Bars with DJs

Deborah Giattina crowns a winner: Little Baobab

FRISCO LIKES TO disco, and a lot of us go out specifically to get lost in a sea of dancers 20 feet deep at some downtown nightclub. Others like the no-frills (or cover) bar-and-jukebox combo. Then there's you. When you go out, you don't know if you want to kick back or get up and twinkle your toes ever so slightly to the beat (you know, of course, that it's illegal to dance at most bars). Bars with DJs are your kind of place, and we know exactly where to send you.

Word of mouth for Little Baobab is huge. So huge that DJ Sogui Diouf (also manager of the restaurant Bissap Baobab, Little B's nearby relation) says he hardly makes flyers to advertise his Saturday-night set, which features some of the best Ivory Coast body-moving grooves in the city. So huge that it has worldwide reach. Twice I've been to the packed joint and chatted with some garçon fresh off a flight from France. What makes foreign visitors to San Francisco cut a beeline to this petit spot in the Mission? Could be the tiny venue's reputation as a space for smooshing international bodies together with somewhat crunchy American ones, but mostly it's the music. In addition to Diouf's night, Wednesdays heat up with salsa and reggaeton, Thursdays are for reggae and dancehall fans, and the owner plays his African faves on Fridays.

Multilingual Senegalese owner Marco Senghor opened the bar, which serves African and Caribbean Creole food in the early evening, about eight years ago, after he grew tired of running his hibiscus juice business. Those libations, improvised from the traditional ginger-spiked drinks of his homeland into fruity intoxicants, are also a big attraction, especially for a chica with a tired trunk in need of a thirst quencher. Dinner 6-10 p.m., happy hour 6-7 p.m., dancing with DJs 10 p.m.-late, 3388 19th St., SF. (415) 643-3558.

The royal court: Almost anything goes – heavy psych rock; rare indie-rock 7-inches; jazz, Latin, and blues played on a Victrola – at the eclectic Attic. Once you've waded through the narrow bar area near the entrance, the room opens up into a dark cavern of booths where regulars comfortably socialize. Definitely check out the '70s soul, funk, and disco of Hot Shot on last Mondays with DJ Pickpocket and pals. 3336 24th St., SF. (415) 643-3376.

When partying in the Castro, you definitely want to check out the Bar on Castro, the padded vinyl-walled hangout where you'll gratefully hear something other than the totally generic gay disco blaring from other district establishments. Popular nights include Sundays, with longtime local DJ Page Ardell, and hip-hop on Tuesdays with DJ Jay R. 456 Castro, SF. (415) 626-7220.

If you're out for action, the wonderfully cozy and cruisey Tunnel Top has it. A sandwich board of DJs greets you as you walk into this dark, wood-paneled space, often listing well-known hip-hop mixers, like DJ Romanowski. Grab a drink and head straight up to the creaky loft, where you can lounge on cushioned benches or scope from the railing. 601 Bush, SF. (415) 986-8900, www.tunneltop.com.