Barbecues San Francisco

July Test Kitchen 🐟

Cooks! The July Test Kitchen is happening on Sunday the 19th in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley neighborhood. This month’s Test Kitchen challenge—should you choose to accept it—is seafood. Where my pescatarians at? We’re talking salmon filets, Thai coconut mussels, octopus carpaccio, shrimp and corn fritters, miso-glazed black cod, oyster po’ boys, seafood paella, crab curry, or whatever has been haunting your wet—I mean, briny—dreams. As always, this is a *test kitchen*, not a potluck. The goal is experimentation. Make something you’ve never made before, something ambitious, weird, technically challenging, or just deeply intriguing to you. Maybe it works beautifully. Maybe the scallops become tiny hockey pucks. Either way, you’ll be among friends, and occasional culinary catastrophes are part of the fun. Please post your dish at least two weeks before the Test Kitchen. Head to the event’s Comments section and let the other cooks know what you’re planning to make and we’ll collectively build the world’s gayest seafood tower. Bring curiosity, appetite, and perhaps a lemon wedge! Check out pics from past Test Kitchens on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/gay_mens_test_kitchen_?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr) and [Facebook](https://m.facebook.com/groups/1492243648833251/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF).

Cocktails and Tech Happy Hour at Hotel Spero Bar Esper SF | July 22, 2026

Join us for our Cocktails and Tech Happy Hour on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026 from 6PM to 8PM PDT at Hotel Spero Bar Esper SF **The Professional Connector** next **Cocktails and Tech Happy Hour** is on **Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026 from 6PM to 8PM PDT** at **Bar Esper**([https://www.barespersf.com/](https://www.barespersf.com/)), **Hotel Spero, Vignette Collection by IHG** located at **405 Taylor Street, San Francisco, California.** Whether you’re looking to expand your network, explore new opportunities, or simply unwind after work, this mixer offers the perfect setting for meaningful conversations and connections. We look forward to an evening of networking, great drinks, and engaging conversations at Hotel Spero Bar Esper San Francisco. RSVP Now for $12 Early Bird Tickets while avialable. General Ticket is $15. Early registration is encouraged. **RSVP NOW: [https://cocktails-and-tech-hotel-spero.eventbrite.com](https://cocktails-and-tech-hotel-spero.eventbrite.com/)** ***RSVP on Meetup does not guarantee admission!*** **Note #1**: If you are feeling sick, have a cough, cold, fever, or any other symptoms, please stay home and join us at a future event when you are feeling better. **Note #2:** We are grateful to our host venue for welcoming our group. Please support them by purchasing at least one drink and, if possible, some food, and by tipping generously. Our Cocktails and Tech Happy Hour events are where young professionals, startup professionals, executives, tech leaders, and more meet, relax, and have a good time making connections after work. Interested in meeting amazing professionals? Come to the beautiful Hotel Spero Bar Esper in San Francisco and be ready to build relationships, expand your network, and have a great time! This is a great opportunity to find new connections and meet new people in general. Regardless of your industry level, or your industry you are welcomed to join us. RSVP Now for $12 Early Bird Tickets while avialable. General Ticket is $15. Early registration is encouraged. **RSVP NOW: [https://cocktails-and-tech-hotel-spero.eventbrite.com](https://cocktails-and-tech-hotel-spero.eventbrite.com/)** ***RSVP on Meetup does not guarantee admission!*** Our attendees work at companies such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Google, ZeroCater, Coffee Meets Bagel, Redfin, Google, Comcast Ventures, Oracle, Salesforce, GoPro, Sequoia Real Estate, DoorDash, Hyatt Regency, BlueCart, Kaiser Permanente, IBM, Genentech, Deloitte, Nestle, Accenture, HP, Intel, Amazon, Lyft, Facebook, HSBC, Capegimini, Yelp, J.P. Morgan and more. [The Professional Connector](https://professionalconnector.com/) has hosted successful events with well-known sponsors and partners. Based on the type of event we reach out to different partners we have worked with in the past and are always looking for new sponsors. Our previous Partners and Sponsors have included such companies as WP Engine, Instapage, vCita, General Assembly, Constant Contact, Yelp, WeWork, Diablo Magazine, SF Business Times, Lyft, Uber and more. To learn more about our Sponsorship Opportunities, call us today at 510-761-5895 or visit our website [www.ProfessionalConnector.com/Sponsors/](https://www.professionalconnector.com/sponsors/) The Professional Connector proudly hosts our first partnership networking event with **Bar Esper** ([https://www.barespersf.com/](https://www.barespersf.com/)) a beautifully restored historic hotel, **Hotel Spero, Vignette Collection by IHG** ([https://www.hotelspero.com/](https://www.hotelspero.com/)) located in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Blending timeless architecture with modern style and sophistication, Bar Esper offers the perfect setting for networking, socializing, and creating meaningful connections in an inviting and upscale atmosphere. Enjoy an evening connecting with professionals, entrepreneurs, and new friends in a vibrant space designed for both conversation and community. With its elegant interiors, welcoming ambiance, and distinctive San Francisco charm, Bar Esper provides an ideal backdrop for after-work mixers and memorable networking experiences. Conveniently located near Union Square, the Financial District, and San Francisco’s major business and tech hubs, Hotel Spero Bar Esper is a favorite destination for professionals and social gatherings alike. **Located at 405 Taylor Street, San Francisco, California.** We can’t wait to see you! RSVP Now for $12 Early Bird Tickets while avialable. General Ticket is $15. Early registration is encouraged. **RSVP NOW: [https://cocktails-and-tech-hotel-spero.eventbrite.com](https://cocktails-and-tech-hotel-spero.eventbrite.com/)** ***RSVP on Meetup does not guarantee admission!*** **MEET THE PROFESSIONAL CONNECTOR/EVENT HOST - David Mitroff, PhD** David is a sought-after Business Growth Strategist who shares his secrets for creating successful brands that stand out and thrive. David inspires business professionals through his keynote talks on a wide range of topics such as how to build a brand with data-driven marketing, digital leadership: growing your online presence, and the psychology behind building professional connections. **David Mitroff, Ph.D.** ([www.DavidMitroff.com](https://www.davidmitroff.com/)) is the Founder and Chief Consultant at Piedmont Avenue Consulting ([www.PiedmontAve.com](https://www.piedmontave.com/)). David questions assumptions, offers creative ideas, and encourages new initiatives from strategy through implementation. David’s wealth of knowledge is transferred to clients leading to heightened sales, increased customer experiences, and enhanced relationship building techniques. David has an extensive educational background, in addition to professional sales training, which includes a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with coursework in Business Administration, Legal Studies, and Marketing, providing a foundation for excellent critical and analytical thinking, business strategy, relationship building, and networking. [Piedmont Avenue Consulting](https://piedmontave.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) helps businesses grow through strategic consulting, marketing, and business development services across the San Francisco Bay Area. Our [Business Consulting](https://piedmontave.com/consulting/) services support companies with growth strategies, operational guidance, and scalable solutions to improve performance and drive long-term success. We also provide [Hotel Marketing Services](https://piedmontave.com/hotel-marketing/) designed to help hotels, resorts, boutique properties, and hospitality brands increase visibility, attract more direct bookings, and strengthen their market presence. Our strategies focus on enhancing online presence, improving guest acquisition, and driving sustainable growth through targeted digital marketing, branding, content creation, SEO, and advertising solutions tailored to the hospitality industry. Through our [Restaurant Marketing](https://piedmontave.com/restaurant-marketing/) services, we help restaurants, bars, and hospitality brands attract customers and boost revenue with targeted marketing strategies. In addition, our [Event Marketing](https://piedmontave.com/event-marketing/) services create engaging networking events and brand experiences that generate exposure, build connections, and create new business opportunities. Contact us at [www.PiedmontAve.com](http://www.piedmontave.com/), and let’s create a customized plan to elevate your business success. Throughout his career, Dr. Mitroff has served as an instructor for several reputable colleges such as the University of California at Berkeley, in addition to being a featured media expert for NBC, ABC, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc. Magazine, Washington Post, Hospitality Technology, Hospitality Net and more. David has also written books on[ Online Business Growth Strategies](https://davidmitroff.com/marketing-book/), [Law Firm Business Growth Strategies](https://piedmontave.com/law-firm-business-growth-strategies/), [The Event Effect](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beers-and-biotech-at-curry-pizza-house-south-san-francisco-may-21-2026-tickets-1988643270555?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true), and more! If you're looking for a business consultant, keynote speaker, executive coach, or marketing expert, schedule a FREE call with David Mitroff Ph.D. to get started! RSVP Now for $12 Early Bird Tickets while avialable. General Ticket is $15. Early registration is encouraged. **RSVP NOW: [https://cocktails-and-tech-hotel-spero.eventbrite.com](https://cocktails-and-tech-hotel-spero.eventbrite.com/)** ***RSVP on Meetup does not guarantee admission!*** [The Professional Connector](http://www.professionalconnector.com/). A vision of [Piedmont Avenue Consulting, Inc.](http://www.piedmontave.com/) We organize and promote hundreds of Bay Area business networking and social mixers to specifically target Business Strategies and Small Medium Business Enterprises and provide industry professionals with a chance to make new business and personal connections, build their network, find new clients, and expand their business. We bring the SF Bay Area working community together and strive to promote positive business relationships. **Frequently Asked Questions** **Why Attend?** Looking to expand your professional network in the Bay Area entrepreneurial and business community? Our Cocktails and Tech Happy Hour is the perfect place to meet founders, entrepreneurs, investors, creatives, marketers, and professionals from a wide range of industries. Exchange ideas, build meaningful connections, discover new opportunities, and stay connected with what’s happening in the local business scene — all in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. **Who Usually Attends?** Our events attract a diverse mix of professionals, including entrepreneurs, investors, consultants, marketers, recruiters, business owners, and creatives. Attendance can range from intimate gatherings to larger mixers with hundreds of attendees. No matter the size, the environment is always friendly, social, and easy to network in. Event hosts will also be available throughout the evening to help introduce guests and keep conversations flowing. **What Should I Bring?** Bring business cards and be ready to share your LinkedIn profile or contact information. Networking events move quickly, so having an easy way to connect after the event helps turn conversations into lasting professional relationships. **Is There a Dress Code?** Business casual is recommended. Whether you’re coming from work or meeting friends afterward, we encourage attendees to dress polished and professional. Photos and videos may be taken during the event, so it’s a great opportunity to make a strong impression. **What’s on the Menu?** Enjoy expertly crafted cocktails and beverages available throughout the evening at **Hotel Spero Bar Esper San Francisco**. Sip, unwind, and connect in a stylish atmosphere while enjoying drinks designed to elevate your networking experience. **Want to Expand Your Network?** Whether you’re looking for new partnerships, career opportunities, business ideas, clients, or simply a fun and productive way to spend your evening, this mixer is designed to help you connect with ambitious and like-minded professionals. Invite your colleagues, friends, or team members and join us for an evening of networking, conversations, and community at Hotel Spero Bar Esper San Francisco. RSVP Now for $12 Early Bird Tickets while avialable. General Ticket is $15. Early registration is encouraged. **RSVP NOW: [https://cocktails-and-tech-hotel-spero.eventbrite.com](https://cocktails-and-tech-hotel-spero.eventbrite.com/)** ***RSVP on Meetup does not guarantee admission!***

Canela Bistro Bar Happy Hour

A place where you can find “your lips are ruby cherries brighter than sky”, or just come have some tapas while people watching in Castro. Tentative date so will confirm in July. Happy hour menu here: https://canelasf.square.site/uploads/b/6db3dc50-658c-11ea-a338-e7bafbd7651b/d646d340-5df2-11f0-a7ca-316d2b3ddbfd.pdf

Barefoot Lake Merritt loop - 2nd Sundays at 8:30 am

We meet weekly Rain or Shine! 3.1 miles around Lake Merritt. No runner left behind. Very barefootable surfaces. If you can run 3 miles in shoes then you can probably do this barefoot. Runners in shoes and sandals are welcome too. We gather at 8:30 AM and start our run around 8:40 AM. If people are into it we'll go to have a coffee afterwards at nearby Lakeview Cafe. Meet us there even if you miss the run!

The Salvisoul Cookbook: Salvadoran Recipes and the Women Who Preserve Them

For our next meetup, we’ll be cooking from *The Salvisoul Cookbook* by Karla Tatiana Vasquez. NOTE: There are now two separate locations for this event! This is the City location. The Peninsula event is posted separately. Please only RSVP for ONE. We’ll be meeting at Jessica's home in the Inner Richmond, SF. Please bring at least one recipe’s worth of food, prepared for 6 to 8 people. **New policy: Please post your recipe in the comments before Wednesday, July 8, to keep your spot at the table. You'll be moved to "Not Going" if you don't post. You'll receive the address on Wednesday if you do post your dish.** **As always, no shows and cancellations will get you removed from the group. Please let us know of any allergens in your dish beforehand and substitute if possible.** -- A beautifully photographed cookbook that celebrates the vibrant culture and community of El Salvador through 80 recipes and stories from twenty-five Salvadoran women. ONE OF NPR’S BEST COOKBOOKS OF THE YEAR In search of the recipes and traditions that made her feel at home, food historian and Salvadoran Karla Tatiana Vasquez took to the internet to find the dishes her mom made throughout her childhood. But when she couldn't find any, she decided to take matters into her own hands. What started as a desire to document recipes turned into sharing the joys, histories, and tribulations of the women in her life. In this collection of eighty recipes, Karla shares her conversations with moms, aunts, grandmothers, and friends to preserve their histories so that they do not go unheard. Here are recipes for Rellenos de Papa from Patricia, who remembers the Los Angeles earthquakes of the 1980s for more reasons than just fear; Flor de Izote con Huevos Revueltos, a favorite of Karla's father; as well as variations on the beloved Salvadoran Pupusa, a thick masa tortilla stuffed with different combinations of pork, cheese, and beans. Though their stories vary, the women have a shared experience of what it was like in El Salvador before the war, and what life was like as Salvadoran women surviving in their new home in the United States.

Mid-Summer Sawyer Camp Trail Ride

Let's ride the Sawyer Camp Trail up the Peninsula . Parking between Bunker Hill Rd and Hwy 82 off I-280 and riding North starting at the trailhead off Skyline Blvd on the Sawyer Camp Trail to San Bruno Ave. where we will stop for lunch at Lunardi's market. Then return. Meeting at 9:45 AM and wheels up at 10:00 AM. This a 22 mile paved route with about 1,700 ft of elevation changes, and plenty of shade with bathrooms along the route. Here is the Ride with GPS link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55861447

Taco Tuesday/Happy Hour, outdoor patio@PLANK OAKLAND>Bocce/Bowling>>closing :(

🌅 Ocean Beach Sunset Bonfire & Social

Golden hour. Bonfire glow. Ocean waves. Good people. Join us for an evening at Ocean Beach filled with music, laughter, meaningful conversations, and a sunset that does all the talking. We'll gather around the fire, share stories, enjoy the beach vibes, and let the night unfold naturally. No agenda. No pressure. Just great company, salty air, and one epic sunset. 🔥 Bonfire 🎶 Music 🌅 Sunset 🌊 Ocean vibes ✨ New connections See you on the sand!! Note: You will have to commute on your own. We encourage you to connect with other members in the WhatsApp group to coordinate closer to event date!

San Ho Won: Dinner Table for 6 ($30 deposit)

San Ho Won is a Michelin-starred Korean restaurant in San Francisco’s Mission District. Chefs Corey Lee and Jeong-In-Hwang mix traditional Korean tastes with a sense of novelty. There are typical barbecue items on the menu cooked over solid lychee wood charcoal that is made specially for the restaurant. The Infatuation has called Sam Ho Won the best Korean restaurant in San Francisco, giving special recognition to their galbi. Eater likes the egg souffle, soups and stews, and their inventive takes on desserts. We’ll be trying the house menu, which is six courses for $118 before drinks, add-ons, tax, and service charge. The whole table must participate, though we can add things on. Note that San Ho Won is largely unable to accommodate dietary restrictions, especially around gluten. If you have a dietary restriction, please message me, and I will see if the restaurant can accommodate it. Menus: https://www.sanhowon.com/menu Infatuation: https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-francisco/reviews/san-ho-won Eater: https://sf.eater.com/dining-report/209705/san-ho-won-review Costs The restaurant charged a $30 per person deposit when I made the reservation, so I will collect that from attendees about a week before the event by Venmo, Zelle, or Apple Cash. The deposit will be deducted from what you owe at the event. Drinks and add-ons will be the responsibility of the person(s) who ordered them. Please be prepared to split the check at the event and pay via cash, Venmo, Zelle, or Apple Cash. Taxes and Fees Dining in San Francisco has a sales tax (8.625%) and the restaurant charges a 20% service charge. Parking and Transportation Muni 27 to Bryant and 20th Street Street parking is possible, closer to 16th Street

Let's Go Benihana Style, Burlingame

Join me at Burlingame Benihana Family of Restaurants. Visit [Menu](https://www.benihana.com/menu/lunch/) to view selections. Dinner options includes choice of grilled meat and/or seafood option•beef broth onion soup •vegetable, egg fried rice • stir-fry vegetables. Full bar is also available. Vegetarian options include seaweed salad, Benihana salad, Yakisoba Noodles, white ,brown, or egg fried rice and steamed or sauteed hibachi vegetables and vegetarian sushi rolls. Please expect to pay between $60-100 per person. Individuals are responsible for cost of their meal, tax, tip, and beverages. We will settle bill at the end, I will ask for separate checks but please be prepared to pay by cash, Venmo, or Apple Cash in case. Table Reservations are set under my name. Please be on time. Full party MUST be present to be seated, late arrivals will lose their spot. Please manage your RSVP before Tuesday, July 14th. Onsite parking lot is FREE.

California's Great America

Let's all go to Great America!!!! Not sure how much longer we'll have Great America for, so let's take advantage!!! I have space for 1 more person if you want to ride with me. The park opens at 10 a.m. Let's plan to meet at the parking lot in front of Starbucks in Pleasant Hill at 9:00am. Tickets are $45.00 per person. See you all then!!! Aidee

Naadam Mongolian Authentic Cuisine: Dinner for 8

The restaurant is at 653 Clay Street. Naadam is a celebration of Mongolian fire, hospitality, and modern San Francisco. This small, family-owned-and-operated restaurant opened at the end of 2025. Per the restaurant’s website: In Mongolia, Naadam is the summer gathering — wrestling, horse racing, archery, and long days of shared food. The restaurant borrows that name because they want every night to feel like a small festival: warm, loud, generous. Google reviews sit at an impressive 4.9 stars, with many compliments from Mongolian natives. We will sit at a table for 8, and we will probably take up half the restaurant. The menu includes hearty entrees, dumplings, and soups. Milk tea is served with dine-in meals; I don’t believe that alcohol is served. We may attempt to share some dumplings and entrees family style, but other menu options look best for one person (like soups and combo plates), so you can order individually if you prefer. A word on dietary restrictions: Based on my interactions with the staff, they do not speak fluent English. So while it will be easy enough to avoid certain menu items, it may be difficult to communicate concerns about specific ingredients or request substitutions. The Infatuation: https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-francisco/reviews/naadam Menu: https://www.sfnaadam.com/menu Costs Most items on the menu are $15-20. Drinks or food ordered will be the responsibility of the person who ordered them. Items that the table agrees to share will be split evenly amongst the people who agree to share them. Please be prepared to split the check and pay via cash, Venmo, Zelle, or Apple Pay. Taxes and Fees Dining in San Francisco has a sales tax (8.625%) and possibly a mandate (5-6%). We will add a gratuity of 20%. Parking and Transportation BART to Montgomery Street Muni 1 to Clay & Grant; 8 to Kearny & Jackson Street parking is hard but not impossible, and there are a lot of garages in the area