Offbeat Finds
By Gina Goff and Melody Nazarian, San Francisco Editors
Tired of frequenting the same old hangouts? Walk on the wild side with strange brews, outlandish eateries and odd establishments of all kinds with our list of San Francisco treasures that offer a few surprises.
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Brain Wash Cafe and Laundromat
1122 Folsom St., San Francisco, CA
SoMa locals suds their duds, sip beer and eat burgers at this multi-tasker mecca. -
SupperClub
657 Harrison St, San Francisco, CA
Have dinner in bed at this sexed-up theater featuring performance art and exotically presented French fare. -
Incanto
1550 Church St, San Francisco, CA
Adventure out to this Noe Valley restaurant to find a rotating menu that includes innards of various animals. -
Feel Real Organic Vegan Cafe--CLOSED
4001 Judah St, San Francisco, CA
You determine the price of your own meal at this dimly lit, hippie-filled cafe. -
Teatro ZinZanni: Love, Chaos & Dinner
Pier 29, San Francisco, CA
San Francisco's one and only dinner-theater spectacle puts some zing in your ziti.
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12 Galaxies -- CLOSED
2565 Mission St, San Francisco, CA
Live music is the main draw, but don't miss the Boing Boing Boy who takes off his clothes while hopping frantically on a blingin' gold Pogo stick. -
Voda--CLOSED
56 Belden Pl, San Francisco, CA
This vodka lounge, tucked away in an alley, lies under a "canopy of stars," strands of Christmas lights that hang from building rooftops. -
Butter
354 11th St, San Francisco, CA
Its name may sound smooth, but this self-described "white-trash diner" features acid jazz music, quirky art and bar food like Twinkies and SpaghettiOs. -
Gold Dust Lounge
247 Powell St, San Francisco, CA
It may be a tourist trap due to its Union Square location, but this kitschy piano bar is worth a visit for its burlesque ambience, live music and cheap champagne. -
Kan Zaman
1793 Haight St, San Francisco, CA
Experience the Middle East at this small Haight bar by smoking a hookah, lounging on colorful pillows and watching a belly-dancing act. -
RoHan Lounge
3809 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA
Once only found in Tokyo and Taipei, the traditional Korean liquor distilled with rice makes its San Francisco debut at this soju cocktail bar. -
Noc Noc
557 Haight St, San Francisco, CA
This self-proclaimed unusual bar in the Lower Haight doesn't serve hard alcohol, but it does offer unique lagers in its bizarre Star Wars-themed interiors.
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Hotel Boheme
44 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA
This North Beach hotel pays homage to San Francisco's Beat generation with poetry-covered walls and other counterculture memorabilia. -
Phoenix Hotel
601 Eddy St, San Francisco, CA
Touring rockers maintain their street cred by crashing at this kooky-but-comfortable hotel in the Tenderloin. -
Red Victorian Bed, Breakfast & Art
1665 Haight St, San Francisco, CA
Travel back in time at this affordable B&B where beds are draped with tie-dyed canopies, walls are adorned with '60s-era posters and lava lamps complete the hippie vibe.
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Queen Anne Hotel
1590 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA
This 1890s Victorian once was home to a girls' finishing school. Local legend claims a former teacher still haunts the property.
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Botanica Yoruba
998 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA
You may not practice Santeria, but it's still fun to visit this Mission shop that sells candles, oils, herbs and many other spell-casting supplies. -
Hanspree
400 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA
Watching TV will never be the same after a purchase from this store, which features a fire-truck-shaped screen for kids, a basketball-like tube for sports junkies and many more innovative styles. -
Seward Street Slides
Seward St at Douglass St, San Francisco, CA
Bring out your inner child by grabbing a piece of cardboard and descending down this secret slide located in a mini park in Twin Peaks. -
826 Valencia
826 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA
Captain Hook meets Mr. Rogers at this quirky pirate supply store with a heart. -
Paxton Gate
824 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA
Part art gallery, part garden shop, this peculiar place is full of exotic merchandise great for gift giving.
