Take BART to these LGBTQ-owned businesses around the Bay Area
Photo courtesy of Casements Bar.
Whether officially Pride Month or not, there’s no shortage of LGBTQ-owned businesses on both sides of the Bay Bridge worth supporting year-round. From in-person revelry via restaurant dining and bar-side hangouts to retail shopping to educational workshops, the following BARTable locations are creating community while they serve our community. Each one of these locales doubles as a fun place and a safe space—so you can find what you’re looking for in friendly environs.
San Francisco
Photo courtesy of Heliotrope.
Heliotrope | 16th St Mission
At Heliotrope, anyone can discover natural beauty supplies and organic skincare to suit their needs. Need to shape that mustache or groom that beard? You’re covered. Bath salts for your body’s next soak? You’re covered. Whether you’re shopping to turn free time into “me time” or making an effort to pamper a friend, Heliotrope even has a customizable skincare line. Take BART to 16th St Mission and go 0.2 miles to 415 Valencia Street.
Photo courtesy of SF Chronicle
Jolene’s | 16th St Mission
With live music, a late-night menu, and a bustling Sunday brunch featuring a drag variety show, Jolene’s remains a premier queer bar in the Mission. Find yourself welcomed by its sleek yet industrial setting known for hosting a popular dance floor. Feeling like a wallflower? Take in the vibrant experience at hand with a craft cocktail in hand at the bar. You’ve got plenty of food and drink menu options at Jolene’s, and a warm community to share them with. Take BART to 16th St Mission and go 0.3 miles to 2700 16th Street.
Photo courtesy of Manny's
Manny’s | 16th St Mission
A multifaceted business for both social gathering and social justice, Manny’s serves up a cafe, bar and eatery (featuring food by Farming Hope) with an attached event space and small library. Check out the ongoing calendar that caters to civic engagement—panels and political discourse encourage serious dialogue—as well as benefit concerts and standup comedy. Take BART to 16th St Mission and go 0.1 miles to 3092 16th Street.
Photo courtesy of Casements Bar.
Casements Bar | 16th St Mission
With exposed brick walls inside and mural-laden walls outside, Casements Bar lives up to a reputation as a warm and friendly Irish bar in the Mission. Sit amongst your large group on the outdoor patio or enjoy the company of Irish celebrities like The Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan and Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott via their portraits overhead. A mix of DJs and live music keep things lively in this destination spot known equally for its crowd as its top-shelf cocktails. Take BART to 16th St Mission and go 0.4 miles to 2351 Mission Street.
East Bay
Photo courtesy of Witness Oakland
Witness | 19th St/Oakland
Having celebrated its one-year anniversary in May of 2023, Downtown Oakland’s Witness is a refreshing hub for clothing, art and workshops local creators offer. Owner Corinne Smith is an artist too (known as Critty Smitty), and it shows in the aesthetics and products that fill up Witness. Grab a carefully crafted piece of jewelry, poster art, tote or full outfit to take home—then see what events and community support groups are on hand in the shop. This is a stellar business where you can support BIPOC and queer artisans. Take BART to 19th St/Oakland and go 0.3 miles to 329 19th Street.
Photo courtesy of FOB Kitchen
FOB Kitchen | MacArthur
When you’re craving revered Filipino cuisine served by friendly staff, FOB Kitchen from chef/owner Janice Dulce does it right. Locals know this is the spot to get adobo fried rice, veggie lumpia, sticky wings and more island favorites. Just want a good drink? Post up at the blue-tiled bar for a plumeria-dressed tropical drink and find yourself feeling like you’re on vacation. Take BART to MacArthur and go 0.8 miles to 5179 Telegraph Avenue.
Photo courtesy of Cali Vintage
Down at Lulu’s | Ashby
It’s a vintage clothing store and salon in one. That means your inner (and outer) fashionista will thank you for heading to Down at LuLu’s in Oakland. Operated by a collective of vintage collectors passionate about style, music and fun—with Amber Sermeno at the helm of the salon chair—this is a business that’s serious about keeping the retro-rock attire hanging in your closet and your hairstyle laying beautifully on your head. Take BART to Ashby and go 0.7 miles to 6603 Telegraph Avenue.
Photo courtesy of the Good Hop.
The Good Hop | 19th St/Oakland
If you think you know beer, test your skills at The Good Hop. Oakland’s finest craft beer and bottle shop has a seemingly endless parade of sips to satiate any craft-beer fan. Choose from 16 draft pours and more than 400 bottles and cans from independent breweries to discover your new favorite. The Good Hop is open seven days a week, so you and your party will never fear you’ll go thirsty. Take BART to 19th St/Oakland and go 0.3 miles to 2421 Telegraph Avenue #102.
Photo courtesy of Angel Traub.
Games of Berkeley | Downtown Berkeley
Games of Berkeley is a historic place that’s been helping shoppers put the puzzle pieces together for more than 40 years. Pretty much everyone, no matter the age, likes games. Feed your fun side with a board game, puzzle, darts, or cards; there are no rules for giving the gift of more good times. We recommend the Bay Area-devised “Locally Grown Games” selection, which includes the tongue-in-cheek Hungry Hungry Hipsters cards or the insightful California Water Crisis board game. Take BART to Downtown Berkeley and go 0.7 miles to 2510 Durant Avenue.
Photo courtesy of Jason Stilgebouer.
Third Culture Bakery | Walnut Creek
This is no ordinary bakery. Home of its now-famous mochi muffins and butter mochi donuts, Third Culture gives you plenty of goodness to chew on. Here, they leverage the power of California-grown mochiko rice flour from Koda Farms in that famous baked mochi muffin collection. Don’t forget the selection of high-grade matcha teas to wash it all down when you visit this Walnut Creek gem. Take BART to Walnut Creek and go 0.9 miles to 1310 S California Boulevard.
How are you celebrating Pride Month 2023?
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