Twin Peaks Tavern
401 Castro St
(between 17th St & 18th St)
San Francisco, CA 94114 (415) 864-9470
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Alcohol: Full Bar
- Smoking: No
36 Reviews for Twin Peaks Tavern
The 20-something crew thought it looked fun after an evening in the Castro, but holy grey haired geriatric ward!
NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!!
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As a "twinkie" many centuries ago, my friends and I used to stop in here occasionally and let some of the "older" gentlemen buy us drinks and try to get us drunk. This was second only to the P.S. on Polk Street for finding a sugar daddy. I never thought I'd make it to daddy age, but here I am. And this bar still looks and feels pretty much the same. I'd swear many of the same old queens are still coming here! It's a great place to meet and have a drink. No pretensions.
This is by far my favorite bar in the Castro for many, many reasons. I'm a fan of lists as they make information somewhat easier to digest in tasty little bulleted morsels:
1. There is some magical voodoo chicken blood in the varnish of the beautiful wood that frames the large mirror behind the bar - in that it keeps the loud, obnoxious, standing and posing fags out out OUT. For this I am grateful to the point of sending a check to some random address in New Orleans thanking some unnamed priestess.
2. The bartenders are all extremely friendly and know me and my boyfriend by name. I love me some Paul and Spyro! Yet their athletic skills far outweigh their amiable nature. I once witnessed Spyro who, in one impressive move, jumped over the bar, grabbed a drunk patron by the collar, and removed him from the bar in less than 45 seconds time.
3. They have coffee.
4. The place is full of gentlemen - men who know how to have a conversation that doesn't involve pretense or what I do for a living. Sure there's a little leering, but it sure beats the playground antics of some of the other bars.
5. There is a wonderful (and eventful) little roost up above with nice chairs and tables and lamps. It was from here where I saw two men completely naked (if you don't count the Teva's and cock rings) standing on the corner out front. Any vantage point offering observations like that will have to deal with my gin breath and garlic farts.
6. Even when it is crowded and bustling, I can always count on being able to have a conversation that isn't punctuated by "what" "huh" "pardon me" "let's go outside". I do not require the bass beats of the newest Kylie Minogue remix to compensate for the fact that I couldn't carry on a dialogue if it were stapled to my nut sack.
7. Finally, there is this fantastic gentlemen with whom I am still unacquainted with a bejeweled belly button ring and booty shorts. And he looks fan-FUCKING-tastic. I wanna go where he goes!
So if I'm in the Castro, I will likely begin my bar crawl here so that I can at least have one positive bar experience in the evening.
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It ain't easy, honey, being the oldest girl on the corner for as long as this place has, and yes, it was built as a bank back in the day and some of the oldest patrons say they remember it then. Today it is still and landmark, the first gay bar to have glass window walls. Nice bartenders, nice crowd. If you're an ageist keep it to yourself. Frankly, it is refreshing to go somewhere that welcomes people of all kinds. Even in the Castro.
Matt was invited to colleague's birthday get-together. He also admits that going to a bar on Castro St. is a once in a lifetime experience.
Matt didn't want to, but co-worker gave him a "Screaming Orgasm"... cocktail. The $6.00 poison, which contained Kahlua, Amaretto, Bailey's and Vodka, was very creamy.
Then colleague and Matt together had "Sex on the beach." The $6.00 cocktail was a bit fruity, which lead us to the actual sexual event at the beach.
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They call this place the glass coffin, rightfully so. The bloody mary's are strong and peppery. Nice upstairs and window seating. I feel like a baby in this place, a mere child.
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As some young gay twinkie whippersnappers call it, "The Glass Casket" or "The Glass Coffin" because the whole front is glass and inside is full of old folks.
This bar is old school, it's been around forever and when you go inside you can tell. A great place to find SF old-timers. A bit overpriced for drinks. Go inside and check it out. An excellent place to sit and people watch. Friendly drunk people.
If you are a gay male and a senior citizen and you want to hang out with other people your age that are also gay guys, then this is your bar.
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We met our 75 year old neighbor here for a drink the other day and had a great time. He's been going for over 30 years. Says it was opened in the 60s by lesbians who sold it to their long-time bartenders within the last 5 years to be sure that it continued on the way it's always been. Apparently it was the first gay bar in the city (some say in the country) to have windows. Great history. The customers are older, but super friendly and full of stories.
Damn this place has atmosphere. A great spot to sit and sip while watching the history of the Castro before your eyes. At least, some of the old dudes at the bar seem to have history writ large on their faces.
If only the bartender could make a drink I could force down. Maybe I was spoiled after visiting Martuni's a few days before, but... I don't think I have ever put down an alcoholic beverage as undrinkable, as I did my gin and tonic. Although my friend's bloody mary was even worse. Truly insipid watery tomato juice with CANNED soggy asparagus in it. Disgusting. Reminded me of the kind of drink one would order on an airplane, when one is barely legal to drink, and any opportunity to drink seems like a big deal, however rotten the rotgut.
I originally gave this place a three for the swill they served us, but I've decided to give them a 4, since the atmosphere is worth 5 or more. Went back, stuck with beer, and it was great. Fantastic people watching, with an interesting mix of folks, chatting and looking out the windows. Drag queens, faux drag queens, old and young folks... Brits and SF natives... especially nice at night...
Stick to beer, and you could conceivably give this place high marks. They can't mess up beer. Much.
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Respect your elders. And you really should, young whippersnappers or else Karma will gobble you up, vomit you out, and abandon you to your own private thirsty hell.
Also known as the Glass Coffin (due to the average age of its customers...shall we say pensioned) - this bar is a total gem. Fantastic coffee drinks, wonderful staff, and comfy interiors are all awaiting you.
Rowdy, sardine-packed nightclubs have their place, but if it's quiet-time you seek, look no further. And if you are of average looks and under 50 - chances are you'll be the hottest thing in there. Certainly a nice ego boost, when you're feeling particularly ugly.
And hey, if grandpa start scamming on your pretty ass, waving lollipops in your direction, just grab your drink and date and gallop upstairs to the loft-level seating area post haste. Chances are grandpa won't brave the stairs. Once upstairs: sit at the table by the lone window. Open it and blow kisses at the cuties down below, or do your best Evita balcony wave while breathing in the yumminess of chocolate chips and dough baking at Hot Cookie just next door. It's all good, and it's all for you, baby.
Remember: don't be hatin' ~ some of those daddies will beat you down with their canes if you toy with them too much. But then again: What's too much?
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Fag Hag Rebekah went in here one night with her Sham Fiancee Bibby once.
Somehow I ended up being fed lines to Barbra & Liza songs to belt out. Then we started dancing to Madonna & these other random young people came in & Vogued with us as well.
Strange night & all I had was a Soda.
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Twin Peaks is more a state of mind than a bar. Ever since the BAR went completely Hunters Point on us, I have prefered my infrequent Castro outings to include the GC (see above). Carpet, an expansive view of Castro Street, 2 bathroom (that lock, wink wink) and healthy pours keep me happy for at least an hour.
Best time to visit the Peak is on a Rainy Sunday afternoon. If a lonley fellow happens to be sitting at a huge table, dont be afraid to ask him if your gang can sit with him. He might be your next sugar daddy...
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If i ever get a date, I'm taking that unfortunate bitch here!! DAMN, this place is comfortable. A magnificent bar perfect for quiet conversation on a rainy night with Chet Baker in the background tooting his sad sad song. 5 stars.
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The sort of evil slang name for this place is "The Glass Coffin," because the clientelle is older and the glass walls.
Best Irish Coffee's in SF!
Is it normal for a straight couple to fight in a gay bar? Probably not, and probably a reason we ain't togetha' no mo'.
Back to Twin Peaks, I like the ambiance, I like the view of the Castro, and I like the fact that I don't get hassled.
I went here on my birthday a few years back, I wanted to see what this place was all about. I used to join in the fun by calling this place "The Glass Coffin" and "Geriatric Park" but I came to the realization that nothing is forever....not even this generation. As I walked in I was amazed and at ease by how quiet and demure the patrons inside were. It gets exciting in here at times, but this came off to me as a place of quiet contentment and I am all about that feeling. I have a desire to go back to this place, but not on my own cause I too have can be shy and reserved when alone...and in public. This place is deserving of more exploration....it's a part of history.
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I have two words: Glass Coffin. It is so totally a glass coffin. I think the grim reaper is the bar tender. I am surprised that it's not an oxygen bar. Not in the sense of the high you get from it, but from a life support stance. This is a place where tired old queens can get their stare on inside a glass box on the corner of Castro & Market Street.
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Some say Love, it is a River. I say Love, it is Twin Peaks.
The so called "glass coffin" of the Castro owns my heart. Sure, there's an older set of clientelles but that's just fine with this 25 year old. Let the Bar and Badlands have all the tragic fake IDs it wants. For a more slow paced, comfortable, kick back in a cushy chair, stiff drink, nice lighting, good juke box (one of thems new fangled computer machines I've been hearing about, so's you can "download" anything your heart should want) amazing bartender experience, Twin Peaks is the place to be. I'll meet you on the balcony.
Seriously.
I mean it.
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Relaxed, friendly, and low key. Old school...kinda reminds me of a British pub. If said pub was full of older gay men.
Twin Peaks is my neighborhood bar, and I love the place. Loud, crazy & cruisey bars are all well and good when I'm feeling up for it, but after a 14 hour work day I just want to melt into one of the comfy chairs and listen to some old jazz or Elton John, and this is the place to do it. The patrons and bar staff have always been great to me, despite my not fitting the, uh, typical demographic. Certainly not the bar for everyone, but I'll be back.
One of the sanest and least sexified bars in the Castro. Mellow, geeky, old school, small but some cozy lounging places along the view windows facing Market and Castro and in a small upstairs. Drinks are strong and inexpensive. People know each other. Crowd is 3-3-3 meaning a third gay men, a third lipstick lesbians, and a third straight. Often the same person. Keeps em guessing.
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I'm really surprised at how many of the reviews for this place are homo/transphobic. Also, it seems some people need to get their hate of older people in check.
I love the martinis here- strong and cheap. I've had nothing but pleasant conversation here as a super butch dyke- plus the bathroom smells like cookies.
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We decided to grab a quick drink while we waited for a couple friends to join us for dinner and a flick at the Castro Theater. While we waited I got introduced to Sambuca, a liquorice tasting liqueur, somewhere from Europe I imagine...sweet, very warming, strong scent, and served with coffee beans....I'll surely be ordering this more often, especially when its freezing cold outside! The Tavern's got some charm and an interesting clientele. If you are looking for older gay men on a Monday night, this might be a good bet. There were a couple of ladies there, but surely there are better spots to pickup women. There is a little upstairs area and the overall decor is what I would call classic. You surely won't get bored; if you are, strike up a conversation and you might hear tales about "Well when I was your age..." The drinks are strong and cheap, but cash only! Bartender was really friendly too...
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Finally checked this place out after many, many years of walking by. Came in for an after-Orphan Andy's bloody mary on a Sunday just before Christmas. Let me tell you, those gays know a thing or two about Christmas spirit -- even if the decor had a je nais c'est City of Lost Children (minus the saturated color scheme). And yes, eventually I heard Judy Garland, the bloody mary was delicious, I discovered the true meaning of Christmas, and why they call it "the glass coffin."
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Being 25 I'm not quite in the regular clientele for Twin Peaks, but got dragged here (somewhat hesitatingly) one afternoon by my then-boyfriend and some other friends. It's actually pretty nice inside -- dark, quiet decor, reasonable space, and an upstairs. There were pictures on the wall (real, static pictures, not the television monitors of everywhere else), and it was quiet enough to talk (again unique for the area). Plus, maybe since we were way younger than most of the other people I saw there, all our drinks were made very strong. We had a good time. From force of habit (mine, and definitely my friends'), I probably won't end up back here again, but it's nice to know there's someplace in the area if you're really not in the mood for loud noise and grinding bodies.
I love that we went in here on saturday evening - a mixed bag of ladies n gents - and were immediately asked where we were from! As if we had had NO idea what we were walking in to!! Tehehehe! Had a great Irish Coffee (who knew it had whiskey in it??! Oh right, prolly everyone BUT me) and then hustled over to All Seasons, the best squishy around!!
okay I will admit I went through a phase of going here like once a week. This one friend and i found ourselves here after a rambling drive through the city and started returning regularly. The bar is cute and warm and the bar tenders talk to you and tell you stories about the neighborhood and the regulars. Its a good lace to go and talk on a date b/c of the couches. The Irish coffee is a bit strong, but who likes a weak drink? i didn't find the staff here to be at all unfriendly, even to a straight girl. If you are looking for something more exciting, walk down the block to badlands.
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Went back after not showing my face in the Twin Peaks for 6 months, and they remembered me! (it may be due to the fact that not many straight young blondish girls frequent the bar... but whatever!) I was stoked. They even gave me a free vodka tonic. I love them.
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window view is nice...but not impressed with drinks!!
Our pet name for this bar is the glass coffin, and we call it that with some affection. After all, there is no where else in the city where you can watch ancient queens age so (dis)gracefully. Going entirely ungently into their good night, the patrons here play awful tunes full of nostalgia on the juke box, and have been known to weep quietly into their triple strength Irish coffees. It's hardly surprising, because the Irish coffees are strong enough to make anyone's eyes water.
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I don't normally go to bars solely based on the bathroom, but I have to admit is usually part of the overall experience. But at Twin Peaks, it's without a doubt a bathroom-inspired journey. You go there, you go upstairs after getting your drink and head directly to the bathroom. Once you're in there, take a big whiff. There is a surprise that I'm not going to spoil for you by writing it here. And no it's not pee or poo, I promise. You're never going to believe the smell and it's one that I promis you, you've never ever before whiffed in a bathroom. Everything else about the bar is great too, but I'll say it again: Go to the Twin Peaks bathroom (upstairs only). It's not really a place for the ladies, but I can't say that I've ever felt unwelcome there.
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Excellent for people watching because of the location--on the corner of Market and Castro--that in itself is worth a visit. BTW when i've been here, i got friendly service--check it out and decide for yourself...
Stellah is dead-on about this place. It's a great location, cool name, neat sign, and nice little bar. However, the people and staff here are very unfriendly. I don't mind the old tunes on the jukebox, it's kind of nice, but jeez, why the nasty sour attitude?
Twin Peaks has been here since the beginning of time, and so have most of its patrons. Definitely the place to go if you've joined AARP or you're in the market for a sugar daddy . . . or granddaddy. The crowd tends to be friendlier than in most gay bars, because there's no emphasis on youthful looks, buff bodies, or one night stands. Sadly, too many here have had one too many, as they mourn their empty lives to the sad sounds of the golden oldies on the juke box. In a city with so many gay resources, how is it there's no better place for the older ones to socialize and/or do something other than drink away their days?
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good vodka gimlet, excellent people-watching opportunities, old lady who looks like phyllis diller serving drinks. not too exciting of a place, but definitely decent for a couple cocktails and some conversation. also right next to hot cookie, which is a very nice bonus.
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call me crazy (many do) but i love this place. it is full of old men, but i LOVE this place. they make stiff drinks, the bartenders smile (probably think i'm a lost tourist) and the regulars are really fun to watch.
and to the handsome gentleman in daisy dukes..you go girrrrl!
My husband and I go to the Twin Peaks on a regular basis. It's a great place to people watch, enjoy a strong drink or two and meet interesting people from around the world. The service is great, especially once you get to know the bartenders/cocktail waitress, and when they get to know you, or at least remember your drink of choice. And yes, there are a lot of older people there, but hey, you can sometimes learn a lot from them too. Enjoy!
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