A number of San Francisco bars, including many LGBTQ bars, are starting to require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a recent negative COVID antibody test for patrons who want to drink indoors.
The policy follows a recommendation by the SF Bar Owner Alliance, which states in part:
Effective Thursday, July 29th, 2021, it will be the official position of the SF Bay Owner Alliance that any customer who wishes to remain inside our establishments show proof of vaccination or a 72-hour negative COVID test. Guests without these verifications are welcome to sit outside in parklets or other spaces we offer. It will be up to each individual bar to decide how best to enforce this for their customers.
We were unable to find the SF Bar Owner Alliance’s membership list, but a number of LGBTQ bars in San Francisco are on board with the vaccination requirement, either as part of the Alliance or on their own, including Oasis SF, The Edge, Moby Dick, and 440 Castro. The Powerhouse was requiring proof of vaccination during Sunday’s Up Your Alley Fair (rebranded as Folsom Street Market for this year only), but we were unable to verify whether the policy was temporary for the fair or will be maintained. [Edit: The Bay Area Reporter is now reporting that the Powerhouse’s policy is continuing.]
Oasis SF implemented their policy during the Folsom Street Market last week. Signs provided a QR code allowing patrons to download proof of vaccination onto their smartphones if they didn’t already have a photograph of it on their phones. The names on the vaccination record were compared against the patron’s driver’s license.
The Bay Area Reporter also reported on venues we weren’t able to independently verify, but they are better-connected than we are and we trust their reporting. They also report that two local sex clubs, Steamworks in Berkeley and Eros on Market Street, also require proof of vaccination.
We will endeavor to keep this list as up-to-date as possible.
LGBTQ Bars in SF Requiring COVID Vaccination
Policies may vary from bar to bar, but typically they require any one of the following: (1) a photo of your completed vaccination card; (2) a screen capture of your vaccine-completion record from the California Health Department; or (3) negative results from a COVID antibody test taken within the last 72 hours. Most also verify the name on the vaccination record against your driver’s license or other proof-of-age ID. Some bars with outdoor parklets are only requiring the above proof for indoor service.
- 440 Castro – 440 Castro Street
- Beaux – 2344 Market Street
- The Cinch – 1723 Polk Street
- Club OMG – 43 6th Street
- The Eagle – 398 12th Street
- The Edge – 4149 18th Street
- Hi Tops – 2247 Market Street
- The Hole in the Wall Saloon – 1369 Folsom
- LookOut – 3600 16th Street
- The Midnight Sun – 4067 18th Street
- The Mix – 4086 18th Street
- Moby Dick – 4049 18th Street
- Oasis SF – 298 Eleventh Street
- The Powerhouse – 1347 Folsom Street
(Please post a comment about any additions or changes you know about.)
