The Best Dive Bar in San Francisco

500 Club

Located on the corner of Guerrero and 17th Street, the 500 is an oasis from the trendiness of Valencia Street. Locals mix with resident hipsters, weekend slummers, and skate kids. Drinks and tunes from the stellar jukebox both flow all night long. Th... more

540 Rogues

With a nearly bottomless Internet jukebox that's received kudos from the SF Weekly as the "Best Jukebox in SF", free WiFi access, cover-charge free DJ nights, and late night drink specials, it's no wonder the 540 Rogues is the bar of choice for Richm... more

Bitters Bock & Rye

Bitters Bock & Rye is a unique BBQ restaurant and bar where you can enjoy everything from southern-style fried okra, house-smoked BBQ brisket, southern-style BBQ ribs, jalapeno margaritas (with house-smoked jalapeno-infused tequila), we brew b... more

Blind Cat

A neighborhood dive that has a jukebox, pinball & good selection of beer & whiskey. more

Bloodhound

WWII inspired neighborhood bar, serving up seasonal cocktails, craft beer and pool table. SF's Best Happy Hour. more

Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge

A small little dive bar that features Karaoke if you ask the bartender -- songs in Mandarin are also available.  more

Butter

Butter's bar was created from the ground up, with a constant eye on providing the perfect complimentary beverage pairings to our unique cuisine. We serve only the freshest Pabst Blue Ribbon on tap and a wide selection of 16 oz. tallboy canned beers.... more

Cinnabar

A sports bar and lounge. SF TL Locals #Alchemist owned and operated. Open 3pm-2am daily. Happy hour from 3pm - 9pm. more

Clooney's Pub

A kitchy neighborhood dive bar in a great area on Valencia. more

Columbus Cafe

Welcome to the original Columbus Cafe, a historic parlor located in the center of San Francisco's North Beach District at 562 Green Street. Established in 1936 to serve the waterfront’s Longshoremen the Columbus Café has been a long stan... more

Delirium Bar

2022 marks our notorious dive bar's 20th anniversary! We open at 10am and also have fun events every night of the week except for Tuesdays. We boast the cheapest drinks in the area with fun specials such as our "Flavor of the Week Jell-O Shot." We us... more

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Dimples

Just head down the stairs and enter this cool, slightly pricey, Korean dive bar.   Just across from Japan Center. more

Fireside Bar

A classic dive bar, conveniently located right on the N line.    Cheap drinks.  Dogs are welcome. more

Glen Park Station

If you're not from Glen Park, the Station is a cool little dive to stop in if you're ever exploring the Glen Park Canyon area. Mostly friendly locals catching up. Warriors, 49ers and Giants games shown. more

Gold Cane Cocktail Lounge

Long-standing casual bar with a back patio, pool, multiple televisions & a lounge area. more

Grant & Green -- closed

* The classic bar / saloon that operated for over 50 years, Grant & Green, closed in 2023. The Grant & Green is a favorite local venue for up-and-coming music acts. They feature live music most nights, and cold beer. Really, what more could you wa... more

Hawaii West

This is only a halfhearted attempt at a tiki bar, with a small handful of tiki-god statuettes and a flimsy palm tree reflecting its entire efforts. The froufrou, tropical-themed drinks normally associated with the motif are missing, replaced by a han... more

Hi-Lo Club

The Hi-Lo Club is your neighborhood bar, where the Hi-Brow meets the Lo-Brow. We offer affordable Specialty Cocktails, an extensive Spirits Menu, a large Beer Bottle list, local wines, as well as 12 California Beers on Tap. more

High Tide

High Tide is a super divey bar in the TL where you'll find a decent beer & maybe a shot, funky art on the walls, a pool table, and a jukebox.   Cash only. more

iL Pirata

iL Pirata consists of two large indoor spaces, a large dance area, plus an open-air side patio... besides that, it's a pretty cozy little bar in a no-man's land between Potrero Ave and the 101. more

Kilowatt

Kilowatt made its name when it used to feature alternative rock, college, grunge, and punk music. But nowadays it's just a dive bar that caters to locals. It's a great stop on your bar-hopping adventures along 16th Street. more

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Kozy Kar

Kozy Kar is a bar of all things cool growing up in the 70's and early 80's. Custom vans, eight track players, CB radios, waterbeds, chain steering wheels, shag, mirrored ceilings, van bar seats are just a few of the amenities. more

Latin American Club

One of several Mission circuit bars which attracts a young, open-minded and festive crowd. The Latin serves hard liquor and tap beer only, with two people-watching window seats, a long bar, a pool table, and an array of deco kitchen tables for social... more

Lost Resort

Feeling a little lost? Yeah, we know. WE'RE OPEN, come over! Ahoy. Lost resort and it's beautiful back patio is a home away from home for all to join. Cocktails by Captain Brad and excellent complimentary bites from our kitchen make it a destinatio... more

Marina Lounge

Friendly bartenders, drinks are good for a decent price, there's a pool table, Ms. Pacman and a trusty jukebox. more

Mission Hill Saloon

A local dive bar in the Mission - near SF General. more

Molotov's

A great little dive bar perfect for the neighborhood. more

Mr. Bing's

Mr. Bing's is a classic bar that's been on the map as a must-visit stop in San Francisco. It's old school, it's kitschy, and it's the perfect place to get a drink or two before continuing on to whatever the evening holds. more

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Noc Noc

While Lower Haight is full of well-stocked bars, Noc Noc has a slightly better crowd for people-watching, especially if you snag one of the coveted corner tables. The bar services a wide variety of beer, wine, and sake as well as juice, soda, and n... more

Peacock Lounge

Cool little dive bar, lounge. more

Phone Booth

Old-timers, lesbians and hipsters alike frequent this tiny locale. Weekends get crowded but during all in all, it's a great dive. Stuart, of Broke-Ass Stuart fame, gives a wonderful ode to this classic watering hole - https://www.sfgate.com/bars... more

Pitt's Pub

Divey and kitchy, except for those who live in Outer Sunset or Ocean Beach, this normally wouldn't be your watering hole. But on a sunny day, if you happen to be out at the beach, this could be the perfect little bar to set kick up your feet for a dr... more

Pop's Bar

POP'S BAR, keeping you in good spirits since 1937. Pop's is a classic Mission dive bar. Good place to get an early drink - ie. before most have gotten their first cup of Joe. more

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R Bar

A good, low-key bar that has the games. Lots of TVs in general for any game that's going on. But R Bar is near and dear to Cleveland fans; they play Browns and Cavs games. more

Rite Spot Cafe

With lounge bars all the rage, the Rite Spot is the only one without the added attitude. While candles and white linen tablecloths may give the illusion of upscale, it's still really a dive at heart. Yummy Food Full Bar Live Music more

Rock Bar

Neighborhood bar building great cocktails, serving cold beer, and pouring fine wines. more

Royal Cuckoo

A kitchy, so very cool bar in MidMission.   The neighborhood bar you always wanted.   Sweet music - either live or via an old record player - nothing played before mid 70s stuff, great cocktails and a Hammond B3 organ. more

Sea Star Club

A nice little dive. Happy Hour: Monday - Friday, 3pm - 7pm more

Summer Place

Summer Place is a "perfect/terrible" dive bar where you can play on the AC/DC pinball machine. more

Sweetie's Art Bar

Sweetie's Art Bar is tucked away in North Beach on Francisco Street. It's a meeting place for locals and people seeking an interesting local spot for a drink. Sweetie's boasts a pool table and art as well as a welcoming bar. Happy Hour happens dai... more

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