Powerhouse
San Francisco's Leather and Cruise BarAverage Reviews
About
Powerhouse in San Francisco is a renowned gay bar, celebrated for its vibrant and inclusive atmosphere. Situated in the heart of the city's South of Market (SoMa) district, it has become a staple in the local LGBTQ+ community. Known for its no-nonsense, "anything-goes" approach, Powerhouse caters to a diverse crowd, including those interested in leather, jeans, kink, and fetish lifestyles.
The bar's history spans over 50 years, marking it as a significant player in San Francisco's rich gay culture. Its basic yet authentic decor creates an unpretentious and welcoming environment. Powerhouse is particularly famous for its stiff drinks and weekend crowds, where people come to socialize, cruise, and enjoy the lively scene.
Hosting various events like the Bare Chest Calendar Competition and supporting the International Mr. Leather (IML) community, Powerhouse is more than just a bar; it's a cultural hub for the gay community in San Francisco. Its reputation for good service, fun theme nights, and a commitment to the leather and queer community makes it a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists seeking an authentic San Francisco experience.
The bar's history spans over 50 years, marking it as a significant player in San Francisco's rich gay culture. Its basic yet authentic decor creates an unpretentious and welcoming environment. Powerhouse is particularly famous for its stiff drinks and weekend crowds, where people come to socialize, cruise, and enjoy the lively scene.
Hosting various events like the Bare Chest Calendar Competition and supporting the International Mr. Leather (IML) community, Powerhouse is more than just a bar; it's a cultural hub for the gay community in San Francisco. Its reputation for good service, fun theme nights, and a commitment to the leather and queer community makes it a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists seeking an authentic San Francisco experience.
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Reviews
Based on 254 reviews
M Chen
17:08 30 Nov 24
Powerhouse SF, located in the SoMa/Folsom district, is a leather bar that fully embraces its niche. For first-timers and enthusiasts alike, it’s a must-visit destination for its lively and inclusive vibe.Ambience: Fun, bold, and unapologetically leather-centric. The crowd is friendly and diverse, making it an open space for everyone.Decor: Dark, industrial, and perfectly on-brand for a leather bar.Crowd: Incredibly packed, but the camaraderie shines through. Despite the tight quarters, everyone feels comfortable and included.Drinks: Well-made and reasonably priced. The bartenders are approachable and efficient.Entertainment: A flex competition was in full swing during my visit, adding to the lively atmosphere.Music: High-energy tracks that keep the vibe electric all night.Pro Tips:- Use the coat check service ($1 per item) to keep your belongings safe.- Embrace the dress code—harnesses, chaps, and minimal clothing will earn you attention and brownie points.- Use long socks to store valuables if you’re wearing minimal attire.Overall: Powerhouse SF is an inclusive and exciting spot for anyone looking to experience the leather scene. The vibrant energy, welcoming crowd, and entertaining events make it a top pick for a night out in SoMa.David K.
15:52 12 Nov 24
You have to like electronic dance music to enjoy the music. I love the fact that you are as likely to see a 65-year-old gogo boy dancing on the bar as you...Sterling James De Rave
10:37 11 Nov 24
Tonight was just not my night, I guess. First of all, the ATM machine at Powerhouse was malfunctioning, so the doorman told me to go next door to Hole in the Wall, "then come back here....." to pay my $5 cover charge for admission on a Sunday night. Hmmmm..... I did exactly as he told me, but I should have stayed next door. What pissed me off the most was that my second drink was taken away by the bar back despite the fact that I was sitting right there at the bar! He did it when I was staring at the porn slideshow on the monitor. When I complained, the bar back replaced it with his own version of a Cape Cod. But, it sucked. Not surprisingly.... he's not the bartender. When I complained to the usual bartender, to whom I'm always in the habit of tipping well, he told me "he's young" and "he's only doing his job", and then gave me an iced water as a consolation! Yikes! What happened tonight at Powerhouse?! I continued ordering drinks until closing because the DJ was great, but bar service tonight sucked!!! I have no enthusiasm about returning to this place.Mickey O.
22:02 07 Nov 24
Horney, sex positive, and leather welcoming, the Powerhouse is overall an exciting place that caters to a certain showy crowd, a physical type that dress...Reed S.
00:04 04 Nov 24
The skinny queen barback (in the shirtless Sunday's ad pic) should be taught how to close a door. Because one day when he slams the back door, it's gonna...Andrew M.
20:47 06 Oct 24
$5 cover on a Sunday night. I'm new to the neighborhood and would love to make this my hangout but I can't justify paying a cover so I can spend money on...Carlos Gabriel C.
17:06 06 Oct 24
I was refused service for No God Damn Reason! The bartender then had the nerve to yell at me when I left.Caleb S.
00:49 30 Sep 24
front desk cashier/bouncer at midnight was extremely sexually agressive towards my partner to the point of forcably hugging, groping, touching, and...Morgan R.
17:51 03 Aug 24
Very fun and good vibes at the place. Awesome for multiple rooms and ability for different vibes in one venue !Andrew Mayer
05:26 02 Aug 24
This place can be fun on a busy night, but beware: they charge a cover every night early. It might be a blast at 1 am, but they will get $10 out of you at 9 pm and you’ll stand around waiting for the hot guys to show up. Drink up elsewhere, arrive late, and you’ll get your money’s worth.John Scallan-Walsh
09:41 11 Jun 24
Nice bar, cheap drinks, big pours. Friendly staff and "friendlier" patrons...CD DC
06:58 20 May 24
The place is basically a bar with a smoking area where people sometimes have "heated interactions". However, this happens in the well-lit smoking area, not in a dark room like you might find in Berlin.Donn T.
21:21 10 May 24
Great crowd particularly on weekends. Friendly guy who takes your cover $15 on Friday night & do go to the second level for the real action although after...principio del fin
15:53 07 May 24
The best queer club in San Francisco. Good music, goood people and loads of LOVE🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️Alexis P.
01:48 05 Apr 24
After being a regular for a couple of years, if you are not colored you are not welcomed here if you are within your normal weight limit, you will be...Joshua Bell
22:47 24 Mar 24
Charging cover at all hours of the day and all days of the week even with no one inside is ridiculous! 1 star 😡Todd Lawrence
20:25 16 Mar 24
Not sure how the door guy manages to do meth but he’s a total loser !!!!!Francesco Maestrelli
06:07 15 Mar 24
The simple action of taking money for every minute thing destroys the vibe. What's wrong with this country. Also accept cards at the entrance it's 2024Anthony M.
08:35 05 Mar 24
This happened last year, but several of my friends have since encouraged me to speak my truth, so this is me speaking out, and I hope this gets taken...Mike Salcido
19:27 01 Mar 24
One of Soma's most well known neighborhood dive bars. This bar has so much diversity in terms of events so the atmosphere is always changing depending on the weekend. The drinks are strong, the staff is friendly, the DJs always play great sets and the demographic is friendly and welcoming!Scott Elliott
22:11 20 Feb 24
If you know you know. Old school SF gay bar where one can get into all sorts of mischief. Love Thursday night “chonies” night. Tiny Tim always brings it with the funky house vibe.Myesha L.
22:25 01 Feb 24
Hidden gem. There's a ton of great places with good music if you're looking for a woman's night outVincent L.
20:54 31 Dec 23
Having lived for many years in the Bay Area, I'm surprised I've never reviewed the legendary Powerhouse.It's a leather-oriented bar where "anything goes"...Greg Harris
05:11 19 Nov 23
I’m here for my bday and I think it is a great vide for what it is. Think you for a cross off of my 50th bucket lists!!!!!!Damon S.
18:22 07 Nov 23
Great happy hour prices on drinks. Awesome vibe with good music and friendly bartender.conde belmares
07:54 03 Nov 23
Man at the door is a rude POS, not worth it.He barked at me for asking about the cover.Bayguy C.
02:29 09 Jul 23
This staffer was very rude. I would suggest any of the other bars in the area especially considering the ridiculous cover charge.Andrew P.
19:16 03 Jul 23
Awesome bar for underwear night for some people!I had a terrible experience though as a visitor so the only thing I can do now is make a review.Things I...Jay Berrios
23:13 06 May 23
I had the opportunity to visit the Powerhouse on 5 de Mayo and the place was packed. I still was able to get a drink rather quickly. The vibe is very free and sometimes a bit risqué. If you don’t want to see anything you shouldn’t stay away from the smoking patio. Otherwise the bar has a great feel and I would come back again!Kuvia Isles
04:14 20 Mar 23
Nice place with cheap drinks. Usually a spot for locals (or at least that’s what I took from it) Guys weren’t as friendly but the Bartenders always were (just make sure you’re tipping because they tend to watch) however I certainly enjoyed myself hereYunio Martinez
16:07 07 Mar 23
I ended up on this Bar like three or four times of my trip, the bar, the music, the staff and the prices were on top it was great I just can’t with the people. You don’t touch without permission, You don’t try to kiss someone if they don’t allow you it’s all about respect.Steven Lastname
03:45 06 Mar 23
It boggles my mind that this dump charges a cover on the weekend, when a far superior place lives just down the block (Hole In The Wall). The only reason I can imagine paying a cover for is to possibly hook up in the “smoking section” patio. But frankly you are alot more likely to hook up at HITW and in the meantime hang out with a much more interesting crowd.DIEF DEXTER
10:28 06 Jan 23
I had to revise my review of the powerhouse I've been hanging out there a little more lately the music brilliant the drinks are cheap and strong the boys are beautiful I'm not sure I'm ready to be a daddy but I like the attention I will be hanging out more am I a daddy I'm not sure about I'll take the leapAdam Williams
18:34 20 Dec 22
Honestly I never have been but I thought about it a lot of times looks fun so far it's five for being appealing.Siavash Azari
21:13 14 Dec 22
Dungeon style leather gay bar/club. Good for late nights when you are drunk and out of control! It was a bit too warm inside.Amarldo L.
23:13 09 Dec 22
This place 5:30PM Happy Hour. The owners are sitting at the bar. One of them, the woman, can't help but shout when she speaks, and it's at a level which is...Andrew W.
17:15 26 Nov 22
i smoke and cant stand the heavy smoke from chain smokers in the backroom!!!! put a fan at the top of the stairs so people smokers and non smokers can...Yunio Martinez
19:14 04 Oct 22
I ended up on this Bar like three or four times of my trip it was great I just can’t with the people. You don’t touch without permission, You don’t try to kiss someone if they don’t allow you it’s all about respect.Ned Kamminga
22:10 25 Sep 22
Bouncer scolded us before we could even order drinks. Half of our party (3 people) needed to use the restroom before we ordered drinks so a couple of us waited for them. We were actually yelled at for standing and waiting for the rest of our party. Disgusting.Dillon C.
23:05 13 Sep 22
Visiting from Dallas. The bartenders specifically "Brady Bunch" was an amazing bartender10/10 would return.Missy Green
18:49 12 Sep 22
I have a friend who works here it seems like it would be busier at a different time than when I went. They had a drag show going but we only saw one queen performing for a very long time. we went on a Sunday night so I expect it would be better on a Friday or Saturday. the place is ok though and it's close to home.cristián varas
14:25 08 Jul 22
I am visiting San Francisco for the first time. I am Latino, but I live in Sydney.I asked for a few beers with the bartender. All good.When I was going for my 4th beer, the bartender (I wish I knew his name, he was white, skinny, with big black glasses) told me very loud: ARE YOU GONNA GIVE ME TIPS THIS TIME? BECAUSE YOU HAVEN’T! I felt so embarrassed because I didn’t know it was mandatory, and also, I didn’t know why he was so loud. I didn't say anything, just smiled. He didn’t attend to me and went to attend to the next guests waiting after me in the line, and I told them very screaming again: THIS IS CRISTIAN, THE GUY THAT NEVER GIVES TIPS, SHAME ON HIM! And all the people started to scream SHAME! SHAME!I was shocked and didn’t say anything; I didn't know what to say or do, so I just left that area and I went to the other side of the bar with another bartender. This same guy came to my area and started to tell the other bartender and the other people that I was Cristian and didn’t give tips to him in front of all the people in this other corner of the barI felt so bad. I didn't know what to do. I tried to explain to him why I didn't do it, but with everything that I said, he was screaming at my words louder than I; he did not want to hear me or “fix” the situation.I just left the bar.I made a mistake; I didn’t give him tips, but I didn’t know that it was mandatory. From I am coming from, we don’t do tips, if we do tips, it’s optional, and we usually don’t tip in bars, mostly dinner, meals, restaurants. Anyway, he wouldn't allow me to explain it.Even though I deserve respect as any person/tourist going to any place, I felt so bad and so exposed after this bartender did this to me.There are some international rules in hospitality in the world that you can’t break, and one of them is to make your guests welcome, treating them with respect and kindness.He just was so rude and violent that he completed ruined my Thursday night in San Francisco.Worst experience ever.Definitely, I won’t go back to that place.Myesha L.
18:49 02 Jul 22
Great atmosphere ! My friend and I enjoyed ourselves. I'm excited to go back for more fun.Matthew S.
16:24 11 Jun 22
Great little hole in the wall gay bar with underwear night (my favorite) being the choice "go-to" for thursday's night life in SF. The back room/smoking...Grzegorz Łabuda
18:51 16 May 22
Nothing special. I saw the most boring drag show there. Good prices though.Andy Garcia
19:06 22 Jan 22
This is my favorite bar in SF. So many good memories. The music’s usually top notch~techno to disco, the guys are great, the ambiance is dancy and sleazy 🙂Andrew W.
17:37 16 Nov 21
the place is in desperate need of venilation esp in the back room !!!! i dont want lung cancer due to the unacceptable lack of venilation !!!jeff a.
09:17 29 Jul 21
I was denied entry because I am hesitant to inject myself with a mystery serum that has so far admittedly killed over 10k people (see VAERS). They claim to...John H.
18:03 28 Jul 21
I have some history here and I am shocked that they are now coming out against Health Privacy and Health Freedom by requiring proof of having submitted to...Kate C.
10:03 29 Jun 21
Went to such a fun themed night here called "Bimbos G-String"! The energy in the bar was amazing and everyone was so nice. The bartenders were killing it...Taynt Ryder Rodeo
03:45 13 Jun 21
I was looking for a good saddle. I’m not really from here…. I saw the leather. Well. It’s not what it sounds like. They got leather though but now for sale. The had liquor and I appreciated that. I suppose I’m going to walk on back to the dessert in Texas and do my thing there. These people have kinda of a unique friendship here.John S.
17:11 10 Jun 21
First time coming here and it's already my favorite bar here and I've lived here almost 20 years. Everyone is so chill and friendly.Stefanie C.
17:55 16 Dec 19
Admittedly I've only been here once, but I plan to go back many more times for a specific event held here every first Sunday of the month. I was invited to...Finn de Lima
20:34 04 Nov 19
Love this bar and the vibe. Good people, good prices, smoking patio and a food truck out in the front usually.Gary I.
08:01 08 Sep 19
Hey, it's an extreme dive bar. Enter at your own risk. Not that it's dangerous, but if you're into going to swanky bars, lounges holding Krug Grande Cuvée...Tx T.
07:35 12 Jul 19
We stopped by the bar on 7/5/2019. We had read a lot of information about it, and we have heard some positive stuff about the bar. So we put it on our bar...James Wilkins
17:57 05 Jul 19
Amazing place with great music and a dark, sleazy (in a good way) vibe. I hope this bar never closes -- it's full of character and history. Support this bar with your money and patronage!Chandler Schroeder
07:26 16 Feb 19
Tried to take my friend here from out of state. We’re both 21 and they will not let anyone in over the age of 21 in that has an out of state license. That’s seriously ridiculous. Enjoy losing out on our business and I’m sure many more customers.paddy pilkington
18:39 19 Oct 18
I absolutely loved this place! It’s such a sexy old school bar, the likes of which are few and far between these days. It’s a really fun crowd, fantastic music and drinks were cheap. This place is a must stop when in San Francisco.Amer H
22:30 15 Mar 18
Tons of weekly events and great happy hour. Weekend nights are crazy fun and always packed. Weekdays can be a tad slow but the atmosphere is always friendly and welcoming by both patron and employee's. Mind you it's a dive bar to say the least and you may have to get passed the odor lolJason Husted
19:49 18 Aug 17
This bar gives you just a taste of what South of Market used to be. Some of the sexiest parties around. Whether it is Underwear Night on Thursdays to the always changing event line up like Powerblouse (fundraiser and drag event), to Hot Rod a Queer Rock-n-Roll Party, Beat Pig from the minds of the iconic Juanita More.
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