Scruffy but lovable, El Rio is one of those live music clubs in San Francisco that offers a consistently good time for young hipsters looking to get their groove going on the cheap. Several rooms, a patio decorated with Christmas lights, and a mixture of DJs and live music keep things lively all week. TeMA, the regular Friday night world beat dance party, is a sure hit that pulls in big crowds of twenty-somethings. It’s also fun to stop by for Sunday Salsa, starting at 3pm with a free barbeque while it lasts out on the patio.

There’s always something going on, from mini film festivals with movies shown outdoors (dress warmly) to live flamenco music and dance, free local oysters at 5pm on most Fridays, and late afternoon DJs spinning reggae and hip-hop. El Rio is eclectic San Francisco at its most diverse and funky. Where else can you hear live flamenco and dance to Afro beat, salsa, reggae, and DJs spinning funk, punk, and soul-all in one night? The patio is also a big plus. Young, hip locals, musically savvy Gen-Xers, Gen-Yers thirsty for a cheap beer on the patio-they’re all here, just about any night of the week. In town on Sunday? Swing by for live salsa in the afternoon.