Seattleite At Large: Couchsurfing Pubcrawl in San Francisco

Every year I make a pilgrimage to San Jose for the fabulous Pantheacon Convention and I usually try to take a day before or after to wander around San Francisco. Just a 1.5 hour flight from Seattle, it's a nice place to take a weekend vacation.

This year I decided to join a pub crawl organized by a few hostels near Chinatown, including the Green Tortoise, who's representative made sure we moved along at a steady clip and was a delight to talk to.
Going on 4 years now, the rock-paper-scissors themed event makes it easy to get to know people. This was honestly the most fun bar crawl I'd ever been on. If you find yourself in San Francisco on a Wednesday evening, stop by The Northstar on Green and Powell by 9pm to join in the fun. You'll be happy you did.

Doorman Steve. Been working at the Northstar for a good 15 years. He's a big fan of the weekly group starting at his bar.

With a $5 entry, you get a well designed game card and a slip for drink specials.

A couple of gents I soundly beat in my first two R-P-S rounds.

Drink up!

James, in the red shirt, was telling me all about his American adventure with his brother. Coming over from England in January, they started in Vancouver, and are making their way down the continent, ending in South American in the summer. A couple of friends joined them for their Bay Area and Vegas stint. Good travels, all!

Heading to the next bar!

Hawaii West cafe. My camera phone hates lit signs, probably a sign I should update my equipment. My hat goes off to Antonio in the fabulous fuzzy ball topped hat, who works as the Orange Village hostel rep for the crawl. Getting paid to drink, you're living the dream, my good sir.

With everyone on their 3rd or 4th drink of the night, smiles get much more intense.

Gino & Carlo, our 3rd stop of the night.

Here we have Arnaud, Max, and Mateo. Three gentlemen from around the world (Texas- by way of Cote d'Ivoire and France, Baja California, and Columbia), all making their way in the tech industry in the Bay Area. American melting pot!