The oldest and most historic bars in San Francisco

a renovated wooden Mission bar, Prohibition-themed memorabilia

massive beer garden since 1977, 64 beers on tap

a working Hammond B3 organ in the corner with live organist most nights, tiny, dimly lit, no TVs, no phones-out vibe

open on Mission Street since 1951 — Mission institution, neon 'It's about time' clock sign out front is iconic

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

SF's second-oldest saloon location (1858 — only Old Ship Saloon is older), officially plaqued by E. Clampus Vitus (the wacky historical/drinking club)

original bear bar (since 1989), huge back patio

queer institution since 1966, reopened 2024

operating since 1908, open mic Mondays for 30+ years

opened 1973 — SoMa institution, part of SF's Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District, afterhours club — keeps going after most places close

a North Beach fixture since 1907, a heated front patio for people-watching

a 1931-era supper-club music venue, red velvet and chandeliers

Beat Generation legend since 1948, stained glass windows

oldest bar in SF (1861), nightly live blues

opened 1933, the day Prohibition ended — three generations of the Nicco family, tiny North Beach lounge — leather banquettes, mirrored back bar, no TVs

open since 1922 — Joe DiMaggio's old haunt, frequented by local mobsters in the 40s–50s, $8 Irish Coffee that's a genuine steal

password-entry speakeasy, 90-minute time limit

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

family-owned since 1935, FiDi institution

since 1941, fireplace

SF's best neighborhood jazz bar since 1989, blondewood 1950s look

open since 1926 (current location since 1978) — every hour is happy hour, CD jukebox (not internet) — no filler, no easy listening, no Madonna

nightly live jazz, Prohibition-style cocktails

queer institution since 1978, massive dog-friendly back patio with lemon tree

SF's last remaining lesbian bar (founded 1962), named after the 1962 film Walk on the Wild Side starring Barbara Stanwyck

NoPa's requisite first date bar — snug cabin feel and a Riesling obsession, sits on what is reportedly the world's first parklet

second-oldest bar in SF, lowest prices in the city

Lower Haight British pub — opened 1990, opens early for Premier League and Champions League — the EPL bar in SF

Chinatown's oldest bar (since before WWII), glowing Coors Light + Tsingtao neon

legendary trademarked Chinese mai tai ($12), cavernous red interior

open since 1967 — San Francisco Legacy Business, originally owned by Henry 'Mr. Bing' Grant until 2017, now Irish-owned

a family-owned dive since 1939, pool, a jukebox, and pop-a-shot

smallest bar in SF — fits maybe 25 people, beer only — keg in a bathtub of ice, no cocktails, no taps

Cow Hollow / Marina edge — opened 1956, cash only

1900 Union Street's corner sports dive since 1900 — yes, since 1900, the bar's been continuous on this corner for 125+ years

tiki dive since 1937, scorpion bowls

family-run since 1965, Julio Bermejo's 100% agave focus

in one of SF's oldest surviving buildings — served as a jailhouse in the 1800s, survived 1906 earthquake, cocktails named after Barbary Coast criminals, madams, and politicians

continuously open since 1908, no clocks or TVs allowed

indoor rainstorms over a pool, band on a floating raft

since 1939, 360-degree view at the top of Nob Hill

since 1933 (Playland at the Beach roots), 300+ coin-operated machines

est. 1926 — neighborhood institution, regulars call it 'GPS'