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Category: Dive Bars
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond
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SCORPION BOWLS. I dig the vibe here, the bowls slightly less so. Neither the classic scorpion bowl (champagne and rum) nor the volcano (maybe hawaiian punch, southern comfort, sherbet?), recommended to us by a group of eight who stumbled out leaving two unfinished on the table, was really that tasty. Maybe there's a better one? I'd give some of the other bowls another shot, or come when I'm in less of a capacity to taste things
Still, I dig the vibe, even though we probably contributed to the deterioration thereof by playing Lady Gaga on the jukebox 3 times. Also Jeff found two unopened beers in the bathroom. JACKPOT!
Cheap. Yummy. Effective. Liquor.
Blurry memories.
Scorpion bowl (s). Specifically 4 of them between 6 people.
I'm a wimp with the flavor of my drinks and will only ingest fruity, tasty ones...and I love the scorpion bowl, so that should say a lot.
And either I was really effed up, other people were really effed up, or we were allllllll really effed up...but everyone was super nice. =) Bartenders included.
This place is awesome but I probably don't ever want to see it with lights on.
It has such characters - the antique cash register, the really old and squeaky chairs, the Winchester house alike smell, makes me wonder how old this place really is. I came around Halloween and it was very much decorated.
The Great thing is the wide selection of their booze, and of course... the famous, tasty, brain freeze Scorpion Bowl. it takes 3-4 people to finish and it was like $17 bucks or something like that. Most drinks on the menu is around $6.
I love it because this is a place where you can sit down with friends, be able to have a conversation, while sipping on very reasonable price drinks. This is not a place to please someone, not a place to come with your expenisive clothing because the chairs can get sticky.
But definitely a place to chat,cheer, and goof around with friends.
Last Saturday night a good friend rented out the Cable Car bus for her birthday and we were in for one heck of a trip.
Our first stop: Trad'r Sam.
It's a small bar located deep down Geary, and it definitely has it's own quirky style. It can't fit many, but once inside, you'll find neat nooks to chat in and a fun semi circle bar that allows for maximum views of the flat screens above.
We had a mission: Scorpion Bowls.
I couldn't tell you what went in them, but it's essentially an "Around the World Party" all blended together into a bowl. It's packed with flavor, perfect for large groups, and significant ignition for a long ( or short ) night out.
Bartenders are outgoing and casual. It's definitely worth a visit.
Cheap drinks, a cool bartender and nobody fucking with while you have a good time with your drinking buddies. Pretty sweet.
Me and seven of my main homies rolled in there about 10pm on Sunday and took over a corner booth. Not too many other people inside so we had the run of the place.
We're always big tippers and it's nice to find a cool bartender that shows his appreciation. The drinks were strong and well priced.
Heads Up: Those "Bowl" drinks are 100% nasty. You've been warned.
It was a little bright in there for my taste but when it's just you and your friends running the place, fuck it.
The vibe was perfect for us and I had a kick ass time.
I'll be headed back soon.
I'm going to make a point now, so please humor me.
Now I've been to my fair share of petting zoo's. Typically, which animals are you going to find there? Sheep, goats, rabbits, miniature horses, camels, llamas, pigs, miniature donkeys, and other domestic animals. Oh, and don't forget about buffalo's. I once ran my fingers through the mane of a buffalo while at a petting zoo in Colorado with Bob Marley's, "Buffalo Soldier" playing on my iPod. That was pretty cool.
Anyhow, the time that I was here, I actually was one of those animals at the petting zoo. Lodged in the middle of a packed room, anonymity was key as my anus seemed to be the featured attraction. As I maneuvered through the room there must have been a magnetic field, or tractor beam-like force, pulling what were once idle hands onto my tookus. I can count how many times my ass was grabbed on both hands and feet. One guy wasn't so discreet and I proceeded to push his head into the wall, as respectfully as possible of course.
Overall, I enjoyed the bar. Very cool setup, and even though it was at full capacity, the bartenders were timely and efficient - which is what matters most. I refuse to judge a bar based on its patrons because this is America and frankly I admire a quality location that packs the house. Get your paper, boo boo. Plus, it didn't help that we were there during the Outside Lands Music Festival, which coincidentally was right down the street at Golden Gate Park.
My only piece of constructive criticism is to watch your hands boys. Not just anybody gets to pet the kitty.
*snaps fingers twice*
It's just one of those places you have to experience for yourself. I wouldn't make it my "usual" place but its one that deserves to be visited when out of town guests come to town, a place to take friends that think the Outer Richmond is "so far out" and when you're in the mood to drink out of a fish bowl!
It can get a bit crowded with the backwards ball cap wearing crowd on the weekend, so if that's your thing by all means make it a Saturday night to remember. If you still want to experience all that Trad'r Sam is then come on a week night but bring cash as they don't except plastic. Enjoy!
Don't think i'll ever go back to this place. Worst Bartender ever.... Took me 30 minutes to get my drink and he gave me a tough guy attitude. The bouncers make you feel uncomfortable and have a lot of strict rules. Like no smoking out front! The scorpion bowl 17$ drink they are "known for," are in my opinion, horrible.
When I received the text that the bar I was heading to was being invaded by Dave Matthews douchebags I seriously reconsidered turning back and heading home. But in this economy no one takes a 15 dollar cab ride for nothing, so I stayed the course.
Quite glad that I did since I was able to meet and rub elbows (amongst other body parts) with some fellow yelpers. There was considerably more titties and strap on play than I am used to in a non-power exchange type setting and that pleased my libido.
It was incredibly crowded but the level of college band douchebaggery was dissipating by the minute as horny yelping took its place. I didn't get much to drink but I did share a very intimate scorpion bowl with Justin N. and even got a few good pictures. The young waitress that flirted with me was a nice feather in my cap for the evening and I give props to the bartender who was nice enough to serve me after last call when I gave him my sob story about being a large but gentle soul that did not want to smash past people in order to get a drink.
Tradr Sam, I don't know why the fuck they call you that but you helped me make some memories. Thank you also to the fellow yelpers for providing me with a raging hard-on.
I hauled my butt all the way out here for a cute girl's birthday, the things I do when I get just a little female encouragement.
The party was supposed to start at 10:30 PM but at nine I'd already met some friends at Toronado and was on my way home. I was 100% NOT planning to go to this party because I knew someone I'd had issues with was going to be there and I didn't want trouble. The thing that turned it all around was when my giant, 6' 3 250 Lbs., Sikh friend texted me to see what was happening. I figured if I rolled into the party with him there's very little chance I'd have any problem with anyone.
The place was jam packed with people to the point where you could hardly get a drink or stand anywhere without getting bumped into constantly. The people there for the party were pretty rowdy and a couple of the girls, including the one celebrating her birthday flashed their breasts so I was very happy I went all the way out there but finally the crowd of people drove us out.
They don't have any draft beer so the best they can do is three stars on my scale.
The tropical tiki drinks have exotic names, but no clue what is in them. These are the kind of sweet drinks you might drink as soon as you become legal to drink, so expect to get carded even if you became legal 20 years ago. Don't even try to ask what is in the drinks, because your conversation with the bartender will probably go like mine did:
ME: What's in the Orange Freeze?
BARTENDER: Alcohol...blender stuff.
ME: Okay, good enough for me.
Anyway, suffice to say the drinks are good, strong, and pretty reasonably priced for alcohol and blender stuff.
I just celebrated my b-day at Trad'r Sam's and it was fucking epic.
How epic?
It has its own yelp review: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Video courtesy of Chris L.: http://www.youtube.com...
and pics: http://www.flickr.com/...
I had never been to Trad'r Sam's before but I cannot believe there could have been a better venue for my party.
When we walked in I told the door guy it was my birthday and I planned on getting naked and crazy. He told me that would not be a problem and encouraged us to flash our boobs all night. (we did)
The bartenders were wicked nice. I like to be able to trust my bartender and I totally trusted the men behind the bar this past Saturday. I told them what I liked and asked them to make me whatever based on that. I don't know everything I drank but it was good. I do know I shared several scorpion bowls, had a mai tai, and something else with lots of rum. The drinks are heavy handed. Get a cab, walk, or have a DD.
The bathroom was clean. Some snooty bitch that went before me was like "oh my god its like so gross in there". I went in and it didn't smell, the toilet seat was clean and it was fully stocked. There were paper towels all over the floor in the corner but that was it. Great bar bathroom in my opinion.
Have I mentioned how great the staff was? They actually cleared out a spot on the bar for me so I could sit on top and show off my new strap-on that I had gotten as a present. One lovely bar patron could not resist giving me fellatio as the crowd watched. I was so grateful I stood on my bar stool and flashed the crowd. I mean, it was the least I could do.
It was pretty damn packed so some of our group left early. There are lots of couches and barstools but it was standing room only on Saturday.
Great drinks, super nice bar staff, good atmosphere. What more do you need?
peace, love, and good booze were found at Trad'r Sam's. ~ chase
As far as I rememeber, I had a blast on my first visit. After bragging to my friends how fantastic this place was, I pretty much made myself look like a toad. We went on a Friday night and this place was filled with college kids and a few birthday celebrants. I can see how this place can be overwhelming for first timers due to the limited space Trad'r Sam has to offer. However, the drinks will always stay on top. I mean come on, what other local bars will serve mix drinks by the fish bowl? Their drinks are cheap, and the amount of the alcohol is just right. My suggestions, come early so you can get a table or a spot at the bar.
I kept hearing that this dive was a pretty good spot and of course been hearing about their scorpion bowls. Not being in a big drinking mood, I didn't feel like giving the scorpion bowl a shot and chose to instead just stick to beer.
I don't understand how a dive bar can 1) not have ANY beers on tap and 2) not accept credit card. There have been only two other times I have experienced a bar that didn't accept credit card and one of them was due to them barely opening and their credit card machine hadn't worked yet.
I guess if you live like a block away and you just feel like getting a drink without going far, you should check this place out. But if you're trying to find a good place to go for a Saturday night hangout spot, I suggest you keep searching.
They don't mess around with the drinks here! They are made nice and strong! Only thing about my experience here was that they ran out of Hennesy, Remy, Patron and Grey Goose. Even Jagr I believe. They ran out of the Grey Goose right after my first drink actually.
I haven't been to too many dive bars. As a matter of fact this is only my second experience that I can remember. The other one was at Forbidden Tiki Lounge in Alameda. I give the slight edge to the Alameda lounge as far as decor.
I can see myself hanging out over here again because the drinks were made pretty well!
Tiki bar + dive bar = a night to remember.
The drinks here are minimum 85% rum, 15% juice. On the vast menu of tropical drinks, each beverage has a warning instead of a description. The bartenders are lively and friendly. The jukebox kind of blows. The decor is hilariously tacky, perfect for a tiki bar.
My favorite Trad'r Sam experience was when I was there with some friends and the party next to us was annihilating Scorpion after Scorpion. Then the most wasted girl among them barfed red Scorpion juice all over the table, and proceeded to fall down outside the bar and hit her head. That's the kind of good time you too could experience if you made your way out to the Richmond for some hot tiki action at good ol' Trad'r Sam.
I've decided that this place isn't that bad. Before 10 pm is the neighborhood crowd, and the place is very dive-y and kitsch. After 10 pm is when the college and graduate students start flooding in. Sometimes I can't decide what's worse: creepy old men leering at me and my roommate, or frat boys yelling to each other across the room.
Maybe it's a tie?
Drinks are good, but unexpectedly strong. Take, for instance, the scorpion bowl. Even though we watched the bartender pour shot after shot of assorted alcohol into the blender, it tasted sweet and we were probably hypnotized by the umbrellas. An hour later, I had no idea what I was typing in my weekly email to my parents.
Anyway, if I'm in the area I'll be back for an umbrella and a sweet girly drink chock-full of alcohol. Yummy.
The first star off is for bartenders who don't understand sarcasm. Why would two little Asian girls… Read more »
OK, I have to bump it up one star. Any place I consistently leave in such a hazy booze induced mindset has got to be doing something right.
I still don't like the crowd. The guys are all meat heads although for some reason they seem fairly cordial for once, letting people through the jammed to the max bar. I wouldn't go there to meet new people, but if you've got a crew that's down to get hammered on a budget, then step on up.
Last night I must have had about 1.5 scorpion bowls, some sort of vodka "fizz" or "mist" drink, and a shot deemed a red headed slut. I do not recall going home and I woke up, fully clothed including shoes and jacket, under my covers. Score, I made it home!
This place is gonna kill me some day, or land me in jail at the least.
Now if you'll excuse me I need to go throw up for awhile.
4 stars on the booze options combined with 2 stars for the atmosphere leaves me feelin' like a good… Read more »
Being that it was Friday night and we didn't want happy hour to end, my friends and I migrated over to Trad'r Sam from Chug Pub. My friend Josh had recommended this place since it was close by to his pad and for their famous Scorpion Bowls.
I've seen Scorpion Bowls at sushi places, so I wasn't too surprised at the large serving. But when one of my gfs decided to go ahead and order 3 bowls for the 7 of us, I got a bit worried. We got there around 10ish and the place was packed! Trad'r Sam is a small dive bar with limited seating. So, for a good half an hour, the seven of us stood around with bowls in hands.
As the night progressed, we befriended with some others who decided to share their seats with us. One of the gals had ordered a bowl for her friend's birthday, but the birthday girl was too gone to even take a sip. So the generous non-drinker donated the bowl to us. Four bowls later, everyone was feeling pretty buzzed with smiles on their faces.
So if you're feeling thirsty, check out the alcoholic slurpee!
I've been to Sam's on several occasions, once even before I moved to San Francisco. I've always enjoyed myself here mainly due to the fun and extensive drink options they have that involve ICE CREAM. If you're thinking, "That's a sure fire way to get sick," you are absolutely correct. It really is, but that doesn't stop me from sucking down one of their banana splits (a chocolate/banana milkshake concoction with some sort of liquor in it) a mint chip grasshopper or worse yet, a scorpion bowl! Moderation is the key; order a couple in a group, share and enjoy!
I get the impression that the bartenders don't particularly like to make them, though. I can't really blame them on that front; it's 11PM, packed and some douche asks for the ice cream drink that requires a blender. For example:
My friends boyfriend: What's that drink called with the mint chip ice cream?
Bartender: A grasshopper.
My friends boyfriend: Oh yah, that's it. I want one of those.
Bartender: No you don't.
My friends boyfriend: Um, yah. I do.
Bartender: Pussy.
He kinda had that one coming.
Its a standard. been around forever, cheesy, not a lot of extra here. Just a no frills tiki bar with good drinks in an enjoyable atmosphere. Where does it rank in Bay Area tiki bars? Near the bottom. If it was my local, I'd be happy.
The bars main problem is the crowd. Frequently the party buses hit this place up and too many idiots seem to love this place. Now that the Tonga room is gone, there is DEFINITELY an opening for a killer tiki bar in SF proper, I'm tired of having to go Oakland or Alameda, how the heck am I supposed to get loaded when I have to drive home!?!?!?
I had my first SF Dive bar experience and you know what? I LOVED IT!!! The bar was brighter than I thought it would be and not even dirty like other "dive bars" I have been to. The drinks were not top shelf but they were tasty and clearly I am drunk so it was GOOD! Gill told me that I would not have my high end cocktails here but I would love the "jungle juice" concoctions and damn it - she was 100% right!
Don't you EVER underestimate Gill C's drinking prowess. That hot tiny pinay can drink even the most stealthy Irishman under the table and I would be more than happy to stand there taking pictures while he hides in shame crying his eyes out while she bellows "NEVER UNDERESTIMATE ME -EVER!!!" Of course the Irishman is a figment but her drinking ability was impressive!
She is so kick ass awesome, I just love that girl!
The crowd was great - and it was crowded, which made listening to Gill C talk about not wanting to EVER be underestimated (with regard to her drinking prowess - das boot!) so funny! This all went down while Michael Jackson played very loudly through the speakers to compete with the loud, drunken peeps just like us who happily sipped on those long red straws tucked into scorpion bowls, hurricanes and volcanoes.
Gill C is my female Yelp bestie and tonight she established that I am her breasty! ::laughing:: She is the besty and I am the breasty. Say that s**t 3 times in a row after pounding a scorpion bowl bi**hes! Greg - thank you for the cocktail! You are a good friend.
See what happens when I Yelp while still drunk? ::laughing:: I am really a 2 drink max kinda gal. This review was 50% bar and 50% Gill which I think qualifies this as one of those drunken "I love you man" moments! ::laughing::
Ay! Before I peace out - DRUNK DRIVING IS BULLS**T! You get a DD and bring him/her to go with you to Trad'r Sam because those bartenders will get you waasted - you hear me? WAAAASSTED!! That was my public service announcement for the year. Check it!
Trad'r Sam - thank you for getting me nice and drunk! After the bad week I had it was nice to duck into your fabulously fun place to drink my worries away with my friends and the friendly peeps there who were already drunk! I love happy drunks like me! ::laughing::
Thank you Gill C and Greg for breaking my SF Dive Bar cherry! I can't wait to do it again! and again and again! Thanks bestie, love breastie ::laughing::
Achtung! Achtung!
So, it is fruity drinks you are wanting to drink? And in the company of many drunken douchebags? Mein Gott! This is your place!
I have here sometimes consumed brightly colored glassfuls of Polynesian schnapps and have flown home quite drunk in my bi-wing Fokker. Ja, Trad'r Sam is good for drunk making!
Also good for seeing douchebags, behind and in front of bar ja. Many here are loud, not especially attractive girls looking like bachelorette party. Also here is many boys with tribal tattoo and backwards ballcap.
Ja so, I have advice you will accept: take there when you go not less than 4 of your most loyal comrades. Is better to be obnoxious group than to be next to one.
Gesundheit!
Dankeschoen.
exotic drinks! horrible music (sometimes)! weird and freaky people! i love it!
My friend lives in the neighborhood, so I find it to be a reasonable place to go when in that part of the city.
The drinks are STRONG and huge and only $5-6 each. I had a pina colada and strawberry daquiri. My friend's had a few other drinks but the best was the rasta man...or rasta something.
The tiki drinks but weird hipster dive scene together was interesting to see. The bartenders were really nice and were patient when we asked what was in each of the strangely titled drinks. That was one annoying part, the menu had all these cool names like violet sky or rasta man but then had no description as to what is in it. Kind of a pain when ordering. Line for the bathroom was long...too long! Or maybe it was the annoying drunk chicks freaking about one thing or another.
Overall a great time in a small, hot, crowded space! I would go there again, and I think I will next time I go visit my friend. Recommended!
While small, this bar is worth the packed crowd. Lots of quichie 80s music and Hawaiian decor put you in the right mood for a big fat pina colada. You know you want one, and everybody here is holding big fruity drinks. So there's no need to be ashamed!
I recently visited this fine establishment on yet another night of school sponsored debauchery. Although the school prides itself in holding these events at establishments that aren't overly expensive and uppity, this place was one of those dive bars that I could see myself frequenting on more than just a school sponsored night. The Hawaiian luau decor is a little cheesy, but what can I say....the bamboo booths and luau feel is a nice change in comparison to your typical SF dive bar that reeks of stale booze and requires constant hand sanitizer application. I was quite pleased with the strong mixed drinks and $2.75 beers. The drinks are very reasonably priced, but as many bars in the city, they do not accept credit cards.
Early on in the evening I noticed a few food deliveries to the patrons of the bar. So, I assume they allow outside food which is always a cool caveat. The staff was a little on the unfriendly side, but I think the influx of intoxicated law students caught them off guard as they were expecting their usual Thursday crowd. We finished the night off with the BOWL of pina colada. These massive cocktails are literally served in a bowl with extra long straws so your entire group can simultaneously sip away the stress of the week.....I would compare it to a multi-hosed hookah of a cocktail.
Because it was filled with my fellow classmates, I am not sure what the typical crowd is, but nonetheless, the regulars who stuck around with us seemed friendly and open to new patrons. The bar area is somewhat small, so once the night was crackin, it became a little hard to move around.
Overall all this is an inexpensive, fun, and nice change to the typical SF bar. It's definitely worth checkin out if you find yourself with a little extra drinkin time on your hands.
So I finally made it to Trad'r Sams last night. I live just down the street and have been meaning to stop by for a while.
The place is just a cheesy as you would expect from a tropical themed bar. Lots of yummy fruity drinks - funny atmosphere. The bartender was wonderful about honoring special requests and making us fun cocktails that weren't on the menu.
Definitely, a dive bar but a fun experience and the drinks are cheap. Great place if you plan on drinking a lot without spending a fortune.
OK... so if you are not drinking one of the scorpion bowls.. you do NOT deserve to take over a table or crowd the bar. Seriously people WTF.
Tiffany Y. and myself ordered their famous scorpion bowl.. and we were no newbies. We knew we needed a place to chill while drinking our massive concoction. But all the tables were taken and the bar was crowded which doesn't take much, it's a pretty small place.
Anyways we were lucky enough to find someone to share their table so we weren't stuck standing with our drink. No thanks to you douches crowding the bar.
I love this place... total dive bar but it's so close to my house and great spot to stop and get a… Read more »
Came here after the 1 year anniversary party at Hard Knox Cafe. This is probably one of the best bars in the Richmond District. Mix crowd, laxed atmosphere, cheap and strong drinks.
Dimo, the bartender hooked us up. People here are friendly and the range of clientele is from senior citizens to college kids. I actually work a few blocks away and this is really a great find.
They have some great concoctions of drinks here. From their signature scorpion bowl to scooby snacks............they have it all.
I love ordering a delicious gigantic Mai Tai, trying to make myself hold off on chomping down on the tantalizing hunk of pineapple perched on the edge of my glass, and settling down in front of the "Naked Touchy Game" as I've affectionately termed Erotic Photo Hunt. My friends like to sit at a table, play a subtle game of C-Lo, and try to badger me into sharing a scorpian bowl with them. Actually, I'll stop lying. It's my drunk ass pushing the incredible dangerousness of the bowl of booze on everyone else.
All 3 times I've included Trad'r Sam in my day-time drinking itinerary I have blacked out and done retarded things on the 20 block walk home such as strolling into that restaurant Russian Renaissance during a wedding and trying to dance with the annoyed family or wandering into Viva expecting a dance club, and instead finding myself in a scene out of a bad movie- like the music stopped and all of the young Asian people playing some kind of dice game halted their recreation and looked up at us like we were aliens. Maybe that's an exaggeration...but it really Was uncomfortable.
The point? Lots of alcohol is in that frothy scorpian bowl. Be careful or you could find yourself leaving and doing shots at the Nags Head, The Hearth, Would You Believe, random strange places that adorn the Richmond, and maybe even at home when you finally stumble there.
Not sure what yo mama taught you all about imbibing at a bar, but if you want good service (ie, more tequila in your drink, a free shot, a generous pour of Makers Mark, you get the idea) then you should tip your bartender. Trust me, this pays off in spades at Trad'r Sam's. Granted, you don't really NEED that extra tequila since the drinks are strong enough to make you see double, but it certainly is better than a poke in the eye.
However, this place is like Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. If you go before 7pm, its a mellow, laid back, mixed crowd that knows the drinks are as stiff as your grandma's panties. Once the sun goes down though, it's like every frat party I never went to in college because the scent cheep cologne overpowers the taste of the alcohol.
I live in the neighborhood and have sampled my fair share of their rum-a-licous cocktails and have had the pleasure of some lively conversations with the old salts who are toasted by two on a Tuesday.
No Frills, that's a given. But Damn! If you need to get your drink on, this is THE place to get silly in the Richmond.
Peasants who don't order scorpion bowls should stand when there are worthy people who ordered scorpion bowls and have to stand to wait for the peasants who take up their precious bar space. Bud light, Corona, and Blue Moon orderers....MOVE ALONG!
This IS Trad'r Sam after all!
Scorpion Bowls. Enough said.
And the fact I only live 3 blocks from this place is even better. Rock…
Read more »
Fun. Trad'r Sam is fun. I don't think I would hunker down there for a night of drinking, but it's a fun place to go and have a drink or two. The rum drinks are a little pricey, but they don't skimp on the rum. Order a Zombie if you're trying to take the quick route to fucked-up land, just one will give you a healthy rum buzz.
One word of warning, if you're old and cranky like me, you don't like all the young whippersnappers, and you want to sit down when you have a drink, then avoid this place on weekend nights. It's tiny and gets packed really fast.
UGH... This truly is the definition of annoying.
You walk in, can barely move/get to the bar. It takes the bartender 15 minutes to notice you. It takes the bartender an additional 5 minutes to make you your drink. You finally get your drink and it tastes like pure sugary shit. You find a place to ground yourself and then some dumb ho manages to spill your entire drink all over the floor. As you watch this all happen, you notice she scurries off to the bathroom to hide. You wait for her to come out so you can tell her that she's a dumb bitch who owes you a drink. She locks herself in the bathroom, never to return.
Why, why, why, why, WHY do people come to this shitty place that calls them self a bar!? Call yourself a fucking frat house because that is truly what you are.
Trad'r Sam is nice in theory. Good look and idea. The retro tiki bar reminds you of a place your folks might have gone to. Drinks that will definitely do the trick and a decent jukebox as well. BUT, while your parents no longer come here, some of their friends still do, along with a couple of the neighborhood's local drunks.
The older bartender (50+) is one surly beezie if I ever saw one. He looks like he wants to die and shoots disgusted looks left and right. If you are a woman or not a regular, you will wait a while before he graces you with his attention. Not sure if this is part of some shtick he has going, but it's not working. The majority of the crowd (i.e. older dudes and alcoholics) made for creepville and reminded me of this Maury Povich episode about rapists. Note: Some guy in a tank top, shorts and sandals almost fought me at the jukebox because I wouldn't give him a dollar. Tha eff brah?
In closing, Trad'r Sam is a good place to go once in a while (twice a year maybe). And word to the wise, come here after you've had a couple. Your hands won't shake as much.
I went toTrad'r Sam with Janice C. for a quick drink before our dinner at Hard Knox Cafe because our awesome parking karma got us ROCK STAR parking, so we had a little time to kill before we met our friends.
Looking over the drink menu, the 'Orange Freeze' caught my eye. I asked the bartender what was in it, his answer was: "Oh, it's the SHIT. It's a screwdriver made with orange sherbet." Wow. I'll have one of those! My orange freeze was deeeelicious! It tasted exactly like an Orange Julius, but with vodka in it! YUM! J.C. had a Long Island that she said was nice and strong. Only 12 bucks for two giant drinks. Nice.
I haven't been here in a long time, but I'm glad I stopped in last night. I need to go back soon so Janice can experience the power of the Scorpion Bowl!
Fun place to get a couple of scorpion bowls with your friends and get wasted. Also a fun place to… Read more »
Dive bar awesomeness!
$6 dollar drinks awesomeness!
Eileen H. awesomeness! (thanks for the free drink missy! that Long Island quenched my thirst on this warm day)
Next time: Scorpion bowl awesomeness!
Great tiki dive. Great bartenders. $6.50 mai tais so large you could swim laps in them. What's not to love?
Holy sh*t, I think I died and went to a FRAT HOUSE.
Seriously. Where is the tropical/romantic themes, the warm humid air, the freshly squeezed juices, that friendly rockabilly vibe? Because I did not get that at all especially from Mr. Grouchy McGrouchMyPantiesAreInATwist from behind the bar.
I'll gladly shell out the money to go to Forbidden Island in Alameda instead.
Pacifica, CA
Category: Dive Bars
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond
Category: Pubs
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond
Category: Nightlife
Neighborhood: Inner Richmond
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill
Category: Dive Bars
Here are the bars that everyone else think qualify…
Okay, there are some obvious omissions - but that…
Some day I will find that mythical bar worthy of…
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
My fav spots for wine, beer and getting…
"The problem with some people is that when they…
Real Hard to find honest to goodness local spots…
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
