Vesuvio Caffe

This week's funspot is suggested by the ever happy Robin!

Vesuvio Caffe
255 Columbus Ave
San Francisco, CA 94133-4508

(415) 362-3370
Cross Street: Broadway Street
google Map yahoo Map
The Scene
A gaslit candle chandelier hangs above a mirror-backed bar, where a black cat statue is startled stiff. Jazzy art posters fill nearly every square inch of the walls, while couples spanning several generations buzz over a Van Morrison soundtrack. Next to the bookshelf littered with Cuban literature, a wood staircase winds toward the balcony. Upstairs, tons of tables and a couple of coveted booths overlook the first-floor action, while windows rising from the floor offer views of the North Beach strip.

The Draw
This spot is steeped in Beat history and emits a bohemian vibe. It's a prerequisite on any classic SF bar crawl, yet manages to eschew tourist trappings. Pitchers of the 10 tap beers are available (including Chimay), making Vesuvio an ideal place to commune with friends. It's this welcoming art-house allure that has made the destination a city favorite since 1949.

Save Time
This place only accepts cash; the nearest ATM is located on the corner of Broadway and Columbus.

What to Drink
The house-specialty "Jack Kerouac" is a potent pink cocktail featuring rum, tequila and lemon twist.

Vesuvio on City Search

C ya at 9.15!

Lingba Lounge

We need something random and fun this week:

On Wednesday let's go to Lingba Lounge!
(and you can get food there!!! (from the Thai restaurant next door) since that's why I'm always late, I'm going to try to be there ~9.30)

Lingba Lounge
1469 18th Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 355-0001

The Scene
This South Asian-themed lounge avoids the garishness of the average, tacky tiki bar--there are no plastic coconuts or wicker chairs. Instead, patrons can sip lychee-flavored martinis under a gorgeous canopy of live hanging plants and tall palm trees. Video projections and candles add the right atmospheric touches.

The Draw
Lingba Lounge maintains a homey vibe suited for a take-it-easy kind of evening. Even on weekends, the bar is full but not overwhelmingly so. This could be partly due to its location in a residential neighborhood, which poses some noise restrictions. However, most of the credit goes to Lingba's crowd of well-heeled regulars, who are a far cry from the hula-skirted masses invading rowdier joints like Trad'r Sam's.

Lingba on CitySearch

See ya soon!

(pictures from Lingba Lounge night)

WISH

by request, we're returning to Wish on 3/1/06 to ring in March!

WISH
1539 Folsom St
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 278-9474

The Scene
Mirrors above the bar and window-lined walls keep this hallway of a space from feeling cramped. Lots of bench seating and cocktail tables let the after-work crowd relax, while providing enough space for night crawlers to rock out. Tea-light sconces, mahogany woodwork and crimson hanging lampshades provide warmth without feeling too put together. A trip to the restrooms provides patrons with a refreshingly pleasant experience; they're clean with stocked supplies and marble counters--more classy bistro than partied-in watering hole.

The Draw
It's all about drinking and looking fine. The lounge offers extended happy-hour specials and DJ-fueled background beats for unpretentious nine-to-fivers. In the later hours, it hosts an ever-changing lineup of high-energy parties for the fashion forward. It's not a dance destination, so there's never a cover charge, but that doesn't stop revelers from shaking it to hip-hop, house or electro grooves.

WISH on Citysearch

See you there ~9pm!