What an epic and unique wedding venueThe United Irish Cultural Center has so much history and character. It was the first Irish social center in the United States built entirely by volunteer labor and community contributions (taken from website) and currently it stands as a California 501c3 nonprofit corporation We attended a lovely wedding celebration/reception here. The main dining hall was fantastic with high ceilings and had been decorated for the event, with vibrant yellow flowers. I am not sure if the couple rented tables and chairs, or if the space provided them - but there was ample seating and tables. In addition to a large dance floor, there was a formidable stage, which was perfect for the phenomenal musicians and entertainers which performed throughout the evening.Later in the evening, we descended to their lower basement bar for an intimate evening of karaoke. The bar was set-up with a screen and karaoke equipment, and the whole space was lovely, cozy and brimming with personality.For event planning and attendee purposes - United Irish Cultural Center is remarkably convenient to access. We took an Uber here, but I believe they have plenty of parking which is ideal for event load-in and load out. It felt very San Francisco - having the Sunset fog drape the historical building in its embrace - as we left for the evening.I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the The United Irish Cultural Center and I was impressed with how well maintained this space was - from the bathrooms to the main entertaining rooms. I also loved perusing the historical pictures which line the walls. If you are privileged enough to attend an event here - I recommend taking your time to soak up the essence of this space and do a little exploring of your own.So thankful that I was able to experience the wonder of this unique space with such a memorable event.Trust.
Laarni R.
This place is very nice place for all occasions celebrations!My daughter had her wedding celebration here. Food n prices are very reasonable. They are very accommodating with their excellent service.
Diane O.
I just love this place! It's like a piece of Ireland in San Francisco. I'm married to an American Irishman first generation and raising 2 young men. It's important to me that they know their culture and whenever we are in the Bay Area my husband makes an effort to drive to SF to make it to the center and enjoy the music, the food, and of course to pickup his beloved crunchies. We were happy to see today on our visit they opened up the patio and the place was very busy. It's such a busy family oriented place to come with the whole family. I wished we had a place like this back home in Nevada!
A.M. H.
The UICC is an amazing resource for the Irish and Irish American communities in and around San Francisco. In addition to attending cultural events at the UICC, our family has utilized the center for classes, including highland pipes for our son. We are very thankful for the UICC and for the community that it provides in SF.
Dominic A.
Rigged events held there. Music too loud. Messes everywhere. Not tidy enough. One sided events for the locals.
I. W.
The music is too loud.I can hear it a block away.On voting day they had an extremely loud bible thumper screaming with amplification.Voting should be in a neutral setting.I reported them to the election part of San Francisco government. I will do a foloow up call to see what happened.They need to respect the people nearby.
Maureen Sweeney
Enjoyed Gasman and the Jimmy Buffet Tribute band. Sang. Margaritaville with band! So much fun!
B H.
#ROCKSTARS. My beautiful mother passed away and we needed a venue for a reception. Given that COVID restrictions haven't been fully lifted, it was a bit challenging. The Irish Center saved the day. They set up a venue tent with tables and chairs out back. Like any good Irish funeral/burial, many stories and some laughter had the service go later than expected. We called and gave them a heads up we would be an hour late...no problem. They gladly served appetizers to those that were there prior to the family's arrival. Anything my family asked for was "of course" and "no problem." The food was delicious and they kindly wrapped up and separated the leftovers for the family to take home. They had plenty of hand sanitizer and the staff wore masks. When celebrating the life of a extraordinary woman, it can and should only be held at a place that extends grace, kindness, and true care...The United Irish Cultural Center. Thank You!
Still no word yet on a memorial brick for my son. It has been a year and a half. I thought you were going to get back to me?
Sophia Tercero
I come here once a week with friends. It is fun, clean and well managed. The staff are volunteers who are cheerful and very accommodating. It's very well sanitized and Covid safe. The food and drinks are delicious. I've been to restaurants for outdoor dining but none have come close to the positive experience I have here and in the best neighborhood in San Francisco.
Tracey A.
Got lemons? Make lemonade. This must've been the thought that ran through the heads of those who run San Francisco's United Irish Cultural Center (UICC). With indoor dining and drinking on indefinite hold, the UICC turned their sizable outdoor parking lot into an attractive and welcoming beer garden. Finding myself in the Outer Sunset, the weather had me craving an Irish Coffee and after spotting Wawona Gates a snap decision was made; this would be my first bar visit since before the shelter-in-place orders of early March 2020. UICC has thrown open the gates to their parking lot and outfitted it with umbrella-adorned picnic tables, each placed a pandemically approved distance from the other. In the far corner sits a shipping container repurposed as a bar; this is where one goes to order drinks and food. A few steps away is an al fresco Irish Store featuring products one might want to consume with their drink or bring home to use in that evening's dinner preparation. The whole thing feels like a thoughtful response to the situation we all now find ourselves in and it was obvious that many of UICC's regulars are just happy that their favorite place is open. Weather in the Outer Sunset is perpetually chilly and foggy and doesn't naturally scream "beer garden" but bundle up and get the alcohol flowing and it's manageable. The food offerings seem particularly appropriate given the weather. On the afternoon of my visit they were serving hearty Spaghetti & Meatballs but past day's offerings have included Shepherd's Pie and Corned Beef Reubens. With Guiness on tap you can well imagine how satisfying this all might get. It is even more satisfying knowing how seriously the UICC is taking things. A woman manning the gates told me everything I needed to know about masks and distancing requirements then asked for my contact information. I assumed that would get me on the UICC mailing list for life but I assumed wrong: they were gathering this information for purposes of contact tracing, should that become necessary. I was impressed with the way they were managing our new reality. I didn't get a chance to eat at Wawona Gates but it was nice to once again enjoy a drink outside my home. Whether people will still want to drink outside in San Francisco mere blocks from the ocean when the pandemic is under control remains to be seen. For now though, Wawona Gates is a fun answer to the problem that is plaguing us all.
Moby W
We tried to go here and it is now closed. They open for special events and member occasions only. According to the very helpful person i talked to on the phone, they are closed for a year to reestablish their liquor and restaurant licenses from for-profit to non-profit. I think......... Pleas contact them and find out when they'll be opening again.
Guido D.
F.Y. I. The UICC bar and dining room are no longer open on a daily basis. It is now strictly an event center.
What an epic and unique wedding venueThe United Irish Cultural Center has so much history and character. It was the first Irish social center in the United States built entirely by volunteer labor and community contributions (taken from website) and currently it stands as a California 501c3 nonprofit corporation We attended a lovely wedding celebration/reception here. The main dining hall was fantastic with high ceilings and had been decorated for the event, with vibrant yellow flowers. I am not sure if the couple rented tables and chairs, or if the space provided them - but there was ample seating and tables. In addition to a large dance floor, there was a formidable stage, which was perfect for the phenomenal musicians and entertainers which performed throughout the evening.Later in the evening, we descended to their lower basement bar for an intimate evening of karaoke. The bar was set-up with a screen and karaoke equipment, and the whole space was lovely, cozy and brimming with personality.For event planning and attendee purposes - United Irish Cultural Center is remarkably convenient to access. We took an Uber here, but I believe they have plenty of parking which is ideal for event load-in and load out. It felt very San Francisco - having the Sunset fog drape the historical building in its embrace - as we left for the evening.I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the The United Irish Cultural Center and I was impressed with how well maintained this space was - from the bathrooms to the main entertaining rooms. I also loved perusing the historical pictures which line the walls. If you are privileged enough to attend an event here - I recommend taking your time to soak up the essence of this space and do a little exploring of your own.So thankful that I was able to experience the wonder of this unique space with such a memorable event.Trust.
This place is very nice place for all occasions celebrations!My daughter had her wedding celebration here. Food n prices are very reasonable. They are very accommodating with their excellent service.
I just love this place! It's like a piece of Ireland in San Francisco. I'm married to an American Irishman first generation and raising 2 young men. It's important to me that they know their culture and whenever we are in the Bay Area my husband makes an effort to drive to SF to make it to the center and enjoy the music, the food, and of course to pickup his beloved crunchies. We were happy to see today on our visit they opened up the patio and the place was very busy. It's such a busy family oriented place to come with the whole family. I wished we had a place like this back home in Nevada!
The UICC is an amazing resource for the Irish and Irish American communities in and around San Francisco. In addition to attending cultural events at the UICC, our family has utilized the center for classes, including highland pipes for our son. We are very thankful for the UICC and for the community that it provides in SF.
Rigged events held there. Music too loud. Messes everywhere. Not tidy enough. One sided events for the locals.
The music is too loud.I can hear it a block away.On voting day they had an extremely loud bible thumper screaming with amplification.Voting should be in a neutral setting.I reported them to the election part of San Francisco government. I will do a foloow up call to see what happened.They need to respect the people nearby.
Enjoyed Gasman and the Jimmy Buffet Tribute band. Sang. Margaritaville with band! So much fun!
#ROCKSTARS. My beautiful mother passed away and we needed a venue for a reception. Given that COVID restrictions haven't been fully lifted, it was a bit challenging. The Irish Center saved the day. They set up a venue tent with tables and chairs out back. Like any good Irish funeral/burial, many stories and some laughter had the service go later than expected. We called and gave them a heads up we would be an hour late...no problem. They gladly served appetizers to those that were there prior to the family's arrival. Anything my family asked for was "of course" and "no problem." The food was delicious and they kindly wrapped up and separated the leftovers for the family to take home. They had plenty of hand sanitizer and the staff wore masks. When celebrating the life of a extraordinary woman, it can and should only be held at a place that extends grace, kindness, and true care...The United Irish Cultural Center. Thank You!
Great place!!
Love the music and the people
Restaurantji Recommends
Still no word yet on a memorial brick for my son. It has been a year and a half. I thought you were going to get back to me?
I come here once a week with friends. It is fun, clean and well managed. The staff are volunteers who are cheerful and very accommodating. It's very well sanitized and Covid safe. The food and drinks are delicious. I've been to restaurants for outdoor dining but none have come close to the positive experience I have here and in the best neighborhood in San Francisco.
Got lemons? Make lemonade. This must've been the thought that ran through the heads of those who run San Francisco's United Irish Cultural Center (UICC). With indoor dining and drinking on indefinite hold, the UICC turned their sizable outdoor parking lot into an attractive and welcoming beer garden. Finding myself in the Outer Sunset, the weather had me craving an Irish Coffee and after spotting Wawona Gates a snap decision was made; this would be my first bar visit since before the shelter-in-place orders of early March 2020. UICC has thrown open the gates to their parking lot and outfitted it with umbrella-adorned picnic tables, each placed a pandemically approved distance from the other. In the far corner sits a shipping container repurposed as a bar; this is where one goes to order drinks and food. A few steps away is an al fresco Irish Store featuring products one might want to consume with their drink or bring home to use in that evening's dinner preparation. The whole thing feels like a thoughtful response to the situation we all now find ourselves in and it was obvious that many of UICC's regulars are just happy that their favorite place is open. Weather in the Outer Sunset is perpetually chilly and foggy and doesn't naturally scream "beer garden" but bundle up and get the alcohol flowing and it's manageable. The food offerings seem particularly appropriate given the weather. On the afternoon of my visit they were serving hearty Spaghetti & Meatballs but past day's offerings have included Shepherd's Pie and Corned Beef Reubens. With Guiness on tap you can well imagine how satisfying this all might get. It is even more satisfying knowing how seriously the UICC is taking things. A woman manning the gates told me everything I needed to know about masks and distancing requirements then asked for my contact information. I assumed that would get me on the UICC mailing list for life but I assumed wrong: they were gathering this information for purposes of contact tracing, should that become necessary. I was impressed with the way they were managing our new reality. I didn't get a chance to eat at Wawona Gates but it was nice to once again enjoy a drink outside my home. Whether people will still want to drink outside in San Francisco mere blocks from the ocean when the pandemic is under control remains to be seen. For now though, Wawona Gates is a fun answer to the problem that is plaguing us all.
We tried to go here and it is now closed. They open for special events and member occasions only. According to the very helpful person i talked to on the phone, they are closed for a year to reestablish their liquor and restaurant licenses from for-profit to non-profit. I think......... Pleas contact them and find out when they'll be opening again.
F.Y. I. The UICC bar and dining room are no longer open on a daily basis. It is now strictly an event center.