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50 Mason Social House
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Nightlife Bars Music Venues, Bars [Edit]
50 Mason St(between Turk St & Market St)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin
(415) 433-5050
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 pm - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Classy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
40 reviews for 50 Mason Social House
Review Highlights
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"You can't beat the $2 happy hour Trumer special." In 10 reviews -
"...can't miss out on the opportunity to see open mic Mondays." In 3 reviews -
"Live music every night too." In 4 reviews
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40 reviews in English
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Review from shari m.
Berkeley, CA
1/7/2012
Really beautiful atmosphere. Bar meets lounge. Great management & bartenders. This venue is perfect for a few friends grabbing drinks, a large group, or post-date drinks. If you visit this place you will not be dissappointed.
P.S. there is an indian buffet a few blocks up Mason that is open until 4am!!! -
Review from Amy S.
San Francisco, CA
3/26/2012
Saw a great band here on Friday, the staff was uber friendly and you can't beat the post midnight happy hour! I will definitely be back!
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Review from Adrienne Y.
San Jose, CA
8/14/2011
If I could use one word to describe this place it would probably be "chill".
I came here when Celeste Ignacio and Lily were playing their shows about a month ago. This place has a really nice jazzy lounge feel to it. It's smaller but you get a more intimate experience which makes it great for the live music (and the talent was amazing that night!) The crowd is great too; laid back with a touch of silliness and everyone I ran into that night was extremely nice. There are some couches, smaller tables, and chairs along the side or if all the seating is taken, you can stand in the back and it still won't feel crowded or cramped. It's big enough to have plenty of room, yet small enough to feel cozy.
Live music every night too?! If the talent I saw that night was any indication of how good the live music on other nights is, I'm definitely coming back to check out more to support the local artists.Listed in: San Francisco :D
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Review from Anthony A.
San Francisco, CA
11/14/2011
I came here for the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) reception after the Veterans Day parade on 11-11-11. It's an interesting venue, with posters advertising beer as life's remedy for everything. I like the sarcasm. I also liked what was on tap, including a hard cider I'd never seen before.
BTW, I half expected the "We Do For The Troops" con artists to show up at this veterans event. Fortunately, they no longer seem to be active in the San Francisco veterans community. Good riddance to "Mickey" and crew. -
Review from Gina S.
12/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cool place! But the area is sketchy!! Once you're inside, you're ok. I like it here because they support musicians and artists. On Mondays, they have open mic nights. Musicians till 10pm and then stand up comedians. They only serve beer and wine, but they offer food! They let you taste the different beers they have which is a lot of ones from all over the world and honestly, some I've never heard of. But the bartender, Jordan, was super nice and I think made the bad comedians bearable. We ordered the charcuterie and cheese plates. The crostini they served was delicious! One of the best, in the city. I think its slathered with lots of butter or oil, but so tasty. I should've ordered some wine because it would go better with it, but it was still good! If I am ever around the area again I would definitely go back here. Hats off to Jordan!
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Review from Jaci G.
Manteca, CA
8/21/2011
My husband and I went to a comedy show here by Narcissists Anonymous (fantastic by the way, if you have a chance to see this crew - by all means do!) Anyway, the club is a hidden gem - wine and beer only but what a selection! They'll let you taste before you order. Low key - cool vibe - cash only - but they have an atm in the club to ease the pain.
Will go back again. Great place to have a conversation relax and chill. 50 Mason you are great! A gem in the Tenderloin! -
Review from Lindsay M.
San Francisco, CA
8/11/2011
We were coming back from Ahn Sushi and Soju around the corner (review here: http://tinyurl.com/44l...) and heard some great live funk music coming from 50 Mason. No cover on a Friday, so we went to listen for a bit:
+ excellent beer on tap, good but pricey wine list, snacks looked good...
+ great live music
+ super chill and welcoming - mixed, friendly, mellow crowd
+ fantastic lounge-y area with great lighting that equally well accommodates groups, intimate seating for couples, solo folks looking for a beer and some music.
I'm sure the crowd changes depending on who's on stage, but we felt super welcome, enjoyed the vibe and will be back! -
Review from J. S.
San Francisco, CA
10/13/2011
Alright so I love the decor and openness of the place. Totally awesome! - 5 stars. Very comfy furniture, cool stage setup, and has great flow.
They had a band their last night and we stayed for a couple of songs and they were pretty good, some outfit from Denver.
I know it's located in Union Square/Tenderloin area so I understand high prices, but two drafts $13 is a lot. I know they have higher end beers on tap but that did seem a bit excessive.
Also, their happy hour is from 12am - 2am, great if you are a night owl and like the TL that late, but not so good if it's after work or early evening. If you change that (ownership, are you listening?) I'll probably come in around the 6pm time and enjoy the place more often.
Sum up - cool place, a bit expensive, and beer/wine/soju only which is fine with me. -
Review from Hillary S.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 1/25/2012
Decided to take a star off my review because they don't have an events calendar. I miss a lot of what goes on there because I just don't know about it.
A calendar on the webpage would be great, even better organization of information on facebook would be sufficient though.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/18/2012
Been to this venue under several different incarnations...this one is definitely my favorite!
Great… Read more »
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Review from Nancy R.
San Francisco, CA
6/26/2011
Whoa, where did this place come from? 50 Mason Social House is one of those places you won't notice unless you're looking ... most likely becuase you're bustling to get the hell out of the TL... at least I am. But hey, step into this place if you see it, it's pretty cool.
Aesthetically, it kind of reminded me of an upscale Vegas lounge. But unlike Vegas, it's laid back and completely unpretentious. I'd describe the crowd as Mission-esque, at least on the night I went. It's an awesome venue for bands & apparently there's an open mic/amateur comedy night on certain days. There are very comfortable chairs and chaise lounges, with a small fireplace! The bathrooms, I'm pleased to report, are clean.
Great beer selection (mostly domestics) for $5. Their happy hour is between 12AM-2AM - $2 beer and $4 wines! They also serve snack food which I wasn't able to sample. And how's this for awesome: their menus come with a little flashlight. First time I've seen that and I was very impressed.
CASH ONLY, but there's an ATM inside.
My favorite part was how open & airy it all was. Nice big windows make for good people (crackhead) watching. It's nice to be able to enjoy a beer and observe the craziness of the Tenderloin from behind a pane of glass. The spit won't hit you from there... -
Review from Celeste I.
San Mateo, CA
7/16/2011 6 photos
I played a show here on Wednesday, July 13th.
The bar, the atmosphere, the sound system, even the bathrooms - everything was top notch.
I kept telling my friends that weren't able to make it out that this place was low key but super chic - kind of like a fancy lounge interbred with the intimacy of your rich friend's open living room space full of chaise chairs, couches, and tables for two.
I can't rave enough. I love this place, it's now my venue of choice as far as performing and a definite go to spot to hang out with friends for a drink after a hard day's work. -
Review from Stefanie L.
San Francisco, CA
2/26/2011
Okay, so this place is at the intersection of Hold Onto Your Purse and That Was Definitely A Homeless Guy Peeing but, you know what? This is San Francisco. You have to get used to stuff like that. Besides, the inside is basically the opposite of the outside.
50 Mason is one of those rare nice bars that serves nice drinks and appetizers without seeming all uppity and pretentious about it. The decorations are beautiful but not ornately elitist, the seating is varied (booth-style for groups, small tables for singles and couples, far from the stage, close to the stage, etc) and it's big enough that you can actually get up and walk to the bathroom without tripping over anyone. In fact, it's less bar and more lounge. There's also a stage for live performances, well-located at the back of the establishment but sort of awkwardly shaped. In any case: A nice little gem in the TL.Listed in: Setting the Bar High
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Review from Caitlin H.
San Francisco, CA
4/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
In sum this place is great, but stay away from the windows.
I came in here on a Saturday night after a friend and I attempted to venture further into the TL, but had to turn back because it was sketchier than we bargained for. We found this place right on the TL border, and it looked pretty classy with a live jazz band. We went in and were excited to find a table available by the window. We snatched it up and we had been sitting there a good 2.5 seconds before a homeless man approached from the other side of the glass and started touching himself. He knocked on the window and tried to get our attention. No wonder the table by the window was available. Every single homeless person who passed tried to get our attention.
Aside from the interesting view out the window, the ambiance INSIDE this place is awesome!! It is a pretty cool location that just serves wine and beer. The strange thing about this is that there are no sizes listed on the beer menu. Each one has a serving size, but you don't know until you get it and think "omg 8oz of beer, what a rip off" or "omg 1 gallon of beer, how the hell am I going to finish that!" I just think they should list the size.
I would recommended checking this place out though, it is pretty chill. they have happy hour 12am-2am if you are interested in being in the TL at that time. -
Review from Kimhouy T.
Oakland, CA
5/29/2011
This place is a block away from the Powell Street BART station, which is awesome... unless you missed the last train because you were so busy enjoying the late night happy hour (whoops!).
Great music- there was a folk/bluegrass/tango(?) trio the night I went. Although there was no cover, the band did pass around a tip jar, which was strange.
There was a pretty good beer and wine selection- some items were bargains ($5 for an Allagash? Hell yes!) while other items were somewhat overpriced ($10 for a mediocre glass of wine? Hell no!). Have yet to try the food, but it looked pretty tasty.
Overall, it was a solid first visit and I would go back to check out the other musical acts. The bartender mentioned that there is sometimes improv as well, so I think management is still trying to get a feel for who their clientele is. -
Review from Erin S.
12/9/2010
The last time I visited this location there was an after hours club downstairs (maybe it's still there? I doubt it). It was kinda cool, kinda creepy with lots of beds & couches & people doing strange things in the bathrooms. Now, there's a cool hangout spot upstairs with live music. A big improvement!
The first reason to knock off a star was that they advertise that they open at 5 & have happy hour. Well, we tried to go in at around 5:15 last Thursday night & they weren't open. We just wanted to get a few drinks before an event at the Warfield & this seemed like the perfect spot, plus I love checking out new HH spots. Oh well. We vowed to return later that night.
So whatever time it was after the event ended (I'd had a few by then), we came back. There was a band playing & a few people were seated on couches enjoying the music. We weren't really there for the music, nothing against the band or anything but we just wanted a drink & a spot to hang out before heading home for the night. We sat near the front, away from the band & chatted while we had our drinks. Maybe we were too loud? I dunno (as I said, I'd had a few) but I think the band was annoyed by us. So we finished our drinks & left.
I would definitely come back since this seems like a chill spot to lounge around & have some drinks. It's a welcoming place on a stretch of street that is less than desirable.Listed in: BARTable
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Review from Gil S.
11/2/2010
This place is fun and inviting as a local, but if I were a sleepless business traveler prowling in a disreputable direction south of Union Square on a late weeknight this would be a godsend, what I was looking for to stay out of trouble. The pluses, which are minuses if you like everything nice and tidy, include:
* A large raised stage, amplification, bands wailing on trombones and trumpets straight into the face of the audience a few feet away
* Not a whole lot of service, on slow nights you go to the bar and order
* It's not fancy, but very dark, very red, and full of brick walls, paintings, atmosphere
* Haphazard, sparse, random furniture... but this means you can show up with a group of ten and have a conversation between numbers
* People applaud every song, the more the band wails the more they applaid
If you're used to East Coast jazz clubs, here is what San Francisco has in store for you:
* No cover, no pressure, no drink minimum, no seating rules, no tip jar, just show up. How do we do it? We must be stoned, and we're not in it for the money.
* A small but good selection of very good craft beers, real strong drinks, courteous bartenders who know what they're doing
* Regular happy hour, and late night happy hour 12-2. After 2 it's illegal, but it's 5 in New York so you can pretend. A couple blocks away there are restaurants open until 4, this is the latest neighborhood in the city. -
Review from Juanito L.
Berkeley, CA
11/6/2011
I speak perfect (native) English in a clear voice, and I recognize that the place is busy. I don't think it's unreasonable to approach a bartender and say "Hey, I don't recognize the beers you have on tap. Do you have something like a Hefeweizen?" Nor do I expect to be treated like a bitch for preferring cider to a Pilsner. Then, after serving me cider in a stein FULL OF ICE, you try to shame me for not tipping? No, no. No.
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Review from Autumn K.
1/11/2011
50 Mason is inconveniently but excitingly located 4 blocks from my gym and ballet studio. Inconvenient because I can burn 600 calories and perfect my form before consuming 700 calories in wine and Trumer...Convenient because after a day full of a total of 5 hours of working out and dance classes, I REALLY need a drink or 3.
Avoid Open Mic nights (Mondays) at all costs. Really- these are not mentally sound people for the most part, with the exception of the one girl who had a really sweet voice but impeded conversation with my companions nonetheless...
I really like the bartender, I really like the scene, and I really like the overall vibe and what they've done with the place as well as the location. This is a joint I can walk into in my dance gear and workout gear just as comfortably as I can in a minidress and heels. I like that in a place.
My only qualms are that the wine is a bit steep and the fact that they have an open mic night, although it did seem to draw a bigger crowd than usual. The people working the bar, however, and the sweet as pie yet intimidating-enough-to-make-me-feel-safe door man are super cool, though, and make it well worth the visit. Beer's reasonably priced and it's a great space for a big group. These guys need more visitors, you really ought to give it a try. -
Review from Julia G.
9/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
You can't miss out on the opportunity to see open mic Mondays. Fantastic up-and-coming solo artists, bands, and comedians. I had the pleasure of hanging out this Labor Day for the first time and had a fun-filled evening. Whether you're a musician trying to gain exposure or a patron in the mood for some wine and a free show, this is the place to be. I plan to be back soon.
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Review from Scott A.
San Francisco, CA
11/19/2010
Great new venue for live music and relaxing. It is more of a bar/lounge/music location. Great staff, Ericka and Krista, and sound with tasteful decor. It had the feel of a NYC lounge to me. A huge upswing for this neighborhood and town. So far I love it. Nice selection of wines and beers only. There will be live music here 7 days a week with no cover. Great free music in a classy environment. What more could one ask for?!!
B-Side Karaoke hosted karaoke here a couple of times and the sound quality is great, as was the KJ. Hope you can come some time in the future. -
Review from Jennifer R.
San Francisco, CA
3/31/2011
I love the fact that they have some real exciting beers here, yes its only a Beer & wine license they have I think, but at least they make up for it with one of the best beer selections that rivals many wine selections I have seen in this city.
Added to that the nightly Live entertainment it certainly takes us out of the neighbor hood that we are unfortunately in, however places like this improve it greatly. Change is slow but you can see this hood in a year being the hood to go out in. -
Review from Chino S.
Novato, CA
2/15/2011
This is a great place to relax and lounge around with a good craft beer or glass of wine.
I went here after my cousin's wedding and it's just what we needed. We partied pretty hard at the wedding and this was the perfect place to chill.
This place had live music, which was awesome. They were first blasting reggae music, which was great, until their neighbors complained about the noise and they had to turn the volume down. It was all good because a few of the members just started jamming and freestyling.
The songs were very entertaining and amusing. One song was something like, "when i think of you, I have to change the sheets the next morning." It was awesome. haha.
They also have a great selection of craft beers. I'm a big beer person and don't believe in fizzy yellow beer. They had one of my favorite beers, Speakeasy's Payback Porter, very delicious. They also had Goose Island, Moylans, and a few others. They also serve wine, but that's not my drink of choice.
Prices were very reasonable and there's more than enough sitting and lounging space for you and all the homies. Check the place out if you feel like going out, but not wilding out at a club. -
Review from Rob K.
San Francisco, CA
10/7/2010
I was pleasantly surprised when I went in to check out this bar & lounge. What initially caught my attention was the live acoustic music they had going on and the cozy vibe that came from the venue. My friend and I were just passing by on a night of bar hopping when we heard the music echoing out of this dimly lit social house and decided to check it out while we waited for the bus.
We ended up staying for multiple drinks and talked story with the workers and bar tenders who were all very friendly. The spot also has nightly happy hours and nightly live music which is a big plus when looking for places to hang out without breaking the bank. Overall 50 Mason offers a very pleasant experience for all kinds of people whether your looking for a place to cruise with a bunch friends or a quiet spot that you can go to relax after a long day. -
Review from Kenny C.
Daly City, CA
3/14/2011
Came here to watch George Lacson Project perform. Great place to chill and listen to some live music. Bouncer and workers were nice. Only wine and craft beers. Something different for me since im into hard alcohol. But really loved this one type of beer..strong and thick..
Resonable prices. -
Review from Jessica C.
Emeryville, CA
10/12/2011
I went here for Live music last Wednesday and was greeted with big smiles, a great bartender and a chill lounge atmosphere. I loved the music and will definitely be going back here for some night that I want to some delicious unique drinks, tasty beer on tap and a low key but great vibe!! They are always bringing in new talent, old talent and just right out amazing talent without breaking the bank!
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Review from Deborah Y.
San Anselmo, CA
9/15/2011
Great new venue supporting live music and comedy. Check this place out - even on weeknights, it's a great place to go. No cover !
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Review from Aaron C.
Tacoma, WA
7/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went there for a DJ. The DJ was great but it's not my scene. I myself prefer a good old dive bar with a pool table. Not the young professionals of Frisco who travel into the Tender Loin
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Review from Jay R W.
San Bruno, CA
5/29/2011
Ed, thank you for giving all of us this wonderful place to go and relax and enjoy. You are a real credit to the community and I hold you in high esteem for provided us the great music to enjoy.
My friend Norm and I had a great time Saturday. We really appreciated your warm hospitality and will be back and will be spreading the word.
Jay R. -
Review from Lauren S.
Stockton, CA
9/26/2010
I like how this place has live music every night and it's got a great set up inside. I've gone through to this place for the late night happy hour from 12-2...and it's definitely nice when you're out in the area looking for a cheap draft. There are always plenty of places to sit and it's a good spot to bring big groups.
Listed in: SF Bars, Tenderlovin
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Review from Curt Y.
San Francisco, CA
10/9/2010
I was invited to play a happy hour there last night and I have to say, from a musician's point of view, I loved it. The sound was excellent and my band had a good time. They did a great job with the atmosphere and everyone there seemed to be having a good time. You can't beat the $2 happy hour Trumer special!
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Review from Jon S.
Berkeley, CA
5/17/2011
50 Mason Social House is truly an amazing place. They havn't been around that long but I've already seen a couple really great shows here. The ambience is really cool, hip, yet warm and inviting. Great selection of beer on tap & wine. I don't know if they plan to get a full liquor license or to start serving some food in the long run.
The acoustics in the room are really nice too very warm & somewhat bright. The stage is size is excellent for a 3 piece band with a small kit although I've also seen some larger bands play there & they just spill out onto the floor in front of the stage.
While it is true, they aren't in the best neighborhood in town the experience of hanging around the area is on par with being by the Great American Music Hall or Slims. Plus your a hundred feet from the Powel Bart station and all the muni lines. Despite what another reviewer mentioned I found the guys working the door did a really great job of keeping the crackheads from loitering around in front. While we were smoking out side one or two of em came out to ask for some spare change and before I could even respond the door man whisked them away.
Especially for a brand new business it's incredible how many things this club does perfectly. I'd imagine that in the comming years this place could very well become one the City's go to spots for nightlife!! -
Review from Nicholas P.
San Francisco, CA
1/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here
My first visit to this club was last night, Eric McFadden and Ed Ivey played a great 2 sets. Definitely enjoyed the vibe, cold beer, and Live Music! I think it would be a great pre/post show destination for Warfield concert patrons.
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Review from Ashish C.
San Francisco, CA
6/6/2011
Although the neighborhood is a little shady but the place is amazing with one of the best bands playing every night, A must go for Rock,Jazz and Blues Lovers. Staff is very welcoming and Beers are special. Ambiance is dark and soothing. Don't miss it and especially the hideout lovers !
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Review from Kelesa S.
San Francisco, CA
1/18/2011
I love this new little venue tucked between the Warfield and the Westfield center. It has an amazing wine list, an eclectic beer selecton and, most importantly, a swank coziness befitting of a neighborhood artist hang out. They have a Jazz Jam every Sunday that I would recommend to anyone who claims to be a fan of the genre...and their happy hour is MIDNIGHT to 2AM! How can you beat that?! This is hands down my new favorite destination for live music and fantastic vino.
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Review from Nicholas L.
San Francisco, CA
10/22/2010
Love the decor. People that draw in are interesting. Bartender was very nice and attentive. New bar! New place! Tell a friend! Its a place to go when your tired of the same old place. Plus they have live music. Yummy.
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Review from Jacquelynne O.
Santa Rosa, CA
10/5/2010
I just love this Tenderloin lounge. Its difficult to find a place downtown where a woman can go by herself for a nice, quiet glass of red wine after work. I found this gorgeous club bar while wandering the streets one evening, avoiding the shadiness and attempting to find somewhere I wouldn't get hassled by middle-aged men with nothing better to do.
I spotted the neon sign and the words happy hour written in glow marker from across the street and passed by to take a peak. Nice corner stage with live music that starts at 8pm, gorgeous leather lounge furniture and a huge bar to sit at. There were about 6 other young people, in couples or alone so I decided to go in. The cute bartender Jordan was super friendly right off the bat and announced I had two minutes to the end of happy hour so which would I like to drink? I chanced the Zin which was excellent for a house wine and had a wonderful conversation with him about living in the city. The other patrons where also very nice, everyone finally getting into conversation with eachother. I really recommend this place, and the prices are fair for being downtown. I wish them the best of luck! (the Tenderloin could really use some chicness once in a while to draw in young people)
PS. Cash only but there's an ATM at the door -
Review from Lawrence C.
New York, NY
1/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Really awesome venue. I came here one night to watch a performance put on by the Society. 50 Mason has an awesome intimate vibe for small performances. There's a friendly neighborhood feel to the bar with great bartenders who are nothing but nice. The furniture is cozy and comfortable and there's typically plenty of space to feel comfortable in.
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Review from Ray G.
San Francisco, CA
3/27/2011
I've been to several open mics in San Francisco, and 50 Mason is a gem! The venue reminds me of an absinthe bar on the outskirts of New Orlean's French Quarter.. a good balance of funk and soul. The happy hour starts at Midnight, the bartender is kind and the snacks are delicious. Becky who runs the open mic is a sweetheart and good musician in her own right. Monday night attracts a wide range of performers and styles... rock, blues, spoken word, hip hop, and more. It's right near Powell stop so leave your car at home and checkout this great addition to the hood.
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Review from Liri R.
San Francisco, CA
7/18/2011
This place is solid! The bartenders are really nice, the space is comfortable, you can get close on a couch and listen to live music, or watch the street show unfold out the window. Good vibe. Great beer.
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Review from Sarah P.
San Francisco, CA
10/20/2010
Nice wine list, great service with Jordan (and Erica), homey yet elegant decor (nice wine bar feel), and fun music (changes every night)...what more could you ask for? Seriously, a nice find for the downtown area.
