Golden Gate Theatre

It's classy, it's artsy, it's almost Broadway - it's the Golden Gate Theatre. You'll probably increase your vocabulary by fifty percent after seeing a show here, and honestly, that's not a bad deal at all for a night out in San Francisco.

Opened in 1922 on Taylor Street in the downtown part of the city, the Golden Gate is San Francisco's premier Broadway touring house. The big shows all come through here and they come through regularly - Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Hadestown - and the theater itself is a beautifully restored room with ornate period detailing, excellent acoustics, and that old-school glamour that makes you want to dress up a little (even though this is San Francisco and nobody will ever judge you if you show up in jeans and a flannel).

At about 2,500 seats, the Golden Gate handles the major touring productions with ease and style. The sight lines are good from most sections throughout the theater, and the mezzanine offers a nice elevated perspective if you prefer to take in the whole stage rather than looking up from the orchestra. It's the kind of room where you forget you're not actually on Broadway because the production quality and the atmosphere make it feel like the real deal.

For pre-show dining, head a few blocks to Union Square or over to Hayes Valley for some of the best food in the city. Brenda's French Soul Food on Hyde does beignets and Cajun-Creole food that's absolutely worth any wait. Zuni Cafe on Market Street is a San Francisco institution (get the roast chicken - you'll understand immediately why). Or grab a quick bowl at Ramen Nagi if you're short on time and just need something warm and perfect before the curtain goes up.

The Golden Gate is San Francisco's theater gem. Browse what's playing on Evil Tickets and go get yourself some culture.