Welcome to San Francisco, a city with a popping trans social scene. This place is so inclusive that you’ll find LGBTQ+ friendly spots in every corner.
But I bet you’re wondering, with so many options, what’s the easiest way to connect with the community?
Well, it depends on whether you prefer meeting trans people online or in person. Either way, I’ve got you covered.
So buckle up as I take you through the best ways to meet transgender individuals in San Francisco.
Table of Contents
List of TG Friendly Venues in San Francisco
Pretty much every place in San Francisco is LGBTQ+ friendly. But if you’re specifically trying to meet trans folks then you’ll have more luck in Castro, Mission/Valencia, and Folsom Street.
Castro is often referred to as the gayborhood but trans people have mixed opinions because its bars often have transphobic gay men.
However, there are still some gems in that area so I wouldn’t completely count it out.
Folsom has spots that focus more on the leather scene so if that’s too intense for you then Mission/Valencia offers a nice balance with enough trans-friendly venues.
Now that you have a general idea about what to expect from each area, let’s go over a list of bars and clubs where you can potentially meet TGs.
1. Bars and Clubs
Note that I’m splitting it into separate categories so it’s easier for you to find your desired place.
Castro
The Mix – Located at 4086 18th St, whether you go solo or with friends, you’re sure to encounter friendly LGBTQ+ folks. Visit on Thursday nights to catch the RuPaul drag race.
Oasis – Located at 298 11th St, this place hosts amazing drag shows featuring both well-known and local performers, along with lively dance parties.
Visit on Friday and Saturday nights as you’ll find a diverse crowd, including trans, queer, enby, and cis folks all coming together for a good time.
Folsom Street
Eagle Bar – Located at 398 12th St, predominantly a gay leather bar but you can find trans people on some nights.
It’s definitely raunchier than other spots in the city as most people are looking for casual stuff.
Powerhouse Bar – Located at 1347 Folsom St, another gay leather bar but it usually has a heavy presence of transsexuals.
Keep an eye out for its F.E.T.I.S.H.D’ nights (short for Femme, Enby, Trans, Intersex, Sapphic, Dyke) which they host every second Saturday. However, it’s always a good idea to confirm, as details might change.
Cat Club – Located at 1190 Folsom St, this place isn’t for everyone as it has a goth vibe with kink/BDSM parties on Wednesdays.
But its patrons are mostly non-binary and queer people who are very friendly.
Note that the cover fee can vary; if you’re in fetishwear it’s only $10 and $20 if you’re vanilla.
Mission/Valencia
El Rio – Located at 3158 Mission St, It’s one of the most popular queer hangouts in the city. They often have trans-led nights.
The crowd skews towards the younger side though, mainly early to mid-20s.
Jolene’s Bar – Located at 2700 16th St, mainly a lesbian/femme bar that welcomes everyone. You can meet trans women here most of the time.
And as the video shows, they also host amazing drag brunches every Sunday…
Other Areas
The Cinch Saloon – Located at 1723 Polk St, awesome queer bar which always has a few trans regulars. Weekdays might be quiet but you can still enjoy drag shows.
Aunt Charlie’s Lounge – Located at 133 Turk St, I dropped by here on a Saturday night and found the place to be super welcoming.
Everyone there was friendly, and I had some nice chats with a few regular queer folks.
Drinks are affordable but just a heads up, it’s cash only, however, there’s an ATM on site.
2. Community Centers and Organizations
If you’re trying to meet trans people outside bars then try visiting the SF LGBT Center.
It supports the entire community and allies so visit it from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays (except Friday) and you’ll likely find someone.
But in my opinion, the easiest way to network is by simply joining them as a volunteer.
And if you’re searching for a support group then Rainbow Toastmasters is a public speaking group for the LGBTQ+ community.
They host a hybrid meeting every Thursday at 6:30 pm at the Folsom Street Community Center.
Lastly, you should try dropping by at Trans:Thrive. It’s a health center but you’re almost guaranteed to meet trans folks at their office at Pine Street.
3. Trans Dating Sites
Every other person in San Francisco is tech-savvy so it’s no surprise that the online dating scene is thriving.
You can find trans people on most dating apps, so it all depends on the type of arrangement you’re looking for.
If it’s serious dating and relationships then like always I would recommend OkCupid. It works like a charm and has many trans and open-minded cis people.
Bumble isn’t all that bad either as many of my trans-fem friends have found success on the app in the form of amazing partners.
And if you’re interested in hookups, then simple, just use Tinder.
But just a heads up that it also has many edgy kids who fetishize trans women and use slurs like tranny while referring to us.
That’s the reason I personally avoid this platform altogether.
4. Online Groups and Pages
There are a bunch of social media communities that you can join to network with trans individuals.
The most useful is the SF Bay Area Trans-Centering Events. The group’s purpose is to help the community learn about TG-focused events and gatherings.
WClub is another nice women-run LGBTQ+ social organization that arranges dozens of events throughout the city.
And I know that housing can be expensive as hell in SF, so do check out this Trans* and Intersex Housing community.
Aside from finding an affordable place to live, it’s also a great group to connect with other transgender folks.
What It’s Like to Be Transgender in San Francisco
Living as a trans person in San Francisco is pretty sweet. This city is massive, but the cool part is, most of it is trans-friendly.
Sure, I got misgendered a bit when I first got here, but honestly, I’ve never faced serious harassment.
The city also recently took a huge initiative by passing a guaranteed trans income program.
It makes low-income transgender individuals eligible for a monthly stipend of $1,200 for up to 18 months.
Aside from that, in 2022, The world’s first Transgender District was established in San Francisco.
The area now hosts many trans-focused events and conferences so it’s a step in the right direction.
Want to get a feel for it? Check out this video for an up-close look at the District…
Wrapping Up: Enjoy Meeting Trans in San Francisco
San Francisco offers a ton of opportunities to connect with the trans community.
But what I love the most are its inclusive nightspots. You’re almost guaranteed to find TGs in at least one of the many bars I’ve shared.
And if you aren’t as social then don’t worry because you can always join support groups or better yet, connect online.
Hopefully, you figure out what works best for you – but you can’t go wrong regardless of your choice.
So that’s a wrap from my side, hope you have a blast meeting transgender people in San Francisco!
