Sleepless in San Francisco

June is by far one of my favorite months in SF. The smell of street festivals and outdoor daytime drinking in this rare SF sunshine is just…ahhhh. So promising. So many things to instagram combined with that careless wonder of all the mistakes you’re about to make. Because hey, deep fried anything is always a good idea. I. CAN’T. WAIT. So, grab that net and catch that beautiful butterfly my friend, it’s festival season! And here’s what’s up this weekend.

Saturday:

North Beach Festival: Your sleazy Italian “Uncle” of Festivals. Saturday is THE rowdy day, so prepare for the shit show. But the best kind possible. Unlike the Union Street Festival, this crowd is more friendly, less trendy and my favorite of the festival season. Same ol’ street vendors, but amazing Italian food, people drinking and sun bathing in Washington Square Park, elaborate sidewalk chalk art and of course, overcrowded North Beach Bars. Tips: Hit up Savoy, it’s more spacious, has a dance floor, pool tables, photo booth, not one but TWO bars and outdoor seating is ideal for people judging. Or sit outside at Dell’uva, they usually play 90’s rap. Don’t go to Maggies. Usually it’s a favorite bar but on this weekend you’ll get trapped in the back and have a drunken panic attack (which looks likes Jerry’s Maguires flip out). But their bathrooms are reliable. I’ll give them that. If you can squeeze into Gino & Carlos, say what’s up to Nick at the Bar, he’ll make drinks that’ll put hair on your chest. Rogue, the Boardroom, and North Star are also really fun bars that are just far enough away from the center of the hype but they’re usually where the night crowd shifts. Also, visit Goorin Bros and buy yourself some authentic Italian headgear in the coolest hat shop you’ve ever seen.

Film Night in the Park - Featuring Mamma Mia! Grab your blanket, brown bags full of preferred bevies, and sing along outside in Dolores Park for a screening of Meryl Streep’s only appearance in overalls. Showtime is at dusk. 8-8:30ish.

Temper Trap at the Warfield - This one is self explanatory. It’s going to be a great show, period.

Mayer Hawthorne at the Fillmore - This concert will be finger snapping fun, no doubt. you’ve heard this song. And hey, free concert poster!

Sunday:

Top Chef Tour - In Justin Herman Plaza from 10:30 to 2p, Bravo’s Top Chefs will be cooking up who knows what, but with the title “Top Chef” it shouldn’t be a let down. This could be fun, I don’t know. The real reason why I listed this is because men making food is sexy. So obviously, Ryan Scott making food is double sexy. Who’s hungry?

North Beach Festival, Day 2 - Sunday is always the calm after the storm of a two day festival, more leisurely strolling amongst smaller crowds and less pressure to drown yourself in booze. If your dad is anything like mine (gets a kick out of Steve Martin’s hot dog/bun ratio fiasco in Father of the Bride), take him to this! Grab some beers and share a Cannoli (from Stella Pastry) or gelato (from Gelato Classico) and sit in the park. Take him to 101 Music and browse original concert posters from his favorite bands of the 70’s. Or check out some of my favorite Dad friendly bars: 15 Romolo, Dell’Uva Wine Bar, Tony Niks, or Specs (they have a bin of old post cards sitting on the bar that people send them from all over the world, or often from the Mission. They’re fun to go through). Take him to Dinner at Coloseo or E’ Tutto Qua if you’re heart is set on Italian. I’d say go to Tony’s Pizza which is my all time fave, but tables Sunday night will be hard to come up on. If you’re a lucky diner, get. the meatball. gigante. Seriously. Then tell me how much you love me later.

Season Finale of GIRLS on HBO - It had to be listed.

Alright, that’s the recap. See you out there, San Franciscans. No excuses. Play like a champion.