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"This is probably my new favorite Irish pub! Large, spacious, huge televisions, perfect to watch sports on! Had a really good Midori sour…" read more »
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Fiddlers que?!
When my friend suggested the six of us girls go here last Saturday, I wasn't too sure what to expect, but down to drink and dance the night away... and that we did!
Despite the (stupid) $5 cover, drinks are pretty cheap, so I'll say it kinda evened out!
Downstairs were a couple older folks, a guy playing acoustic covers, and some young lovers canoodling in the corner..and a uni sex bathroom, which you think would be perfect for meeting some cuties, but sooo wrong.
Upstairs was were the magic happened! The DJ played great music (cough cough...I may have loved dancing to Miley Cyrus.. don't judge!) and the strobe light never failed to entertain me (yes, I'm like a cat). Everyone was having such a good time, and even though there was absolutely NO ventilation and the whole crowd was sweaty, it didn't matter! We even got on the little box (does it even constitute a stage??) and something takes you over! Even if you can't dance, you manage to feel like a million bucks up there..
There were people in costumes, Irish men every five feet, and an all around good looking crowd. Plus, everyone was in a super good mood! Nothing but good vibes all around.
At the end of the night, we even scored a free limo ride home.. not too shabby Fiddler's, not too shabby...
There are tons of places in the city to get a bowl of granola. Anyone reading my yelps knows I've had my fair share. But there is only one place I've been to that serves it with coffee, OJ and slices of Irish bread as part of breakfast service. That would be Fiddler's Green, and this relatively inexpensive ($6) twist on an old favorite started the morning off right.
Even better was the very good chicken burger with complementary side salad I had for takeout while heading to Sacramento for the magic that was Above & Beyond. It proved to be dancing fuel for one of the best nights of the year.
Slante! Went to Fiddler's Green with some buddies from college and had a blast. On the cab ride over, noticed the late night smorgasbord of food adjacent to the bar: in n out, pizza place, etc.
Bartenders were really cool, and suggested drinks for us when we didn't know what we want. (Note: minimum of $20 charge on credit cards). While the drinks were a bit pricey, they were strong and did the trick. Pretty soon I was chatting it up and dancing the night away on the dance floor...
which is what made me such a fan of this place. So I never made it to the bottom level where there is a live band, although it sounded like lots of fun. The DJ was surprisingly good on the upper floor, but definitely had some mishaps (i.e. playing Key$ha's TiK ToK 6 times in a row...NO JOKE).
Al in all, I will be returning to explore the bottom level and take advantage of said adjacent late night grub.
My friend who visited the city tried hard to 'stumble' upon something unplanned. She was treated to an impromptu rendition Country Road by a chorus of a drunken business man, some tourists from the mid west, and the person hired to sing that night who looked like he didn't want to be there at that moment. Good times...
Also, there was a mild smell of puke.
Fiddler's Green is the type of place I probably would've really poo-pooed if I hadn't been talked into going there with some friends. I'll be the first one to admit that I can be a little haughty and judgmental when it comes to urban nightlife...it takes a lot to get me to leave the mission on a friday or saturday night.
But I like top 40 and I like dancing and do not DO NOT like cover charges! I guess I'm basically just cheap - yes - that's really what it is. And I like fun people who dance and really get into it. And ALL of that can be found at Fiddler's Green! So I reaaalllly like this place.
And I have a fantastic memory from the first night we came here: there was this older guy- like 60s- with a buzz cut, who was dancing all by himself in the middle of the dance floor and he had crazy moves and he was wearing a shirt that had a picture of native americans on it and said "Homeland security- fighting terrorism since 1942." And I thought that was just really funny.
Hmmm...
So I've been here a couple times... both times for TNT events... both times we congregated on the 2nd floor area.
Both times, I've left the place patting myself for taking a cab there/back.
Good times ;)
Cover charge at an overpriced bar is an automatic fail.
Well... There are two floors. The top floor is a dance floor which I have never seen to crowded ( I have been to this place twice though) and the bottom floor is like a dive bar with live music. Had a good time.. Great selection of booze.. The only not great thing was at 2am the lights go on...thats cool but to get pushed out the door by the bouncers at 2am was a little much... Yes, I know you want to get home and SO DO I.. But don't push me out he door..
OK, you can not miss their "Breakfast Special" which ends at 11am
The "Breakfast Special" includes the following:
2 eggs (any style)
Toast (sourdough and homemade soda bread)
2 thick slices of English rashers (bacon)
Rough cut potatoes
1 large well made Bloody Mary (spicy and mild)
And how much you ask is this lovely special? You get it all for only $8.99!!! Oh ya, it is cheap and more than tasty.
The bloody mary is probably just about the best one i have ever had as it is both spicy, but not too thin in consistency. It is missing the usual vegies, but nothing is perfect.
i saw they also have a proper Full English Breakfast with grilled tomato and blood sausage, but that bad boy will have to wait till the next time i come-a-calling.
A dying breed in San Francisco my friends. Real honest to goodness Irish Pub owned by a lovely Irish woman (and her husband I assume, but I didn't meet him, so he doesn't count). I went here after the International car show, assured by my main squeeze and his friends that this place had wonderful Guinness on tap, great Irish pub food, not to mention a warm and inviting owner. Right on all three accounts, well sort of. I'm sorry, but I'm spoiled. I've had the real honest to goodness Guinness in Ireland (even at the Guinness factory in Dublin for heaven's sake!). However, it was mighty tasty nonetheless. But if you've been to Ireland, you KNOW how different it really is. Okay, I'm off my snotty Guinness horse. Now, I had what I believe was called the Ploughman's Grill. It was tasty! I don't eat black and white pudding, so I gave that to my significant other, however I've been told that their black and white pudding is quite good. So for those of you who dig this stuff, you may want to try it. here. The Ploughman's Grill did remind me of a good ol' English...errr Irish breakfast, with the exception of the mashed potatoes. I hear their Shepherds pie is great also. I'm curious about their lamb stew, which I think I might try next time.
Now what a friendly and lovely owner indeed. My boy toy and his buddies have been coming to this place for years and the owner has always been a generous and delightful person. Having known the guys for years, she bought us a round of beer. What a sweetheart. Oh and the Irish brown bread (or do they call it soda bread?) anyway, really good and hearty.
Yes, I will most definitely be back. Truly a wonderful neighborhood pub with a relaxed atmosphere and good folks.
As the Irish say:
" For every wound, a balm.
For every sorrow, cheer.
For every storm, a calm.
For every thirst, a beer."
If you're looking for an Irish Pub run by folks who know how to do it, Fiddler's is your place. Patty and his crew will keep you fed and watered until you're completely sated. Don't miss Fiddler's!
Of course the night we decide to stumble over to Fidler's Green it's donation night and they're charging $10 at the door. Fine fine, I could use some better Karma these days so I obliged but seriously, it's a recession people!!
This place apparently has two levels but we just hit the Top 40 area instead of the acoustic slower paced downstairs. The bartenders were slow even though the bar was half full and they weren't the friendliest.
The DJ agreed to play Birthday Sex because it was mine and a friend's birthday but alas, the song never played while we danced for a good 2 hours...
The dance floor was 900 degrees but not overly crowded and the music was more latin-influenced than top 40.
I'd go back, but would NOT pay $10.
I ended up here with my friends after an impromptu drinking night on a Tuesday. While this place is quite small and the streets outside were dead, it got quite packed for a Tuesday!
The bar is a strange triangular shape, which I bet is detrimental on weekend nights...
But there was a jamming guitar singer squeezed into the little corner singing his 80s tunes heart out. My little group was the only one cheering along and clapping for him (because everyone was jabbering) but he was great! Very entertaining for a Tuesday!
The Smithwicks was very tasty, and the busy bartender was nice and had time to joke around a bit.
Fun times!
I'll make this short and sweet. Great Place. Always friendly staff (Love you Diane!) and a great owner: Paddy. He's quick with a smile and is great about buying the faithful a drink back.
Surprisingly close to the tourist madness of the pier and Ghiradelli Square, this place does not feel like nor charge like the other "rip off" shops along the waterfront. If you like good food and a properly poured pint of Guiness this is definitely your joint.
"Today is gonna be the day that they're gonna throw it back to you.
By now you should've somehow realized what you gotta do.
I don't believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now".
When I hear this amazing song by the band Oasis I think of Fiddlers Green and a local singer named Terry Savastano. Terry preforms at FG on Sunday and Monday nights. Terry covers all sorts of songs on his acoustic guitar. He is actually really good. Some of my favorites are La Bamba, Brown Eyed Girl, American Pie and of course Wonderwall. Terry used to play at a bar down the street called Tiernans but for some reason he does not preform there anymore.
Fiddlers Green is just your average local Irish pub. Guinness on tap, average pub food, and a friendly staff. Their second story is usually jammed packed on the weekends with people dancing to a live DJ.
I'm more into the live music downstairs so that is where I usually hang.
Check this place out if your into good live music, Guinness beer, and cool people.
This place is a SOLID! Every time I come here, I'm skeptical at first, nervous after a drink, and then never look back. Great live music downstairs (any acoustic guitarist that can keep a bar jumpin by himself is golden in my book).
You get upstairs and suddenly the vibe has gone from dive bar central to club scene! Live dj keeps the music bumpin and the dance floor is always a lot of fun.
Random side-note but I always seem to run into a bunch of military folk here. I've picked up like 2 girls that were hardcore... i'm talking counter-terrorist interrogators and such. Maybe I'm just gullible, but they sure seemed like they were telling the truth.
Either way, a fun time, a great vibe and always a fiesta. Be warned though, it's a bit far from everything else, so only come if you're truly committed.
My friend's friends took us here a few days before St. Patrick's Day since it was close to our hotel, and also because they supposedly have green beer for the occasion.
When we got there, we walked upstairs and sat down at one of the tables. My friends and I never got to the bar, since the guys ordered all of the drinks, but they did not have the green beer that day. A bit disappointed but not willing to back down, they ordered some green shots. We never knew what were in them, but they were tasty. Also they were different each time, which made for an interesting experience.
I've been so thoroughly disappointed with my last two visits, that I've decided it's worth to mention (and go against the 5 star review I gave this establishment last year).
Few Saturdays back this place was as awful as it could get for me. I think the regular DJ called it quits, so there was sound issues with whomever came to cover... music upstairs didn't start until 11PM, and with intermitten sound breaks it went from Top 40 Hits to European techno in half an hour. Some of the worst mixing ever!!! After the bar emptied, the new DJ would randomly play a good song, but overall -- music was too loud and too terrible.
Bartenders were incredibly unhelpful as well. Some of the slowest service I've experienced, and Fiddler's wasn't even that full that evening. Rude service, terrible cash counting, and lots of avoiding of customers (stop talking on your cellphone -- you're at work!). Also, they ran out of non-alcoholic beer (they served 3 bottles to one of our friends who was a designated driver for the evening) and replied with "oh maybe they have some downstairs".... which in my opinion, it is their duty to go downstairs and bring some up.
Downstairs was lively and going strong with its Irish roots, but that bathroom continues to scare me and I'm not much for loud and depressing acoustic acts, so I'd rather stay upstairs. Unfortunately, I just couldn't finish out the evening there -- outright awful.
Everyone has a bad night, so this isn't off my list completely, but I've seen their service go down the last couple of times I've been here... so I think this is representative of their intention. Hopefully, they'll turn around.
During the weekday, I'd still recommend the food though!
During the day, just another quiet Irish pub with typical Irish pub food and drinks. The kitchen… Read more »
This place has a special place in my heart.
What I love is that it can be both club AND pub, so if you happen to have friends that like one and not the other, there's something for everyone.
The first floor consists of a fun bar area that has live music on weekends. It has more of the pub feel. For better or worse, it's always packed down there.
If getting your dance on is your thing, the second floor is the way to go. I've always thought they had pretty decent dance music here, and most of the time, the dance area isn't overcrowded. I even wore a long sleeved, collared blouse when I was dancing in there one night, and there was enough breathing room/good ventilation, that I wasn't drenched in sweat when I got off the dance floor. (Bar WIN!) There's also a bar area on the second floor (you take a few steps up, so it kind of reminds me of a split-level house), so you can get drinks without having to run in between floors.
Drinks -- well, at least my standard rum & diet -- are decent here. They're not memorably outstanding, but they're not bad either, by any means.
This is definitely a fun place to check out on the weekends!
A few months back we stopped in here and had a fantastic burger and a pint O' Guinness. Good reliable food, and a perfect pour! Fast friendly service too.
This place gets three stars because it is so mult-faceted as far as a bar goes. They have reasonably priced drinks, a dance floor, and even Irish breakfast (and I'm sure other food during the day.)
Its a good place for a group--I've been to several birthday parties and a bachelorette party more recently. But definitely not my favorite place in the city.
And be warned, the bathroom is disgusting.
You no longer have to go Ireland to get attitude from that Irish bartender who's sick of putting shamrocks on top of tourist's Guiness. Just go to Fiddler's and they'll be sure to give you a side of Moxi with your pint.
I used to frequent this place when I worked around the corner and I could never get over how rude the service was despite seeing my mug on a weekly basis, they acted like it was their 1st time seeing me everytime. This happened for several years. What kept me going there?
The burgers, sandwich's, mashed potatos and gravy, that's what.
The burgers are unlike any other, thick beef patty and they don't use bacon, they actually use side pork. For any meatlover this is heaven. It's a little dark and dingy, with pub style booths.
Everyone who works there is actually Irish which is cool and the owner makes sure of it. Is this legal? Stay away on the weekends when the bridge and tunnelers revel in the club vibe that's created on the 2nd floor.
I was just thinking about this place the other day. And how much it sucks!
Ive been here a few times and have sworn never again. This place made me create a Google Map of 'Bars I Will Not Go To". I need to add this list to my Yelp account.
This bar is full of buffoons who yell, scream, and smoke cigarettes. The uber-buffoons are good enough to get in, go upstairs, and find a way to snake a way to the front steps where they can share their buffoonery with the rest of the world. I often see idiots with just God-awful costumes bragging about how plastered they are and how they've been drinking all day. (Well, gotta make sure you support your fellow Fresno State alumni for the game!)
The worst part about all of this is that they charge $5 for a cover charge. I proposed that Fiddlers waive cover charge to patrons as long as they agree to be sterilized in a back room. That way, we all win.
When I'm stuck down here, I try to grab someone who wants to go grab an Irish coffee at the Buena Vista.
The first few months of 4th grade, I was uber-popular. Until I went to the eye doctor and everything changed. Overnight, I was transformed into a nerd with huge pink plastic glasses - the kind your friend Abby's mother wore when she dropped her off at school and then raced down the hallway in a bathrobe to deliver a forgotten brown bag lunch - barefoot.
Once, a kind teacher shared after a particularily vicious PE Kickball exercise that... You (read: everyone but me) should never hit a kid (read: yours truly) with glasses. So the next time I got beat up after school, the bullies threw my glasses to the side. How considerate.
I got contact lenses in the 7th grade and haven't been hit in the face (involuntarily) since.
After scratching my eye last month, I've now been seen around town sporting glasses on a regular basis. The first time in over a decade. Even though I shouldn't, I suddenly feel dweeby and dorky and hidden all over again.
Not a good way to feel walking into Fiddler's Green, that's for sure. The guys here are the ones you made out with at frat parties and they didn't call you the next day. But nicer. But still probably won't call.
When I entered the bar, my glasses received immediate attention. Three people called me a sexy librarian and one person said I looked like their dad. 3 for 4 ain't bad.
I was too late to see Lauren C. & Carlos A. since traffic is a bitch and so am I, but Anna K. showed me the ropes of Fiddler's:
OUTSIDE: The steps are where the striped-shirt jocks pretend to get air but are actually taking dibs on the fresh meat that walk up to the joint.
INSIDE - DOWNSTAIRS: Stand close to the jukebox for your favorite 80's hits. Low to moderate gropage, which will prevent you from throwing up (unless you've had too many car bombs).
INSIDE - UPSTAIRS: Dance party! Boogie down with your bad self or that hideous guy who just got waaayy more attractive after your tequila shots.
There were times when the raging scene was a little much for me, but, fortunately, Anna K. is the LIFE of the party. She kept my glasses from being broken and even helped me take shots to up my drink tab to the VISA minimum.
You have to wait a long time for a drink, but there's plenty to look at.
As I drank and enjoyed the crowd, I began plotting my "Revenge of the Nerds - Janney Strikes Back" movie. Now, if I can just find a video camera and some ferrets to take back to my hometown.
No pretense here - and there shouldn't be. Instead, you have an Irish dive with really consistently good pub fare - from burgers to shepherd's pie. Beers are good (do not order sodas here), what you'd expect. Small space - but cozy. Great jukebox and fairly friendly staff.
This place is great to the "eat-th" power! I like this place a ton! Awesome staff from the doorguy all the way down to the owner! If you leave this place alone.....just remember.......it's not them, it's you.
NUFF SAID!!!! I'M OUTIE!!!!
If you're going to come here, stay downstairs and enjoy the live acoustic set with a beer.
If you insist on going upstairs, make sure you get really trashed so you don't notice the same Michael Jackson 5-song dance remix just played for the 3rd time since you stepped into the bar an hour prior.
Also, beware of the double-fist-pumping man working his way across the dance floor - he got lost on the way to Bar None.
My friends and I went out there for a coworker/friend's bachlorette party on Saturday... it was so much fun! Great people, great service and fun bartenders! I must say, I had a lot of fun with all the people there having a good time! Brittany and Grant are great bartenders, Jeff is a crack up at the front door and Sean is so nice! Loved all the great people there!
Good Irish Breakfast served all day. The rest of the menu is ok. Basic and homely Irish food like Shepherds pie, Bangers and Mash and Fish and chips.
The place is cute and warm during the day. It's an ok place to go for a pint of Guinness of a Sunday afternoon. It is not the type of place that I would linger in.
Due to location it was busy with tourists. I'm not too sure what it would be like at night.
The downstairs of Fiddlers at night is a great spot to listen to some music. The singer there who plays most nights is superb and makes for a great time. Prices are standard SF bar prices. I have been going here for about 3 years and is a mix of locals and tourists. Not too sure about the upstairs dance area which is only open on weekends I think.
Oh Fiddlers, you are a bad habit I just can't kick.
I question my own self when I visit here, because my genetic makeup would keep me far from a place that is on the brink of toppling over while American Idol hits pump out by the second. But, you've never failed me, and hence, I will admit that I do have a great time when I come here.
If an establishment ever had a major identity crisis it's Fiddlers. It's all Guiness down below, while it's Miller Time upstairs with a Puerto Vallarta no nonsense dance floor. Sticky, dirty, and addictive.
The crowd is always up for a good time here, and if you're thinking about having a deep intellectual conversation, your best bet is moving across the street to the Holiday Inn. Good luck with that.
3 1/2 stars overall. This place was fun. My Irish friend and I started off downstairs and had a few pints. The bartendress knows how to pull a proper pint of guinness, but I have never seen a bartender with such an attitude. She had a very sour look on her face all the time, and definitely isn't one to joke and play around with. Bartenders are supposed to be cordial people; I doubt she gets many tips with her attitude as she seems to take orders, deliver drinks, accept payment, and return change without a word. Besides her, though, the place is great. We met this English group from Manchester who were visiting. I chatted them up a bit, good times. The singer who was playing the guitar there was really good, and their upstairs was loud and rowdy, with great music, and a dance floor! Good times all around. Even though the surly bartendress made me feel a bit uncomfortable, don't let her stop you from going and having a good time at Fiddler's Green.
A random conversation on google talk:
Christina: i think i don't like it either
bar none was enough
that one place taints the entire area
me: i think the other place was worse
fiddler's green
Christina: oh yeah
me: that's probably like
Christina: i've completely
blocked that shithole out
me: the worst place i've ever been to
Christina: yeah
me: i never even knew
a place like that existed in san francisco
Christina: let's pretend we never went there
In order to read what I think of Fiddler's Green, you can read my review of the Kells. In my opinion, it's basically the same bar in a different location. It unfortunately includes lots of repetitive (though sing-and-dance-along!) music, under-aged drinkers, sketchy-ish characters, and spills. My favorite part of Fiddler's is the upstairs bar area where you can usually hold a conversation. I also like the stairs right outside that bar area where you can breath in some fresh air. I'm not such a big fan of the sweaty dance floor or over-lit, busy bar downstairs though.
A lot of my friends seem to be really big supporters of Fiddler's Green. So, if there are enough fun people headed to Fiddler's, I will still tag along. I will usually try to convince them to switch their bar choice first though!
First impressions weren't working in this bar's favor. Unfortunately, I don't think return visits could do much to change what I think of this place. It's a shame that a business can leave such a bad taste on my mouth based solely on the door guy, but seriously, what an ass.
I can't get enough of this place...
It's one of my favorite bars in the entire city.
It's almost like two different bars in one, which is cool for a change of pace. I'm down with the dude playing cover songs downstairs.
The upstairs is where all the debauchery goes on though. I just celebrated my 24th birthday there and it was awesome-- judging by the pictures taken. Yeah, I don't remember any of it, but it sure looked like I had a great time.
I'm sure the music could be better, but I'm usually so wasted there that I couldn't care less-- whatever I can do a good pelvic thrust to, you know?
I also love the smoking stairs off the top area where you can get a good vantage point of the area and bum cigarettes off people. I of course have the method where I yell out, "I will give someone 1 dollar for two cigarettes!" If someone takes me up on that offer, great, I've got two smokes now (we tip bartenders for less than the equivalent of two smokes)... or someone will just give me one for free. It's a win-win.
Anyways, go to this bar if you want to have a good time. And call ahead if you have a bunch of people coming for your birthday and they will waive the cover at the door. And make sure someone takes pictures, so that you can piece together the night on Facebook the day after!
This is a fine boozing establishment.
A couple of my buddies have had their birthday celebration at Fiddlers. Why you ask? Because of these main reasons:
1. The beer is cheap (but i have heard the mixed drinks CAN get pricey)
2. Women are plentiful (and flock like the salmon of Capistrano)
3. Music is great so the dance floor is packed
At Fiddlers it's extremely relaxed, no dress code and typically everyone is there to genuinely have a good time. And every time i've been to Fiddlers i've had a great time. I've never seen a fight break out, and i'll tell you why...as i mentioned before everyone is really relaxed and is out there to have a good time, no one is competing with one another to get a drink because 30 seconds after you decide to get a drink you can surely get one. What's also cool about Fiddlers is that there is two floors, one has the dancefloor and the other is a pure bar usually accompanied by a starving guitarist playing covers (hey, i enjoy it. I was once so wasted i started singing 'wonderwall' by oasis, without the invitation of the guitarist).
There is sometimes a $5 dollar cover, but once you get in it's well worth it.
I APPROVE!
Fiddler's always has a great vibe, even on a Sunday afternoon! I definitely enjoyed having a few beers with my friends, and intermittent conversations with Diana (bartender extraordinaire).
I've had possibly the best greasy french fries of my life here, which goes wonderfully with an ice cold Pale Ale :) And who doesn't enjoy a good pub with lots of beer?! Well... maybe you won't If you are a sports fan... this may not end up being your fav spot, as there is only one TV.
Although parking can be a problem, it's worth driving around a few blocks to figure it out.
I now live in the area and have a need to check out these types of places! Had a little grub a the Buena Vista and then decided to stop by Fiddler's on the way home for a quick pint. Friendly staff, met some good folks at the bar and the jukebox kept going till the live music started. Got out under $20 for three drinks. Will be back.
Disclaimer: I like Irish Bars. Also, didn't venture upstairs because I was talking to a elderly chap that might have been a distant descendant from Wales.
I liked this place from 930-11pm. Not too crowded, awesome acoustic tunes and a cool crowd of people. However, from 11pm forward I lost my loving feeling. The place got packed and the crowd turned young. I did like the concept that downstairs there was live acoustic music and upstairs there was a mean hip hop dance floor. If you can brace the crows you'll be fine, I just wasn't in the mood!
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