7 Lowkey Pride Weekend Alternatives for Those Avoiding SF Pride Crowds

Post originally Published May 5, 2024 || Last Updated May 5, 2024

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7 Lowkey Pride Weekend Alternatives for Those Avoiding SF Pride Crowds - Sapphic Tea Party at Sour Cherry Comics


Sour Cherry Comics, a lesbian-owned comic book store, is hosting a Sapphic Tea Party during the Pride weekend in San Francisco.

The event offers a welcoming space for women, girls, and the LGBTQ+ community to gather, discuss shared interests, and support local artists whose works adorn the store's walls.

The Sapphic Tea Party at Sour Cherry Comics aims to provide a comfortable and inclusive space for women and the LGBTQ+ community to gather, discuss shared interests, and build connections over a cup of tea.

Sour Cherry Comics, a lesbian-owned establishment, has a longstanding history of hosting various community-oriented events and activities to celebrate diversity and foster a sense of belonging.

The store's walls are adorned with artwork from local artists, offering visitors the opportunity to appreciate and potentially acquire unique and inspiring pieces.

Sour Cherry Comics maintains an active social media presence on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, using these channels to promote upcoming events, such as the Sapphic Tea Party, and engage with their loyal customer base.

The Sapphic Tea Party is a non-alcoholic event, catering to those who prefer a more low-key and inclusive Pride celebration, in contrast with the often crowded and alcohol-focused mainstream Pride events.

The Sapphic Tea Party at Sour Cherry Comics is listed on Eventbrite, allowing interested individuals to RSVP and plan their attendance accordingly.

What else is in this post?

  1. 7 Lowkey Pride Weekend Alternatives for Those Avoiding SF Pride Crowds - Sapphic Tea Party at Sour Cherry Comics
  2. 7 Lowkey Pride Weekend Alternatives for Those Avoiding SF Pride Crowds - Queer Pub Crawl in Oakland
  3. 7 Lowkey Pride Weekend Alternatives for Those Avoiding SF Pride Crowds - Glittering Disco and Drag Party at Oasis San Francisco
  4. 7 Lowkey Pride Weekend Alternatives for Those Avoiding SF Pride Crowds - Rainbow Laser Lighting at the Ferry Building
  5. 7 Lowkey Pride Weekend Alternatives for Those Avoiding SF Pride Crowds - JUST US - Bright & Beautiful, Gay as Fuck at CounterPulse
  6. 7 Lowkey Pride Weekend Alternatives for Those Avoiding SF Pride Crowds - CLUB A.B.L.U.N.T.

7 Lowkey Pride Weekend Alternatives for Those Avoiding SF Pride Crowds - Queer Pub Crawl in Oakland


The Queer Pub Crawl in Oakland offers a more intimate and community-focused Pride celebration alternative to the crowds of San Francisco Pride.

Hosted by the Oakland Black Pride organization, the event provides a guided tour of queer-friendly bars and restaurants, including kickoff drinks at the High 5ive Bar, catering to the LGBTQ+ community of color in the area.

The Queer Pub Crawl in Oakland requires proof of vaccination from all participants, ensuring a safe and responsible experience for the LGBTQ+ community.

The event is hosted by Oakland Black Pride, a registered 501c3 organization that focuses on celebrating and supporting the queer community of color in Oakland.

The Queer Pub Crawl is known as one of Oakland Black Pride's largest events, offering a unique blend of bar hopping, an expo, and various performances.

Previous iterations of the Queer Pub Crawl have visited notable LGBTQ+-friendly establishments such as Kingston 11, Mar Town Bar, and Amber's Lounge.

The tour kicks off at the High 5ive Bar, located inside the historic Kissel Hotel, providing a vibrant and inclusive starting point for the evening's festivities.

Each participant in the Queer Pub Crawl receives a specialty cocktail at each bar on the tour, adding to the social and celebratory atmosphere of the event.

The Queer Pub Crawl is scheduled to take place on a yet-to-be-determined date in June, coinciding with the broader Oakland Pride Festival and offering a more intimate alternative to the larger San Francisco Pride celebrations.

7 Lowkey Pride Weekend Alternatives for Those Avoiding SF Pride Crowds - Glittering Disco and Drag Party at Oasis San Francisco


7 Lowkey Pride Weekend Alternatives for Those Avoiding SF Pride Crowds

The Glittering Disco and Drag Party at Oasis San Francisco promises a lively celebration with a disco dance party and dazzling drag performances.

Hosted by Kochina Rude, Lisa Frankenstein, and DJ La Frida, the event will feature local and visiting drag stars, cabaret, and musical acts.

Those looking for a Pride weekend alternative to the San Francisco crowds can also check out the Princess Dance Party and Drag Spectacular at Oasis, with headliner San Cha.

The Glittering Disco and Drag Party at Oasis San Francisco is designed to celebrate the grand reopening of the iconic LGBTQ+ venue, which has been closed for renovations.

DJ la Frida, a local favorite, will be spinning a diverse mix of disco tracks to keep the dance floor alive throughout the evening.

The venue's capacity has been increased by 20% to accommodate the anticipated surge in attendance, ensuring a spacious and comfortable experience for all guests.

The event organizers have partnered with a local catering company to provide a variety of gourmet finger foods and cocktails, catering to the diverse tastes of the attendees.

7 Lowkey Pride Weekend Alternatives for Those Avoiding SF Pride Crowds - Rainbow Laser Lighting at the Ferry Building


The Ferry Building in San Francisco will feature a stunning rainbow laser lighting display titled "WELCOME" during Pride Weekend 2023.

The installation will project a 4-mile-long bright rainbow beam from the Ferry Building up towards Twin Peaks, creating what is being billed as the "world's largest Pride flag." Sponsored by Peak Design, the laser show will be visible from Market Street after sundown on June 23-25.

The display, a collaboration between the San Francisco-based arts nonprofit Illuminate and NuSalt Laser International, aims to celebrate the city's history as a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region.

This is not the first time the rainbow laser installation has been showcased, with previous iterations in 2022 and earlier years.

The "WELCOME" rainbow laser lighting display at the San Francisco Ferry Building is visible up to 4 miles away, with the laser beams reaching an angle of 3 degrees towards the top of Twin Peaks.

The installation features 12 distinct colored laser beams, creating what is described as the "world's largest Pride flag" visible from various points along Market Street.

The display was first introduced in 2022 and has been a recurring part of the San Francisco Pride celebrations in previous years as well.

The event is sponsored by San Francisco-based gear company Peak Design, highlighting the private sector's involvement in supporting LGBTQ+ initiatives in the city.

The laser installation is the brainchild of local arts nonprofit Illuminate, collaborating with NuSalt Laser International to bring the large-scale visual spectacle to life.

The display is designed to evoke San Francisco's historical significance as a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region, drawing inspiration from the city's diverse cultural heritage.

30 PM to midnight on the selected Pride Weekend dates, creating a striking visual display against the night sky.

The installation aims to symbolize inclusivity, human rights, and the vibrant LGBTQ+ community in San Francisco, serving as a major part of the city's larger Pride celebrations.

Despite the grand scale of the "WELCOME" display, the event remains a low-key alternative to the typically crowded San Francisco Pride festivities, offering a unique visual experience for attendees.

7 Lowkey Pride Weekend Alternatives for Those Avoiding SF Pride Crowds - JUST US - Bright & Beautiful, Gay as Fuck at CounterPulse


7 Lowkey Pride Weekend Alternatives for Those Avoiding SF Pride Crowds

The "JUST US - Bright & Beautiful, Gay as Fuck" event at CounterPulse in San Francisco promises a vibrant Pride weekend celebration featuring the founder of Never Normal, Suzi Analogue, along with local house icon Brown Amy and emerging talents.

Tickets for the event, scheduled from 10 pm to 12 am on June 23, 2023, range from $20 to $30.

In contrast to the often crowded and mainstream Pride celebrations, this event offers a more intimate and community-focused alternative for those looking to celebrate Pride in a different setting.

The "JUST US - Bright & Beautiful, Gay as Fuck at CounterPulse" event is part of a larger alternative Pride celebration in San Francisco, offering a more intimate and community-focused experience compared to the mainstream Pride events.

The event features a lineup of local and visiting LGBTQ+ artists, including the founder of Never Normal, Suzi Analogue, and local house icon Brown Amy, showcasing the diversity and talent within the queer community.

The event's name, "JUST US - Bright & Beautiful, Gay as Fuck," reflects the unapologetic and celebratory nature of the gathering, embracing the LGBTQ+ identity and experience.

CounterPulse, the venue hosting the event, is a well-known cultural hub in San Francisco, with a long history of supporting and amplifying marginalized voices, including the LGBTQ+ community.

The event is scheduled to take place on June 23, 2023, from 10 PM to 12 AM, catering to those who prefer a late-night, dance-focused Pride celebration.

7 Lowkey Pride Weekend Alternatives for Those Avoiding SF Pride Crowds - CLUB A.B.L.U.N.T.


Alternative Dance Party

CLUB A.B.L.U.N.T.

CLUB A.B.L.U.N.T., a DJ collective founded by Rosado, is hosting an alternative dance party as part of Pride Weekend celebrations.

The event features an all QTBIPOC lineup, with Suzi Analogue headlining alongside other artists like De Alma, Brown Amy, and DJ Black.

The CLUB A.B.L.U.N.T. event is part of a broader range of Pride Weekend parties and events happening in various cities, including San Francisco, Washington D.C., and Austin.

These alternatives offer a diverse array of experiences, catering to those who prefer a more intimate, community-focused celebration over the larger, more mainstream Pride events.

The name "CLUB A.B.L.U.N.T." is an acronym that stands for "Asians, Blacks, Latinx, and Natives United for New Traditions", reflecting the collective's focus on promoting the experiences of marginalized communities.

CLUB A.B.L.U.N.T. is known for its experimental and boundary-pushing approach to dance music, incorporating elements of techno, house, and other genre-defying sounds.

The event is part of a larger network of alternative Pride celebrations taking place across the country, including the "We Run This Oakland Pride Block Party" which focuses on disability rights and racial justice.

CLUB A.B.L.U.N.T. events have a reputation for being inclusive and welcoming spaces, with a strict policy of zero tolerance for discrimination or harassment.

The collective has a strong social media presence, using platforms like Instagram and Facebook to engage with their audience and promote upcoming events.

The event's organizers have partnered with local businesses and organizations to provide attendees with a range of food and beverage options, catering to diverse tastes and dietary preferences.

The collective's commitment to showcasing underrepresented voices and fostering a sense of community has earned them a loyal following among the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.

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