The Red Jack Saloon
Categories: Sports Bars, Dive Bars [Edit]
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill131 Bay St
(between Midway St & Stockton St)
San Francisco, CA 94133 (415) 989-0700
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Music: Juke Box
- Best Nights: Fri, Sat, Sun
- Happy Hour: Yes
- Alcohol: Full Bar
- Smoking: Outdoor Area/Patio Only
- Coat Check: No
63 reviews
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill
"I came here for a breast cancer fundraiser for my friend who was guest bartending. All the drinks are reasonably priced and they have…" read more »
37 Reviews for The Red Jack Saloon
best place to drink by the pier, because f the hard rock and their $12 vodkas
Not many tourists, although i like seeing tourists. Some come in at times,... leaving them very open to be hit on! HEY NOW!!
Good stiff drinks, for a very reasonable (Cheap for SF) price.
Last weekend they had The Oscars on one TV, and NBA Basketball on the other... all good!
try it!
What a cool little unassuming place right over by Pier 39.
Honey lady and I had been on another long and filling walk to the pier and see the sea lion's. On our way back we saw this place and since there was a Yelp sticker on the window, we HAD to go in.
I felt a cool chill vibe right off the bat. Very " rustic" in a way but, but nice. I loved the Pac Man game in side and the old pinball soccer game, with the cartoon dog on it, was kick ass!
The tender and the patrons were cool, and I like the outside patio with the 400 ash trays just to make sure there's one always around.
Stop in and have a cold one. You just might meet some one from " The Rock".
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
The other day I went on one my long pointless walks that go everywhere but nowhere in particular. After perusing tourist central (Pier 39), I wandered back passed the bus depot, looked left on Bay and saw Red Jack and mentioned that I had never set foot in there. Well, my traveling partner was inspired to do some extra exploring and in the mood for some liquid refreshment (because it WAS 2 in the afternoon after all). So we put on our brave faces and got ready to set foot inside.
Ok, first off, "People Love Us On Yelp" sticker=good sign. Ashtray, out front; another good sign. Meet a former Alcatraz inmate and buy his book? Well now we're talking! The flat screen that features random Youtube clips AND Yelp reviews, darts and Red Sox paraphanilia all about, a chalkboard promoting (even more) affordable drinks--all good.
But when I see an establishment that has (a) an Old School standup Pac Man game, (b) the '94 World Cup pinball game (featuring the goalie, the dog and 75 cents gets you 5 balls!), (c) a covered outdoor smoking patio with about 300 ashtrays strewn and (d) sparkling, snappy commentary/ conversation with locals and the bartender, well then you get a place as comfy as my Yelp elite sweatshirt! Cheers!
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
Yelp seems to be making some serious inroads in San Francisco. I've been recently asked by a bartender if it was me who wrote a very particular review about him. I've been asked if the Scavenger Hunt after-party was a Yelp-only event by some folks who wandered in off the street. And I've seen Yelp maps and ratings on a infotainment TV channel piped in at the The Red Jack Saloon.
So of course, that had to go into my Yelp review.
The Red Jack Saloon is a good neighborhood bar. I don't feel like I can recommend it as someplace you go out of your way for, so the extra star goes for being North Beach and keeping a local-friendly vibe. Also, I got carded. Wait, what? I'm in my 30s... thanks, Mr. Bartender! Unfortunately, I didn't get to meet Mark and Laurie, who I hear are "flippin cool".
Also, they serve my newly-discovered second-favorite porter, Deschutes Black Butte. Heh, I said "Butte".
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (3)
Cool (3)
I am noticing a sad pattern here. First the Buena Vista gets a 5er and now the Red Jack Saloon gets a 5er. Both bars...Coincidence? I don't think so!
I LOVE YOU, MARK! And I really love you, Laurie, vivacious bride of said Mark. Both are from the New England area, I believe. Or maybe they just like the Red Sox. But if you like the Red Sox and live in San Francisco, then you must be from New England. Yeah, that makes sense. These two are the coolest vegetarian bar owners I know of. Well, the only vegetarians that I know of that own a bar.
I knew this place existed. Hell, I pass by here every so often. Just never went in for a drink. Until one night after work, a bunch of co-workers dragged me with them on their drinking adventures. I was game, thinking what can go wrong? I live in the North Beach area so I can stumble home no prob if I got sloshed. Funny thing is I was freaking buzzed that night. I remembered everything that happened. I know I went home to sleep for an hour because I had another shift in said hour. And I know I woke up late for work. The funny part is I actually clocked in on time...Anyone wanna try to explain that to me?
Anyways, the bar has a great atmosphere along with great bartenders. Nick and Nick are awesome. I know there are others but I always somehow end up with either Nick or Mark. The jukebox is internet ready so they have fresh music along with some moldy oldies that go great with too much drinking. And North Beach pizza knows where this place is in case you wanna go and order a pizza instead of walking a couple of blocks to Safeway to buy something cheaper. Oh, and if you ever have a need for a taxi, they have them memorized for you and will call them as well. Courtesy service at its best.
So Red Jack, you ROCK! Even though I am in the Sunset now, I will be back to conquer your bar in due time...Like after major surgery...Alcohol and surgery don't really mix well...
OK. Here's the deal. I really love Red Jacks... but I also think that no normal person frequents the same bar as much as I go to Red Jacks. I am a woman who loves variety, but when you do theatre and get out of a show at 10:30 pm every Fri/Sat and 4:30 pm on Sunday...sometimes the first thing you want is just a drink. Red Jacks is great at providing you with strong, cheap drinks and a bag of chips...especially near Pier 39 where everything else is stupid expensive and served in measured pours. I also love that Red Jacks has the Fun Finder game where you have to find the difference between pictures of 2 naked woman...man, I get stuck in that game quite frequently. They also have plenty of board games (which I love) and you can order out for pizza whenever. Why not give it a 5 star rating if I love everything about it, you ask? Because I am just so damn bored of coming here every Fri/Sat that I am driving myself crazy.
So...if you wanna know where to find me...go to Red Jacks every Fri/Sat at 11pm...and I'll be there...again and again...and still getting carded by the same bartender every week too....sigh.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
It is all true. A hidden gem dive bar in San Francisco. Local, cheap and friendly. And in the unlikeliest of locations (1.5 blocks from my house) and far from anywhere that anyone not living in North Beach would ever travel to.
Once, I took a friend here for some 21st birthday pre-drinking. Within twenty minutes of her actually turning 21 (yes, 12:20 AM) the entire bar was buying her shots and by 1:00 AM she was out on the sidewalk throwing up. (Yes, it was supposed to be a pre-drinking destination but we never made it any farther).
To this day I don't think she forgives me.
(It probably doesn't help that sometimes when I'm walking by, I take a picture of the sidewalk where she was hurling with my camera phone and send her reminder pictures.)
Gotta love the Red Jack!
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
This is a good spot for cheap beer. I have happy hour there occasionally and sometimes stop in for that last over the top drink that puts me under. It is very very close to where I live. Nick (the bartender)is awesome and and the crowd is fun.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I spent a couple weeks in town for work, and they put me up in a Fisherman's Wharf hotel. I spent the two weeks cursing tourists and trying to find a bar they hadn't taken over. A few days before I left, I found this place, and I'm tempted to move out there just for this bar.
As every other reviewer has said, this place is incredibly laid-back and unpretentious. I spent a few nights hanging out with the regulars and had a blast. Everyone there was really friendly, the drinks were cheap, and OAR's live version of Crazy Game of Poker came on the jukebox every hour or two (it's like 11 minutes long - best value for your jukebox dollar, according the the guy that kept playing it). They don't do food there, but they have a bunch of delivery menus at the bar so you can have food delivered there. I even got to meet Darwin Coon, one of the last guys off Alcatraz when it closed, and bought a signed copy of his book right there.
Honestly, I feel a little guilty giving this place a good rating, because I don't want tourists to find out about it - I'll be back in SF again sooner or later, and I'll damn sure be going back to Red Jack.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Last Friday I got a call from from my friend Krista, who says "Ghetto, get your ass down here!" I hail a cab and am happily on my way. I was a little concerned, 'cause my friend sounded totally wasted and while I hate being "behind" in my drinking, I *love* having to catch up!
This is a lovely little bar. Krista called out my full name as I entered, which made me feel very "Norm" from Cheers (except not hella fat, or male, or white). I didn't pay too much attention to the decorations, but I remember it was dark and wood-y and they have a little back area with picnic tables, and Buddha and Homer Simpson figures. You can smoke back there. Ghetto like-y.
I will be back :D
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (2)
Cool (4)
This is a great bar for whiling away an afternoon. They have darts, video games, pinball, board games - plenty to keep yourself entertained. There's also a back patio to catch the SF sun if it decides to make an appearance. Check it out!
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Attention bostonians, red sox fans or whoever.... red sox-dive bar alert right here in SF!
If you ever wondered where all those really cool and relatively unknown dive bars are hiding.... Well I just discovered one the other night. The selfish part of me was reluctant to write this review for fear of letting the secret out..... but since I love you yelpers so much I decided to share.
because sharing is caring. and i care.
Ok I lied... a little. I didn't exactly find the Red Jack Saloon myself.... a friend is in town right now visiting from boston and he actually found it. after pre-drinks at michelle's we headed out to fishermans wharf to watch the Sox game. The first thing I said when I walked inside was, "huh? No f'ing WAY is a bar this perfect in fishermans wharf!"
Its certainly not my usual cup of tea..... but i knew i had stumbled upon something really good. Its very low key and you can almost feel the history pouring out of the walls.
The best feature to me was nice local vibe. Everyone we met knew each other already.... And when we walked in, we instantly became a part of their family. We were there on Wednesday which they call "Whatever Wednesday".... Meaning whatever drink the bartender chooses that night (he gave us 3 options) is $3.50
yes $3.50-- all night long. way CHEAP! I picked the rum. naturally.
They also have darts.... Or as my boston friend called it "daahts".
Then, there's a jukebox-- YAY! And just when you thought it couldn't get any better.... They have a great little outdoor patio are in back for smokers. The entire back wall is painted like the Green Monster so you feel like you're sitting in Fenway Park.
And speaking of cool...... one of the regulars here is a former inmate of Alcatraz. Yes, its true. His name is Darwin Coon and he was an inmate there from 1959 to 1963. yes i asked, he was in for bank robbery. We were trying to get him to tell us some good prison stories but the Sox game was on and we had our priorites...... anyway, he was a nice old guy and when he left I actually gave him a big hug. See what a little rum will do? Here's a great story about him: http://www.sfgate.com/...
Really, how much more do you need? Red Jack Saloon has "daahts", a jukebox, red sox fans, a smoking patio with the green monster, cheap drinks, Alcatraz inmates and a lot of history..... i for one will be back. in fact, its been awhile since i've done this but....yes i think a little Yelp outing here might be in order. stay tuned
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (10)
Funny (8)
Cool (13)
Hit this bar after work with some friends. Nice place and good drink specials. Sam Adams are only three bucks when there's a red sox game on. A good bar for a rainy day or whenever there's a game on...
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Red Jack Saloon is truly daytime drinking at it's finest. And yes, a fine establishment for someone who loves the Red Sox (my friend) or someone who loves to hate the Red Sox (me). I recommend going on Sunday to watch a game and staying into the evening with many rounds of beers and trivial pursuit, darts, pinball, or even the beer garden outback. Seriously, this is ADD drinking heaven. Of course it ain't much to look at, but, the people are friendly and if you hit it at the right time you may have the whole place to yourself.
I wouldn't really go here to meet anyone unless you want to meet some diehard, beer drinkin', 70 year old, red sox fans.... 'Not that there's anything wrong with that'....
I used to live across the street from this place, so I started going for convenience alone. I grew attached.
Mark and Laurie, the owners, are so flippin cool. They have a knack for making you laugh....every 5 seconds....no matter how bad your day might have been. They tend to employ equally cool tenders for the days and nights they need some time off.
Its great to find a bar so close to tourist hell that has not yet been discovered by the tourists. You get one or two wandering in from time to time, but not often. This is definetely a neighborhood bar...with a good jukebox, good people (young and old), board games, darts, a back patio and an occasional bar-b-q.
I still stop in even though it is no longer a convenient location for me, just cause I like the vibe.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
This is my new favorite after work bar. It has lots of things I like. A nice bartender, a jukebox with booty-shakin music, darts, connect four, a patio, longboard lager, uno with dogs on the cards, and a former convict from Alcatraz.
hearts red jack.
Great neighborhood dive bar. As mentioned, it has Frogger, darts, tons of board games and a crazy Internet juke box. Usually full of locals with a few random tourists happening by. If you don't like this bar, then the jerk store is probably running out of you.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
Stoner Trivia! A real dart board! A mysterious backroom! XMas decor the day after Thanksgiving! This place is on it, man.
I think someone said something before about a strange odor. I am aromatically sensitive and I didn't detect anything out of place from any other dive pub.
I couldn't help but wonder how many couples have gotten it on in the ladies' room- mirrors everywhere. Strong and inexpensive drinks, a lot of board games. This place was a comfortable departure from hipster nay-shun. Heart it.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Cool (2)
I used to work in a building in the Wharf and know that there are very few places that cater to the non-tourist crowd. Red Jack Saloon is one of the exceptions. The place is laid back with decent prices and isn't terribly crowded. It does the trick for the after work needs.
So after my horrible experience at Butterfly, we decided to trek towards N.beach for some hopefully better bloody mary experiences. On our way down Bay, we noticed this bar in a unusual area of town - not much else around at all.
We were there pretty early and there was only a couple older locals in the place. Seemed like a nice local/sports bar. I noticed ingredients to make a bloody mary on the bar, so I 'thought' I was in luck
******Bloody Mary Review*****
After I order a BM, the bartender grabs a quick pour filled with pre-mixed BM. First sign things were not going well, since I knew he could have obviously made me one fresh. He sipped a small amount himself to make sure it tasted good. Well I realized that after tasting mine, this guy didn't know what a good bloody mary tasted like at all, since what I got was HORRIBLE!!!! It not only didn't taste good, it actually tasted bad.
So I will likely not go back. Any bartender should at least know what tastes awful and refuse to serve me something that tasted that horrible.
It might be a good bar at night, it did seem like it had potential, but I most likely wouldn't recommend the need to travel to this area of town just to go.
Read some of my other Bloody Mary reviews at:
http://www.yelp.com/li...
So I have been walking past this place for years and yesterday I decided to check it out. Talk about some friendly people! Not only were the "regulars" cool, but the bartender literally bought the entire bar a round on the house....and the place was packed! I have only seen that happen in movies! Anyway, they have a cool little outdoor patio and a Ms. PacMan/Galaga video game in the corner so I was pretty much in heaven....
I love this place! Super friendly staff, decent alcohol selection and chill crowd -- what more could you ask for in a neighborhood bar? :)
Be you old, be you young, be you a long-haired chihuahua named "Schnitzel", this is the saloon for you. Drinks are reasonable and there's a killer internet jukebox with almost any song your little puppy dog heart desires. If you just want to keep up those tired, old feet and don't mind the man farting on the stool next to you, you're good to go.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (5)
i first moved to this neighborhood 2 years ago, saw the red jack and thought "pfff...sports bar".
On a friend's recommendation and physical dragging into, i've learned that this is a true san francisco find. How wonderful to have a neighborhood bar where you can find that your neighbor (that you've mistaken for a sweet old man) is really a lascivious lush who will hit on your husband in the least subtle way possible, where you can play some erotic photo hunt only to have an incredibly friendly transvestite jump over your shoulder with her fake nails to catch the extra bra strap you couldn't find on the screen before your time runs out...
the bartenders are friendly and fun and i find a new friend every time i end up here. i remove one star for the hangover i will inevitably have the day after...but i'll put it back to give it five as i can always crawl right home...
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
I love this bar. Its pure mellow, laid back, unpretentious bliss. The bartenders there are so nice and cool, know what they are doing and actually really like their job. The bartenders come in on there nights off. Everyone there is there to drink and chill and talk. There are a million board games, wi fi, great music selection on the juke box. There is a nice patio in the back too as well. I didnt think i would ever give the five star, but I cant think of a single problem with this bar.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Typical neighborhood bar, nothing special. Long tables are great for groups and parking is fairly painless on Bay Street.
The place always smells like wet astroturf, not sure if that is an endorsement or a warning- but it definitely has its own odor.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
connect four, OG battleship, $2 purple shots of some sort, plenty of seating, dartboard and solid tunes
go there at least once. great first date spot if the lady friend is fun
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (2)
I love this place, it's perfect for the casual friends last minute hang out.
We started Katie's good-bye drinking party here...what a night!
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
If you ever find yourself down at the Wharf--against your will or otherwise--you owe it to yourself to drop into this little gem, a quintessential neighborhood bar under the red awning on Bay Street just east of Stockton. The bartenders are friendly, real people, as are the rest of the people you'll run into in the joint. Daily drink specials--including Bloody Mary's on the weekends, when you need them most--are a highlight, as is the stellar jukebox and the open-air space out back. Tell Mark and Laurie that Drew sent you --and that I said "hey"--and I bet they may even hook you up with a free drink.
cool, easygoing spot. I live in the area or else I never would have thought twice about this little hole in the wall but I'm very happy I did. Very good hangout spot with a fun atmosphere.
Are you stuck dragging some out of town friends around town, and now they have you out at Fisherman's Wharf? Head to the Red Jack on Bay Street and grab a cocktail or five at this unpretentious bar. The bar is no frills, but the drinks are tasty. Extra points for the killer jukebox selection.
Cool little neighborhood bar that has FROGGER! Yes, FROGGER! Usually an interesting mix of people in there, and the service is friendly.
A good laid back bar in north beach. Doesn't get crowded and it has darts and a bunch of other games floating around (like trivial pursuit and connect 4)
Nestled in along Bay street near the corner of Stockton, this great little neighborhood hangout is certainly a gem. Great locals and super friendly staff make for a perfect after work spot to grab a couple of drinks. If you are a Bostonian transplant and need a place to catch up on the Sox or the Pats, this is your spot. They always have the games on and even have a "Green Monster" painted on the wall of the patio out back. Of course they are also fans of the local sports scene, and will certainly try to accomodate other fans if there is a game you really want to see. Different drink specials every day during happy hour and they sometimes even have something cooking to take care of the munchies. Say Howdy to Laurie the owner when you stop by...she is a sweetie.
Best bartenders. Good drinks. Bar games. The bar of bars.
Just came back from happy hour here after work. It's a laid back, casual, and comfortable bar!
Oh man. I'm embarrassed to have gone here so many times that they know my drink and know to include the lime. A fun dive when your friends don't have to drive to get home. Free dart board to challenge the dude at the board who thinks those fancy winged darts he bought are going to help. I brought Dan, sucker.
But am I the only one who feels the weird vibe in this place? Maybe when I go in without the necessary blinding intoxication, it feels different.
They have the digital jukebox that downloads the songs, so the selection in that thing is great, but its 2 credits per song and 2 credits cost a buck, so I played the new Wilco just a few days after it's released, but I paid a buck a song. Which, well, after spending who knows what on drinks, why am I complaining about the convenience of the tunage?
Oh, Red Jack.
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
Bloody Mary's in San…
This is a list of the places I have reviewed that… -
Faves in the Old 'hood...
Just some places I loved or liked when I was still… -
My Neighborhood
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,… -
The Dive Bars I heart.
No posh swanky-clubs for me. I'm all about the… -
Why you gotta hate on…
Just because North Beach doesn't have an Asqew or…
Hot and New
- Press Club
6 reviews
Neighborhood: Union Square
- Ironwood BBQ
13 reviews
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond
- Brenda's French Soul Food
286 reviews
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin
- Anchor & Hope
76 reviews
Neighborhood: SOMA
- Uva Enoteca
39 reviews
Neighborhood: Lower Haight