Gay bars in san francisco 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 group. It was more than a camera shop in that it offered encourage to those who moved to and lived in San Francisco in find of freedom to openly express their sexual self, 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 preliminary AIDS activist Bobbi Campbell used the front window of this pharmacy to post a flyer in 1981 warning the people 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 own been affected by HIV/AIDS.
The theater opened June 22, 1922, and is the crown jewel of the neighborhood. It’s also dwelling to the annual Frameline LGBT Film Festival, countless sing-a-longs, and Peach
Castro’s newest gay bar
The label 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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Monday- Friday until 6pm
$3 off tapped beers
$3 off house wines
$10 Frose, spritz and frozen margaritas
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, accompanying the Stonewall Uprising and the first Pride rally, the Castro was the headquarters of the queer liberation movement.
Armistead Maupin’s Tales Of The City Novels immortalised gay San Francisco, especially the Castro district. San Francisco became a magnet for gay Americans. Things have changed in recent years. The Castro is still very male lover, but it’s prohibitively overpriced. 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 fight in Europe from San Francisco. They also landed in San Francisco on their way home. 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 male lover activity. Imagine all those soldiers in one metropolis - there was a lot of action.
By 1980, it was estimated that 17% of San Francisco’s population was gay
Midnight Sun
Est. 1971
Servicing the Castro over 50 years
Midnight Daystar 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 novel venue transformed into a lively social hub, pioneering the concept of a video bar at the same time as the rise of MTV. Our screens showcased music videos, interspersed with clips from popular shows like Gay as Folk and Sex in the City.
While Twin Peaks Tavern made history in 1972 as the first gay bar in San Francisco to install plate glass windows, Midnight Sun bookended this history in 2011 by becoming the last gay prevent in the Castro to add windows, embracing openness and visibility, and contributing to the rich tapestry of San Francisco’s LGBTQIA+ history.
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THU – FRI | 2pm – 2am
SAT | 12:30pm – 2am
SUN | 1pm – 12am
MON – WED | 2pm – 12am
4067 18th Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
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