RE: Why San Francisco is boring
Yes, in general SF is not as diverse or dynamic anymore compared to many other cities for looking for women. I have to disagree with the statement that looking for women here is similar to an expert level video game..its just more like a game that sucks so you don't want really want to play it. I have been here in the city for about nine months. The standout characteristic of Bay Area bars and clubs is that they are much more likely to have a very diverse crowd compared to many other US cities. Some other interesting observations: you can smoke MJ on the street, drink alcohol in the park and on the Caltrain, and more or less pick up escorts with impunity. People are friendly.
In terms of my experience looking for women here: Avoid anyone who wears North Face, Patagonia, or those rainbow flip flops. That's a girl from Palo Alto. Avoid the SF 49ers. That's a girl who dresses like she believes a hipster might dress, but is clearly older and has put on more weight than an actual hipster would allow. She will also clearly think she is a 9 while on her best day she is a mere 4 [The 49er].
Instead I try to target a couple different groups. One of my favorite groups are girls from Oakland or San Jose, typically a more down to earth white chick or a Latina or other brown skinned woman. If a girl looks like a Euro tourist, I pounce. I identify these women by their more Euro looking dance moves (you know what I'm talking about), having better style in general, not being extremely wasted, or having a Beatle or Skrillex haircut. White girls from Berkeley are OK too. They look granola or like they should be annoyingly feminist except they're actually reasonable people with some Nor Cal quirks. I've had very positive interactions with them. Very open.
I am even considering moving to Oakland because I like the people so much more there. But I think my apartment in the city provides more access to restaurants and other venues I personally enjoy, even if an Oakland apartment would give me more East Bay access and save $.
In general I find that day game is king here. Particularly when you hang out on Market Street around Union Square, the Mall and Embarcadero. It is the epicenter of all tourist activity due to proximity to hotels. Also, there are many East Bay girls walking around here (only a short train ride from here to East Bay). Go to the mall on 4th. Astonishingly, the streets are packed and NO ONE is day gaming. For my day game I dress sharply. I generally do not dress sharply at night venues.
Night game: Don't expect anything above what is average for the typical US large city. It is silly to compare the nightlife here to LA, NY, Miami, or Vegas. I place nightlife here considerably below average for an allegedly alpha world city. The appeal of SF is not its nightlife.
Though I make decent $ in my job, I am not even middle class by SF standards [~$100k this year...not working in tech]. I don't spend a lot of money when I go out at night. My opinions below reflect my desire to save $ on each outing so I can go out more frequently, and my distaste for certain groups. As a result there are some places in Marina and N Beach that I don't know much about.
Thursday-Saturday are good for going out at night. Go to the Mission and roam for hipsters and other chicks. You'll find some Euro tourists there too. I find more American tourists in SOMA, N Beach, and Marina.
Venue Specific reviews:
DNA Lounge-- In SOMA. DNA Lounge has a party on Saturday night called "Bootie", which I believe used to be a predominately gay party until straight people kept crashing it. There are only a few gays there these days. I am not at all homophobic but I noticed some of you prefer not to be in clubs where there may be gay men. The biggest problem with Bootie is that it is often full of Palo Alto tech and start-up people usually. I tend to avoid. You'll probably only see 49ers and Palo Alto girls. Same with other bars and clubs on that street, such as Butter. Holy Cow is a smaller place nearby. You'll meet college girls there. I have not met any tourists in this area.
Q Bar-- technically a lesbian bar. But some hipster girls just think they are lesbians until they have been in a lesbian bar all night and miss being hit on by dudes.
City Nights-- an enormous club for people ages 18 and up. You have to be an evil piece of shit to go to this place because its tooooo easy.
1015 Folsom-- also located in SOMA. Its actually quite large. Latinas on every Saturday night for "Pura". Four rooms: generally Reggaeton, hip hop, EDM/Bachata, and Salsa. This same venue (1015 Folsom) has concerts during the week. Gaslamp Killer this Friday, for example. And some more mainstream like Juicy J next month, Mos Def a few weeks ago. Often has Reggaeton artists for the Saturday night "Pura" party.
The Fillmore-- It is located in the Fillmore/Lower Pac Heights. The Matrix Fillmore is also around here. You'll need more douchey attire for Matrix Fillmore. Both the Fillmore and the Matrix are known due to events here from 1965-1970 and they pretty much try to capitalize on the fame generated during that era.
Elbo Room-- in the Mission. Fairly reliable on almost any night of the week. Even if it isn't packed you need to work your hipster game in here and you'll be fine. Don't dress up to go to the mission. I think it actually hurts you. Wear some kind of vintage jacket and/or boots with a plain t-shirt or Henley.
Skylark-- young hipster or neighborhood girls on Mondays for Reggae and Wednesdays for old school hip hop. Worth a quick stop. You can find one or two tipsy neighborhood girls who will let you bone in your car [you did drive, didn't you?]. If SF police see you doing this, they really won't care. I think its more out of laziness than being liberal. SF police are pretty lax. On Saturdays and Fridays there are better places to go and it gets a lot more ghetto, so I avoid.
Madrone-- try out Monday night here. You must know how to dance. They'll be playing soul music. I think this is the best night spot for Mondays. I actually feel bad telling you about this place because I want it to not be packed with dudes. The only other place that competes on Monday night might be Rio, which is located in the mission. Madrone is also pretty good on Friday but you're a little more likely to see 49ers or commuters from Palo Alto on Fridays.
Beauty Bar-- A bar in the Mission that is usually worth a quick stop. Hipsters.
Makeout Room-- Tuesday night they play soul music. I have met (relative) quality here. Saturday night is El Super Ritmo (Cumbia music). IMO knowing how to dance - or at least fake it - is critical here. There will be some latin folks here but crowd is actually mixed, unlike Pura [mentioned above]. They have a website that describes their other events.
Café Cocomo-- located in Potrero Hill, I believe. A place where they play salsa and bachata. Not as cool as it sounds. People are only there to dance and learn to dance. I have been and I don't see it as a place to pick up.
Amnesia-- in the mission. Decent number of people here for weeknights
Rio-- In the Mission. A good weeknight bar with hipsters. Good option for Monday.
Balboa-- N beach, I believe. Cougars.
Local Edition-- Union Sq. Not a social vibe unless you stand by the bar. Lots of professionals in small groups but its more of a closed type of place.
Golden Gate Grill-- Union Square. A large sports bar. Usually packed due to its close proximity to multiple hotels and touristy areas. Probably better to dress a little sharper in here. I love tourists.
Sloane-- Friday nights in Tenderloin, I believe. Hip Hop music. Hit or miss. They have events here as well.
these are just based on my experiences. Take with grain of salt. All in all my overall impression is positive, but I wouldn't come here for the women. Once you actually go on a date here the options are pretty sick, actually. There are so many restaurants here it is said that the entire population could go out to eat at the same time and be seated. There are lots of outdoor activities closeby. Ton of bars and coffee shops. Very good parks. Enjoy the place.
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