Your Favorite Artists’ Guide to Game Day in San Francisco

The Big Game Day is around the corner. We all want to eat, it’s a Sunday. You got your wing spot? Need a vegan option? Not all of us care about football the same way I do but I asked some of my close friends and local legends to give me their favorite go-to spots for the game. Let’s shine on these artists and give love to the spots they and we frequent. I’m definitely leaving the best for last but first up…

Eric Broers Hayes Valley Artist/Muralist

Eric has been crushing art in many forms and when it comes to good beers he’s a connoisseur of sorts. A native of Chicago but a San Franciscan in all forms. You may say artist and muralist but I say an all around good guy, the kind you wanna buy art from or at least a beer for.

“I may or may not catch the game but I am for sure grabbing a beer and some cheer at Afterwork Bar on Hayes. They have great seating for my lazy bones and burgers to solve my empty gut. (*pro tip get the aged cheddar with tater tots, you’ll thank me later) Then I’ll head up to Hayz Dog to high five my mural and grab a shake.

So, whether the game steals your attention or not, the real MVPs of the night are the laid-back hangouts, mouth-watering burgers, and the vibrant murals that make Hayes truly unique. It’s a time out well spent, discovering the hidden gems that give this neighborhood its distinctive flavor.”

Say hi at @hiericbro on Instagram

Robert Bowen All City Art legend

You may have come across Robert’s art in publications such as Juxtapoz Magazine back in the day or maybe caught him recently at 111 Minna Gallery in SoMa. Robert is always up to something as the man and good friend of mine never stays still. Hands down one of my favorite artists in San Francisco with his industrial animal shifting concepts. Oh and he also has a great coffee table booked called Blasphemous Nature that you should definitely get your hands on.

“I’m not going to bars and stuff at the moment, I’ll be watching it couch style. But there’s always fun stuff, like outside Luna Rienne Gallery on 24th and Valencia they will most likely have it on outside”

Check out Bowen’s amazing creations at @Bowenstuff on Instagram.

Z-Man All City Artist and Musician

Zamon aka Z-man aka Z-dazzle. The man with many names, my rellie and Gurp City veteran. If you haven’t heard of Z you have been living in a cliff cave off of Lands End for the last 20 years. He has more projects than I can list. He just played with Slick Rick the other night at the New Parrish in Oakland and has art hanging at Jeremy Fish’s Fish Tank Gallery in North Beach. This dude does it all and is one of the most energized and down to earth folks you could come across. Check some art, check a show you won’t be disappointed.

“Hey Z-mainey Z-Dazzle here and I enjoy plant based foods and I’ll name a few spots. Baia Italian vegan restaurant Grove Street. Excellent food, cost a bit but it’s San Francisco and people think vegan means hella money to eat healthier! Loving Hut on 7th and Irving great Asian vegan food. Ohhh and as bougie and superficial as it may be in the Marina where most of us don’t party, I love Wild Seed. Fabulous all plant based restaurant with all types of food. The pizza there is amazing. I love vegan pizza, lots. A lot of these places don’t even promote that they are vegan at all. And yes there are spots that are less expensive indeed. Other spots have vegan food options which is grandtastic because friends and family can join or I could be invited to have a meal and everyone is happy!”

I also second Wild Seed and they make great cocktails as well. Thanks for keeping us healthy Z. Fish Tank Gallery show running through the month of February and you can peep the write up on the opening right here. Follow Z-man @Zmaineyzdazzle on Instagram

Natalie Gabriel and Andrew of Moon Mode North Beach Artist, Muralist and Bassist for Moon Mode

Natalie is well known especially here at BAS for her amazing Carol Doda mural at Bodega SF in North Beach that I featured last here last year. While we are here, if anyone knows how she can apply to get it designated as a historic landmark please hit up her insta or shoot me a line. Andrew is the bassist for the amazing psychedelic rock band Moon Mode of San Francisco. Definitely be on the lookout for upcoming shows, murals and art events from two of my favorite humans.

“Well! For Andrew and I, if the sun comes out for the niners we’re either soaking in that vitamin D at Piazza Pellegrini in North Beach or using what we picked up Saturday at the North Beach Farmers Market to mix the fixings for fish tacos and hanging on North Beach rooftops”

Follow Natalie Gabriel at @Nattypaints and def listen to Moon Mode on your favorite streaming service and give a follow at @Moonmodeband  

Broke-Ass Stuart SoMa/Mission Editor-In-Cheap

IYKYK. Well you’re here so what more can I say. The guy employs me, so enough said. In all seriousness, we wouldn’t be here writing without him.

“I’m not a huge sports guy, so I told my wife I’d go with her to the Alameda Flea Market during the Super Bowl, because she even less into sports than I am. My one condition is that we need to be home before the game is over so that, if the 49ers win, we’re not caught up in all the fuckery that happens in the streets. That said, if it’s raining, you’ll either find me someplace like The Willows or at a friend’s house.”

Stay updated on all things Bay Area on the official BAS Instagram page @Brokeassstuart.

TophOne Sunset DJ and Wino

TophOne is the FAM. Everyone’s favorite wino and bike enthusiast. You may have caught some of his Gurp Winos happy hours back in the day at F8 on Folsom where he would be cutting it up for that Friday after work crowd. By the way, where did those go Toph? Your leader of the Team Wino bike and DJ Collective.

“After the Sunday paper & a cheesy Spam omelet, after a bike ride to to Stonestown Farmers Market & Ocean Beach, I’ll be linking up with Duncan Midnight to watch the game at Philosophers Club in West Portal (824 Ulloah). Twin owners Josh & Justin and I will be behind the plank, bantering with a roomful of locals- Carlos may be there with a few pizzas from Mozzarella di Bufala (69 West Portal), Shelby Ash from The Music Store (66 West Portal) & maybe John the Greek from Unwine’d across the street (9 West Portal). Laughs & back slaps all around & hopefully much cheering & spilled beer for Niners touchdowns!”

Damn that sounds like a good time. Hopefully we will have some happy hours soon brother but till then, you can find him at @TophOne on insta for updates all though he keeps it pretty private.

JC Writer at BAS and Artist Russian Hill

I’m a writer, artist and former co owner of the Lower Branch Gallery. You might have seen me around. If you do, feel free to say hi, I’m a pretty chill and talkative guy.

“I don’t know if I’m going to a watch party or not but I’m definitely grabbing a Tri Tip Sandwich from The Boy’s Deli on Polk – so good – and a gang of sides to bring along if I do. Regardless, I’ll be catching a little pregame game and checking on my novelty Super Bowl squares with James the owner at Black Horse London Pub on Union St. Smallest neighborhood bar in San Francisco. If I stick to the neighborhood I’ll be saying hi to the family at Macondray SF for some Sunday oyster specials and bopping over to the neighborhood haunts Crestas 2211 Club and Shanghai Kelly’s for the celebration. Niner Gang let’s go!!!”

You can reach out to me with any ideas or something you may want featured on Instagram @JCnSF24 or read past nonsense here!

Richie Cunning Sunset Musician

Last but not least Richie Cunning aka Son of the City. My friend and yours. If you ever needed a roadmap to his neighborhood he gave it to us. Richie and his Rec League compadres have been giving us nothing but jams for years. His latest project “Big Deal” is just that. Pure Imagination has over a million streams on Spotify and counting (check the music video right here). My man just keeps putting out amazing projects. Word on the street is there is another in the works with his counterpart and main amigo DJBadDJ. While not lurking around the Sunset you can find Richie putting together grandiose events for the California Academy of Science’s Night Life. Booze and science love it.

“Listen bud, I ain’t goin nowhere before I stop at Easy Money. Don’t look for a link cause they don’t need a website. I may not know what I’m looking for, but I’ll find it there with the help of the blessed Sam and Renata.

The next stop might be a bit unconventional for a rookie’s gameday, but you know we’re pullin up at Win Long Hardware. We don’t know where this game is gonna take us. We’re gonna need supplies. What if we blow a fuse? What if it gets too rowdy and somebody punches a hole in the drywall? What if we need to survive off the grid for multiple days? What then, huh? That’s why I’m showin’ up with a grip of all of our potential electrical, plumbing, and general household needs from Win Long, my guy.

Almost game time, huh? You gonna walk into a bar & grill with nothing to eat and hope to get a table and some service around kickoff time? Grow up. Guess it’s about time to go see our old friends Billy, Jess, and Sam over at Lucca Foods. Let them pre-pack you the best sandwich you ever had and grab some chips and various international sweets while you’re at the counter. Let Billy show you one of his Star Wars tattoos and maybe he throws in a small mac salad. Maybe he doesn’t. Shoot your shot.

Where do we kickoff, you may ask? Well, the only way to kickoff anything is in a big old boot with a big old Silver Spur and that’s where we’re goin. Put your name on the board for nexties on the pool table, pump a 20 into the jukebox, and grab a stool. We’re gonna be here for a while. Tell you what, why don’t you dig into that Lucca sando? They don’t mind a bit.

Niners up 17 at halftime? We’re in good shape, but I think we’re gettin hungry again. Here’s the problem…we want some aces Beef Pho, but we also want some Five Spice Chicken and Garlic Noodles and Imperial Rolls. Where can we grab all of that in one place? What if I told you it was all less than a block away? Run the 1s and 2s to see who’s goin out to get it then send them to Pho Phu Quoc (PPQ) and Kevin’s (Noodle House) and hope that they actually come back. These spots are literally two of the best in SF. They just happen to be extremely close to my house and also across the street from each other cause we live like that.

Wow. The Niners won. Again. We gotta get outta here cause it’s gettin a little dicey, but maybe a celebratory stop along the way is in order. I know the perfect spot. Odie and Rory said we should swing by Durty Nelly’s for a nightcap and some karaoke. First, you gotta know. This will be some of the worst karaoke you’ve ever heard in your life. Bad enough to blow a fuse at the sound booth. But if it does….”

Are we still here? Yeah we are! The legendary PPQ, solid call. Definitely go stream Richie Cunning on your favorite service and give a follow at @Richiecunning to stay in the loop. I think we’re overdue for a Durty Nelly’s session my man… Big thanks to all my friends who participated. Love y’all. Hope you all enjoyed go Niners!