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Dave's
Category: Nightlife Bars Dive Bars Dive Bars [Edit]
29 3rd St(between Kearny St & Market St)
San Francisco, CA 94103
Neighborhoods: Union Square, SOMA
(415) 495-6726
Announcement
February is go to Dave's Month
good food and drink
good folks
Art, Sports, jumping Juke
Happy Hour 4-6 M-F
What's not to love? Decompress!
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Thu
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
185 reviews for Dave's
Review Highlights
"The bartenders were knowledgeable."
(in 45 reviews)
"This is one of my favorite happy hour spots downtown."
(in 23 reviews)
"Good people, laid back, fun and funny."
(in 11 reviews)
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185 reviews in English
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Review from Daniella D.
Pleasanton, CA
12/14/2011
Dave's is great! Bartenders are friendly, drinks are cheap, and the vibes are good.
Last time I was there the Smiths were playing on the speakers and a football game was on. The combination was amazing and everything I wanted. -
Review from Marlon T.
11/25/2011
Good dive bar for cheap drinks, a juke box, and nice bartenders.
I was $5 for a beer and $6.50 for a shot of Jameson.
I think this is non-happy hour prices.
My buddy who works at Yelp said that this is one of the main places Yelp employees go to since it's just right across the street from the HQ.
I might come back again. It's your standard dive in downtown SF area. -
Review from David K.
San Francisco, CA
10/28/2011
Dave's! Oh, Dave's,
bar o' dive,
you'll find me in there,
once or twice,
when I'm alive
to pause, perhaps,
as, rheumy-eyed,
I have no idea where I'm going with this. I like Dave's. -
Review from Richard K.
Honolulu, HI
1/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Cool spot for a quick dive/drink. Had cheese, Ritz crackers, black olives and pepperoncinis for appetizers in the far back during happy hour.
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Review from Cameron H.
San Francisco, CA
1/24/2012
Good. Small, but good. Great spot to watch the niners or the Giants.
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Review from Miel H.
San Francisco, CA
10/26/2011
Dave's. A haven of friendly bartenders and diverse clientele that don't make me feel like I should be wearing high heels and drinking $12 beers.
Fer sure:
Dave's will play sports on the big TV but at a volume that will not leave you reaching for ear plugs.
Dave's bartenders will smile at you when they take your order. In fact, they may even say something funny and nice. No, really.
Dave's patrons will be hipsters, yupsters and people who have hands dirty from a hard daze work.
It's not huge, the bathrooms are.
The prices during happy hour, red wine $3.50 for a FULL glass will make you think that you have been transported to Wisconsin. In fact, the whole environment is mid westy.
I saw nachos going by but can't vouch for them as we were too broke to eat them.
Dave's is your ace in the whole in a neighborhood full of over priced or scary haunts. -
Review from Cara D.
9/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Have you ever walked into a neighborhood bar and felt and were treated like a total outsider? I for one, really hate that, and I'm happy to report that it was not the case at Dave's.
I had passed by this place lots of times and didn't see much because it was dark, but had a feeling I should check it out sometime. I don't like wasting my money, and there are lots of places to do that in this town, I did my homework for some Thursday evening plans with a friend. We are both relatively new in town and have been exploring a lot. Dave's came up on a Happy Hour app I used on my phone, and also had pretty good Yelp reviews, so I thought I would give it a try.
According to my friend, her mixed specialty drink was strong, but she did not complain about the taste. I had a Guinness and was impressed to see that they had quite a few beers on tap.
The fact that are drinks were cheap and free cheese and crackers, olives and peppercinis were available was definitely a win. Two other things made me really really happy to be here, though.
1. We snagged a table. We did get there before 5:00, so I don't know if this is the case later on in the evenings, but we were comfortable.
2. The music was awesome. I heard Nirvana twice, The Cure, and Janis Joplin, and some other stuff that was equally awesome. I'm not sure if it was the jukebox or if that's the type of stuff one can expect to hear there. Time and repeated visits will tell.
The crowd seemed to span late-twenties to twice that, and was very laid back. After reading that some bars (I recall House of Shields, but also some others) are a suit and tie crowd for happy hour with lots of FiDi workers, I wanted to go someplace that felt more casual, where I could feel more comfortable.
The Verdict: Dave's turned out to be a pretty good pick. I'd like to come back. -
Review from Jon A.
8/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Dave,
I want to thank you for letting me fall face-first asleep in your pretzel bowl. Then when I woke up with pretzels stuck to my face you didn't laugh, you helped flick them off and shake me back to reality with a water.
With that you're worthy of returning, but rather than fall asleep I'll stay awake and enjoy your gruff bartenders. Gruff, but caring, like your rose-tinted glass wearing Uncle, Dave will help you if you're looking for direction in life, or just directions if you're traveler.
Plain and simple, I respect this place because they showed me respect when I was in disrespectful shambles.
Thank you Dave.Listed in: Stag Right, My foggy home away from home, Stiffler's Mom, Get Lost
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Review from Lucy D.
San Francisco, CA
7/29/2011
Hooray for cheap alcohol!
Came here on a Thursday night around 8pm with a handful of friends and there were plenty of seats. We got shots, long islands and some of their $5 mixed drinks. The long islands and the mixed drinks were STRONG. They do not skimp on the alcohol here people. All you alcoholics out there, rejoice. We didn't really get any food or snacks there but I did see someone eating a large hot dog.
This is an awesome place to drop by with friends if you're in downtown and you don't want to pay an arm/foot for a good time at a bar. The atmosphere is super chill and the bartenders are very nice. Dave's is also close to a lot of public transportation so you can get home inexpensively. -
Review from Kathleen M.
Atlanta, GA
7/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
I could see working close to Dave's could be dangerous. We popped in while it was still daylight and I feel like it was a black hole: I have no idea how much time was spent there, how much I drank, or exactly what transpired... I just know I had a good time.
The bartendress was quite friendly, prices were good, and drinks strong. The bathroom was surprisingly nice and clean for the otherwise dive bar atmosphere. Oh, and there were random meatballs set out that seemed to be free for the taking. That's pretty rad.
A random guy complimented my earrings then went so far to ask if he could have them for his daughter. Strangely enough, I obliged. That's the kind of shit that I feel goes down at Dave's on the regular. -
Review from Torrey R.
San Francisco, CA
7/17/2011
This is one of my favorite happy hour spots downtown. The well drinks are $3.75, and everyone who works there is female. The waitstaff are pretty friendly, and there is usually a seat open.
They always have free chips and salsa, or crackers, cheese, and cheap-franks.
One time I had a gift for my nephew that had shipped to work, I forgot it there, called that evening and said, "um, I forgot my benny..." They kept it behind the bar for me until I got it. Mind you this was an inflatable dinosaur that you could ride. -
Review from Ega B.
San Francisco, CA
12/9/2011
It is a good spot to stop by and have a drink or two. Bartenders are nice and friendly - they are always ready to chat with you. They also serve hot dogs which is cool
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Review from Ben B.
6/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
After a day of Gay Priding only a block or two away, Dave's was a little like a much-needed sensory deprivation treatment. No bright colours, no pounding bass lines, and no pretenses. Perfect for two out-of-towners just looking for a good, ole fashioned draaank.
Dark enough to induce that four-drink haze a little prematurely especially when paired with some classic Aerosmith sex-rock on the jukebox, this is the place to fall in love with a questionable stranger by 10pm, plan your honeymoon by 11pm, consummate the relationship by midnight, and wonder what the hell you were thinking by 12:15. But in a good way.
Our drinks were big and fully loaded, a surprise after the 'Oh HERE we go...' look we got from the bartender when we specified our booze brands of choice. I suspect most of their regulars are far from picky. A fact made even more clear when a bowl full of pretzel sticks was tossed (with love) onto our table from the bathtub-sized box of pretzel sticks sitting next to the bar. Keep on crunchin', peeps!Listed in: A Haligonian Meets San…
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Review from maureen m.
San Francisco, CA
5/31/2011
Everyone needs a dive bar you can crawl home from after throwing down a few, and this is mine. Located a mere 1 1/2 blocks from my place, I can see this becoming a "sipping station" in SOMA to meet my divey needs.
The music does tend to be pretty loud, but the service was fabulous, and they have a limited menu when you're too lazy to move your ass off the barstool to go somewhere for a much needed bite in a hurry. Clam chowder, chili, dogs and links are amongst the selections here at Dave's. One does not often associate dive bar with decent wine selection- not true at Dave's! They pour 4 or 5 middle of the road white wines that preclude having to carry Rolaids just to enjoy a cocktail.
While the 'hood has a lot of hotels, it looks like a mostly locals, mixed crowd here- welcoming everyone. A decent, all around dive.Listed in: Taxi to.....and await…
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Review from Rachel M.
Irvine, CA
6/27/2011
I have been to Dave's one other time. I'm a deal of the day kind of person so when I saw that they had bloody mary's on special I tried one. It was one of the best bloody mary's I have had and I think what made it delicious is that it was topped with Guinness. Fast forward to two nights ago at around 6pm at Dave's. I approached the bartender--my boyfriend likened her to Mac's mom from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and if you're familiar with the show and go to Dave's, I think you can spot out who I am referring to--
I order up and the conversation went on as follows:
Me: "Last time I was here we had these bloody mary's that were topped off with Guinness, do you still make it that way?"
Mac's Mom: "I can"
Me: "Great, I'll have three"
Mac's Mom: "Oh god!" ::walks off mumbling something under breath::
I was puzzled as to why she was so annoyed with me. I was quick with my order, polite, and the bar wasn't busy for her to have thought I was taking time away from other customers. I try being even more polite:
Me: "I didn't mean to be an inconvenience, I just thought that's how it was made here"
Mac's Mom: ::In a very annoyed condescending tone:: "It's just pouring Guinness since you like it so much but it is a morning drink." ::walks off mumbling something under breath::
I really didn't understand what I experienced there. I'm not looking for extraordinary customer service but how about one that doesn't make patrons feel uncomfortable. -
Review from Nathan H.
San Francisco, CA
11/21/2011
I discovered Daves on a Sunday; wanted to escape the rain and being right off Market Street, it was a nice get away. Jukebox, two TVs playing football, and not to mention some good ass hot dogs. The Sunday morning bartender was as pleasant as she could be, offering to change the TV to my home team, and entertaining conversation that seemed to be filled with laughter. Daves may not have been full of people, but the service, drinks, and hot dogs made up for any short comings.
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Review from Emily J.
4/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Stopped in here briefly with friends on Friday night. It was a perfect midway stop between our cocktails and light dinner at XYZ (W Hotel) and BART.
I have heard that it can get busy right around 5. We stopped by a little before 7 and although it was far from empty, it also wasn't crowded at all. We were horribly overdressed in cute dresses and heels but that's how we roll.
I split a nice sized portion of Jameson with a friend. The price was right at $6.
Their food options sound good and I would definitely come back here for a bite to eat on my way to MOMA.Listed in: BARTable
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Review from Jordan P.
San Francisco, CA
6/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
I come here with my grad seminar for First Thursdays
they have beer and sports and liquor and stuff.Listed in: STRONG DRINK
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Review from Dana C.
Lodi, CA
Dave's was awesome!
Dive bar atmosphere with a friendly bartendar. How can you go wrong?
Oh, and my friend was craving Tiger beer and they had it!
Perfect!!
Worth a drop in!! -
Review from bill w.
San Francisco, CA
10/21/2011
I like going to dive bar this bar the bartender want to no how you or doing and if he isn't busy he will talk with you. It was nice just to relax and enjoy a few shots and some cold beer. This place make you feel not like an outsider but a friend that you knowing for a while.
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Review from Brandon R.
San Francisco, CA
10/15/2011
Servers were nice, good atmosphere, good specials, and the place isn't too pricey. Nice place to catch a beer.
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Review from J W.
Knoxville, TN
10/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
In the most general sense, this is my type of bar: noisy, dive-ish, and populated by locals and working folks. Two things. . . this is not the kind of bar where one should ever consider ordering a martini; just don't do it. I pride myself on my ability to forgive shitty, amaturish mixology, but the dirty martini they served me at Dave's was a not-too-subtle "fuck you"; so I got a pint of beer. My bad. Secondly, the juke box isn't outstanding in terms of selection, but it's still the best I've seen in a week of visiting dive bars in San Francisco.
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Review from Ashley J.
9/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a great dive bar downtown. Seems like a bar that attracts both young and older crowds which can be nice for a change. Bartenders are great and humorous. They seem to enjoy their job, and they do it well. I actually had a chance to meet Dave. You'll see his picture hanging on the wall towards the back. What a nice man he is! I love a bar that can make me feel like I'm in a small town in this big city. A great place to stop in and grab a brew!
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Review from Edi B.
Vallejo, CA
3/10/2011
I don't know. It's a dive bar but it strikes me as a dive bar with an identity crisis. It seems like it wants to be fancier than it is. Also the crowd is a weird mix of folks... I get the impression that this is not where you start your night or end it. You kind of just stop off here have a drink and move along pretty quickly. The seating is crammed cafeteria style.
I didn't really dig it but I can't really pan it because it is what it is a bar. -
Review from ruggy j.
Updated - 7/1/2011 22 Check-ins Here
You've gotta check out their rotating array of summertime elixirs that ring in at only $5! For a limited time, you can soak it up like you're on some kind of tropical island, even though we're about to embark on our usual cold, depressing summer months. Dave's, FTW!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/23/2010
I seriously haven't written a review of Dave's yet? Well dip my testes in sweet cream and squat me… Read more »
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Review from Venus J.
Granada Hills, CA
I was in town for business staying at The W and had nothing to do before my flight left. Saw this dive bar while walking to the hotel and decided I had to try it out. I've never stopped by a bar by myself before and really glad I did!! Great prices and really nice people. Go Red Socks! Glad I stopped in! This is a neighborhood bar and they have a cool drinkboard so you can buy drinks for someone without them even being there. I bought one for a regular who bought me a drink earlier. I'll definitely be coming back here!
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Review from Vivek S.
10/18/2010
What a fantastic dive. I retreated here after downing a double at XYZ that cost more than a haircut. Eff that ess. We dove into the dive dubbed Dave's like a dove into a duvet --nevermind, I got carried away there.
What I'm trying to say is this place is solid. After chatting up the bartendress for a bit, she suggested a round of fernet (with the requisite ginger ale chasers) and soon I was drunk. And in its high-ceilinged, incandescently lit, and informal atmosphere, Dave's is the kind of joint where you don't mind getting falling-out-of-your-chair drunk. They pour 'em strong here. Good beer selection too.
Obligatory Title Rhyme: Dave's is where the depraved crave to misbehave.
Menu Readability: (Squinting.) What?
Need to mention: The bartendress literally snatched a beer out of my hands after we overstayed our welcome. It was hilarious.
What this place teaches me about myself: I can't pay more than a quarter haircut for a bevy.Listed in: My San Fran Checklist
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Review from Greg G.
8/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is decent for a divey bar downtown. I mean it's a local spot for a lot after work. I can tell it gets crowded rather quickly but it produces a cheery crowd intent on watching whatever sporting event is relevant that night. It's got an ok standard selection of drinks and sadly I haven't tried their food. Overall it's not my regular spot but it serves as a great start of any night due to it's really close proximity to work and other places in the area.
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Review from Garrett L.
Albany, CA
2/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here for an AMF after a very stressful day. It was the closest place I could find, and very close to market. Drink was really good, probably one of the best AMF's I've had in the city. Maybe a tad bit more Blue Curacao than I'd like, but still a great drink.
I'll be back if I'm in the area again. -
Review from GINA H.
9/19/2010
A Solid city bar that attracts a diverse crowd. Great for people watching.
No frills. Great attentive bar staff and good pours. Went for a smoke outside with a couple of people I went there with and the bartender kept our seats until we came back even though the place was jammed (sorry now I didn't get her name to give her a shout out but she was brilliant!!!! black haired and pretty...built just like me ) -
Review from Duncan C.
Walnut Creek, CA
12/21/2010
They have Magners in bottles, which is pretty much my requirement for a good bar that I can get ever-so-slightly hammered in.
I mean, they're not the hefty 568ml (Imperial Pint!) bottles, but instead the skinnier, less voluminous kind, though that seems to be the way of things in the neck of the woods.
By the looks of things, they have a good selection of stuff on tap - it's a bit on the small/cosy side, if you like that sort of thing - not enough dark corners for my liking, but still a decent safe bet. -
Review from Amie S.
Seattle, WA
12/13/2010
I think we found our favorite Dive bar in San Francisco.
Dave's is a tiny little place smack in the middle of shopping and office buildings with a sign that make it look like it's been there for at least 100 years...or maybe more. In any case, it's also packed full of charm, with a waitress that's probably been employed since the 80s, racks & racks of booze, and a contemporary jukebox (which was playing lots of great nostalgic hits).
With generous pours and reasonable prices, it's basically like San Franciso's version of The Canterbury, so naturally I felt right at home there.
The only drawback: drunk, loud regulars and lots of suits that drifted in once we'd been there for awhile. But hey - I'll put up with a lot for some strong Stoli & tonics!Listed in: San Francisco: My Second Home
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Review from Bill H.
7/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I like this place -- good tap, nice folks, a decent BLT and cheap prices. I'd definitely recommend Dave's to folks in the area looking for a friendly dive bar.
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Review from Tom R.
San Francisco, CA
7/6/2010 4 Check-ins Here
Fernet Branca is medicine and it tastes like medicine. They call it a digestif, or whatever the Italian equivalent is, and it helps when you've had too much to eat but it also helps with any stomach discomfort. I remember ten years ago when the liquor distributors were pushing it as the new Jagermeister and am quite baffled that it caught on like it has.
Bloody marys have been usurped as my go-to hangover cure. Nothing helps better than a Fernet and cola. You have the medicine, the alcohol, the bubbles, and the caffeine all in one; it's perfect except for the taste. If you can find the Mint Fernet (Branca Mente) even better because the cool mint flavor not only helps with the taste but further soothes your stomach.
I came here to meet up with a group of about 40 to watch the US v England World Cup match and I was coming off of a very rough night. Thanks to the skilled Bartenders and a good supply of Fernet Mint and diet Coke I was able to compose myself enough to enjoy the game. -
Review from Monica S.
6/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
If Dave's were a Western saloon with wooden swing doors and tumbleweed out front, Yelp employees would be the cowboys slinging high noon suds and scarfing BLT sandwiches. Looking for that sexy techie you've always dreamed of? Dave's lunch is a sure spot to find your future nerd. This place means business and it won't stoop to your healthy level, no. Instead, you'll have the BLT and the chili and maybe even some nachos.
Sure it's lunch, but have some beer. Don't expect a farm to table, local, organic, gluten-free, vegan menu. Screw that. Enjoy their no frills approach to a slammin' good time in the middle of your grind.Listed in: San Francisco..., San Francisco Lunch, San Francisco Dive Bars
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Review from Bryan N.
San Jose, CA
3/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Love this place. Only been there once, BUT I'LL BE BACK!!!
My visit started out as just being in desperate need of finding a bathroom and a place to chill out. Crowd was pretty mixed as there were a lot of randoms (like me) walking the streets post St. Patty's parade. Special of the night was a pint of Guinness and a shot of really delicious Irish Whiskey. I wish I could remember the name of it, but I'll just say a few of those specials were consumed and things got fuzzy. hahaha
The bartender was awesome and more than willing to hook us up with booze, pretzels and peanuts.
Anyways, like I said, I'll be back for sure!! -
Review from Phil N.
Vallejo, CA
3/12/2011
I have frequented this bar for a few years now, and I can honestly say, as bars go, this is still a bar that I go back to. As a self professed fan of dive bar establishments and all of the raucous and rabble-rousing that can be contained within, this is one of my favorites. The crowd is often times a crazy mixture of tourists, happy hour heads, convention goers, hipsters, artists -- basically a smorgasbord of different views, personalities and backgrounds coming together for one singular purpose -- libations.
Now, getting to that -- the bar is fully stocked, there are a variety of beers on tap -- the usual domestic suspects, as well as a few not so usual --Boddington's comes to mind in that respect. The bar staff is pleasant and pour fast and often times will remember your beverage (and name) depending on how often you frequent the establishment. There is food available, but the coolest (and probably most overlooked) amenity is their 'leave a drink' service... as in 'leave a drink' for a friend who didn't make it over with you guys... or 'leave a drink' to that person at the end of the bar that you just happened to noticed.
All in all, its a fun place to start off a night/lunch hour/group meeting... and I'll definitely be back. -
Review from David N.
San Francisco, CA
1/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Dave's, - what can I say?
I've been coming here for over 2 years now. Such a great bar. Cheap juke-box, and delicious 15-minute, toaster oven sandos. I love the veggie sandwich and the clam chowder.
Guiness on tap, and lots of other great beers to choose from. They always have some snacks later in the evening from chips n salsa to cheeze its.
Cool paintings line the walls, and great bar tenders. If you go there often enough, you WILL see dave. His picture is on the wall for reference. -
Review from Angie G.
1/5/2011
I'm definitely a fan for this bar.
I walked around sightseeing and getting to know the streets and was looking for a bar to go to in the process.
I walked around to a few bars but the bartenders all seemed to be quite dressy and the atmosphere seemed to emit "$$$".
When I walked to the corner of 3rd and Market, I saw "Dave's" again, so I decided I'd just give it a try. From the outside it looked a little questionable to me and I was curious about the inside crowd. I walked in and I felt like I was back in Minneapolis. The people were friendly and very attentive. I only was there for about 10 minutes before I had someone chatting with me. I love bars that are that way! His name was Doug and he told me about the bars in downtown San Francisco, and he said that "Dave's" was the only good bar because of the inexpensive drinks and the fun people. It seems like a rad hangout bar for the after work crowd.
I'll surely be back to that bar. -
Review from Geanna M.
6/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good dive-slash-sports bar near Market Street in the City. The drinks were decently priced, although they were limited on gluten-free options (besides liquor), and the atmosphere and service were friendly and fun.
