Dive Bars near South San Francisco

“Great Vibe, amazing staff. Great Bartenders, Love this place.“

“Super cute rooftop. Pizza one is one of the best pizza I've ever ate. The rooftop smash cocktail is now my favorite drink. I took a picture of the ingredients and made it at home ‍ that's how good it was. Definitely coming back. The customer service was outstanding. I will for sure come back with all my girls so we can day drink haha“

“Nice place to have fun... Lindo lugar para divertirse sanamente“

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

“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.“

“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!“

“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.“

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

“Great venue. L, X“

“Great experience!!! Loved it m/“

“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!“

“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!“

“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 quit drinking before the judge ordered me to—how is that for initiative? Since that last call, no bar has captured my attention. Nor have I returned to any of the bars I enjoyed around here. I’m from the east coast—a pub near a rail station which draws a crowd free of pretense is proper nurture. Glen Park Station is welcoming, comfortable, fun, and built for a night done right.

There are non-alcoholic brews for those who abstain, shot-and-a-beer specials for $12.00, wine by the glass, and an indoor smoking lounge. A pinball machine which takes dollar bills. Darts. Superior bar stools. Table seating up front. A rear patio. No Apple Pay.The bar has neighboring businesses which serve food. One can find Vietnamese, Thai, and Mexican fare within a block. The bodega sits across from BART, on the same side of Diamond St. A pizza place is in proximity. This area has a low-key dominance about it. A great spot for socializing, a walkable pocket of the city wherein small businesses sling good eats, and you have the option to get hammered.

Parking is available in the public library lot after 6, 7, 8PM during the week. Street parking on the northbound lane of Bosworth between Arlington & Diamond is free in the evenings. I am not sure when the meters stop accepting payment-I pulled up at 7:30PM on a Monday.

To those behind the wheel—be advised—residential streets intersect as sharp turns become sudden hills. At all hours there are pedestrians, cyclists, and coyotes. SFPD often posts a patrol vehicle on Bosworth (south of the Arlington intersection) to eyeball the I-280 south on-ramp.“

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

“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.“

“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“

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

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

“awesome place! I highly recommend!“

“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 drinks, great atmosphere, best food!!“

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

“A fun dive bar with kind and friendly staff“

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

“Tony is the fantastic bartender“

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

“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 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.“

“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+++ ♥️“

“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.“

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

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

“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!“

“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.“

“Met my wife here how can I not love it!“

“Karaoke with Ben on Thursday nights is always a blast. Good parking in front and rear, good bartenders, drinks, 2 pool tables, dart board, clean bathrooms, and a relaxed low-key dive bar feel. If you're looking for a local hideaway, then The Harbor is your refuge.

Wheelchair accessibility: ADA accessibility“

“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.“

“Great local bar. Been around since 1930's.“

“I had a total blast! Very retro vibe. Amazing people.“

“Great place to hang out with beer to shoot the breeze with your friends. They didn't have any food at the time, so we asked if it was okay to bring some. Came back with food from nearby and had a fun time chatting at a table with friends and playing pinball. The blueberry was yummy! Crowd definitely skews to the younger side (20s and 30s) but we didn't feel out of place.“

“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.“

“If I could give Patty and Happy Lounge 10 stars...I would. Met some old friends here on a Friday night before heading to Night Bloom and late night dinner. But after meeting Patty and having a few rounds of beers, drinks and shots with her none of us wanted to leave...EVER! There is something special about a dive bar in the City with cheap drinks, cool vibe, pool table, darts, and a jukebox box playing 80's music...that something special is owner and bartender Patty. Patty is so warm, welcoming, and utterly candid in the most endearing way. She is the most real and adorable bartender I have ever met. She and I were instant friends...she even invited me behind the bar. Which I imagine is much like a cook letting you into her kitchen. I hear Patty used to have a Thai restaurant and still occasionally makes curry for her bar patrons. Did I tell you that Thai food is my absolute favorite food and that Thailand is my fav vacay destination? Happy Lounge is now my fav dive bar. And Patty...she's just my fave!“