Heavy pedal

City cyclists head to the new bike bars to unclip and unwind.

Marcia Gagliardi

Ask any cyclist: you gotta stay hydrated. But judging by all the bike-friendly bars and cafés around town, water doesn’t appear to be the beverage of choice. Instead, hours of pedal power apparently work up a wicked thirst for a cold brewski and a laid-back—but seriously cool—hangout.

The latest addition to the two-wheeler social scene is the Mission’s Gestalt Haus, run on the holy trinity of “Beer, Brats, and Bikes.” The entrance is flanked by a pool table to the left and a double-decker bike rack to the right, offering the novelty of indoor parking. Occasionally, the domino effect can happen, with Eddy Merckx fixed gears tipping over onto beaters and trail bikes, but at least no one’s back tire or saddle will get nicked. The staff is (mostly) friendly and light on the ’tude, although, in keeping with the vibe, there is one surly barkeep whom we’ve dubbed the sauerkraut of the operation.

Gestalt Haus
10:18 p.m.

THE SCENE
Hipster hofbrau, replete with wood tables, mismatched chairs, deer heads, and white Christmas lights.

THE CROWD
It’s a come-one-come-all beer hall, with skinny cyclists sporting studded belts swilling alongside Mission weekend warriors.

THE GRUB
Brats are $4.50, and there are even meatless ones for the vegans. Ja, bitte!

THE SOUNDTRACK
Jukebox-driven, with the Strokes, Pink Floyd, the Cult, and David Bowie getting equal airplay.

EAVESDROPPING
Twentysomething young gun to his friend: “Dude, how big is a liter?” Response: “It’s what that chick over there is getting drunk on.”

Gestalt Haus, 3159 16th ST., S.F., 415-560-0137

Elsewhere

At Tempest Bar & Restaurant in SoMa, draws include free baked chicken or meat loaf on Fridays and the “bike messenger special”: a pint of PBR and a shot of Jim Beam for $5. 431 Natoma St., S.F., 415-495-1863.

The new Mojo Bicycle Café, a combo café and bike shop, is conveniently located just a few blocks off the Wiggle, a trusty bike route from Duboce Triangle to Golden Gate Park that is gloriously sans hills. 639A Divisadero St., S.F., 415-440-2338.

Seated on the back patio at Zeitgeist, you can watch the experts fill a pint glass with ice and float it in a pitcher to keep their beer cold. 199 Valencia St., S.F., 415-255-7505.

FEATURE

Gone

Our recent story about teen suicide on the Golden Gate Bridge has generated a sometimes heated debate. In the last four years, 16 young people have climbed over the rail and jumped. These kids weren’t crazy. They were in the throes of painful—and impulsive—adolescence. Then, suddenly, they were gone.

Suicide hotlines and resources

If you or someone you know might be contemplating suicide, contact the following resources.

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK

The best investment advice you'll never get

For 35 years, Bay Area finance revolutionaries have been pushing a personal investing strategy that brokers despise and hope you ignore.

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK

Do you want a 20-second warning?

If we adopted UC Berkeley seismologist Richard Allen’s breakthrough earthquake alarm system, your cell phone and laptop could alert you to the Big One before the shaking begins. Tell that to the powers that be.