It is a truth universally acknowledged that gay men take partying very seriously. For starters, we take longer getting ready than it took to get the Queer Eye reboot. Not only that, getting us out of the house in a timely manner is no small feat. By the time we do roll out, it's late and the entire squad can find themselves ready to settle on some bland party. Well, we can't have that any longer. That's why we made a year-round party guide - in and well beyond the Castro. Pass us a drink, pump up the volume, and dance your way through our guide to the best gay parties around.
Monday
Courtesy Splash on Facebook
Underwear Night
Every Monday // 440 Castro // San Francisco
Underwear Night is infamous for a reason - as is 440 Castro, the high-octane bear bar that hosts it. Hit the gym and then strut your stuff at the down-to-your-skivvies week opener.
Splash
Every Monday // Splash // San Jose
Splash is San Jose’s premier (and only) gay nightclub, and their Monday nights are notoriously messy: well drinks are $1 until 11 p.m., $2 until 12 a.m., and BOGO for the rest of the night, so you can ball on a budget and leave without your dignity. Maybe don’t go if you have work Tuesday morning.
Tuesday
Courtesy The Port Bar on Facebook
Big Gay Trivia Night
Every Tuesday // The Port Bar // Oakland
We’re here, we’re queer, we’re knowledgeable about various pop culture topics. The Port Bar’s themed trivia nights run the gamut from Broadway musicals and Madonna to Lord of the Rings and Star Trek. And it’s a blast.
1 UP Tuesdays
Every Tuesday // Midnight Sun // San Francisco
Get in the competitive spirit with no cover, $2 beers, gaming stations, and board games galore at Midnight Sun. It’s a perfect night for when you just can’t face a full evening of shaking your groove thang.
Wednesday
Photo by Kidd With A Camera
¡Pan Dulce!
Every Wednesday // Beaux // San Francisco
Hump day at Beaux means Papi Gogo mania. The weekly party features a cohort of drool-worthy Papi boys that will leave you rolling your R’s for the rest of the night.
Queeraoke
Every Wednesday // El Rio // San Francisco
It is what is sounds like and it’s fun as hell. The weekly hosted event is a wild, drag queen-filled time. Miss Thing can sing, but can you? (In all seriousness, don’t stress if you can’t belt like Whitney. Mediocre pipes embraced here.)
Thursday
RuPaul’s Drag Race Watch Parties
Every Thursday // Literally everywhere
Never has a show united the queer community quite like Drag Race. (No offense to Sense 8, but let’s be real here.) And when it’s airing, you can find a watch party at pretty much any LGBTQ bar in the city. Whether your favorite contestant wins Snatch Game or forgets the words during their lip sync, celebrate and/or sob with your fellow army. Find every epic drag race party here.
Picante
Every Thursday // The Café // San Francisco
We love to twerk as much as the next gay, but there are days when you just want to shake your bidi bidi bom bom to some reggaeton, cumbia, and merengue. If you feel like unleashing your inner Selena, The Café is the place to be on Thursdays for Latin night. Don't worry if you don't know how to shake it like you're south of the border. There are plenty of Latin lovers here eager to show you all the right twists. Wink wink.
Friday
Courtesy Taboo on Facebook
Taboo
4th Friday // Oasis // San Francisco
Trust us when we say Taboo lives up to its name. From military and sailor-themed nights to puppy play parties, nothing is off-limits at this bash. Expect fun visuals, drag queens, and a boundary-expanding night that goes until way late. Come horny.
Lick It
2nd Friday // The Powerhouse // San Francisco
It’s practically illegal for any self-respecting young (or young at heart) gay man to go a month without getting into a little bit of trouble. If you love house and those filthy beats that make you feel some type of way, you shouldn’t think twice before you lick it. (We mean the party, naturally.)
Saturday
Courtesy GAMEeBoi SF on Facebook
GAMeBOi SF
1st and 3rd Saturday // Rickshaw Stop // San Francisco
It is another truth universally acknowledged that Ariana Grande, Cher, and Beyoncé are inescapable if you’re a gay man. GAMeBOi SF chooses to embrace these queens, along with the ladies of BLACKPINK and Twice, making it the perfect place to be when your taste for Asian pop goes beyond “Gangnam Style.”
ShangriLa SF
4th Saturday // The End Up // San Francisco
If you live and party by the motto, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” then you should be ending your month at ShangriLa. This Asian-focused bash doesn’t stop until you do, making it the perfect place for any party girl to let loose until the sun rises. No, seriously. It ends at sunrise.
Sunday
Via Beaux on Facebook
Drag Brunch
Every Saturday + Sunday // Hamburger Mary’s // San Francisco
Bottomless mimosas, The Brunchettes, and a whole lot of great food. Hamburger Mary’s wasted no time kicking its weekend drag brunch into gear, and it’s as popular as you would expect. We recommend getting reservations beforehand.
Big Top
Every Sunday // Beaux // San Francisco
Despite the name, all bottoms are welcome. Get rid your pre-week jitters at Big Top Sundays featuring performances from local and touring drag queens and go-go dancers fit enough to inspire you to hit the gym first thing Monday morning.
Don't worry, lesbians. We know you like to party too and we didn't leave you out of the fun. Looking to add a little fierceness to your life? Our guide to drag parties can help..
Written by Tomas Iriarte
