The best beer bars in San Francisco

a corner neighborhood brewpub, German-style beers from a 23-year brewmaster

Argentine brewery — beers brewed with yerba mate, sweet and savory empanadas

two-level warehouse taproom, big indoor-outdoor beer garden

massive beer garden since 1977, 64 beers on tap

former 1994 firehouse music venue, 21 beers on tap

rotating tap list of 36 craft beers, laidback

the 9-year-old original taproom on 14th Street, clean pilsners, hoppy pales

the corner of Shotwell and 20th has been a bar since 1891 (originally Schlichtmann & Bredhofy Grocery Saloon), current building dates from 1906 — bullet holes from long-forgotten scuffles are still in the walls

occupies the iconic Elbo Room space — 30-year history preserved (closed Dec 2018 as Elbo Room, reopened as Valencia Room), kept the original church-pew booth seating and pinball machines

highbrow tequila and mezcal cocktails, craft beer too

Montana-lodge decor — antler chandeliers, lots of wood, craft beer and a strong bar menu

small-batch experimental brewery, Strata Premium and Mendo Sleigh Ride IPAs

Bay Area's first 100% solar-powered brewery, dog-friendly

Bay Area brewery's new SF taproom (2025), lagers focus

WWII-inspired space, long beer list

vintage Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, Tetris, Killer Queen 10-player game

free karaoke upstairs, a copper-topped bar and TVs

bi-level with a pool table, a piano upstairs

Embarcadero Center pub with founding-fathers decor, a good beer list and great wings

German beer hall since 1893, boot glasses (das boot) of beer

a narrow Outer Sunset Woods taproom, fresh Woods beer by the pint or to-go can

Oakland radler specialists' SF outpost — refreshing fruit-beer radlers, partnered with cult smashburger popup Maillards for the kitchen

restaurant, bar, and microbrewery in the former Sunset Reservoir Brewing space, house-brewed beers, curated cocktails, and California cuisine

a British-pub-feeling Clement St brewpub, shuffleboard and games

15 drafts including German beers, 8-ball pool

Haight brewpub with a long house-beer list, organic bar food and smashburgers

bright open patio, 8 beer garden tables

church-themed decor and religiously-named cocktails, a thoughtful tap list and glassware

warehouse brewery, shuffleboard and pinball

cozy British pub, a glowing suit of armor by the bar

a chill Inner Sunset beer & wine bar, a rotating beer and wine list

a Lower Haight Woods taproom, house beers brewed with yerba mate

insane craft beer selection, famously surly bartenders

a no-frills Polk Street sports bar, flat-screens everywhere + a big beer list

open-air beer garden near the wharf, local brews plus cider & wine

Belgian-style focus with consistent IPAs, Filipino food menu

San Francisco's first sake brewery, small-batch unpasteurized nama sake (most sake you've tried is pasteurized — this changes that)

bright Ingleside neighborhood pub, a deep local craft-beer list

a big beer hall near Chase Center, acclaimed beers (the Sculpin IPA)

a Chase Center taproom with bay views, well-crafted house beers + local wine

Cole Valley pub across from Kezar Stadium / Golden Gate Park, soccer and rugby focus — Premier League, Six Nations, World Cup

SF's version of Cheers, 22 beers on tap

pool tables, cheap drinks