Best Party Hostels
in San Francisco

Green Tortoise Hostel

Fun and crazy Party Hostel. With a huge common room with a pool table, foosball, giant Jenga, piano, stereo, and musical instruments. Organising regular Pub Crawls and Beer Olympics, with 3 free dinners per week, free breakfast every morning and great adventure tours on sleeper coaches.

Music City Hotel - Home of SF Music Hall of Fame

Featured on MTV Travel! Music City Hotel allows you to sleep next to the stars in the San Francisco Music Hall of Fame! It might get loud! Ask for a free loaner instrument in your room. Best of all, is budget friendly!

HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel

Great location, in a beautiful old building and with a great chilled eco vibe. Common areas are great, with lots of space and beautiful decoration. Many regular activities organised, like pub crawls, walking tours of the Mission District and Chinatown, and bike trips across the Golden Gate Bridge.

SoMa

Short for ‘South of Market’, SoMa is the city’s nightlife engine. Warehouses and tech offices by day transform into clubs, dive bars, and late-night eats after dark. **11th Street** and **Folsom Street** are the main drags, packed with venues like DNA Lounge and The EndUp. It’s also where most hostels are, so you won’t need a taxi home.

The Mission

The Mission is where San Francisco’s Latin roots collide with hipster culture. **Valencia Street** is lined with taquerias, craft cocktail bars, and murals, while **16th Street** has dive bars and live music venues like Elbo Room. It’s a 20-minute walk from SoMa or a $10 Uber ride. The area stays lively until 2 AM, with late-night burritos on every corner.

Tenderloin

The Tenderloin is rough around the edges but home to some of the city’s best dive bars and queer-friendly spots. **Turk Street** and **Larkin Street** are where you’ll find places like Aunt Charlie’s and The Stud. It’s not as polished as SoMa or the Mission, but the drinks are cheap, and the crowd is genuine. Stick to main streets at night.

A two-level club that’s been running since the ‘80s, DNA Lounge mixes live bands, DJs, and themed dance nights. The crowd is a mix of tech workers and backpackers, and the music spans everything from industrial to drum and bass. Entry is usually $15–$20, but check their website for free events. It’s open until 3 AM on weekends, and the attached pizza place is a lifesaver at 2 AM.

A tiny, no-frills dive bar in the Tenderloin with a legendary weekly drag show called ‘Tubesteak Connection’. The crowd is friendly and mostly queer, and drinks cost $7–$9. It’s cash-only, so hit an ATM before you go. The show starts at 10 PM on Thursdays and gets packed: arrive early for a seat.

A San Francisco institution since the ‘70s, The EndUp is famous for its Sunday morning ‘gay tea dances’ that run from 6 AM to 2 PM. The rest of the week, it’s a sweaty dance club with house and techno DJs. Entry is $10–$20, and the outdoor patio is a good spot to catch your breath. It’s open until 4 AM on weekends.

A Mission District staple with live music most nights, Elbo Room covers everything from punk to salsa. The crowd is a mix of locals and travellers, and the bar serves solid cocktails for $10–$12. It’s small, so it fills up fast: get there by 9 PM for a good spot. Entry is usually $8–$15, depending on the act.

One of the city’s oldest queer bars, The Stud is a divey, unpretentious spot with drag shows, burlesque, and dance nights. Drinks cost $8–$10, and the crowd is a mix of ages and backgrounds. It’s open until 2 AM most nights, and the back room has a pool table. Entry is $5–$10 for special events.

A multi-level venue that hosts everything from indie bands to 90s throwback dance nights. The crowd is young and energetic, and the outdoor area is a good place to escape the dance floor. Entry is $10–$25, depending on the event. It’s open until 2 AM, and the sound system is solid.