On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
"Surprisingly nice staff, $3 pints of Sierra (and other beers I think) during happy hour as well as free bar munchies. It has a great bar…" read more »
Loading...
quaint, cozy, little bars like Tosca give me a sense of nostalgia that i crave oh, so badly. i have an old fashioned heart in this little body of mine. the old jukebox and tunes only make me want to light up a cigarette at the bar with a whiskey in hand. and the red vintage booths and tables only give Tosca a classic look that anyone can appreciate. the bar is lined with cappucino glasses ready to be served and old school steamers sit at each end of the bar.
a romantic quiet spot indeed. couples cuddling over their drinks at the bar bring me back to the red lit cafes in Paris. like the cafes in Paris it's a place you can come in for both a coffee or a fine drink. sitting at the bar alone you will feel like a lady or gent. so how about an old fashion and some classy tunes? by the way. just like the old school days, cash only.
On a cold, windy day in the city... there's nothing better than one of Tosca's renowned hot chocolate with brandy adult beverages. Not pho, not clam chowder... nada! Only hot cocoa and a splash of E&J will do the trick. Period!
I may be over-exaggerating just a tad... but seriously, these things really hit the spot when it dips below 15 degrees celsius.
Other than that, the drinks are just OK. Nothing too notable, but the space just breathes the days of yore. Other reviews have referenced a Godfather-like feel (which is funny, as Francis Ford Coppola owns the building caddy-corner from here), which is a fair assessment. BUT, only when the jukebox is in motion. When there's no music playing, it's almost like drinking in a cafeteria (minus the florescent lights).
Big place and there's always room to hang with large groups of friends. It's worth it alone to grab a cocktail here for the rich history that seemingly oozes from the walls of Tosca. It's pretty easy to imagine yourself getting toasty during a simpler time when there were no such things as HDTVs, internet sexy time movies or Twitter.
The 6th hole for my friends bar crawl. It was getting later at night, and for some of us in this group while they didn't want to admit it, some were getting a little tired. Fortunately we walked in and entered this bar, to take shelter from the brisk evening and seat down and rest our tired feet, I was so glad I was one of the few in the group to NOT do this bar crawl in 4" stiletto heels, I choose to do that in the comfort and privacy of my own home.
Disturbing past times aside, I'll get back to my review, first walking in before even meeting the staff, we were warmly greeted by the rich smells of fresh brewing coffee. I liked this place, felt classy, rustic but at the same time very comfortable. The bartender recommended that we get the birthday girl a few hot coffee and creme drinks infused with different liquors, one had amaretto, another had a mint liquor, one had brandy and I think the other had some kind of chocolate liquor. Plenty of seating for the large crowds, but I can imagine people taking a date for a drink at the bar. The people behind the bars are very friendly, kinda gives me a old good fellas kinda feel, but in the nostalgic good way... Ill definitely be back sometime soon! The fun thing is I don't even like coffee all that much.
Here's a way to track where we've been and we're were going on this birthday bar crawl...
http://www.yelp.com/li...
Tosca has long been a witness to SF's history -- this bar has been around since 1919.
Spend a leisurely afternoon at City Lights bookstore across the street then head over to this classic bar -- dim lighting, jukebox on the corner, faded paint on the walls, long dark wood bar, old leather stools, and antique espresso machines.
When you're here, you'll wonder if there was a time when socialites came here to be less conspicuous.
When politicians brainstormed their next move.
When laymen came in to rest their tired feet.
When lovers met here for stolen moments in their red vinyl booths.
It was lovely afternoon indeed. That house cappuccino is something else -- it's really hot chocolate with brandy. It warms you through and through.
You won't even miss the marshmallows on top.
A great spot for a civilized cocktail or some time-traveling.
Tosca is our go to place for late nights at North Beach - either for a night cap (something like a Manhattan on the rocks), or a winter warmer (Hot Apple Pie cocktail, or liqueured coffee).
Old world feel, fabulous selection of liquor and friendly service. That works for me!
Friends have spotted celebs here before (in the back room)... Sean Penn, Lars Ulrich (Metallica), etc
an okay place to hang out with friends. And yes only friends!
it's loud and manly I thought. but I had fun with my family there.
reminded me of the train stations... the ones in the movies!
or maybe the restaurants on the train!
the bar menu is limited!
If I go back there it would be only for one drink. I wouldn't stay there more than an hour.
Tosca, i beleive, was on SF Magz list of one of the bars to be at in SF, a few years ago. So, being the procrastonator i am, i go by a couple years after (you know... after the hipsters get over themselves). I liked Tosca and i liked the owner even more.
The owner is an older woman who you can catch slouched over at the bar caressing her drink waiting for the moment where she can sooth her nicotine craving out in the small entranceway of Tosca. She just has a no BS attitude, whcih you really just have to respect.
Tosca has some great ambience when you enter. A long, all wood bar lines the front area as you walk in and the bartenders are professional and courteous in their white uniforms. It definately evokes a romance of old bars of the past.
In the back, is a large seating area where many tables and booths abound. This was where we held an event last month for a campaign and the room was filled with, what else, a bunch of lawyers. So, the romance of a dark, wood bar filled with lawyers drinking scotch definately is conjured. But it was fab and you know you love it.
An institution.
The most beautiful bar in SF containing its best jukebox and a good deal of its charm as well.
For good friends only.
Ever wonder what it would be like to live inside the world of "Nighthawks"? Well, knocking back a stiff drink at the Tosca Cafe may be the closest you'll ever come.
Walk through those doors and it feels like you've been sent back in time a few decades. The place radiates pure old school Americana, like the Hopper painting mentioned above or some place in the movies where a lonely dame would get herself mixed up with the wrong kind of gentleman. There was something about it that was so comforting to a soul lost in time such as myself. My sole regret, as I sat there drinking my Manhattan, was that I had failed to wear a fedora.
I have lived in the Bay Area for my whole life, and I pride myself on being a huge fan of San Francisco-especially North Beach. I'm somewhat embarrassed, however, because it took all these years to finally get to Tosca Cafe!
This is one cool place. When you walk in, the very long bar is on your right, with booths lining the back, and smaller round tables in the middle. Lots of red as far as the upholstery is concerned, various accouterments that hark back to an era long gone, and dim lighting set the tone. Its great to come to a place that's so authentic, rather than a newer venue that tries so hard to be something it really is not. I was disappointed that they don't take credit cards. If they did, I would probably give this place 5 stars.
What a great place to stop in for a drink, which I did so last night with friends after dining at Globe and sauntering through City Lights Bookstore.
Cool vintage vibe with no attitude, and next time I'll head back to the back room to shoot some pool.
I'm a fan of this bar and love the old-school charm.
The setting of many movies, this place is really an Sf gem.
Classic cocktails are the specialty. Although it was a bit too
warm to try the house cappuccino or the hot chocolate with brandy,
I see myself returning on a rainy afternoon for a drawn out
conversation at the bar with someone I want to get to know a bit better.
The bartender was a doll, and you have to love the white coats.
But, I think I'm just a fan of old guys :)
My cocktail was expertly poured each time, and I giggled every
time the boys in the group(usually whiskey drinkers)
ordered the San Francisco Fresca-very refreshing!
Too bad I can't say the same for my friends' French 75.
While tasty, it seemed that depending on which bartender made the drink it was a bit heavy on the lemon, and at one point was even served in a different glass. I couldn't resist the lull of the jukebox and queued up a bit of Frank, a little Dean, and even a pinch of Patti for good measure. All in all this was a fun start to a fun night.
I enjoyed meeting up with friends and having lively conversations
in the shiny booths. Word of caution to singles:
Not a place if you are 'on the prowl.'
But great for friends looking to genuinely hang out and
engage together over a few drinks. . .
2.stars for the ambiance, the rest, eh.
Cool spot but it was pretty empty on a friday evening from when we got there at 9 o'clock until we left a couple of hours later. The bartenders were very slow in acknowledging your presence and taking orders despite the fact that there may have only been a dozen customers in the whole place, of which our group was half. I can't tip if I can't order...
They also made the hot chocolate and brandys in large batches and they sat on the bar for hours. It was gross. Maybe if they were hopping they would have gone in minutes but not last night. the dozen plus glasses strung along the bar just sat there lonely and destitute looking for any sign of love
We did like the old school decor.
When you step in and sit down, with the red leather and '40s-'50s look, you feel like you just walked into Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks", which was also famously redone with Bogey, Marilyn, Jimmy Dean, and Elvis. And that look and feel is a very. good. thing.
We stumbled into the right place at about 11 last night . . . the retro-cool vibe could not have been stronger, and it was strangely almost empty. Which only contributed to the Nighthawks vibe.
If only I had my fedora . . .
I just moved my butt to North Beach and trust me, for the longest time I've been one of those people who avoided going out drinking here, but actually living here makes things a little different.
I stumbled in here with a few co-workers, and yes, there is something slightly spooky about the place, almost like Jack Nicholson walking up to the ghost bartender in The Shining, very old school. The bartender called me jail bait and spent time to teach us about the history of the establishment, at one point he even let us control the jukebox, love.
Drinks are well prepared here, I tried the famed hot chocolate made from ghiradelli chocolate and brandy, very yummy and perfect for a foggy San Francisco night.
Are you kidding me? People are willing to dock as many as two stars for Tosca's cash-only policy? Whatever. All y'all can stay away as far as I'm concerned and leave the rest of us to drink in peace.
This is exactly what a bar should be. Dimly-lit, an old jukebox filled with Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington tunes, red vinyl booths tucked into dark corners, no TV, and a bartender in a white jacket. Lovely wooden bar to sit at where, if you are a lady like me, you get the feeling you won't be bothered by any tools coming to have a Bud Lime and pick up women. In fact, the big bartender who served me a delicious hot chocolate brandy last time I was there looked like the kind of guy who would toss any troublemakers out on their ass. It makes me feel more at ease, but I'm funny like that.
So if you're looking for a classic, quiet drinking experience, take a trip to the damn ATM and head over to Tosca.
I've spent many, many many the night in Tosca back in my North Beach days. I would love to give it more stars but I'm just not going to give more than 3 to any place that's cash only. I recognize that there's a huge need for money laundering operations in the city, but cash only is SUCH a pain in the ass. I want frequent flier miles for my drinking damnit!
Furthermore, I think it's fine for the BV to continually make the Irish Coffees in batches because they're slinging em out every 30 seconds. But at Tosca on Saturday we watched a batch of 15 brandy and hot chocolates sit for damn close to 30 minutes. I found that a little sketchy.
Despite the flaws I plan to return, because I've now tried on at least two occasions to get some action in the phone booth, and as they say:
If at first you don't succeed, try try again.
What a cool place. Dan B.'s review prompted me to try this place sooner than later...although it still took us a while but we finally made it in and only wish we tried it sooner BUT "better late than never"!
It's just so old school, spacious and clean! Nothing is out of place and everything seem so perfect. The red vinyl booths are shiny and inviting whisper secrets in the dimly lit room. The two large antique espresso machines are shiny and adds to the feel.
Besides all, I LOVE the old jukebox with all the fantastic songs...I was happy to feed it my quarters and enjoy the wonderful melodies and a sweet dance with my honey with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Patsy Cline or a quicker tune by Glenn Miller.
Oh, have the House Cappucino - it's a wonderful mixture of hot chocolate and brandy. The Irish Coffee wasn't too bad but I think they skip the sugar so you can add it to your own liking.
Love it!
So sad. This lovely lovely place. No more Hustler Club. No more booming bass booming from the floor. Yet, the weird North Beach mafia policy of cash only.
Okay, I can accept this. However, the attitude I got from the bartender just blew it all to hell. "the largest club in San francisco is cash only". "this is a small place. a San francisco place." Christ I've lived in this city 25 years to have this judgment thrown upon me from a bar with a stupid policy? No, you suck and are ignorant. So sad.
You can feel the ghosts of Frankie "Banana Nose" Moldono and Eddie "The Teacher" Cabrono sitting in the back, warily eyeing you are you saunter up to the bar. It's a place full of history, dark, smoky corners (well, not actually smoke-filed, use your imagination) and an interesting clientele.
I came here for the first time on Saturday night for a friend's birthday outing. I love the classic character of this place. The house cappuccino- hot chocolate with brandy- was delicious and very strong. As the party expanded the waitress was very accommodating and arranged extra chairs and tables for us. The decor and feel of the place is authentic. I kept wishing for a dance floor when a great song came on the jukebox but I felt if there was one it might take away from the atmosphere and make it kitschy. It's surprisingly loud, so minus one star.
Lovely and relaxing, with cheap but well mixed classic drinks and plenty of seating at the bar or the many booths and tables.
Bartenders are old-school, charming and on-point.
Great jukebox, assuming you like opera or Sinatra. If not, you're out of luck.
Ladies room boasts perhaps the most clever piece of graffiti I've ever seen: "Edith Head gives great wardrobe."
I'd be Marilyn and Joe would be Jimmy Dean. It was a dark and somewhat stormy night: We had the run of the town, we were the talk of the town and painted the town red with our many stops that evening. From dive bars, to pin up events, to Tenderloin eateries, we covered every category, ya see?
Tosca is old school charm and burgundy vinyl booths all rolled into one. The bartender wore a white coat and had slicked back hair. I wasn't sure if this dame wanted a soda pop or a vodka tonic.
I immediately wanted to go back in time and kick myself in the ass for not coming here sooner. I had my fishnets and flask with me, the San Francisco streets were wet with anticipation and the drinks were strong. Class lined the bar.
I loved the fact it was eerily empty on a Thursday night. I also had a sip of their brandied cocoa...warmed the heart and the loins.
Came in to Tosca for the first time last weekend on a date. I noticed right away that it was a great spot because it was mellow and quiet. You could actually hear the person next to you as opposed to screaming at the top of your lungs at some club where you will inevitably have scratchy-throat-syndrome the next day.
I had been drinking whiskey all evening so I asked the bartender to whip me up a shot that tasted great and stuck to what I had been consuming already. He made a yummy lemon drop type of shot. After I threw it back I immediately asked for another. He looks at me, smiles, reaches under the bar and pulls out another of the exact same shot.
Me: "Woah...how did you know?"
Rad Bartender: "I had a feeling."
Me: "Marry me."
Now that is what I call a GREAT bartender.
The vibe here is spooky!! I like being spooked out, I think it's fun, like watching a scary movie or something, so I really liked it. The seating is 50s diner style, all red and plasticky with lots of booths, but then the walls are covered with these huge murals of Italian landscapes. It's a weird combination, especially in the murky lighting. Despite the diner look of the place, you don't order diner food here. You order some super strong drinks from the huge list of liquors on the drink menu! They also have cigarettes on the menu, and that was the first time I had seen that. No smoking indoors though, so it's not all nasty and smokey inside :-) The crowd was mostly mid-30s and up, so Monica and I were a little out of place, but it didn't matter. Sometimes it's so nice to be at a bar that's laid out like a diner/cafe, so you can just sit down and relax at a real table with a glass of cabernet. Sometimes I'm just really in the mood for this :-) Next time I feel dark, brooding and poetic I'm totally coming here!
P.S. Just a note: cash only! Good to know beforehand :)
Be it wrong or right, I've associate places to eat and/or drink (the entertainment is a different yelp review all together) around Columbus and Broadway to be where only tourist would go.
It's one of the main reason I don't like going there.
But now I've found a place I like.
Tosca Cafe is straight out of a movie. The thing is I just don't know which movie yet.
But there's definitely a Rat Pack sorta feel . The Juke Box further adds to that sensation: mostly because of all the song by Sinatra.
All of a sudden, I have an urge to don a fedora.
Their specialty is the house cappuccino, and it is one potent little drink. It almost rivals Buena Vista Cafe's Irish coffee.
Recent discovery there:
I've only heard David Lee Roth's version of "Just a Gigolo" but got a chance to hear the one by Louis Prima.
Now I can't decide which one I like better.
Which do you think sounds better?
http://www.youtube.com...
vs.
http://www.youtube.com...
I like Tosca. A lot.
The cocktails are always top notch, the bartenders are amazing (Rich is my favorite), and it is one of the less pretentious places in North Beach.
The house cappuccino is always a great choice, but anything you order here will be well made and tasty.
It's cash only, so make sure you hit the ATM before you come here.
Also, bring quarters...the jukebox is full of good music.
It has a great atmosphere... but it is cash only and in a atm world it is inconveinent. The drinks were hardly palatable. Not my style.
You have to love the North Beach and Tosca Cafe. You're within stumbling distance from the dive called Spec's, where you feel like you might bump into a few rascallions, while downing a couple pints of beer.
In contrast, Tosca is a classy old school bar, with their jukebox playing past day tunes from the likes of Frank Sinatra. The atmosphere is laid back and the spacious red booths and seating allow you to stretch out and enjoy a few drinks, while talking to your friends.
The drinks are mixed well and you will have to try their specialty drink, the House Cappuccino, a tasty coffee with brandy creation.
I am ashamed to admit growing up in North Beach and not having visited several places until after I returned from school. Nevertheless, that doesn't change the fact that Tosca is a rare treat of a bar; a classy joint that evokes a long gone era of San Francisco.
When I walked in wearing jeans and a collared shirt, I immediately felt out of place. The warm brown walls and the mellow lights can instantly take you from Columbus Avenue in 2008 to a swinging bar in the 1930's with visions of pinstripes, prohibition, and gangsters.
Please note: Tosca does not have groups of nerds pretending to be Al Capone. But that would be fricking sweet.
There were about 15 glasses lined up next to one another, each about half full with brown liquid. Curious, I asked the laid back bartender what it was. "Brandy and hot chocolate." Oh boy. On a cold and rainy night, what better to hit the spot? The only thing that might come close is an irish coffee at the Buena Vista...and that's a totally different animal.
This is a great place for a casual evening out, a date, or a group of friends shooting the sh*t. You'll probably be pleasantly surprised by the warmth and good service too.
We stumbled to a great find here in North Beach, a quaint little bar with the best coffee and a little kick of brandy....mmm...yummy...it's a nice chilled place to be among friends over some good coffee and conversation. The bartender is totally awesome and welcoming as you walk in the place. The decor has a old, homey, and comfy feeling to it...you would find all the likes of people in this place.
Love Love Love coming here. But if these walls could talk I would cut its tongue out. I bet it would some great stories. Very vintage feel and classic jukebox.
The last few time i was in there, you were able to smoke because the owner was bar tending. But I don't know if that still applies.
My co-workers and I had the brilliant idea to "drink our way around the world" when we were in San Francisco one night, and Tosca Cafe was our first stop. I was hella feeling the old school feel the place had, from the antique cash register to the rotary pay phone. We were here pretty early in the evening - so it wasn't too busy yet. We had our first few drinks here, which were very well made. The White Russian was delicious, yet still had the kick. Our Kamikazes were pretty good, too. It was a great start to our night!
I once spent 5 hours hanging out at Tosca. It's like Old Vegas where time stops and you've no idea where the time went.
Service is Old School cool, cash only, juke box spins vinyl Sinatra, Dean Martin, Patsy Cline...
Comfy red booths and tables in the back. Very pink ladies room.
A very cool place to grab a beer in San Fran, with its long bar and red vinyl booths. Bartenders are class acts with their white coats and interesting conversations.
Met a friend here while visiting--we had a drink then headed over to Vesuvio's. We soon made our way back, though, when we heard Sean Penn was on the premises.
Sat at the bar and chatted for hours with a relative to the Italian mafia (so he said). Good times.
The Sinatra and Martin make for good jukebox selections, but would have been nice to have more choices.
I'm leaving this at a 4 star b/c I only went once--if I ever get back I'll be sure to consider revising.
I do like the vintage feel here, don't get me wrong. But I paid $8 for a teeny tiny martini?? The space is large and feels like a 1950's black-tie bar, but the seating is more cafeteria-casual than classy and polished. I love my dear friend, but this is not the place I would have held a happy hour on a Friday...not too many lookers here and it was so sparsely populated that there were maybe two other groups of people here at 8pm. The bartender was very friendly, and the house coffee cocktail looked interesting, but I couldn't get over the urge to blow this joint.
Wow, I have found my bliss! Their House Cappuccinos, which actually contain no coffee, are the most wonderful thing I've had in ages. These drinks are like alcoholic cocoa. One is just not enough! It turns out that the HC name was developed during prohibition as a way to disguise the fact that brandy that was added under the counter. This story comes from a friendly bartender I spoke with the other day. He also told me that a hamburger, back in the day when they served food, was 10 cents. I've now been to Tosca twice; once when it was crazy busy on a Saturday night and recently on a weekday after work when it was almost empty.
best bar in the city. end of story.
"Must Drinks":
Expresso Martini
Hot White Russian
OMG..I want to go now!
Once again I found myself at Tosca's, the historical North Beach watering hole, and, once again, despite the touristy action outside the door, I couldn't help but love the place. I love the ancient juke box with operatic arias (Vesti la Giubba, for example), Patsy Cline, and, no Italian joint is complete without the Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra himself. I like the selections, the smoke-stained walls, the long mahogany bar, the red vinyl-ette horseshoe-shaped banquettes,,,the chrome dinette tables with matching chairs. I like the phone booth, which thankfully remains intact.
There is absolutely no point in ordering anything other than bar standards. Don't even think of ordering the froo-froo drinks requiring a blender or muddling the latest herb/fruit/spice concoction. It's not gonna happen. Just order a Martini or a Scotch, and chat with some locals, if it's not Friday or Saturday, or chat amongst yourselves. This is a place where people, for the most part, mind their own business. It's straight forward, old fashioned, and no nonsense. If you find yourselves in this haven for all things touristy, stop in. It will be a sigh of relief, and the drinks poured are plenty stiff. Be sure to tip the bartenders well. They have to put up with an enormous amount of guff.
The Season of Giving Begins .…
Neighborhood: North…
Join the Biteclub!
Neighborhood: Western…
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill
Category: Jazz & Blues
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill
Category: Bars
Places I take my out of town guests. Is it any…
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
Custom personal SF travel recommendations -- for…
I'm not him, but if I were Virgil Sollozo, these…
My sister told me that I've become an alkie since…
my goal for 2k6 is to try 50 bars in Sf that i've…
Here are some of the best things North Beach has…
Just because I dont live in NB anymore doesnt mean…
