Zagat Survey Shows Big Dip in San Francisco Nightlife but There are Plenty of Places to Party Around the Bay

However, the Eighth Edition of Zagat Survey’s San Francisco Nightlife Guide Illustrates A Wide Variety of Superior Nightlife Venues

SAN FRANCISCO, June 10 /PRNewswire/ — Zagat released the results of its latest Survey of San Francisco Nightlife today. 2,200 active local nightowls participated in the survey, with the typical surveyor visiting a local nightspot 1.8 times per week, consuming 2.9 drinks on average and spending $40.08 per night. The surveyors reported on a healthy crop of new bars, clubs and lounges, especially inexpensive ones. But that’s pretty much where the good news ran out: Not surprisingly, given the economic downturn, local nightlife has dipped. What is surprising is how far and fast. For example, 48% of surveyors say that they are going out less often, 34% say they are more price sensitive, 30% are going to less expensive places and 27% are ordering fewer drinks.

“News like this may give the average bartender a hangover,” said Tim Zagat, CEO of Zagat Survey. “However, people need to get out and have a good time, especially this year. The current class of Newcomers and Best Buys in our guide deliver just that.”

Survey Highlights: Fighting the tide are Survey winners Auberge du Soleil (Overall Appeal), the St. Regis Lobby Lounge (Decor), the Four Seasons Bar (Service) and Absinthe (Popularity). Ironically, all of these places are on the luxe side. Additional category leaders measured by their Appeal ratings include:

       Beer Specialists - La Trappe       Gay/Lesbian - El Rio
       Blues - Rancho Nicasio             Jukeboxes - Toronado
       Cocktail Experts - Seasons Bar     Live Music Clubs - Paramount Theater
       Dance Clubs - AsiaSF               Quiet Conversation - Seasons Bar
       Dives - Toronado                   Wine Bars - Hotel Biron

Raising Spirits: Noteworthy newcomers start with La Mar Cebicheria Peruana along the Embarcadero, followed by Gitane and the Castro’s Pisco Latin Lounge; the reincarnated Miss Pearl’s Jam House, now in Oakland, also makes the list. All of these newcomers are strong cocktail makers.

What’s Your Poison?: On weeknights, 49% of surveyors say they typically drink wine, and only 14% go for mixed drinks. However, on Friday and Saturday, 58% prefer mixed drinks. Fortunately, weekday oenophiles have a growing variety of venues to choose from: Beta Lounge in Berkeley; Laurel Heights’ arty Internos, the mini Minimum Vin & Champagne in The Mission and the swanky Downtown Press Club.

Shaker Style: For the weekend, cocktail cultists and surveyors tout Downtown’s Basque Gitane, the classy Clock Bar in the Westin St. Francis and Charles Phan’s Heaven’s Dog in SoMa, where the bar chefs shake up drinks from the bartender’s bible, The Gentleman’s Companion.

Best Buys: More important than ever, when it comes to current bar-hoppers, is finding the city’s best buys. This year, Specs Bar, El Rio, Albatross, Edinburgh Castle Pub and The Saddle Rack top the list. Additional Best Buys are listed below, and are comprised of locations with a high Appeal rating and a low cost:

         - Fireside Bar                 - Bottom of the Hill
         - Toronado                     - Hobson's Choice
         - Trad'r Sam's                 - Rancho Nicasio
         - Latin American Club          - Annie's Social Club
         - Pyramid Brewery              - Club Mallard
         - Zeitgeist                    - Noc Noc
         - Johnny Foley's               - Paramount Theater
         - Triple Rock

The Guide: As with all Zagat Surveys, the Eighth Edition of the San Francisco Nightlife guide is made by consumers for consumers. In addition to Top Lists for Popularity, Appeal, Decor, Service and Best Buys, the guide lists the Most Popular nightspots and maps the Key Newcomers. San Francisco Nightlife ($6.95) was edited by Sharron Wood and Cynthia Kilian. The guide is available at bookstores and other retail outlets, through ZAGAT.com or by calling 888-371-5440. Content is also available online at ZAGAT.com and on mobile devices via ZAGAT.mobi and ZAGAT TO GO(TM) for iPhone(TM), BlackBerry and handhelds.

About Zagat Survey, LLC

Known as the “burgundy bible,” Zagat Survey is the world’s most trusted source for information about where to eat, drink, stay and play around the globe, and as such has become a symbol of quality. Zagat Survey rates and reviews airlines, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, movies, music, golf, resorts, shopping, spas and a range of other entertainment categories in more than 100 countries. It has been lauded as the “most up-to-date, comprehensive and reliable guides ever published” and as “a necessity second only to a valid credit card.” Zagat content is available in print, on the web, on the mobile web, iPhone, BlackBerry and on TV. For more information, visit ZAGAT.com.

SOURCE Zagat Survey, LLC