- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Steff's Sports Bar
Category: Nightlife Bars Sports Bars Sports Bars [Edit]
141 2nd St(between Minna St & Natoma St)
San Francisco, CA 94105
Neighborhood: SOMA
(415) 777-1844
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 12 am
Fri-Sat 11 am - 2 am
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Thu
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
117 reviews for Steff's Sports Bar
Review Highlights
"A basic bar with free popcorn and friendly bartenders."
(in 12 reviews)
"They have a pool table, who doesn't love pool tables."
(in 25 reviews)
"This bar is also great because they have CORN DOGS."
(in 11 reviews)
Loading...
117 reviews in English
-
Review from Nick B.
San Francisco, CA
1/22/2012
BOOM FOOTBALLLLLLLLLLLLL!
So off to a sports bar for some Sunday rowdiness with the local crazy fans! Steff's was cool. I have been here before and it has a good mix of what you want and what you need in a bar. Obviously a big ass TV and good beer along with food to eat make everything start just right.
The second main point is a good crowd that doesn't get blind drunk. That way you can cheer and have fun without worrying about someone breaking a bottle and trying to kill the guy next to him because he questioned the replay official on if it was a catch or not.
Great day of sports! -
Review from Dustin H.
Foster City, CA
9/11/2011
This is probably the first legit sports bar I've ever been to. Im not a sports-bar kinda guy, but I really like this place. Decent drinks, very inexpensive, pool table, free popcorn! Jukebox, GIGANTIC-ASS TV.
I like going here on Fridays to just unwind and bitch and gripe about the week. I kind of feel bad for the bartender, who I have always seen as this solo asian lady. She's super super sweet and gets your drinks on time, I just wise they'd give her some support out there, especially when a group of 40 1Ls comes in and bombards her -
Review from Sappho C.
Gilroy, CA
1/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Only been here once, but will definitely want to come back. I never really checked out bars around the downtown area, but this is the type of bar I'd love to hangout and chill. Lots of TVs and theres jukebox that you can pick your music. The place seems very relaxed and the people definitely seem very nice. It did take a little longer to get your drinks, but hey, if you're in a good atmosphere and good hangout spot, then its worth the wait. Check it out!
-
Review from Shawn P.
Yeah yeah yeah - San Fran has great exotic food choices but sometimes I don't want quail eggs moose pate drizzle flambé .. blah blah blah
Sometimes beer & corn dog works just fine and here along with super giant AMC sized big screens - this place is the local sports bar, that has that throw back to the first bar you has a beer in feel to it.
The only place in the area you can spend 3-4 hours and spend less than $25 on 4 beers and a meal. -
Review from Shane M.
Encinitas, CA
5/17/2011
I went in at 3:30 PM because I had nothing better to do.
The bartender was extremely friendly and offered to put on any game and pump the sound for any TV that I wanted. The selection of alcohol was solid and not too pricey. Additionally, free popcorn was given to everyone in attendance.
The TVs were all fairly new and they apparently had Direct TV and any sports channel imaginable. All in all, seemed like a chill place to watch a game and do a little drinking. -
Review from Mark M.
6/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
I like Stefs, but that is probably because I am a big sports fan. Good drinks, crowd, and they have all the big games.
Tip: do not come here with a pretty girl you are still trying to get to know. You can't focus on her... -
Review from Kristin H.
Encino, CA
7/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Love this bar.
Jukebox.
Pool.
Multiple televisions with different games!
Bar stools.
Shots, shots, shots, beer, and more beer.
Super inexpensive and a good time.
Side note: SUPER clean restrooms! -
Review from Gina G.
San Francisco, CA
8/3/2011
I came here last night with a friend, after work around 'happy hour' time.
I wasn't overly impressed. If you're into sports and want to watch a game, this would be an ideal place to do that. They have a ridiculous amount of flat screen TVs and also serve corn dogs and hot dogs.
I wasn't in the mood for beer, and luckily they do have a full bar. Their carbonation machine/whatever it is called wasn't working for some reason, so I couldn't get a jack and coke or gin and tonic. I settled on a somewhat weak and diluted vodka cranberry. Blah. -
Review from Kim K.
5/5/2011
Sports bar review:
Flatscreens? Check!
Sausage fest? Check!
Bartender service? Hmmm...
Decor? Divey.
Located on 2nd st just south of Market, this little bar is a convenient spot to duck into if you want to catch a sports game before/during/after work. It's clean enough to not be completely divey, but it's on the divey side. Sweet korean bartendress probably isn't mixologist- or she might be if you order in korean- but being a basic sports bar you're better off with the basics.
Bar seats were fully occupied by men at 5pm on a weekday. There were student types, older regulars who probably have butt imprints on a stool and guys who clearly just ducked out of the office.
Single Ladies, are you reading? -
Review from Bj S.
San Francisco, CA
9/20/2011
This is our go to spot for a lunchtime HH. Sometimes when work is stressful and coworkers are crabby a drink does a mind good. Cool bartenders, affordable drinks, big TV and jukebox, what more could you ask for. I'll keep coming back til the wheels fall off.
-
Review from Louis N.
San Francisco, CA
1/5/2011
This is the go-to place for a drink and a corndog. They have a bunch of flat screens playing whatever sports games are on, a dartboard, and a pool table.
They also have 151, which means you can get a Galvatron here! Usually, it's $11 depending on which bartender you get. http://ngobros.wordpre...
I've been here a LOT because I go to school nearby, but it's a great chill place to grab a drink with friends, so if you come by, you'll probably run into me sometime! Holla atcha boy! -
Review from Brian F.
San Francisco, CA
6/3/2011
I walked into Steff's bar in a seriously bad mood after having a couple drunk buddies ruin a Giants game for me, leading to my 3rd inning departure from the game. It was a Friday night and I got to the bar by the 4th inning, in serious need of a friendly ear and a cold beer while catching the rest of the game. The bartender, Julie, was awesome. Even though it was busy, she managed to use those magical bartender powers and keep my drink full, listen to me lament having to leave the game early and keep everyone else at the bar topped up all at the same time.
I have worked in the service industry a long time and so I am picky, especially when it comes to my bartender, I expect alot. I will be returning to Steff's to catch games whenever I can't find myself a ticket in the future. -
Review from Christine C.
Oakland, CA
12/9/2010
Dropped in here last week to catch some of the UCLA v. USC football game. (Go BRUINS! Too bad we lost. Meh.) Awesome picture quality, though! I should watch sports in hi-def more often.
So basically, it took me 1.5 beverages to stop feeling my nose. GREAT value on the drinks here! I was a little hungry though -- so maybe that would explain it. I took a star away because there was no food to eat here. Come on, it's a sports bar! If i wasn't waiting to meet up with friends for dinner, I would've probably been more upset about that. I took another star away since the bartender seemed kind of annoyed/unhappy. :/
Anyhoo, I really liked the low key vibe of this place. I will be back. -
Review from Rahul P.
San Francisco, CA
1/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Meh. I've experienced better... This is the yelp definition for a 2 star review and I concur.
A. This sports bar has huge potential but why do I always find it deserted. I've been here a few times and never found a crowd. C'mon I've experienced better sports bars.
B. The pool table SUCKS big time. The table sucked 3 years ago and its still the same.. C'mon guys if you'll charge 9 bucks for a glass of house wine you can afford to have a decent table. Pool tables are'nt that expensive.
C. I wonder if it's legal to have underage bartenders. I am not accusing anyone here but I felt my bartender was underage and needed a class or two in mixology. She didnt have a clue about Merlot versus Cabernet when I requested for one. But I made it easy for her and asked her for the house red wine. :)
I felt cheated after going here. I'd recommend Dada's thats a block away and its so much more fun there.. seriously. ;) -
Review from Langdon N.
San Jose, CA
11/5/2010
This place is a great place to go watch a sporting event and have a few cheap drinks while there.
I watched Game 3 of the World Series here, and while all the bars around AT&T Park were extremely crowded with long waits to get in, this bar had a great crowd with the same passion but without the overwhelming body odor.
This bar is also great because they have CORN DOGS! It basically brings back childhood in every bite and you can regain your adulthood by downing the cheap drinks they have here. -
Review from Kristin F.
Traverse City, MI
9/13/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Apparently the Moscone crowd didn't venture this far... every bar in SOMA was packed on Friday night after work. Ta-da, then we walked into Steff's! All we wanted were two seats, beer, and a reasonable noise level to make an exchange in conversation possible.
It was busy, but there was a spot for us right at the bar. The bartender was on top of her game and the beer flowed for a couple of hours. The Tiger's game was on and there were plenty of TV's for all.
Definitely enjoyed Steff's for happy hour. -
Review from Leonard L.
San Diego, CA
1/6/2011
Steffs Sports Bar
SF: South of Market (SoMa)
December 31, 2010
3 Star Bar
Cheap Drinks and Open Pool Table = what more could you ask for. It is always weird going to a sports bar when there is not a game on. But this place was enjoyable pit stop. -
Review from Amy M.
San Francisco, CA
9/8/2011
IF YOU'RE A SPORTS FAN, this place is perfect- plenty of games on. If you're a soccer fan you'll be pleased that they were playing a concacaf game last week on one of their several screens. Bar food in it's purest form (dogs, chips, general assortment of grease) and cheap drinks. Very cool place to chill, enjoy a drink with friends while catching a game.
-
Review from Stacy S.
San Mateo, CA
2/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place was pretty fun. A dive bar, but fun. They have an internet jukebox and a pool table to keep you entertained. The bartender (a female) made nice stiff drinks. The location isn't bad either, if you want to bar hop there are other places around. It was kind of dead in there when I was there, it was a tuesday at around 6pm though, so I will have to come back.
Bonus... they give you super salty popcorn.
Not so much of a Bonus... when you have to buy more drinks because you're thirsty.
Beware. :) -
Review from Marie B.
6/11/2010
There's not much not to like about Steff's--stiff drinks, not so high prices, friendly bartender, chill ambiance, and plenty of TVs. OH, I can go on...pretty spacious, pool table, electronic juke box, and erotic photo hunt (my friends have the current high score)...definitely makes for a fun night.
Nice that you can bring your own food, and sometimes they have food like hot dogs and chips.
Go for the neighborhood bar feel/chill atmosphere....without the smell of stale beer and annoying bar flies.Listed in: The Places I Go Out
-
Review from Aditya M.
San Francisco, CA
8/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pretty awesome place.. kinda empty-ish on a saturday night, which was nice as I had to lot of catching up to do with the friends I went there with. Good drinks, clean bathrooms and lots of TVs all around playing different sports matches!
-
Review from Sarah Z.
8/8/2010
The lack of food is a little (wait, more like very) disappointing. It's nice that they let you bring IN food to make up for it. But wouldn't we both benefit if you had a nice menu of bar foods to compliment my beers?
This place additionally disappointed me when I needed an 11am bar near work to watch world cup games. How about Steff's! I thought. But dealing with a cover charge so early in the morning was definitely not happening. We ended up having drinks/lunch and game watching at the Palace instead.
Considering how this place is within walking distance from the office and there will be plenty more times when I have an after-work sports need, I will probably be back. But the minute I find a better sports bar nearby - I'm outta here. Suggestions anyone? -
Review from Peter L.
4/2/2010 4 photos
This was only my second time here. Got a ESB Red Hook pint for $4.50 while friend grabbed a $5 Hefeweizen. There were no specials on beers during HH. The NIT Basketball Championship and ESPNews (http://static1.px.yelp...) were on most, but not all, of the TVs. This place is similar to a sports bar, but not exactly - it's more like a very clean and bright dive bar? So, that's what I'm going with.
Also noticed it was mainly FiDi-workers and barflies at the time, but those barflies had the best decorum I've seen. They held a conversation with the female bartender without being overly comfortable. And, she was really quick for being the only bartender working at the time (an early Thursday evening).
The restrooms are through a walkway next to a large overhead projection screen (http://static1.px.yelp...). Through there is a separate section for the $1/game pool table (http://static1.px.yelp...). Can see many stop-ins during the World Cup... -
Review from Ka C.
San Francisco, CA
12/29/2010 4 Check-ins Here
Great little sports bar in the soma area to grab a drink and watch a game. Beers range from $3 to $6, super affordable. Bartenders are nice but definetly no-non sense. There's no pretense and it's no-frills but why do you go to a bar but to drink and chat, right?
If you're looking for a chill place to hang with your friends, this is the spot for you! -
Review from Wanugee N.
Pleasant Hill, CA
3/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
This is a friendly, casual, neighborhood type bar in the middle of the FiDi.
It is a sports bar rather than a pick-up bar, with flat screens for your sports and friendly bartenders.
They even serve a little food, like hot dogs! They can make any drink, but doesn't focus on the trendy, young flavored drinks like the lounges that try too hard.
Come in here for an adult beverage and relax, without trying too hard.Listed in: Wanugee! San Francisco, Wanugee! Bars and Lounges
-
Review from Scott B.
8/25/2010 1 Check-in Here
Ok so I was in town looking for a place to practice darts. So I walked in and asked the bartender if they had a dart board. He pointed to one on the wall and I ran to the hotel down the road to grab my darts.
My coworker and I returned a half hour later ordered drinks and started playing a few games.
The place was slow and bartender was obviously board.
In the middle of our third game we were about to order new drinks and his friend walked in. She sat down said something. Then about two minutes later he stated that he was closing due to an emergency. What its 8 pm, If I owned the place I would fire him!
So we payed our tab and ran down the street to find another dart board.
Looks like a cool place, but I can give it more than one star based on my experience. -
Review from Michelle P.
San Francisco, CA
12/12/2010
Steff's, I am still mad at you for charging a cover during the world cup. I had to run to Kate O'brien's to see Spain win (and yes, I did purchase a beer.) This is why you are a last resort bar, but I still like you.
Just don't do it next time, m'kay? -
Review from Tom R.
San Francisco, CA
6/2/2009 2 Check-ins Here
I never wanted to go in here because I thought it was called Stiffs and I generally don't like sports bars.
I realize Steff's self identifies as a "sports bar" but to me it's just a typical neighborhood bar. When I was there I didn't see any frat boy types obnoxiously hooting at the TV. They have a few TVs showing sports but so does the 500 Club sometimes and no one is calling them a "sports bar".
The bartenders and the regulars are friendly. They have Anchor Steam and Red Hook ESB on tap so there are at least two acceptable choices.
They do charge $5 a pint for beer but that seems to be the regular price now outside the Mission.
I'd come here again if other people wanted to but wouldn't choose it myself. -
Review from stephy s.
San Francisco, CA
1/27/2009
"Wait? How have YOU not been to Steff's yet?!" he said as if I would be so self-absorbed as to patron places with my name or nickname somewhere in the title....
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Oh. Okay, ya got me. Doh! So yeah, I hadn't been to the little sport's bar with my name near work until last night, but I must say, it definitely served its purpose in the form of 3 whiskeys on ice after a pretty shit day.
We walked in and it was pretty empty. Perfect. I don't often need people around me when I am ready to punch a wall, or so said the judge that one time in Bakersfield, but I don't like to talk about that. The bartender was friendly enough and I couldn't really tell you much about the 3 patrons as I was focused on the convo at hand with my buddy.
The one thing I will say I didn't dig about this place was the bathroom. It's a little too, um, get a little closer, don't be shy for my taste. You see, there is only a curtain. Not a door, but a curtain, so if there had been more than the 3 dudes hanging out and say, drunken chicks were waiting for the bathroom, not sure how excited I would be to be doing my business with a mere curtain protecting me. Newp, not a fan.
And so, I can see coming back here if it was on the dead side after work again, but as a sufferer of public bathroom paranoia and far from a washer and dryer if the price is right, the curtain was a deal breaker.Listed in: San Francisco Bars!, SOMA Bars
-
Review from Christina S.
San Francisco, CA
3/20/2008
Ever wanted to hang out with all the mexicans in the Electrician's union? Oh you do...really? Are you sure? Ok then, go to Steff's and you won't be disappointed. Maybe you can have an amped up gang bang on the pool table.
side note: tamale man swings by this place (not to be confused with the tamale lady) and sells overpriced tamales that he swears are better than the tamale lady's tamales. this dude lies. eschew his lying ass. -
Review from Tushar K.
San Francisco, CA
5/26/2010
The best thing about this place is that the drinks are very moderately priced. So it's a good place to go after work for a beer or a cocktail without having to worry about dropping $12 bucks on a drink. Beer is $5/pint. Well drinks are about $6. I've been here a couple times and it's a good place to go to watch a game. It's never too crowded either and there's almost always free popcorn. They don't have a whole lot of food options but they're pretty cool about letting you bring in outside food. Would definitely recommend Steff's.
NOTE: Occasionally there may only be one server which results in having to wait a while for a drink, but even then, it's not too painful if there's a good game on to watch while you wait! -
Review from Ben P.
San Francisco, CA
8/18/2008
After 5 minutes of being ignore at Motorcycle Bar [yeah, that's not the official name, but you know the place I mean], my coworker and I went next door and snagged some stools at Steff's. And had a very decent time.
South African rugby? Sign me up [to watch]. I was amused that they thought my Crown & Coke order was sophisticated. I guess this is more a Jack & Coke kinda place. I meant to ask if they had Old Granddad behind the bar, because the place looked like it would've, and I love a shot of really cheap crap now and then.
I'm not sure how many metrosexuals have been offended by the alleged lack of hygiene in this place, but I saw nothing wrong, either with the bar itself or the bathroom. Anyone who orders a hot dog off a heated roller in a bar should know what they're getting into. I passed.
I've said it before, I'll say it again: this is NOT a dive bar. San Franciscans really seem to have no concept of what a dive bar actually is. There was no one in the bar who had been released from prison that day. There was no one in the bar who would likely be going to prison for what they did that day. The waitress was neither bigger, stronger, nor hairier than me. The TV screens did not have chain-link in front of them. That's like 4 strikes against it being a dive bar. It's just a small, cheap, decent place to have a drink without 22 former frat boys calling you "bro."
I'll take it. -
Review from Jennie K.
1/26/2009
The first thing you have to know about Steff's is that Teri should be your friend. Teri - the gorgeous Asian bartender with fabulous clothes. Trust me, you'll know her when you see her. Oh, to have her tiny figure!
I'm a law student. And I became accustomed to Steff's, if you will, during a particularly awful semester of Property II. My friend and I got to know Teri while we killed a few beers studying real covenants (trust me - "touching and concerning" is not as interesting as it sounds). Teri is awesome--so we try to come back as often as possible.
So while Steff's might not be the cutest, trendiest bar with sparkling-clean everything and sports on all the time, my extraordinarily low bar bill and attentive company brings me back as often as my student loans will allow.
Also, they sometimes have Law & Order on. And...well... I'm a fan. -
Review from carlos a.
5/19/2008
1 - cheap beer
2- tons of tvs
3 - $1.50 corn dogs and hot dogs
4 - A great place to watch a game
What else needs to be said? -
Review from Annie G.
Oakland, CA
5/8/2009
I've been to Steff's twice.
The first visit was before a Giants game and I managed to drink ~5 drinks in less than an hour. That was a fun Giants game.
For my second visit, I decided I'd climb up the alcoholic latter and have a few drinks at Steff's by myself. No one talked to me. I watched baseball. I got a little drunk. Perfection.
Now, I'm madly in love with dive bars, but I'm sick of super crowded dive bars with hipsters all over. I get it. Dive bars are all the rage. Awesome. But Steff's is a true dive bar. Crazy people. Old men. Frat boys. Hot anti-social girls (me, obviously). It's a wonderful mix. -
Review from Alissa K.
4/15/2008
My bar review seat-mate called me and wanted to meet up for a drink. This somehow turned into going downtown to see his friend the bartender. At Steff's.
So this guy came over from Russia sometime in 1994, and we got to talking about Russian vodkas (he likes Grey Goose best - isn't that some kind of treason or something?) Anyway, I told him I could tell the difference between shitty vodka and good vodka. In a mixed drink. He didn't believe me, so we did a taste test. I was too cocky, and I guessed too quickly... he seemed very tickled that I was wrong. On the other hand, he had still bought me two drinks. Who's the sucker now, huh?
So, Steff's is kind of a crappy cave, which is unfortunate, given its location. When I worked near there, I would've loved to have some better options for happy hours. It was either schmooze with the rich d-bags in the overpriced restaurants or hob-nob with um... rich d-bags in the dives.
Also, there were people at the bar doing shots, and they kept buying shots for us too. This fueled our bar exam talk (we knew we shouldn't, but we just couldn't help ourselves). That performance test was ridiculous, wasn't it? What the hell is putative marriage?
Aw, Christ... they bought us another shot. -
Review from Irene S.
5/31/2006
Fuse TV "Pants Off Dance Off" brings a whole new meaning to the words ::grotesque::heinous::traumatizing::
This makes Jerry Springer look like Sesame Street.Listed in: City Lights, City Frights
-
Review from mary ann c.
San Francisco, CA
5/28/2008
the fact that the bartender (she was great by the way) didnt bat an eye when my friend judi got down and did a psuedo centipede/push ups in a leopard print dress .........automatically earns it a place in my heart
It was such a welcoming environment compared to Rickenbacks .....
we took over the jukebox, danced around and waited for 111 minna to open.
minus one star for being a sports bar.......
and that damn 3 minute wait for music :-) -
Review from Mari C.
San Francisco, CA
1/25/2008
The Good:
-Never too crowded
-Casual
-POOL TABLE IN THE BACK
-Free popcorn
-Jukebox
-Close to my work
-Dive bar
The Bad:
-Dive bar
-Beers are $5 even though it's a dive
-Sports always on TV
-Bartenders lack charisma
-If no one puts money in the jukebox, there's no music
-Bathroom stall consists of a curtain
The Ugly:
-Pretty much everyone in the joint.
Not the perfect bar, but it's nearby and serves as an excellent place to play a game of pool and drink a beer or two. I've always had a good time there... it's a chill place to pre-game on a Friday night or blow off some steam after work.Listed in: Places my dad would hate, Let's Get DOWN
-
Review from Bill B.
3/20/2008
A good lunch spot in the FiDi, especially through the summer. The hand-made grilled sandwiches are tasty and reasonably priced. Quite a bit of light comes in through the front windows, so the place never feels like a cave. A rack of 8 TV's hangs over the bars, typically showing 3 sports channels at once. Several other TV's are scattered throughout the bar, so you're never out of view.
The bartenders are generally quick, friendly, HOT, and perfectly willing to locate your favorite game on TV if it's not super-busy. I like to come here for lunch during baseball season and watch a few innings over a sandwich and a frosty beverage. The rest of the year, there's not much on the tube to hold my attention, but they're always busy in the evening for basketball games.
Trivia: According to a 2004 US Bureau of Labor Statistics study, Montana is the only state wherein more than 1% of the population is employed as bartenders. Who wants to road-trip with me?
