440 Castro Street
San Francisco, Califonia 94114
(415) 621-8732
The440.com
Status: LGBT Bar
Previously: Daddy’s; The Bear; Bear Hollow
In Their Own Words: 440 Castro is located at 440 Castro Street in San Francisco (some people ask). We are near the intersection of Castro and Market and directly across the street from the Castro Theater. We are a neighborhood bar that’s home to locals and tourists. If you’re visiting for San Francisco Gay Pride, Up Your Alley Dore Alley Fair, or the Folsom Street Fair, 440 is a great place to meet up with friends and make new ones.
History
Summary
| Name | Dates of Operation |
| 440 Castro | 2005ish – present |
| Daddy’s | 1996 – 2005ish |
| The Bear | 1985? – 1996 |
| Bear Hollow | 1979 – 1985? |
Details
440 Castro has always been a Castro bar that has catered to the bear and leather community. In 1979, it opened as Bear Hollow, then became known simply as The Bear by 1985. Bartender-turned-owner “Daddy” Philip Turner renamed it Daddy’s in 1996. When he died in 2000, his partner Joe Granese and bar manager Robert Brunson assumed ownership but kept the name the same until they sold the bar in 2005 to business partners Doug Murphy, Gordon Boe, and Mark Wilson. New owners retooled it slightly and renamed in 440 Castro.
Daddy’s and then 440 Castro was home to Culture Whore’s monthly party called Faggot First Wednesdays, held on the first Wednesday of every month, which was famous for DJ Earworm’s famous mashup remixes. The party ended in August of 2006. In 2007, Gus Presents launched Frathouse, a weekly college-oriented party on Wednesdays that lasted a few years.
In August of 2009, co-owner Doug Murphy died unexpectedly at the age of 41 from the H1N1 virus, known as the Swine Flu. 440 Castro was inherited by his business partners, Gordon Boe and Mark Wilson, while his other bars, Moby Dick and Blackbird, were inherited by their own different business partners.
The bar is now home to a weekly underwear night on Mondays, with a monthly “Battle of the Bulge” contest on the first Monday of every month.
Sources
Bajko, Matthew S., “Bar owner’s death shocks Castro,” The Bay Area Reporter, August 27, 2009.
Bajko, Matthew S., “Daddy’s DJ retires,” The Bay Area Reporter, September 1, 2005.
The440.com, accessed June 12, 2014.
Uncle Donald’s Castro Street, accessed June 6, 2014.
Location
440 Castro Street, San Francisco
My name is Joseph Granese.i was partner with Phillip Turner from the beginning of Daddy’s . When Phillip died he requested the we have a New Orleans marching band . We got the Street closed to March from 18th parking lot to Daddy’s.After the event the leather boys were to saddened to drink at Daddy’s. I was the only partner left. I could not cover my expenses so I found the three buyers. The manager,Bob Brunson had already left.
The new owners have removed the leather drape on the door which had scarred away many young men.