If you're a sports fan, then this brewpub is the place to watch any big games, or join locals who are having a drink after the action at the nearby ballpark. It can get busy if the Giants are at home, but a huge restaurant section and patio absorb the crowds. Many of the tap beers are brewed in-house, and include unusual selections such as watermelon wheat ale. The food is also a step above the usual nachos and pizza sports bar options.

It's hard to stand out in a city of microbreweries and brewpubs, yet this establishment in the heart of The Haight is managing to do just that. A more humble experience than most of its contemporaries, the beers are brewed on the premises of course and garner praise from newbies and old hands alike. Cheese plates and English-style bar food complements the pints perfectly. The IPA selection is a particular local favourite.

Craft cocktail bars by their very definition fall in and out of fashion, but this dog is apparently learning new tricks as it has captured the imagination of the city's cocktail lovers. Cosy but with enough space to feel open (try the upstairs loft), you'll find a fine selection of classics and new concoctions. Small plates are orchestrated to match the drinks, and receive just as much artistry in the kitchen.

A SOMA institution with a fiercely loyal following, this nightclub attracts the weird and the wonderful to its varied dance nights. There are some great retro nights for fans of 1980s and 90s indie and dance, as well as hip performance artists and collectives performing for the appreciative crowds. The space has two dance floors, and a famously relaxed staff, which makes for a famously relaxed clientele. Thursday nights are especially popular.

Formerly the Mighty, this dance club in the heart of The Mission district attracts an eclectic crowd and just as interesting a line-up of DJ talent. It has a solid sound system and decent-sized dance floor, and night birds will find hip-hop, R&B, soul, jazz and reggae all well represented on different nights - sometimes even on the same night.

Not your average club by any means, but a must for any lover of kitsch. Located in the basement of the up-market Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill, this place has remained almost as it was for over 60 years. The tiki-themed lounge bar serves cocktails with umbrellas, and the dancefloor is by a central pool – at the centre of which the house band often plays live aboard a drifting boat.

This boldly named venue backs it up with a wealth of established artists. There are plenty of tables and the drinks and food menus are widely praised. The venue has been refurbished and there's something of a showtime/Great Gatsby vibe – small enough to be intimate but large enough to attract the right talent.

The most renowned of all San Francisco's music venues has more than its fair share of legendary performances, rock legends and history. Balcony seating is highly sought after so try and book tickets as early as possible if that's what you're after. Big bands and events pass through, and the venue has the facilities and heritage to carry them off to a very high standard. Well worth the price of admission.

This is a typically stylish, unusual and intimate San Francisco performance space, and the room is usually decorated to suit the visiting artist. Expect everything from vaudeville tributes to evocative acoustic sets. The building dates from the early 20th century and despite its nooks and crannies, there really isn't a bad-viewing point in the house.