San Francisco's Best Beer Selection

A Tenderloin hofbrau that serves hearty portions of all-American fare at rock-bottom prices.

Reviews:

• “One of the Originals”
• “Great Spot for some Buffalo Stew and a Cold Beer”
• “Great sandwich, weird decor”
• “They don’t actually make food you order to take out”
• “Filled up! Great food.”

Tips: The bar advertises parking is available next door at the Cathedral Hill Hotel for $1.50/hour with validation and $4.00 for three hours with validation.

Tommy’s Joynt

This gritty, Lower Haight favorite offers one of the best beer selections in town.

Reviews:

• “Outstanding”
• “So they have a lot of beer, so what?”
• “Pretty revolting bar”
• “The Brotherhood of Beer”
• “Good brews”

Tips: Rosamunde, the “ultimate sausage destination” is next door, open until 10pm. Menus are available here and patrons are encouraged to bring a bratwurst back to the bar.

Toronado

An old-school Financial District bar and grill with strong drinks, gigantic burgers and fine brews.

Reviews:

• “Best Burger Around”
• “Sardine City”
• “best pub experience”
• “Huge Selection Of Beer”
• “Classic Happy Hour Spot!”

Tips: Royal Exchange is open Mon-Fri, and reserved for private parties on weekends.

Royal Exchange or email Royal Exchange

A slick SoMa brewpub serving Spanish tapas.

Reviews:

• “Good food, drinks”
• “Worth the stop”
• “good beer, good scene, eh tapas”
• “vanillalicious”
• “Make sure to ask for Sarah!”

Tips: The upstairs room can be rented for private parties. Any of the specialty beers can also be had for your own house party—$110 (half keg) or $50 (five-gallon). Call at least one day ahead.

Thirsty Bear Brewing Company

The Haight-Ashbury institution has gone from hippie to hip, and from a laid-back burger and brew joint to an ambitious gastropub.

Reviews:

• “Best Brewpub in the Haight”
• “Terrible sausage, undercooked meat. . .but good beer.”
• “A Great Restaurant No More”
• “Best Hand Crafted Beer”
• “Excellent Beer and Atmosphere – but bad service”

Tips: The booths are cozy but a little cramped. Grab a seat at the communal table, or one of the two-tops near the window for great people watching.

Magnolia Pub & Brewery or email Magnolia Pub & Brewery

A Mission staple with a rock attitude and enough outdoor seating for an entire biker gang.

Reviews:

• “Zeitgeist”
• “Zeit-great!”
• “Warm Beer, Cold Women, Stay Away.”
• “A BIKER BAR???? PLEASE!!”
• “Just like we remembered it.”

Tips: This place only accepts cash, but there’s an ATM on-site.

Zeitgeist or email Zeitgeist

This Castro gay bar has a popular patio and games galore.

Reviews:

• “Queer “Cheers”…"
• “Not just cute bartenders”
• “It’s My Hang…”
• “Great neighborhood bar”
• “laid-back, relaxed, great patio”

Tips: It’s cash only, but there’s an ATM machine inside the bar.

Pilsner Inn

Award-winning cocktails, a neighborhood vibe and eco-sensibility—it’s the only green-certified bar in the city—at this Mission bar.

Reviews:

• “great during the day; loud and crowded at night and during sports events”
• “Best Damn Boody Mary I’ve ever tasted”
• “Very friendly staff, but Elixir is dead most nights”
• “Great Classic San Francisco Bar”
• “Great beers on tap”

Tips: Debit cards are accepted, but there’s a $20 minimum purchase. An ATM machine is located inside the bar.

ELIXIR or email ELIXIR

Inner Richmond hangout entices a collegiate crowd with dirt-cheap drink specials.

Reviews:

• “I don’t know what bar these other reviewers are talking about”
• “Best Bar in the City”
• “Home Away From Home”
• “Hotspot on the “Clement Street Riviera”"
• “The Best Bar in S. F.”

Tips: On Monday, there are $1 well cocktails (10pm-2am).
Tuesdays, well cocktails are $2 (10pm-2am).

540 Club

A laid-back rocker’s bar with an enormous suds selection, free popcorn and petite smoker’s patio.

Reviews:

• “Favorite bar in the area”
• “Great place dont listen to…”
• “My new home! Start out there or end up there, but be sure to go there every day. I’m not an alcoholic.”
• “Guess I’ll never be back!”
• “Lucky 13 were lucky its here”

Tips: A daily happy hour (4pm-8pm) features $1 off pints and 50-cents off well drinks.

Lucky 13

Powered by Citysearch