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Trax
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 12 pm - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Music:
- Music Videos
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
118 reviews for Trax
Review Highlights
"The pool table is fun, too, and the music is great."
(in 21 reviews)
"He's seriously one of the best bartenders ever."
(in 33 reviews)
"Cheap Shots and Bartender makes a mean bloody mary."
(in 5 reviews)
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118 reviews in English
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Review from Dana P.
My bf and I were in San Francisco during the football game: San Francisco 49ers vs. New Orleans Saints. We were shopping and decided to stop by a bar to watch the game. All the bars were either packed or had no TV's. We stumbled upon this bar after attempting the other bars. Trax wasn't all that full, had TV's, the atmosphere seemed nice, and (what caught my eyes) had a sign at the front that states "Bitchin' Bloody Mary" .. and I LOVE LOVE LOVEEEE bloody mary.
Usually, it's hard to get the bartender's attention right away without getting a seat .. difference this time was the bartender came to us and asked us what we'd like. I ordered their bloody mary ($5, which came with pickled green beans, pickled asparagus, pickled mini onion, and celery .. was soooo good!) and my bf had a cup of Guinness ($5). Bonus, we even got a free hotdog during half time :)
I didn't realize that this was a gay bar until couple hours later, 3/4 of the game was already over. I didn't mind, I liked the atmosphere, the people were nice, it was roomy, the bartender was super nice.
I would definitely come back here again!Listed in: Bars that I love
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Review from Laura W.
San Francisco, CA
11/4/2011
I LOVE Trax. All beer (tap and bottled) is $2 on Tuesday and I feel like I have spent an awful lot of time here because of it.
The bartenders are awesome and super nice and the crowd is awesome. It's divey and gay and half the time the music sucks but it doesn't matter!
Definitely recommend this place during the week for cheap drinks and a good environment. -
Review from Jennifer T.
San Francisco, CA
2/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Dive-y gay bar in the Haight. Cheap drinks, hysterical crowd, and super friendly bartenders that can make ANY drink you can think up. There's a pool table in the back.
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Review from C N.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 1/30/2012 3 Check-ins Here
TRAX... the best place to have a drink when you want to hide from your friends from castro. cheap drinks and great service
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/21/2011
nice place to have a beer after long walk from the golden gate park.
some of the staffs/employees are… Read more »
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Review from Lauren M.
Mountain View, CA
1/15/2012
A fun gay bar in the Haight. Cheap drinks, $1 peppermint schnapps! Friendly and cute bartenders, fast service. Casual, dive-y feel. Small unisex bathroom. Good place to stop in for a drink if you are bar hopping.
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Review from astrid t.
San Francisco, CA
1/21/2012
minus one star for the crappy music they play at night time...
pool table in the back, cheap drinks and oh and anthony is the best -
Review from Tate P.
San Francisco, CA
7/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Throughly enjoyed my STIFF cocktails and the pool table at Trax!
The crowd here was def. a mixed bag, but being that it is a gay bar in the Haight, one can only naturally assume..
The bartender Brad really made this dive super memorable! He was very attentive, friendly, and made an awesome recommendation when I asked for a "pick me up". Mandarin vodka and Red Bull? Yes puh-lease! Make that a double. The cocktail paired perfectly with the Real Housewives of New York City Reunion that was on the TV and the woman in the corner that just could not stop shoving her large breasts against the window. I'll totally pop back in for a quick cocktail next time I'm in the area. Thanks again Brad, you're a rock star! -
Review from Jillian M.
San Francisco, CA
3/30/2011
Their $5 Bitchin' Bloody Mary is brilliant, and delicious. Like spicy tomato hot sauce vegetable salad with vodka.
I know, I know. My description is not the best, but trust me. It's legit. Anyone who fills their drinks 3/4 of the way with booze is a friend of mine.
Also, they have nice window seats so you can drunkenly leer at the sexy "faux" bums that hang out in the Haight. Not that I would ever do that of course. Definitely not. Not this Jillian. -
Review from Jerald B.
Daly City, CA
7/27/2011
Excellent happy hour! Also has a pool table in the back.
Bartender was super cool, forgot to get his name though! Great prices and lots to choose from! Great happy hour! good stop for a pub crawl down Haight on a Friday afternoon! -
Review from Terry K.
San Francisco, CA
7/31/2010
I just recently started going to this bar a couple months ago. I like the atmosphere, the drink specials and the location. It's more casual than the Castro bars I go to. Even when there aren't specials the drinks are very affordable.
The bar staff for the most part is great, with an exception or two. The bartender on Monday night is extremely friendly and fast. He remembers me every time I come in and what my drink(s) of choice are. No matter how busy it may be on Monday night, I never have to wait long for a drink. He always makes my boyfriend and I feel welcome.
The only complaint I have is the bartender on Saturday night. I've come in a couple times, and even when it's not busy it takes forever to get a drink.
Overall one of my new favorite local bars! Thanks Trax!Listed in: Favorite Bars
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Review from d s.
San Francisco, CA
11/20/2007
Yes, I was here for Gregor's Bon Voyage party. Yes, there was an interesting mix of locals, hipsters, and the possibly disenfranchised here on Friday night. Yes, people were playing pool. Yes, I downed two very strong double vodka collins. Yes, I wanted to see the buff brown-haired bartender's cocktail shaker. Yes, I lifted up my shirt. Yes, I tried to take off my pants many times. Yes, I fondled some people. Yes, an ice head approached Starla, Drue, and me while we were talking outside. Yes, hespokesofastallhiswordswerestrungtogetherlikethis . Yes, thanks to my burgeoning alcoholism, I found him attractive in that sketchy drug addict way. Yes, I had sex when I got home if by sex you mean my right hand lubed with bodyglide and a porn on the tube.
You will doubtless say and think slanderous things about me. But before you do, may I remind you of something?
...
WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU BITCHES TO JUDGE ME?!?! I mean, have you ever done the Walk Of Shame in overpriced, callus-causing shoes while the fog was so thick you thought Jack the Ripper was going to emerge and molest you which sadly would have been MORE AROUSING than the trick you just had?!? Or do you know what it's like to wake up alone in a cold bed and the only sound you hear is the water dripping from the bathtub faucet that you inexplicably forgot to completely shut off last night when you were thinking -- JUST THINKING -- of drowning yourself in Calgon Floral Orgy bath salts or whatever the fuck they call it?!?
If you answered "no," I advise you to SHUT THE FUCK UP!!! I mean, FUCK!!!
...
Oh, can anyone tell me EXACTLY how many times I tried to take off my pants? Thanks.Listed in: I'm Coming Out!
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Review from Barry A.
San Francisco, CA
5/23/2010
We were on our way to brunch today and I had to pee something fierce.
Mama noticed the "Bitchin Bloody Marys" sign and we went in.
Needed a key for the 'customers only' bathroom so I had a shot of Jack.
Mama had a Bloody Mary.
It was pretty fuckin' bitchin'!
I'll be back for another of those someday! -
Review from Jessica t.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 3/9/2009
If you're looking for a perfect way to pass a rainy or bleak Sunday afternoon - come to Trax.
The bartender has a phenomenal collection of old school soul, rock, and Motown records - including everything from the Beatles to Patsy Cline, which he plays with a smile throughout the day.
And with a pool games at a dollar a piece, you can just shoot away, while grooving with your cue stick to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
It's pure San Francisco magic.
Just be wary of their five dollar Bloody Mary's - my pool companions were chugging water by the glassful - due to their overly spicy drinks.Listed in: Places and Businesses that I…, Businesses that Make San…, My Short List of All Time…, My favorite bars, My Perfect Day in San…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/8/2008
Having moved around often growing up, I've always had this nagging feeling that I needed to have "a… Read more »
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Review from M. M.
Burlingame, CA
10/30/2011
Went to trax many moons ago... but then in the more recent years met Robert - cool guy. While I have not seen him for some time... was reviewing something else on here when this bar's name came up... long/short, I know that how good the bartenders are have a lot to do with how good the bar is... and how often you want to go back. I know I go to a local pub not for the atmosphere but for the people and especially the bartenders...just cool. So having known R - it made me want to try Trax again. Just wanted to write here b/c the bartenders say a lot about how good of a bar it is...so when you go... ask for Robert and you're in for a good convo, probably a mean drink and off to a great night.
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Review from Tam T.
5/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cheap Shots and Bartender makes a mean bloody mary.
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Review from Jaime C.
6/30/2008
Let it be known (should all you *newbie* fans not have READ MY OTHER 300 REVIEWS) that I LOVE gay bars. Absolutely LOVE THEM.
I'm a sucker for fabulous gay men, and so when Joe took me here after Magnolia I was pleasantly surprised. Super divey, so I could dig the vibe.
The bartender served us up some beers, and off we went to the pool table.
The next 10 games we played-- I ran the table a couple of times until I started fucking up on really, really easy shots, and next thing you know I'm losing and people are still letting me play out of pity. But irregardless, I still got to play.
I had a game with this Irish guy that allowed me to show off some skillz, but he won. Twice. Said something about "being able to play with someone who was good for once."
Except it's been months since I picked up a cue stick, and I got lucky. A lot.
Next time I come, I'm kicking all of your asses. Just sayin. -
Review from Ali R.
San Francisco, CA
9/2/2008
Got here early on Sunday eve for Ms. Rachel F.'s bday (Holla! Happy Bday darlin!). Quite a fun celebration. Since I was already in the neighborhood for a day party, I had Pam B. meet me early for dinner, then drinks.
Trax was pretty empty but when I walked in, this smokin' HAWT blond was totally checking me out!! I knew it was a gay bar and I was feeling extra flirty. So I sit down, and she sits with me! OMG. I'm totally getting hit on by this chick! So I lean over to say something, right as she leans to me, and wouldn't you know we both said "Hi" at the same time! Jinx! You owe me a coke! OMG we're like twins. This is so funny... Oh wait... You are a mirror. DAMMIT. I'm so blond sometimes. (shhh! don't tell anyone but I totally took her home with me!)
Anyways, they keep their wall of mirrors really clean so the place looks huge but it's not. It's tiny.
You need a key for the bathroom (like a true haight st. bar should). While it was clean, it smelled SOOOOO strongly like piss. It's unisex so when you sit on the toilet the urinal is like nose level. NOT GOOD.
People here are friendly. There are the inevitable tourists who have no idea it's a gay bar - so fun to play with them. Drinks are strong.
ps- your welcome Joe C.Listed in: I am such a Haighter sometimes
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Review from Denise S.
8/29/2010
I enjoyed my evening at Trax!
It's a great place because it's kind of funky, the drinks are pretty cheap and the bartenders are fantastic; they let me dance behind the bar with them which made me a very happy lady. Even though it's a pretty small bar, they have tons of seating and a pool table in the back.
They also play really great music that definitely keeps the energy up and the booties shaking.
Even though Trax is a fun place I need to ding them on one of the most important aspects..the bathroom. The bathroom is unisex, which isn't a problem. The problem is that it's disgusting and the stench is unbearable.
Other than that, It's definitely a fun place with really great energy. -
Review from Michael H.
Campbell, CA
9/2/2008
Its been a while since I've been out drinking in the city. I can't blame it on anything other than just being too lazy to do the drive from San Jose. JZ and I went to Trax to help Rachel.F celebrate her 21st birthday. It was real fun meeting some of you sassy SF yelpers but no, I will not talk slower and no, I will not wear a kilt.
Trax is your typical haight bar. Its not glamorous but its fun and welcoming. The bar staff were great. Especially Mr Tall Smiley Barman. They were exceptional at remembering my previous rounds, which changed radically each trip. I think they put magic sober-dust in the Guinness, because I just could not get drunk and believe me - I tried really hard. My only complaint would be having to wait in line for the one and only bathroom, even though I did enjoy watching the patrons play a quick game of "squeeze as many lesbians in a toilet as possible". -
Review from Pam S.
9/3/2008
Hey, do you know how fabulous Rachel F. is? Oh, Joe C. told you? He does that alot, it's kind of cute, really.
ANYHOW, so a bunch of us gathered here to celebrate all that is Rachel F.
While Ali, Ali's date in the mirror, Angelo and I waited for the guest of honor, we got to really check out this place. And this place was really cool. Where else can you drink WHILE watching the world's heaviest man get driven around on a flatbed truck on t.v. WHILE watching tourists point at something in the doorway?
Nowhere. As I was avoiding the alcohol that night, I could not tell you the quality of the drinks, but that bartender ROCKED it, even after all of us showed up.
Toast one to Rachel F.! -
Review from Erdmann R.
San Francisco, CA
7/24/2011
Great Bar for drinks after work or even a night cab. $2 Tuesdays for beers are awesome!
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Review from Joe C.
San Francisco, CA
7/27/2006
This place is a gay bar (not that there's anything wrong with that) - in fact it is the only gay bar on Haight Street. That's a nice quality in a bar. It's a little grungy, a little funky, a little divey, and generally a good place to go for a little anonymity.
It's also VERY close to my house, which is a nice quality in a bar.
Update: then there was the night we ran into two gorgeous French girls there . . . omg. -
Review from Rachel F.
San Francisco, CA
8/3/2008
How can I not love this place? Last night, a guy sitting by himself at the bar told me as I sat down..."You're pretty" and not in a 'I just want to get in your pants so I'll flatter you with lies' kind of way. He was being genuinely appreciative and it was oh so flattering and kind of made my already pretty awesome night.
I've been here a handful of times now, and each time I walk out with stories to tell. The bartenders rule, drinks are cheap and strong, and although it's technically a gay bar, there is a wide array of different types here on any given night.
I've been hit on by gay men, gay couples, and bi-curious women here, not to mention a certain highly intoxicated sweet older gentleman. And you wonder why I love this place?Listed in: The Places I Go Out
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Review from Pearl R.
San Francisco, CA
5/6/2010
Went here for the first time yesterday, the sign for $3 (YES $3 hello recession drinking) margaritas in celebration of cinco de mayo is what got me. The bartender was great, I think his name was Robert? I think that tells you how my night went. I started the night there and ended it there and Robert remembered me!
Fun music, ridiculously strong drinks. I need to come here on Saturday. My liver is anticipating 9pm-10pm.
It's a gay bar but kind of subtle about it besides the rainbows on the placemat. It's usually empty on weeknights besides $2 Tuesdays. (YES EVEN ON GUINNESS!) -
Review from Richard T.
Los Angeles, CA
7/17/2007
1.00 Drinks.
Got your attention?
See you there Saturday Nights for the pre-party drink specials from 9-10PM. It's how smart party people do it. -
Review from Eric E.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 7/19/2008
My 3 favorite things about Trax:
3. Beer is 2.50 on Tuesdays! Where else can you get a pint of Big Daddy for that price?
2. The touch screen game, which my roomie and I glue ourselves to for a little erotic photo hunt and a little tai-play and a little wordster...whoever "Bttmbois" is, we are gunning for you! Watch your ass!
and....
1. BILL! Bill is so completely awesome! He plays the best music videos EVER. And, as a gift to me, he played "Oh Sheila"!!!! In addition to his awesome videos, he's also the coolest guy around and we are lucky to have him.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/26/2007
I beat a brain-damaged, partially blind woman at pool here the other night. Hey--I take my wins… Read more »
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Review from Rocky G.
San Antonio, TX
7/13/2011
My deciding factor for a move to San Francisco. Thanks guys!
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Review from Nick R.
San Francisco, CA
11/19/2007
Went here for Gregor's Bon Voyage after not having been here for about 10 years and you know what? Nothing has changed! Still a great dive-y gay bar, with a pretty chill clientle, cute bartenders and still only one bathroom (i'm SO sorry ladies).
My drinks were nice and strong, the bartender was just flirty enough and I met some great Yelpers there. We were obviously the life of the bar, so when things got a bit late, we decided to move on, but for a happy hour experience, it was everything I could have hoped for and remembered.
I bet if I came back in 10 more years it would probably be just the same. -
Review from Tyrone B.
Oakland, CA
7/23/2007
I'm not gay but I LOVE this bar. They got cheap drinks and it's mellow in here.
Sometimes the boys will flirt but it's all good. It boosts up my confidence for the ladies! -
Review from Chelsea C.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 2/12/2010
It really doesn't get any better than Trax. Still my favorite bar in all of San Francisco.
My usual time is Saturday night. But I do love to pop in when aimlessly roaming the Haight and grab a quite drink and listen to some amazing tunes. Jessica T. is right, Trax plays an amazing assortment of music. Great taste. I'm partial to The Mamas and the Papas, and listening to Bill tell the story about how Mama Cass couldn't sing until she fell off a ladder and hit her head and then suddenly was able to sing like a bird. Love that BIll.
Come here on Saturdays for one of the best drinks specials I've ever heard of, Progressive Saturdays. From 9-10 all well drinks are $1, from 10-11 they're $2; and from 12-closing they're a mere $3. Can't beat that.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/14/2009
Progressive Saturdays.
Best idea in bar existence.
I would love a dollar drink. Thank you Trax for… Read more »
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Review from Karen F.
San Francisco, CA
7/10/2008
Hellamuthafuckincheap! oh, and Jack the bartender is also hellamuthafuckin' FABULOUS! Thanks for being a sweetie!
Jager (sp?) shots are $4.25. Which is cheap for Jager, since most bars charge up to twice that much for a shot. And it's super-duper COLD!
Y'alls just need to get here. :P -
Review from Laura D.
6/2/2007
I think I've become immune to gayness (gay-mune?) because I live around the corner from this place, I've been a few times, and it was only the very last time that I was there that I finally got it. OH DAMN...this is a gay bar....sweet!
So I'm talking to these two guys, one is a makeup artist for a travelling production of some musical, the other lives in SF and has a dog smaller than my head, then it hits me...I'm ruining their game. Time to pack up and go home.
Sweet drink specials, cheap!Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Danielle K.
Santa Cruz, CA
1/29/2009
I am pretty sure this is the last and only gay bay in the Haight.
My friends and I like to stop here before heading to Hobson's down the street. You really can't beat $1 drinks from 9-10 and $2 drinks from 10-11! Score! The bartenders are always friendly and make a pretty strong drink. They have a cool mirror that runs along the wall opposite of the bar. We've had some fun drunkin picture moments with that mirror. I am pretty sure a lot of people don't know its gay bar. But who cares maybe it's better that way.
Anywho, Trax always makes for a great start to the night. Just watch out those $2 drinks will sneak up on you later! -
Review from Adam F.
Chicago, IL
3/30/2007
Allow me to break it down for a minute about Trax: The Everyman's Gay Bar. Trax was the first bar I went to in San Francisco, and I never looked back. It represents Haight street at its most real (along with the Gold Cane).
Of particular note is their Saturday drink special: 9-10 $1 wells; 10-11 $2 wells; 11-12 $3 wells. This event has paved the way for many an infamous "Trax Saturday", in which a well-intenioned pre-game turns into everyone completely FACED by midnight, because it's 9:57 and drinks are about to increase in price by 100%, so we better get five right now.
Seriously folks, this is the spot. Leave your sucka-ass friends at Hobson's and go get your Traxxx on. Holla. -
Review from Mark F.
San Francisco, CA
6/5/2011
I think they make one of the best Bloody Marys I've ever had and it only costs $5 on weekends.
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Review from Sean C.
San Francisco, CA
8/26/2009 1 Check-in Here
So I came in here not knowing it was a gay bar, but was intrigued by the $3 margaritas for happy hour. The funnier part was that I still didn't figure it out after looking at the rainbow clock, the rainbow bar mat, the requisite super stiff but tasty drink, or the rainbow sticker on the door. However, the wang in a cocktail glass? Yep. That worked. I'm so damn dense sometimes.
Classic dive bar here folks. Red lighting, a pool table, a chill crowd, and decent tunes make this a neat hang out spot for happy hour. Oh yeah, and solid $3 margaritas right smack in the middle of upper haight knock this up a star (I think happy hour goes till 7 on weekdays?). I'll be back when I'm sick of walking and could use a pick me up. BTW, insider's tip - the key to the bathroom is kept by the bar, attached to a plunger. That's right, just like at the gas station. It'll save you a 5 minute wait staring a the bathroom door knocking incessantly and wondering just what someone really is doing in there (like I was :)). -
Review from Alfred Y.
3/30/2009
My hot date and I decided to stop here on a shopping trip through the Haight.* We were in for a shot of jager and out within minutes on a late Sunday afternoon. (Thanks Jessica T.!)
The bartenders were really friendly, including the tall flaming one with his no-sleeve t-shirt. His greet and goodbye was a nice and unexpected service perk that I didn't appreciate until it actually happened at a bar. Why aren't more bars gay?
* who doesn't like shopping buzzed? no hate mail, unless you hate shopping sober.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Rachel H.
8/30/2009
I haven't reviewed Trax yet??
I love Trax! I have never had a bad time here. This is hands-down, my favorite Haight bar (sorry, awesome bartenders at Gold Cane. I love you too!).
The clientele will not bother you or hit on you. But they will dance with you and ooo and ahhh over your new bag, or your earrings. Teehee!
The drinks are dirt cheap and strong. They also have a really rocking Halloween party each year. Sometimes you get to watch cute dudes make out. Woohoo!
The bartenders are also quite a master team. They remember your name and are all cuties.
If you are woman in a relationship who wants to go out, get wasted, have fun, and check out a sea of hot ass without anyone getting the wrong idea, this is the place to be. -
Review from Jade L.
San Francisco, CA
8/7/2007
For years, I went here without any clue that it was a gay bar. The reason I started becoming a patron here is because I stopped in one day while shopping and it was the first bar here in the city that served Stella before it became a hipster beer. I lived in England for a while and it's known as "wifebeater" there because mainly the football hooligans drink it similar to the way Budweiser is the standard of all ex-convicts. (p.s- I also love Budweiser) Anyway, so I took many of my male friends here, and one day my friend Phil comes up to me and says, "Hey dude, I hope you realize you've been taking me to a gay bar all this time." and I was like, "huh?"
So the next time I went in, I guess I missed all the tell-tale signs. The large rainbow neon in front, the lack of female patrons, the overly sweet older men that frequented it and the insanely cheap drink specials. Oh well.Listed in: You don't have to be gay to be…
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Review from Jennifer M.
San Francisco, CA
2/4/2008
Three cheers for Saturdays! Why? Because at Trax
9-10p well drinks are $1
10-11p well drinks are $2
11-12a well drinks are $3
hint: Brad is the best!Listed in: Places to get a dose
