20 Essential LGBTQ Bars in San Francisco and the East Bay
"Enter this Mission Street dive by walking under the words “your dive,” a testament to the fact that this longstanding bar is committed to being a safe space for all. El Rio opened back in 1978 as a Brazilian leather gay bar, a concept inspired by founders Malcolm Thornley and Robert Nett’s “leather motorcycle riding lifestyle and their love for Brazil.” At least that's what current owner Dawn Huston wrote in the bar’s application for legacy business status — which El Rio was awarded in 2017. To this day, the bar’s spacious and tiered back patio, lush with greenery and giant lemon trees, plays host to all manner of community events ranging from bi-weekly Salsa Sundays to T4T, a dance party centering the transgender and gender non-conforming communities. Inside the dark-but-lively space, you’ll find friendly bartenders popping open cans of Tecate, shuffleboard, and a pool table." - Paolo Bicchieri, Eater Staff
