The Polk Gulch revival has inspired an area in San Francisco that can’t be as easily classified as many other neighborhoods. Creeping out of the remnants of the 1970’s gay counter culture, trans gender prostitutes, homeless wanderers, lunatics and drug addicts drift the streets among the young and the hip (gay and straight alike). New bars and clubs are now hosting a more affluent crowd, boasting a true destination for all kinds of San Francisco nightlife--a curious but perhaps cliché evolution of the seedy and weird once exiled here.

Not new, but a true destination on Polk Street, is Blur.

Remember that DJ spinning too-loud lounge music? Or that broken TV hanging by cobwebs in the corner? Remember when the bar and restaurant industry locals would flock to this dark tavern to end their shifts and unwind with a Blur Bowl made by the random resident sushi chef? Those were the Old Days.

Blur is a different spot now, staying true only to its unique vibe amongst its often-formulaic counterparts. With a crowd as pleasantly unpredictable as its bartenders are friendly, Blur is standing out as the place to find not only a cool crowd but a quality drinking scene in general. Just when you think that those delicious, fresh and creative cocktails must come from an upscale lounge, you’re reminded that the cooler is full of Miller Highlife. Just when you think the dark décor and velvet chairs means you’ve stepped into a yuppie bar, you check out the $2 PBR and $3 Bud Light and realize you wouldn’t be drinkin’ Bud specials if you were in the Marina.

Cheap but Classy drinking. That’s where Happy Hour comes in, probably the best Happy Hour in The City: 2 for 1 everything everyday 4-6PM, top-shelf and low-shelf. And Blur represents for its local Culinary Academy and Academy of Art students, who get 2 for 1 specials on Wednesdays and Thursdays post Happy Hour. Blur even hosts a Late Night Happy Hour from midnight to one in the morning! The creativity of the bartenders has gained citywide popularity for their fruit libations, like the Fresh Strawberry Margarita or the Fresh Blueberry Mojito. If you’re into that energy drink thing, replace the played out Red Bull and vodka with a Lotus B Vitamin Lemon Drop. Local vodka keeps it real and all specialty cocktails are 8 bucks!

It goes like this: Blur is holding it down in the heart of The City. Whether you’re popping in for Pizza-and-a-Movie Night, Trivia Night, Sangria Saturdays or Sunday Funday, you never know what kind of cool people you’re going to meet.

Blur is located at 1121 Polk Street at Hemlock. Hours are 6pm - 2am everyday. (415) 716-8361.