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Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill
"One of my favorite places in the city for Taco Tuesday Trivia night. They have some pretty sick tacos: veggie, chicken, steak & some other…" read more »
I rolled in here last night when my friend & I discovered that neither Absinthe nor Sugar were open at 1 AM on a Monday night. (I mean, dude!) I'm not sure what's up with people calling this a "dive," unless that means to them any bar with a pool table in it. Comfy sofas (and plenty of space on 'em at 1 AM on a Monday, let me tell you!); good beers on tap (Racer 5; Black Butte Porter; Leffe (*swoon*); &c.); pleasant people working there. Why have I not discovered this place before? Hayes Valley suddenly looks so much more chill -- and I mean that only in the best way.
I have a soft spot in my heart for this little bar in Hayes Valley. As well, I have a standing date every Thursday with this bar, Anye the bartender, one of my gal pals, and a couple of glasses of pinot noir.
I'm not big into cocktails unless I'm watching live music, so a no-spirit bar like this one suits me fine. Particularly when Anye keeps the wine a-comin'.
The unisex bathroom has dilapidated greatly over the past few years, but the graffiti is, at times, entertaining. I really wish it could be done-over, but it's not bad enough to keep me from coming back.
The music is random but entertaining. I don't agree with those who say it's too loud, but I only go on Thursdays, so I can't speak for the other nights. I'm sure Mr. or Miss Bartender wouldn't mind turning it down if they're asked nicely, though. Just an idea.
It sports interesting and changing artwork. The couches are comfortable and reminiscent of basement rec rooms, but I never find myself in the back unless I'm waiting to brave the bathroom.
The clientele runs the gamut from yuppies to dirty hippies to symphony/ballet goers to hipsters to dogs. It's a comfy place and I always meet interesting (or at least entertaining) people there.
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Place Pigalle in Paris has a nice representation of three things I like a lot, or so I have been told and so history dictates.
This is the location of Moulin Rouge and countless sex shops. If a little TB, a few whips and dildos as well as some side alley prostitution don't scare you then this area represents sex, and I, personally, like sex (though as a disclaimer I must say I am not a huge fan of TB nor side alley prostitutes who, in times past, were proud carriers of the TB).
This area is said to carry some of the best musical instrument shops in the world. Now, this doesn't help me much since, aside from some brief success with the Violin that I wasn't motivated enough to pursue, I am a complete wreck at playing any instrument. However, I like music and admire greatly anyone who can master an instrument.
Place Pigalle was once also home to the studios of many of the Modern Art Masters; Toulouse-Lautrec, Picasso, Van Gogh all painted here to name just a few, and if you know anything about me you know I would cut my left ear off to own something by any of these artists.
So, Place Pigalle, the little bar in Hayes Valley, has a lot to live up to.
Yes, they have music, but it has never struck me as mindblowingly good, its just there drowning out the chatter of a mellow crowd of beer and wine drinkers (No hard alcohol here).
They have artwork, which is constantly rotating, but I have yet to see any pieces that have inspired me to even trim a fingernail for, let alone cut off an appendage.
They have sex. Oh, wait, not they don't. In fact the only logical place for a quickie in any bar would be the restroom, and since the entire damn bar has to share one single bathroom sex is most definitely out.
Sorry Place Pigalle, I know you try hard and you are okay to pop into for a beer, but the name is all wrong. I think you ought to leave this one to the French.
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Decent beer selection. That's about it. Not very inviting/welcoming. Not impressed.
Go ahead, prop yourself up on a red velvet sofa!
Not a bad little dive if ya ask me. They have Blue Moon here on tap...SWEET! It smells a little like Clorox when you walk in, but it goes away with time as you start to feel a little high from the fumes. :o) Just kidding!
Three red couches adorn the entrance where a good group of people can chill-ax and talk. There's also a nice sized round table that can easily seat 6 people at the front. The bar is suuuuuuper long so you should have no problem finding a place to sit your badunka dunk. Pool tables are located in the back (and yes I said tables...I think there were two maybe three).
Myself and three other peeps walked in here on a Sunday evening to grab a pint after putting our name in at Patxi's across the street (also reviewed).
This is a great place to just hang back and enjoy the evening.
WARNING: do not go to this dive bar wearing a suit.
I know, I know, I know, I should have taken the tie off before I walked in here (its not like I just stumbled in (well I did stumble since it was after a few)) but the point is that I walk up to the bar order my Chmay and sit down on the couch minding my own business when a local comes over to complain that I am bringing the vibe down by walking in with a suit on.
I look over at the dude who is clearly annoyed and probably thinks I drove an SUV and parked it outside and tell him I dont speak English. I burst his bubble, he fell off his soap box but after a little back and forth he gave up, reached into his pocket pulled out a fifth of Jamos took a swig and offered me some.
So the lesson learned: DONT WALK INTO THIS PLACE WITH A SUIT UNLESS YOU CAN SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE
Minus the star for having only one bathroom.
Miss Bartender was a. great to look at and b. totally sweet.
Mr. Bartender who took the next shift (no, I was not there all day, simply happened to be there at the time of the shift change. no really!)
...Mr. Bartender was rockin his ipod over the bar speakers and made my night with new rockin tunes for my out of touch ears.
It's been a long while, Place P, but you did right by me this weekend. The perfect combination of rockin out, having a conversation I can hear, drinking 'a couple' of glasses of wine, and if I got the notion, I could have shown you how much of a badass I am at pool.
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Do you like the taste of hard alcohol? Than Place Pigalle is not your bar. They do serve beer, cider, wine and soju for drinking pleasures though.
The front room of the bar is dark and very common while the back room is spacious, well lit and decorated by a pool table, foose ball table and some additional seating; it's more of the party room.
I've come here a few times and it is always pleasant. I try not to drink beer and I usually save wine for other types of venues so This place is not a place I would pick over a place where I can get some bourbon.
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Dive bar? Really. Ok. It's awfully nice for a dive bar.
3 dollar Racer 5 pints at happy hour make me happy. Friendly bartenders, and interesting seating are nice too. They have a decent selection of beer on tap, and some decent look wine choices (and that's why it's NOT a dive bar!). They also have sake.
Nice little spot in an area of the city I don't frequent, but if you're in the area, it's a nice place to grab a drink.
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If you want to be at Place Pigalle in Paris, getting ripped off by spending $70 for a drink meant for for the prostitute sitting next to you --go ahead. You'll need to fork out even more for sex.
If you want to have a good glass of wine for $4.75 or local and Belgian beers starting at $4.25, c'mon over to Hayes Valley. While you're at it, how about playing some pool and foosball, drinking champagne, sipping some sake, and talking to men and women that aren't career prostitutes. THIS Place Pigalle is an unpretentious, cool, laid back bar.
If you want hard alcohol, painting midgets or the Eiffel Tower, don't look for it here. Rather, heed your GPS map and QUIT COMPARING THIS PIGALLE TO "THAT" PIGALLE (see previous reviews)!
I mean, really, so the bathroom sucks. All in all, you'll find the service competent, the beverages served fresh, the ambience enjoyable, and consistently, too.
'Nuff said?
I like it, I love it, I want some more of it. Great couch seating, friendly bartenders, pool tables, and foosball leads to way too much fun. I love that they do not serve all the hard stuff, leading me too often into shots of soju. It always seems like such a good idea at the time.
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I went here once with my crazy ex-roommate and she somehow managed to spill beer in her eye.
I love you Place Pigalle- you made my year!
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I am friendly with the bar tenders... I am friendly with the patrons, I wish i was friendly with Sancho, the resident alcoholic dog. He wears a bandanna and drinks all the beer he is given. This is a great little dive bar with foozball tables and the occasional competitions. They always have local artists have their work on display. They only server sake, wine, and beer. If you want well drinks you can walk on down to Marlena's and enjoy a drag show while your at it.
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The bartenders were friendly, service was fast, they have a pool table and a good selection of cheap to good beer. The only downside was that some clown bumped into me and then acted like it was my fault, but I didn't let that ruin an otherwise pleasant experience.
They allow dogs too, which is pretty cool I guess.
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Not sure if I'm quite "hip" enough for Place Pigalle, but I do appreciate the foosball and pool tables. Makes it a nice, chill place to hang out. I think I'd be a little more into it if they had more than beer and wine, but hey, I can make a little vino into quite a night out!
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Racer 5 IPA?
Check.
Foosball Table?
Check.
Free Wireless Internet?
Check!
Really...what more could a man ask for? Ok...well maybe some tacos or a cheesesteak...but Place Pigalle was still pretty awesome.
Decent music, down to earth people & comfy furniture make this spot top notch. If I lived in the neighborhood, this place would definitely be a haunt of mine.
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YAY, pretty cool place to chill with great music. its a very neighborly atmosphere and casually "funkdafied".
Am I in Paris....I've been to Pigalle, but this doesn't look like it...there aren't enough hookers around! But it is a great bar.
Nestled in the thick of Hayes Valley, this is a dive bar with "class" (if such a thing exists). Comfortable couches, pool tables...and friendly clientele.
I've heard you can smoke here which gets the one star mark off....luckily the night I was here there was no smoking.
Definitely will check it out again as it's close to home!
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Okay, let's pretend that the REAL way to rate a bar is based on two merits: the strength-price ratio of the drinks and how cute the patrons are.
Since Place Pigalle doesn't serve hard alcohol (liquor) here, the strength factor is out. They do, however, have a pretty excellent selection of beer priced happily in a way I do not understand. I used to be a picky beer drinker, but after making myself broke, I have begun to drink PBRs exclusively. So $9 pitcher of PBR? Good in my book for a cheap date.
How cute the patrons are? Let's start with the bartenders. Little blonde Lindsay is the CUTEST thing in the world. Also a great dancer. The Friday and Saturday night crowds bring in a good mix of yuppie/hipster, but mostly coupled up cuties. Not sure what's going on with that. Maybe it's the neighborhood. The regulars are not attractive (myself included), so don't bother any other night of the week.
Still, Place Pigalle is awesome because it's my neighborhood "dive" and everyone there is my friend [after a few drinks]!
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Met the ex there in line to the unisex bathroom - which, despite everything, is still a good memory, so I definitely have a soft spot for this place.
Comfy, dilapidated sofas, puppies allowed inside, a good beer selection, pool AND foosball, relaxed, cool people. Prices could be a bit cheaper for what you're getting, but hey, being in Hayes Valley, I'm sure their rent ain't cheap.
4 hipster stars for being an oasis of laid-back, divey relaxation amongst the yuppie madness that is the valley.
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This place is definitely my favorite bar in Hayes Valley. I got to know the bartenders ( daniel- my favorite) and you will have an amazing time. They have couches, pool table and it is just a nice place to kick back at. Not at all fancy. You can just walk in and start drinking. And if I remember tuesdays are- Jello Shots. Unfortunately you can not smoke indoors no more, you have to walk out. Although, the bar is great. Good music, good people, good atmosphere.
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It's a tough town. There are loads of pubs, but in neighborhoods afar, and there are loads of stylish over-priced scenes, but I'd rather stay home and watch the Warriors try to make the playoffs. So it's hard to find what I'm looking for (which seemed so abundant back in grad school). But if what you happen to be seeking is a low-key, comfortable place to grab a beer with your friends after dinner, or to chat with a date and actually hear what he or she has to say, Place Pigalle is a fine stop. They've got a solid beer selection, though they don't have enough exotic ones on tap (particularly for a bar that focuses on beer and wine), and happened to be out of innocuous things like Stella. But it was a really pleasant surprise to find a place that actually has sufficient seating. I probably wouldn't go there to meet people you don't already know, but it's the first bar I've found in awhile in which I could enjoy a beer, and enjoy the good company of friends. But maybe I just had a fun night out . . .
I live so close to Place Pigalle that I can fall through the door and into bed.
The beer selection is good. Playing pool at place pigalle is the best because there's a wide range of players from suckers to league hustlers.
The people who come here are mixed. The regulars are nice, the hayes valley shopping squad can get annoying. They are almost always there and typically have gone out of their way to drive to my neighborhood to spend money. I guess I should be grateful; Better than crackheads.
The music is almost always too loud but the bartenders are so nice I never tell them.
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Open Letter to Whomever It Applies:
You slam Pigalle and complain that you should be able to go to a bar that serves drinks you like to drink. Well, guess what? You are.
Jade Bar is right in the 'hood and Marlena's is just a few doors down. How is it the fault of the bartender or the establishment that you chose to stay and drink beer you don't care for in lieu of the hard stuff?
Pigalle is a great neighborhood beer and wine bar with incredible bartenders and colorful patrons but, clearly, it's not for everyone. Thus said, might I suggest that, should you again find yourself in a similar situation, you save your time, money and vitriol and just leave.
It's a big, big City.
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A pretty average bar with one exception -- they have a great wine selection for a dive bar. None of the wines are particularly nice (probably all stuff you find at Trader Joe's), but being able to choose from over a dozen wines is nice. That said -- most people probably choose one of over a dozen beers while they're waiting to get plastered on Optimator at Suppenkuche next door.
Went here last night. Big mistake.
They play their bullshit electronica so goddamn loud it gives you a headache; forget about having a conversation.
We, being everyone at the bar, ask the guy tending bar to turn it down.
This DoucheTard goes the cdplayer, and turns the knob .5 degrees counterclockwise!
We keep asking and he pretends that it's a huge inconvenience.
Half a degree at a time.
Well done fuckers.
(I couldn't wait to write this)
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Went here for the first time on a Wednesday night, and even then, it was decently packed. Not quite sure what to think yet. I will probably go again to write a better review later. But first impressions:
1.) Laid back / very chill vibe.
2.) Diverse crowd (hipsters, yuppies, older people in their 40's??)
3.) Large selection of beer and wine only (no hard stuff). But that's cool with me since I usually just drink beer. PBR is only $2.75 here.
4.) 1 pool table and 1 foosball table.
5.) Lotsa comfy couches
6.) Hip hop music (the latest Common CD and an old school Digable Planets CD was playing). A bit too loud though.
7.) Someone mentioned this earlier, but I must concur. Not a very attractive crowd. And my presence doesn't make it any better either.
Will write more later.
I think I may have found my go-to bar. After months of San Francisco bar-hopping Ive found a bar whose vibe I just get. It feels comfy and friendly- from the bartenders to the regulars to the couches on the side of the room. Best on a low key weeknight. Solid and reasonably priced beer selection. Pool tables in the back. No muss, no fuss, just a good solid bar. Good choice for those of us who inhabit that ambiguous zone between hipsters and yuppies.
I am still on the fence about Place Pigalle so, for now, they get three stars. I don't really understand hipsters and so I feel slightly out of place but the bar staff always treats me well and they have a good selection of beer. You might see me here at the bar with a wrap from Hayes & Kebab or a "thin crust" pizza from Patxi's.
Chimay, Hoegaarden, dog friendly (You'd think it was Rocket Dog here), people friendly. Who could ask for anything more? But wait there's more. Pool table and Foosball table. Yeah Baby. Friendly bartender who offers liquid refreshment advice and great conversation. Joint seems to be jumping any night of the week. Tuesday is the new Friday at Pigalle.
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Cool local dively watering hole in Hayes Valley. I've been coming here for years and I'm happy to say that it hasn't changed much.
Very local vibe and plenty of good beers.
It has a down to earth cool vibe with cozy couches.
This is a great place and generally attracts a good crowd.
"No really Jeff, Place Pigalle is a really good dive!"
Dude, I get free drinks at Zeitgeist. The bartender at Lucky 13 pours me a Prohibition when he sees me walk in the door. I refuse to go to the Haight without stopping by the Trophy Room. I grew up half a block from Trad'r Sam. I know "good dives," and those are "good dives."
So do NOT try to tell me that *Ha-YES Valley* of all places has a good dive bar. This is one of the most gentrified strips in the City. There's a Palo Alto restaurant across the street. Hayes & Octavia? "Dive" anything? Please.
Holy crapcakes was I wrong. Place Pigalle, frou-frou name and all, is a fucking awesome dive. With a fantastic beer selection. And a pool table. And foosball. And window seating. And like, eleventy-three couches strewn about.
I knew I was completely wrong about PP when a dog wandered in, and the bartender invited him up onto a barstool. You can't fake that, kids.
I have to take a star off for the listed prices. Four bucks & change for a Prohibition is high. $6.25 for a Hoegaarten is silly. And $4.25 for a bottle of Corona is highway robbery (however, with a beer selection like PP's, you deserve what you get for ordering Corona). These are not dive prices. However, when you buy three drinks, and one is on the house, this pretty much ceases to be a problem. Four-and-a-half stars.
Also of note, last night- a Sunday- everyone went outside to smoke, including the bartender. So NYAH, you smelly bastards.
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This place is definitely the diviest (is that even a word?) bar that I have been to in a while. Great drink menu in theory. Although they didn't seem to have any of the white wines or champagne that they listed. They do have Blue Moon beer and that is a HUGE plus in my book.
Pool table in the back. Lots of couches. They tended to look a little run down but again, this is a dive bar. Cute little bartender. They need to give her a step stool though. It was really difficult for her to pass the pints over the beer taps. Management, do you think you could help a girl out?
Anyway, have to give them a star off for the tool that wouldn't leave me alone from the time I walked in. Group of about 5 or 6 dressed in what looked like Asian Army uniforms completely wasted at 5pm on a Sunday afternoon. Apparently their most suave seemed to think that I was dying to make conversation with him. The guy clearly had an alcohol induced speech impediment. It was funny in the beginning but started to make me anxious when he kept touching me. No one seemed terribly concerned but I also wasn't making a scene about it. I would not recommend this place for females going by themselves. Go with a girlfriend, go with a boyfriend but don't go alone. Don't get me wrong it's a cool place to hang out but when you don't feel completely safe on a Sunday afternoon...well ladies you know what I mean.
i like this place for the following reasons:
great lil selection of red wines (la crema pinot = yummers)
awesome variety of beers on tap
dogs allowed!
pool
window seating
fun, unpretentious vibe
and i heard it was haunted. awesome!!!
4.5 stars for that.
I went here last night with a couple of courageous friends who were not afraid to hang out with me after a Yelp Elite event. This should earn them a place in the Guinness Book of World Records because I was definitely feeling F-I-N-E! As in "no pain" because I'd drunk my weight in alcoholic beverages. I think Kevin actually attempted to engage me in some serious conversation regarding Salvador Dali and his place in the artistic world. Now THAT'S goddamn commendable! Several of my friends knew the bartender there and she hooked me up with a delightful glass of prosecco. I love me some prosecco and I love me a place that appreciates serving it instead of some foul, cheap swill masquerading as sparkling wine. Extra kudos to the two cute pooches snoozing on the sofa.
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Again, this is another one of those situatutions where I'm surprised I'm even allowed within 50 yards of the premises.
I mean, the amount of jackassery I have performed here over the past 2 years of my life is unheard of.
But they actually enjoy it or at least pretend to and keep welcoming me me back in with open arms - thats the messed up thing! Its a beautiful thing in my eyes and this is a beautiful dive bar.
The bartenders here are the best in the city - i cant say enough about how fucking awesome they all are. This place is like a second home to me. I love the neighborhood crowd - alot of the people i met here have become great friends. Kind of like the abusive alcoholic family i never had.
Oh and i totally kicked so much ass at foosball here about 2 weeks ago - seriously i was on fire, you shoulda seen it
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look, i'm a lush, ok? i know it. my friends know it. my mom knows it. ok, my boss doesn't know it, at least not yet, but i've only been at my gig three weeks so the truth will come out sooner or later. my point is this. i spend a lot of time in bars. i spend a lot of time at pigalle. i don't miss being able to smoke inside, the bathroom is as nasty as everyone says and lindsey, i love you, but please turn the music down, i should not have to shout at my friends at 7pm on a tuesday night. yes, i will have another house red, thanks.
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There are times when you don't know where life will take you. It's good to know there will always be a glass of cheap wine, comfortable couches, a dirty graffiti filled bathroom (my favorite, because it reminds me I don't live in Bergenfield, New Jersey and I sure as hell don't want to) and gigantic windows waiting for you here at Place Pigalle.
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Place Pigalle is the kind of bar I would be enamored of if it...
-- Was in the Mission or Inner Richmond instead of Hayes Valley..
-- Had sexy punk rockers with sweet arm tats hanging out at the bar instead of Hayes Valley yuppies...
-- Had a name that I wasn't embarrassed to say because I'm a Francophobe (I KNOW I come off sounding like a hater, 'kay?)...
-- Had cheap food like sloppy burritos or crappy late night Thai within a block instead of over-priced Middle Eastern where the falafel has SHREDDED LETTUCE AND TOMATOES in it (I'm not gonna knock Frijtz, though -- Frijtz is heaven with dipping sauce).
In short, if it was the 540 Club or the Attic.
You are not punk rock, Place Pigalle! You are a poser. But, you're the best thing in the neighborhood.
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I am one of two young black women who is a regular at The Argus (or as I like to call it, Beer Heaven) Lounge in Bernal/Outer Mission.
So, when I walked into Place Pigalle the other night and the other black woman was toward the back playing pool...
my black ass KNEW it was home.
Beer. Wine. Unpretentious tenders and patrons. Ratty sofa. Good tunes. Pool table. Janky looking atmosphere spiced with chill ass vibe =
BARVANA.
Now, if I could only find someone really sweet, really cool and really nice to drive my black ass all the way out to Hayes Valley cuz I don't do drunken BART/MUNI. A bitch can get jacked and I will come back from The Land of Jackedness and jack someone the hell up if I get jacked.
Fa rizzle.
BJ for an occasional ride to Place Pigalle? Ok, not really, but it was worth a shot.
How's about a HJ? I'll bring my ugly friend along to fulfill that trade.
Don't worry... she may be ugly as hell, but she's got hands as soft as silk.
The dude that always drives me to the store can attest to that.
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