San Francisco Bars, Pubs, & more!

Ahhh, San Francisco bars.. they're the best! Because it doesn't matter if you're looking for anything from a dive bar to a posh lounge; a gay bar to DJ bars - San Francisco night life has it!

That's why I love going out in this city! There are so many cool, unique places to have a good cocktail, a mirco-brew or a glass of wine. Each neighborhood has it's best and each social scene has it's "Cheers" -- and the best part is that no matter what, EVERYONE is welcome! So you can get dolled up and sip champagne or drink beer and shoot some pool... whatever you fancy, you will find it here!

It's Cocktail Time!

Click here for a list of San Francisco Gay Bars

PUBS, POOL & IRISH WHISKEY

I love Toronado- the beer list is incredible and the patron scene is unpretentious- the bartenders on the other hand can be quite rude sometimes. But don't let that discourage you - just order your brew and indulge! I like going there on the weekdays- weekends can get too crazy with little room to breathe or walk! If you get hungry, go next door to one of the many food spots and enjoy your food back in the bar - it's all about the neighborhood in the Lower Haight!
View Map

Doc's Clock
2575 Mission St. San Francisco 415.824.3627
"One word: shuffleboard. There are so few dives these days where you can glide a shuffle puck down a long, glossy lane. But you don't have to be a sh-board enthusiast to enjoy Doc's deep dimensions and amicable atmosphere. From the cool retro neon clock perched out front to the big, high-ceilinged cafeteria-proportioned back room, Doc's is one of the funkiest and comfiest of the ultra-hip Mission District dives. The bartenders are friendly- and Doc don't advertise -- he don't have to." Jan Richman
View Map

The Chieftain
198 5th St. San Francisco 415.615.0916
This is THE pub to be in you're south of market and it's soccer season! With TVs, beer and food, this is a local favorite for cheering on your favorite country! Oh yeah, not to mention they have quiz night every Tuesday!
View Map

The Tempest
431 Natoma St. San Francisco 415.495.1863
"Inside, the Tempest is a well-appointed, spacious bar with a stage for bands (usually bike-messenger punk and good, honest, very heavy metal), a pool table, plenty of tables and chairs, a few cool pinball machines and a rockin' jukebox that includes KRS-One right beside Marvin Gaye, Big Black and local hardcore compilations. The kitchen serves requisite bar food, plus a fine selection of microbrews from around the Bay Area. Clientele usually includes a few professional drunks in the middle or at the end of their careers and Market Street worker bees looking to unwind, as well as a steady stream of bicycle messengers wheeling their battered steeds indoors for convenient off-street parking." Josh Wilson
View Map

Route 101
1332 Van Ness Ave. San Francisco 415.474.6092
"There is no yuppie nonsense at Route 101, as evidenced by one of the most interesting and eclectic jukeboxes in the City. In it, you'll find anything from Howlin' Wolf to the New York Dolls to Buck Owens. And if you're really lucky, afternoon bartender Hobie might grab his guitar and tickle your fancy with some mean blues/slide action. The pool tables are in great condition, and sitting back in a sofa watching the big-screen TV (a full 66 inches!) is a terrific way to catch a ball game with your pals." sfgate.com
View Map

Edinburgh Castle
950 Geary St. San Francisco 415.885.4074
This is one of MY favorite pubs in San Francisco! Located in the tenderloin, this Irish pub is deceiving small from the outside & is surprisingly big inside with two floors, darts, pool, and a back room for live music and stage performance.
View Map

Zeitgeist
199 Valencia St. San Francisco 415.255.7505
There is nothing better than on a sunny day that to go to this terrific, sprawling dive bar! Zeitgeist is the City's best motorcycle bar featuring a separate pool, pinball and arcade game room, TVs playing auto and motorcycle racing and a spacious outdoor patio with tons of tables and lots of places to park your bike and hang your helmut. With a lunch/dinner kitchen offering plenty of hearty, beer-friendly fare (burgers, sausage sandwiches, potato salad, fries). Zeitgeist also makes one of the best Bloody Marys in the city!
View Map

Gold Dust Lounge
247 Powell St. San Francisco 415.397.1695
Established in 1933, one of the oldest San Francisco bars! And, again, one of my favorites! This is THE best happy hour in the city! 6am-8:30pm including margaritas, glasses of champagne or Irish coffee for only $2.75. Located in the heart of Union Square, it's a great place to grab a drink after shopping! Stick around for the live music--it starts nightly at 8:30pm!
View Map

The Ha Ra
875 Geary St. San Francisco 415.673.3148
"Despite some snazzy, retro-style advertising in the weeklies, this spot remains an undiluted dive bar. No yuppies, no swing dancing -- just a pool table, fake brick walls, potent drinks and all the charm of the Tenderloin. It's also a prime spot for some solo drinking -- inevitably, someone will strike up a (highly entertaining or incomprehensible) conversation. Just a block away from the Great American Music Hall, it's the perfect place to meet for preshow drinks." Jasmine Jopling
View Map

Hemlock Tavern
1131 Polk St. San Francisco 415.923.0923
A bay area smoking, hipsters' favorite! This bar has it all! Pool, full bar, heated-enclosed smokers deck, live music, fresh-hot peanuts.. really, what more could you ask for? Located in the tenderloin, Hemlock Tavern has been a great host to local, national and international indie rock & punk bands.
View Map

Columbus Cafe
562 Green St. San Francisco 415.291.0818
"This is a local dive bar with a great happy hour: Two-for-one draft beers (there are at least 10 to choose from) 5pm-8 pm every day, including weekends! If that isn't enough of a reason to go, they also occasionally dump sand over the entire floor and hang fishnets from the ceiling. The (less-crowded) Inferno, downstairs, is open on weekends." Jasmine Jopling
View Map