By David Landis, The Gay Gourmet—
I remember back in my days (and nights) working at the San Francisco Symphony, our concerts would start at 8:30 pm. After the show (generally around 10:30 pm), I would often take the musicians and guest performers to Jeremiah Towers’ famed Stars restaurant for dinner afterwards.
Dinner at 10:30 pm? Unheard of these days.
What happened to late night dining in this town?
In a word, most probably the pandemic. It was that darn COVID-19 that upended so many of our habits, and, sadly, some of those changes are still with us.
So, when my editors asked me to do a story on late night dining, I jumped at the chance. Being the culture vulture that I am, I’m always searching for a place to have a nosh after a show (and those shows generally start now at 7 pm, not 8:30 pm).
Herewith then is a curated list of some of those San Francisco hot spots that do actually stay open until the wee hours of the morning.
The Castro
Let’s start with our convivial LGBTQ+ neighborhood, The Castro. Especially after a show at The Castro Theatre, where can one dine?
Orphan Andy’s: Yes, there’s a new owner, but the good news is that this mainstay diner that opened in 1975 still has late night hours. You can order a double cheeseburger with American cheese, a Polish dog, a turkey melt, or breakfast any time of the day. It’s right around the corner from The Castro Theatre and stays open 24 hours (except for Sundays and Mondays, when the hours are 8 am until 9:45 pm).
Marcello’s Pizza: I remember dancing my you-know-what off in the 1980s and then heading to Marcello’s for a slice. Thankfully, this pizza palace (which opened in 1978) is still here, right across the street from The Castro Theatre. It’s still quick service (order at the counter, mostly takeaway), and the Big Sicilian pepperoni is always a winner. Hours: Friday and Saturday open until 1:30 am, Tuesday–Thursday open until 1 am, and open until 1 am on Mondays.
Parasol @ Café Flore: At the site of the former and beloved Café Flore sits a welcome new neighborhood addition that serves until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays (and until 10 pm Wednesdays and Thursdays). It’s a beautifully reimagined space, with both indoor and outdoor options. Insider’s tip: the dish of stuffed dates with goat cheese, pistachio, and honey is a winner. The stuffed dates pair nicely with the “Pom Pom Negroni,” their take on the classic sweet/sour cocktail born in Italy.
Blush Wine Bar: This destinationon Castro Street is, according to the owners, “a cozy, stylish, and romantic European-influenced lounge.” Light bites, including a charcuterie board or a plate of artisan cheeses, complement the selection of wines from France, California, Italy, Spain, South Africa, and Oregon. Or you can choose a variety of beers from Belgium and California. An added bonus? Live music Tuesdays–Thursdays. Hours: Open until 1:30 am Fridays and Saturdays, and open until midnight Monday–Thursday and Sunday.
Copper Bar Kitchen and Microbrewery: This upscale, friendly spot might be my favorite bar in the Castro. It’s on 18th Street, and they’re about to break through the wall to the former Starbucks to double the size of the original. While primarily a place to quaff a cocktail, craft beer, or wine, the kitchen does a great job with tater tots (topped with parmesan cheese) and a creamy tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich that brings you back to your youth. Hours: Open until 1 am Fridays and Saturdays, and until 11 pm the rest of the week.
Castro Indian Restaurant & Bar: I hadn’t been to this charming, beautifully-designed eatery on Castro Street until recently, and now I’m wondering why. The full-service bar has Beefeater 24, my favorite gin, but the real stars of the show are the amply-sized dinner offerings. My favorite? The Inchin Hakka noodle dishes. You can select from chicken, egg, shrimp, or vegetarian. Hours: Open until 11:30 pm daily.
Elsewhere in San Francisco
Grubstake Diner: This is another LGBTQ-friendly diner. The original opened in 1927 and is now located near Polk Street on Pine. I remember grabbing a burger after a fun night back in the day at some of the nearby bars. Housed in a space that’s a replica of a vintage railway dining car, this café serves American staples as well as Portuguese dishes like caldo verde. The best part? It’s open until 4 am Thursdays–Saturdays, and until 3 am the rest of the week.
Lillie Coit’s: Named after a patron of San Francisco’s volunteer firefighters, this “newcomer” is in the former and iconic Washington Square Bar and Grill space in North Beach. It’s open from 4 pm until 2 am (and serves food until 1 am). I haven’t yet been, but it looks like an elegant option, serving oysters, seafood, caviar, and tinned fish.
Cocobang: Here is another popular place I need to try. The owners describe it as “a bustling, high-energy Korean comfort food spot near Union Square that is constantly packed with late-night crowds.” The Korean fried chicken is apparently the thing to order, along with a selection of hearty jjigae (stews). Beer and wine only. Open until 2 am weeknights and 4 am on the weekends.
The Public Izakaya: Located near Union Square, this is a lively, authentic Japanese pub that’s also on my “to-do” list. The menu includes an authentic tonkatsu ramen, yakitori skewers, and takoyaki (fried octopus balls), alongside a deep sake list. Open until 3 am on the weekends and until 2 am during the week.
Arabella’s at The Huntington Hotel: This gorgeous cocktail saloon with hand-painted murals reminds me of Paris in the 1920s. But those murals are really a depiction of the life of namesake Arabella Duval Huntington. She was the formidable and enigmatic Gilded Age socialite who became the second wife of the hotel’s namesake, railroad tycoon Collis P. Huntington. Arabella’s serves refined small plates, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and playful canapés designed for sharing alongside signature cocktails. Those include the crowd favorite “Rumor Has It,” a cheeky twist on a classic Negroni that features strawberry-rhubarb Isolation Proof gin. Open until 1 am Fridays and Saturdays and until midnight Tuesday–Thursday. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Orphan Andy’s: https://orphanandys.net/
Marcello’s Pizza: https://www.marcellospizza420.com/
Parasol at Café Flore: https://www.parasolsf.com/
Blush Wine Bar: https://blushwinebar.com/
Copper Bar and Kitchen: https://coppersf.com/
Castro Indian Restaurant and Bar: https://castrorb.com/
Grubstake Diner: https://www.grubstakesf.com/
Lillie Coit’s: https://www.lilliecoits.com/
Cocobang: https://cocobang.org/
The Public Izakaya: https://tinyurl.com/3v8r5fn4
Arabella’s at the Huntington Hotel: https://tinyurl.com/3x24v67r
David Landis, aka “The Gay Gourmet,” is a foodie, a freelance writer, and a retired PR maven. You can email him at: davidlandissf@gmail.com Or visit him online at: www.gaygourmetsf.com
The Gay Gourmet
Published on November 5, 2026
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