A cross between a Neanderthal’s cave and Aladdin’s lamp, Noc Noc is a cozy cavern with a Gypsy color scheme and plenty of intriguing things to carefully inspect, should your date be late or nonexistent. Metal culled from repurposed airplanes curves along the ceiling (assuming that’s not urban legend or something I just made up), with glowing green leaves (heh) (sorry) (come on, this is the Haight) glinting off the silver sheen.

Slack-jawed aliens are painted on zebra striped walls and a bright purple fish swims in a tank behind the bartender. I named the purple fish Eugene, which he may or may not appreciate. Eugene is downright mesmerizing, especially after beer number two. (After beer number three, you stop caring about purple fish. Sorry, Eugene.) Noc Noc has plenty of other random, weirdly awesome art, but you have to cuddle up to random bar patrons to see it properly. Have fun.

Noc Noc, 557 Haight Street. (415) 861-5811.