A chorus of Yelpers joins me in singing the praises of this Mission staple for strong drinks, funky décor, mood lighting, and large crowds. With nothing that really distinguishes this hot spot as being Latin American, nor really a club for that matter, the Latin American Club does step up as being a place to go to any day of the week to find attractive people from all walks of life getting together for good conversation and drink. The high ceilings and funky outfit of this hideout make it an unusually, upscale dive where the drinks are fairly priced and the ambiance may lend itself to the slightly more sophisticated. From one evening to the next the packed crowd seems to change. My first night going out to the 22nd and Valencia locale, I saw it as a spot for single, 20-something professionals to travel to for mingling. The next time around it seemed to be a breeding ground for hip, Mission-types to relax in, on a night off from the hustle and bustle of the Valencia or 16th street strips.

As I continue to frequent this little known gem, I am always surprised by the various faces and types that pack the space. Approaching the bar, you may think you were misdirected when you arrive at its dark and quiet exterior that is littered with a few chairs and smokers. Don’t be fooled. Inside there is plenty of bar and table seating, a stage for, well more seating, potent margaritas, and unassumingly good music that provides a seamless soundtrack to compliment great conversations. Besides droll decorations, the Club has an all star lineup of beer, full bar and saucy bartenders to boot. The Latin American Club is a highly recommended place to take a first date. If conversation goes stale, all you have to do is look to your left or right to find a dead animal piñata, dog paintings, or housing fixtures to re-energize the chat and pump up the chemistry. This stomping ground is a perfect spot to meet a myriad of different people from all walks of life.

Latin American Club
3286 22nd Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 647-2732