The Best Bars in San Francisco

The Riptide

The Riptide, built in 1941, has the look and feel of a small town lodge and is labeled as San Francisco's Tahoe by the Sea. In addition to rustic brick flooring and high ceilings, the original knotty pine walls and raging fireplace add warmth you can... more

4 Upcoming events

The Royal Exchange

The Royal Exchange is a landmark family-owned restaurant situated in the heart of San Francisco's Financial District since 1972. Things were simpler then, with only two beers on tap and hot dogs & cold sandwiches on the menu. Our vision was to be... more

The Royale

The Cafe Royale neighborhood coffee/tea house, beer and wine bar features an eclectic program of visual arts exhibitions by local artists and a monthly local patron night. The drink menu includes an eclectic selection of beers and wines, distinctive... more

The Rumpus Room

The Rumpus Room is a 6th Street bar next to Tu Lan. The bar stands out for its classic - vintage feel, a good crowd, and their secret off-menu drinks. Rumpus Room is a relative oasis from the street seen outside that could best be described as madn... more

The Saloon

There can be little doubt that The Saloon, at 1232 Grant Street in North Beach, is one of the top blues bars in the City. Make that the state. Make that the world. Make the scene with music every night with two bands on Fridays and weekends. The tale... more

The San Francisco Athletic Club

The San Francisco Athletic Club was a boxing academy, known as the main training center for young boxers in the San Francisco / Bay Area. The Club was opened in 1885 by Alex Greggains who had been a former middleweight boxing champion of California.... more

The Sea Star

The Sea Star is a welcoming neighborhood bar in Dogpatch, serving up fun cocktails along with rotating craft beers on draft. Pop by on your way to or from a concert or game at Chase Center. more

The Sherwood

A comfortable and casually elegant public house offering classic cocktails with a modern twist, craft beers and ciders, and a well curated selection of wines by the glass and bottle. Tucked between Sherwood Forest & Saint Francis Wood neighborhood... more

The Silver Spur

A good mix of mostly regulars float through the low-key watering hole for a drink or more. more

The Slanted Door

If the Slanted Door's posh opening party was any indicator, the permanent location of San Francisco's favorite modern Vietnamese destination is going to do incredibly well in its new bayfront space. Spun from stacked glass, sleek lines and daylight b... more

The Social Study

The Social Study is a truly unique day and evening lounge. Start off your day with locally roasted Four Barrel coffee, a variety of tasty bar bites, and free WiFi. Ease into the evening with our signature Winetails, Beertails, Sangria, Soju cocktails... more

35 Upcoming events

The Stud

The Stud is San Francisco's oldest LGBT bar and one of the world's most famous drag bars... The bar, nightclub, performance space, and community center has found its new location in the heart of SoMa district. more

The Sycamore

A cool pub in the Mission. They don't take reservations. Happy Hour: Daily 4pm - 7pm Weekend Brunch: Saturday-Sunday 10am - 3pm more

The Third Floor

Presented by Omakase Restaurant Group, The Third Floor is our modern take on the classic hotel lobby restaurant and bar, offering a light-filled, upscale environment for locals and travelers alike to gather over brunch, breakfast, lunch, dinner, cock... more

The Tonga Room

Cocktails, food and music! The vibe is Kitschy cool, Tiki chic!  -------- Created with an unused swimming pool in the basement of the Fairmont Hotel in 1967, the Tonga Room takes tiki kitsch to another level with live music from a boat flo... more

The Treasury

Very nice, intimate, stylish bar located in the Financial District. The cocktail bar features light-hearted craft cocktails, chef-caliber bar fare, beer and wine, and friendly service.  Lunch: M - F, 11:30am - 2:30pm Dinner: M - F, 3pm - 12mid... more

The Uptown

You could easily stroll by the signless Uptown on 17th and Capp and have no idea that you're overlooking one of the coolest Mission dives. The jukebox pumps out new wave, punk, jazz, classic rock, country, and hip-hop, so all kinds of people can get... more

The Valencia Room

The Valencia Room takes over for the longtime mainstay, Elbo Room. They aim is to preserve the culture and heritage of this location by continuing in its tradition of providing the highest caliber of diverse local and touring artists. more

40 Upcoming events

The Vault Garden

Step inside The Vault Garden, an outdoor oasis in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Named San Francisco's Safest Dining by the SF Chronicle, experience the Garden for dinner and drinks in a socially responsible atmosphere. more

The Vestry

The Vestry resides in the beautifully restored historic building at 777 Valencia, in the heart of the Mission dining scene. The menu features seasonal contemporary Californian cuisine with influences from France, Italy and the Mediterranean, served o... more

The View Lounge

The iconic View Lounge atop the San Francisco Marriott Marquis is the ideal destination for business and leisure guests where they can enjoy hand crafted cocktails and locally inspired small plates accompanied by the most awe inspiring views the city... more

The Willows

The Willows is your friendly neighborhood bar in SoMa featuring good food, great cocktails, rotating craft beer drafts, board games & pinball machines! more

The Wreck Room

The Wreck Room is San Francisco's Sports and Game Bar on Nob Hill. more

The Zombie Village

Some of the best bartenders will make tiki-themed drinks at Zombie Village. Want a delicous drink with an umbrella? Your sweet little tiki experience awaits. more

Thee Parkside

Without doubt a welcome addition to the music scene (Friday night's BudgetRock garage music for a measly $3 and Sunday's free Oyster BBQ shows being the buzz draw)... it's most likely the unpretentious atmosphere that comes with the joint's happy, in... more

Thieves Tavern

An owner-operated smoking bar that serves beer and wine. more

Third Rail

Third Rail is a cocktail and jerky bar tucked away on a quiet street in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood. The bar is the result of the collaboration between Chef Phil West and barkeep Jeff Lyon, two life-long restaurant guys who worked tog... more

ThirstyBear

Around the corner from SFMOMA, ThirstyBear is a spacious brick-warehouse with pool tables and dartboards upstairs and the City's most outstanding house-brewed beer. The trendy warehouse ambience and brassy, industrial, South of Market setting make f... more

Thriller Social Club

Thriller Social Club is a huge arcade bar in the SOMA, taking over where Coin-Op once was. Thriller is a happening in its own right, with 2 levels, 3 bars and games galore. From classic games like Donkey Kong, Tron, Centipede, and Galaga, to interac... more

Tiki Haven

Tiki Haven serves classic and exotic cocktails along with many original recipes; along with some tasty snacks.  Tiki Haven is a retro-oasis, full of dreamy decor that will instantly transcend your mind and body of what a typical neighborhood bar... more

Tofino Wines

Tofino Wines is a retail wine shop and bar in San Francisco, specializing in unique natural wines. Our selection of 700+ wines is focused on natural wines and small, family-run estates from classic and emerging regions in California, France, Italy... more

Tommy's

The original tequlia bar.   In my past experiences, the food is just so-so, but the bar scene is first class.   Talk about tequila with the bartender.  Try a few brands you haven't tried before.   This is the place to do... more

Tommy's Joynt

You can’t get much more “Classic San Francisco” than Tommy’s Joynt restaurant, which has been in my family since it’s beginning. In fact, the original Tommy, Tommy Harris, a well-known local radio per... more

Tonic

Tonic is happy to host Guest Bartending events! You and up to five friends can get behind the bar from 6:00-9:00, Thursday, Friday or Saturday to raise money for the charity or non-profit of your choice! All tips raised will be donated to your cause.... more

Tony Nik's

This neighborhood bar has been open since the Prohibition era. Its cool retro era look is the result of a renovation in 1949. Tony Niks was renovated again in 2000 but continues to maintain the Atomic Age look from the starburst clock mounted on... more

Tope Lounge

The best new lounge in San Francisco.  Grand Opening Friday December 10, 2010. more

Toronado

Happy Hour: $2.50 pints (most beers) 11:30am to 6pm daily. Over 40 great beers on tap at any given time! more

Tosca Cafe

Treat yourself to a little class! Imagine yourself in the past as you step up to a beautifully polished 40's style cocktail bar and drop a quarter in the old opera juke box. Tosca Cafe serves great decaf cappuccinos and potent martinis and cosmopol... more

Trad'r Sam

This Polynesian theme bar is accentuated by its island-style booths and exotic drinks. Each booth is named after an island and has a character of its own. Trad'r Sam's is a classic bar in Outer Richmond. more

Trax

$2 beers on Tuesdays.   From 1940 until today, having a good time is still the same at Trax on Haight. more

UPCOMING EVENTS