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Categories: Pubs, Sports Bars [Edit]
Neighborhood: Nob Hill"This is probably my new favorite Irish pub! Large, spacious, huge televisions, perfect to watch sports on! Had a really good Midori sour…" read more »
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Shanghai Kelly's was a really cool bar. The bartenders were attentive and fast. One high point of Shanghai Kelly's were the people there. Sometimes bars are just filled with groups of people who don't want to talk to other people - but there were lots of people wanting to make friends. Good stuff.
I like the windows going along the side of the bar, 'cuz if you're done there, you can just climb out one. Unfortunately, I ripped my jeans down the crotch doing this...you have been warned.
When I'm offering my recs and dishing stars on any place- 4 star, 5 diamond, diner, dump or dive- I'm aligning it with a category.
This is a neighborhood bar. It's a shot and beer comfort zone. It's nearly perfect for it's genre. It's a 4 star wood and glass haven. I don't know why you wouldn't be good with spending a couple beers worth of time here.
I can't say anything more than has been previously stated. I enjoyed spending time with a friend, watching a little game and having a few stouts. I hope I have a chance to go back.
Definitely a fun place to grab beers and kick back with friends. Shanghai Kelly's is a cozy neighborhood joint with good drinks, chill bartenders, and a fun, lively crowd.
Unfortunately, the clientele here is typically 75-80% male so it makes for a good game-watching spot, but not so much a fun place to hit up if you're "cruising." Also, they don't serve pitchers, so that may be a downside.
Nonetheless, Shanghai Kelly's is always an enjoyable, must-visit stop if you're ever bar hopping along Polk Street.
Great bartenders, a little booth in the back that we all bombarded and bar seating as well. Great atmosphere! Lots of STUFF everywhere to look at, on the walls, ceiling, everywhere. It's a hilarious place that doesn't take itself too seriously.
They have a great- did I say GREAT shot?! OMAMARAMA...$3 all night long. It's a pre-made shot (they make it in the morning) that is vodka-based bust tastes like Koolaid. I can get down with that. You can shoot it or just sip it, because I was broke and wanted that thing to last! haha. I had a carbomb, a gin and tonic and 2 ObamaRamas...that was some good stuff!
Great prices, good tenders, great environment and good people.
Recession Buster!
Seems like a definitely great place to do a meet up with a bunch of buddies, excellent place to start off a night.
Drinks were relatively cheap and the bartenders were really easy-going, tho one of my compadre's drink was a tad on the weak side (i think it's just a one time deal). But hey, can't complain with their selection of alcohol, and all of my guinness were perfectly poured.
It was really quite crowded at the time, and it was pure luck that awarded us two seats at the bar. So prepare for some elbow bumping fun.
We stopped in for a quick drink (or two) on Saturday while my daughter was down the street getting tattooed.
There were a couple of regulars leaving and a couple more coming in - but we were treated like family all the same, by the bartender on staff named, Dave.
He even shared his egg rolls from Little Thai with us!
Very chill, good drinks, nice bartender and free food.
That ain't too shabby!
Not your typical pit stop during a short visit to SF, but a great local spot to grab a beer. The bar tender was great and the bathroom was surprisingly clean by female standards.
I also went on a Monday night and managed to have a decent time without feeling like I was at an AA meeting. No small feat.
**Single Ladies Alert: According to http://shanghaikellys.com, this cozy neighborhood bar boasts a strong male to female ratio. Then again, the legend goes, "The odds are good, but the goods are odd" and they have been known to slip patrons 'Mickey's' before shipping them off to China. I still say it's worth a shot (if you're into tattoos, that is).
I'm not a big fan of bars. Actually I don't like bars, then again I really hate bars. I see no point in paying for drinks to just stand there/sit there. I need some dancing, but I will admit, Shanghai Kelly's is a place I would go to.
The drinks are moderately priced (actually some of them are awesomely priced).
$2 Bart Simpson shots, I'm not sure sure WTF it was.. I think it was some OJ and some Vodka but whatever it was..it was damn good, and got me pretty buzzed.
After a fail night at Rouge Nightclub across the street, we stumbled upon this place and the crowd was pretty crackin'. People were pretty chill and their beer selection (Blue Moon) on tap was nice too!
I didn't think I'd really fit in, but I did meet some cool people, and what are the odds, despire the name, we were the only Asian people in the whole place. The chic sitting next to me at the bar (who looked like a 100% white chic) was actually half of my ethnicity and we shared the same last name too!! (mind you, my last name is very very very uncommon).
Definitely come back here again!
I came here a couple of times but wasn't impressed. This place reeks "regulars only" and it takes a while to get a drink if you aren't a regular.
The patrons are overdressed for a dive bar, very cliquish, very high school if you know what I mean. Sorry, but there are many bars in Long Beach that kicks this place's ass in ambiance and price.
They make strong drinks which saves this place from one star.
Like George Costanza, I often get the sense of worlds colliding at Shanghai Kelly's. But in a good way. Like the Summer of George was supposed to be.
I love running into friends at Shanghai Kelly's and it often seems to be a good mix of people who often don't leave their favorite 'hood, whether it's the Mission, North Beach, the Marina, or Oakland even. I had my bday here last year for this very reason. I've always had fun there, except if it's super crowded, but I could say that about any bar.
Met the owner (who also owns Northstar) a couple months ago and he is genuinely nice (and also hosted the Oakland PD fundraiser at Northstar, which was very cool of him).
Shanghai Kelly's is a good place to start or end the night. And try the Bart Simpson shot, even though you may think it sounds weird.
Bartenders from Boston ROCK!!! Especially if they're named Brian.
I stop into Kelly's all the time to catch the score with a pint or sometimes just to read the funny sign at the entrance...very witty bunch i tell ya.
Not only are the owners Irish, but they have Irish friends too. Ahhh, I feel like I'm right back at home when I'm here.
The annual party bus to the A's / Red Sox game is wicked fun!
What a paahhty! They supply the booze and tickets and you just concentrate on screaming Nomahhhhh... Yeah, it's okay that he's on the A's now, we can still say it.. it's just plain ol' fun!
If you're obsessed like I am, sign up for their mailing list too. It's equipped w/ sports trivia, drink specials and game schedules.
Speaking of which, I'll be catching some March Madness action with a $3 cocktail in hand tonight!
p.s. they are technically a Steelers bar but I won't hold that against them ;)
I had wine here, why did I have wine here?
I love wine, why did I have wine here?
This place seems to be more cool and fun than it is, It was another broken promise and as I went out of there, I knew, I will never be back!
I liked the toilet though, YAY!
Because of my lack of bar-hoppin' and reviews from bars, I can tell you one thing, that I'm probably the last Yelper to give a useful review to any bars.
Like the preceeding reviews from other Yelpers, this small corner bar is definitely a bar for Pittsburgh Steeler's Fans. I don't know how this small bar can hold all these fans .i.e. my co-worker and his wife who are also die-hard Pittsburgh Steeler's fan. And me, a Niner fan, well, I'm just hiding shamefully and just there to watch and enjoying the game. I'm not going to tell the Steeler fans that i'm a Niner fan. I'm not that crazy!
The bar offers $2.00 bottles of Bud and Bud Light. It is kind of odd offering the excited Steeler fans a special on a crappy St. Louis beer. Anyway, the sport-patrons drink whatever they can to enjoy the playoff game.
Despite a sad and painful ending to Ravens Running Back Willis McGahee, the Steelers won the game and advance to Superbowl versus the NFC Champion: Arizona Cardinals. And all the Steeler fans including my two companions were very thrilled, happy and most likely be back to Shanghai Kelly's for the Superbowl.
When I saw this would be the 4th stop on the golf-themed pub crawl, I was excited.
This is one of my favorite bars in San Francisco, if not my favorite. I always have tons of fun here. The place is pretty small, but it is filled with friendly bartenders, attractively priced drinks, rad music, and really cool people from all over the country (and world).
But as a 49er fan, I have to deduce one star due to the fact it is a Pittsburgh Steelers bar!
Boo!
I don't know what took me so long to write a review for the sister bar of my fave place, Northstar. I guess I figured my review for them crossed all connected borders.
Kelly's is fun afternoon/day time place and often good for week night sport's watching. My favorite bartender in San Francisco proper, Sub, works here AND at the Nstar...nice to know that no matter what side of the hill I'm on, I will probably see a friendly face.
The crowd is fun, the drinks are priced fairly and the location is ideal. I wouldn't recommend this spot on a busy Friday or Saturday evening as many non-regulars crowd it up and I've seen a few fights break loose. Other than that, Kelly's is a fun spot to catch a pint and people watch on Polk :-).
I had the best time here last night.
#1 - Because the FL Gators won the National Championship
#2 - Steve and Dave served it up right and didnt get mad that I kept calling Dave, Doug.
This bar really is everything you need, great bartenders, open at all the right times, and the girls restroom isnt anything to right home about, but it does the trick.
Polk Street offers alot of choices, but I keep coming back here, it 's just a sure thing, and a sure thing can be hard to find these days!
I go to Kelly's regularly for football game watches and I couldn't ask for a better spot.
The bartenders are always friendly and fast. The drinks are always tasty and fairly priced. Since they don't serve food, you can bring your own (which is good for the nearby Mexican and pizza joints). They even have game-day specials! The bar is kind of small, so it gets crowded quickly (especially when a themed bar-crawl comes through). But it's not a pretentious spot. The TVs are well placed but not overwhelming.
I'm a bit partial to the environment and other patrons because they're all fans of my team. Mostly, anyway! Even the few that aren't are there for a good time and everyone seems to be a good-natured sports fan.
this place is a pretty decent dive bar and I had a great experience. Its nothing particularly special, but everyone there, including my friends and myself, was having a great time. i would recommend the jager bombs.
Also, for some reason, I remember there were some interesting articles on the bathroom wall. I don't remember why I remember that, but I do.
Shanghai Kelly's is the sort of dive that if I lived nearby, I'd probably find myself hitting it up pretty frequently. Friendly patrons, strong drinks, and the sort of rowdy sports bar vibe that attracts my favorite sort of striped shirt/popped collar/former athlete.
But since I don't live nearby, I felt like an outsider. Everyone was buddy buddy with one another, it was ass to ass crowded, and the wait for drinks was lengthy. And the dudes were all short, which of course had NO BEARING WHATSOEVER to my opinion of the place. None. Nada. Zilch.
Plus points for two reasons:
1. I watched Oklahoma State kick some Missouri tushie here. No, I don't really know football, nor do I really like Oklahoma State. I chose the team with the better colors (orange and white are nice and summery) and ranking (17 is my favorite number). Don't you wish I was in your fantasy league now?
2. I got recognized here. Yep, little ol' inconspicuous me:
*Tap tap*
Tall chick: "Hey I know you!"
Me: "You do?"
Tall chick: "Yeah, you're the I Know I'm Fucking Tall girl from Bay to Breakers!"
Me: "Haha, wow. Good memory!"
Tall chick: "Oh I have your picture on my computer at home! I LOVE IT!"
Bow down, bitches. You just read a celebrity's review on Shanghai Kelly's. No big deal.
I cant remember too much about this place.
The line getting in was a bloody shambles.
It was busy. Very busy.
It smelled kinda musty.
Everybody was completely shitfaced.
The toilets were a bloody disgrace.
Lots of Irish crap nailed to the walls.
There was a scottish guy behind the bar. He was cool & so was his ladyfriend.
Strange mirror at the end of the pub that you may collide with thinking its the next part of the bar.
Did I mention that the toilets were a bloody disgrace ???
Apparently, I share my surname with a canadian girl who dislikes Orlando Bloom.
Or perhaps Orlando Bloom was telling me he disliked canadian girls who shared my surname?
Hmmm... Yes, it was nearly time to call it a night... One last stop... Hotdogs & Chilli.
[Bar #6, 12 pints down]
I came here a couple weeks ago to watch the Steelers game. I was in San Francisco for the weekend and heard it was one of the better Steelers bars in San Francisco, but what does that even mean?
I strolled in, bald head, sun glasses and 86 jersey in tow and found a place to sit down. To my horror, the dude next to me was drinking a Naked Juice through a straw that he seemed way too fond of and the C&C I ordered worked out to like $2 an ounce. I was already missing Gabes' standard issue Dixie cups my C&C's usually come in. This was bullshit.
Then, just as I was getting comfortable on my bar stool and finishing my drink, this lady comes in with 2 bags full of appetizers from Whole Foods. She had some sun-dried tomato hummus, rice crackers, and some funky expensive looking cheese she seemed to be saving for when the party really got started. I didn't even know the fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers could develop such sophisticated palates. I know I hadn't.
Needless to say, I got up from my seat and headed to the other end of the bar. Gouda is not going to ruin my day! But unknowingly, I had relocated to the heart of the freak show. I ended up beside this shaggy dude in a black trench coat who started shaking his hands in the air in front of him like the one man chosen by Jesus to save our souls. He repeatedly shouted, "UNLEASH THE HOUNDS!!!!"
I glanced back at the door. It wasn't too late, but my loyalty to the Steelers forced me to endure the circus around me. Once the game was fully underway, I settled into my spot and met several really cool people around me and the place quickly filled with Steelers fans that were just as rowdy as the ones I'm used to. This Steelers bar definitely felt like San Francisco and after the Steelers won everyone poured out into the streets, waving their Terrible Towels.
All in all this was a fun place to watch the game, but this is definitely the bar the rest of the Steeler Nation doesn't brag about to it's friends or talk about publicly..
Came in here after a few drinks and everyone was more wasted, let me re-phrase that..completely and utterly sloshed.
The bouncer almost threw up as he took our ids, the bartender lost her memory and forgot to charge us for our drinks, the people were swaying and singing into our shoulders, heart to hearts were being given between girls all around us, every collar was popped
Fun for the very shit-faced
Strange for the semi-sober
i like this bar. it's by far my favorite closest to my apt. the bartenders are really nice. the patrons are real laid back. non of that marina nonsense. it can get crowded. but i tend to frequent at less busy times of the day.
oh and they love boston. but you have to have a 20$ min on your cc.
At almost any bar, I can usually push, shove and squeeze my way to the bar and get a drink. I followed some friends into Shanghai Kelly's on a Saturday night, and barely took 3 steps in the door before I was completely surrounded by drunken revelers. I myself had just started to brown out so I was with like company.
It's not a very large space, but I was still shocked at how many people they were able to cram in there. The big plus was that there seemed to be no shortage of attractive women making this a huge boon to single lads such like myself. The atmosphere was pretty lively and fun, if I actually got a drink I'd give this place 4 stars. But the ladies in our group weren't interested in waiting for their drinks, so we continued on to The Buccaneer.
There is a pay parking lot ($10) not more than a block or two away that can used if street parking is too hellish.
I am a big fan of this bar. Situated conveniently across the streets from the best tacos in town, Nick's Crispy Tacos, it is always a place I can call home after a big meal. Although it tends to get crowded at random hours, this bar can squuuueeeze in quite a packed house. The bartenders are good at keeping up and they are quick to serve.
The entertainment of both the sports games on multiple tvs and the extravagant photos on the walls keeps me coming back. This is a great place to have a beer, hang out, and start your night out on Polk street right!
This is a bar that I just like having in my 'hood, even though I don't really go there that often. I like the sign, I like stopping in for a beer, and I just like dive bars and the character they exude.
Football season + cold Miller High Life's + Fernet + attentive barhands = my tribute to getting Shanghaied in San Francisco.
know your history:
http://en.wikipedia.or...
My Russian Hill haunt,
Adventure, Intrigue, Romance,
Needs a few more girls.
Im a dive bar fan
I am a Bloody Mary fan
I am a football fan
I am from New England.....and can watch my games here
I am a Shanghai fan
for a dive bar you cant ask for much more
Good bar for a beer. It is one of those typical long and narrow bars, which are common in San Francisco, but annoying when you are trying to have a good time and get bumped by everyone in the bar as they make their way to the bathroom. Four stars if you only expect a dive-ish bar out of the joint.
Friday night and the vibe was right! I love that feeling of camaraderie that I start to feel with every single person in a bar after I've had four or five drinks! There was still room to move around when I arrived around 10 PM, but after about an hour, people were crammed in this place like sardines! We found a comfy little spot in the back and stuck with it for most of the night ... definitely camp out by an open window if it's a warm night!
At some point I went outside for a breath of fresh air and got a random fist pound from a passing stranger...as he walked by I said "Happy Friday!" ... he came back for a second fist pound! So what have we learned?? Friday night + Shanghai Kelly's = good vibes
I live down the street and still don't go there that much. It has a good sports crowd if you like the Steelers and the local teams, but even then it is insanely crowded due to how small it is.
I don't recall the drinks being outrageously expensive but there's nothing about it that screams "come back".
Parking is IMPOSSIBLE in my neighborhood.
If you get desperate you can pay for parking across the street at walgreen's.
DO NOT test your parking luck. It will not happen, especially after 5pm.
I am generally here to meet up with the Mayo brothers, who live just down the street. They're usually watching football or something like that, and we always end up smooshed into the corner by the jukebox.
I suspect that there is a phantom farter that follows me around from bar to bar in Russian Hill, and he always seems to make his presence felt at this place first. The funny part is watching everybody go on about their business, as though nothing happened.
That only seems to encourage him (or her). Whoever it may be...
My home away from home away from home.
Being the sister bar of the North Star, the service and quality of drink is superb. Everyone there is super cool b/c they also bartend at the NorthStar. Weird to see that it doesn't have a four star rating.
Not a five star b/c of the lack of jukebox.
Meh is absolutely right....this place is definitely lacking in MANY areas....nasty/teensy bathrooms....oddly shaped... weird mix of sausagefest watching sports center, and trashy girls trying to get their attention. Also some annoying chick came in selling cigarettes and ish...unimpressed...it is really close...so maybe if i was already trashed i might finish my night here, but i would not stay here for a long time.
I've been here many times in the last year since I moved here, and you know what? I still like it.
Saturday we celebrated St. Patricks day here, complete with car bombs and tequila shots, because, you know, tequila is soooo Irish.
Although crowded, it was a fun crowd. Although completely drunk, it was a fun drunk. Conveniently located across from Nicks Crispy Tacos, which at 730pm after an entire day punishing livers is so necessary. Did I stumble out of here content with a belly full of booze and rainbows? You know I did.
Question: what happened next? Answer: more tequila. Go Irish.
Ok I admit it; I am getting too old to be at the Buccaneer at 2:00 am with my buddies. Last time I was, I made a fool of myself trying to talk to a 20 something gal and look cool, while playing dice. Then on the walk home was spotted from a friend's window throwing up in the street. Thanks Teague for the 10 Fernets.
Dave on the other hand at Shanghais will challenge me with trivia and if I can not get the ones he says are easy, I know it is time to go.
There are a number of things that every bar needs to get 5 stars.
1) Good Bartenders
2) Amusing stuff to look at on the walls when you are sick of looking at your friends.
3) Great music not only on the Juke box but also in the cd player when you are the only person in the place.
4) When you put your money on the bar you leave it! the bartender takes out what is needed for each round as you go.
5) When someone backs you up, it is signaled by an upside down shot glass, not a chip or just another drink sitting there getting warm. It's like an advertisement saying, hey at least someone likes me!
6) A free drink every one in a while.
7) A kick ass super bowl party
8) A good mix of people in the crowd
9) A bus trip to a game a few times a year!
10) Ice cold Bud bottles
Shanghai's has them all!
Date & Time: Various Tues-Sat Late Nights
Company: Michael & Friends
Crowd: Cool Mix of Locals
Vibe: Cool and Chill
Service: Friendly
Imbibe: Beer
I was drinking beer at noon today with my friend, talking about all the people we know who "need therapy", because we are normal, and it is perfectly normal to be getting wasted at noon, unshowered, and wearing the same clothes from last night.
I was thinking how normal it is to have random bruises on my arms for no reason, and how it was totally normal to eat my cheerio's with split pea soup that time, because I ran out of skim milk.
About as normal as the cooler I saw on a shelf behind the bar marked "spare livers".
We hold these truths to be self-evident:
Sports Bars are obviously lame.
San Francisco sports teams are obviously lame as well.
The fans of San Francisco sports teams are the lamest of them all.
To be a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city of Pittsburgh, or any of the three rivers is ridiculous.
Now despite all of this, this bar has a self-depricating quality about it that is very charming. The staff is very nice and laid back as well. I would not mind coming back here on a lazy, early Sunday afternoon to drink some nice cold beers whatsoever. Nice work Kelly's.
$4 Draft Beers!
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