Video dance bar with strong drinks and lively atmosphere























4121 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94114 Get directions
$10–20
"Walk around the Castro on Friday or Saturday night, and you’ll see that Badlands easily has the longest line—it’s always full of people ready to dance the night away to Charli XCX, Fergie, and the occasional throwback disco hit. It can get super hot and sweaty on the dance floor, and the drinks tend to be a bit watery, so start your night somewhere else on this guide, and arrive here when you’re ready to join the rowdy mess." - ricky rodriguez, peter astrid kane, patrick wong
"Walk around the Castro on Friday or Saturday night, and you’ll see that Badlands easily has the longest line—it’s always full of people ready to dance the night away to Charli XCX, Fergie, and the occasional throwback disco hit. It can get super hot and sweaty on the dance floor, and the drinks tend to be a bit watery, so start your night somewhere else in the Castro, and arrive here when you’re ready to join the rowdy mess." - Ricky Rodriguez
"The 45-year-old Castro bar institution, Badlands, is back after a three-year hiatus (they shut down in 2020 and just got a facelift). Open until 2am every night, expect Badlands to keep the disco ball spinning and pop music blasting. " - Ricky Rodriguez
"Castro bar and nightclub Badlands returned on October 4 after being dark for three years, per the Bay Area Reporter. Owner Les Natali previously announced the bar would close permanently before reversing course." - Lauren Saria
"Tasting-menu spot from a celeb chef Trois Mec, storied fine dining destination Patina, and brand-name ramen import Ippudo in Los Angeles; trendy and critically acclaimed Chinese-Cajun restaurant Le Sia, decade-old Vietnamese restaurant An Choi, Keith McNally’s FiDi brasserie Augustine, and food hall Gansevoort Market in New York; high-profile sandwich and pastry destination High Street on Market in Philadelphia; longtime cafe Anna Lee’s outside of Atlanta; 40-year-old Acadian Bakery and 36-year-old dive Alice’s Tall Texan in Houston; controversial 45-year-old gay bar Badlands and popular seafood spot Anchor & Hope in SF; and flashy import Dominique Ansel bakery in London." - Amanda Kludt