Hey there, San Francisco sapphics! Whether you’re new to the city, visiting for the weekend, or just ready to explore more of what the Bay has to offer, we’ve got you covered with Banana Split Shop’s ultimate sapphic/lesbian guide to San Francisco. This curated sapphic/lesbian guide is your resource for all the very best spots where queer women and nonbinary cuties can gather, celebrate, and feel at home. From sapphic dive bars and lesbian dance floors to femme-forward burlesque and community-powered play parties, our sapphic/lesbian guide highlights the events and spaces that make San Francisco such a vibrant hub for our community. Our sapphic/lesbian guide is your handbook for connection, celebration, and queer joy in the city. Happy exploring!
The San Francisco Sapphic/Lesbian Guide: Our Spaces
Let's start off with a sapphic/lesbian guide to spaces. These may include explicitly sapphic/lesbian physical locations or ones that have a clear sapphic-friendly vibe or ownership. With this sapphic/lesbian guide to physical locations, you can hang out with other sapphics IRL and support our wonderful small business owners with your patronage.
Sapphic/lesbian guide to bars:
Wild Side West
A historic dive, Wild Side West was founded by a sapphic couple in 1962 and has been a hotspot for local lesbians ever since. Check out Wild Side West if you're looking for a welcoming laid-back atmosphere and an older crowd. If you're looking for an activity, they host a weekly Wednesday trivia, screen sports games on their 2 flat-screen TVs, and friendly games of pool on any given night.
Jolene's
If you're looking to dance your ass off on the weekends with a younger crowd of sapphics, Jolene's is the spot to be. And if you're like me and love a theme party, check out their extensive list from Push Pop 90s/Y2K, to Snow Hunniez, to UHaul--their weekly lesbian dance party. During the week, Jolene's is the perfect laid-back spot for billiards, pub eats, karaoke, and making new sapphic pals.
Mother
Mother is a newish (post-pandemic era) self-proclaimed dyke and femme-centered bar in the Mission District. Another hotspot for sapphic parties but a little more low-key then Jolene's. Check out their Instagram for upcoming events like Game On--beats, babes, and boardgames--, Ho Down Cuntry dance, Pole Angelz, and Reinas. Mother is cash-only and dog-friendly so remember to hit up the ATM and grab your puppers before you go.
El Rio
El Rio is a queer space that prioritizes the BIPOC and Latine LGBTQ+ community. While not specifically a sapphic bar, El Rio is definitely a mixed crowd and very sapphic-friendly. They even host a sapphic day party every 4th Saturday called Mango and a lesbian and femme-forward house music party called Sapphoria.
Scarlet Fox
This adorable lesbian-owned and operated wine bar is the perfect sapphic date night spot. The owners, Kaela and Kate, are deeply passionate about education and inclusivity. They are always happy to share their wine knowledge and even host informative wine tastings (with snacks!).
The San Francisco Sapphic/Lesbian Guide: Events and Organizations
Beyond physical spaces, here's Banana Split Shop's sapphic/lesbian guide to the organizations and event coordinators bringing our community together with parties, dance, burlesque, and more.
Sapphic/lesbian guide to events and organizations:
UHaul SF
Weekly sapphic party for girls who like girls as well as the trans, nonbinary, and questioning community. Happens every friday at the lesbian bar, Jolene's. Starts at 7PM with free entry until 9PM and $15 after.
Vice Tuesday
Weekly queer dance party spinning hip hop, throwbacks and Bay Mixes. Happens every Tuesday at Q Bar, a QTPOC all-inclusive bar & nightclub in the heart of the historic Castro District.
Queer Magic
Queer dance party every second Saturday that celebrates astrology, tarot and spiritual practices as ways to build community and joy. They host events like mixers, speed dating, and dance parties.
Girl Pile
A play party organizer hosting sapphic/lesbian play parties known for providing guests with delicious cookies. Details and invites are by word of mouth only. Ask around at lesbian/sapphic events!
Mango
A day party for sapphics/lesbians and their friends every fourth Saturday with music, free hot food, strong ass drinks and DJs playing all things Latin, Dance & Hip Hop. Usually happens from 2-8PM at El Rio.
Reverse Cowgirl
All things queer--events, hosting, and partnerships--in the Bay Area. They are a resource for all things sapphic/lesbian around the city and also partner in amazing events like Cupid's Chokehold and Wild West.
Queer Fem Parties
Black-owned, queer-operated dance company cultivating a community celebrating QTBIPOC pole and drag artists in the Bay Area with events like Black to the 90s-200s and P-Valley Stripper Pop-Up.
Bad Bitch Burlesque
A sexy spicy smokin’ hot queer pole & burlesque show and QTBIPOC pop-up Strip Club. They host events like Femme Fatale Noire, Queer Emo Strip Night, and Naughty List: Kinky Queer Holiday Strip Club.
Why We Make Sapphic/Lesbian Guides:
Community building and sapphic pleasure are at the heart of Banana Split's mission!
At Banana Split Shop, building community is just as important to us as creating pleasure-focused products. That’s why we’re committed to bringing sapphics together—both in the bedroom and beyond. Our sapphic/lesbian guides are just one of the ways we help our community find spaces to connect, celebrate, and thrive.
Looking for more ways to engage? Explore our sapphic/lesbian guides for other cities, dive into our sexual wellness blog, and learn more about Banana Split Shop’s mission to empower sapphic pleasure. Visit our About Page to discover how we’re redefining intimacy for sapphic partnerships, or browse our collection of sapphic-friendly toys designed for connection, exploration, and mutual pleasure.
Wherever you are in your journey, our sapphic/lesbian guides are here to help you find your people, your spaces, and your pleasure.
Check out more sapphic/lesbian guides
Los Angeles Sapphic/Lesbian guide
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