I don’t remember the last time I entered a bar of any sort that had no music playing, and if I had you’d think about what a boring place that would be to enjoy a drink. I love good tunes wherever I am, whether it’s on the train, at the gym or in the bar. One of my favorite bar amenities is a great jukebox. And when a bar has a jukebox, it provides the vibe and sets the tone. At least it used to before the World Wide Inter-Web took over. Now don’t get me wrong: I like having any song at the click of the button, but it’s also a cop-out. Personally, I prefer the old-school limited-selection type. I like the sound-of-the-page-flipping type of jukebox. So if you love a bar with a jukebox as much as I do, let me lead you to them.

While out on my mission to find these CD or vinyl jukeboxes, time and time again I’d enter a bar searching for the neon glow only to be burned like a bug in fire — damn electric jukebox. My fear began to grow with every disappointment I discovered: the Bigfoot Lodge, Elixir, Mission Hill Saloon, and please god not Somerset Place, too, all being replaced by the internet jukebox.

But not all was lost. In fact, Bucks Tavern (1655 Market St.) is currently replacing the new electric one they just purchased with an old-school version, complete with hand-selected songs. This, to me, is the biggest allure: Each bar is able to make a statement about what type of establishment they are and what patrons they represent just by their jukebox selections. I respect the ones that stay true to blues and soul, as well as the straight punk rock or metal bars. It makes choosing a bar by mood that much easier.

So without further ado, let me share where you can find my favorite kind of antique bar equipment. Quick Note: Almost every jukebox selection has Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Rolling Stones, Sam Cooke, the Kinks, Social Distortion, Thin Lizzy, Otis Redding, Iggy, Nirvana, Al Green and the Pixies. So with that being said, assume it’s in all these juke’s without having to repeat myself.

Time and time again I’d enter a bar searching for the neon glow only to be burned like a bug in fire — damn electric jukebox.

Molotov’s (582 Haight St.) in the Haight is a dimly lit dive bar that’s remained a staple to Lower Haighters. A skate crowd alongside pool and pinball enthusiasts will find a fairly versatile jukebox with a lot of punk rock such as Bad Brains, Circle Jerks and Joy Division. Some unique findings include the Melvins, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Jimmy Cliff, the Cramps, Wu-Tang Clan, Israelites and Mastodon.

On to Lucky 13 (2140 Market St.). This is a gargantuan, dog-friendly dive bar with free popcorn and strange, abstractly painted walls. They, too, have an eclectic jukebox with a strong presence of metal and punk as well as a bunch of house-made mixes (pretty awesome although it can lead to long search times). Along with the mixes, some unique finds are: Dwarves, Donnas, Devo, the Cult, Motley Crew.

Pop’s Bar (2800 24th St.) in the Mission is a hopping dive known for its cheap beer and more aggressive, youthful crowd. It’s a tight space but they have a pool table. Their jukebox screams of the ’80s and punk rock with nice classic-rock undertones. This is definitely one of my favorite jukeboxes. Rare finds include Joan Jett, The Dead Weather, CCR, Poison, Talking Heads, English Beat, the Smiths, Michael Jackson, Scorpions, MIA, Phil Collins, Slayer, Bob Seger, and The Animals. Diverse.

Next we’ll head out to Pop’s sister bar, Thee Parkside (1600 17th St.), in Potrero Hill. When I visited, they were just finishing up a chili dog-eating contest and people were playing classic Nintendo on the projector screen. Rad. When live bands aren’t playing, you can sift through their great punk rock/metal jukebox with some classics like Etta James, The Kinks, James Brown and Billie Holiday. Not a bad day listening to Bad Brains, The Pixies and Velvet Underground while throwing back some cheap beer and killer grill.

While you’re out that direction, head over to the Dogpatch Saloon (2496 Third St.). Yep, this classic single pool tabled bar is out there, but the jukebox is a true classic. You’ll find Tom Waits, Sam Cooke, Louis Armstrong, Otis Redding, Patsy Cline, Nat King Cole, Randy Travis, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Janis Joplin, Nina Simone, Quincy Jones, B.B. King, The Grateful Dead, Bob Marley, and Taj Mahal. Phew.

Back in the Mission, you’ll find 500 Club (500 Guerrero St.) — an old lodge-like dive with a ton of places to sit. The bartender on duty, Bone, shared with me that he and another bartender, Olaf, are the ones who personally pick the music and that they change it fairly often. Pretty cool. As a matter of fact, they recently just switched it up to very old soul and blues. Bone’s top three picks: 1. Finger Berg 2. Stomp #16 (it’s a mix) and 3. Eccentric Soul #22.

Doc’s Clock (2575 Mission St.), also in the Mission, is a narrow, dim bar where the walls are lined with vintage posters, a movie projected on the back wall, pinball machines and a shuffleboard table. On Sundays, the jukebox is silenced by the record player that they set up for locals to come in to play their faves. The record-playing night alone tells you that the jukebox is going to kill it. There’s Bo Diddley, Sharon Jones, Camera Obsura, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Gossip, Dead Kennedy’s, Stray Cats, Sex Pistols, Yo La Tengo, Agent Orange, She and Him, Broken Social Scene, Al Green, Gogol Bordello, and Howlin’ Wolf. Awesomely eclectic!

Not far away is Mission Bar (2695 Mission St.), a barren mirrored bar with tables lining the wall. This is a quintessential metal bar with an underlying variety in their jukebox. What I found special in here was Judas Priest, ZZ Top, The Stooges, Cheap Trick, Van Halen, Supersuckers, Eagles of Death Metal, Tool, Them Crooked Vultures, Ween, The Black Crows, Rage Against the Machine, Whitesnake, Jimi Hendrix, The Pharcyde, Run DMC, Snoop Dog, Built to Spill, Sly and the Family Stone, and Black Star. They also have the American Graffiti soundtrack.

Then there’s the Lexington Club (3464 19th St.), a well-lit lesbian dive bar. If you don’t fall into that category, that should not keep you out of this chill spot with local art on the walls and some pool tables for your entertainment. If you’re looking for a more “pop” rock/ indie jukebox, here’s your place. Found in their jukebox: Phoenix, Arcade Fire, Spank Rock, Chromeo, the Ting Tings, Beyonce, Lil’ Kim, 2Pac, Scissor Sisters, Hall & Oats, Sneaker Pimps, Jackson 5, Jeff Buckley, Weezer, Tina Turner, No Doubt, Fleetwood Mac, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Blondie, Local Natives, Neko Case, Santigold, Pointer Sisters, Prince, Daft Punk, Kid Cudi, Yeasayer, and, best of all (and I’m giggling typing it) Boys II Men!

A little further out is this little spot known as the Phone Booth (1398 S. Van Ness Ave.) and it is packed with mid-20s indie folk. I like this place a lot, mainly for their Barbie doll chandelier and creative decor, but also for the jukebox. This is an excellent example of eclectic, with faves including Talking Heads, Diana Ross, Pretenders, Pet Shop Boys, TLC, Passion Pit, Pat Benatar, David Bowie, James Brown, Elvis Costello, Metric, Radiohead, Thin Lizzy, Patty Smyth, the Kinks, Gladys Knight, the Cure, New Order, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, Rick James, Duran Duran, Morrissey, Artic Monkeys, George Michael, Donna Summers, Cool and the Gang, and the Ramones.

Over in North Beach, there’s a bar known by its address, 15 Romolo (15 Romolo Pl.), tucked away in the alleyway behind all the strip clubs. Here you’ll never know you were in North Beach. It has a vintage speakeasy feel with a wide-open room with tables to sit, sip amazing cocktails, and snack. The jukebox here has a wide indie rock variety, such as Beck, the Specials, Modest Mouse, Brazilian Girls, Devil Makes Three, Jimi Hendrix, White Stripes, the Knife, Bloc Party, Jurassic 5, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Tom Waits, Neil Diamond, Motley Crew, Notorious BIG, Danzig, Prince, Eddie Money, Gorillaz, Gogol Bordello, the Kills, Blondie, and the Black Keys.

In the Tenderloin, you’ll find R Bar (1176 Sutter St.). This narrow, exposed-brink sort of modern bar with a diverse crowd has a jukebox that is just as diverse. Here you can listen to Van Morrison, MGMT, Led Zeppelin, Flaming Lips, Moby, the Doors, TV on the Radio, Alice in Chains, A Tribe Called Quest, Men at Work, Sinatra, Steel Pulse, Postal Service, and Bob Marley. This jukebox fits all personalities.

So the jukebox, unlike the dinosaur, is not extinct. The remaining few authentic, none-interweb jukeboxes are amazing and unique. Get out there, San Francisco, play your fellow bar bystanders your best playlists.