San Francisco's Best Bartenders

Festive pub and sports bar spreads Irish cheer in the Marina.

Reviews:

• “Best Bar in the Marina!!”
• “Classy yet homey”
• “Great neighborhood bar and great staff”
• “Beware of warm beer”
• “Best place in the Marina!”

Tips: Call about comedy nights, DJs and live music events.

Kelley’s Tavern

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

Clubby lounge located beneath the downtown streets.

Reviews:

• “the hot spot”
• “The spot! Where everyone knows your name! "
• “Trashy!”
• “Seriously???”
• “Private parties that makes sense!”

Tips: A cover charge may be enforced (typically Thu-Sat after 10pm).

The Cellar or email The Cellar

Singles on the make head to this Mission mainstay for mammoth martinis and prime patio seating.

Reviews:

• “Never fails to deliver”
• “saucy crowd, sensual music, smooth drinks”
• “I’m glad I didn’t pass Blondie’s”
• “Best Bar Experience”
• “Crowdy dancing”

Tips: Nab a table near the open storefront and get a first look at all who enter.

Blondie’s Bar & No Grill or email Blondie’s Bar & No Grill

Daily specials entice flirtatious singles at this swamped Cow Hollow bar.

Reviews:

• “Great Service, Great Fun and Very Client Focused”
• “Favorite late night hang out”
• “Neighborhood institution! Great place to meet friends!”
• “Hottest bartender on Tues”
• “Best Place to Chill”

Tips: An American menu with offerings like burgers and salads is available (Monday, Wednesday-Friday 5pm-10pm; Saturday-Sunday 12pm-10pm). On Tuesdays, only tacos, fajitas and quesadillas are offered (5pm-10pm).

The Blue Light or email The Blue Light

SoMa nightclub features an upscale atmosphere with special guest DJs, VIP rooms and bottle service.

Reviews:

• “Worst experience ever”
• “Great dancing”
• “Don’t WASTE your night HERE!!!”
• “Avoid at all costs!”
• “BEST PLACE IN TOWN”

Tips: There are discounts on well drinks, call drinks and bottled beer and no cover Wed-Fri 5:30pm-9pm.

Icon Ultra Lounge

This spacious, Pan-Asian party destination disrupts the succession of intimate lounges in North Beach.

Reviews:

• “Great DJ and Drink Sizes”
• “DJ is of the chain”
• “Good atmosphere, good crowd, good place to dance”
• “Good Times”
• “Great music, good crowd”

Tips: Avoid the lines and use the easy-to-miss underground restrooms near the dance floor.

DragonBar or email DragonBar

A hip lounge-club pioneer in SoMa’s gentrified Sixth Street corridor.

Reviews:

• “IT WAS GOOD”
• “THE CLUBBBB!!!”
• “Best SF’s underground club!”
• “Best "
• “Best Nights at Six”

Tips: Despite several hip clubs, this block of Sixth Street remains one of the city’s seediest.

Club Six or email Club Six

A SoMa DJ lounge serving exceptional cocktails to a packed house.

Reviews:

• “Average bar, but way to narrow”
• “If you like a tiny packed, wall-to-wall crowded venue”
• “Great on weekdays I assume”
• “Perfect place to boogie or lounge.”
• “Great Spot for after work”

Tips: A specialty cocktail—like the sugar-rimmed “77” with champagne and Chambord, or the tasty rum-based Black Apple—is worth the $8 price tag.

WISH

A motley crowd and illustrious patio make this legendary after-hours spot a SoMa favorite.

Reviews:

• “The EndUp Has Lost A Fan: Money Changes Everything”
• “super soulful”
• “Best late night/early morning night life”
• “Its Where You Endup”
• “Family”

Tips: There is no such thing as inappropriate dress. Everything from Prada to Halloween costumes are welcome.

EndUp or email EndUp

Impeccable service and expertly mixed drinks make this more than just another Polk Gulch hangout.

Reviews:

• “R – Bar”
• “Perfect during the week bar!”
• “i love this frat scene!”
• “hard drinking bar”
• “Great Find”

Tips: They always stock $2 cans of the watery Olympia beer, which ironically boasts, “It’s all in the water.”

R Bar