THE CASTRO

Location: Southern side of Twin Peaks, bordered by Market, Twentieth and Noe Streets Rainbow flags -- the banner adopted by the gay community -- have adorned the vibrantly painted Victorian houses of Eureka Valley, for the last 30 years, now home to an ever-changing neighborhood of shops, restaurants, street fairs and residents.

This valley began as a quiet neighborhood made up of working class Germans, Scandinavians, Italians and Irish left for the suburbs after World War II. In the early 70s, the rapid influx of gay and lesbian people into San Francisco revitalized the neighborhood as they renovated the old houses and rebuilt their own community, a gay Mecca.

Kevin Kropp, manager at Harvey’s, located in the Castro, says that the gay community comes from everywhere. Naturally, it’s lifestyle and beverage welcomes a diverse community. Thus, "You can not name just one drink for the Castro," he said. It would defeat the neighborhood’s purpose of non-conformity.

The community is not only made up of gays and lesbians, but a myriad of sexuality preferences and attire: drag queens, leather bikers, transgenders and others. It is easy to understand why a specific drink has not been labeled as the drink of the Castro. Would leather bikers drink the same drink as drag queens?

There are many myths, assumptions and preconceived ideas about this very welcoming neighborhood. It is a haven where no one points out your flaws or your attributes. The Castro holds no biases, though the drink of choice is definitely up for debate.

For a more in-depth look into the Castro, contact Trevor Hailey, of "Cruisin’ the Castro" walking tour, it may leave you with the after taste of a drink that best represents your time spent in the Castro and at Harvey’s. You be the judge. No one will criticize your choice in this neighborhood.