Weekends are for amateurs.  Weeknights are for pros.  That's why each week Stuart Schuffman will be exploring a different San Francisco bar, giving you the lowdown on how and where to do your weeknight right.  From the most creative cocktails to the best happy hours, Stuart's taking you along on his weeknight adventures into the heart of the City's nightlife.  So, who wants a drink? 

There was a moment when I resided around the corner from Minx. Back then it was called the Red Room and I was living with my girlfriend at the time in that little neighborhood somewhere between the Nob and the Loin. Minx is a better bar than the Red Room was, and I’ve had other girlfriends since that period of my life. But a couple weeks ago I was at Minx with that particular ex (who still happens to live in that particular apartment).  

We sat below the retro lamps, surrounded by taxidermy and other drinkers, talking about our most recent tragedies in the war that is love and finally coming clean about who we cheated on each other with all those many years ago. It was exactly who I expected it to be. It almost always is.   

Monday night is Rock & Roll Trivia night with Cory, so we played and came in second place; the Alice Cooper trophy presented to the winning team was just out of reach. So was the bar tab that the winners receive. It was the birthday of one of the regulars, so bowls of candy were sprinkled around the bar and I alternated between sweet and sour treats and drinks with names like Sicilian Sayulita, Cuba Lulu, and John Daly. Alisha, the Monday night bartender, throws a kid themed party for all her regulars on their birthdays, so there was some kind of Justin Bieber paraphernalia floating around as well. She also provides free chips and salsa each Monday for people to nibble on while imbibing and Rock & Roll Triviaing. Alisha is that kind of bartender–the good kind.

I’ve been to Minx on other nights too. Sometimes by myself and sometimes with big groups. If you let someone know ahead of time they’ll reserve space for your party at one of their collections of vintage velvet couches. I’ve been there on those couches, hanging with friends, drinking those boozy slushies that Minx does so well. My favorite is James and the Giant Peach, a peach slushy with Jameson in it. There are other specials each night depending on who’s bartending. The offerings range from shot-and-beer combos to $5 Hot Toddies.

But Mondays are the night for me. Mondays are for pros. Service industry people, drunks, travelers, and anyone else looking for a good time on an off night. Anyone looking for trivia where the correct answer might be Morrissey or Danzig or Buddy Holly or Jay-Z. Anyone who likes low light and a warm atmosphere. Yes, Mondays are the night for me. Especially the ones where you catch up with someone you used to love and make amends for all the things you did and didn’t do, back when you were young enough for it to almost be ok.  

Minx is at 827 Sutter St @ Jones, (415) 779-6469

Stuart Schuffman (aka Broke-Ass Stuart) has been called "an Underground legend" by the SF Chronicle, "an SF cult hero" by the SF Bay Guardian, and "the chief of cheap" by Time Out New York. He is also the host for the IFC travel show Young, Broke & Beautiful. Follow him @BrokeAssStuart.