4049 18th Street
San Francisco, California 94114
(415) 294-0731
MobyDickSF.com
Status: LGBT Bar
Previously: Corner Grocery Bar
In Their Own Words: For over thirty years, Moby Dick has been a friendly meeting place for those in search of a thirst-quenching drink, welcoming faces, lively entertainment, and enjoyable conversation. Anchored by a 250 gallon salt-water tank above the bar and a fun and friendly staff behind it, Moby Dick is the Castro District’s most enduring neighborhood bar. People gravitate to Moby Dick because of its warm, inviting atmosphere and feel welcome due to friendly locals and the promise of a good time waiting inside. Interesting music videos adorn the four video screens around the bar, and pool, pinball, and video quiz enthusiasts all have a home for spirited competition.
History
Summary
| Name | Dates of Operation |
| Moby Dick | 1979 – present |
| Corner Grocery Bar | 1973 – 1978 |
Details
The bar opened in 1973 as the Corner Grocery Bar, which makes one wonder if it in fact had been a grocery store before turning into a gay bar. According to Uncle Donald’s Castro Street, the bar played classical music and had a deli counter where patrons could order sandwiches.
In 1979, it became Moby Dick. In 2002, bartender Doug Murphy purchased the bar with business partner Joe Cappelletti, keeping the name and its customers.
In 2005, Murphy also purchased 440 Castro with business partners Gordon Boe and Mark Wilson, still retaining his Moby Dick partnership with Cappelletti. In 2008, Murphy purchased the site of the former Expansion bar space at 2124 Market Street with Shawn Vargara, remodeling it and reopening it as Blackbird in July of 2009. But a week after its opening, Murphy fell ill and unexpectedly passed away a month later from the H1N1 virus, more commonly known as the Swine Flu.
Joe Cappelletti remains owner of Moby Dick. The bar sponsors two gay softball teams, the Moby Dick C-Men, and the Moby Dick Whalers.
Sources
Bajko, Matthew S., “Bar owner’s death shocks Castro,” The Bay Area Reporter, August 27, 2009.
Moby Dick website, accessed July 6, 2014.
Sher, Mike, “A whale of a good time: Friendly Castro bar Moby Dick celebrates 30 years,” The Bay Area Reporter, January 1, 2009.
Uncle Donald’s Castro Street, accessed online June 6, 2014.
Location
4049 18th Street, San Francisco
I was born at saint Mary hospital in 1961.I remember that was a store we would visit way back then.we moved to Marin in 1967 after that.