cash only, that is irrelevant. The music however was quite boring.There wasn’t a clear energy or vibe to the place. Huge place but it was dead on the inside.

Atmosphere: 2

Service: 5

Kevin Chang

CASH ONLY! So don’t bother coming! $7 cash only cover charge for a bar (not a nightclub). When every single bar in WeHo has no cover charge. They direct you to their ATM inside which charges you another FEE! Oh and if your ID is expired by 1 day they won’t let you in! DJ basically plays Spotify or something. Enjoy!

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Armando Toledo

It's a Cash Only establishment. which is ridiculous. Outside, we needed to go in the back of the line after getting cash out the ATM at the gas station next door. Once inside, we needed to step out of the bar line yet again to take cash out because they didn't except card at the bar. It's completely unacceptable. CASH ONLY. No one told us this in the first place. Inside, it was average. The music was lit. Dj was okay. But. Will not be coming back! people standing around with no drinks cause it was cash only. Yes, I asked them. There are better places around then to waste you night here.

Atmosphere: 1

Service: 1

christopher thrailkill

Last night my partner and I went out to have a fun night, have a few drinks and dance. The bartender who served us was a lovely young lady ,( ill leave her name anonymous) who was so kind and welcoming!, Somewhere along the way my partner lost his wallet. We searched high and low and could not find it anywhere. After a while of searching, we finally gave up and went home and I texted the bartender and let her know that we had lost it. If they found it, please let me know and she promptly responded to me that they had. In fact found my partner's property and we were able to go and pick it up from her immediately. This level of customer service is astounding and very hard to come by. She knows who she is and I just want to make it known that you guys have a phenomenal employee!

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

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