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Little Baobab

4 star rating
based on 166 reviews

Categories: Nightlife, Restaurants  [Edit]

Neighborhood: Mission
3388 19th Street
(between Capp St & Mission St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 643-3558
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  • Hours:
    Mon-Sat 6:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
  • Price Range: $$
  • Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
  • Parking: Street
  • Attire: Casual
  • Good for Groups: Yes
  • Good for Kids: No
  • Takes Reservations: Yes
  • Delivers: No
  • Take-out: Yes
  • Waiter Service: Yes
  • Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
  • Outdoor Seating: No
  • Good for: Late Night
  • Music: DJ
  • Best Nights: Fri, Sat
  • Happy Hour: Yes
  • Alcohol: Full Bar
  • Smoking: No
  • Coat Check: Yes

166 Reviews for Little Baobab

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One of Little Baobab's Favorite Reviews

Photo of Christian W.

 

4

73

Christian W.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
06/21/2008

Little Baobab takes you out of the city.   Probably great if you got dumped by someone, you know... to escape the familiar.  
Even on a chilly night, this place warms up because its about the size of a bathroom at a big dance club.  But the close quarters aleviate pretense and allow people to let loose.  The music always has a tropical feel.  It's like your in a red stripe commercial... Hooray Beer.  
Only this place is Senegalese (thats west african- i.e. great music) and instead of hooray beer, its Hooray Hibiscus/Ginger/Tamarind With Vodka or Rum.  For $5!!!
get in before 9 or 10 to get a better cover.
The restaurant around the corner is good too.

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2

62

Angela H.

Berkeley, CA

4 star rating
07/05/2008

Is it rude or politically incorrect to say I felt like I was in Africa when I was here?

Hopefully that comes out good, because this place was fun fun fun! My friends and I came here last night and it was packeddddd. The music was awesome (I would much rather dance to music like this instead of that crap hip hop they play in Downtown San Jose clubs), and the people there were friendly. It was about 10 degrees hotter, tiny, and perfect for when you're drunk and looking for some fun sweaty dancing with friends. =) Don't bring your guy friends here. Only come with the girls.

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Elite '08

320

525

Gretchen P.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
06/26/2008

A beautiful, refreshing reminder that delicious food exists for under $100 a plate in our fair town. We started with the stuffed avocado with shrimp and succumbed to their fun hibiscus cocktails (no wine here, ah well). And entrees: I had not had mafe since a Senegalese friend made it for me a decade ago. It makes you grateful not to have a nut allergy, I'll tell you what! The lamb was the real highlight though. We got the dishes with couscous, which would have been better in my opinion if it didn't have little pieces of corn and lima beans in it (so something my mom would do--"Look, little frozen veggie bites in your starch, makes it practically healthy!").

Despite the excellent fare, I'm guessing the majority of the patrons come here b/c of the perfect female specimen of a cinnamony Senegalese woman who works there.

And if the mafe and the goddess server aren't enough to soothe your soul, the immortal Bob Marley crooning in the background should take care of the rest. Every little things gonna be alright, jah.

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0

3

Sandra M.

San Francisco, CA

1 star rating
06/27/2008

I have heard about this venue from my Timba friends. These are the same friends I hang out with to iL Pirata on Fridays, but to my dismay, when I went last Wednesday night, I was shocked. It's a dump and the place is very small. Won't go again.

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Elite '08

20

166

Robyn F.

Evanston, IL

4 star rating
06/24/2008

This restaurant is quite a find!  The drinks here are AMAZING (especially the ginger-infused drinks) and the food is delicious.  

Appetizer -- My group tried the plantains and the hummus.  Both were delicious.  I especially enjoyed how the plantains were a good size (not too big, not too small) and they were slightly crisp at the edges.

Entree -- I tried the shrimp skewers with vegetable stew.  Dish also includes rice and a salad.  I absolutely loved the stew -- great mix of vegetables, not heavy or salty at all (a common issue with some stews).  The salad house vinaigrette dressing was also very unique -- fruity with a bit of a tang.  My only complaint is that the shrimp were a bit on the small side.

Service -- A little slow, but it's no big deal.  They're a small restaurant, so I cut them some slack on that.

However, the prices here are excellent, and it's a great value.  I would definitely come again!

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Elite '08

71

101

James M.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
06/03/2008

In a neighborhood where people strive so hard for the authentic by wearing skinny jeans and neckerchiefs, it is refreshing to find a place that does not have to try at all.  Once you walk in, you have the distinct feeling that you have walked into a club in Dakar.

If you're looking for a something a bit different, check this place out.  The DJs play a great selection of African/Caribbean/Latin music that makes it impossible to stand still.  They pack 'em in here, and it gets really hot and sweaty, but as someone else said, it never feels icky.  In fact, it adds to the ambiance.

Even though I only go here every few months, somehow some of the the guys who work here remember me and address me in French.  I don't expect that doormen would ever take much interest in another dude trying to get into their place, let alone make friendly conversation, but these guys do.  And it is a really nice change.  

Advise to guys.  Hang on to your dates with BOTH hands.

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3

46

Aim B.

Oakland, CA

5 star rating
06/05/2008

Last weekend, my lovely friend hosted her birthday dinner here.  Let me just say, I wasn't sure what to expect of a restaurant where the closest ATM can only be reached through a gate, but it was fantastic!  We got there, sat around for a while waiting for our friends, and didn't get pressure from our  beautiful server to get orders going.  AND, because it was my friend's b-day (and we had more than 6 people), we got a FREE pitcher of margaritas.  Let me just say, those are dangerous margaritas!  

Anyway, we had a lot of questions about the menu, and everything was explained to us in a lot of detail so we could decide if the dish was right for us.  You can tell that the people who work here really care about the quality of the food.  After we ate a fantastic meal (try the hummus w/ pita--it's super super fresh!, and the N'Dole--kind of a spicy lamb stew), they put aside the tables, and the dancing commenced.  

I had such a good time considering I was crammed in such a small space, and even though I spent an incredible amount of money on margaritas (I think they must put something in the Hibiscus kind that makes you keep ordering more until you spend all of your money), it was a really good deal.  My only regret--the last margarita (I suppose it's always that way, right?).  We were all feeling it the next day, and let me say, it was not fun!  I'm going to stick to beer from now on.

But, for a reasonable price, you will eat a fantastic meal, be surrounded by beautiful (but down to earth) people, and you can get your dance on for hours!

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Elite '08

77

133

Lauren L.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
05/23/2008

After living in this city for almost a year and trying to convince my friends every. single. weekend. to try Little Baobab with me, we FINALLY went. And it was quite possibly the BEST night of my life.

A little self disclosure: I lived in South Africa for 7 months, traveled the region and then went back to the most rockin' continent on this planet to chill in Ghana for awhile. I'm obsessed with Africa. Get me talking about my travels and I will NOT stop. So to find a little piece of authentic Africa here in San Francisco is like a dream come true.

We got there semi-early (10pm or so) on a Thursday so we didn't pay cover and the place wasn't very crowded. We instantly clicked with the bartenders (yummmy hibiscis drinks, but a little too sweet) and we started the dance party the second the DJ started spinning. He played awesome beats from Africa, reggae and a little hip-hop mixed in. From the decor to the clientele to the music, I felt like I was back in West Africa. The most authentic detail of this place? Over eager African men with amazing dance skills hitting on every girl in the place. But I couldn't complain because when someone can move that good you can forgive them for creeping all up on you.

I intend to be a regular so if anyone wants to join me for some awesome dancing to great music, hot & friendly bartenders and a taste of Africa, I'll see you there!

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13

82

Allisoto P.

Escondido, CA

2 star rating
05/06/2008

I had fun at this place, but it was weird. They let WAY TOO MANY people in. And they charge a $5 cover. They must be breaking some major fire codes and profiting off it. Kinda annoying. Impossible to use the bathroom here. The ginger spritzer cocktail thing is excellent. Dancing here was ok...you have to dance, you have no choice b/c it is so small. As soon as you enter, you are on the dance floor. I think the lack of space makes the crowd overly aggressive. Maybe try it on a non-weekend night. Too chaotic on saturday night for me.

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Elite '08

22

74

Kathleen G.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
04/28/2008

Truly a challenging salsa dance floor, if I do say so myself.

And, far be it from me to complain, but a lot of "technically" illegal groping and grinding goes on on the dance floor--and off (there being v little actual boundary between the dance floor and the standing room).

Nonetheless, and perhaps because my housemate works the door on the weekends, I heart this place, and go way more than I should.

Hence the 4th star.

Put that in your ginger-hibiscus cocktail and stir it.

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9

12

Kenya W.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
05/27/2008

What can I say about Little Baobab?  It's the San Francisco west African Cheers, where everyone knows your name - well, the management does if you go often and bargain for a lower cover charge. That wasn't me, it was my friends, really...  

Anyways, it's what you would expect in San Francisco - good DJs, great music, a pint-size dance floor and a diverse crowd.  Prepare yourself to dance - there is no room for wallflowers here.  Squeeze in and enjoy yourself!

Also, a little known fact is this smaller (and original?) branch of the Baobab serves dinner. If you dine here close to closing, you can stay as the tables are put away and gain entrance to the dance party for free!  A friend of mine did that for her birthday with great success a couple of years ago.

I would give it five stars but I have to say I have been a little disappointed by the quality of some of the drinks and food on occasion.  However, the wait staff have tried to correct problems when brought to their attention.  

As much as you might try, one you go you will be pulled back.  And yes, like Cheers you will be welcomed back even after a long hiatus.

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5

17

Ydania O.

Cupertino, CA

3 star rating
05/11/2008

I came here on a Friday night.  They charge $5 cover, it's very small and we were packed like sardines in a can....LOL
I can see why the guys would love this place they can get to rub up against you and it's not their fault !!!
Forget this being a meat market , this is the Slaughter house!! Not a place for the faint of heart ...can't say much about the drinks could not get close enough to the bar to order one....
Oh yeah, they play really kick ass music !

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6

40

BoraBora T.

Burlingame, CA

5 star rating
05/03/2008

I was doing it bangra style and looking good at Little Baobab's Bollywood Night a few Thursdays ago. Now, to be fair,  I am a novice bangra shaker, but I think my middle eastern hip moves saved me, along with a friend's instructions, but damn did I have a great time.
Great cheap drinks, decent cover (wait, I don't recall paying a cover!), and  best of all, great Indian jams spun by the best white bollywood DJ's outside of India!  I haven't had this much fun dancing freely in a long long long time...
I can't vouch for the food served here, but I'm sure  its good...I plan to return to feast and shake what my mama  gave me...

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53

85

Rob J.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
04/17/2008

Dude, if the cookie cutter white boy gives this place 5 stars...you should probably go. I've been here dancing my ass off a while back getting wasted...sweating like R. Kelly in a girl scout meeting ....showing the 10 different ways to robot grooving to the ethno-african-dj music, standing up on the seat area like i'm the shit....while my ex was get hit on by half of  Haiti. Good times.

Then I went back recently for dinner. Ironically sitting in a very sticky area (where i was dancing). *shakes that off* How appropriate...onto the food. I tried the salmon and the lamb dish and they were both excellent for the price and the hibiscus margarita was really good. Highly recommended....though you might want to bring a moist toilette if you were in anyway sceeved.

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0

2

Kimberly d.

Moss Beach, CA

4 star rating
06/15/2008

I went on a Saturday night to dance.  The music was awesome but the DJs need to work on smoothing out the transitions from song to song.  

The crowd --eclectic.  

Really, really, really crowded with the occasional guy "coping a feel."  I danced my ass off all night long.  Great time except for the obnoxious couple who wouldn't stop making out and knocking me around on the dance floor.  The guy was so f---ing oblivious he clocked me in the eye with his elbow while I waited in line for the bathroom and didn't even notice.  (I sure hope he got some).  

Fun and funky  African style.   Not for the faint of heart.   I'll be back.

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Photo of Yanicke W.

 

12

5

Yanicke W.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
03/29/2008

I will say Little Baobab is my home away from home. I am from Jamaica and since I have moved to California I have not been able to recreate that familiar feeling of the islands.  I have been to Little Boabab four weekends in a row and absolutely love it.  I am pretty much against admission to clubs. I think after age of 26 years old you pretty much stop paying to get into places. If you have to pay then you know the crowd is too young.  The admission cost is only $5.00 so I don't mind.  The cocktails there are scrumptious but do not MIX because you will get sick. I normally stick with the Tamarind, Ginger, and Whiskey drink. I can only handle two of them, strong and good.  They are reasonably priced and well worth the $$.

The music is amazing!!!! I love the reggae, roots, and African beats. They make my body respond in ways that I can't describe... ha ha ha ha! The only fall back is how damn CROWDED it is. Every one is shoulder to shoulder and it is HOT as in heat!  I normally do not like crowded places but like I said it reminds me of back home.  The sweaty crowded experience contributes to the African pulsating rhythms of  UNITY.  A very diverse crowd, which I love.  All races, all classes, all together having a good time. This is not your stand around and talk kind of place if you are not ready to move your body then stay home.

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Elite '08

192

203

lorree s.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
03/05/2008

KARMA AFRIKA on LEAP DAY!

We got here around 7:00 PM and there were about 3 tables open for dinner. There was going to be a little party starting later on and so we went early for dinner. It took the waiter about 15 minutes to allow us to sit down. He didn't know (forgot) about the party later on and seemed to not want to seat us even though we said we wanted to eat dinner here anyway. That was weird.

Finally we got to sit and order, the waiter made it clear that he wanted us at the 2 person table and not the 4 person table immediately next to us.

Ten minutes later, the Karma Afrika crew shows up and some want food...well, they sat next to us at the 4 person table. We filled the place up so much they turned people down who wanted to have dinner here.

I ordered the Tofu Curry with rice. I got the Tofu Curry with cous cous. The carrots undercooked and the other vegetables seemed overcooked.

I noticed other people leaving who were waiting to order food, they were starving and went someplace else to eat. The service is pretty slow and confusing. They took a while to even take our friends orders.

Once the party started, we danced, drank yummy cocktails (tasty, sweet, lots of ginger, although sadly weak in alcohol), then started the Afro Raffle.

The other people working started taking out all the tables one by one. They wanted to take the table we were using for the Raffle prizes and event information.  We had already told them we would clear it after the raffle, since we needed to put the raffle tickets and Karma Afrika stuff there. They were very insistent and before our friend even got back to the table after announcing the winners and handing out prizes, they came at me for the table again. I had to gather everything before they swiped the table. One table, in the front corner of the room.

Music was good, we had fun.

All they need is a better system for the dinner turn music, bar and dancing.

The place is small. We deal with it.

3.6 stars

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Elite '08

271

321

Amanda C.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
02/25/2008

If I had to pick a bar to best describe me I would pick Little Baobob.

No, I don't mean cheap dirty, and centrally located . I mean laid back and fun. One night prior to an Elite Event at Bollyhood some friends and I were planning on meeting at Beauty Bar for a few cocktails and we discovered my beloved BB was closed. We saw a sign for Coronas a few doors down and wandered into Little Baobab to check it out.

The Happy Hour special was ridiculously amazing. (if I remember correctly $1 beers and $2.50 mixed cocktails and NOT well cocktails). The bartenders were total characters (in a good way), and our noisy shenanigans were smiled upon.

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6

32

Jenni O.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
04/11/2008

One of the most unique, wonderful places in town. A great place to go with a friend or partner for a special dinner, drink, dancing. A night to remember.

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Elite '08

547

371

kevo m.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
01/19/2008

We swarmed Little Baobab like locusts prior to the Yelp event at Bollyhood. Little Baobab satiated our thirst without blinking an eye at the growing and anxious crowd.

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Elite '08

388

508

Jason R.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
01/11/2008

I hadn't been in Little Baobob since a drunken birthday a couple of years ago. We ducked in for a couple of drinks before the Elite event at Bollyhood.

The happy hour deals were incredible. 5 beers for $11.25. "Uh, I got this round."

It's a great spot, and apparently they're starting to serve up fast Senegalese eats. Sounds awesome.

They were nice enough to let me use the bathroom, after Bollyhood made the mistake of over-serving with only one toilet.

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21

122

David C.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
03/11/2008

So this review is for one visit.  DJs were good playing a good mix of reggae, latin, and hip hop music which got me dancing most of the night.  So Little Baobab is a very small restaurant turned into a club at night and it gets very very crowded as the night goes on.  To the point where you can't even walk but reason being the place is not much bigger than my living room.  So the more people the hotter it gets and I was sweating profusely due to the fact that it was hot and I was dancing.  There's only one bathroom and it's in the back so you have to push through the crowd to get to it.  But the biggest thing is that drinks are expensive.  Not a big fan of paying $8 for Jamesons on the rocks.  Besides the music, there isn't anything that great about the place.

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1

7

Yeesh K.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
03/29/2008

I actually prefer Little Baobab over its big brother Bissip Baobob a block away...Little Baobob is a little more intimate and rustic, and isn't nearly as noisy and crowded with hipsters.  Everything I've ordered so far has been GREAT and I the funky cocktails are cool too. I've never found this place too crowded, but I think I've mostly come early or on weeknights as its close to my pad.  I've heard on weekends both Baobobs can have a pretty long wait or you need reservations.

Its hard to compare Sengelese food to any other cuisinse, but I love it and its very unique.  Rich, spicy but not hot, earthy...I need a Baobob fix at least once a month.

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10

101

Karin H.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
03/08/2008

Awesome and refreshing.  I loved the cheap, unique drinks ($5 hibiscus margaritas!), the catchy world music (mostly afro pop, hip hop, Indian dance, and dancehall), and the fact that everyone was dancing.

I have mixed feelings about the crowd: good-looking and respectful, but just too dense and full of single guys on the prowl.  I'll have to go back on a weeknight when there's more room to dance.

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Elite '08

155

401

Eddie H.

Burlingame, CA

3 star rating
12/27/2007

Truth in advertising - it's a lost concept in today's world, so I appreciate when establishments don't mislead their patrons i.e. ultralounge (wtf is an ultralounge?) Little Baobab is just that - Little. By the time you finish reading this sentence, you could've touched all four walls of this place.

I've been meaning to check out their Wednesday night salsa night for quite sometime and I finally got the opportunity to do so recently. The dance floor is about 8ft x 14ft or so which forces couples to make tighter turns and strategically time their dips as to not get in the way of  others. I get there at about 10:20 (dj starts at 10:00) and no one is dancing (there were about 12 people inside at the time including staff). I look over my shoulder and go ask the first girl that catches my eye to dance (she was quite dancer with red boots; she was the only one not wearing flats to give you an idea of what kind of place this is). Before the song is over, capacity doubles and there are now 10 people dancing.

Another 20 minutes later, this place is jam-packed (about 40 people of which 16 can dance comfortably on the dance floor at once). This place instantly reminded me of Il Pirata but smaller and less drunks. Everyone is rotating partners left and right and dancing their asses off (Cuban style of course). Before you know it, your dripping of sweat and have to take a breather for a couple minutes.

Cover was $3 that night and well worth it. Although the ratio of guys / girls was about 2:1, half the guys could not dance (just there to observe) and the few women that were there, well most of them were attractive.

Ladies, do not dance with the guy pounding beers wearing a striped collared shirt with an outline of a handgun printed on it - this guy dropped a girl worst than any other time I've seen someone eat it on the dance floor.

===============

For more salsa recommendations:
http://www.yelp.com/li...

For more salsa info:
http://www.facebook.co...

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Elite '08

109

371

Rachel C.

Tiburon, CA

4 star rating
01/11/2008

First time here.  Came in before the Bollyhood Elite Event with Siamak S & Jason R. Another place that, if I'm in the neighborhood again, I would definitely come back.

Loved the Ethiopian music videos on the screen.  Welcome change from sports in bars.  

Beer was good and cheap!  Jason R was a gem and plopped the bucks down for the 5 beers we had.  It was happy hour, so we were cheap dates!  

Bartender - a very beautiful woman with great earrings!  I'd give this place 5 stars for her customer service.  

Jason R. says their restaurant, "around the corner," serves really good food.  I haven't eaten there yet, but based on the "after the event" food we got at a tacqueria a few blocks away that Jason R & Siamak S consider "the best," I will be back to try Little Baobab food.

Only lose one star, because I had this really uncomfortable feeling that the building housing this business (and others) was on its last legs.  But that's character, right? I will be back.  I know an actor who would love this place.

Couldn't get my eyes off the music videos on the TV!  But we had to go - Bollyhood was waiting!

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11

16

Jason H.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
03/04/2008

This place was jumping last Friday night. I've always heard good things about it but never had the chance to go. After braving the cold on the roof top at Medjool and then trying to brave the dance floor we sauntered down the block to Little Baobab and rocked out to great world music till they turned the lights on.  The DJ was great, played soca, dancehall, reggae and some merengue at the end of the night. Unpretentious crowd just looking to dance and party, looking forward to coming back.

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Elite '08

247

350

carlos a.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
11/27/2007

This place is the "anti-club".

Don't come here to check out girls, scope out the scene or just sit around. This is the place to come if you like to dance.

I remember coming here with friend as last minute thing after we left some crappy club that wanted $20. Fuck that.

I've actually been here for the restaurant AND the "club" part afterwards.

The space is TINY, but the music and people make up for it.

The cover is usually around $3-$6

Let's be honest - it's mostly music I have never heard of, but I'm cool with that. You can't NOT dance here. The music really moves you, and I am not much of a dancer.

I love their drinks. They have drinks with tamarind, pomegranate and other fruits that you don't usually see. Best part - they're cheap. I average about $6 per drink here (as opposed to $10 at most places I go to).

It gets hot as hell in there and it cracks me up when people rush over to the fans.

The people are there to dance. While most places have smarmy guys hitting on anything with a pulse I have to say that when I have been there they guys really just wanted to dance and were pretty respectful.

There's nothing fancy about this place but it feels like I am in Jamaica somewhere just groovin' and not caring about what others think. It's a remarkably different feeling I get here than any other place in the city.

Don't forget to grab a bacon dog across the street afterwards :-)

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302

Mr K.

Phoenix, AZ

4 star rating
11/27/2007

PLUS - Consistent good times since the day it opened - from my birthday feast here 7.5 years ago to some brown man jiving this past Thanksgiving weekend.

MINUS - Consistently saving female friends from aggressive  predatory vampires roaming the dancefloor in search of easy coochie coochie.

PLUS: The music is awesome. Dancehall, African, Arabic, salsa. Great vibes emanating from the DJ's laptop.

MINUS: The heat sucks. Especially when you try to take your water outside to cool off for 5 minutes but you learn that you can't because the bouncer has closed up that 2 foot fenced off patio for the night.

PLUS: The drinks made with ginger, tamarind, or hibiscus are all great.

MINUS: I can't think of any others. Little Baobab thus ends up with a positive surplus.

Highly recommended to folks looking for something different than the usual bar/club scene. This is your little microcosm of internationalism right here. I may no longer live in walking distance, but I'll be back as often as I can.

4 stars.

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Amol R.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
02/26/2008

I often find myself out in the city at some bar or club sipping an overpriced cocktail, wondering where all the brown folks went.
I finally found the answer.

It's pretty much the perfect place. Good music, cheap cocktails, beautiful people from all over. My only complaint is maybe too many beautiful people in a space the size of my apartment.
It's a lot of fun, if you can fight your way onto the dance floor.

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18

L Boogie ..

Oakland, CA

3 star rating
01/14/2008

Yummy food. Amazing DJ. Dance floor is too small. Diasporic black men looking for homely white girls ........and finding them. Yawn.

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6

ami p.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
04/30/2008

One of the few places in SF that actually plays good music.  Good as in, not the same club music you hear every single weekend.  If you want a different vibe, check this place out.  Culture, good music, strong (and tasty) drinks.  It's a funky treasure.  And I mean funk in more ways than one.

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Elite '08

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157

Veronica D.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
10/08/2007

This is the first Baobab so I still go here for dinner.  They thought they were losing this space and actually asked for the communities help to open the bigger place on Mission.  Only to end up with both with such an outpouring of support!  So many memories in this little space, I've seen Michael Franti perform here (he recorded and album here).  

I love the intimate setting at the bar.  Every now and then I just crave a "Sorange" which is one of their specialty cocktails made w/ginger, orange and whiskey.  Still only five bucks, buy a pitcher for 19 and get a glass free!  

The menu can be hard to decipher but basically it's just like anything, do you want chicken, beef, lamb or fish? Do you want a sauce? Do you want it spicy? I usually order the plantains and the Yassa.  My Mom from Florida still asks me about this place.. she's always concerned it's going away before she gets a chance to eat here again.  I tell her not to worry, for like the tree it's named after, it's roots are deep and it will last the test of time.

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Mahary K.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
02/05/2008

Baobab is a small club that plays mostly International music.  From salsa to merengue to African music and Reggae.  It is a place where you get your groove on and you come to seriously dance to amazing beats.  Entrance is cheap and their drinks are great.

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sheirin i.

San Francisco, CA

2 star rating
03/13/2008

I was lured in by the tales of cheap happy hour, which I was informed by my waiter two weeks no longer exists.  The pitcher of margaritas we ordered was great, after we waited half an hour to get said waiter/bartender's attention while he chatted with a steady stream of friends coming in and out of the locale. At one point I tried to order from the bar and he shooed me away indicating that he was coming... ten minutes later. The chips and guac my friend ordered was decent although definitely not a good chip to guacamole ratio (not enough chips by far).

On the whole, a disappointing experience. It is quite possibly a much better place later in the night, but I didn't feel the desire to stay to find out.

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Elite '08

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151

Amy Z.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
10/12/2007

After close to a year of walking past this place and sighing wistfully (because my friends aren't generally comfortable eating and paying for much else than burritos), I finally came in last night. I am so happy I finally  did, because the food was absolutely delicious. My friend and I ordered the plantains to start with, and he had the lamb with couscous and I had the coconut seafood dish with couscous. We each had tasty fruity cocktails and finished off the meal with yogurt with nutmeg, raisins and couscous. We spent the entire length of the dinner marveling at how amazing our food tasted and offering each other more tastes.

The wait staff was very attentive and polite, and they offered to make my coconut dish with fish AND shrimp. This seems like a great place to bring a date. Most dishes are about $12.

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Lasha G.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
08/26/2007

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the music here.  Ecletic, diverse, international or bedonkshakeable (as Jessica T. so eloquently put it)...whatever you want to call it.  The DJ is there to make you move and he's quite good at what he does.

And the cover is only $5!  ($3 if you get there early enough).  What a bargain!  And on top of that they have a coat check which is uber important for us older folks who no longer think it's cute to sacrifice freezing to death in order to be cute (and half naked).  And half naked is actually the appropriate attire for this club.  Not because Little Baobab has a sleazy vibe or anything, but because around midnight on a Saturday night, it gets packed and hot as hell inside.  I actually had to leave the dancefloor a couple of times because I couldn't breathe...

But I refuse to dock this place one star for my claustrophobic experience.  To avoid the same fate, get here early or come on a Friday night or weekday to avoid the crazy crowd.

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Suzanne D.

Berkeley, CA

5 star rating
09/28/2007

THE ONLY REASON I CROSS THE BRIDGE TO SF!!! I LOVE this place. Its such a charming little oasis in the midst of all of the "chic" cold pretentious SF clubs.
Tamarind and Whiskey? hell YEAH!

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21

Annie G.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
08/26/2007

I'm semi notorious among my friends for--when I set my mind to it--embarrassing face sucking with bar randos. If I'm in that zone, and you cross my path and are moderately attractive, meaning taller than me (I'm 5'2) and retaining most of your teeth, we just might end up face rasslin in the middle of the dance floor to the sounds of Akon.

LIl Baobab is my standby when I set out to accomplish this. The music, as everyone else has said, is FAB. The guys, when you are 8 Trax vodka tonics deep, are HAWT. And Say what you will about the crowding and all that, but I have NEVER EVER had a bad time here.

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Sarah K.

San Francisco, CA

1 star rating
01/18/2008

The last time I came here for dinner on a first date in 1999.  I had a good time and the food was good, as far as I remember.  My second time there was tonite.  Decent food.  Terrible service.  Very sad.

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