The Cinch Saloon
Gay bar · Polk Gulch ·
Potent drinks, pool, patio, DJs, and a 1970s vibe
![The Cinch Saloon by Cinch [Official]](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62587847/IMG_2177.0.0.jpg "The Cinch Saloon by Cinch [Official]")
Potent drinks, pool, patio, DJs, and a 1970s vibe
"An iconic Polk Gulch gay bar that opened in 1974 and has long been a neighborhood fixture; it was the last remaining gay bar in the area and had been the subject of closure rumors after one of its former owners died in 2023. It was recently purchased by Scott Taylor, a beverage director with 23 years at a nearby restaurant, which the community views as a timely lifeline during Pride season. Local drag main character Juanita More has pledged to help keep the venue operating “for a hundred years,” giving the block renewed hope." - Paolo Bicchieri
"Polk Street has all but been annexed to the Marina, but once upon a time, there was a hustler-filled gayborhood called Polk Gulch—of which The Cinch is the sole survivor. Still, the relaxed, amiable dive and its unshakeable 1970s vibe continue to flourish on Polk as it has for decades. Known for going all out on the Star Wars decor on May 4, and for that never-not-startling illustration of a lion mounting a man, this bar may not throw the trendiest parties, but it’s a plucky institution without another queer bar for miles around." - ricky rodriguez, peter astrid kane, patrick wong
"It’s the last remaining gay bar in what was once the gayest neighborhood in town, the Polk, and the Cinch is still going strong after 45 years, drawing a mostly neighborhood — and sometimes very mixed — crowd. It’s vaguely Western-themed and covered in art, with pool tables in back and an intact smoking porch. They watch Drag Race here on Thursdays when it’s in season, and Sundays are for beer busts, often benefiting a local gay sports team. Otherwise, it’s a come-as-you-are, welcoming sort of spot that’s a last holdout among San Francisco’s neighborhood queer bars." - Paolo Bicchieri
"Cinch Saloon is listed as one of the evergreen hangouts and historically queer-friendly watering holes to check out in the Castro, SoMa, Polk, and Tenderloin corridors." - Paolo Bicchieri
"Polk Street has all but been annexed to the Marina, but once upon a time, there was a hustler-filled gayborhood called Polk Gulch - of which the Cinch is the sole survivor. Still, the relaxed, amiable dive and its unshakeable 1970s vibe continue to flourish on Polk as it has for decades. Known for going all out on the Star Wars decor on May 4, and for that never-not-startling illustration of a lion mounting a man, this beer-centric bar may not throw the trendiest parties, but it’s a plucky institution without another queer bar for miles around. No cannabis on the patio, please, but Bob’s Donuts is only a block away." - Astrid Kane