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Mission, San Francisco, CA

Mission, San Francisco, CA

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Includes: Bernal Heights

Like many of San Francisco’s neighborhoods, The Mission has undergone considerable changes over the last several decades.

The 1940s saw waves of Mexican immigrants moving in and waves of Irish and German inhabitants moving out, while the 70s marked an explosion of punk-themed establishments setting up shop.

As the dot-com Internet bubble enveloped the city a few decades later, an influx of young professionals with hefty pocketbooks and demanding tastes showed up, bringing with them a covey of hip cocktail lounges, swanky restaurants, and artsy cafés – as well as rampant gentrification.

Today the neighborhood is a reflection of its past: ethnic bakeries a quick jaunt from bookstores full of tatted-up literati, taquerias next to boutiques peddling eclectic furniture to urban tastemakers, and barebones drinking dens sharing blocks with artisan eateries and their artsy crowds.

Heading east of Mission Street along 24th Street – or west to the parallel Valencia Street – “El Corazon” (the heart) of the neighborhood plays host to a number of Latin festivals like Carnaval every year, and is marked by colorful murals and vibrant locals chatting away in Spanish.

Further north toward 16th Street, the neighborhood bustles with sleek watering holes and serious mixology spots, while, despite the rising rents, unpretentious dives still flourish along the more industrial blocks of Bryant Street to the east.

Sandwiched between The Mission and the neighboring Castro district, meanwhile, Mission Dolores Park is a small but vibrant park that fills to the brim whenever the sun peeks through the clouds.

The Mission may have seen some of its edges dulled by gentrification, but it’s still a draw for people from all walks of life who make it a point to visit.

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What to Do in the Mission

Elbo Room

Bar / Club / Live Music Venue

Party Earth Review Home since the 1930s to a Spanish restaurant, a cowboy bar, and even a women’s nightclub, nowadays the Elbo Room is all about eclectic music and nightly Happy Hour specials. Reminiscent ... more

647 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

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The Hideout at Dalva

Cocktail Bar / Speakeasy

Party Earth Review A covert bar inside another bar, The Hideout is a classy alternative to the neighboring dives that dominate 16th Street, including Dalva, the very one it’s hidden behind. Small groups ... more

Dalva
3121 16th Street
San Francisco CA 94110

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Mosto

Tequila Bar

Party Earth Review It’s all about the blue agave at Mosto, a Mission haunt that gained instant notoriety for its 300+ tequilas, as well as its proximity to hip Mexican restaurant Tacolicious – run by ... more

741 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

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Beretta

Bar / Italian Restaurant

Party Earth Review There are tons of places in the city to grab a slice of pizza, but at the always-packed Beretta, an artisan pie comes with artfully crafted cocktails on the side. A long communal table ... more

1199 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

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Phone Booth

Dive Bar

Party Earth Review Located south of the heaviest Mission drinking scene on a largely residential stretch, Phone Booth may have a cream-colored façade that’s as understated as, well, a phone company’s ... more

1398 South Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94110

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The Knockout

Club / Dive Bar

Party Earth Review Although far removed from the Mission’s pulsing nightlife center, The Knockout offers a packed schedule of live entertainment bound to appeal to a variety of true dive lovers. From ... more

3223 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

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The Napper Tandy

Irish Pub / Sports Bar

Party Earth Review Just on the southern edge of the busy Mission drinking scene, corner pub The Napper Tandy is authentically Irish from the name out front to the brogues of its waitresses to the all ... more

3200 24th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

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Bi-Rite Market

Market / Ice Cream Shop

Reviewed by Sabrina G.

"My Take: Bi-Rite Market is a staple of San Francisco. A trip to Bi-Rite is necessary in order to be inducted into life as a San Franciscan. I visited ..." more

3639 18th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

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Cha Cha Cha

Bar / Restaurant

Party Earth Review Santeria altars, shrimp, and lots of sangria coexist at Cha Cha Cha, an über-popular Cuban/Caribbean joint that draws a mixed bag of fun-loving patrons all week long. Open at 5pm daily ... more

2327 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

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Mission Beach Café

Café / Restaurant

Party Earth Review Maybe there was a typo, because considering the lines outside Mission Beach Café every weekend, owners probably should’ve called it “Mission Brunch Café ... more

198 Guerrero Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

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The Phoenix Irish Bar

Irish Pub / Sports Bar

Party Earth Review The Mission area may not be a sports bar lover’s paradise, but the lack of competition isn’t the only reason The Phoenix Irish Bar is so popular. True, patrons will find the game they ... more

811 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

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El Rio

Dive Bar / Live Music Venue

Party Earth Review Part live music venue and part DJ haunt, El Rio also hosts film and art showcases, comedy acts, burlesque routines, salsa nights, karaoke, impromptu jams, and loads of neighborhood ... more

3158 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

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More things to do in the Mission:

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Top Upcoming Events in the Mission

May 2013

May 21 Tue	Brazilian Wax Party / Brazilian 9:00pm Elbo Room	Add to Calendar
May 21 Tue	San Quinn Concert / Rap 10:00pm Brick & Mortar Music Hall San Quinn	Add to Calendar
May 22 Wed	Trivia Night Happy Hour Special Event / Happy Hour 7:30pm The Knockout	Add to Calendar
May 27 Mon	18th Annual Shit Kicking Memorial Day Outdoot Festival o' Twang Food Festival / Holiday Event / Music Festival / Alternative Music / Barbeque / Country / Rock 3:00pm El Rio	Add to Calendar