A rodent-like poodle, Golden Tee video games, and ample Bud make Mister Bing's a solid, standy-by bar on the edge of Chinatown.

Apparently summer is a long way off in San Francisco. Brrr! Pretend it's not so and head to the Tonga Room or Trader Sam's for a tropical respite.

Martuni's on Market is a cosy, cheery joint for a cocktail.

Financial District EZ5 is try-hard hip but fails miserably.

Loving all things in the 'Loin, Layne drinks at The Geary Club. It's so bare, so not schfancy, so 'Loin.

Awesome for live music, and a great place to stop in if you've finished a hike on Mt. Tam, Sweetwater in Mill Valley.

A peaceful, frond-laden experience during the week in Pacific Heights, the Lion Pub heats up at the weekend.

The Irish Bank down by the Financial District offers good grub and a comfy spot to enjoy a pint.

Fuse, North Beach's refuge for the hip

Japantown's Lord of the Balls Lounge. Fabulous, garish, velvety and, ohhh, what delish drinkies!

The only sex industry bar in town? Yup, it's in the Tenderloin. Have a sip at Jezebel's.

111 Minna: It's a gallery, a club, a bar, a gathering place. It's unpretencious, yet cool.

Bottom of the Hill: Looking for live music? This is the place to go.

Needing some liquid refreshment down by Union Square? Then head on over to Cafe Royale and give your feet a reprieve

San Francisco's first soundbar, 26 Mix, settles into the Mission.

Who's gone shopping on EBay at Kate O'Brien's?

Have you ever noticed it's always the same person who suggests going to a karaoke bar? For a real laugh of a time, check out The Mint on Market Street.

Buddha Bar in Chinatown: "Drunks, hipsters and randoms"

Sure, yuppies go there. Grow up. You're not one of them? An after-work drink at The Potrero Brewing Company.

The uber-hip (capri pant wearing, Kate Spade handbag clutching, Juicy Couture t-shirts bulging) crowds have descended onto a new bar on Polk Street: Tonic.

Park yourself at 15 Romolo in North Beach before heading out for dinner.

Sacrifice is still an in-the-know bar in the Mission. Probably not for long, though.

The Lexington Club is a one-room corner bar with a pool table and pinball machine. In the Mission. Some might call it a dive.

East Bay

Heading over to the Parkway Theater at Lake Merritt? A drink at the Parkway Lounge next door is acceptable after the show. Just.

And if you're down by Jack London Square, pop into Heinhold's First and Last Chance Saloon. Been around since 1883.

How about a board game with your beer? The Albatross in Berkeley offers just that. Settle down for a Newcastle and backgammon.

Turn off that bleepin' cell phone, and go have a drink at Bernie's Serenader in Oakland

New bar alert in the Tenderloin. 222 Club: Deep in the 'Loin just round the corner of Crack and Ho, it's not dirty, it's not scary, you can leave your mace at home. More TenderNob than 'Loin, Whiskey Thieves has recently opened. Gaudy, not gauth. And a legal smoking establishment. Thank goodness.

The Edinburgh Castle is home to the greatest selection of scotch whiskey between here and Islay. Right in the heart of the Loin.

The Last Day Saloon is a respite in the Inner Richmond. Great for live music.

Club Six is the hippest place to be seen in San Francisco.

And the Beauty Bar isn't far behind. It's awfully pink and sparkly. Pink nails ARE in this spring, sweetie. In the Mission.

Talking of dives, The Wild Side in Bernal Heights is one you should enjoy.

If you're all about avoiding The Marina Crowd, then we recommend NOT going to The Red Devil Lounge.

Mecca is both great for a martini as well as a civilized meal.

Dylan revisits the Ticki Taki Tonga Room over at the Fairmont and finds that they're still serving big, frothy drinks accompanied with chunks of quasi-exotic fruit and colorful umbrellas. Ohhh! And that monsoon is still going strong. About twice an hour. You DO know what we're talking about, right?

The Hotel Utah is an old-time favorite down in SOMA. Great place to hear local musicians.

Off the beaten track, dim lighting, questionable music, suddenly hip. Melinda, our Dive Bar connoisseur points you towards The 500 Club, Original McCarthy's and The Uptown. All in the Mission district of town.

Mad Dog in the Fog in the Lower Haight...

A drink out at Cliff House on Ocean Beach.

A case of Amnesia: A new watering hole in the Mission

The Elbo Room, a Mission favorite for live music, has a photo booth. Really, it's worth knowing that.

Norwegians, Leather Pants and Johnny Cash at Cassidy's Irish Pub in SOMA

A bar with a jukebox that resorts to random play once the money has run out? Check out El Bobo in SOMA.

Good music, eclectic crowd, go on your own or with a friend, but do go to Liquid on a Saturday night.

If you're down in the fancy antique area of town (where North Beach and the Financial District merge) try out The Bubble Lounge. Champagne for the well-attired...

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