Drinks at 6 (in the morning)
Nine third-shift bars in the Bay Area

WHETHER YOU'RE TRAINING for a drinking triathlon, getting off the late shift at work, or just out looking for an early-morning pick-me-up, these local watering holes are your best bet if it's six in the morning and you have some boozing to do. As Benjamin Franklin said, "the early bird gets the worm ... at the bottom of the tequila bottle." Words to drink – rather, live – by. The following bars take a breather at 2 a.m. and reopen at 6 a.m., seven days a week.

1. The Cinch 1723 Polk, S.F. (415) 776-4162 Cowboys and cowgirls who rise with the sun and wake with a thirst can mosey on down to the Cinch, where a Wild West theme permeates the premises, a pool table awaits, and a smoking patio is provided for anyone wishing to imitate the late Marlboro Man.

2. Clooney's Pub 1401 Valencia, S.F. (415) 826-4988 As one of the bartenders firmly states, at Clooney's "everything's going on at six in the morning!" A pool table, food, friendly service, and "cheap, hardy drinks" give breakfast at IHOP some stiff competition.

3. Gino and Carlo 548 Green, S.F. (415) 421-0896 As the bartender put it, they're open "6 to 2, 365 ..."

4. Gold Dust Lounge 247 Powell, S.F. (415) 397-1695 This classy Union Square joint was a Herb Caen haunt when Mr. Dot-Dot-Dot chronicled the life of the city in his famous column. Is it breakfast time? Try a Gold Dust specialty, the Bushmills Irish coffee.

5. Hotsy Totsy Club 601 San Pablo, Albany (510) 525-9964 An East Bay beacon in the light to those coming off the night shift, the Hotsy also serves coffee and doughnuts to nine-to-fivers swinging by before work.

6. McKenzie's 5320 Geary, S.F. (415) 379-6814 No frills or drink specials for early risers here, but who needs 'em when you're going out at six in the morning to drink?

7. The Pendulum 4146 18th St., S.F. (415) 863-4441 You can count on the Pendulum – open every day, "even Mother's Day and Christmas." A morning bartender-DJ sets the mood with "trippy, Indian, and Middle Eastern" music.

8. Terry's Lodge 1368 Irving, S.F. (415) 731-1200 The neon sign of this dive beckons through the Sunset District fog and mist. Sit yourself down on one of the well-worn bar stools, order your favorite stiff drink, and let the world go by as the Pogues sing a song of "times long gone."

9. Vesuvio 255 Columbus, S.F. (415) 362-3370 Across the street from City Lights Bookstore, Vesuvio was a favorite hangout of Kerouac. In fitting tribute, the adjacent alleyway is named after the hard-drinking writer.