Powerhouse

Not being 30 and hunky, I appreciate that Powerhouse attracts all kinds of guys. I go there every time I visit the City and have yet to encounter a rude bartender or patron (a few drunks, yes). "Back room" is really a mis-nomer as it is the smoking area and can get very crowded...and festive.

Great friendly crowd, nice sized bar with a nice patio area and good decent-priced drinks. Not much leather unless some convention is going on, but definitely cruisy and entertaining; if you are into guys who are patrons there.

I had heard some good things about Powerhouse and in all my travels to SF had never been there. Unfortunately, my friend and I both thought we were oversold. The place is pretty grungy which isn't really a bad thing, the bartenders were friendly but some of the clientle were just downright rude, I don't think they like tourists coming into their space. A couple of guys did everything they could to bump into us, get in our face, get between my friend and I while we were sitting at the bar having a beer...it got to be obvious they didn't approve of our being there, so after 2 beers we went down the street to the Eagle where we were felt more welcome.

I was looking forward to a hot bar, but this sure ain't it. Cheap drinks, which is nice, and the bartender hit on me, but there was not one hot guy in the place, and this was Sunday around 8pm. The "back room" is a joke, as glaringly lit as a Hollywood movie set, with a few really ugly dudes suckin' even uglier dudes dicks. About as sexy as lunch at your mom's. And the back room is full of smoke, so it stinks to high hell and so will you when you leave. No decent hot leather bars seem to exist in SF anymore. Maybe because I'm from LA I'm spoiled, but ia was pretty pathetic. DID seem some hot men in The Castro though.

The Powerhouse is more like an installation than a real cruise bar. It has hanging Crisco lanterns, video porn and a great big "Danger" sign on the back wall. Fortunately, I have encountered a few friendly docents to take me through the exhibits. You can definitely have a smirky fun time here even with the surly bar staff. I think they are just playing their part as cast members.