San Francisco's

Oldest Bars by Neighborhood

Wild Side West

Established: 1962

This lesbian-friendly bar was named after the Barbara Stanwyck film, "Walk on the Wild Side." In the 1970s, this bar was vandalized when broken toilets and sinks were thrown through the windows and landed in the backyard. Out of the destruction, came one of the city's best outdoor patios, which still exists today. A bar that welcomed Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin back in the day now welcomes everyone who walks through their doors.

Twin Peaks Tavern

Established: 1935

An emblem of the gay community, Twin Peaks Tavern was designated an historical bar in 2013. The bar is the first known gay bar to feature full length plate glass windows, openly revealing the identities of their patrons. Sitting at the intersection of Castro and Market streets, Twin Peaks stands as a gateway into the neighborhood.

Cafe du Nord

Established: 1908

Located in an area where the Swedish community once thrived, Cafe du Nord occupies the basement of the Swedish American Hall, operated by the Swedish Society of San Francisco. The bar itself has , one of the two music venues in the space (the other being the Swedish American Hall). For more than 100 years, Cafe Du Nord has maintained its intimate mood of a speakeasy with rich, dark colors of red and black. 

Red's Place

Established: 1960

Known as the "Cheers" of Chinatown, Red's Place was the site of the annual firecracker tradition when the Chinese New Year Parade would march by. Although the original owners have passed, the bar is still owned and operated by the family.

Dogpatch Saloon

2496 Third Street

Established: 1912

Originally the site of a revival saloon, Dogpatch Saloon became a "soft" drink store when Prohibition was passed. After Prohibition, the bar quickly started serving alcohol again.

The Gold Cane

Established: 1926

The Gold Cane is a reliable neighborhood favorite, where drinks are always so cheap that no happy hour special is necessary. With its pool table, patio, and ample seating, it's the place to go if you want to feel like a local in the Haight.

Bus Stop Saloon

Established: 1900

How can a bar that attracts a young, rowdy crowd with wall-to-wall TVs and a Pac-Man console be on the list? Bus Stop Saloon has been around since the turn-of-the-century with more than four generations of family ownership.

Mauna Loa Club

Established: 1939

A tribute to the Hawaiian volcano, Mauna Loa is a blue-collar bar in the trendsetting Marina neighborhood. The 1980's saw the inclusion of a pool table and Pop-a-Shot, but the bar still retains much of its charm. Cash only.

Horseshoe Tavern

Established: 1934

A "regulars" bar if there ever was one. The original owner was a former football player of the team that would become the 49ers. Located on an upscale street in San Francisco, the "Shoe" remains a San Francisco classic.

The Homestead

Established: 1906

Opened in 1906 as the "Old Homestead," there's evidence in this Mission bar that it was a speakeasy during Prohibition. (I mean, there's a private room in the back. It doesn't get anymore obvious than that). Of all the old bars in the city, the Homestead maintains much of the same decor that was around during the turn of the century.

The Valencia Room

Established: 1935

Formerly known as the Elbo Room, this dive bar has been renamed The Valencia Room, but still showcases the diverse culture and traditions of the Mission District. Since 1935, the Valencia Room has been many things: a Spanish restaurant, a western bar, and one of the nation’s first lesbian dance clubs, Amelia’s, which became the anchor for the lesbian community. Since 1991, the first floor has been a bar and the second floor is a performance/dance space.

Elixir

Established: 1858

On 16th Street and Guerrero sits Elixir. Since the Wild West days, Elixir has been transformed into many things. However, in 2003 it was fully restored, including its original bar, and returned to its original glory.

Shotwell's

Established: 1891

Opened originally by German immigrants as a grocery store that had a backroom for beer drinking, today it's simply known as Shotwell's, a place many people come to meet, drink beer, and play pinball. It serves only beer, but it's beer that is well curated to include many micro-brews from the Bay Area.

Ha-Ra Club

Established: 1947

Opened in 1947 by a former boxer, Ha-Ra Club has been an anchor for the neighborhood. Today, the interior displays memorabilia reminiscent of the past. This bar has all the essentials: liquor, a pool table and a jukebox. Nothing more than that.

Trad'r Sams

Established: 1937

Before the heyday of the tiki craze in the 1960s there was Trad'r Sam. On top of the kitschy drinks they serve here, you'll get a geography lesson. The seating areas are named after tropical islands.

The Endup

Established: 1973

Home to San Francisco's after-hours crowd, The Endup has two indoor bars, an outdoor bar and food stand, a lounge with a pool table, a high-powered sound system and a dance floor with provocative lighting. What was once a club that catered to gay San Francisco now welcomes all walks of life. When you hear the bass thumping, you know you're close by.

Hotel Utah Saloon

Established: 1908

A relic of the Barbary Coast era, Hotel Utah was a favorite among gamblers, thieves, ladies of the night, politicians, hustlers, gold seekers, charlatans, police and fancy miscreants when it first opened in 1908. Since then it has attracted celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio, Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, and John Mayer. Today, the Utah is the home to the most intimate concert venue in the city

House of Shields

Established: 1912

One of the city's most famous speakeasies during Prohibition, House of Shields didn't actually open up as a bar until 1944. How famous? There's an urban legend that President Warren G. Harding died at this bar (and then was taken through the tunnels underneath to the Palace Hotel where he was found). Today, House of Shields stands as a shining example of expertly poured drinks. Go and get one.

Little Shamrock

Established: 1890s

The oldest business in the Sunset, Little Shamrock has been a favorite watering hole of visitors to nearby Golden Gate Park for some time. Legend has it that the Shamrock first opened in 1893 in another neighborhood completely, but by 1896 had relocated to its current location, where to this day, people love to have a beer and play darts.

Philosopher's Club

Established: 1960

All the way out in this sleepy but quaint and lovable neighborhood sits the Philosopher's Club, the home of the man who started mixology, Jerry Thomas. Come for the history and the quotes on the ceiling, but stay for the drinks.