Twin Peaks Tavern is a Castro neighborhood bar at 401 Castro St, known for its large street-facing windows and role in LGBTQ history. In 1972, its owners opened the windows to the street, making it one of the first gay bars in the country where people inside could be seen from outside. Settle in by the window for a look at Castro Street, or head upstairs for more seating and a quieter conversation. The bar serves cocktails, beer and wine, but no food; bring cash, with an ATM upstairs if needed.
A Castro bar that opened its windows
Twin Peaks Tavern began as an Irish pub in 1935. Its place in LGBTQ history dates to 1972, when Mary Ellen Cunha and Peggy Forster took over and removed the coverings from its large windows. At a time when gay bars commonly kept their interiors hidden, the clear glass made people inside visible to the street. The change was a public act of visibility, and the windows remain central to the bar’s identity.
The tavern is a designated San Francisco historic landmark on Castro Street, at the corner of 17th Street. Its history is tied to a period when LGBTQ people faced discrimination and bars could be targets of harassment and violence. The open windows offered a different kind of presence in the neighborhood: people could see a community gathering rather than a concealed room.
Inside the tavern
The interior keeps a vintage character, with ornate woodwork, stained glass, mirrors and brass detailing around the bar. The main room looks onto Castro Street through the large windows, so the passing neighborhood becomes part of the visit. There is also seating upstairs, including a mezzanine where people can settle in for a longer conversation.
The atmosphere is more suited to talking over a drink than to a high-volume dance night. Cocktails, beer and wine are available, and the bar is known for strong pours. Irish coffee, a martini, a Manhattan and a tequila sunrise are among the drinks associated with the tavern. There is no food service, so make this a drinks stop rather than a meal.
A place to pause on Castro Street
The windows make the tavern a natural place to watch the street, especially if you find a seat along the glass. The room can get busy in the afternoon, when locals and visitors gather, so an off-peak visit suits anyone hoping for a more relaxed pace. The close seating and conversational feel can also make it easy to strike up a chat, though the bar works just as well for a drink with your own group.
Twin Peaks Tavern nearly closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. A fundraising campaign raised more than $100,000 to help keep it open. That episode added a recent chapter to a bar whose history is closely linked to the Castro and to LGBTQ visibility in San Francisco.
FAQ
Where is Twin Peaks Tavern?
It is at 401 Castro St in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood, on the corner of 17th Street.
Does Twin Peaks Tavern serve food?
No. The bar serves drinks, so plan to eat elsewhere.
Is Twin Peaks Tavern cash-only?
Yes. There is an ATM upstairs if you need cash.
What is Twin Peaks Tavern known for?
Its large street-facing windows, opened in 1972, made it one of the first gay bars in the country where patrons could be seen from the street.
