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"Hands down the best bar in the city. The cocktails are incredible, the spirit, beer and wine selection spot on, the atmosphere mellow and…" read more »
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I love this place!
This has become the Thursday night meeting spot for me, the boyfriend, and one of my friends as we do our weekly Thursday nights in West Portal.
What started as a meeting spot, the Dubliner actually became a favorite place to go to. Our favorite bartender Otto (I hope that is how her name is spelled) is this amazing English lady who is so much fun to talk to. She usually dictates where the three of us go for dinner, since we always take her recommendation or her mood at the time.
For a bar, its actually quite clean, and fun to be at for a sporting event. Also, they have nights where drinks are only $3!!!!!! That's CHEAP!!!!!!
They have some fun nights like a pool night (they do have a pool table too!!!!), and a trivia night too I think, but overall, great place to go for some drinks and fun.
So this is tough for me to do - I even debated NOT updating my review - but alas the time has come.
I used to be at this bar daily (don't judge, the friends I've made here are great). The owner was super supportive when a group of us wanted to band together and form a softball team for the bar. He totally supported us for a few seasons and even bought us our jerseys. We made sure that we repaid him in kind by bring our opposing teams back to the bar (all the way from the Presidio I might add). Many of those other team members still frequent the Dubliner on occasion.
Why the 1-star you ask? Well, it's simple. I used to spend quite the pretty penny at the Dub - how much you ask? It's embarrassing to say really, but in the multi-thousands annually. I even moved out of the neighborhood and still made sure I visited at least 2 times/week. Back to my point though, the 1-star because the costs have gotten a little out of hand. Actually a lot out of hand. I get that there's cost in running a bar; staff, lights, rent, etc, but I also know what a keg of beer costs, how many pints I should get out of said keg, and what those pints should cost me. Retail cost mind you - I'm sure if I consumed more regularly, I'd get a discount. Maybe I need to take the money I spend at bars and have a keg or 2 at home . . . .
I digress. I live In Pacific Heights. Stuff ain't cheap here, but I can get a pitcher (PITCHER) of Stella for 12 bones right up the street, or I can can fight the crazies on MUNI to get to Noe and pay near 6 bones for one pint. It's pretty straight forward math. The Dubliner has become a bit like the Range Rover of bars for me; really nice and shiny, and everyone wants a ride, but MAN is it expensive to maintain.
A few others here have also reviewed the staff. I will say there are indeed issues - lots of them, with both past and current staff. I will be fair though and not judge because I work in the service industry too, I know how it goes.
All in all, it's got great ambiance, I really dig the smoking room, and the staff (while some of them seriously have their days and need to be checked) are good, the numbers just don't make this place a winner for this girl.
I will say, that in me not going to the Dubliner every day anymore, I've found some pretty awesome new places, so keep your eyes peeled for those reviews!
This is my home away from home, my "Cheers" if you will.
I love it because even though I'm a regular…
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I can't say I will never go back, but have been actively avoiding the place recently even though it is my "local", and there is not much else in Noe Valley. Why?
I have been going there pretty regularly for three years, and as such I have watched the cycle of employees rotate at a phenomenal rate. This means even though its my "local" I know practically nobody who is working after 5pm. The biggest issue (other than being treated like a stranger in a place I used to go every week) is that these new gals (and they are almost always gals) have little or no bar tending experience at the start, so no chance of getting a decent cocktail until they get some experience. Once they have that they either run away from the terrible working conditions or get fired by the owner. Its happened to at least 20 gals there in the last 3 years. I have never seen anything like it before. Its all I can do to keep from shouting "run away" at the new faces that appear there like clockwork every couple of months.
This would be bad enough on its own but we have just accepted this for the last three years as the way the place runs. What is the final kicker is that the owner's solution to a troubled economy has been three price hikes in the last 6 months, specifically on what were once the cheapest drinks in the place (and on all the biggest sellers). This means $4.50 for PBR on draft, $5 for Corona in a bottle, $4.50 for Miller Lite, etc. So one can either pay $5 or $6 for a draft beer , $7 for a glass of lousy wine, or $6 or more for a shot of liquor.
Why on earth would someone who owns a bar *punish* the regular customer by singling out their regular drinks? It makes no sense to me at all.
So at the end of it, I find I can't in good conscience spend my money there anymore. if I want to drink PBR on draft, I can walk to Doc's Clock and get it for $2.
Okay, I give. The owner insists on relentless television, the prices are ridiculous for a… Read more »
The only reason I go to this bar is to hang with my favorite bartender, Liz. She is awesome to be around, funny, and makes me a mean stiff drink every time I go in. And, that's what I want in a bartender and a bar.
Just made my first (but not last) visit to The Dubliner. It's my new favorite bar in the Noe.
After visiting the Valley Tavern, I popped into this bar for another adult bevy, and was pleasantly surprised. Micro and Miller on tap -- something to please any thirsty palate. Large bar slab is sprinkled with locals from stool to stool, there's groups huddled around tall bar tables, and couples hanging out in the back bench tables.
Surprisingly clean bathrooms. A clean bathroom in a bar is always note worthy. It's like finding a priest at a Velvet Revolver concert -- An oddity that's got to be worth something.
I love Irish bars, and the Dubliner is one of the best in town. The service is always exceptional; it's a perfect neighborhood bar because you are always immediately welcomed by the staff and feel right at home upon entering.
Liz is the best bartender in the house so try to hit the place up when she's working - Tues/Thurs eves and weekend days. She's really friendly and at ease with all the customers, and knows how to treat her clientele - I've never once seen her act surly, which is definitely a rarity in that line of work! She knows her way around the bar and makes excellent cocktails. Five stars.
Pro: Nice location, and good selection of beer on tap. TVs playing sports. Friendly local patrons.
Con: Beer was expensive, and bartender Liz complained loudly about not being tipped enough on a Tuesday evening.
Cost: $9.50 for two Anchor Steams+ $1.50 tip = $11.00.
I've been going to the Dubliner for about 15 years, ever since my wife and I moved to Eureka Valley, and I've gotta say it's still my favorite watering hole. The owner has always been kind and generous to his staff, and some of them working there now are the ones we met when we first went into the Dub. The clientele is a mostly younger, professional crowd of friendly and intelligent people, and I enjoy seeing them whenever I go in. It's a clean and friendly place, and it's easy to meet people if you're so inclined. Overall, I give it an easy 5 stars, much to the chagrin of the same couple of disgruntled people who have tried to bash the Dub in every public forum as a personal vendetta against the owner.
I have only been here twice but it was great both times! The service is great and the feeling in the bar is so positive. It seems to be full of regulars but they don't seem to mind when a new comer pops in. I will go to this bar again...maybe even become a local since it IS in my neighborhood!!
I generally have a three visit rule before I review an establishment (much like the date rule prior to getting busy with a hot guy)...but sometimes you gotta say "Fuck It" I'm reviewing this place because it was so goddamn awesome.
Enter: The Dubliner
I was walking around the area because I wanted to get familiar with the area because I will be house sitting nearby very soon. So I see this sign that says The Dubliner and it screamed "Charlotte.....you have to be here". Here are a few reasons why I am so amazed and pleased with this place:
1. A smoking room. Granted, I quit smoking last year but goddamn I have never seen that before and was absolutely impressed with the concept. There is even a window to the bar so you don't have to leave. I may resort back to that nasty habit just to experience it.
2. Bloody Marys are amazing. Yes, I was ordering one at a later-than-usual time (and got called out on it) but I just got done hiking Muir Woods and needed a little relief. At first I thought "Why the hell is this taking so long", but then after experiencing it I understood.
3. Appropriate and lovely memorial to the OPD officers. It was small, but it had a picture of all four officers on the ledge and yes I was that girl crying at the bar as the news was showing the earlier memorial service. I am sensitive and this was an issue near and dear to my heart, deal with it.
Even after I am old and gray and filled with Botox, I will always remember the Dubliner. This is a place that I could get totally drunk and inappropriate in one night and return the very next day with no shame.
Yikes! $6 for a glass of Magners! And I wasn't offered ice (not that I would've accepted). And very a loud jukebox.
Great neighborhood bar.
Great Irish bartenders, and hot cocktail waitresses.
Almost never so crowded you can't order or walk around.
Good place to watch sports in HD.
What more can you ask for of a great pub-y dive-y bar?
an older crowd for sure. their service is great just not really that fun of a bar.. i mean it is noe so its totally expected..
a good place for a quick drink.. a total noe neighborhood bar..
good service.. just not that much fun. :)
Solid. Not classy, but not a dive either. Not a great beer selection, but not bad. Good for games, and overall good atmosphere. Busy just about every night, but rarely packed. Even a semi-outdoor smoking area for those in need. Overall a great spot to have within walking distance if you live in Noe.
I'd have to say this is my go-to bar in Noe Valley. Comfortable, lots of seating and an excellent jukebox. It's one of those damned Internet ones, but regardless, the patrons usually put on quality stuff. Also a good place to catch a sporting event with lots of conveniently placed TVs (even a big flat-screen outside on the smokers' patio for those of you that got 'em).
Tons of beers on tap and pretty good house wine. Can't say anything about the liquor as I don't drink the stuff. The bartenders are super friendly and will even stop to chat if it's not too busy.
They order the food from across the street at Joe's. It's pretty good pub fare, nothing special, but not bad. The fries are delicious.
And not that this matters, (really? we need to vote on coat checks? isn't there a more worthwhile category like "stench" or "bathrooms" for cryin' out loud?) but they do have cool little hooks under the bar for those coats and purses that are burdening you so much.
Speaking of bathrooms, they have pretty good ones (usually clean, multiple stalls, etc), but the men's urinal sitch is somewhat awkward. Go pee and you'll see what I mean.
In all honesty the joint should get more stars because the regulars there are so swell, but that's personal bias and not a straight up review.
It's not my kind of bar, I like a joint with actual personality. There are too many televisions playing too much sports, and I don't care about that. Yes, they have one of them newfangled digital jukeboxes that can play pretty much anything you're into, but that does not spell personal style to me. Give me a machine where the staff and regulars stock their own discs, that'll give you a sense of flavor.
Yes, they have a windowed off smoking area, nice and open to the street, and that's a good thing. The bathrooms are impeccably clean, I'd be comfortable taking a #2 there. In fact... well, never mind.
Per the bartenders, I found that coming in with a regular had me treated well enough at the bar. But other than that? It seems pretty cookie cutter neighborhood tap.
In all honesty, it's the regulars that make this joint, and boy, do they ever. They're there all the damned time. Too often, to tell you the truth. Bunch of worthless and wonderful drunks. When I first stepped in I asked myself, what the fuck is the hype about? What's the attraction? It's a nothing bar, and it isn't like it's super cheap. It's just...close by to where these guys live. Hence they're there. Hence, I've always had a good time whenever I've been to visit (I'm from NYC). But if I was just wandering the area and knew nobody? I wouldn't even drop in, unless I needed to use the can, but at least then I'd be happy.
Ya know, I was going to write a review ripping this place. A few of us went to this bar yesterday and definitely won't go back. That said, I'll try to objective.
On paper, it looks good. Irish pub...cool. Smoking patio...great. Tons of TVs...tell me more. Lots of seats...sign me up.
In reality, it is a good concept that has been poorly executed. The major flaw is the staff. Unknowledgable, condescending and unfriendly are words that fit.
I'm sure that there must be some cool people that work there, but they must have had yesterday off.
Last night was the first night I have ever been here. What an extraordinarily well-lit bar. Seriously, you can see every single pore on every single face, which, in terms of probability and attractiveness, might not be the best thing. It is refreshing to once again know what people look like, however, if you're saddled with something called "standards." If you're curious, most of the people here were dudes on the wrong side of portly.
Another compounding factor that added to the sense of clarity last night: I did not drink. I ain't drinking for January, see? So I ordered a coffee, and it was FREE. Is this normal? Because it's awesome. From now on, I'm drinking all of my coffee in bars, and once February rolls around, I'm drinking all of my liquor in bed.
Near the front of the bar, there was an obnoxious mid-90s microphone-less karaoke crowd yelling along to dumb songs. That popular song by Live came on (the only one, I think) - "Lightning crashes, an old baby dies..." or something like that, and I wondered, "Who the fuckity foo picked that damn song to play right damn now?" Is that song just about abortions? I don't know why I think that's what it's about, still. Anyway, a choice track by Bush (?) followed it on the jukebox and I was reminded of the bittersweet mid-90s, when I reigned as an insecure high school lord, suckling at the sweaty teat of MTV for cultural sustenance.
There's also a smoking patio out front, which always happily toasts my nipples.
Nipples and teats! Nipples and teats! I don't even know how to review a bar if I didn't drink there. It's like I don't even know how to be anymore. I was smiling and laughing most of the night, though, so I'll give it 3.75 stars, to be rounded up to 4 by the cruel math gods behind this website.
The food was mediocre. Drinks were ok too. Took forever to get the bartenders attention who was busy chatting up some friends.
I think it's a place for guys to hang out. It is definitely not a place where bunch of girlfriends can meet for dinner and drinks. You can hang out there if you are wearing sweats and flip flops... wanting to hang out with with a beer in hand.
Irish sports pub?
Who KNEW!!!!
Beer tastes mostly the same in most bars, but the people that spend time at the Dubliner in combination with the TV's (great for sports) and the bartenders are always great. They have a separate smoking area for you cancer lovers which is great because you have your own area away from people like me!
Many a happy night my friend.
Drinks, average priced. Selection, GREAT!! Clean, mellow, tvs for sports and a killer cd jukebox.
That's all you needed to say to get me there.
Oh.....well....cool mellow neighborhood boys too that play for my team. That was the clincher.
Seriously though. A lot of locals during the week and everybody is mellow. One of my favorite bars in SF. How I miss thee!!
I love this pub for a 'pint' (of Guinness) after one of my exhausting Saturday afternoon shopping jaunts on 24th Street!
I have enjoyed the Dubliner, and the bar staff! (Brazilian daytime bartender) for years. I am comfortable either socializing there, or simply watching TV whilst sipping my pint!
I also relish the great football (aka soccer) matches I've enjoyed there. While not a glossy sports bar, it's definitely a comfortable neighborhood joint.
I'm the girlfriend of a beer perfectionist. It's harder than it sounds, trust me. I like a good beer- don't get me wrong- but after so many, well... a beer is a beer is a beer is a beer....
My saving grace from wringing my hands and biting my lip in anticipation of boyfriend's reaction to seeing the typical beer list? The Dubliner.
This bar has some of the best beers on tap that I (and Mr. Picky) have seen. As if that isn't enough of a relief for me and my blood pressure, the bartenders are unbelievably friendly and fast.
The only reason I'm not giving five stars is because of the slurring, stumbling, middle-aged drunks that sometimes make the Dubliner their drinkery of choice. Not always, but enough to note.
You know, last week I stopped in every bar from the 3300 Club down Mission St., over to Valencia to hit up the Dovre Club and Clooney's, and then hiked my ass up to the Dubliner, by myself! Yeah, I should have been sauced after that, but NO, I was not. Instead I merely stopped in every bar I could find trying to find the Kings play-off game. Watching the game shouldn't be that hard. I'm not even going to go into the fact that Comcast screws me on a regular basis with their snubbing of Sacto games. Why don't you sue me for having an allegiance to Sactown's team? Yes I grew up in Sac and had the sense to move away but I still want to watch the damn game.
Anyway, to keep this somewhat brief, the Dubliner is the only place that I've found in the Mission/Bernal/Noe area with satellite coverage or league pass. If someone else knows of another place, do tell.
The staff at the bar are always quite pleasant and turn on the game for me, plus they have table service which is a plus when you're into the game and don't feel like making chit chat with some dude who thinks you're hitting on him b/c you (a solo female) sat next to him. Feel the wrath yet?
It should be made clear that the bar gets 4 stars based on 3 simple facts. 1, they have satellite, 2, they take cards, and 3, full bar so I can enjoy my Stoli and soda instead of downing Coronas. I'm not going to talk about the music that I've heard there, except to say that I'm not a fan of the back to back Ashlee Simpson/Kelly Clarkson/Cher triple threat. Sigh, what a girl has to endure to watch the game. I'm especially bitter b/c I know I'll end up there again tonight, for the game. End rant.
Second favorite bar in the city (see Valley Tavern) due to its laid back nature and great bartenders.
It does get crowded during the weekends and during sporting events, but it's still manageable and everyone is usually pretty nice.
I do miss Peggy the Bartender though. She introduced me to the Flaming Lamborghini and let me hang out at the bar after hours. Cheers Peggy! Where ever you are!
Chill ass sports bar. Great get together spot with friends. Good place to wind down a long day or a crazy night. Definitely a good place to be a regular. The bar staff ridiculously nice and down to earth.
The whole feel to this bar is homely. There's a front smoking room where once can smoke and feel semi-ly inside. It's a smallish area which gets nicely packed, not sardine packed but more like crayon box packed, so there's enough room for personal space but not too much so you gotta mingle. In the back area there's booths so one can chill with buddies and sip on some good hearty beer. Not too rowdy so good conversation can be initiated.
Got spot to kick back and enjoy a beer, but hey its a sport bar so big game nights. It's gonna be full of rowdy men...and boys. Go and enjoy this charming Dubliner.
I go here often. It's definitely a pub. I don't know why people on here say it isn't. I don't know what else you're looking for, bub.
Everyone's friendly. I always end up talking to someone new. It's the BEST for daydrinking.
Anddd...nightdrinking.
I enjoy the people that work there. No one mentioned Liz. Liz is the best! Jenn's good too.
I like this bar. It's a clean, warm friendly and reassuring place to get drunk. Drawback is the open-windowed smoker's lounge in the front (but a plus for smokers, I'm sure). Even though it's completely separated from the rest of the bar, every time someone opens the door, well, you know that lovely backdraft effect that sucks the smoke right into the place you're trying to keep it out of? Yeah, that kinda sucks, but then again, I'm one of those ragingly super-sensitive-to-cigarette-smoke people, so it may not be such a big deal to everyone else.
And, yeah, beer runs you the same old $4-$4.50 as any other place in this city that just routinely rapes you for your beer habit. Plenty of TV's everywhere for games and general boob-tube watching. Sorry to hear that the owner is a "colossal dick," at least that was good for a laugh. Do wish they had a kitchen so I wouldn't have to wander away from my comfy bar seat...Meh, I love it anyway and I'll keep taking the short ride on the J to keep coming back.
Despite the complaints listed by other reviewers, I really like this bar for a pint on a slow weekend night or a night when I actually have to get out of be the next morning.
Yes, the drinks are a little overpriced and there are too many TVs. But the waitstaff (several of whom actually are Irish in my experience) are friendly and the patrons seem to be, too. It's usually not hard to find a seat at a table, or up at the bar, and the music is never so loud that I can't easily have a conversation with whoever I'm with.
I've never tried ordering food here and don't imagine I will anytime soon. They have some deal with the restaurant across the street that seems a little dicey to me.
No place is better in Noe Valley to watch every football game at once. Great Bloodies, and many beers on tap. Go Jets!
This bar has been sucking my friends in one by one for a while now. It's nowhere near my own neighborhood, yet I keep finding myself there.
I don't smoke, but one of the main features of The Dubliner is the smoking room; it's isolated from the rest of the bar, and has a wide open window onto the sidewalk and a little sliding service window to the bar. Since all my friends were gathered there I braved the cancer vapors for about 7 hours one recent Sunday afternoon/evening chasing away a particularly vicious hangoever (and yes, giving myself an even worse one the next day -- so surely my judgment is suspect and you may want to take this review with a grain of salt).
I was drinking beer, but my cohorts seemed quite fond of the bloody marys.
Here's a Tip: If you're hanging out in the smoking room for an extended period of time, you might want to hang your jacket in the entryway outside, away from the smoke.
This review is probably not the most fair because I was here Friday night on St. Patrick's day. The place was packed, they even had the street outside blocked off. The crowd inside wasn't really Irish, more Americans wearing big stupid green hats and green beads with plastic clovers hanging off them.
I bet its a way better vibe on a Wed or Thurs night, probably a good bar for the locals.
Deprived of cable, I'm forced to venture out into the world whenever I want to watch a Warriors game.
I've yet to find a comfortable spot down in the Mission for this purpose so I had to venture out into another hood. While the Mission is full of dive bars, it's decidedly lacking in Pubs. I prefer dark woods and guinness on tap to dirty floors and PBR in the can. I'm just not cool.
Walking into the Dubliner, I knew it was going to become a somewhat regular destination...both for watching games and just for grabbing a nice guinness. All the required Irish pub characteristics are here...the dark woods, a good beer selection, and even a couple legit Irish guys were sitting at the end of the bar. Maybe they're just plants to improve the vibe...if so, their clever plan worked on me. It's most certainly different on a weekend night, but it was mellow and they keep music down to a comfortable level where conversation can happen....something that is VERY difficult to find in the Mission. $5.75 for a Guinness is expensive in my world, but my bank account is learning quickly that EVERYTHING is more expensive in the City.
A couple Guinness and a Warriors win later, I'm a happy man. I have a feeling I'll be making pretty regular trips up 24th st. for this destination.
Good spot to hang with friends and grab a drink while playing trivia
I award The Dubliner 5 stars because it has everything I appreciate in a pub. Great selection of beers on tap. Anyplace that has Blue Moon on tap is golden in my book. It's never too crowded though it may be hard to get a table on a Saturday night. It's dark enough to not feel like you're on display but bright enough to people watch and appreciate how clean they keep the place.
The bartenders are always friendly, especially Ed! *Bonus! they put out salt & vinegar chips during happy hour and last night the bartender made Panini's for everyone! Talk about a nice touch!
Anyhow, this is a great low-key bar which I'm lucky to live stumbling distance away from!
The three stars is for the crowd and the ambiance, not the bartenders. I was also there on St. Patrick's day and agree with Carla D's review. The young drunk americans decked out in their finest green made me feel like I was at a frat house. There was lots of screaming and every surface was sticky.
On the other hand, the bartenders were great. We walked in pretty close to last call and got served immediately. The bartenders came up to us right at last call to see if we wanted another since we had come in so late. I'd like to come back on a weekday where it won't be so holiday cliche and possibly bump up my rating.
A few times I was in SF apartment hunting in the late afternoon and I would go this bar and have a beer.
It didn't feel like I fit in perfectly, I felt like a lot of people were much older than me. I like the decor, It's different. It's nice to have this type of bar on 24th St. right in the heart of Noe Valley.
Good beers, friendly folks. A place for people without tattoos and people from all over the place who don't fit in anywhere else. Kind of mainstream people I guess.
Not my favorite bar by a long shot, but I would go back for sure. It's a handsome bar. Try it out.
Not the worst place to go for a drink, but near the end of my list of the 24th Street bars... It's, I dunno, OK, I guess....
Lots of beers on tap and every game you can think of from futbol to cricket, and a good amount of (kinda creepy) barflies...
I have tried this bar a few times and have never been really impressed, but I like booze, so I will probably be back.
Move on up a couple of blocks to the Valley Tavern. Same owners, better bar.
A great place to get a pint by yourself or with a few friends. They pour a decent pint and are always friendly. They have a smoker's porch for those who are so inclined.
Their hangover helper? A fantastic bloody mary.
A real chill bar....you can come here and enjoy a pint and some shots with friends.
Just another alternative to some of the other bars I go too. The bartender is a cutie too!!:D
Neighborhood: Noe Valley
Category: Pubs
Neighborhood: Noe Valley
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: Noe Valley
Category: Dive Bars
Neighborhood: Outer Sunset
Category: Dive Bars
Neighborhood: West Portal
Category: Pubs
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