Lone Star Saloon
Dive Bars · San Francisco, CA
About
Cash-only gay bear bar opened in 1989. The Lone Star Saloon in SoMa draws a scruffy crowd of bears, bikers, and leather cowboys, with a large outdoor patio that gets busy on sunny afternoons. Pool tables and rotating events keep the vibe relaxed. A weekend starts early here: Sunday opens at 2pm.
It's a historic dive that welcomes tourists. The crowd spans 20-somethings to 50-somethings, heavy on locals. Happy hour brings an after-work mix. Expect a no-frills, welcoming spot where the community feels like home.
Located in San Francisco's SoMa neighborhood, a historic area with a concentration of gay bars and clubs.
Features
- ✓Cash-only, no credit cards accepted
- ✓Rotating events and community-focused programming
- ✓Pool tables and relaxed indoor space
- ✓Crowd spans 20-somethings to 50-somethings
- ✓Historic dive bar atmosphere
Good for
What people say
Rated from 106 reviews. 150 community ratings. View this venue on Yelp
From the community
The Lone Star Saloon, a historic gay bear bar in San Francisco's South of Market area, opened in 1989 and is cash-only. It's known for a diverse crowd, rotating events, and a welcoming atmosphere. The music is both chill and energetic, there are pool tables, and a relaxing back patio makes it a place where community and connection thrive any night. The owners are central to that warmth—especially one of them, whose advocacy helped reshape an upcoming bear documentary to be more inclusive—making the bar feel like home rather than just a venue.
A visitor · 4 months ago
“Was there when it opened”
The Lone Star came about because of the 1987 earthquake. The original owner had a very tiny basement bar and got a small business loan to open the Lone Star. It was my favorite bar until we relocated to San Jose in 1995. I met my second great love there 25 years ago. It's a bear bar that's friendly, laid back, and time-tested. It's a local bar that welcomes tourists.
A guest · Over a year ago
“Best Bear Bar SOMA”
The staff is great and the patio is cool. The atmosphere can be either relaxed or wild.
A recent visitor · Over a year ago
“It's fun”
It's a nice spot to hang out. The bartenders are friendly.
A local visitor · Over a year ago
“What Happened?”
This bar used to be fun, but now it seems dead by 10pm every night, even on weekends. It used to cater to the bear community, but like most gay bars in the Bay Area, it tries to appeal to everyone. That sounds good in theory, but when you're in a neighborhood with a history for a specific type of bar and crowd, doing that is digging your own grave.
A visitor · Over a year ago
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lone Star Saloon cash only? +
Yes, it is cash only.
What are the hours? +
Monday through Saturday 4pm-2am, Sunday 2pm-2am.
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