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The Game Parlour

The Game Parlour is a board game wonderland with a gluten-free menu that happens to serve quality coffee and drinks. It has become a quirky meeting ground for creatives, founders, and younger investors who appreciate a space that breaks from the standard café mold. The playful vibe lightens the pressure of formal meetings, while waffles, fried chicken sandwiches, and matcha drinks keep the energy high.

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Brian Wong

Stookey's Club Moderne

This 1930s-style cocktail bar in Nob Hill is the kind of place where birthdays feel a little more glamorous. Think velvet booths, classic jazz, and bartenders who serve up flawless French 75s and martinis with style. It’s cozy without being cramped, and the bar staff keeps things moving without making the night feel rushed.

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Johan Wallén

The Willows

Equal parts neighborhood hangout and low-key party spot, The Willows offers strong cocktails, excellent fries, and a game room stacked with board games and pinball machines. The seating’s flexible, the vibe’s upbeat, and there’s enough space to spread out without booking a private room.

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F8 Nightclub & Bar

F8 is one of those small-but-mighty venues that hits different on a birthday night. With a stacked DJ calendar and a dance floor that fills up fast, it’s great for groups who want to actually move to the music instead of just nodding along. The drinks are reasonably priced, the energy stays high, and the bouncers are actually friendly. Good vibes all around.

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Zeki's Bar

Zeki’s is a cozy fireplace-filled bar that works great for winter birthdays, or really any time someone wants their cocktail with a side of ambience. The whiskey selection’s strong, the playlist leans throwback without being cheesy, and the lavender-laced Flowerbomb cocktail is one of those drinks people end up ordering twice.

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Woodbury

Late-night bites, outdoor seating wrapped in string lights, and cocktails that lean classic make Woodbury an easy choice for group birthdays. Fried chicken sandwiches, tater tots, and burgers are all on the menu, and the music stays upbeat without getting overwhelming. It's casual, it's lively, and it works well for people who want their birthday night to start late and stay loud.

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Ayushi Shrivastava

The Sycamore

This funky dive bar with a back patio punches above its weight. Bottomless mimosas during the day, craft beers and sliders by night—it’s a place that keeps the options open. Shared seating means you might end up singing Happy Birthday with strangers, but that’s kind of the point. Come here if the group is big on fun, flexible plans.

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MOTHERSHIP

For a more out-there birthday, MOTHERSHIP leans into the cosmic theme with colorful lighting, wild decor, and a playlist that favors dancing. The drinks are creative, the crowd’s friendly, and it’s not uncommon for people to show up solo and end the night with new friends. It’s the kind of bar that makes a regular Thursday night feel like an intergalactic party.

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Susanne Schuler

Coffee to the People

A true Haight-Ashbury classic, Coffee to the People blends its laid-back vibe with a rich sense of community. Family-owned and beloved by locals, this café offers strong, delicious coffee and hearty breakfast options, like their loaded croissant sandwiches. The shelves are stacked with books, adding to its bohemian charm.