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Mon-Sun. 3:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Since my initial review, I've become more comfortable in my skin. In fact, I embrace the icy rejection by the regulars. It's kind of titillating.
I could be brown
I could be blue
I could be violet sky
I could be hurtful
I could be purple
I could be anything you like
Gotta be green
Gotta be mean
Gotta be everything more
Why don't you like me?
Why don't you like me?
Why don't you walk out the door!
During the lunch period on my first day of junior high, I remember looking around hopefully for a… Read more »
So, two years ago one of my BFFs moved to Seattle, and what with one thing and another, we haven't seen each other since then. TWO YEARS! OMG. Anyway, she came back to visit (with her Australian ladyfriend), and of course we went drinking, and naturally, we had to go to a dyke bar, and wouldn't you know it, there's really only one in San Francisco, and by golly, it's the Lexington Club.
I confess that I was arm in arm with a rather large rabbit (who goes by the name of Harvey) by the time we showed up--what with moving and dieting and what-not, well, I decided I deserved it. I certainly earned and deserved the hangover I woke up with the next day.
The Lexington Club. This was my first visit, and I don't know if I would necessarily return or not--not because it was a bad place, I had a good time, but I just felt weird being one of the only guys I guess that's my own shit to work out.
I liked it, it seemed really friendly and cozy and communal--the way the room is arranged, the pool table is right up front between the entrance and the bar. In fact, it sits there like a place of worship, everyone gathered around and watching the game intently, or at least ogling the players intently.
The crowd was nice. I'll say that Ashley M had it right, it's not a very femme crowd that frequents the Lex, but I fancy unfluffed women just fine--they seem more likely to want to wrassle, and I am *very* fond of wrassling. ;)
Anyway, Monday is $1 PBR night, and there was some kind of cheap deal with the pool table which I don't remember at all, but there was something special about it. Personally, I thought the pool table looked a little smaller than regulation, but my companions assured me that it was just because the felt was black, and I'll defer to their judgment because they were *decidedly* more coherent than I was.
You know, I really liked the bar. I met some nice girls and talked to a lot of people and everyone was really nice. I don't know if I'd go there by myself, I always feel weird walking into a prescribed homogenous environment if I'm not a member of the "in-group" and am not a guest of someone who is, and let's also remember this was a Monday night and it might be a lot less fun if it's ass-to-crotch from wall-to-wall, but for me, the Lex was a good time.
this is supposedly where the cute femme girls hang out, but when i was there, i saw only ONE cute girl. but not cute enough to hit on.
in response to the other reviews, it is small and cramped, but the vibe was chill. i think most lesbian bars are unfriendly, as femme girls don't hit on other girls/pretend to not see them, so they will be hit on. it's the same deal everywhere. so that's not an issue.
i would hang out here again, the bartenders were cool and if i lived in SF, this is probably where i would sometimes hang (if in a dyke bar kind of mood).
this is the worst, most unfriendly bar in the mission district. the bartenders are rude and so are their regular customers.
i don't understand why sf only has one lesbian bar that caters to people who don't seem to know what a shower is or why the bartenders are so nasty to their customers.
i would never waste another night of my life at this bar. after awhile, you will totally notice the vibe/patrons/staff are wacked out of their minds.
thanks but no thanks. i have a much better time, at other divey bars in the mission.
Ah the Lex. The place we love to hate. It's small, dirty, cramped, and frequented by cliquey groups of unfriendly girls. But its essentially the only full time dyke bar in the city. Wild Side West is a thousand times better but is inaccessible. So we all bitch and moan about the Lex but we keep going back. Drinks aren't expensive but def not cheap in terms of the Mission. I just wish people were more friendly! Most of the bartenders are cold, unfriendly and sometimes outright rude. One of the newer bartenders is polite and the hipster girl who works the door is always very nice. But the veteran bartenders her irk me.
So I have this friend who, a few months ago, broke up with the woman she had been with for a while. She was slightly on the prowl, if you will. So I suggested that we hit up some dyke bars--aside from the Brave Bull in Modesto, which was her main hangout. This was before this friend of mine, who would talk about how gross men are, found a boyfriend. Yeah, it confuses me, too. Anyway, we spent a little while at the Lexington Club one night.
Let me tell ya, nothing makes me feel more straight than being surrounded by a bunch of lesbians. It also makes me feel confused, because, though I generally have a pretty sharp eye, I actually couldn't tell if a number of the women in the bar were women at all. They have that androgynous 15-year-old boy look. I actually thought the girl checking IDs was a boy until later in the night when I noticed that she had breasts. I know a lot of women are into this look, but I tend to prefer my ladies big, busty and leaning towards the fem, so it doesn't really do it for me. But it was a fun guessing game while it lasted.
This occurred on a weekend, so the Lexington was PACKED--mainly with lesbians, but with a nice spattering of boys of differing sexual persuasions, and even some heterosexual couples. Everyone seemed to be enjoying their time. Some couples were dancing, but a lot of people were just sitting around tables, drinks in hand, chatting and laughing with their friends.
I'm not a huge fan of overcrowded bars, and that's really what turned me off about the Lexington. It was difficult to wade through the crowd to get to the bathroom, and was virtually impossible to find somewhere to sit. It wasn't overpriced and they had decent bourbon for me to sip on, which is always a definite plus, as well as some fun queero dance music (why is it that gay clubs play the same kind of music? I refuse to believe that there is some inherent homosexual predilection for Britney Spears, although "Toxic" is FABULOUS).
I have another friend who wants to check out the Lexington (see my review of the Turf Club for information on her ;), so I'm sure I'll return, at which point this review will be updated. Overall, for a city with such an immense homosexual population, it's really strange that the Lexington seems to be the only dyke bar in the city. But you know what? Good for it, because lady-lovin' ladies need somewhere all their own to go, too, and this seems like a popular spot.
I wouldn't want to spend the entire night here (too small, and Bender's is so close-by), but next time I get drunk and feel like swapping spit with one of my female friends, this may be the chosen locale. Keep your eyes opened!
I thought that I was just being crazy when I decided that the Lex was just a little too much like a fraternity for me...
Glad to know I'm not alone.
I think that the bartenders are friendly enough, atleast I've never had problems with them... but I find the clientele can sometimes be the hardest thing to bear with patronizing this venue... but I guess a venue itself can't control who they attract... ~sigh!~ oh well!
Where's the DJ? Where are the L.O.C.'s, aka Lesbians of Color? Why the hell is there no dance floor? WTF!
Pretty sad that this is the only "Lesbian" Bar in the City. This place is extremely tiny, in relation to the large Lesbian community in SF. Gay boys have plenty of choices to dick it up and get their freak on, I feel it should be the same for the Lesbians. More establishments should be available for Lesbians to Vag it up with our Clits and Tits out.
Dear Lex, I love you... but please take it easier on my liver.
I put four stars because I feel the need to support the one and only lesbian bar in the city. That having been said, I watched the L-Word every week, for every season & still think the writing could have used improvement.
I am glad the Lex. is here, I just wish it was a little bigger and a little more diverse with the crowd.
I came here with my friends and I sure am glad I did because this place deserves its reputation for being cliquey. I've heard horror stories from people who have come here alone and have gotten totally shot down when they tried to be friendly and talk to strangers.
It's hard to get service here so my strategy is too make myself so annoying that they will serve me just to get rid of me. I stand on the bar near the foot of the counter, lean over the counter and stare at the bartender. Sometimes I wave a couple bills around, they may not immediately like me, but they like tips.
pbr - $2
juke box - about $5
watching an ex hook up make a fool of herself in the incestual pool of lesbians in sf - priceless
i love the lex as much as i love an accidental grope on a packed saturday night...kiss me lex, i'm yours.
No thanks.
I love dive bars. And I love lesbians. BUT....
In my opinion this is a place for pretentious hipsters. I don't fit in, and I won't be going back to this bar.
The only good thing I have to report on from this bar is the Friday night $1 Margaritas from 9-10 and then $1 tequila shots from 10pm-11pm.
So I have heard that I am a lesbian, this is not anything I have yet discovered and I find it hard to believe that a city like San Francisco is a hard town to come out in, I also feel for my husband ,deeply, for marrying a lesbian girl, that is not only awkward but also probably doomed to fail.
Well, this is what people seem to believe , unfortunately this is not the truth.
I sometimes wonder if maybe I am wrong about guys and girls are the shit , but that is just not the case.
I like my BOY husband, but it really does not matter in a town like San Francisco because everyone is at least 20% gay, right?
Well who cares, I am comfortable with lesbians (see I even used the nice word) thinking I am one too, this is just charming.
So when I hang out with my lesbian friends I feel right at home until I came to Lexington, MAN, I was not a part of anything there (it might have to do with the fact that I was there with hubby), it is a very exclusive group with no exceptions and I was not going to be the first, clearly.
With that said I might have to face the fact that I am a straight girl at least for now.
Lexington gave me cheap drinks and if I was a member of this little group of people it probably also would have given me a fantastic bar.
For the folks that continue to say how lame this bar is, you are completely entitled to your feelings and what sound like a bad experience at the lex.
i have traveled the world and there is no other place liek it for queer women and trans folks.
This is the main point with the lex: You Get What you Give! seriously. if your friendly then you get freindly. if your sitting in the corner and not beign social, then you get other folks sitting in the corner not being social.
oh lexington! why do continue to treat me soooooo good! with your luring $1 beers and your teasing… Read more »
It's really not that bad, I mean if you don't go every day. I'm sure it'd get old if you did. But the location is in the mission so there's plenty of late night eats and other bars around if it gets too dodgy in there. The bartenders for the most part are cute, friendly and stiffers! My fav time to go is during the weekday for my afternoon pint lol but especially on Friday Nights when they have their $1 Margaritas-yum yum.
The crowd is pretty much hipster/butch/bikers there - oh wait that's the mission. There's an outdated Butch/Femme dynamic going on that doesn't really appeal to me. Another qualm is the music selection-not up to date at all and the Jukebox prices are laughable.
Overall it's cool , I mean it's if you don't mind not associating with women of color. But it's the only Dyke Bar we got here in apparently the queerest city in America (visit NYC to be impressed ladies)
Though I often take sabbaticals from this bar, it will always remain my favorite bar in the world.
Lately in my travels, I have found myself in dozens of different kinds of lesbian bars. Though I used to sometimes think that it sucked that the Lexington was all we had in SF - a notoriously gay town - every lesbian bar I have come across in other cities has shown me how really lucky we are.
No matter what time of day, I can always find a gay to play pool with me and have a few drinks at the Lexington Club. I can walk in by myself and leave with new friends just about every time. This bar exemplifies all the diversity of the community, and hosts plenty of out-of townees who manage to find their way inside.
Many straight men like to claim that they've been "kicked out" or "not let in", but I come here with male friends quite often, and we've never had a problem. Basically, if you're not a dick, they won't kick you out - and that goes for males AND females.
Decor is sparse. Red walls, pool table, bar, jukebox, and a few tables make up the whole of this really small bar. I remember being shocked at its size years ago when I first walked in. Usually revolving Art exhibits by local queer artists adorn the walls. That's one of my favorite things about this place.
Though its often pretty quiet on weekdays, Friday nights are crazy, and so are the weekends. And if they are hosting a party, don't plan on being "fashionably late", because you won't be able to get in. The Lexington Club really knows have to have a huge party. This placed is bursting at the seams during their notorious Folsom Uniform Party and of course the fabulous Halloween Party too.
So I know I'm a regular, so I am a bit partial... but the drinks are cheap, and the jukebox always has something in it I want to play. And the bartenders are 100 different shades of sexy... and I love every one of them.
My only complaint is that there isn't enough dancing at the Lex, but that's why I always get smashed and start dance parties. People always join in, so I recommend doing it. Please.
It's a decent bar, but clique-y as a motherf***er. Yeah, if I wanted to play pool and have people turn their backs to me to make it clear they didn't want me or anybody else in my group to talk to them, I'd go to the Savoy and save a whole lot of gas money.
I'll give it another shot if I'm ever in the city and don't want to spend my night having fun at a local club, I guess...
P.S. I'm a mad lover of dive bars, and calling this place a dive bar just because it's ridiculously tiny is an insult to real dive bars.
Well, after building this place up in my mind for years and begging countless females to let me tag along, last Friday I finally got to experience the Lexington. It was so anti-climatic to realize it is just a neighborhood bar that happens to be very woman-identified. The door dyke was SO rude and sour that I'm a little scurred of her -- even though I'm over 6' and she's probably a foot shorter. The crowd was mixed and lively; the bartenders were friendly; and yet I still don't have that elusive lesbian BFF to call my own. I'll definitely be back sometime to see what it's like on another night of the week.
At the fifth bar of Christmas I bought myself for me:
One PBR
One Jack and Coke
One PBR
One vodka Red Bull
One pint of PBR
Okay, I said some pretty nasty things as we approached this bar.
While I still wouldn't dare come here alone, I take it all back.
Easy people - though stridently estrogenical - a lot of fun to have laughs with.
If I was a woman - and gay - this would be the SPOT.
BTW, there was a woman with one of the biggest afros I've ever seen - and I've seen a lot. She was drop dead gorgeous.
Thanks for the memories, Lex!
I live 10 feet away from the Lexington club. I see a lot of lesbians, year round. Butch lesbians, pretty lesbians, lesbians of all sizes and colors... they are never rude (as opposed to the Beauty Bar's crazy drunks) and gives the otherwise Mission mix of hipsters-mexicans-crack addicts a different feel.
And when I am really drunk, I stumble in to have an extra drink at this neighborhood bar. Always nice and the drinks are good (from what I remember).
If I were a lesbian, I would go to the Lexington club...definitely. Si.
Everybody talks so much shit about this place!!! I really don't get it. Maybe its because I only come on Saturdays, Sundays, Or Mondays. Aysha is one of the best if not the best bartender that has ever served me a drink. Serious!!!!! This is no bullshit!!! I recommend you just tell her what type of drink you like and she will make it for you. Her mixing is on point, every damn drink she makes is amazing!!!! On Sunday she makes this Bloody Mary that has converted many of my non Bloody Mary drinking friends into BM drinkers!!! You know Aysha should have a show on mixing!!! If the Lex scares you because there are masculine hipsters, too many cliques, or not enough minorities in there, DON'T worry about that make the place yours LIKE I DO! I am not a hipster, nor am I cliquish, shit I am a drunk lover that goes to bars to start the conversation I don't wait for it to come to me. The Lex is an awesome bar, with a good jukebox. Seriously try it out on the days I specified!!! I'll order you a shot XO
The Lex reminds me of my Fugees cd. It is O.G, and doesn't need trends or DJ's or drink specials,… Read more »
I've been going to the Lex since it opened hm..early 90's (?) and it's so strange not being one of the babies of the bar!
The bartenders here are excellent- really on the ball, they mix their drinks well, and they work hard and fast. And oh yeah they're friendly and cute as well....and I've seen them masterfully put up with people who can't handle their drink- but don't test them on that. The drink prices are very reasonable, and they don't charge people who don't drink alcohol a million dollars for a coke or other non-alcoholic drink. Beer on tap is $4, and they have really cheap PBR, especially on some special day at some special time that I can't recall but I don't drink that......
It is a women's bar, but the owner, bartenders, and most of the patrons are transgender or male friendly, when those males respect that it's a dyke bar. The music is good (though from what I hear they just put in a new playlist so that will be fun to explore). I tend to enjoy coming here when it's not so packed that I can't walk around- the beginning of the week or not during special events. Though, if I time it right I've been there some Fridays and Saturdays that aren't too bad. They feature local dyke/trans artists by displaying their works on the walls, so there's always something new and interesting to look at.
If only I could ever, ever remember one of these years to bring a marker when I go there, I too could grafitti in the bathroom too, but I don't know what I'd have to say.
I see this bar all the time, just never made to the door. The neon sign is like a magnet, as it looks like my type of bar. This Saturday night I finally was able to get inside for a drink. It is a lesbian bar with an abundance of disco balls. Since I am of the opposite sex, it is not my scene and I was not welcome. I make drinks for people, so I am always friendly to those that serve. This bartender was very nice, condescendingly so. I don't think the staff or the patrons need to be rude, but that is the environment they want to create. Lucky for me there are plenty of bars in this town and unless I have lesbian friends visiting, I will not be returning. One star for interesting "go-go" dancers.
This bar makes me semi-embarassed to be queer.
If you want life to be like high school (gossip, gossip, more gossip, and an impenetrable in group), go to "the Lex."
Cheap drinks, though.
Hot bartender, cold beer. NO eyecandy AT ALL and it was oppressively stuffy. I love a dive, I love a *real* dive, if you've ever braved Mars Bar in NYC you know what I'm talking about, so being a dive wasn't the problem. The service was excellent and Asia was adorable, friendly and funny. But I just couldn't breathe in here and there wasn't anyone shiny or pretty to distract me from the feeling of suffocating (and it wasn't that busy to warrant such a stifling atmosphere).
I'd give it 2 1/2 stars, really, I guess.
OK. It's time to write my review of the Lex. I love this place and I go here a lot and often by myself. There are really hot women here and most of them are friendly (you get what you give and I am a friendly girl).
The bartenders are great (and sexy) and they make a satisfying margarita. The jukebox is great too - there's lots of 70's rock, punk and good new stuff.
I have had some fantastic times over the years at the Lex. Recently, I met 3 very lovely women who I have since become friends with. The clientele is mostly lesbian or tranny, but everybody is welcome. Personally I like a mixed bunch and really like that straight girls, straight couples and men (gay and straight) like to come here. Since I am a big fan of the movie, "Shortbus", the Lex is my idea of heaven.
In my day (back in the old days of Amelia's etc) lesbian bars did NOT let men in. There was a real "separatist" thing going on back in the 70's and 80's - lesbians were a protective bunch out of necessity. Those were different times and now SF lesbians are much more integrated into the mainstream. It's nice not being marginalized and mixing with everybody. I love it. In fact, I think it's cool to be a lesbian these days.
I am usually much older (by 20 years!) than most of the women who frequent the Lex, but I don't feel excluded. I love the look of the young hot boi's here, I just wish I could find one closer to my age.
The Lex is my favorite dive bar in the city. Come on by and have a drink with the hotties.
Honestly, being from a town of crazy cliquey lezzies, I didn't know that it could get worse.
Enter Lexington.
My partner and I have been there half a dozen times and have tried to engage with others, but no. That won't be had. And every time we go there, we question why we bothered.
Why it gets 3 stars: bartenders rock and are always super nice. Drinks are cheap. Fat Tire on tap. Ballin jukebox.
So the bar itself, A-OK. It's a dive and doesn't try to be more.
The clientele? Well......I dunno..prove me wrong....
I wasn't going to go in at first because I was with my straight guy friend, and I heard that the lesbians in this bar will glare at any guy who dares to enter, and possibly throw rocks at him.
But then I thought since my guy friend is Asian, and looks kind of androgynous, he might be able to pass for a lesbian so we went in anyway.
It turns out that they DON'T glare at you!!! They are all nice lesbians here!
(Or my friend pulled off looking like a woman, but I doubt it, because it occurred to me that his Adam's apple is EXTREMELY prominent and lesbians notice that kind of thing.)
Love this bar! THANK GOD I can pass for a transboy...jk...not really...
A few fridays ago, my very amazing lesbian friend brought me and a few of our other straight female friends to the Lexington for $1 margaritas. Well...I was SHITFACED and ready to make-out with the entire bar by drink #2. Well done, ladies.
I've been back since (for the Uniform party last weekend actually), and again, it was super fun. The cheap drinks and close proximity to The Beauty Bar and Casanova's (*cough* straight boys *cough*) also makes the Lexington an awesome stop in a series of many stops in your average roundin'-the-Mission-bars night.
The Lex makes me want to be a lesbian (truth), but until that day, I'll just have to settle for life as the token straight girl who gets drunk off her ass for under $5. Cheers!
As Mr. Horse used to say on the Ren and Stimpy Show:
"Yessir, I like it!"
Rock on Lesbington
Um, I loooovvvveeee the Lexington. I suppose you could say reluctantly at times, but yet I Love it. Tanya, amazing bartender from heaven, made my girl n I (amongst numerous other tequila drinks) these purely luscious Patron Cafe drinks with Lindt dark chocolate truffles stylishly poised on the edge of the glasses...yum.
The thing I like best about the Lex is that I never have any trouble with a**hole men there unlike many Mission bars. (Don't even get me started about the guy that punched my stomach at the Elbow Room) The bartenders are all on their game. It is conveniently located near transportation & restaurants..To alleviate any drunken eating urges & to avoid the drunken driving...
People seem to be complaining alot that they are cash only, but there is an ATM in the bar that is supremely accessible since it is such a small space. Stop complaining & go have some fun!
Pictures to follow...
My Roomie is a lesbian, so we have to trade off having straight/gay nights out. So when she wants to go out we go to the Lex.
What gets me to go to the Lexington everytime, even though I am not interested in women???....THE $1 MARGARITA FRIDAYS!!! And the crowd is always fun to be around!
Really cool pub with a personality of its own and great atmosphere to actually have a conversation.
I was leaving Budhist meditation for two hours, so what is the obvious thing to do? Drink offcourse! and while I was at the Mission I decided to try something new. I was pleasantly surprised.
The bar tender Yes (and im making a cool name club just for her) was from Michigan and has retained that warm and straightforward manner of welcoming people. It reminded me of my good old days in Madison WI where the gay community was cozy enough not to have to split men from women and by class. I saw lots of cute girls, enigmatic women, easy going dudes and a couple artsy types and everyone was having a good time.
The decor is a combination of an irish pub with a pool table, a long bar and juxebox and pinball machine and an art gallery. It feels authenitc and colorful and even more so after I had my first Jack on the rocks.
What can I say, Good bar, fair drinks, nice people: Im coming back next time I have to meditate on detachment....
I like taking my friends here just to give them a little reality check. I always get past the door person with no problem, while my friends get their IDs checked because they're very femme heteros. It's all in fun though, 'cause I have never ever met or talked to a stranger at this place. I guess everyone knows each other, fags and dykes alike. No problem, I'm just glad to know you're there when I need you.
Really fucking cheap drinks, though.
No fewer than 5 stars gladly awarded a place where I once won a wet t-shirt contest.
Ok, so I was a co-winner with my "twin" Fifi W., but still, 5 stars it is.
I actually really like this place. I went to the halloween party last year, and it rocked. There was this strip tease dance, I almost melted it was so hot. I want to go this year and perhaps the year after.
I wish San Francisco had more lesbian bars then just this one. But The Lex is awesome and reminds me that being gay in sf is a great thing. I wouldn't bring my guy friends, because they're just not really welcome. But the drinks are tasty and the bartenders are very sexy. Plus I secretly love all the graffiti in the bathroom.
Who-ha! Sexy. Go go dancers. No matter what your leanings are, this is a must go to spot in the Mission,.
At first, I hated this place. I was not impressed and I was so disappointed it was the only place for the queer ladies, when all the gay guys have so many clubs/bars suited for them in the Castro!
But somehow I find my curiosity bringing me back to give it another chance, and each time I leave feeling a little more warmed up to it. Honestly, the main attraction for coming here was L Word Sundays! It's also when girls more my type are there too...;)
Over time I've realized that this is a place of establishment and community, not a place to where a mask of glamor. I actually did a project on this place and found that it's become increasingly more open for queers, lesbians and transgender folks. I just thought that was very cool. But on a more fun note, the bartenders here are friendly, the juke box has a colorful selection of tunes, the drinks specials are awesome. I'd come here with friends, but not sure without. It can feel a little dead or unfriendly from the clientele, just gotta make the experience your own!
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