A Queer Oasis
Wild Side West (424 Cortland Avenue) is a queer oasis tucked away on Cortland. The facade is unassuming, and even the interior is dated, but step outside and experience the magic of Wild Side West. The back garden is the place to be. Twinkling lights, acoustic guitars, and sing-alongs abound. The clientele represents the full spectrum of the LGBTQ+ alphabet, and everyone is welcome.
There are quiet little corners for a more intimate evening under the stars. About 18 years ago, I went on my first date with my now partner. The evening started with dinner at Valentino’s (now Vega) and a nightcap at The Wild Side West. Of course, someone was strumming an acoustic version of “Fast Car.”
Fast forward many years, and I found myself back at Wide Side West, and the magic was still there. My partner stayed home with our daughter, so I was the tour guide for a guest from Barcelona. I knew the perfect place. We had a few drinks and sang along to a few classics. My guest, Maria, a mid-twenties woman, was unfamiliar with the Rumours album. Or even the concept of an album, so I’m old and hanging out at a lesbian bar in Bernal Heights. And I could not think of a more perfect night.
Maria at Wild Side West
A little bit of history
Wild Side West is a historic bar in the Bernal Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, California. It is one of the city’s oldest lesbian bars, operating for over 60 years.
Wild Side West was founded in 1961 by a group of women who wanted to create a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. At that time, homosexuality was still criminalized, and LGBTQ+ individuals faced discrimination and harassment. As a result, the bar became a popular gathering place for the city’s lesbian community, known for its lively atmosphere, strong drinks, and live music.
Over the years, Wild Side West has played a significant role in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. The bar was a popular gathering place for activists and became a hub for political and social activism. Many important events and rallies were held there, and the bar also served as a center of community life, offering a place for people to socialize, dance, and connect.
Today, Wild Side West remains a popular destination for the LGBTQ+ community and is widely considered a San Francisco institution. Despite changes in ownership and updates to the bar’s interior and exterior, it has remained true to its roots. In addition, it serves as a gathering place for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
SF LGBTQ+ Event Calendar 2026
Wild Side West
Mike Doherty serves as Chief Experience Officer at Greening Projects, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming underutilized urban spaces into vibrant green areas