Bars and pubs in San Francisco

Bars and pubs in San Francisco

1. 
   DrinkPubChinatown-North Beach

   Vesuvio's

   This quirky and historic bar was founded in 1948, and is famous for its association with jazz, poetry, and the Beat Generation. Neal Cassidy first made a pit stop here in the mid-1950s, and ever since it became a favorite hangout for literati celebrities, including Jack Kerouac. While you're there, why not order "The Jack Kerouac" — a healthy dose of tequila, rum, and cranberry juice. The bar is located next-door to the iconic City Lights Book store and what is now known as "Jack Kerouac Alley".

   6AM-2AM daily
2. DrinkBarChinatown-North Beach

   The Saloon

   Old Blues/Jazz bar that has survived the raucous Barbary Coast and the 1906 earthquake. This is the oldest bar in San Francisco and it certainly looks like it too — it's grotty and rough looking inside and out, and it's extremely loud, but it can also be great fun and a must if you love the Blues.

   Noon-2AM daily·Weekends — $5 cover charge · Live music · Wheelchair accessible

3. 
   DrinkPubThe Avenues

   The Little Shamrock

   The oldest Irish pub in San Francisco. Here you will find free popcorn for patrons, a few TVs tuned into all manner of sports, eclectic but cozy furniture, a shelf full of games at the back, and a fireplace. With very kind bartenders (and regulars), the Little Shamrock feels like a safe cozy den on any weeknight. Due to the fact that it serves Irish Coffee, it's also got coffee all night.

   Mon-Thu 3PM-2AM, Fri 2PM-2AM, Sat Sun 1PM-2AM·Wheelchair accessible
4. DrinkBarMission

   ABV

   Excellent cocktail bar with food until midnight, popular with industry types. No TVs and no Santas.

   4pm-2am daily·Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible

5. DrinkBarHaight

   The Alembic

   Styling itself a 'Whiskey Bar', the Alembic is a place to have classic cocktails as well as original creations. The house Manhattan, made with Rye Whiskey, is phenomenal.

   Closed · opens 4 pm Wednesday·Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible

6. DrinkBarMission

   Asiento

   Relatively new bar with a great selection of beer, wine, and spirits. Awesome tapas. The "Queso Fundido" is wicked and it packs enough calories to keep you dancing until 4AM. Audio and video feeds of live DJs are streamed in to work around current license restrictions. This place is fun when it's packed and when it's empty.

   Sun-Tue 5PM-midnight, Wed Thu 5PM-1AM, Fri Sat 5PM-2AM·Wi-Fi · Wheelchair accessible

7. DrinkPubHaight

   Aub Zam-Zam

   A 1930s vintage cocktail bar with a beautifully restored arabesque art-deco decor. Written up in 'W' and 'Newsweek' magazines for the best martinis in the US back in the 80s. Drinks are moderately expensive but of exceptional quality, even from the well. An intimate and classy setting for a romantic evening with a juke box that leans toward swing and big band music. Named for the Well of Zamzam, one of the holiest places in Islam, a source of blessed beverages.

   Mon-Fri 3PM-2AM, Sat Sun 1PM-2AM·Wheelchair accessible

8. DrinkBarMission

   Blondies

   Drinks are not cheap (several dollars more than every other bar on the block, but also twice as large), although to be fair the drinks are well made and strong. Truly good martinis, admittedly. Live music with older crowds M-W, DJs for the younger weekend crowds.

   Mon-Thu 4PM-2AM, Fri-Sun 2PM-2AM·Wheelchair accessible

9. DrinkBarMission

   Casanova Lounge

   An awesome cross between a stylish lounge and hipster joint with the best ambiance of any Mission bar. DJs spin a wide variety of music nightly. Enjoy the 1970s era velvet paintings of topless women, some posing with wild animals, and the black Burt Reynolds.

   4PM-2AM daily·Wheelchair accessible

10. DrinkPubHaight

    Danny Coyle's

    Irish pub where the Guinness is served with a smile, and if you're lucky, an Irish accent to match.

    Mon-Thu 2PM-2AM, Fri noon-2AM, Sat Sun 7AM-2AM·Wheelchair accessible

11. DrinkPubMission

    Elixir

    One of the oldest bars in San Francisco, since 1858. Rock music, Pub quiz, charity events, great drink specials and a warm vibe. One of the largest whiskey selections in the city, especially scotch.

    Mon-Fri 3PM-2AM, Sat noon-2AM, Sun 11AM-2AM·Built 1858

12. DrinkPubCivic Center-Tenderloin

    Ha-Ra Club

    Standard but friendly dive-bar in the Tenderloin that serves cheap drinks. It was co-founded by pro-wrestler Hank Hanastead and boxer Ralph Figari. Great place if you're into the 'Loin's no nonsense dive bars.

    9:30AM-2AM daily·Wheelchair accessible

13. DrinkBarNob Hill-Russian Hill

    Hi-Lo Club

    A new venture by veterans of the Tenderloin bar scene. Nice, craft cocktails, signature house creations, and an impressive beer menu are set in a swanky new/old interior that intentionally has no TV.

    Tue-Sun 4PM-midnight (later on the weekends)·Wheelchair accessible

14. DrinkPubUnion Square-Financial District

    Irish Bank

    An old-style Irish pub, walls adorned with antiques, with a great selection of whiskey, imports, and microbrewed beer, and good pub food. The Bank has plenty of outdoor sitting, ideal for a warm day.

    Closed · opens 11:30 am·Outdoor seating

15. DrinkBarCastro-Noe Valley

    Mix

    Billing itself as a "neighborhood bar", Mix has strong drinks and a great back patio.

    Mon-Fri 7AM-2AM, Sat-Sun 6AM-2AM·Wheelchair accessible

16. DrinkPubHaight

    Molotov's

    Leans towards rockabilly and mohawk crowd. Dog and food friendly.

    Closed · opens 3 pm·Wheelchair accessible

17. DrinkBarSoMa

    Press Club

    This bar focuses on wine, with some of the finest from the nearby Wine Country. Sneak a peek at the wine cellar, and don't be surprised if you're super critical of the next glass of wine you drain outside the Press Club. Be prepared, however, to put a dent in your credit card or wallet by the end of the night.

    Closed · opens 4 pm·Wheelchair accessible

18. DrinkBarChinatown-North Beach

    Red's Place

    It is the oldest operating bar in Chinatown. It's a quiet place, ideal for conversations.

    11AM-2AM daily·Limited wheelchair access

19. DrinkPubUnion Square-Financial District

    Tunnel Top

    This two-floor, cash-only bar is a neighborhood staple, where you'll find an eclectic mix of locals downing the very excellent mojitos, shots of Fernet-Branca (the unofficial drink of San Francisco), or egging on the bartenders to make up a new drink.

    Closed · opens 4 pm·Limited wheelchair access

20. DrinkPubMission

    Zeitgeist

    Cool motorcycle/bike courier punk rock-ish alterna-crowd. The bartenders can (and almost always do) often drip with attitude. They, and the regulars, can be fiercely protective of their little hideaway. Awesome and huge backyard (i.e. beer garden). Rowdy on weekend nights and they bbq too.

    9AM-2AM daily·Outdoor seating

21. DrinkBeer gardenWestern Addition

    Biergarten

    Do not expect a picturesque Bavarian scene but you will find familiar beer and food.

    Closed · opens 3 pm Wednesday·Outdoor seating

22. DrinkPubHaight

    Magnolia

    Serves solid food and microbrews, including some excellent cask conditioned beers.

    Closed · opens noon·Wheelchair accessible

23. DrinkBarMission

    Rite Spot

    A longstanding neighborhood dive bar with live music every night. No cover, mostly locals.

    Tue Wed 5-11PM, Thu-Sat 5PM-midnight·Wheelchair accessible

24. DrinkPubThe Avenues

    The Bitter End

    Two-level Irish bar with billiards, darts, pub food, and Tuesday night trivia.

    Mon-Fri 3PM-2AM, Sat Sun 10AM-2AM·Limited wheelchair access

25. DrinkBarMission

    Beauty Bar

    One the few real dance clubs in the Mission, Beauty Bar used to be popular with hipsters but is now mainly populated with a more ghetto crowd.

    5PM-2AM daily

26. DrinkBarCivic Center-Tenderloin

    Bourbon and Branch

    This hard to find cocktail/spirit themed bar is a throwback to the prohibition days of the 1920s — this address used to be a thriving illegal "speakeasy" known as the "JJ Russell's Cigar Shop." Inside it's ornately decorated with dark woods giving the place a real cozy feel. It being a prohibition themed bar, they also have some strange house rules posted on the walls like "no photography" and "Please speak easy" They have an exhaustive selection of spirits and cocktails.

    Mon-Sat 6PM-2AM

27. DrinkBarChinatown-North Beach

    Buddha Lounge

    Another favorite dive bar in Chinatown, this is a cramped yet lively place that's great for people watching.

    Noon-2AM daily

28. DrinkBarGolden Gate

    California Wine Merchant

    Formerly just a wine retail shop, the California Wine Merchant is now a hip little spot where you can enjoy a few glasses of wine, watch people walk by on Chestnut St, or pick up a few bottles to bring home.

    Mon-Wed 10AM-midnight, Thu-Sat 10AM-1:30AM, Sun 11AM-11PM

29. DrinkBarChinatown-North Beach

    Columbus Cafe

    Great bar in a huddle of bars around the intersection of Grant Avenue and Green Street. It draws a lively and predominantly young crowd. It does a two-for-one happy hour on beers and also $3 Fernets. Watch out though, it can get crowded.

    Mon-Fri 2PM-2AM, Sat-Sun noon-2AM

30. DrinkPubMission

    Dalva

    It's very dimly lit but cool decor. Excellent jukebox, though after 9PM they tend to turn it up just a touch too loud. Frequently has great DJs playing funk and R&B but varies; clientele leans toward the gentrification crowd. Lots of smoke from the VIP room in the back filters out into the main bar. Excellent happy hour!

    4PM-2AM daily

31. DrinkPubMission

    Delirium

    The Albion was truly a vaguely scary dive bar. Delirium was another great neighborhood bar, but it's shockingly turned into a bit of a bridge and tunnel 20-something meatmarket these days. They have a place to dance in the back, with good 1960s rock and soul on Wednesdays.

    Mon Wed Thu 4PM-2AM, Tue Fri 2PM-2AM, Sat Sun 1PM-2AM

32. DrinkPubCivic Center-Tenderloin

    Hanaro

    Just across from the Edinburgh Castle is a shadowy hole-in-the-wall festooned with Korean lettering: Hanaro. Though the bar is wallpapered with "No Smoking" signs (as California law demands), you need only loiter outside the bar for a few minutes with a cigarette before you are beckoned inside and offered an ashtray. In fact, Hanaro's great charm is it that it's accommodating in every respect; stay for a bit and you will be offered various bar snacks, and there is usually a hostess on hand whose only job is to chat with the patrons. This is done, however, with taste and tact; if you wish to drink in silence, you won't be disturbed. The jukebox is stocked with Asian pop singles.

    Noon-2AM daily

33. DrinkBarWestern Addition

    Harry's Bar

    Good neighborhood bar in Pacific Heights with a casual atmosphere. Popular with local professionals.

    Mon-Fri 11:30AM-2AM, Sat-Sun 10AM-2AM

34. DrinkBarMission

    Latin American Club

    Decorated in dusty kitsch, the LAC also has large paintings for sale by local artists. They can offer up some of the best, strongest margaritas in town. Just one, that's all it takes.

    Mon-Fri 5PM-2AM, Sat 1PM-2AM, Sun 2PM-2AM

35. DrinkBarNob Hill-Russian Hill

    R Bar

    A rumbly, simple dive-esque bar in the upper Tenderloin neighborhood. Popular with the bar crawl crowds that make their way around the corner from Polk Street.

    Mon-Fri 6PM-2AM, Sat 11AM-2AM, Sun 10AM-2AM

36. DrinkBarChinatown-North Beach

    Red Jack Saloon

    Dive Bar, set back a few blocks from the Wharf, it's popular with Eastcoasters and Red Sox fans. Cheap drinks and a decent juke box.

    11AM-2AM daily

37. DrinkPubMission

    Shotwell's

    The definition of a neighborhood bar. Still smoky despite the smoking ban.

    Mon-Sat 4:30PM-2AM, Sun 4PM-1AM

38. DrinkPubChinatown-North Beach

    Specs

    Opened in 1968, Spec's is a holdout from the Beat era of North Beach. The bar is filled with artifacts, and is perhaps the best place for a serious conversation in all of downtown San Francisco.

    Sun-Thu 4:30PM-2AM, Fri-Sat 5PM-2AM

39. DrinkBarMission

    The 500 Club

    Great neighborhood alterna-hipster bar, but in a good way. Formerly an old man dive bar that's been taken over by the thick black rimmed glasses youngster.

    Mon-Thu 3PM-2AM, Fri Sat noon-2AM, Sun 10AM-2PM

40. DrinkBarGolden Gate

    The Comet Club

    Good place to go if you like to boogie-on-down to the sounds of the 70s and 80s! It's a bit of a cramped space though and can get crowded as a result.

    Sun, Tue-Wed 7PM-2AM, Thu-Sat 5:30PM-2AM

Browse all 8,014 places in San Francisco

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to San Francisco (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps.