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Peacock Lounge
Categories: Event Planning & Services Venues & Event Spaces Nightlife Bars Dive Bars Venues & Event Spaces, Dive Bars [Edit]
552 Haight St(between Fillmore St & Steiner St)
San Francisco, CA 94117
Neighborhood: Lower Haight
(415) 621-9850
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
33 reviews for Peacock Lounge
Review Highlights
"An interesting location to throw a party."
(in 4 reviews)
"...area is decorated with Christmas lights, and the art on the..."
(in 4 reviews)
"you have to bring your own soundsystem."
(in 3 reviews)
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33 reviews in English
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Review from Greg B.
San Francisco, CA
1/17/2012
The Space:
I rented the Peacock Lounge for New Year's Eve this year and it was an absolutely awesome time! The Peacock Lounge consists of two rooms: The front room has the bar and is about a fifth the size of the back room. The back room is large enough for a good sized party.
We had a DJ set up in the large room and quite a number of people dancing through the night with no problem.
Through the evening we had about 130 people come through, with maybe 100 people in at any given time. With that size of a crowd it wasn't too crowded, but definitely a fun atmosphere.
The Rental Experience:
I worked with Alex from the Peacock Lounge to secure the place and through the entire process he was very easy to work with. He let me know a few key details very early:
1) It's a cash bar
2) We'd have to bring in our own music/ sound system/ decorations
3) We'd have to clean up at the end of the night.
We knew all this going in so we planned to get their early to decorate and get our DJ set up. They were more than willing to let us arrive 2 hours ahead of time to get everything situated.
The people working at that evening watched the door and checked names against a guest list we gave them and were very friendly while serving drinks.
Overall:
I definitely recommend renting the Peacock Lounge if you're looking to throw a fun party you can put your stamp on. The staff is very welcoming and easy to work with.
The space itself isn't fancy or especially unique, but that's the great thing about it, you can make it what you want.
Rent it, have a blast. -
Review from Charlie G.
San Francisco, CA
10/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've lived in the Lower Haight since 1999 and tonight was the first time I visited the Peacock Lounge & Gold Room. Decor is definitely dated, but I liked the ambiance of the front room and all the peacock artwork. Since this is a venue that functions strictly as a hall for rent, I never had occasion to drop in until neighbors threw a benefit evening for victims of the terrible fire that destroyed an apartment building nearby. It seemed like the whole neighborhood turned out, and it was really a pleasant evening.
The Gold Room behind the lounge is spacious, but spare. Your basic rent-a-hall, which doesn't appear to offer much besides tables and chairs.
It seems like a good place to throw your private party. The bar had limited choices, but the staff were friendly and the price for my cocktail seemed reasonable for what I got. -
Review from marie m.
Manhattan, NY
1/24/2012
Nice shop IF YOU CAN FIND IT OPEN!!!
Forget the door sign and there is nothing on line but an address and phone#.
PHONE??? well they hardly ever answer.
Nice shop for the low energy type but not for people who need to talk to a PRO and get into a shop......but Very Nice People there. -
Review from Drue C.
San Francisco, CA
10/6/2008
In my long and interesting stint in Nebraska as a child.... okay, it was only a year, but it seemed like eternity. If you don't believe me try going for a week and tell me you are not ready to gouge your eyes out with ears of corn provided by the ever loving Husker fans who have some sort of crazy football obsession I cant even begin to explain......
whew, anyhow.... one time in Nebraska I went to a wedding reception in the basement of some sort of Czech community hall. It was straight out of the 60's with "decorations" that would be considered hipster retro these days. There was a cash bar, because my moms side of the family isn't made of money, you know, and they were not going to provide those Schlitz for free since the jello mold set them back at least $20!
This place is sort of like that, except that its got soul, lots of soul. And peacocks, lots of those, too. It can be yours for a night for a mere $200 and, should you want to play bingo instead of bring in a DJ, there is an old school bingo board on the stage. There are plenty of tables, chairs and booths as well as a cute little wood panel dance floor.
This place is rentable for private events only and is not a plush space by any means. The staircase to the women's bathroom has probably killed a few people over the years and the drink selection is what you might expect from a budget party hall, but all of this just adds to the charm.
I suddenly want to procure a peacock so we can dance together to some James Brown. Strange? Cool? Not nearly as strange or cool as the Peacock Lounge. -
Review from Joe C.
San Francisco, CA
8/24/2008
One of my best friends had his 40th Birthday party here last night - it was like stepping out of the 21st Century and right into the 1970s. This is a cool, funky venue, and a great place to host a party.
5 stars just because I had a great time hanging with lots of good friends and dancing to a live funk band. Minus 2 stars because the bartender claimed not to know what happened to the $16 in change that I inadvertently failed to take after I ordered my first drink.Listed in: Bars At Which I've Never Puked
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Review from Lauren F.
Oakland, CA
2/12/2007
This place is pretty random. All the people who work there got a bit o soul, and the smart lady bartender poured me an absolut and soda when i ordered vodka and charged me $6. The not as business savvy bartender poured me the well and charged me $4. Ill be honest, i give props to the lady. How was i to know that that wasn't the price of their well until he actually poured the well for me? Good business sense.
Our friends rented out this bar for their joint birthday celebration on Saturday. Our friends spun funk, soul and hip hop all night and there was definitely plenty of space to go around. Now I've never actually seen this place open for business on a normal day, so i don't know if they solely rely on private parties, but either way it was perfect.
Mid-way through the night we noticed a large group of people we didn't know coming in, and after our birthday girl talked to the door lady, and she found out that they weren't with us, madam door lady offered to start charging them so my friend could make her money back. We all decided against that, and let this group party with us. Turns out, they were next door and that bar didn't serve booze, so they saw the Peacock Lounge was open and came on in. It was some dudes 30th birthday, and we totally made his night allowing his pretty attractive group of friends to join our party.
Not to toot my own horn, but our group of friends throws a pretty mean party. -
Review from Mingus R.
San Francisco, CA
5/25/2006
Man Law #327
Any male with the unmitigated audacity to step to the DJ (who isn't getting paid) in the middle of Alphabet Street (or any Prince song, for that matter) and request that he change the song will be severely beaten about the head and shoulders, castrated, spray painted purple and immediately ejected from the premises, into the waiting arms of individuals qualified to go all "Marsellus Wallace" on his punk ass.
*To the individual who did so 5/20 at the Peacock Lounge, you best be on your way back to L.A. because you have lost all San Francisco privileges. DICK!
Ahh! I feel much better now. Picturing his head explode just wasn't doing it.
As for the venue...it reminds me of the fellowship hall at my grandmothers church decorated like somebody's basement. I'm not sure why anyone would want to throw a party here. Issue # 1 no sound system at all. Issue #2 they close promptly at 1. There are lots of places available with a lot more to offer for pretty much the same money. No offense Black Masons.Listed in: Best In Show, F.Y.M. (Please see Fear of a…
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Review from Kim C.
San Francisco, CA
2/12/2010
Do not rent this space. Ever.
Alex Watson is, by far, the worst, most unprofessional person I can ever remember encountering.
Despite booking five months in advance, Alex canceled on me three weeks before my party, citing alleged remodeling work that was not going to be finished in time. Thus began my quest to get my $450 back.
I called, I emailed, I begged, I sued. Alex ignored me. He ignored the sheriff's deputy with whom he made an appointment. He then paid me part of what he owed me. I called, I emailed, I begged. You get the idea.
I finally received the full sum he owed me three months after he canceled. The lawsuit, which claims additional damages because of the higher price at the new venue, was ignored by Alex and will likely be dismissed by the court.
You've been warned. -
Review from Debbie C.
3/28/2009
I felt like I was in George in Seinfeld at the Calzone shop. I bought a drink at the bar and then put my tip in the tip jar they had at the counter. The bartender looked away right as I put my money in so when he turned around it seemed like I had collected my change and that I didn't tip him. He gave me a dirty look. I knew better than to stick my hand back into the tip jar....
I went to the Peacock Lounge for some free show complete with Kung Fu, head banging and break dancing. Sitting around with the Christmas lights on the walls my friend said she felt like she was at a high school party in someone's basement sitting around drinking out of plastic cups. Completely agreed.
Upside is there was no cover and the drinks are cheap although they are served in plastic cups EXACTLY the way they serve them on air planes. This guy kept looking at the bottom of my cup and I asked him what he was doing. Turns out he was trying to see if 'American Airlines' was etched on them. Hah.
Thumbs down. -
Review from Neil K.
San Francisco, CA
5/12/2008
An interesting location to throw a party. If you want to come here, you'll have to either throw a party yourself (apparently this place is one of the most affordable to rent out) or get invited to one. I got invited to one last Friday for my buddy's birthday. He said he had to get his own sound system, but there is no minimum bar tab or anything. All in all, the place is pretty spacious, has a nice little dance floor and has an eclectic vibe being in center of Lower Haight.
The only downsides are the early close time and pretty basic bar. But, if you are with the right friends, none of that really matters. -
Review from Vincent D.
San Francisco, CA
4/6/2009
Everyone already knew this place looks like your grandma' unfinished basement, and that the drinks are watered down, and that they end the party way too early... fine fine, whatever I can live with those things.
The big fat 1 star comes courtesy of the fact that we booked this place for a private birthday party / concert a good 2 months before the event only to show up the night of and find out it was double booked. Long story short, we had to share our party with another party and another band. The owner flat out "made a huge mistake." After talking with several people about this, it's apparently a common situation at the lovely Peacock. You figure they would've learned.
Eff.This.Place. Take your party elsewhere, you'll be glad you did. -
Review from Berna T.
4/25/2008
I found myself here on Thursday evening along with my friends Mar and Carlos to watch Mar's hubby's band play some blues. The place looks like it could serve as a Sunday School room during the day (if you locked up all the booze) - there are tables with random arrangements of chairs, and these ceiling fans that just seem a little out of place. The stage area is decorated with Christmas lights, and the art on the walls is quite an eclectic collection.
Drinks aren't the cheapest I've ever seen, nor do they have a great liquor selection, but I have to say that the people are super friendly! -
Review from Miriam S.
Hollywood, FL
3/27/2008
I've always passed this place and, to me, it looks like a seedy dive bar. I never gave it a second glance. Then I had some friends rent this spot for a gig. Though I was leery about their venue choice, I decided to check the place out. Maybe it was okay once I got inside.
And I was right. This place is pretty darn cool. There are long dark leather somewhat heart shaped sofa's that line the walls, the stage is cooly lit (with the help of colourful Christmas lights and a large bingo parlor sign) and it's spacious.
I was impressed by the female's bathroom. In fact, it's quite interesting. The room's painted white, there's a small table with lace draped on it, and girlie things here and there. It's nothing I expected from a female toilet in the Lower Haight . . . nor the Upper Haight for that matter.
The only bad thing about this Alice-in-Wonderland toilet is that there's only two stalls. The johns are also made for elementary children's behinds. Seriously, even I -short as I am- had trouble sitting down. But, hey, at least the johns came in a cute pink colour.
Another con is that the women's bathroom is up a ramp, through what looks like a kitchen . . . and then up some stairs. I'm sure a handicapped female can make it to most part of the route, but then she'll have to be dragged up the stairs. I'm not kidding.
Of course, the MEN's bathroom is conveniently next to the stage. . . .!
This place is also only opened when it's rented out. If you're lucky, you can come in when there's a party or show going on . . . and if it's not private. But think of this as an opportunity to go through the gates to a marvelous wondrous place. Have your fun for those few precious hours that this place is opened. You'll be glad you stopped by. -
Review from Sushi S.
San Francisco, CA
11/4/2008
Every year the girls in my building throw a Halloween party in their apartment and every year over a hundred people show up, have a great time and then leave the apartment in shambles. Then someone had the ingenious idea to throw the party somewhere else. And thus we ended up at the Peacock Lounge.
For our needs this place was perfect. It was ridiculously cheap to rent out, has a stage area for a DJ (though they don't have a speaker system so your DJ will have to bring their own), a bar (which means we didn't have to provide the booze), and best of all we didn't have to lug garbage bags full of empty beer bottles down three flights of stairs or clean vomit out of a pot on the stove (true story).
Yes the decor is dated. But if you're throwing a kick ass party your guests should be too busy shaking their asses and throwing back shots to notice. -
Review from Gil S.
8/27/2006
A church basement of a social hall, five bucks to get in, somebody pushed chairs and tables to the side, make room for Mandy's electric agit-koto recital, howling stories on a stage platform while upfront a staff of older gentlemen and women at the curved bar slowly serve you a generous smile and an inexpensive one-liquor one-mixer well drink in cups.
Don't go apple martini or long island iced tea on me, we're in the haight, anything outside the well you have to point. That's the rules and if you don't like it you take that up with a higher power. -
Review from Christina C.
San Francisco, CA
9/12/2008
Good location, open space, cash only, bad drinks, and bad business dealings
I came here for a private event the other night. It looked pretty dead from the outside and easy to miss. The bar is in the front room and had a minimal selection (barely 20 bottles counted)- though they did have Grey Goose. Drinks came in tiny little cups and barely had alcohol in it. For $6, I'd expect something. Maybe its more of an overpriced beer joint then. The back room had tables and stools and booths lined the wall.
So this was a private event. I did see some random people try to wander in. They were told it was a private event and turned to leave, but then bouncer lady let them in. Uh ok, what? That isn't cool. Not being snobby or anything, but its not right to let random people into a private event.
I wouldn't come back here on any given night. If I come for a private event, I'll be sober as the drinks aren't worth my cash. -
Review from Conrad C.
San Francisco, CA
4/18/2009
I was here last night to see a GREAT local act called wallpaper., who EVERYONE needs to know. It was Alli NoisePop's birthday, and it happened to be in this bar. If you were there or helped set it up, DON'T GET ME WRONG, THE PARTY WAS REALLY REALLY FUN!!! (I was the guy with the purple hat and aviator sunglasses).
This actual bar, though, tells a different story. The bartenders were not very nice, the drinks they served didn't look very impressive at all (smirnoff on the top shelf? Are you serious??), and they didn't even know how to make a lemon drop martini! Unless there's an event taking place there and you can't miss it, don't give these guys the time of day. -
Review from Cerra B.
San Francisco, CA
4/20/2008
I've been a part of a few rentals of the Peacock, and it's always a good time.
It costs you $200 to rent it out, and you can bring your own speakers and stuff for music.
The owner gets a little finicky, something about an $80 that night for "graffiti" deposit, which was returned at the end of the night.
Beers are cheap, and you get the place all to yourselves for an all but guaranteed good time. -
Review from Marz W.
San Francisco, CA
1/26/2006
This place hasn't changed in years. Run by Black Masons, they are always really nice, even when they tell you you have to move your car because they are saving the parking spot.
Its a good place for parties, they let you decorate the way you want, you have to clean it up yourself and be out of there ASAP after your event. All events end at 1am no exception. Its a total do it yourself operation. You can even have Bingo there if you are so inclined. Whatever you're into.
I like having a place in the neightborhood to have a party for any reason at any time. The rates are totally reasonable. The set back is its Lower Haight, and there is no parking, but on the other hand its in the Lower Haight, the mecca of public trasnportation to literally any other place in the city, so why bring a car? Especially if you plan to be drinking. -
Review from Kevin R.
San Francisco, CA
10/3/2008
I'm not sure what people have to complain about. If you're looking for a good, down-home joint to throw a party at, this is the place. As my friend put it, it is like a little slice of New Orleans in San Francisco. The staff is awesome, and since it is a private party, the party is what you make of it. I had my 30th here and had an awesome soul DJ and everyone that attended had an amazing time.
To answer some of the complaints: to the person who left his money on the bar - pretty simple....don't do that. To the person who thinks the drinks are too expensive...it's simple economics. For a small place like this to exist and to rent out at a low price only a few times a week, they will need to make a little more on refreshments. Suck it up, move to a cheaper bar or city, or bring a flask. -
Review from Adrian L.
San Francisco, CA
4/14/2007
This place ROCKS! Went here a week ago for a random band that rocked. It's been said before, but it was like being in someone's cleared out basement with a dancefloor/stage chucked in the corner and a bar.
Cheap drinks and garagey grundgy prog rock kicked ass.! -
Review from Nicolas H.
Chicago, IL
4/19/2008
Well alright, now that's what i'm talkin about. Cheap drinks and music provided by your own DJ. Not too shabby...
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Review from John P.
Philadelphia, PA
7/21/2008
Pretty cool joint. We were supposed to meet up with some people in Lower Haight. I heard some music wafting out of the door so we walked in to check it out. The band was pretty cool, They had a dark sound, with a catchy beat. We only caught like 3 or 4 songs, then they finished their set so we bounced somewhere else.
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Review from C.Double ..
San Francisco, CA
4/22/2005 3 photos
Classic,Classic Lower Haight!Owned and operated by Black Masons,the Peacock only opens up it's doors if you,or someone else rents it out.(you have to bring your own soundsystem.Oldschool bingohall/social club decor,incredible soul jukebox,and smiling bartenders.The only con is that they close it down at 1am,no ifs,ands,or buts..1am,even on the weekend.But that doesn't mean you won't have a great time.If you're lucky,you might even get a chance to sample some of Mr.Peterson's fried chicken,for employees only!Many a great party at the Peacock,hopefully they won't change like the rest of the hood.Great place to have a birthday party,dance,or other social event.
Listed in: You are a pimp
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Review from Pete J.
San Francisco, CA
2/12/2007
One of the most perfect places to throw an out-of control birthday bash in the city. The Peacock is equipped with a sizable dancefloor in the back & a little booth for a DJ to spin. Bonus if you've got friends with scores of old funk & soul records. Double bonus if you've got another equally intense houseparty to bounce to afterwards. The company definitely made my Saturday night, but the Peacock Lounge was The Perfect Location for such an affair. Five Stars.
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Review from Colleen B.
San Francisco, CA
2/12/2007
Excellent spot for private parties or seeing some random band like the Knittles or any of John Dwyers incarnations. You can rent the place out for a private party, so it's not open the the public normally. It's dark & sensual when there right thing is going on, otherwise you feel like you are in someone's basement while their parents are away. The folks that run the place are very nice if you are well behaved, (don't even think about putting your feet on the furniture) and those ladies pour some stiff drinks!! The bathrooms seem like they are from a school or church.
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Review from Sarah D.
San Francisco, CA
5/6/2005
While I think it's a great location, and a great concept...this is not the place for 100-or-so 20/30 somethings. The service, while friendly, is PAINFULLY SLOW! Perhaps you could request bringing in your own guest bartender? ish!
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Review from Cathy T.
San Francisco, CA
12/3/2006
Apparently this place is some kind of hall that you can rent to throw your own parties, they have bar set up and you can bring in your own dj and decorate it however you want. Pretty cool idea. Too bad this place is in the lower haight which is not like the best neighborhood to walk through at night nor is it the easiest neighborhood to find parking. I still had a fairly decent time and it's kind of a cool alternative to the usual bars in the city.
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Review from Chris P.
San Francisco, CA
12/30/2008
I think this place was rented out for a birthday party the night we came here, but after making up some girls names that "we knew inside" we got in. They stamped our hands with "Air Mail" stamps, served shots of Patron in plastic American Airlines cups, and it was decorated with Christmas lights (in July). It redefined my perception of funky and I wouldn't necessarily go back, but it makes for a good story.
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Review from Javan E.
San Mateo, CA
11/3/2008
This place stinks! Literally... it smells horrible. I agree with another Yelper, the carpet is so nasty that no matter where you go, you smell it. I went to a private event so I had no other choice but the bar is small, and the employees are shady. Don't get any mix drinks because they are weak as SHI... get the beer and play it safe. I would NEVER go to this place again and I'm not usually a picky person when it comes to bars.
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Review from heather w.
San Francisco, CA
10/12/2009
It's a dive bar where you can throw your own party. Don't expect there to be anything fancy about this place. It a kitschy and tacky backdrop to a good dj and fabulous friends.
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Review from regina k.
San Francisco, CA
12/17/2008
this place is mysterious like a masonic temple! it's not open 29 out of 30 days of the month and then BAM! a friend of mine has a show there and the place opens up. there's a "grandpa style" bar just to the left of the entrance, and continuing into the back area, i notice it's a big carpeted garage of a place, with old school square shaped pillars holding up the room. (if you have ever been to a church study group, an AA meeting, a parent-teacher conference, etc., you know the type of room...) There are a couple of booths and folding chairs and a stage. who knew a hometown unibombers anonymous gathering venue would be found right here in our own city!
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Review from leah p.
San Francisco, CA
2/8/2009
We went for a birthday party and probably will never go again. It was an ok experience but the drink were watered down and the customer service was very low.
