San Francisco’s nightlife can be hit or miss. It’s a rather sleepy town but determined night owls have managed to establish quite a reputation for drunken debauchery. A lot of it takes place in the Castro District, otherwise known as ‘Gay Mecca’, where such bars as Midnight Sun (4067 18th Street, CA 94114, +14158614186) and the Metro (3600 16th Street, CA 94114, +14157039750) can become highly charged and crowded as the night progresses. For something more atypical (even for San Francisco), visit Este Noche in the Mission District (3079 16th St, +14158615757) the city’s only gay Latino drag bar. If you’re looking to boogie ‘till you drop, the more reliable dance clubs are Ruby Skye (420 Mason St, CA 94102, +14156930777, www.rubyskye.com), which usually has a high admission price, and Polly Esther’s (181 Eddy St, CA, 94102, +14158851977), which is more affordable but a bit antiseptic.

Some of the best nightlife usually comes with live music, and there is much of it. Top venues for both local bands and larger touring acts are the velvet-draped Bimbo’s 365 Club (1025 Columbus Avenue, CA 94133, +14154740365), the venerable Fillmore Auditorium (1805 Geary Street, CA 94115, +14153466000) and The Great American Music Hall (859 O’Farrell, CA 94109, +14158850750), which features big-name and local bands.

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