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The San Francisco Standard
Culture

Photos: See San Francisco’s most spectacular neon signs

The best way to keep these historic signs glowing is to shop at the businesses that have them.

A grid of 4 pictures of neon signage of a neon sign that reads Club with a detail of a cocktail, an arrow with thre words "COOKING", the words "HA-RA" with a cocktail above it and the works "TOPLESS A GO GO" and "CONDOR" on a tall neon sign.
Neon signage is seen around San Francisco at, from top left clockwise, the 500 Club at 500 Guerrero St., a detail from Mels Drive-in at 3355 Geary Blvd., the facade outside of the Ha-Ra Club at 875 Geary and the tall, multicolored sign Condor Club at 560 Broadway. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
By Julie Zigoris

San Francisco is awash in neon, the atmospheric glow of electrified noble gases inside glass tubes that bathe our sidewalks in ethereal shades of orange, red and blue. 

The city used to be graced with even more of the cinematic light source—the Market Street and Broadway corridors, in particular, buzzed with neon. But starting in the 1970s, affordable, easy-to-maintain light-emitting diodes (LEDs) came into popular use, leading to neon’s decline. 

A neon sign at night with the words "Mels Drive-in"
The neon sign for Mel's Drive-in in San Francisco reflects off of car windshields on the evening of Nov. 21. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
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Yet there’s an ongoing movement, spearheaded by organizations like the advocacy group San Francisco Neon and supported by businesses like Neon Works, not only to protect our city’s existing neon but also add to its glowing portfolio. 

It’s led to new legislation (and a new sign) in the Tenderloin, one of the most neon-rich neighborhoods. Similar legislation has been proposed for Chinatown and North Beach, two other areas with a deep connection to the illumination of noble gases. 

A multicolored neon sign at night with the words " DOC’s COCKTAIL"
The neon sign outside of the Mission's Doc’s Clock cocktail bar features a round and blue martini glass. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard

One of the best ways to ensure neon’s survival, according to San Francisco Neon co-founder Randall Ann Homan, is to patronize the businesses that take the trouble of maintaining the signs. You have plenty to choose from in the city: grocery stores and steakhouses, cocktail bars and movie theaters. Use neon as an excuse to get out and explore new-to-you corners of the city. It’s easy to become intoxicated by neon’s allure. 

“It’s like bugs being drawn to a bug zapper,” said Adam Taylor, a glass bender at Neon Works. 

He would know. 

More photos of San Francisco’s neon lights below:

A red neon sign at night with the words "The House of Shields Cocktails"
The neon sign for Downtown bar The House of Shields glows a bright red. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A multicolored neon sign at night with the words " LIPO" and "LIPO COCKTAILS"
The Li Po Lounge's neon sign is a bright fixture in Chinatown. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A red neon sign at night with the words "Ha-Ra"
The Ha-Ra Club's neon sign lights up the Tenderloin. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A neon sign at night with a large cocktail glass on top with the words "500 Club" towards the bottom
The 500 Club's neon sign stands out at dusk on a San Francisco November night. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A neon sign at night with the words "TOPLESS A GO GO" and "Condor" on a tall neon sign.
The neon sign for historic North Beach topless bar, the Condor Club, shines in multiple colors. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A multi-colored neon sign at night with the words "Since 1908 John's Grill Steaks & Seafood 63 COCKTAILS"
The neon sign for classic San Francisco restaurant John’s Grill advertises its signature steaks and seafood menu. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A multi-colored neon sign at night with the words "ROOSEVELT TAMALE PARLOR TACOS DEL BARRIO"
The Roosevelt Tamale Parlor's neon sign also nods to its new occupant, Tacos Del Barrio. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A red neon sign a night with the words "COOKING" and an arrow pointing downwards
Light bounces off Mel's Drive-in's neon sign in San Francisco. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A neon sign at night that reads Club with a detail of a cocktail
A martini glass with a green olive sits on the 500 Club's neon sign. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A neon sign at night that reads "Avedano's MEATS"
The neon sign for butcher shop Avedano’s Meats in Bernal Heights glows a soft yellow. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A red neon sign at night that reads "Philosopher's CLUB"
The neon sign for the Philosophers Club on Ulloa Street sports a cherry-red hue. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A red neon sign at night that reads "SHIELDS Cocktails"
The House of Shields' neon sign catches the eye in Downtown San Francisco. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A street view of a person walking on the sidewalk below a neon sign that has a cocktail on it and reads "DOC'S"
The neon sign for Doc’s Clock stands out as a bright fixture on Mission Street. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A multicolored neon sign at night with a yellow upper case R illuminated.
The Condor Club's neon sign emanates red, yellow and purple colors. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A neon sign at night with the words "Bimbo’s 365" and "HAPPY THANKSGIVING" on the marquee
The marquee under the neon sign for Bimbo’s 365 wishes passersby a "Happy Thanksgiving" on Nov. 21. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A neon sign at night with the words "GARDEN OF E.."
The neon sign for San Francisco's Garden of Eden adult entertainment club shines bright with a pink umbrella. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A neon sign at night with the words "4 STAR"
The 4 Star Theatre's neon sign for its cinema on Clement Street in the Richmond District shines bright with four stars. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A multicolored neon sign that reads "Mel's Drive-In Home Style Cooking"
The Mel's Drive-in neon sign in San Francisco entices passersby to stop by and "eat," advertising "home-style cooking." | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A detail from The Dolores Deluxe of their neon sign that reads "...ORES"
The neon sign for historic Dolores Heights corner store Dolores Deluxe emanates green, yellow and white hues. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A streetview of San Francisco with the neon sign of The Condor Club in view.
The Condor Club's neon sign stands out against the night sky of San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A red neon sign at night that reads "TOSCA"
The neon sign for Tosca Cafe is a calling card for the legendary North Beach hangout. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A red neon sign at night that reads "VERDI CLUB"
Mission dance spot the Verdi Club has a wing-shaped neon sign. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A red neon sign at night that reads "BUDDHA"
Chinatown's Buddha Lounge neon sign complements Li Po Lounge's across the way. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A green neon sign at night that reads "RITESPOT CAFE" in the shape of an arrow pointing downwards and turning right
The Rite Spot Cafe's neon sign casts a green hue into the night. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A detail photo of red neon signage.
Looking up at the House of Shields' neon sign from the street, one can see its intricate curves. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
A red neon sign at night that reads "House of Shields"
The House of Shields neon sign stands out against the night sky of Downtown San Francisco. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard

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CultureNeonPhotographySmall Business