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El Rio: With moderately priced (and heavily poured) drinks, a sprawling patio, and an intimate stage in a side room, this Mission District destination is a keystone of indie-hipster nightlife. 3158 Mission (at Cesar Chavez), 282-3325.
Empire Plush Room: What began as an illegal Prohibition-era speak-easy is still host to cabaret singers. York Hotel, 940 Sutter (at Hyde), 885-2800.
Endup: A nightclub that (fortunately) stays up well past its bedtime, the Endup has a hard-earned reputation as an after-hours mecca that still holds up. "Fag Fridays" and Sunday morning T-dances are as popular as ever. Sixth St. & Harrison, 357-0827.
Enrico's: This North Beach sidewalk cafe with lovely high ceilings and windows plays host to a discerning selection of live jazz musicians. 504 Broadway (at Kearny), 982-6223.
Esta Noche: A hub for the gay Latino community for more than two decades, Esta Noche offers its club patrons a refined DJ mix of Latin and house music and outrageous, gender-bending special events. 3079 16th St. (at Valencia), 861-5757.
EZ5: Nightly DJs spinning house, hip hop, and whatever's in between turn this mellow lounge into a rump-shakin' all-night party. 682 Commercial (at Kearny), 362-9321.
The Factory: If you're looking to get lost, the Factory's 1,500-person capacity (the biggest party space in town) does the trick. Throngs of see-and-be-seen clubbers populate its Saturday night happenings, which feature guest DJs spinning everything from high-energy club anthems to deep house grooves. 525 Harrison (at Essex), 339-8686.
Fiddler's Green: This bilevel Irish watering hole is a cute pit stop on the stroll between Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach. The kitchen occasionally offers traditional Irish corned beef and cabbage, and the bar serves a friendly pint. In the evening, DJs spin upstairs while live bands croon down below. 1333 Columbus (at Beach), 441-9758.
Fluid: Computer-controlled lighting creates a wavy atmosphere for weekend (and sometimes weekday) DJs to drop funky house, slippery hip hop, and all else cool at this glitzy, twentysomething hub. 662 Mission (at Annie), 615-6888.
Fuse: A breath of fresh air among the pricey, crowded bars of Broadway, Fuse is a low-key joint with a good vibe and excellent taste in soul and hip hop DJs (during the week) and trance and techno (on the weekends). 493 Broadway (at Kearny), 788-2706.
Ganesh: This affordable, tasty Indian dive brings in DJs who spin drum ’n’ bass, reggae, and Caribbean club classics every night of the week. Paneer tikka masala and irie riddims might seem like a peculiar combination, but the curious mishmash is well worth the stop. Though it’s filled mostly with a low-key set of locals, the place gets packed during special events. 270016th St. (at Harrison), 437-9240.
Glas Kat: During the week the Glas Kat complements its tapas fare with live salsa music and dance lessons (Tuesday), co-ed lounge singers (Wednesday), and smooth jazz and R&B (Thursday). On the weekend DJs take over, offering Friday night trance and house parties and Saturday soundtracks of disco and trance grooves. 520 Fourth St. (at Bryant), 957-9318.
Grant & Green: This dive in the heart of North Beach is a sure bet for loud rock, cheap drinks, and a crowd of local characters. A sidewalk barker pulls in tourists for blues-rock sets on the weekends, but during the week the place is reclaimed by long-haired locals who like their music a little rougher. 1371 Grant (at Green), 693-9565.
Harry Denton's Rouge: The high-energy weekend parties cater to the upper crust of party people, who are probably more interested in being seen than deep listening. But the DJs on the decks bring a wide selection of dance-floor faves -- from Top 40 and funky house to urban grooves and new soul. 1500 Broadway (at Polk), 346-7683.
Harry Denton's Starlight Room: The gorgeous view of the city atop the Sir Francis Drake Hotel is almost worth the dress code and $10 drinks; the Starlight Orchestra plays Motown classics Thursday through Saturday, and a DJ spins on weeknights. A favorite among tourists and S.F.'s old-money crowd. Sir Francis Drake Hotel, 450 Powell (at Bush), 395-8595.
Harry's on Fillmore: Harry Denton's posh Fillmore Street bar features occasional live DJs. The elegantly decorated bar draws a large crowd of young professionals. 2020 Fillmore (at California), 921-1000.
Hemlock Tavern: A crowded, clamorous bar up front hides an elegant, sardine-can of a music room in back. By showcasing some of the world's best underground rock bands, this microvenue has quickly become one of the city's best. 1131 Polk (at Post), 923-0923.
HiFi Lounge: This unassuming nightspot on traffic-filled Lombard Street is home to some down-and-dirty house and hip hop dance parties. Prepare to fight your way to the bar on Friday or Saturday night. 2125 Lombard (at Fillmore), 345-8663.
Hole in the Wall: This wildly friendly gay bar boasts a carefree house band that grooves and rocks, as well as DJs who spin just about everything, from classic rock to today's pop. 289 Eighth St. (at Folsom), 431-HOWL.
Holy Cow: It's always a party at the famous Holy Cow. Watch frat boys and bachelorette-party girls freak nasty on the dance floor as you sip half-price cocktails and groove to '80s music and R&B. 1531 Folsom (at 11th St.), 621-6087.
Hotel Utah: The Old West and old-time roots music come together again at the Hotel Utah Saloon, where a small stage, a dive bar, and a diversely stocked jukebox set the scene. 500 Fourth St. (at Bryant), 546-6300.
House of Shields: Though most of the melodies heard here are of the modern jazz variety, this Financial District steakhouse changes it up fairly often, eschewing the cocktail-lounge ambience for late nights with house DJs and even the occasional rock band. 39 New Montgomery (at Market), 975-8651.
