Post #600734 by Tom Slick on Wed, Aug 3, 2011 11:09 AM

I am roadtrippin to Frisco for a two day adventure, and on a fairly tight budget. I am going to cram in what I feel I need to see, and so far here is my itinerary in no order...

-Fisherman's Wharf just because it is steps from where we are staying.
(mainly for Musee mechanique)
-ChinaTown to visit Uncle Gee and his Vital Tea Leaf shop.
-Embarcadero
-Boudins (because I love sourdough bread and want a loaf to-go!
-Ghirardelli Chocolate Company (because I love chocolate too!)
*I wanted to see the Walt Disney Heritage museum, but at $20/person just to walk in this time just seems a little too deep for my pockets, and doesn't even count what souvenirs I may want to come home with, but will probably not be able to afford. hahaha, So...I'm not going to go there, this time around.

Also, for my first trip to the bay area, I feel no need to see the Golden Gate, Alcatraz, or many of the other "must see" touristy destinations.
Instead, I want to explore the seedy underside, hit some dive bars, and even a couple tiki bars. Here is my list for those, reminding I will be on a strict budget, and some of the choices I've come up with should meet my budgetary needs;
in no order:

-21 club in the Tenderloin district!
(I gotta see this dive and the area it is in!The reviews on yelp had me cracking up!)
-Lucky 13
-Ha-Ra
-Mr. Bings
(Mr. Bings has some hillarious reviews too, and will be a must see!)
-International Sports Club(maybe)

Now, here is the "Tiki Bar" list, and where I would like some opinions and criticism
Are any of these worth checking out? I know they will not be any Tiki-Ti or Forbidden Island, but in their own right would they be worth a visit and a drink?

-Tonga Room! (100% for sure, even if it is only for a couple drinks!)
-Trad'r Sam
-Bamboo Hut
*I would love to see Smuggler's Cove, but again, this first trip money is an object, so it'll most likely have to wait for my second trip(Just like Walt's Museum will).

Anyhow, How does Trad'r Sam and Bamboo Hut fare in relation to vibe, value, and overall rating out of (5) to those who have been?
(Remember, I actually enjoy dive bars, so there are no fears here!)

Any feedback and suggestions would be kindly appreciated!

[ Edited by: Tom Slick 2011-08-03 11:36 ]