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Hemlock Tavern
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Nightlife Bars Dive Bars Music Venues, Dive Bars [Edit]
1131 Polk St(between Hemlock St & Sutter St)
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 923-0923
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 4 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:
- Mon, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Yes
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Dive-y
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
J F. said: "I love Emily the bartender! sweetest lady! I always have a great time, usually half remembered, plenty o' jello shots in between drinks, and love the regular canine bar friends too! This is my other rival favorite neighborhood dive…" read more »
601 reviews for Hemlock Tavern
Review Highlights
"great place to meet hot punk rock chicks."
(in 23 reviews)
"I miss the pool table though."
(in 57 reviews)
"Hot Peanuts and beer is a nice combination."
(in 9 reviews)
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601 reviews in English
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Review from Madhu P.
San Francisco, CA
2/6/2012 8 Check-ins Here
What can I say, I REALLY like this bar... in fact, it's likely my favorite weekday bar in the city. From Nov 2010 - Aug 2011, I could be found here every Tuesday night following trivia at the Edinburgh Castle, which is another great bar in the neighborhood you should know about.
The crowd there can vary quite a bit based on the night, but it's usually really good-looking indie girls and chill dudes. You get the occasional bro on the weekends, but those guys are everywhere these days. The bartenders are usually pretty quick, which is good cause there's usually only two of them and the bar is huge. There's a smoking room if that's your thing and there used to be a pool table, but it got replaced by extra seating which was ultimately a good move. The jukebox is free, but skip that and head through through the plastic curtain to watch some great local bands tear shit up on stage. My old band played there about four or five times and they were always fun shows. In fact, I'm pretty sure the guy working the door was on the cover of an old Fat Wreck Chords comp I had in high school.
Anyways, stop being a dick and just go here already. Eat some hot nuts, drink some Racer5s, and if you still can't have a ridiculously fun night here then it's on you buddy. -
Review from alex c.
San Diego, CA
2/5/2012
So I actually think that Hemlock deserves 3 stars. However, the bouncer didn't care that we blatantly smuggled in a 6 pack of PBR, so it earns it an extra point.
Also our PBR cans were regular 12ers so it made a nice talking point to the other barfolk who were drinking tall boys.
I'm not much of a hipster, but I was drinking PBRs before it won the blue ribbon. It was just P. Booyah. -
Review from jennifer l.
San Francisco, CA
2/4/2012
1. i'm not a hipster
2. i'm not a huge fan of hipsters
3. this place is "expensive" considering that it's a dive bar... wtf.
i'm glad i came here when i was already drunk. there were just so many hipsters. i get that it's san francisco, but come on... tall cans of pbr?
met up with some friends here, and ended up chatting two these two more normal guys. they were nice.
would probably not come back here considering it was so hipster. -
Review from Alexander R.
San Francisco, CA
1/13/2012
Hemlock is much better when you're drunk than a sober person looking to get into the groove of things. It think the good priced drinks and rocker/hipster ambiance is cool but snobbish.
There are some sexy womens here but you got to understand that they are mean! Some are okay but they ain't just lookin; for dick and booze they're looking for submission and complications!
I like the bar and I love the girls but it is a tough crowd similar to the Mission.
If You see me say hello and introduce me tot the girl who's not interested in you to me :) -
Review from Tom L.
12/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
An eclectic mix of hipsters, rockers, and Nob Hill elitists ... and yet somehow it really works.
Hemlock is a different experience every time you come. On some nights it's packed solid with people who came to see a band that's playing. Other nights it's filled with groups of young professionals discussing business over cocktails, you really never know what to expect.
There is a really social vibe here. Each time I've been here I've met a ton of strangers and made some great memories talking to new friends and drinking more than any human should.
If you are going out to the bars on Polk Street definitely make a stop at Hemlock. -
Review from Stephanie T.
San Francisco, CA
12/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Stopped by here for a drink the other night for my friends birthday, the drink I ordered was strong and I appreciate them giving me the best bang for my buck.
However, they would not let my friend in because they said he was too intoxicated which was not the case. So that was lame. Lame, lame, lame.Listed in: Bars and Breweries in the…
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Review from Eamo C.
Berkeley, CA
2/5/2012
dive bar. Crowd got a lot better closer to midnight.
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Review from Javi N.
12/7/2011
Came here after an art show for a cold one. This bar has a good rock n'roll feel to it, and a live music venue in the back. I would have dropped the cover to see the band, but I was just there for a few while I was making my rounds throughout the Tenderloin. Bartenders were cool and attentive, which is a plus for me because I can be a little more on the softspoken side. You know, the opposite of that buttmunch that puts his elbow on the bar with a 10$ bill folded the long way in between his middle and index fingers, waving it around.
Yeah, I won't do that here, or anywhere for that matter. -
Review from Tiffany Y.
San Francisco, CA
11/30/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Hemlock is on my list of top 10 bars in SF, maybe even top 5! They have tall cans of PBR which I love, and just a really good crowd and vibe everytime I'm there.
The bartenders are all really good and extremely unbitchy. Woo! -
Review from B. T.
San Francisco, CA
1/23/2012
The instant we walked in the door I felt we were not welcome.
As we stood off the to the side to gather our bearings and decide what drinks to order, the bartender rudely demanded to see all of our ID's since "you're all just standing there". F**CKING RUDE! Right from the beginning.
One of my friends had a pass port, which I guess was an issue. I didn't see it all go down..... but long story short... we were refused service and as we were leaving the bartender stated that she "didn't want to serve us anyways" and told us to leave.
We were NOT drunk or loud or causing a scene (I was in fact sober). We just wanted a warm place to drink a few beers. I guess we didn't have enough tattoos or were wearing cool enough clothing.
And to top it all off. Once we left I was sexually harassed by the door man. A real class act.
I don't know how they run their business, but I sure would be upset if my bartender -for no logical reason- turned away 6 paying customers. Great way to do generate new business.
I was looking forward to checking this place out, but now I will go out of my way to tell everyone I know to avoid this bar at all costs. -
Review from Kevin M.
Monterey, CA
12/18/2011
The doorman was a prick. I personally think he was on drugs, as I cannot imagine why he would abandon his post to card a friend of mine at the bar, when he had just carded him at the door a moment earlier.
The excuse given for his behavior was that they were in jeopardy of losing their liquor license and had to be careful. Not sure what they did to put themselves in that position, but it leads me to believe this place is trouble. -
Review from Diana O.
San Francisco, CA
1/8/2012
Good rock music. A cool vibe. There's a smoking area if you're into that sort of thing. Good spot to chill with a beer and some friends or go see a live band playing.
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Review from Pammy S.
San Francisco, CA
1/4/2012
loves ya all, you sexy bitchesz!
P -
Review from Steven C.
12/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
this place is pretty bad ass! came here for happy hour and the bartender was telling me about a deal they have; a shot of jameson and a bottle of pabst for $5, you mad?
Anywho, she said this was a deal during the recession, thus i labeled this the "The Recession" when talking about it with my friends.
We took advantage of this deal, like that old creepy guy in Family Guy would take advantage of Chris.
The bar wasn't too crowded, the people were great, and I was able to drink PBR out of a bottle. Can you say that you have done that? -
Review from Guajolote G.
Flint, MI
1/1/2012
Total sausage fest consisting of mostly overage dullpunks, with a smattering of hipster glasses. Nevertheless, the drinks were strong and you can get drunk here with a crowd that will leave you in peace while you drink. I liked it, but really only as a stop.
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Review from Jim B.
San Francisco, CA
12/26/2011
I am usually passing through the neighbrhood when I pop in here. There is also a back room with bands playing? I haven't been in that part of the place...
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Review from Jessie S.
8/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Oh how I love Hemlock!
The four years I lived in San Francisco Hemlock was my favorite haunt. The staff has always been extremely friendly to me, the drinks are priced right and they have great shows. Yes, Friday and Saturday nights bring in a crowd that does not match up with the usual clientele, but I'm much more of a happy hour person that the weekend's busy rush didn't often effect me unless I was sticking around for a show.
Speaking of happy hour, their $5 PBR + shot of Jameson special is tops. As is the free jukebox. And the hot peanuts. And the option to either pay for the show or simply hang out in the bar area. I could go on and on...
I will always have a big soft spot for Hemlock on account of how many people I've met there. It was great to meet up with touring bands consisting of people from my hometown of Milwaukee, friends vacationing in the city (who more often than not relished in the fact Hemlock has a smoking room), and new friends who still live in SF now that I've moved away. Ha! I even met my husband at Hemlock.
I don't feel I can write a review that can accurately convey how great I think this place is but I will say it is a San Francisco establishment that made the city truly feel like my home.Listed in: SF favs
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Review from Kiristen R.
San Francisco, CA
9/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Rock n Roll Motherf4ckers.
Stopped in because the group wanted to hang here. Nice surprise. I felt like I was in a 1980s rock video.
Lots of room. Mixed crowd. Crispin on tap :)
3.33 stars - Only because it's not my normal scene but I enjoyed myself. -
Review from Ann B.
Daly City, CA
12/17/2011
LONG LIVE PUNK ROCK. so the bar stinks who cares.
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Review from Myles T.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 9/30/2011
Apparently the issue has been addressed with the employees at this establishment, and was informed that they are gay friendly and want everyone to feel comfortable at Hemlock. I do hope this is true, but haven't actually gone back to see for myself.
But I will update my review with this information, as I see it is relevant to the situation.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/28/2011
The bouncer at the door shot our group a gay slur, so we didn't proceed to go in.
I find that… Read more »
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Review from Mayra L.
San Francisco, CA
9/27/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Everytime I've come to this bar I've had a great exprience. It's one of my favorite bars on Polk because it's such a great atmosphere.
I've ended up taking shots with bartenders, dancing my ass off, chilling here on a blistery sunday afternoon and yes...sometimes having to be carried out, but it was always a fun experence because of the people who work there and go there.
So worth it! -
Review from Jon T.
8/27/2011
When I first moved to SF, I use to come here all the time and so, kind of got sick of it. But truthfully, it's a decent spot for drinks and the space for bands is perfectly intimate (except when you and everyone else wants to see an up and coming band and the show sells out before you get there.)
It can get pretty crowded here on a Friday/Saturday night (with a mixed crowd of people - some dumb Polk street bros and hos, some more colorful characters) but the bartenders are pretty good at getting to everyone at the bar really quick. This means you'll end up on your third and fourth drink before you know it and inevitably have to stand in the long lines for the bathroom.
Beer selection is okay here, but nothing exceptional. I usually alternate between anchor steam and racer 5. Watching people get their drinks, it's easy to see this more of a mixed drink place. From my dim recollection (as it's been ages since I've had a cocktail), they do make them strong.
And for you smokers, you'll enjoy the dedicated space they've got for that off to the side. -
Review from M S.
Stockton, CA
9/13/2011
Good jukebox, though, you can't play the Melvins...Heresy!
Affordable drinks, good hot nuts, pretentious bar wenches...normal joint. There are better, but, there are far worse as well... -
Review from Brittany P.
San Bruno, CA
6/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Not bad. We actually come here a lot. Whenever we do the whole Polk St thing, we usually start out here.
It's pretty big, and there's a lot of bar seating plus some other random seating around the sides. There's also a live music side to it, but I've never gone. The bar is always free, but the music part has a small cover that varies.
The bathrooms are really weird, so go with a friend to stand watch! Haha. One stall has saloon doors, and the other has a shower curtain.
I usually have a good time here. The crowd can be really random, depends on the day you're there. The bartenders are nice and funny, but they don't like it if you order certain drinks. They'll give them to you, but usually with a dirty look or comment. Is captain and diet really that weird? And I have no idea what my friends boyfriend ordered, but that was even worse! Haha. -
Review from Teri W.
10/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Hipster paradise! Not really my scene, but we were meeting friends here and had fun. They have live music in the back for a cover charge. The bar was very crowded, but we managed to snag 2 stools at the bar. They have a good draft beer selection and great prices. They are cash only, so come prepared! (There is an ATM inside though)
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Review from Jennie K.
3/28/2011
Hemlock: poison of choice for Socrates and, according to the crowd, a cross between popped-collar Marina dudes and bespectacled hipsters everywhere.
I've always considered Hemlock a non-offensive bar - nothing particularly outstanding that would drag me back from the cool foggy clutches of the Sunset, but then again, a bar is usually about the company you're keeping.
As of yesterday, however, I have found myself a new love, and his name is Hemlock's Bacon Bloody Mary. It packs a nice, spicy punch, and features a large slice of bacon, small wedge of lime, cheese-stuffed olive, and spicy pickled green bean as garnishes. That is - all the important food groups (booze, vegetables, bacon) in a pint glass. During happy hour, it's $6, and if you want to buy my love, you can buy me a couple. -
Review from Gabriel H.
San Francisco, CA
3/24/2011 27 Check-ins Here
The "door" to the back room where they have shows has these clear plastic sheets (I think to keep the noise out). Navigating through this requires very deliberate arm motions. As I walk through, I keep thinking I'm about to enter an operating room at a psychiatric hospital. It keeps the sounds of the screaming from disturbing the patrons.
A girl here once told me how she wanted to run a marathon in every state. I think she was from the marina. Her hands looked very old.
My favorite thing about this place is the painting of the cat above the door to the smoking room. Its eyes seem to follow you. Sometimes I smoke in there but its pretty much impossible to make small talk with anyone. One time someone bummed a light off me and then we proceeded to not talk to each other for 5 minutes. -
Review from Eric A.
San Carlos, CA
10/30/2011
Saw Garrett Pierce play in the back room. The crowd was really chill there. It is nice how the stage/live music is in the back where only people that want to see the band pay the cover. This way it keeps the audience limited to only people that are truly interested in seeing the band instead of just random people drinking who don't care (everyone can drink in the main bar area with no cover). Makes for a much better live music experience.
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Review from Tim T.
San Francisco, CA
7/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Easily one of my favorite bars in the city, and apparently that goes for a lot of other folks, too, because it can be awfully crowded on weekends.
The Hemlock books some of the edgiest bands coming through San Francisco, and ticket prices are very low to pass through to the back room.
I quite like the bartenders, too. They're professional, quick and polite, and the drinks are affordable. And hot peanuts!!?? Sold! -
Review from Phan H.
Berkeley, CA
10/29/2011
Came here on a friday night. You would think it was packed from the outside, although there were a lot of people there, there was a lot more room in the back and other side of the bar. Cash only, so bring plenty!!
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Review from Jane S.
Pacifica, CA
12/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Bar was a little dingy, but the atmosphere was friendly and the service was great!
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Review from Dawn N.
Orange, CA
2/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
A great place with a good vibe.
Hemlock is a bar that doesn't over do itself. There isn't anything really fancy about this place. The layout is awesome. One big bar in the middle seating all over and a patio for smoking INSIDE the bar (now I don't smoke but if I did I would be excited for my own personal room inside the bar to smoke.)
The best part about this place is they have warm peanuts you can buy in a brown paper bag. Yum! It is a great experience sitting at one of the long tables drinking your beer and eating peanuts.
It wasn't very expensive and the crowed was pretty cool. Nothing crazy so if you are looking for crazy don't come here!
The only thing I don't like about this place is the bathroom. For the ladies there is this shower curtain type thing. It goes all the way around with no actual walls stopping people from entering. It's a very stressful fast pee and I hate to be rushed!Listed in: Bars
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Review from Kate D.
San Francisco, CA
5/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cool place, attached covered smoking area to the bar where you can bring your drink with you, stay out of the rain and smoke. They have 24oz PBR cans for 5$ and a separate area for live bands.
A good place to catch a show and grab a beer with friends. Cool vibe and big space. Right on the corner and easy to find. -
Review from Bethany M.
San Francisco, CA
2/1/2011
The crowd is ok, more eclectic than you might guess most nights. And the decor's kinda kooky, which is cool. Big square bar with lots of stools plus tables around it. And an enclosed smoking area if that's your thing.
The drinks are always strong but sometimes to the point of being undrinkable. I'm almost 30, which is too damn old to drink shitty tasting drinks just to get drunk. And the bathroom situation is the pits.
Yay? Nay? Ehh, flip a coin. -
Review from Meghan R.
3/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Walked in on a Saturday evening to a bar filled with long open tables for groups and a square bar with plenty of seats.
Good god I felt drunk after 1 makers and soda. So strong.
I also managed to get 3 cocktails for under $20. Blown Away.
I then spotted this enclosed patio with tables for SMOKERS - exploded with joy!
24 ounces of PBR for $4 - my world was officially rocked.
pssst - this place is cash only but they have an atm back by the bathrooms. -
Review from Sam A.
Alamo, CA
4/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went here for drinks with a friend and I liked it. It was a little louder than I'd have hoped, but it has music, so that is part of the deal
A tall can of PBR for 4.50? that's a DEAL! -
Review from Ariana K.
Santa Ana, CA
5/28/2011
Pros
-Inexpensive and strong well drinks
-Lots of room to sit/stand
-Diverse crowd
-Not too long of a wait to get a drink (seems shorter for girls)
Cons
-Noisy
This is my go-to bar when I'm in SF. I know I'll have a good time, and I won't leave broke. -
Review from Tmon B.
San Francisco, CA
12/4/2010
I've never understood why so many people thought this was a great bar. It's got a good booze selection at decent price - that I will definitely give them. The back room for music has always been lacking (and I'm not into most of the bands that play there either). Everything else just struck me as okay, but not especially cool.
I got really biased this evening however - until then I'd always thought the Hemlock overrated but not too bad. Tonight, I watched some douchey hipster bartender in ultra-thick glasses and standard issued flannel shirt serve 5 or 6 people who had either just sat down or were looking for a refill w.o so much as a nod towards me. And things weren't even close to busy.
After 5 minutes of waiting, I walked out and I won't come back. Screw you, douchey hipster bartender. -
Review from Angie G.
2/13/2011
Having just moved here, I'm still playing "barnacle" to my new found friends by going where they go. I had heard a lot about this bar and was excited to check it out.
I must say, it is quite an eclectic crowd that visits this bar! I love to people watch more than anything I think. I really liked the people; they were nice and very easy to talk to. The bartenders don't like to deal with drunk indecisive people, so speak up and play sober! Seriously though, they may seem like a few hard asses, but they are really cool people.
The bar also hosts bands in their back room. You can either go back there and scoot in with the crowd, or just stay by the bar; they play the music through the speakers.
I'm also a fan of PBR (yeah, yeah... I'm broke and I actually like the stuff, okay) and they sell these 24oz. cans of Tall Boys for only $4!! If you get hungry you can also buy warm peanuts in a paper bag for $1 too! They've got your salt cravings covered! -
Review from Matt D.
San Francisco, CA
11/14/2010
I live right around the corner from this bar, and when I go out in the neighborhood I always start my night at the Hemlock. The jukebox is free, there is ample seating, and $4 tall cans are one of the better deals in the area. The indoor smoking room is ventilated enough that even a non-smoker like myself can enjoy it.
At the end of the day this is a dark, loud, punk rock (hipster?) dive bar. If you are put off by those things, then it's only a short cab ride to the marina.
