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 Bar for APAs to Hangout: Sonic
Step inside Sonic, and you are immediately greeted with a large sunken bar with bottles lined atop glass shelves, a room illuminated by disco balls and red neon trim, where a giant TV is surrounded by an array of smaller TVs playing international karaoke videos, and the scent of pungent aromas drifts in from the kitchen. This Japantown joint is popular for its unique offerings: a combination Thai restaurant/karaoke lounge/nightclub, Sonic’s owner, Jeff, is also a regular on the floor. A Korean American who immigrated to the United States in the seventh grade, Jeff opened Sonic in 1997 after having opened several other successful establishments in the city. The clientele is international, which is one of Sonic’s biggest draws. Karaoke is offered in 5 different languages including English, both on the floor and in the four private rooms. The appetizers are created from the same recipes as at Osha Thai. For drinks, Art, the bartender, recommends his off-the-menu Golden Gate, a flaming two-shot, red and blue mixture of vodka, sweet and sour, blue curaco, 151, cranberry and grenadine. In many ways, Sonic conjures up memories of Cheers, with the owner and manager on the floor, singing and talking with customers. Mark, who frequents the place, says, “It’s pretty nice here … I don’t want to go karaoke at another place like a karaoke box — there is no beer.”
1705 Buchanan St., S.F., 415-929-9174 or www.clubsonic.com
 Asian-Themed Bar: Romeo 5 Asian Art Cafe and Bar
On the second floor of the Kinokuniya building in Japantown, Romeo 5’s neon sign glows softly in the recess of the building’s atrium. A luxurious and spacious lounge, Romeo 5 is frequented by APAs from all over the Bay Area. Step inside past the velvet curtains, and the modern wooden architecture — designed by general manager Sunny — immediately draws you into its luscious setting. Televisions line the ceiling, with music videos from Asia dancing silently to the house speakers emitting a wide range of music. Behind the bar is an impressive wall of the finest liquors from Asia and America. Look even closer on the top shelf, and you may even catch a glimpse of Japan’s legendary habu sake (snake sake). Romeo 5, the name referencing Shakespeare’s famous lover and the five owners of the Rokugo corporation, is well known for its give-back-to-the-community philosophy which includes a monthly rotating art gallery for emerging APA art students, being a hub for community organizations such as the Asian Law Caucus, the Asian American Bar Association, Asian American Jazz Festival, NAATA, among others, and as an espresso café by day and laid-back lounge by night. Special drinks recommended by Sunny include the Apple Martini, Lychee Colada and Golden Apple Martini (a request from and tribute to Tamilyn Tomita).
1581 Webster St., #202, S.F., 415-563-7400
 Karaoke Bar: Do-Re-Mi
Owner Thomas Kim opened the doors of the first karaoke room in the Bay Area in 1993 and since then, it’s never been the same. Unlike karaoke open mic, Do-Re-Mi has a dozen rooms with individualized sound systems, two mics and several binders full of Korean, Chinese and American songs. Most of the clients of this “norebang” or “song room” are young college-aged students or young professionals but Kim professes that he hopes to attract more non-Asian clients. “It’s stress release,” Kim said. “When you’re in an open bar, you have to wait in line and the moment is gone. [Here], you can sing your heart out.”
1604 Post St., S.F., 415-771-8884
 Asian-themed Club: Asia SF
Much more than just a flashy hot spot filled with beautiful people, Asia SF is a sensory feast. Not only does this South of Market spot offer three star “Cal-Asian” cuisine, drop-dead gorgeous, gender illusionists as servers and entertainers, signature cocktails sure to get you dancing and a subterranean dance floor — but the stylish décor with color-morphing shoji screens and hanging rice paper lanterns brings the APA theme into the scene with real style. Most weekend nights feature local DJs bringing the groove but Asia SF is also a popular spot for private parties, especially bachelor and bachelorette parties. If you’re interested in more than just dancing, be sure to plan far in advance because getting a reservation here may take some string pulling. But if you’re out for a good time, here’s our advice: Get an Asia SF signature drink, perhaps Tara’s Tarantula — “The Ultimate Margarita” made with José Cuervo white tequila, triple sec, blue curacao, sweet and sour and fresh lime juice (for just $8.50) and get down under the swirling lights in Asia SF’s basement. There’s even a cage in the corner for you wild ones.
Location: 201 9th Street, SF., 415-255-2742
 Soju Bar: Rohan
The DJ spins trendy, electronic music. The two bartenders rush back behind the elongated bar, shaking and pouring drinks in a frenzy. Waitresses are briskly rushing back and forth from the kitchen to the front, serving up Korean-fusion dishes. This is a typical night at Rohan. What makes this bar/restaurant different from others is their trademark soju drinks, with perky yet painfully cheesy names. Customers can order a mujo, which is infused with ginger syrup, mint, raspberry and lemon/lime juice and of course, soju — Korean rice wine. Other drinks include: Happy Family, Asian Blonde and Numbchuck. Bar owner Rolan Reichel claims, “You can’t find soju drinks anywhere else. They’re really fun and taste great.” To that end, cheers!
3809 Geary Blvd., S.F., 415-221-5095
Best Place to Meet and Mingle with other Young APA Professionals: H(API) Hour
How often do you make a charitable donation? For the majority of young APA professionals, the answer is usually “not that often.” But go to any bar or lounge in the Bay Area and you’ll always find a few APA’s willing to shell out up to 10 bucks for premium alcohol in their Sour Apple Martinis, Gin Rickeys or Cosmos. A couple years back, someone figured this out and decided to try and make a few bucks off of it — not for themselves but for those who really needed the dough — and thus (H)API Hour, a roving social fundraiser for APA nonprofit organizations, was born. The small group of APA friends who first organized the monthly (H)API Hour in 2000 wanted to develop an avenue in which young APA professionals as well as community activists could socialize and support community nonprofit organizations. Unlike other organizations, who tried to organize young APA professional “parties” around this same concept (where have you gone, M Society West?), (H)API Hour continues to meet the second Thursday of each month and carries on with its mission despite the Bay Area’s dot.com bust and economic downturn. Unlike the other failed attempts, (H)API Hour isn’t the usual meat market — the crowd is still good-looking and successful, but support of nonprofits is still the main focus. Time is always taken in the middle of each event and a short presentation is given to introduce the currently highlighted nonprofit. Check out hapihour.org to find this month’s location and head on over. A portion of the profits of every Caiprinha you sip and Watermelon ‘Kaze you shoot will go to a worthwhile nonprofit organization. You’ll still be hung over the next morning, but at least this time your conscience will feel better about it.
 Bar for queer APA men: N Touch
At N Touch, the mixed crowd of gay men decked out in everything from Versace to short shorts to casual Abercrombie & Fitch saunters by the bar or dances to hard beats. The only Asian-targeted bar in the Bay Area, some young men may venture out from South San Jose or Daly City to get a piece of the action. Go-go dancers perform Friday and Saturday nights. Thursday nights are dedicated to a tranny show, hosted by the diva Tita Ida. Wednesday nights are lesbian nights and Mondays and Tuesdays are dedicated to karaoke. “It’s the main Asian bar,” co-owner Rogelio Manzana pointed out. “It’s the gay club for coming out of the closet for gay Asians.” The friendly atmosphere, sexy clientele and a stocked bar make the right formula for a fun night “out.”
1548 Polk St., S.F., 415-441-8413
 Bar for queer APA women: El Rio
This warm-hearted dive bar at the edge of the Mission is a safe space for women of all colors and preferences. The long bar is a great place to have a low-key drink and scope out the regulars for a mellow night, though El Rio’s big backyard and extra room is often the site of some raging parties. The Saturday afternoon “Mango” — advertised as “sweet sexy fun for women” — fills the bar with women all dancing to a mix of hip hop, reggae, salsa and soca. El Rio was also the original home to “Sister Rise Up,” an open mic venue for women of Arab American descent and their allies started after Sept. 11, which became an important site for solidarity.
158 Mission St. (at Cesar Chavez), S.F., 415-282-3325
 APA open mic: Mango Mic
When Elizabeth Chen took over the obviously named Asian American Open Mic one year ago, she decided that it needed to be rejuvenated. She dubbed it Mango Mic, moved it to Filipino American arts and ecology space Pusod in Berkeley and the rest is history. This monthly Saturday night open mic has become a growing community of APAs who are getting up and sharing their creativity. Chen, a poet and community organizer, says the crowds vary from an upwards of 90 people to just 15 sitting in a circle. The most memorable Mango Mics for her have been the kick-off event last year and its anniversary this year, which coincided with Columbus Day. “The theme was ‘Christopher Columbus to George W. Bush: 500 years of invasion and war’ and it was so powerful. It really showed the diversity across the APA spectrum, yet the connection because everyone did something that related to the theme,” she said. Chen thinks Mango Mic’s East Bay location is especially important because of the lack of APA arts events on her side of the bridge. For empowerment, community, poetry, song and the chance to speak your mind — check out Mango Mic, the second Saturday of every month in Berkeley. For info email aaopenmic@yahoo.com.
Pusod, 1808 Fifth St., Berkeley, 510-883-1808
 Theater for Asian Movies: 4-Star Movie Theatre
The squealing of burned rubber has left serious donut tracks at the intersection of 23rd Avenue and Clement Street — maybe it is a tribute to the 1974 B-movie car chase cult classic Gone in 60 Seconds playing next month at the 4-Star Movie Theatre located in San Francisco’s Richmond district. Saturday midnight movies and “Kung-Fu Klassics” feature immortal cult films like Garbage Pail Kids, Young Master, Pre-Hollywood Jackie Chan and the rare print of Joysticks — the ultimate teen film of “non-stop hi-jinx, tons of nudity from both boys and girls and a video game competition that will make your wrists sore.” 4-Star is the only independently owned theater in San Francisco that continuously screens first run movies from Hong Kong in Cantonese (with English subtitles).
Clement St. at 23rd Ave., S.F., 415-666-3488
 Video Store for Kung-Fu Flicks: Le Video
Perusing the aisles of Le Video, you can find any video you would ever want to see. They even have two copies of Brother, one of Takeshi Kitano’s latest brilliant productions. A “film lover’s paradise” with everything from the latest box office hits to music videos to martial arts films, Le Video seeks to provide “a comprehensive film selection that also features esoteric, under-seen, under-appreciated and hard-to-find films that deserve to be seen.” With nearly 45,000 titles to choose from, Le Video is easily one of the most eclectic and well-stocked video stores in San Francisco. Le Video’s Kung Fu and/or “Chop Sockey Classics” section is one of the biggest selections of Hong Kong action films in a non-specialty store in this city. According to Le Video Store Manager John Hayes, “You needn’t watch every kung fu movie out there in chronological order to get a handle on Chinese action.” Here, therefore, is a simple novice’s guide (in no particular order) to Hong Kong Action titles one must watch to fully appreciate the beauty of such a genre: 1. Chow Yun-Fat in Hard-Boiled. 2. Jet Li in the Once Upon a Time in China series. 3. Jackie Chan in Legend of the Drunken Master and Project A. For all your kung fu questions and recommendations at Le Video, ask for Ed — the Hong Kong Action guru.
1231 9th Ave, S.F., 415.566.3606 or www.levideo.com
 PC Bang: Evo
Serious gamers, let’s get right to the point. You voted for Evo as the best PC Bang in the Bay for a reason. And who would agree with you more than the staff at AsianWeek? We know because we go. Ken and Torrance and their friendly and helpful staff are always there to make sure the latest game is on the hard drives — even before the game is out on the market. Celebrating their one-year anniversary this month, Evo was the first PC Bang in the Sunset district, and continues to promote its philosophy of providing a well-planned, safe and comfortable interior for gamers. They make sure those AMD 1400mhz machines run well, and run they do — with Counterstrike tournaments once a month, you better be running after the enemy! Some of the latest games include Warcraft III, Battlefield 1942 and Unreal Tournament. Though there are only 30 computers — slightly less than other PC Bangs — the advantage lies in the consistently maintained computers that ensure continuous and unadulterated game play and the spacious setting between you and your opponents. EVO also builds a community with its regulars through organized monthly tournaments, which are not only PC based, but also include their latest Xbox additions. Occasionally they also offer discount and special pricing to members.
2234 Taraval St., S.F., 415-665-1063 or www.evoentertainment.com
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