The future of entertainment in the Bay Area, yesterday.

November 22, 2008 5:32 PM

Let's say that I love Audium, the Tonga Room and Lucky Juju. Where else in the Bay Area has that same kind of fun, atmospheric, anachronistic vibe?

Also, Forbidden Island and Trader Vic's are awesome in their own ways.

One caveat: the Musee Mechanique seems like the obvious addition to the above list, but I find it a little depressing these days. The location at Fisherman's Wharf lacks atmosphere, and the tourist traffic seems to be destroying the machines.

posted by eschatfische to sports, hobbies, & recreation (8 comments total)

Forbes Island
posted by rhizome at 5:52 PM on November 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

the Tactile Dome at the Exploratorium? (anachronistic to circa 1971)
posted by abirae at 6:12 PM on November 22, 2008

Musee Mechanique used to be amazing when it was over by Sutro Baths.

Have you been to Spengers and Brennans in west Berkeley? they are both great and really good. Brennans is like an old foodline kind of place. My parents hated it. My dad detests standing up with a tray to be served mashed potatoes with an ice cream scoop. It's really good though. Spengers is great too. the paraphernalia there is amazing.
posted by parmanparman at 6:17 PM on November 22, 2008

I have a weakness for Heinold's in Jack London Square... really it's amazing to me that it still exists. The floor is still tilted from the 1906 earthquake.

I also have a fondness for Shroeder's because it really does remind me of my time in Germany. And when I went, polka night was really fun. :)
posted by miss lynnster at 6:32 PM on November 22, 2008

They just tore the old Brennan's down and it's now housed in the old Berkeley train station that was behind the old building. It's a neat old building in its own right, but not nearly has homey and lived in as the old Brennan's.
posted by The Light Fantastic at 6:50 PM on November 22, 2008

I imagine you already know these, but a tour of the Paramount and Musee Mechanique part II would be right up your alley.
posted by quarterframer at 7:54 PM on November 22, 2008

The interior of Bimbo's 365 Club is basically unchanged since 1951, along with several other old fashioned service touches such as bathroom attendants. It's not really a destination in it's own right, but it's a fun place to hang out before a show.
posted by zsazsa at 10:55 PM on November 22, 2008

When I lived in San Francisco, I used to love hanging out at The Orbit Room on Market Street.
posted by willmize at 3:01 AM on November 23, 2008