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Category: Dive Bars
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond
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if you have never been here before you need to go immediately & have a scorpion bowl. try to go earlier cause there's usually some hella weird gathering there (couch surfers? wtf is that?) w/hella people in name tags...
scorpion bowl =$14, totally worth it... i seriously recommend this. try to drink one to yourself. you'll wake up really confused & guarantee you'll have a good night. k jk but seriously split it w/like 3 people & ur good.
Scorpion bowls: ugh.
I have never come closer to losing it on a Bart train than the one time at Conga Lounge when I finished my own bowl and several other drinks on an empty stomach. I woke up at Glen Park, missing my stop by 4 stops. Luckily tonight I will stay on the wagon.
My first visit to Trad'r Sam's was a special occasion for two reasons:
1. To date, it is still Janney B's only posted event.
2. That night, I met this totally cute Russian, Tatyana who would
later be one of my best friends (despite her abandoning me and
moving to the east coast :P)
So the place is a ticki bar, w/ wicker furniture everywhere, masks, random Polynesian stuff. The seating is a combination of booths separated by bamboo dividers and seating at the bar. The bar is cash only but there is an ATM in the back.
The event was safari themed (http://www.yelp.com/ev...) so people showed up in animal prints and safari/khaki outfits. As I was not drinking that night, I can't comment on the taste of the drinks, BUT I can definitely comment on the potency. In the 8 hours of the event, I saw at least 2 people fall down spilling drinks and breaking glasses, one person passed out onto a neighboring table. Ahhh drunk Yelpers, never a dull moment. Everyone drinking must have had at least 2 scorpion bowls each.
The night was fun, and the bartender was entertaining. He kept the sauce flowing despite the fact that everyone there was obviously plastered. Definitely a great night....also a great morning to call in.
If you like observing old, drunk men try to debate about the most idiot topics like me then you MUST go to this bar.
That's exactly what I experienced on a Wednesday night after deciding to check this place out after work with some friends - old, loud, obnoxious (some racist), drunk old men. Not a lady in sight! I don't blame them. Maybe this bar brings in a completely different crowd on the weekends but why even bother wondering? There's nothing really around in the area, anyways.
Not a big fan of smoothie-alcoholic drinks, but I can see why people like them. I ordered something with banana (I can't remember what the drink was called) and though it was delicious, I found it hard to finish.
The atmosphere is really chill and I felt like I was in someones basement and they decorated it for a luau and never took the decorations down. I think its a good place to meet up and have a drink, maybe even start off your night, but definitely not the destination.
I don't know, maybe I should give this place another try? I enjoyed Bamboo Hut, so I thought I would like this place...
I LOOOVE it here!!! I used to live right down the street and go in my pj's w/my roomie to get a scorpion bowl! good times! I always enjoy hanging out here, always fun!
I came here after eating dinner and having some brewskis at Tee Off Bar. I've heard about the legendary scorpion bowl yet, had never been to this place before. I had previously thought the scorpion bowl was just hype...similar to the Davis Wiki. Sure it fucks you up, but it is by no way delicious. The scorpion bowl is delicious...like 7-11 slurpee delicious. Our group polished a bunch of 'em and it had us leanin'...having us precariously teetering on the edge between good drunk and belligerent drunk. They were very cheap too...$15 bucks. It is good for 2-3 and will creep its way into your system like the most charming of creeps who eventually charm themselves into your hearts.
The layout of the bar is real chill...reminds me of an island cabana. Come early so you can nab one of those couches with a table to lay upon it your plunder of scorpion bowls.
Do you LOVE communal drinks that are made from like 10 different liquids, come in a bowl, and are drunken with a 15 inch straw? Oh yeah, and it comes decorated with maybe 7 umbrellas too. The Scorpion Bowl is the KISS OF DEATH. DO NOT BE FOOLED by all the pineapple juice.
I come here sporadically when I'm in the Richmond District, because it's the only dive bar in the are that doesn't make me feel *dirrrrty.*
On more that 1 occasion, I have busted out my personal Scrabble Deluxe to play a game or two inside Tahiti or some other Pacific Island bambooed table area.
Good juke box, fun drinks, chill crowd. Come with friends and don't expect to meet your future ex-bf here.
What can I say about Trad'r Sam? You know you are becoming a regular when the bouncer recognizes you. You know you are getting old when you complain about shlepping to the Outer Richmond on a Wednesday night, and then leave at 10pm. You know you are getting old when you go to the bar "just to say hello" and leave totally sober.
But enough about me. Yes, Trad'r Sam is way the fuck in the Outer Richmond. Get over it. The drink specials are decent, the regulars are friendly and there are couches to chillax on. Any bar with couches is A Ok in my book.
Will I be back? Sure, but I'll probably complain about the trek, stop by "just to say hi" and leave at 10pm sober. I can't help it, I'm getting old.
Scorpion Bowl.
Funk-o-matic, pineapple-lishess slushee that will have you lost between crowing like Rufio or howling like the Wolf Pac. By the time you finish one or three, you will soon be wiggle worming, shimmy shaking like Antonie Walker after he hits a 3pointer. I don't know what the special sauce is with tropical-esk drink or maybe it is communal nature of the bowl but it makes for a wild time.
Upon further review, it is gross to be swapping 4 straws between a crowd of people but once you start the free fall, you can't stop the car. So keep your slore and whore-mongering friends at home as you don't want to be swapping oral herp via straw. How lame would that be to catch a gift without any of the fun?
Be warned it is a creeper of a drink. You may think you come from a royal line of alcoholic warriors and may be a descendant from the great Peter O'Toole himself but like a stalking creeper, it strikes without warning( not that I know of or am a creeper) :)
Plus, at 15 bucks, the drink is very reasonably priced and alone merits the 4 stars.
I don't care much for the venue itself. The circular bar takes up 70% of the space leaving the standing room very crowded. That along with the popular status of Trad'r Sam makes enjoying one's bowl quite a feat of itself.
If there was an alcoholic related boy scouts somebody owes me a prestigious, merit badge. I was quite the evasive, ballerina with my tactile maneuvering whilst preventing a single drop spilt. My footwork and balance would have given Barry Sanders a run for his money.
They have this weird canopy overhead too with some words like Hilo. I find it odd as I did not see BJ Penn or Lilo & Stich characters milling about and for some reason assumed this place was going to be a South Asian theme.
Management also needs to check for snagged nails. I was leaning back and my sweater got caught along one of the wooden posts. I couldn't loosen myself so I had to have my bud rip me from the nail.
I didn't try any other drink off the board, and cannot comment on the prices of the standard bar material. Then again, if you are on Yelp perusing reviews about Trad'r Sam, why else would you want to come here if it wasn't for the highly regarded scorpion bowl? So come, get grimy, feel dirty, and prepare to crawl.
Oh and it's cash only. Bummer
I went expecting college kids due to the reviews on Yelp.
What I got:
-A rather large party of 40-something to 50-something year olds; one person so intoxicated that he went from head-down on the bar to head-first into the ground...completely unconscious.
-Had the doctor in my Happy Hour group arrived yet, this guy seriously needed medical attention. STAT. People climbed on top of him and women mounted him, cursing and shouting trying to get him conscious, to no avail.
Hope he lived.
_______________________________________________
I went expecting a dive bar.
What I got:
- Very strange "rather divey" but not really this nor that type of place. It was like a really, really old grandmother's living room that had not been updated since 1940 or so.
-Good, large bar area w/ one friendly and one not-so-friendly-but-efficient bartender.
-The place smelled similar to the bathroom, but I did notice that after 30 minutes, I barely noticed.
______________________________________________
I went expecting a good pina colada.
My friend had posted photos of a pina colada here, which was what got my engines revving to host a Happy Hour here last night. I'm a sucker for a good pina colada, and given how cold it's been in SF, I thought drinking an island drink would help me hallucinate and feel like I'm in Hawaii.
What I got:
-A damn good Pina Colada - for $5.50, no less.
-One friend did order the Scorpion Bowl. It comes in what can be described as a small sink. Concept - great. Taste, I'm told, was mediocre.
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Ten of us secured decent seating at the early hour of 6 p.m. and we all enjoyed our drinks (and the spectacle). Due to location (is it Richmond or Outer Sunset - not that is makes any difference) and general ambiance (or lack thereof), I can't say this would be my favorite HH venue, but it's quite alright. I liked it.
But in the dive bar world, I'm still a bigger fan of Zeitgeist. If you're going to be a dive bar, might as well go full-blown dive. While Zeitgeist doesn't serve Pina Coladas (not that I would be caught dead asking while at the "biker bar"), they do make some tasty Bloody Marys and still has the best beer selection outside of Monk's Kettle and bloody cheap prices.
This place is still a good time - however, it skews VERY young. All the college kids go here. So keep that in mind, since they often don't know how to handle themselves when drunk.
SBFL!!!
Scorpian Bowls For LIfe!
This is definitely your best option for a bar in the Outer Richmond. The bartenders are great, in… Read more »
Trad'r Sam's is a lot of fun. I heard about the scorpion bowls and had to try one. They are delicious, and they certainly do catch up with you. Can't beat the price either, it was only $15. I liked the way the seating was arranged, it made for a more intimate experience. It is still a dive bar though, there were a couple shady characters hanging around. I can't wait to go back for another novelty tiki bar experience with some friends. Only complaint is that I felt the doorman was unprofessional. He checked my ID and whoever his sidekick was instantly shouted, "that's not her!" Um, yes it is, and I'm 23 dammit. I'm okay with people needing to verify an ID here and there, but I just wish tweedle dee and tweedle dum were more professional about it.
Koo came here @ 6:30pm and ordered a couple bowls right away. Very cozy and nice. Bathrooms really small though
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!
If you're looking to re-live your glorious first week of college or start the night off with big intentions of not remembering it, come here and order a couple scorpion bowls. Watch them pour about 90% alcohol into a blender and drink it fast. Everything will look brighter, people friendlier, and prettier.
...and don't forget to take an advil before you go to sleep because those drinks will hurt you in the mornin....too much sugar in those things!
We went with a group of friends who were out on an Outer Richmond pub crawl.
While I loved the ambience and the music of Trad'r Sam, I have to admit that I I wasn't a fan of their drinks.
I really wanted to love the scorpion bowl and the banana slushie drink but those two weren't tasty. Maybe I was expecting drinks that you can't taste the alcohol and go down really easy.
This wasn't the case.
Still...with that said, fun bar! great wait staff...and very interesting people watching as drunk girls stumble their way to the bathroom to only find out its the mens.
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 a decent dive bar with a cozy atmosphere. It does get pretty packed on friday and saturday nights, but it still is not terriibly difficult to find parking. If youre on a budget, the scorpion bowls are good bang for your buck, but all the ice at the end is annoying. If you want something a little sweeter go for the hawaiian sunset? or volcano.
My biggest gripe is the one bartender i always manage to get. he is a complete jerk and lacks the customer service and friendliness of almost all other bartenders. He has ruined many nights for me, and i am almost to a point where i want to call him racist.
Other than this bartender, its a great dive bar with the juke box flowing and alcohol constantly flowing.
Word of advice. Bring Cash. Its the only thing accepted.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
I love having a tiki bar right around the corner. It's a cute little place with some very tasty drinks. Definitely gets crowded.
I really enjoy this bar. For one, it is close to where I live. Second, the drinks are a great price, I think the most expensive single serving drink is around $7. Plus, you can get a scorpion bowl for only $14 bucks, the bowl contains a whole blender full of goodness. The bartenders are always nice. At times the place will be crazy crowded with young adults and at others there are just a few regulars around. It's a great neighborhood bar.
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
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.
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!
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 »
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.
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::
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 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.
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 »
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.
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.
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!?!?!?
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
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