# Wild Side West

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Bar in San Francisco

Wild Side West Wild Side West sign (2006) Interactive map of Wild Side West Restaurant information Established 1962; 64 years ago (1962) Location 424 Cortland Avenue, San Francisco, California, United States Coordinates 37°44′21″N 122°25′02″W / 37.739186°N 122.417194°W / 37.739186; -122.417194

Wild Side West door (2006)

**Wild Side West** is a historic [lesbian bar](/source/Lesbian_bar), founded in 1962 and located in the [Bernal Heights](/source/Bernal_Heights%2C_San_Francisco) neighborhood in [San Francisco](/source/San_Francisco), [California](/source/California).[1] As of 2021, Wild Side West is San Francisco's last remaining lesbian bar,[1] although the bar currently serves a more diverse Queer crowd much like the nearby [El Rio](/source/El_Rio_(gay_bar)) bar.[2][3][4]

## History

Founded in 1962 by Pat Ramseyer and Nancy White, from 1962 until 1968, the bar was located in [Oakland](/source/Oakland%2C_California), [California](/source/California).[1][4] Wild Side West was named after the film *[Walk on the Wild Side](/source/Walk_on_the_Wild_Side_(film))* (1962) featuring [Barbara Stanwyck](/source/Barbara_Stanwyck).[1] In 1962, it was still illegal for women to be bartenders in California, so the bar existed in rebellion, with women serving the drinks.[1]

From 1968 until 1976, the bar existed in the [North Beach](/source/North_Beach%2C_San_Francisco) neighborhood.[1] During the North Beach-era, the bar was also a refugee for local strippers.[4][5] In the 1970s, it became known for advancing the careers of female musicians and singers who performed there included [Cris Williamson](/source/Cris_Williamson), [Ronee Blakley](/source/Ronee_Blakley), and the all- women R+B band Sweet Chariot. Ramseyer was also a percussionist who played in the band BeBe K'Roach, and sometimes jammed with fellow musicians in the bar, while Nancy White sang Broadway Show Tunes.[6][7] The bar also hosted poetry readings by noted poets [Kay Boyle](/source/Kay_Boyle), [Ruth Weiss](/source/Ruth_Weiss_(beat_poet)), [Robert Duncan](/source/Robert_Duncan_(poet)), and Nanos Valoiritis.[8][9]

In 1977, Ramseyer and White moved the bar to 424 Cortland Avenue in Bernal Heights and they purchased the 1890s [Italianate](/source/Italianate_architecture)-style building.[1][3][5] Behind the house is a multi-level garden for outdoor meetings, nicknamed *Pat's Magical Garden*.[3][5] The garden has many toilets used as planters, these were collected after they were thrown through the bar’s windows in the early years after the move to Cortland Avenue.[10] Notable people that have frequented the bar include [Janis Joplin](/source/Janis_Joplin),[1] [Joan Baez](/source/Joan_Baez),[4] [Bob Dylan](/source/Bob_Dylan),[4] [Madeline Gleason](/source/Madeline_Gleason),[4] and others.

Wild Side West has been active in the community and is a venue for community fundraising such as for an annual breast cancer fund Benefit for the Boob, the Bernal Library Art Project, the [St. James Infirmary Clinic](/source/St._James_Infirmary_Clinic), and Lyon Martin Health Services.[4]

It has frequently been cited as one of San Francisco's remaining 'historic' bars. In 2013, it was recognized by San Francisco Architectural Heritage Organization on its original list of 25 Legacy bars that have, "intangible significance" that reflect the spirit of the city.[11][12][13][14][15][16]

## See also

- [LGBTQ portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:LGBTQ)

- [Lesbian Bar Project](/source/Lesbian_Bar_Project)

- [The Lexington Club](/source/The_Lexington_Club)

- [List of lesbian bars](/source/List_of_lesbian_bars)

- [Maud's (bar)](/source/Maud's_(bar))

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:0_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-:0_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-:0_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-:0_1-7) ["The History and the Mystery of San Francisco's Wild Side West"](http://sfbaytimes.com/history-mystery-san-franciscos-wild-side-west/). *San Francisco Bay Times*. 2017-08-24. Retrieved 2021-06-29.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Robin (2014-11-11). ["The State of the Lesbian Bar: San Francisco Toasts To The End Of An Era"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210622200922/https://www.autostraddle.com/the-state-of-the-lesbian-bar-san-francisco-toasts-to-the-end-of-an-era-262072/). *Autostraddle*. Archived from [the original](https://www.autostraddle.com/the-state-of-the-lesbian-bar-san-francisco-toasts-to-the-end-of-an-era-262072/) on 2021-06-22. Retrieved 2021-06-29.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:1_3-2) Downing, Shane (2020-05-21). ["Bay Area Dive Bars Say They're Hanging in There — but Only by a Thread"](https://sf.eater.com/2020/5/21/21260152/bay-area-dive-bars-coronavirus-shutdown-san-francisco-oakland). *Eater SF*. Retrieved 2021-06-30.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:3_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:3_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:3_4-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-:3_4-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-:3_4-6) ["Wild Side West's Wild Life"](https://www.ebar.com/bartab/nightlife//154842). *The Bay Area Reporter / B.A.R. Inc*. Retrieved 2021-06-30.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:2_5-2) ["Taking a walk in SF's Wild Side West bar"](https://www.sfexaminer.com/features/taking-a-walk-in-sfs-wild-side-west-bar/). *The San Francisco Examiner*. 2014-04-20. Retrieved 2021-06-30.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-White_Obit_6-0)** ["Nancy Jane White Obituary"](https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sfgate/obituary.aspx?n=nancy-jane-white&pid=120994805). San Francisco Chronicle. December 6, 2008. Retrieved Nov 26, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Stein_7-0)** Stein, Ruthe (March 6, 1975). "Women Who Are Banding Together". San Francisco Chronicle.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Breaking_8-0)** Grace, Nancy Mccambell (2004). [*Breaking the Rule of Cool*](https://books.google.com/books?id=h8nr0BqIsssC&q=wild+side). University Press of Mississippi. p. 75. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1578066549](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1578066549).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Poetry_9-0)** ["Semester's Music Finale at SF State"](https://sfchronicle.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2:142051F45F422A02@NGPA-CASFC-1513F33591292C78@2440724-15126394A1AB78D6@21-15126394A1AB78D6@?search_terms). San Francisco Chronicle. May 17, 1970. Retrieved May 31, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Bicchieri, Paolo (2018-03-28). ["20 Essential LGBTQ Bars in San Francisco and the East Bay"](https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-gay-bars-san-francisco). *Eater SF*. Retrieved 2023-06-25.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["San Francisco's Oldest Bars"](https://www.sfgate.com/food/slideshow/San-Francisco-s-oldest-bars-91003.php). San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved June 1, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Offtrack_12-0)** Planet, Off Track (2015). [*Off Track Planet's Travel Guide for the Young, Sexy and Broke*](https://books.google.com/books?id=wRnTDQAAQBAJ&q=%22wild+side+west%22). Running Press. p. 34. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780762457113](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780762457113). Retrieved June 1, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Legacybars_13-0)** Nolte, Carl (March 31, 2013). ["San Francisco's Legacy Bars: A Toast"](https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Sand-Francisco-legacy-bars-a-toast-4398893.php). San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved June 1, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Dineen, JK (30 October 2015). [*High Spirits: San Francisco's Legacy Bars*](https://www.amazon.com/High-Spirits-Legacy-Bars-Francisco-ebook/dp/B017EDPHCG). Heyday, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Historic_15-0)** ["Nine Historic Bars in San Francisco"](https://www.neighborhoods.com/blog/9-historic-bars-in-san-francisco). *www.neighborhoods.com*. Retrieved June 1, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Boulware_16-0)** Boulware, Jack (2000). [*San Francisco Bizarro*](https://books.google.com/books?id=VPWQ04Vbf10C&dq=%22wild+side+west%22+%22jack+boulware%22&pg=PA62). New York: St. Martin's Press. p. 62. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0312206712](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0312206712). Retrieved June 1, 2021.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Wild Side West](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Wild_Side_West).

- [Official website](https://www.wildsidewest.com/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Wild Side West](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Side_West) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Side_West?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.