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- 1548 Polk St., San Francisco 94109
- 415-346-5699
Kozy Kar
An entire bar built on the theme of a customized Chevy Van - circa 1976 - featuring an actual van in the back with, ahem, a water bed. 70s Playboy centerfold spreads line the walls, CB radio system... read more
- 1700 Post St., San Francisco 94115
- 415-775-6688
Dimples
A grotesque, filthy, Hunter S. Thompson-fever dream of a bar, located in a dank, windowless Japantown basement where the smoking ban is flaunted and where you’ll end the night solicited for s... read more
- 1431 Plymouth St., San Francisco 94043
The Sports Page
Why recommend a bleach-scented shithole dive acting as the local greasy spoon for a half-dozen loud drunks? For one, huge back patio's an extraordinary Peninsula/South Bay melting pot, where recent... read more
- 893 Leong Dr., San Francisco 94043
- 650-968-6366
King of Clubs
Worth mentioning for hilariously cheeky, incongruous name alone, but real party gormandizers have softspots for kooky, karaoke dives as a rule. Technically a gay bar, but clientele better understoo... read more
- 141 N. Santa Cruz Ave., San Francisco 95030
- 408-354-2200
Black Watch
Named for fabled Scottish Infantry regiment that's fought nobly and honorably in just about every European land conflict, but the dignity ends there. Dark, atmospheric small spot on tucked away str... read more
- 236 Castro St., San Francisco 94041
- 415-940-9303
Mervyn’s Lounge
Hard to describe a filthy, crummy, windowless dive bar as "refreshing" but it's a welcome contrast to some of the spectacularly pretentious restaurants on Castro Street and a great place to have a ... read more
- 948 El Camino Real, San Francisco 94087
- 408-245-1250
The Patio Bar
Super comfortable dive bar gets packed out on Fridays and Saturdays with Peninsula locals who can't be bothered to either go north to the city or south to San Jose for a drink and a decent night ou... read more
- 6764 Washington St., San Francisco 94599
- 707-944-2125
Pancha's
Around the corner from The French Laundry (arguably one of the country's best restaurants) is Pancha's (arguably one of its worst dive bars). The bar has been run by the same family for three gener... read more
- 693 Grape Ave., San Francisco 94087
- 408-736-7141
Beefy’s Cabin
Tucked away in a slightly sketchy strip mall on a side street off El Camino Real, Beefy's is a home-away-from-home for longtime Peninsula residents who couldn't tell you what an "iPhone application... read more
- 3567 Alameda De Las Pulgas, San Francisco 94025
- 650-854-3245
The Dutch Goose
A Menlo Park institution for more than 40 years and the best place to watch the big game, throw back some draughts and chomp their renowned spicy deviled eggs. John Elway and Tiger Woods kicked it ... read more
- 2115 San Pablo Ave., San Francisco
- 510-644-2226
Acme Bar
Wanted: black-leather-jacket-wearing, occasional coke-snorting biker folk looking to have fun, play some old punk on the jukebox and have a dingy, dark, and delightful place to call their own. Frin... read more
- 1318 18th St., San Francisco
- 415-552-6707
Bloom’s Saloon
Old-fashioned saloon well stocked with rowdy, Giants and ‘Niners watching locals. Commitment to antiquity overwhelmed by sports banners and TVs broadcasting games. Huge beer selection. If you can’t... read more
- 2024 Chestnut St., San Francisco
- 415-346-1430
Horseshoe Tavern
Preppy-athletic locals who live down the street pack into The Shoe to watch the basket-/foot-/baseball game. Open since 1934, with the sepia-toned SF cityscape photos to prove it. Classic rock on t... read more
- 875 Geary Blvd., San Francisco
- 415-673-3148
Ha-Ra Club
There are dive bars, and then there’s the Ha-Ra. Open in 1947 by pro heavyweight boxer Ralph Figari and pro wrestler Hank Hanastead, so no limit of street cred. Here’s the protocol, son: Order a fe... read more
- 199 Valencia St., San Francisco
- 415-255-7505
Zeitgeist
Leather-clad bikers, Critical Massers, bike messengers, Mission slackers and the tamale lady making the rounds—a literal smorgasbord of SF’s party people. Huge beer garden in back with picnic bench... read more
- 806 S Van Ness Ave., San Francisco 94110
- 415-824-1800
Bender's Bar & Grill
Check out the grilled specialties at your peril, or get lubricated enough to kill the pathogens. Latter not a problem as booze is cheap and plentiful. Patrons range from sketchy to dirty to slummin... read more
- 1398 S. Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
- 415-648-4683
Phone Booth
As small as you'd think with a name like "Phone Booth", but free popcorn, bullfighting tapestries, pitchers of Pabst, Barbie chandelier, rouge lighting, even a pool table shoe-horned in. All this, ... read more
- 2575 Mission St., San Francisco
- 415-824-3627
Doc’s Clock
Shuffleboard kinda like Nana and Poppa on their senior cruise, but played by girls with retro bangs and boys with retro kicks instead. We’ll clock your doc, alright! Man behind the decks plays the ... read more
- 937 Cole St., San Francisco
- 415-731-6119
Finnegan's Wake
In a hood being overrun by baby strollers, this solid, homey dive is a salvation. Locals at the bar and groups of friends at the tables drinking pints and playing Scrabble. Gets crowded on sunny d... read more
- 100 Connecticut St., San Francisco 94107
- 415-552-4440
Connecticut Yankee
New England transplant feeling a bit homesick, this is the place for you. Plastered with Red Sox, Bruins and Celts paraphernalia, even Boston-themed sandwiches on the menu. A Bill Buckner, anyone? ... read more
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