Casanova Lounge Dive Bar / Lounge

Mission, San Francisco –

Whether the name is meant ironically or in reverence to the famed womanizer is anyone's guess, but what’s irrefutable is that Casanova Lounge has one of the most varied DJ lineups in town – as well as one of the cheapest drink selections in The Mission.

Reminiscent of a 1970s bachelor pad, the space features red-orange walls with paintings of well-endowed maidens and well-mustached men, shiny leather couches, and glowing scarlet lights. Chock full of everything but the typical house/dance/hip-hop mixes, the jukebox keeps the regular clientele of neighborhood hipsters grooving to punk, Motown, and lots of random obscurities, while DJs spin equally diverse sets twice nightly.

Happy Hour kicks off when the venue opens, drawing in flannelled literary types and groups of college kids for a few sips of Magners Cider and rounds of PBR, while grizzled barflies settle in at the long bar for a few too many beer and shot combos.

Even though the music can be loud, the vibe remains chill during the week – at least until Thursdays, when party crowds from all over town start to trickle in and the patrons dancing between the tables might just as easily be fratty Marina barhoppers as doe-eyed Haight hippies.

Vintage throwback, silly parody, or both, Casanova Lounge is a great place to hear eclectic music, pound inexpensive cocktails, or just stare at boobies on the wall.