Bars

Marina and Pacific Heights denizens enjoy a good glass of vino, and the wine bars in the area cater to local tastes. The Bacchus Wine Bar (1954 Hyde St., 415/928-2633, nightly 5:30 p.m.–2 a.m.) is a tiny local watering hole that offers an array of wines, sake cocktails, and even delivered-to-your-table sushi from nearby Sushi Groove. DJs sometimes spin on Thursday and Friday nights.

For a high-end wine experience, visit Nectar Wine Lounge (3330 Steiner St., 415/345-1377, www.nectarwinelounge.com, Mon.–Thurs. 5 p.m.–10:30 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 5 p.m.–midnight, Sun. 3 p.m.–10 p.m.). Choose from an ever-changing menu of 50 wines by the glass, or order one of the 800-plus bottles on the list. An intricate menu of small plates complements the day’s featured wine selections.

If you love Old World style and New World wines, stop in for a glass at Ottimista Enoteca (1838 Union St., 415/674-8400, www.ottimistasf.com, Tues.–Thurs. 2 p.m.–11 p.m., Fri. noon–2 a.m., Sat. 11 a.m.–2 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.). This Italian wine bar showcases its heritage with a list of the best wines in Italy (including artisan Tuscan wines) mixed with great vintages from elsewhere in Europe, California, and the New World. Don’t be shy—this wine bar seeks to take the pretension out of wine, creating a welcoming atmosphere for anyone who wants to sip. Small plates made with fresh local ingredients complement the wine selection

Another favorite bar is the City Tavern (3200 Fillmore St., 415/567-0918, Mon.–Fri. 3 p.m.–2 a.m., Sat.–Sun. 10 a.m.–2 a.m.). Here you’ll get a mix of sports, drinks, and good company. Good solid American food comes at reasonable prices. Weekend brunch features an array of tasty classics as well as some health-conscious fare. The full bar pours an array of beers, wines, liquors, and cocktails.

All that’s really left of the original Matrix is the ground you stand on, but the MatrixFillmore (3138 Fillmore St., 415/563-4180, Mon.–Thurs. 8 p.m.–2 a.m., Fri.–Sun. 6 p.m.–2 a.m.) does claim huge mid-20th-century musical fame. The Matrix, then a live music venue, was opened by Marty Balin so his freshly named band, Jefferson Airplane, would have a place to play. Subsequent acts included The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, and The Doors. Today, the MatrixFillmore’s Lincoln-log fireplace and top-shelf cocktails appeal to the quiet drinking crowd on weeknights and the bridge-and-tunnel–heavy singles scene on the weekends. DJs spin techno most nights, though you can catch an occasional live act here too. There’s valet parking at the Balboa Café down the street.

Clubs

Clubs in the Marina are all about the trendy and the spendy. Among these, you can check out Gravity (3251 Scott St., 415/776-1928, www.gravityroomsf.com). Sure it’s crowded, parking is awful, it’s sometimes tough to get in, and the drinks can sometimes be weak. But DJs do spin decent hip-hop and pop, and plenty of young singles crowd in every weekend.

The Hi-Fi Lounge (2125 Lombard St., 415/345-8663, www.maximumproductions.com, Wed.–Sat. 8 p.m.–2 a.m., Fri. 5 p.m.–2 a.m.) personifies the fun that can be had in smaller San Francisco venues. This one-floor wonder with a tiny dance floor gets incredibly crowded. Yet even the locals have a good time when they come out to the Hi-Fi. The decor is funky and fun, and the patrons are young and affluent. Most visitors find the staff friendly and the bartenders attentive. It being the Marina, come early to get decent parking and to avoid the cover charge.