Trendy spots come and go, but spaces that truly define cool are surprisingly rare in the renowned bohemian enclave of San Francisco. Blame it on "gentrification"-- long gone are the haunts of legends like Burroughs, Kerouac, Ginsberg, LaVey, and the proto-hippies. The good news is, there are still places that offer a salon-like atmosphere for the culturally eskew. The 540, with ever-changing original art exhibits adorning its Paris-brothel wallpaper, up-and-coming deejays, post-modern cinema on the big screen, a top-notch staff, and a jukebox with over 100,000 songs, supports a steady stream of colorful characters ranging from up-and-coming social critics to transient Bukowski wannabes. And did I mention the surrounding neighborhood is like a postcard from Shanghai?
Pros: Homey, Eclectic, Funky
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