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Inner Mission Beer Parlor - CLOSED

4.5 star rating
based on 95 reviews

Category: Bars  [Edit]

Neighborhood: Mission
3349 20th St
San Francisco, CA 94101
(415) 648-4104
Hours:

Mon-Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.

Sun. 4:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Parking:
Street
Accepts Credit Cards:
No
Price Range:
$
Good for Groups:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Music:
Juke Box
Best Nights:
Mon, Thu, Fri
Happy Hour:
Yes
Alcohol:
Beer & Wine Only
Smoking:
No
Coat Check:
No
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"It's been awhile since I've been here. The last few times, which have been saturdays, we've gone it was a complete effing blast. I have to…" read more »

95 reviews for Inner Mission Beer Parlor

Review Highlights   

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"Tom and Dave and wonderfully gracious hosts and the beer selection can't be…" (in 9 reviews)
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"They have a great beer selection and the other patrons were really friendly." (in 8 reviews)
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"Great little spot with pool tables and a very relaxed atmosphere." (in 27 reviews)
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Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites'
Photo of Lisa W.

Elite '09

243

283

Lisa W.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
Updated - 5/12/2009

UPDATE! They ain't closed! They're just renamed --

SHOTWELL'S.

Good choice, huh?

Now, keep patronizing. Unless you suck. Then don't invade my neighborhood.

Thanks!

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2 Previous Reviews: Show all »

  • 5 star rating
    6/18/2008

    Introducing! My first review "update"...

    I heart Inner Mission Tavern. Heart it big time. I now no… Read more »

Photo of David H.

 

5

3

David H.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
Updated - 3/11/2009 20 photos

Hey Everyone,
FYI....We here at Inner Mission Tavern will be changing our name to "Shotwell's" as of April 1st 2009.  That's it.  That's the only thing that will be changing at this point.  Come on by.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 5 star rating
    6/14/2008

    Happy Hour 5-7:30 M-Sat / 4-7 Sun
    All draught beer $1 off regular price

    Tuesday:  $2 PBR and Labatt… Read more »

Photo of Joshua W.

 

82

239

Joshua W.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
2/23/2009

Came here for the first time for a friend's birthday Saturday night and pleased with what I found for the most part.  The beer selection might not be quite up to the level of a place like the Toronado, but it's diverse enough to provide something for everyone.  The staff were amazingly nice and attentive while the place wasn't packed like many mission bars are on a sat night.  That's when the night took a turn for the worse.  

Our group looked outside to see a bus stopping in front of the bar.  It took a few moments for the reality and terror of the situation to sink in, at which point we all realized that it was the kind of bus that every local bar frequenter fears.  A party bus.  

One by one drunken chodes started filling the bar like locusts descending onto a fertile crop . What once was a chill bar filled with laid back locals instantly became a bar packed with striped shirts, shrieking girls "LIKE OH MY GAWWWD, I'VE LIKE NEVER BEEN IN  A BAR BEFORE!", and the general crowd that only tends to ruin bars on amateur nights such as New Year's Eve and St. Patrick's Day.  I would say the place turned into a Marina bar, but that would be doing a disservice to the decent bars in the Marina.  

Luckily after about an hour the swarm left to ruin another unsuspecting bar, leaving the Inner Mission Beer Parlor the way we found it.  A great laid back place to have a great beer with your friends.  Just beware of the locusts.

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Photo of Andrei Z.

 

64

46

Andrei Z.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
2/10/2009

This is what a neighborhood bar should be like: plenty of space, convivial atmosphere, good jukebox, friendly bartenders, pool table, and of course,  great beer selection. Note that I didn't say "dive" bar, because it's not. It definitely lives up to its "parlor" name too, because I can hardly imagine a better place to hang out with a group of friends and just talk, drink, and have fun.

They only serve beer and wine, but that's just fine with me.. The beer list is nicely split between Belgian styles and American/European ales and lagers. The prices are right too, especially compared to Monk's Kettle, for example: Duchesse du Bourgogne here was $7 vs $12.50 at Monk's. Kind of makes me want to move to the neighborhood. In fact, I think I'll do just that..

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Photo of Nadine F.

Elite '09

115

346

Nadine F.

Dallas, TX

1 star rating
12/31/2008

Some of my friends were having drinks here before dinner, and a couple of other friends and I stopped in to pick them up and walk to dinner together.  It was uncrowded, and we only sat down for about five minutes to give them a chance to finish their beers and pay.  On the way out, the bartender made a really rude and sarcastic comment at our group for not drinking anything.  

We were planning to come back after dinner to try some beer, but based on that guy, we decided not to give them our business.

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Photo of Adam L.

 

8

47

Adam L.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
1/3/2009

A true neighborhood bar that is clean and for the grown and sexy. The booths are nice, the jukebox is solid (love that The Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Ready to Die' is in rotation) and the place is really well kept for a Mission bar. The games & entertainment quotient is fulfilled by the two pool tables and two pinball machines.

My criticism of Inner Mission Beer Parlor has to do with beer selection or lack thereof. I respect the British and Belgian beers that are available but I wish more beers were on tap from Northern California breweries such as Russian River, North Coast, Anderson Valley, Bear Republic and Lagunitas. I'm a day-to-day Anchor Steam guy and I'm happy that it is on tap, but there are times when a Racer 5 or Pliny the Elder would really hit the spot.

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Photo of Tom R.

 

1121

360

Tom R.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
9/13/2008

This is close to my house and in the eight years I've lived here this is by far the best of the three bars that have been in this space.

I've been here a couple of times now and I have to admit that I haven't really figured this place out. Sometimes I walk by and the place is crowded to the rafters. They have made some attempt to offer a selection of beers and the owners are very friendly but I've never really felt drawn to come here regularly. I'll update this review once I figure out why this place is so popular.

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Photo of Keith M.

Elite '09

218

181

Keith M.

Berkeley, CA

5 star rating
5/27/2008

Everybody needs stability in their life, and often that's derived from routine. The routine I have been adopted into is Tuesday drinks at Inner Mission Tavern. While I worry that far too many of my social habits revolve around drinking, there are far worse things than relaxing here with friends and a few Labatts. Like shooting heroin with the homeless guys three block over on Capp Street. I've avoided doing that. So far.

This is a nice  mid sized place to kick back and relax. It has a wooden, homey and traditionally atmosphere. Clean and comfortable and full of lively people, both customers and employees. Especially after the third round. It's nice having this place right next door to my sublet, and I'm pretty sure the foor traffic it brings is part of what keeps my street as nice as it is.

So, for as long as I like alcohol, I'll like this place.

-------------------------------------------------- -

Update June 2nd 2008:

After coming back a few more times, I've realized this is a place deserving of all five stars. You know that friendly neighborhood bar that feels like home? The place where the bartender knows your name, shoots the shit with you and remembers your favorite drink? That's this place. After only meeting me once the bartender greeted me on my return, and asked how my housing search was.

Not just the staff, but the environment here is such that everyone is rather friendly .What more can you ask for?

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Photo of Kathryn E.

 

189

169

Kathryn E.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
6/18/2008

I love a bar owner who takes a real pride in what he carries, and here a the Inner Mission, you get TWO knowledgeable bar owners for the price of one. You want PBR? That's cool, it's only $3. You want some REAL DEAL we're not messing around, smell before you taste, get a little history lesson on what you're drinking lager? Tom and Dave are your guys.

I walked in with my boyfriend on an unusually slow night and told them I don't know anything about beer (I'm a cocktail kind of gal). After a few questions about my general taste in booze, a flight of glasses appeared before me filled with 2 Belgian lagers and a dark stout. All three were surprisingly sippable for someone who is about as close to being a beer lover as Cruella Deville is to sponsoring a Humane Society.

I enjoyed the experience and the atmosphere of this little bar and would definitely venture back again.

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Photo of Swetha G.

Elite '09

40

173

Swetha G.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
7/15/2008

Nice chill place for drinks in the neighborhood.

I was at Inner Mission Tavern last night for drinks with my roommates and it was a very convenient and likeable local bar to hang out in.

It's not too noisy, there are a fair number of places to sit, they have a decent wine selection and for one of my roommates, who's more of a beer gal, they seem to have a good variety of Belgium and German beers.

Also really friendly bar service.  You'll be happy to know that even if the bar is totally surrounded by people, you won't have to wait too long for someone to talk to you and ask you what you'd like.  

Very cooooool. = )

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Photo of Paul B.

 

70

218

Paul B.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
5/6/2008

As of the beginning of May, the Inner Mission Tavern is no longer a smoking establishment. This may come as a loss to those holdouts who believe that one should be able to smoke in a bar, but ultimately, it is the bar owner's prerogative, and they chose to nix the smoking.

With any luck, this won't hurt the bar at all. There's plenty of room to make your way outdoors for a nic fix, and once you've satisfied that, plenty of room to meander about inside and figure out where you left your tasty and refreshing beverage. I was unexpectedly pleased at the selection of beers on tap-- several of which I hadn't heard of. I only had the chance to try one, a black ale, before needing to call it a night, but it was fantastic. I hope this is indicative of the rest of their selections.

Based on this brief visit and experience, I will happily return to Inner Mission Tavern, to try their pool table and a few more pints. I'll even hang out with friends outside while they smoke.

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Photo of Zara E.

 

18

19

Zara E.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
11/9/2008

This bar is one block from my doorstep and that alone makes it wonderful. I think I said this very thing in my last review of the other bar one block from my doorstep. But it is the inferior one-block-away-bar now, so I hereby announce my endorsement for Inner Mission.

I often find myself sitting on the barstool at Inner Mission, feeling right at home like it is an actual extension of my own living room, hi-def tv and all. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy knowing that the lovely patrons are mostly my neighbors and we have created this lovely little community drinking center.

Some fragmented thoughts: The owners are friendly and always working their asses off behind the bar. The Tamale Lady shows up and feeds my tummy. I discovered just last night that they serve Young's Double Chocolate stout. They have Footloose on the jukebox and we played the entire album on Election Night to celebrate. They held a happy hour special for Bastille Day. I love stumbling home from this place.

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Photo of Hilary P.

Elite '09

156

208

Hilary P.

Sherman Oaks, CA

4 star rating
8/13/2008

A couple weeks ago, my friend and I were returning into the city from a show in San Jose when we realized we needed to entertain ourselves for a little while until our local buddy would be able to meet up. Oh Crap!!! I don't know bars in SF that well! I mean, I've been playing tour guide to SoCal kids who are SF virgins for as long as I've been able to drive up to my aunt and uncle's in Marin but I've always had a tour guide to direct my drinking itinerary since I turned 21!!!! It's cool, I can do this.... give me my blackberry and we'll yelp it.

Inner Mission? Beer? 4 1/2 stars? Right where we basically already are? SOLD!!!

The bar is charming and small up front with a gorgeous dark wood bar. Good selection of some slightly more special brews on tap and in bottles. Sangria was good and the sake and wine lists seemed promising. The bartenders were friendly and seemed knowledgeable when a neighboring patron was absolutely clueless as to what he should order.
My one star comes off for the lack of seating and the pool table area which was surrounded by cream walls that seemed almost detached from the bar area in decor.

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Photo of Rachel M.

 

15

136

Rachel M.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
6/27/2008

Great place!
I met a friend here a couple weeks ago and really liked the atmosphere and general vibe. We played some pool, had some drinks (they have a nice selection of imported beers as well as all the usual ones) and were able to hear each other talk which is always a plus. The bartenders are really friendly and I liked them immediately.
I'll be back!

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Photo of Alyssa R.

 

30

135

Alyssa R.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
9/17/2008

I totally love this bar. Chill, not too divey, not too classy, pool tables, fabulous jukebox, supernice owners, the occasional neighborhood dog. I haven't played pinball but I'm sure it's fabulous too. And they have wifi, which is strange but comforting to know.

They used to have really fun trivia nights. I'm not sure where those went.

This review makes no sense. This is likely because it is 4:31 and I am waiting for Inner Mission to open at 5. I've been waiting since 3:41, frankly. I wonder if I should dock a star for their reasonable opening time that seems unbelievably unreasonable today. No, I won't do that. It's not fair to punish them for my hormone swings.

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Photo of Jen R.

 

3

12

Jen R.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
1/30/2009

Full disclosure: I'm a regular.

First of all, I was there the night that the commenter two below me stopped in. The bar was indeed uncrowded. That doesn't give you an excuse for a giant group of people to come in, suck up warmth, rearrange all the tables and chairs, and sit there for fifteen minutes without buying a drink. Imagine if you were a bar owner, kids. Buy a $3 PBR, for Christ's sake, in exchange for having someplace to chill for a few minutes while you wait for your dinner plans.

So Dave and Tom are the best bar owners in this city, hands down. I have no interest in interviewing other candidates. No liquor, so it's occasionally been a problem when I bring liquor-only friends in. Luckily they have a small wine selection, and the liquor kids are usually pleased with that. The beer selection is fantastic. I'm a beer girl, and they've got a lot of things I'd never heard of. Dave's skill with figuring out what you actually want to drink is unparalleled and he has never once gotten fussy with me when I asked him for a recommendation. (Reference: my review for Blondie's for a comparison.) It's the way I've found some new favorite beers.

It's a little pricey, but you get what you pay for. Most drafts are $5-7. $4 Anchor during happy hour. Two pool tables ($1), a fun jukebox, and two pinball machines. Also, much to my happiness, they've got bike hooks in the back, there's a bike rack out front, and Dave totally lets me prop my bike up against a wall out of the way when I bring the 40-pound mixte that I can't lift all the way up to a hook.

It's also the greatest crowd of regulars ever. In order to become a regular, you have to, you know, invest some time. My first few experiences in this bar were certainly not those of initiation - when it's slow, everyone just sort of chats. I'm not sure how Dave and Tom manage to foster this sort of atmosphere, but I can't get enough.

They've got two televisions, but they aren't obtrusive in any way. And on nights when there's absolutely nothing sports-related worth watching, they play Chiller, which is the greatest b-grade horror movie channel that's ever existed. (I don't have a TV; so I can only assume what other b-grade horror movie channels there are out there.)

If I made a little more cash, I'd be at Inner Mission every night. The beers are honestly a little too good and I'm not really capable of having just one $5 beer. It adds up for me after awhile. But this point should not be held against the bar or it's fabulous staff. Oh, and they never bitch about how many quarters I ask them for all the time just so I can feed my pool/pinball habit. If I could give them a sixth star, I would absolutely do it.

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Photo of Lauren S.

Elite '09

492

699

Lauren S.

Oakland, CA

4 star rating
12/30/2007

I had a serious case of deja vu when i walked in here.  I felt as though i had been here before.

Yes...I understand that it used to be Thieves tavern...but i don't ever remember going to Thieves.  

I don't know.  There isn't anything that wowed me about this bar.  Maybe that's the sense of deja vu.  It felt like every other bar I've ever been to.

Why four stars then Lauren?  Well...its not a bad bar.  Its a beer bar.  It has a decent selection of beer.  It has a pool table.  It has bathrooms.  It feels like a lot of other mediocre bars that i have spent many hours at before....so why not four stars.  I didn't hate it.  But id rate it above average.

Its also nice to head into a smoking bar every once in a while.  Don't get me wrong...I'm glad these are few and far between...but every once in a while in California, on a cold night...its nice to not have to step outside and freeze my tits off.

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Photo of Tolga E.

Elite '09

22

349

Tolga E.

Hayes Valley, San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
9/4/2008

No more smoking allowed! This place just jumped from "I'll never go there again" to "I might come here often, maybe every other week".

The Inner Mission Beer Parlor is exactly what it's name suggests. It's in the inner mission, in a quiet neighborhood with pretty easy parking, and it's a "beer parlor". Meaning, they have a very informed beer selection, both on tap and in bottles. And the whole ambiance gives off the feel of a parlor. It's definitely a bar with pool tables and a juke box, but the long, historic wooden detailed bar with the giant mirror as a bar wall and your menu written on said mirror scream "parlor" for some reason.

I'm a sucker for good beer places, and these people are really knowledgeable. They're knowledgeable enough to carry Anchor, Anchor Liberty, and two Speakeasy ales to honor the hometown team. They're knowledgeable enough to have both german and belgians on tap. Enough to carry PBR and Labatt for $3 each when you don't have much cash to spend. And enough to carry a personal favorite of mine that I've yet to see in any other establishment - Fischer Amber from Alsace.

The place has a semi-hipster, semi-mission scene and the jukebox is awesome and plays complete Radiohead albums next to Pink Floyd and the Smashing Pumpkins.

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Photo of Sarah D.

 

3

1

Sarah D.

Addison, TX

5 star rating
1/21/2009

This place has an awesome beer selection and Laura is the best thing that has ever happened to San Francisco.!!!

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Photo of Josh R.

Elite '09

128

138

Josh R.

Astoria, NY

4 star rating
4/11/2008

I would have rated his place 5 stars had there not been smoking inside. I'm not a smoker, and I am not used to bars being filled with a lot of smoke, or a cloud of it, if you will. So my eyes hurt a little. I noticed a girl smoking outside the bar last night when walking by, so some people, even smokers(?) may agree.

Other than that one detraction, this is a great neighborhood bar. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and poured me a taste of the local beer without my even expecting it when I asked about it. The jukebox was fun and not too hipster. It was even slightly nostalgic what with some Journey thrown into the mix.

And they have two, count them, two, pinball machines for $0.75 per play. I would suggest the Attack from Mars one not because it is more fun, but it is a lot easier to rack up points and get free balls to continue playing with. I scored 600,000,000,000+ points, which I kept calling 600 Trillion in my beer-excitement. Only later did the killjoys tell me, "no, that's 600 Billion." They were just jealous and had trouble breaking my score.

I wouldn't call it a Dive Bar, like it is listed. It's nicer than a dive: it has nice accents and wall paneling, and a great mirror behind the bar with the drinks listed on it. It's from the 1880's, apparently. What dive bar has such class?

Despite the smoky atmosphere, I would come back when in this part of town again.

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Photo of matt c.

 

59

96

matt c.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
12/28/2008

Fantastic local bar with cool bartenders and a friendly local crowd.  Good beers on tap.  Kick ass jukebox!  Two pool tables (though the cues are all pretty crappy) and a pinball machine (the obligatory alien one.)  No liquor, but the perfect place to relax with some friends and a pint.

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Photo of Starla D.

 

678

553

Starla D.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
10/1/2007

I have a new motto.  
Always trust a blond man pouring you beer in a kitten T-shirt.  
Yes, I said blond!  Blind men don't wear kitten T-shirts.

Besides having some kick ass bartenders, you can smoke to your hearts content and also get second-hand smoke at the same time!!  And you can drink tons of beer and get really drunk and stumble around a lot because the bar is extremely spacious!!  And you can even pretend you are good at pool and then play a stranger and suck really bad!  Because really, you suck at pool!!
Oh, and this would be a great place to relax and chill and talk with an old friend or even somebody you just met but wouldn't mind boning later.  You can actually have a decent conversation because the music is good and not too loud!

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Photo of Autumn K.

Elite '09

445

832

Autumn K.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
10/1/2007

Minus one star for  being a smoking bar. I don't mind a cigarette with my vodka soda as long as the butt is in my mouth and I'm  EXHALING smoke, not inhaling someone else's sloppy seconds.

This used to be Thieves Tavern, and the locals were just as rude then as they are now. I used to live around the corner and therefore spent a lot of time at Thieves. Now that it's Inner Mission, not a lot has changed. Think large drunks rudely pushing and shoving their way around a tight, low-lit bar with a pool table and what would be ample seating if there weren't  so many folks packed in here. On a high note, if you fancy yourself a looker, it's not hard to find yourself in the fortunate position of "prettiest girl in the whole bar" here- this is not really a see-and-be-seen sort of establishment.

The bartenders are friendly, efficient, and mix a strong soju and soda. It is important to know that they only have beer, wine, and soju. So if you're looking for liquor, you've come to the wrong place. The proximity to such Mission district greats as Los Jarritos (down the street) and Taqueria CanCun (down two blocks and over one) mean you can get really plastered and then stuff your face with greasy mexican food. Not that I would. I am a lady, after all.

I wouldn't go out of my way to come back but it's a great option should you find yourself in this sleepy corner of the Mission and in need of libation. I hear they have lots of beers but I tasted some of the wine and I'd skip that and go straight to soju. I'll follow  matthew capital r's lead and simply end my review with ZANZIBAR!

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Photo of matthew r.

Elite '09

146

459

matthew r.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
9/30/2007

The Inner Mission tavern has wainscoting! If you live in the mission and you're a drunk with an eye for victorian architectural details this should be your new spot.

This is a beer/wine/soju only place; However, the selection of beers is extensive and well chosen, and the bar staff is on top of things. Pool tables and pinball machines. comfortable seats too.

It also gets loud enough on friday nights that even though the jukebox is blaring you can only hear the basslines. If you're just learning to play bass this would be a good place to hang out too.

However, the area around the bar will get crowded, and the locals are too cool to say 'excuse me' when they shove past you. Can you blame them? My parents say 'excuse me'. Government clerks say 'excuse me'. Plus there's nothing in the phrase 'excuse me' that indicates whether you're sincerely apologetic or you're just going for irony so its usefulness is limited. I don't know where I'm going with this.

I totally see Bucky's point about how hard it is to wrap up a review sometimes. The Inner Mission Tavern has good beers and wainscoting. ZANZIBAR!

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Photo of Gabriel H.

 

59

10

Gabriel H.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
10/5/2008

They have a great beer selection especially if you are a fan of belgium style brews. I had a Maredsous which was really good, but they have normal beers as well (like $3 Pabst). Its not meant to be too classy either if you are worried about that.

They have a couple pinball machines (one was Attack From Mars) and some pool tables. I didn't get a chance to check out the jukebox but I do remember that the volume is not crazy loud so you can actually talk to each other.

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Photo of Jess H.

 

10

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Jess H.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
7/29/2008

I love coming here by myself... I always end up enjoying 2 -3 different kinds of brews at the recommendation of the bartender. The people care about beer. I care about people who care about beer. Helz, yes.

The jukebox, my goodness, the jukebox. Queen. Neil Young. Dylan. The Clash. S u p e r t r a m p.

A very old building that survided the quake and bar is original, as well. Located on a very quiet corner.

You can hear the jukebox AND you can hear the conversation at the end of the bar.

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K C.

San Francisco, CA

1 star rating
2/24/2007

And....I will never go back. EVER.
They get one star because parking wasn't difficult and drinks are cheap.
There's two pool tables in the back and the bar is pretty dark.
This bar only serves beer and two types of wine. No mixed drinks!
That, however, is not my main complaint. My main complaint is that they let people smoke in here! Fine, if the staff wants to die from second hand smoke, that's their business, but how about some consideration for the patrons?
"Second Hand Smoke Kills"

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Photo of stephanie r.

 

7

17

stephanie r.

San Mateo, CA

5 star rating
12/10/2006

`Inner Mission Bar'.. Owned by my Best friend:Tom(and Dave). they've just taken over! gave this place a cool new name (-Tom has a vision for this bar) and the changes can be seen weekly...
I stopped by on their opening night and found everyone friendly and laidback. You can enjoy a game of pool, some pinball and liars dice here.
There are some cool(rare) tracks on the cd jukebox. Great selections of fine belgian, french and german beers. try the Youngs double chocolate stout, it's De-lish!  -hangout with the locals and chat it up w/ Dave, he'll make you laugh=0
see you guys soon!

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Photo of Janelle B.

 

15

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Janelle B.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
6/16/2008

Heart heart heart this place. Owners are very personable and friendly, people pick good music on the jukebox and they have the only arcade game I excel at- pinball. Nice, chill vibe all around.

For the longest time I had been looking for a bar with Krusovice or any type of schwarzbier because I was going through some serious withdrawals. Then, one faithful night I came in here with some friends and discovered they had Koestritzer which is just as awesome. Hooray for their amazing selection of European beers!

They used to allow smoking inside which I was a huge fan of but I understand the decision to ban it. I'll still come as often as I can muster up the strength to get my ass out to the Mission. =)

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Photo of Ian M.

 

54

25

Ian M.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
12/14/2006

Inner Mission (formerly Thieves Tavern) is my local bar and I feel pretty lucky. I was a big fan of Thieves for a quiet beer with friends and Inner Mission looks like they're going to continue that trend. The place is cleaned up a little (but not too much) with the essentials still in place. I had a nice long chat with Tom about his plans for the place and I'm excited.

Oh, and you can smoke inside.

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5

30

Leslie T.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
2/26/2009

Don't tell my wine friends but I think I now prefer beer over wine. I first heard about this place when a friend said she was going to have her birthday party here. I decided to check it out and suggested the place for a first date. While my date was far from spectacular, the bar itself was really great. Cool interior, didn't smell like piss like my normal beer bar (toronado), it wasn't crazy busy and the owner/bar tender was super cool. Unfortunately they didn't have Boont on tap, but I was happy with the ale one tap. But I still give it 5 stars and will go back again soon.

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5

16

Alia B.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
6/9/2008

Cozy interior, amazing beer selection, great jukebox, and some of the friendliest bartenders in the city.  This is my new favorite bar.

This bar changed their name to Shotwell's

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Elite '09

151

445

Susan L.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
11/25/2008

Why am I not here every single night?? I love love love this place! I can't quite pinpoint what differentiates Inner Mission from the other Mission bars. I mean, it's a bar, with good beer, a couple pool tables, jukebox, televisions. But there's something magical about it. There's something cozier about it. Maybe it's that they serve Affligem, one of my favorite Belgiums. Or maybe it's because people actually obey the pool table chalk board list. Or maybe it's because they have bleacher-style benches along the wall so you can watch your friends play pool. Or maybe it's because it's clean? Whatever it is, keep doing it and I'll keep saving up my pennies to someday buy my dream condo across the street. Only then will I be there every single night.

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3

18

Mia R.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
7/31/2007

UPDATE- 9-21-07

My love for this place grows. The bartender/owner has made an effort to remember our names and greets us like regulars. The best part is he's like a sommelier for beer. He always recommends something for me to try out and I have to say he has some of the best beer in the city at the best prices. Sigh...I could go for a beer right now.
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I spent an evening here drinking some good beer and having some even better conversation, when  I was hit with a severe carne asada craving.

I'm Mexican and I don't want to perpetuate any kind of stereotype about Mexicans always wanting to eat  carne asada. But it's the truth for me, especially while hanging in the mission drinking. I know I don't speak for all my gente- there are 6 members of the raza who would rather eat carnitas.

I didn't want to leave my spot at the bar but the craving was fierce. I got up and asked the bartender where he thought the best taqueria was, he told me and then said I could go ahead and bring my food back and eat it there. Pinche hell! I had the best carne asada torta ever, all in the comfort of a great bar. And if I smoked I would have lit up right there  because it was that good and they would have let me.

VIVA INNER MISSION!

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2

20

Kenny D.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
1/30/2007

Been there twice and both times the crowd was great.

Really large selection of Belgium beer, still have to make a few more trips to try some more of them.

The juke box had a great selection of music.

Really a neighbor hood bar, but it does have an attraction for some that since it is owner operated they allow smoking.

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45

43

erik h.

Brooklyn, NY

5 star rating
Updated - 2/22/2009

So you can't smoke here anymore, but it's cool. It still has the same excellent beer selection and friendly neighborhood vibe that has made it a great place, and now your smoke-sensitive friends can hang out here too.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 5 star rating
    3/1/2007

    Hey Krystina, glad to hear you won't be around fucking up the atmosphere of my favorite bar! The… Read more »

Photo of Erin H.

 

4

3

Erin H.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
1/21/2008

I love this bar. I love this bar far more than I should. Tom and Dave and wonderfully gracious hosts and the beer selection can't be beat. Try the Affligem. Do it. You won't be sorry. (Although if you are drinking it all night, you might be sorry later)

The only thing I don't like about this bar? It's right between the BART stop and my house and it's not possible to walk by without walking in. Sure, I could walk down a different street. But those streets aren't home to Inner Mission!

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14

27

Cathy C.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
8/5/2007

Definitely one of those shoot me in the foot for not knowing about it sooner kind of places. The people were chill, the bartenders were cool, and the beer selection was awesome. Some of the beers on tap were Affligem, Big Daddy IPA, and Paulaner. They have two pool tables and a good selection in the jukebox.

It's just a super comfortable space... especially when you don't feel like being elbow to elbow with everyone else in the bar as tons of places are in the Mission on a weekend night. Whiz is also nearby for any french fry lovers after a couple drinks like me!

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Elite '09

177

195

carlo m.

Emeryville, CA

5 star rating
12/18/2008

this play literally rocks.. loved it.. low key, great crowd, and comfortable.. wifey and her teacher crew decided to go out every night this week and yesterday was day 3 of their bar hopping..

after good times at cha cha cha, we walkd to inner mission.. after taking over the juke box we our eclectic selections.. we drowned ourselves in great beers..

the highlight of the night is when one of our jukebox pix (billie jean-michael jackson) got this one guy dancin in aisle.. nice...

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138

550

Caroline C.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
2/13/2008

What a fun experience.

Great beers on tap and even some hard to find ones in bottles, a fantastic selection of cds on the jukebox including ones that bar regulars seemed to have made for the bar, and most of all a FANTASTIC bartender named Dave. Seriously, that was damn good service, and some good chatting.

I'll definitely come back, especially since parking was such a breeze.

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