Are you looking to discover the best bars in San Francisco?
Then we have you covered!
On this page, you’ll find the official shortlist of all the bars in San Francisco. (More in-depth further below). And, each with why it’s best to go.
Feel free to check out each bar’s official profile to find out more and to find out which is best for you.
We’ve also created separate shortlists for each genre you might like to visit on your time out.
Furthermore, you can get on the guest list or book a table with bottle service on some of the more exclusive bars. We are happy to help you out with either.
1. Powerhouse San Francisco
Experience a holiday like no other in San Francisco, Captivate your guests with stunning city views and one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the state. From their grand staircase featuring Diego Rivera’s fresco Allegory of California to stylized bronze and stone reliefs and their carefully restored early 20th-century furnishings, The City Club offers a one-of-a-kind setting for your holiday party. The dramatic interiors are fully decorated for the season and matched by our outstanding cuisine with seasonal additions. They make sure they see to every detail whether it’s their signature hors d’oeuvres or a formal multi-course seated dinner. And The City Club’s impeccable, friendly staff is there to assist every step of the way.
2. Hole In the Wall Saloon San Francisco
Hole In The Wall opened during April of 1994 in the heart of San Francisco’s South of Market district. Fourteen years later they packed up and moved two blocks to Folsom Street. 1369 Folsom Street to be exact,they welcome everybody and have special drinks for those on two wheels. Above all they are about good music and down to earth people. Hole In The Wall is something entirely different.
3. Gestalt San Francisco
Are you looking for a great dive bar in San Francisco? Look no further than Gestalt bar. Gestalt is a dive bar in San Francisco.
4. The Sea Star San Francisco
The Sea Star is a dive bar. They’ve got booze. Good booze, and a lot of it. Badass bartenders? Got em. House Octopus that probably won’t fall on your head? Got one of those too! What they’ve the most of are friendly faces and good memories. If you’re not into any of these sorts of things, they’ve a couple of TVs you can stare at too.
5. R Bar San Francisco
R Bar is one of the best dive bars in San Francisco. R Bar is a dark watering hole that shows sports on several TV’s and is known for serving shots of Fernet. Great place to meet a friend, watch a game, or wind down the evening. This place is one of the core experiences of San Francisco.
6. Specs’ Twelve Adler Museum Cafe San Francisco
Specs’ Twelve Adler Museum Cafe is a small, intimate-chill dive bar in San Francisco. Specs’ Twelve Adler Museum Cafe, otherwise known as Specs’, was opened in 1968 by Richard “Specs” Simmons. Originally from Roxbury, Boston, Simmons was a sheet metal worker by trade and a union man involved in progressive local politics. He performed folk and protest songs in local clubs, including political campaign song “M.T.A.” about the Boston transit system, which was made popular by The Kingston Trio after hearing Simmons perform it live. Simmons moved out west in the early fifties and settled in San Francisco, where he met his wife Sonia across the street at Vesuvio and eventually opened Specs’ on April 26th, 1968 in honor of her birthday. A dramatic portrait of Sonia hangs prominently in the bar.
7. Phone Booth San Francisco
Are you looking for an awesome dive bar in San Francisco? Phone Booth is the place to be. Phone Booth is a sparkliest dive bar around. Phone Booth is a small, quirkily decorated watering hole is a hangout for beer-drinking locals. The Mission dive is where you go for straight up standard beer, not the latest craft brew. The tiny space (it’s about 700 sq ft) has a pool table, a jukebox, and generally kitschy decor. This place is always fun all through.
