Anchor Oyster Bar in San Francisco is a 22-seat Castro counter that has served Dungeness, cioppino and clam chowder the same way since 1977.
Signature: Cioppino, Clam chowder, Cracked Dungeness
Order: The cioppino in season, with a side of garlic bread.
Tip: No bookings; arrive at 16:30 for the early seating or after 21:00 when the line thins.
Frances in San Francisco is Melissa Perello's Castro neighbourhood room, holding a Michelin star with a 40-seat dining room and a wine list priced.
Signature: Bacon beignets, Whole roast fish, House wine on tap
Order: Applewood-smoked bacon beignets with maple chive cream.
Tip: Reservations open 30 days out at 10:00; the bar room takes walk-ins from 17:30.
Cafe du Nord sits in the basement of the Swedish American Hall on Market Street, a 320-capacity SF room booking indie, jazz and singer-songwriter sets.
Tip: The room is low-ceilinged and intimate; sightlines are best from the back bar. Pre-show dinner upstairs at the hall gets you in first.
Twin Peaks Tavern in SF's Castro opened its plate-glass windows in 1972 as the first US gay bar to let the sidewalk see in, still drawing the daytime drink.
Tip: Afternoon at the front window is the social anchor of the neighbourhood. Cash bar runs quicker than card on busy Saturdays.
Hi Tops on Market Street in SF's Castro opened in 2012 as the city's first gay sports bar, with TV walls, drag brunches and a garage-style room that fills.
Tip: Warriors and Giants nights stack the bar three deep; the back room runs quieter. Drag brunch on Saturday and Sunday packs by 12:00.
Lookout sits at SF's 16th and Market with a wraparound balcony over the Castro intersection, pouring frozen cocktails and running Sunday afternoon theme.
Tip: Sunday afternoon Jock dance party packs the upstairs floor. The balcony rail is the prized view; turn up before 16:00 to secure it.