Ginger's

On gosh, it's been like forever since I had been to Ginger's Trois, and I just assumed COVID made it a more permanent casualty. However, Jamie W let me know they were having a grand reopening after some extensive renovation work. Well, this was certainly welcome news to us because the FiDi is a barren wasteland when it comes to gay bars. This struck us as ironic in a city as epic as San Francisco.It's like rain on your wedding day. It's a free ride when you've already paid. It's the good advice that you just didn't take. Isn't it ironic, don't you think? Well, we decided to give Ginger's a spin on the evening they debuted their drag karaoke show, but unfortunately technical difficulties delayed the performance much to the chagrin of the glamorously accessorized headliner. No matter to us since we weren't planning to warble.The refreshed subterranean bar looked good. There was a relatively small bar but plenty of cafe tables as well as a pool table. Their signature cocktails are $14. Jamie had the Queen Bee, a sweet-spicy mix of tequila, lime, passionfruit, vanilla, peach, and habanero, while I went for Mona's 440, really an espresso martini made with vodka, espresso liqueur, Irish cream, and abuelita chocolate (photo: https://yelp.to/poJXuivsXi). Yummy.COCKTAILS - 4 stars...solid libations befitting of the venueFOOD - 3.5 stars...Emeli's Pupusas had a pop-up that evening, and the $5 Mixed Pupusas were pretty good (photo: https://yelp.to/1tC4iMMkHE)AMBIANCE - 4 stars...resuscitated to its former glorySERVICE - 3.5 stars...bartenders were busyTOTAL - 4 stars...Ginger's is back...and it's my 100th gay bar reviewRELATED - Looking for a gay bar? Here's my collection of bars I've patronized and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3LJO7fd

Being born and raised in San Francisco, but having moved away 20 years ago, I frequented a lot of SF gay bars "back in the day." I'm pretty sure I've been to three incarnations of Ginger's. This LGBTQ dive is hard to find, in a side alley off Kearny St in Downtown. Luckily my friends brought me. It's almost like a speakeasy, down in the basement of Rickhouse. It has all the gay bar basics, like a pool table, small drag stage, cubby corners, and cute bartenders. An added Yelp star for Ginger's paying homage to SF gay bar history via their cocktail names. Endearing and clever, most of the younger crowd probably don't even realize why the cocktails are named that way. Of the 13 cocktails with historical and closed bar names, I've been to 9 of them scattered throughout SF Castro, Polk Gulch, SoMA, Mission and Tenderloin (I'm really aging myself)...like Metro, N'Touch, The Gangway, Este Noche, Daddy's, Marlena's...hey where's QT? The bartenders were fun and our group had a great time. I want to return when Ginger's reopens. I love dive bars like this!

Ginger's is worth searching for. And trust me, you won't know it's there until you look for it. Stuck at the end of an alley way, this cute dive bar has great music, attentive bartenders and a bunch of funny cocktail specials. I mean, it's a gay bar so you're obviously going to have a lot of fun with these drinks! Came here on a Friday afternoon after work for one last sendoff for a dear coworker of mine. Honestly, it was basically empty around the time I got here, maybe 4pm or so. I just got a cider and eventually the atmosphere perked up and a few more people trickled in. I have to say, I'm glad I left early because it's a small basement. I'm sure as soon as more people slowly come in, it'll be standing room only. There's a few tables and booths, a pool table, and restrooms somewhere in the dark. Ginger's is decorated in all the colors, lively, and fun with great music. Great for after work drinks or a low key date. I hear they have shows a few times a week too. I'm guessing drag shows and music? Look them up!

Hidden gem of a bar in the basement of Rickhouse. Cheers to this reincarnation of Ginger's. It's just so great to find a spot after work in the FiDi where you can find seats and enjoy a drink. Speaking of drinks, the lovely bartenders here mix up great cocktails. My personal fave is the Ghost of Ginger's which is a refreshing gin concoction with plenty of mint, ginger beer, and sparking wine. If you like gin and Moscow Mules, you'll probably like this too. If you're a fan of tequila, the Esta Noche is a pretty popular cocktail too. Plenty of seats, pool table, friendly bartenders, and lovely drinks make Ginger's a lovely spot for post-work drinks.

What a fun place. I have gone here several times and have always found it inviting with good people and fun music. I love the history of Gingers and it being the only LGBTQ bar in the financial district makes it unique amongst the surrounding bars. They even have free pool to play and the Friday night drag show is always fun. I can't wait to go back for more fun and drinks.

This place was amazing before the pandemic. It was a bar for everyone. The drag shows were inclusive of everyone regardless of age, gender, or race. Now it seems very exclusive. It is no longer a place for everyone. The new manager does not make this place seem welcoming for the marginalized. Such a shame, this place used to be such a welcome change from the cliqueyness that is endemic to SF

What's not to love about this little gay oasis in FiDi? First of all, it's tucked away down a side street and surrounded by popular and notable bars. There's always plenty of room here to sit and talk or stand if you want. Did I mention they have a pool table? This has got to be one of my favorite bar layouts in SF. There is a just-the-right-size bar in the corner with plenty of room for mixing and mingling. It's a great after-work spot for a group and I recommend trying one of their signature cocktails.

I love this somewhat hidden gem and that it's located outside of the Castro district. It felt like a gay speakeasy because you walk through the alley to get to it. Not that the bar is hard to find, but it's not on a main street with through traffic and it sits across from a parking garage. You go down the stairs and you find yourself in a cool space which was fully decorated for Halloween. The music was on point and the bartender was very friendly. The drinks are fairly cheap which is definitely a bonus and rather hard to find in the area. I would love to come back here during the weekend for my next visit because it felt like a place that's more my speed.

Ginger's is a great place to unwind after work for a cocktail or or two. It's also a great LGBTQ+ establishment that serves its purpose for those who don't want to trek all the way into the Castro from the Financial District.The vibe is super laid back and casual, with those red Sterno bar candles, wooden table and rickety seating. They've got a great little stage, where they host a drag show or two, trivia nights and the occasional DJ set. Best part, is that it's hidden enough that it's doesn't get too packed or loud. If you're deep into a conversation you're actually able to hear the person! Overall, Ginger's is a great go-to for anyone looking for a solid cocktail after work. Their menu is pretty extensive and there is a drink for everyone, complete with friendly bartenders. So, skip the vodka soda (gay water) for your first drink, and venture into something new.

Cute place located down a small alleyway just past Rickhouse. Look for the rainbow flag at the entrance or you might miss it. After being carded you walk down the stairwell into an eccentrically decorated lounge are with pool table and stage. Several nights a month they host a drag show, which I didn't get the chance to see. During my visit DJ was playing 90s music and everyone was friendly. LGBTQ friendly and very comfortable atmosphere. Friend and I had a fun time here singing along to music we grew up with.Drinks are reasonably strong and well priced.