Paul Kushner
The City by the Bay might attract tourists for the Golden Gate Bridge and charming cable cars, but sports fans know San Francisco has a killer bar scene for quenching your thirst for beer and ball games.
I’ve gone hoarse hollering for the Warriors and Giants at almost every dive and pub in town, so I rounded up my first draft picks for the best sports bars in San Francisco.
Bartlett Hall
242 O’Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 433-4332
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Bartlett Hall in Union Square doesn’t look like your typical sports bar, given its more elegant decor and home in a historic building, but once you see the screens lining the bar wall, there’s no doubt what Barlett’s about.
Modern Cali cuisine perfectly harmonizes with Barlett Brewing Co’s bespoke collection of house-made brews.
When I visited in February, I was fortunate enough to experience A Grand Romantic Gesture, a pink sour with crisp notes of raspberry and hibiscus.
The San Francisco Athletic Club
1750 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94115
Phone: (415) 923-8989
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Known by the locals as The SFAC, The San Francisco Athletic Club has a prime location in Lower Pacific Heights across the street from Muni’s 24 stop at the corner of Divisidero and Bush.
They top my list of the best sports bars in San Francisco for their unbelievable $6 Happy Hour Monday-Friday from 4 PM to 6 PM when you can find me nursing an Arinzano Rose or Jameson Orange Mule with an order of Jose’s Jerk Fries.
The Kezar Pub
770 Stanyan St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Phone: (415) 386-9292
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If you’re heading to the former home of the 49ers at Kezar Stadium in Golden Gate State Park, I recommend taking a right on Stanyan, heading south, before you hit the ABC Parking lot for an excellent Irish pub experience at The Kezar.
They have a stellar lineup of on-tap imports and domestics, from Mango Cart Wheat to Elysian Stardust.
Snag a seat on the patio and experience San Fran the way it was meant to be enjoyed: with a cold beer in hand.
Hi Tops
2247 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114
Phone: (415) 551-2500
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Next up is Hi Tops, San Francisco’s first gay sports bar.
You can find it in the LGBTQ+-friendly Castro District, less than a block from the Market & Sanchez transit station, so you can take the F light rail from Fisherman’s Wharf.
The beer’s good, but the cocktails are better.
Try their classic Michelada, or go Beast Mode with a mix of Cazadores tequila, pineapple, Hellfire bitters, agave, and lime.
Final Final
2990 Baker St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Phone: (415) 931-7800
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Final Final has been one of my go-to recommendations for fun places to get drinks in Cow Hollow since I was old enough to get in.
It’s a classy joint that’s been slinging beers, cocktails, and good times outside of the Presidio Gates for the last 40 years.
Siddle up to one of their pool tables or kick back with one of their 24 beer choices on tap and enjoy the game on one of their flatscreens.
You’ll be in excellent company either way.
Bus Stop
1901 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Phone: (415) 567-6905
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If you thought Final Final’s four-decade run was impressive, Bus Stop has them beaten by about 80 years.
They’ve been holding down the fort at the corner of Laguna and Union since 1900, making it a great spot to catch a Giants or Warriors game after a morning at the Marina Green.
It’s got all the old-school charm you’d expect from a bar that’s been around longer than sliced bread, with a great selection of top-shelf liquor and a tasty house beer on tap.
The Boardroom
1600 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: (415) 982-8898
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If you’re looking for places to go out in North Beach and watch pretty much any sporting event, check out The Boardroom.
It’s at the corner of Beach Blanket Babylon Boulevard and Powell, a short stroll from Washington Park.
It’s fun dive with a lovely patio for brunching and 20 taps, including my favorite, an indulgently fruity, hazy pale ale called Gummy Worms.
If you love a mean cup of Joe, try their Irish Coffee with homemade Bailey’s.
Golden Gate Tap Room
449 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone: (415) 677-9999
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For tourists wondering where to get a drink after the Free San Francisco tour or shopping in Union Square, head to Golden Gate Tap Room across from Beacon Grand on Powell.
Golden Gate is my favorite fun place to get a drink because I can enjoy my pick of 100 beers, with standouts for me being the Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze and Bunny with A Chainsaw.
While you enjoy a drink, you’ll get to play arcade, skeeball, foosball, and shuffleboard games scattered around the two-story building.
There are also more than 20 TVs, so you never have to miss a play.
The Valley Tavern
4054 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114
Phone: (415) 285-0674
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Next, we’re heading to Noe Valley for the aptly named Valley Tavern.
Apart from stores and restaurants, there’s not too much going on around it, but it’s worth a trip for a cozy spot to get a drink and watch the game on the patio.
They have dozens and dozens of draught beers and bottles, with everything from craft ambers to Miller Light.
The Valley Tavern’s cocktail list isn’t bad either, especially their made-to-order Bloody Marys.
You pick your ingredients, and the bartender will make it happen.
Blackthorn
834 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122
Phone: (415) 564-6626
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Are you looking for fun places to go out after soaking up all the greenery at the San Francisco Botanical Garden?
Head south out of the Lincoln Way parking lot down 10th Ave and turn right on Irving to find Blackthorn.
They have a miniature park out back with a patio, so you can soak up even more San Fran sunshine while taking in one of their great brews – I recommend the Hell or High Watermelon!
Be sure to play a free game of pool during Happy Hour for a memorable night out.
Yancy’s Saloon
734 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122
Phone: (415) 665-6551
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Yancy’s Saloon is a block east of Blackthorn, so if you’re planning a pub crawl, put this one on your list.
It’s super casual, with free popcorn and a great beer selection.
They don’t have a food menu, but you can snag a snack from Pasquale’s Pizzeria or Dumpling Park and bring it in.
With a Ballast Point Sculpin IPA in one hand, it’s almost like watching the game at home with Door Dash, except a lot more fun.
Trademark Sports Bar
1123 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415) 738-8838
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Two blocks southwest of Victoria Manalo Draves Park in SoMa is Trademark Sports Bar.
You’ll have no problem finding it, given its Barbie pink exterior and the line of people around the block waiting to get in for arcade games and sports fan-friendly vibe.
Trademark has about a dozen local drafts, like the citrusy Heretic Tangerine Tornado and juicy Golden State Cider.
For cocktails, the on-tap Peach Sidecar is a creative concoction of Henny, peach, lemon, Cointreau, and a touch of brown sugar.
Mad Dog in the Fog
1568 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Phone: (415) 626-7279
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My last pick for the best sports bar in San Francisco is Mad Dog in the Fog.
It’s in the cradle of the 60s counterculture– Haight-Ashbury– and four blocks southeast of the Stanyan Street entrance to Golden Gate State Park.
The same folks who own Kezar Pub own Mad Dog, so you can expect the same drinks but with a more soccer-focused sports scene.
I loved the pub-themed atmosphere here, and couldn’t resist their fish and chips during my visit.
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