50 Best Dive Bars in San Francisco

“Bring on the funny 😁 happy anniversary Lisa good times great atmosphere!!!“

“I know where Lucy Borden’s remains are. She was delicious. Barbecue was great, but the menudo was the best!“

“Watch out for the spicy drinks......they are SPICY!! It was very good. The staff were nice and fast. It's a bar so I don't expect a clean bathroom let's just say it needs a lil help and I was there early. Would go back with a different dj“

“Good food under the towering Bay Bridge- great views 😍“

“A must stop when in the area. Nothing fancy, dive bar feel, but always a good time.“

“November 2024:
First time here after hearing many great things about the bar. The beer on tap selection was very impressive. Many local top breweries were available including a long list from Russian River & Cellarmaker. Also had some hard to find breweries including Sante Adarius, Pure project. I tried a Full Petal IPA from Sante Adarius which was excellent 👍.

They let you bring in food. We had sausages from Berliner Berliner that paired well with the 🍻.

Service was fine. Lots of reviews talk about how the bartenders are rude. I didn't have that experience.

Would definitely come back again.“

“Friendly staff who are happy to give reccomendations for the area (both for food, bars etc as well as "cultural" advice).

Reasonably priced.

Nice vibe. Music, but not too loud. Cool rural on the floor you enter in.“

“Great bartender & sours. FYI - they don't serve any liquor, just beer & wine

Parking: You will likely have to drive around the neighborhood for a while and walk a few blocks to park which will be time limited.“

“Benders is a classic, one of my favorites. It was a regular stop in the tour of dive bars on a Friday evening and always had an edge on the others because of its size and food offerings to appease both vegetarians and carnivores alike. Bartenders are solid here, quick and efficient and don't waste your time or theirs. If you are a dive bar connoisseur, then Benders is a must try.

May 18, 2014“

“Best place ever. Real humans being real beautiful weirdos. Music sometimes. Eye candy always. Specs’ is one of my favorite places on earth.“

“Great experience!!! Loved it m/“

“Great venue. L, X“

“great place and the prices are even better. The owner is so nice. This is our new go to bar when we come to San Francisco. They rhave happy hour prices all the time. love the drink he made me“

“This was my 1st visit to San Francisco on my birthday! Hidive was welcoming, with great staff, good drinks, and a great bar top food menu! Started the day out there with margaritas, and stopped back in for some wings and a nightcap at the end of the day. It was great!“

“You must try the guava cider and fish and chips with the mushy peas! I dont know why I liked the peas so much, but I did. Pascal is a great bartender and makes sure youre taken care of and does it with such warmth. Definitely come here for free games of pool on Mondays and trivia on Tuesdays and Wednesdays!“

“Great bar/pub to release the steam after a busy day, just letting you taking it easy. Great playlist by the bartender and a charging brick for your dying mobile as a bonus ;) I specifically enjoyed the playlist - just the place you want to be if your nerves require a little bit of soothing. Just step in and you will be magiced ;)“

“Great bartenders, so welcoming& makes an awesome Old Fashion, makes you feel like a family“

“Sunday Scaries? Not if you’re drinking this.

You know it’s a Castro Sunday when brunch is a memory, the drag queens are winding down, and you’re debating whether to go home or make one last questionable decision. Enter: Last Call, dimly lit and perfectly cozy, with the kind of bartender who looks like they’ve seen it all—and still hands you the perfect drink without judgment.

I asked for a Penicillin and what I got was Sunday night therapy in a glass. Smoky blended scotch layered gently over lemon, honey, and ginger so smooth, it practically whispered, “You’re going to be fine. Just don’t open Slack tomorrow before 10.”

It’s medicinal in the best way, like if your grandmother were a speakeasy witch doctor from a Queen in Glasgow. Every sip feels like it’s curing whatever twink nonsense the week tried to do to you. Your boss? Irrelevant. Your ex? Foggy. That existential dread creeping in? Drowned in peat and citrus.

This isn’t a cocktail. It’s a reset button with ice.

Pro tip: get it before the lights come up and the jukebox cuts off. It’s called Last Call for a reason, and this Penicillin is the prescription you didn’t know you needed.“

“Great watering hole in the TL, especially if you're early for a show at GAMH. If you go between 2-8pm, there is a lovely Korean bartender who will teach you Korean while you drink. Solid jukebox, clean restroom, and entertaining regulars.“

“By far one of my favorite bars in the area! 🍻“

“best tacos 🌮🇮🇹🐍🦅 in San Francisco 🚩🏟📍49ers 🏈 maybe 🤷 😂24th street 💘“

“awesome place! I highly recommend!“

“Great spot for locals or if you wanted to stop somewhere close enough to BART if there are delays or you want an easy escape to it. Limited drink selections and staff, but it's the kind of spot that reminds you that you don't really need all that. I had wanted to stop in for a long time before finally making my way in and glad I did.“

“Found out my great grand father owned this bar 70 years ago and came in here early this afternoon and I'm so amazed how amazing the staff and customer were to me and telling me stories about the bar was an amazing experience for my 1st time. Ever I love this bar“

“Good drinks, great atmosphere, best food!!“

“Didn't try the food, but drinks were delish. The bartenders working were also sweet and accommodating! The vibes when coming in were okay at first, but walking out to the open back patio, it was such a cool place. We started our night here to pre game and chill, and that we did! The heaters outside were perfect, especially for a cold SF night. Many queer folk around made it a super welcoming space. Would come again!“

“A San Francisco legacy business; old school lgbt hangout with plenty of TVs to watch Niners and Warriors games. The decor is full of beautiful nostalgia; one of the TVs is dedicated to either Xena or some hilarious b-movie with Bigfoot. Excellent drinks (amazing margaritas and whiskey sours) and top class service. Love this place; A+++ ♥️“

“Can’t believe this place is still open!Just stopped by cause the outside light was on. Got 2 Anchor Steam beers on draft. Bartender remembers me after all these years. Beers are only $6 each!Great spot as a low key, neighborhood bar.Stop by for a chill time!“

“Solid dive bar. $15 minimum for cards and an ATM is available. You can bring in your own food - so we got take out to have with our drinks. A couple of non-alcoholic beer options available. Live DJ and singing the last Friday of the month, which we enjoyed but came on a bit loud for being 7:30pm and wanting to chat.“

“Either an FML type dive or a fun place to meet friends for a drink. No in between. A souped up version of Hockey Haven on Balboa. Solid service; love this place!

Parking: Street parking is available but can be tough in the afternoons.“

“Great old Skool bar. Bartender rocking on Spotify! good times! good drinks! Good peeps!“

“This is !n old divey bar in the upper Haight. It's fun and super friendly. You might come in a stranger but you'll leave with a new group of friends.

This is not a place where you look at what's trending so you can order the same thing and take yet another photo of the same cocktail to post on the web. This is a place where people talk to each tiger, share their stories and become friends.“

“Way to be different lol“

“Nikki, what a gem! She knew all of my friend's drinks that are regulars at this bar and I'm the new guy of the crew! Totally amazing, prompt and fun service. She totally makes the place what it is, crowded or not too busy my friends always make a point to come into Crestas for the great service and good vibes.“

“One of my top bars I go to with my friends when I’m out in the marina. The place has an old-school aesthetic, but it’s always lively and they have a mix of oldies and new music playing. Also note this is more of a party/dive bar not really a fancy type classy bar. They got two bars and a pool table and a basketball hoops in the back. It is a fun place to go with friends and they’re always seems to be a medium sized crowd. Ive taken some of my friends parents in their 60s here on a night out. It’s fairly diverse with people in age groups ranging from 20s to 30s ages. Sometimes the people there in their younger 20s can be a bit stuck up or act a bit insecure which can be a bit annoying, but other than that, the bartenders are awesome and it’s overall a good time.“

“Great old place. I just came back from San Francisco where Yancy's is located and walking in felt like coming home. This was the place I turned 21 and now 43 years later find myself standing at the bar. Yes, it looks a little worn like a favorite old sweater and totally comfortable. The only thing missing was the Pac Man machine in the back by the big screen. I love this part of San Francisco. A nice selection of restaurants little shops and just character and charm.
If you are in San Francisco and want to check out an old neighborhood bar going to Yancy's won't disappoint you.“

“I don't want to tell you about this place, because I don't want it to be too crowded next time I go. This is a neighborhood bar for regulars. We loved it! Tip the bartenders generously, and make a point to be social with the locals if you go invade this space :)“

“Overall a great spot to chill w/ friends or on your own!! 👍 My BF & I have visited quite a number of times, and we love this place!“

“Not many bars out there make you feel so welcome that even their regulars welcome you with open arms. This is one of those spots! Incredible owners, amazing selection of beers, and fantastic cocktails made with love.“

“I had a good time in this place I hadn't been there 20 plus years but it's good to see that the same hospitable atmosphere exists now as it did in the past if you need to look at how to run a small business in San Francisco this is an excellent example“

“Can’t beat the rustic atmosphere and the bartender was very friendly and informative.“

“Bartenders are all nice. Shirley is great she's my friend anyway so maybe biased. They actually have a lot of Chinese karoake songs too. My friend lives close so we go there kinda often. Always have a blast, and go home wasted after a great night haha“

“Went there with relatives from Ireland. The told me it felt like a pub back home. That is a great compliment. The bartender was also from Ireland and the back and forth banter between the bartender and my guest (Mainly dealt with the different countries they were from) was hilarious. Had great time.“

“Great bartender, great service, perfect location. Will be back when we're in S.F. 😊“

“If you want to sit on a throne in San Fran“

“Tony is the fantastic bartender“

“A local hangout full of characters who are not only friendly and entertaining, but welcoming. The kind of place that evokes the vibe of the TV show Cheers with a much more diverse clientele. Bartender was attentive and poured a great G&T. Classic. Dive. Bar.“

“My new favorite dive bar in the city. A great blues band was playing the night we went and the atmosphere was fun and full of happiness. Excellent and creative cocktails (the Bee's Knees and the ginger cocktail are very much recommended). Service was exceptional, we'll be definitely coming back! Love this place, A+++

Parking: best to get here via ride share because parking is extremely difficult to find.“

“No frills, no cliques, best cheaper drinks, 3 generations when I was there last.“

“Great Juke box, cute bartender and booze! What else can you ask for?“