- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Tunnel Top
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 5 pm - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Dive-y, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Eastsac G. said: "Their T-shirts say it very eloquently: The "non - marina" marina bar. Visit this place whenever we're in the City because we usually stay close to the Marina. Went in around 8pm on a Friday and hadn't gotten crowed yet so nabbed a…" read more »
606 reviews for Tunnel Top
Review Highlights
"Playlist + Watermelon Gimlet = Amazing."
(in 20 reviews)
"And I love the wine-bottle chandelier."
(in 12 reviews)
"Excellent Bar with a fun atmosphere and good music."
(in 38 reviews)
Loading...
606 reviews in English
-
Review from Mike L.
2/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
If you're looking for a chill, lounge-ish kind of place to grab some drinks with friends, Tunnel Top just might be the place for you! I had heard about TT for a while now from friends, but I had never gone in until we dropped in for our high school friend's farewell party. I must say...he picked a pretty good venue to say goodbye to everyone.
The place is pretty small, but the lower level is an especially tight fit. After you walk in, it's just a few short steps until you're already in line at the bar. They managed to squeeze in a table or two, but there really isn't much space for anything else. Each time we would get our drinks, we would head straight back upstairs to the couches the rest of the group had claimed. It felt quite a bit more spacious up there, but it's mostly because it was so busy down below.
Space aside, the rest of Tunnel Top is awesome. The DJ was playing mostly mostly hip-hop and top-40 and though there wasn't anyone dancing or anything, I'm sure there might have been if there was room for it. As for the bartenders, I was impressed by how fast they were able to get drinks out even though there was only two of them working. Fast, well made drinks that were pretty cheap as well? Win. Just make sure you come prepared though, as the bar is CASH ONLY (they have an ATM out front if you need it).
Although parking in the area can be tough, the Stockton/Sutter garage is right next door. Though it may suck having to pay for parking, it's convenient and the hourly rate is pretty cheap. Since drinks at the bar won't cost much anyways, it'll all even itself out by the end of the night. If you're still bummed though, just think of it this way - the sooner you park, the sooner you drink. -
Review from Craig P.
Dublin, CA
1/31/2012 4 Check-ins Here
Any proper night in the city begins/ends at Tunnel Top. Dark and red seem to be the norm of dive bars, but Tunnel Top adds a bit of charm with the upstairs lounge seating, live DJs (sometimes complemented with sweet slow jamz music videos from the 90s), and a unique bottle chandelier.
After a few manly beverages ($5 Jameson during happy hour), I tried the blackberry mojito and it lived up to the Yelp hype. My friends have had the blackberry mojito and watermelon gimlet - they may be pulpy at the bottom, but they are usually strong and delicious (the drinks).
Truly one of my favorite spots in SF. Go for the happy hour and stay for the music (there are DJs or live bands every night!). After happy hour the bar does get crowded and the restroom gets nasty, so try to hold it.. if you can't, the Burritt alley is right outside. -
Review from Ana N.
San Francisco, CA
1/15/2012
If you like a good dive bar, you'll be comfortable here in no time.
Get your favorite beer/cocktail and head upstairs for a living room-like setting. There's a lounge area and a few tables by the window overlooking the street too. It's a great place to unwind and have a conversation. When it's foggy out, the place looks magical! -
Review from Samuel H.
2/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
We ordered the Watermelon gimlet and although it was super cheap (around 6 bucks), I couldn't really taste anything but water. Think it needs more watermelon juice...or something. A two story bar is kind of a unique setting, there's a pretty decent view, but I think I'll try another drink elsewhere.
-
Review from Emmy L.
San Francisco, CA
1/12/2012
Ohhh Tunnel Top! I live within a block so I find myself at Tunnel Top a few times a month. It is one of the best kept secrets in the area.
The atmosphere is fantastic: the lighting really makes the place feel intimate, yet cool (the bottle-chandelier is sick.) The music is almost always very good. I love when the DJ does a mix of throwback, current, and remixes of R&B, Hip-Hop beats. It is a refreshing alternative to cheesy/trashy clubs.
One downside: It can get crowded and the bar is a little too small, but the drinks are good and the staff moves quickly. Best case scenario is going with a group and getting prime couch seating on the upper-level, then sending a volunteers down in shifts to get drinks.
I will keep going to Tunnel Top and recommending it to others. -
Review from Alyssa G.
1/15/2012
If you like a good old fashioned dive bar, you'll be comfortable here in no time. Walking distance from the financial district, Union Square and the like, it's just the escape you may be needing from tourists, crazy shoppers and trend-seekers.
Get your favorite beer/cocktail and head upstairs if you want something extra cozy. There's a lounge area and a few tables by the window, overlooking the street. It's a great place to unwind and have a conversation. On a cold day, all the better. -
Review from Kaylie H.
San Francisco, CA
1/5/2012
Definetely one of my favorite bars in Nob Hill.
Try a basil or watermelon gimlet! Their cocktails are amazing! -
Review from Edward Y.
Oakland, CA
12/22/2011
Cheap drinks overall. $6 Jameson ($5 during happy hour). Most beers are also discounted by $1 -- but not the Big Daddy IPA. *sniffle*
Live Bossa Nova band every Monday night! *swoon* And they indulged my request to play Girl from Ipanema without rolling their eyes. Thanks! :)
But yeah -- overall solid establishment. This will definitely be my go to place on Monday nights. -
Review from Steven F.
Modesto, CA
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
This is the place if you are staying on Nobb Hill and looking for some local dive bar flavor.
Just outsdie Chinatown and right above the green door. Down the street from all the great hotels and shopping in Union Square.
I have a new spot in the area now!
Good job guys. -
Review from Rebekah T.
San Francisco, CA
Great place to meet up for cocktails, it's actually quite the ideal location ~smack~ in the middle of downtown and close to everything. Maybe you need a break from holiday shopping this season, a place to celebrate Happy Hour after work or a quite little bar to sip a cocktail solo.
This place may be packed, but it's never pretentious. I wouldn't consider it a dive, but it's dark and mysterious. You can find yourself in a quality cocktail type of mood without breaking the bank. They have a scratch bar full of choices, so it's up to you.
What are you drinking?Listed in: Best Happy Hour, Cocktails, Dahling?
-
Review from Kevin W.
Mountain View, CA
12/23/2011
Tunnel Top! TT TT TT! ::tee hee:: Now that that immaturity is out of the way, onto the review...
I came here with my Two-Drink-Min lady friend to pre-party before Happy Hour - yes, that's how we roll. $6 mojitos and $5 Jameson shots at Happy Hour. Its says something about the quality of our pre-party drinks when we didn't have a drink at the other Happy Hour. We'll definitely need to come back when the DJ is spinning.
The best seats in the house are the pair of two-person tables upstairs - views of Bush street from the big windows and overlooking the downstairs. It's a great corner for some privacy or some exhibitionism. -
Review from Stephanie M.
San Francisco, CA
11/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
I can't believe I've been in this city for years and never been to TT!
I came here on a Monday with five friends, walked up the tunnel stairs and encountered some crazies. The bar has two floors, dark, very chill, and live music!!!
We ordered downstairs (cash only) and enjoyed upstairs on a cozy lounge table the portuguese beats to Bossa Nova Mondays and amazing cocktails!
The Coconut, Nutmeg, Rum was a tropical xmas in a cup, Bellini was fancy, Blackberry Mojito was fruity, Dark n Stormy was aight, and the Watermelon Gimlet was refreshing, not that strong, but so delicious! The drinks ranged from $6-$8. I'm definitely going to return to check out Latin Tuesday's or other nights with different DJ's and having more Fresh Watermelon Gimlets. Great for dates, small groups, or a HH companion. -
Review from Joyce B.
1/10/2012
Drinks here are pretty cheap ($6-7 for a cocktail) until you realize that they water down your drink. Got the watermelon gimlet which I thought was quite refreshing. However, definitely don't have too much alcohol and tons of ice. The bar is pretty nice with a small upstairs that play jazz band and lounge/couch area + a few seats on the narrow balcony. It is literally at the top of the tunnel, hence the name. If the music were playing when I was there, would've been quite fun.
-
Review from Andy K.
Brentwood, CA
11/17/2011
Last time I was here a well-hydrated young lady walked up to my friend and I to ask if she could borrow a dollar. After we declined, she lunged at my friend's drink and started to inhale his vodka.
5 Stars for the look on his face when that happened. Minus 1 Star for the guy who grabbed my girlfriend's butt and ran-off. -
Review from Lena S.
San Francisco, CA
1/15/2012
Its a dive bar that serves very weak drinks...at regular bar prices.
-
Review from Aaron N.
11/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you are looking for a chill bar to grab a couple of alcoholic beverages, Tunnel Top is freaking it. The location is perfect (on top of the tunnel downtown) and the fact that you can either chill at the bar or go upstairs and get your lounge on with a group, is a definite plus.
The atmosphere took a little to get used to because it's really dark with just a bit of red lighting, but once your eyes adjust, it's actually pretty cool. The bartender was also really cool (and attractive) and the people at the bar were mad chill (meaning that they weren't loud and crazy). I definitely will stop by this spot next time I go to San Fran. Boom! -
Review from Kelly G.
It's a dimly lit bar that has a DJ who plays Motown on Thursdays, a full bar which serves a drink of the day, champagne splits, and I assume beer/wine. The Two Stars are for the two absolute acai and sodas with real blueberries. Way to up my antioxidants and intoxicants simultaneously.
But beyond that, what's the point? I feel like being able to say that I went here and know how to find it is supposed to make me cool or something. I'm too old for that crap.
They have a very minimalist/rustic theme, which I think has been played out by bars coast-to-coast. I'm tired of feeling like I'm hanging out in a dusty mismatched attic. It just seems like a way for places to keep their start-up costs low. But in this case, it's been here for years. So it's obviously keeping its redecoration costs low. What's the point? I like a dive or a pub once in a while. But there's definitely a point in life where you don't have to "hang" there to prove you have street cred anymore.
Lesly S. said it hardly ever gets too crowded but we went back Saturday night and the place was full to the gills of "diversity frat boys in tuxedoes"...and let's just keep it at that. There were three of us at a table and unless we all leaned in we couldn't hear each other very well. It was dark, very crowded and very, very loud. After two splits of champagne we left.
I think people will either love or hate this place. I'm of the latter. Thanks Paul D. and Veruca G. Sorry Lesly S.
#FYI Ca$h Only -
Review from Mariam H.
San Francisco, CA
10/3/2011
Great Dj here on Saturday really puts you in the mood to dance.
Don't judge a place by the exterior a good time awaits inside. -
Review from Stefanie L.
San Francisco, CA
10/16/2011
I want to like this place so badly! SO BADLY. The location is awesome, and despite its placement in the heart of tourist territory it seemed to be filled with locals. The setup is also pretty great--not enough floor space to induce dancing, but just enough to be able to navigate. Plus, you've got the option of being able to hang out upstairs or downstairs, in case you're in the mood for a scenery change at any point during your time here. Convenient.
But I'm docking two whole stars for the MASSIVE HEADACHE incurred here. The music was beyond too loud. It was inescapable. I blame the fact that it was a Saturday night, and blaring music seems to be the requirement at any late-night establishment, regardless of the presence of a dance floor. Whatever. I enjoyed hearing "I'm On A Boat" at volume 11 just like everyone else, but I really just wanted to talk to my friends. I'll be back on a weeknight when I can hear myself think. -
Review from Jeremy B.
San Francisco, CA
10/28/2011
I really like this place. It is not pretentious, a little divey (but not as divey as Chelsea Place next door) and it has a good mix of locals and tourists. I love sitting at the bar during happy hour. All beers are $1 off. Cocktails, shots and wine are all reasonably priced.
Two cons
Front door is always closed, whats up with that?
Only one bathroom, the line can be kinda long -
Review from Andrew G.
9/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was absolutely blown away with how awesome Tunnel Top is
.
Came here on a Friday night with a couple of buddies. This bar is close to Union Square, hence near BART and many major MUNI lines, which is an added plus if you are looking to get wasted. However the GPS can be decieving as once you get past Union Square you have to walk up a MASSIVE hill. No seriously, its pretty steep.
However once you conquer the hill you will be welcomed with a dark red glow, a solid DJ mixing old school hip hop, fun and fresh mixed crowd as well as really well priced drinks! This lounge/bar is quite tiny even with two floors. Downstairs is the bar where you can mingle and order $5 dollar gin&tonics, or $4 beers. These prices are good ALL night. The bartenders are friendly and very good at their craft. One thing that should be noted, this is a CA$H ONLY establishment. With that being said, their is an ATM by the front door.
As for everything else, the DJ was awesome and had the entire 2nd floor jammin to 90s hip hop tunes. Couches surround the walls and a nice little view of the bar and people below allow for a spot to relax, conversate with that girl or guy you've been dancing with, and drink that 5 dollar gin and tonic.
I'll be back soon no doubt! -
Review from Nick B.
San Francisco, CA
11/14/2011
Final call on the nights crawl trail was the Tunnel Top. We were admittedly a bit buzzed and Dave was flat out drunk. I do like the Tunnel. It has a great amount of space. Lots of room upstairs and downstairs to move and mingle, or in our case carry Dave and stumble a bit.
There was a good crowd rocking to the beats. It was a little hard to get our drinks at first but after the first round we forgot to care as much. It was 3 stars for service and a nice 4 star SF atmosphere. But I can't complain. They let Dave hang out even though he started being kind of an ass to a few girls. We managed to subdue him a bit after a warning or two. Loved some of the throwback jams they started playing.
I highly recommend avoiding the bathroom and always bring plenty of cash! -
Review from Christine C.
Fremont, CA
10/3/2011
Fun chill bar. First time here was for happy hour on a weekday. Second time was this past Saturday for my cousin's birthday. The watermelon drink was tasty and only $6! However, the shots of grey goose were not chilled :( It's a small place but there's 2 floors. Good music and fun dancing!
Reminder: Cash only! -
Review from Jim B.
San Francisco, CA
12/26/2011
great happy hour spot- I love how the bartender uses the ice shredder for the ice in the drinks. Also, the urine smell in the stairway and the massage parlor sign are very unique
-
Review from Stephanie T.
Union City, CA
Every time I've been here... I've gotten wasted.
Not particularly PROUD of that, but just saying, I've always had a hell of a time!
My cousin DJ's at this bar, and I've been here for birthdays and graduation celebrations!
Drinks usually range from $4-$6! But the thing is, Cash only!
It's two stories, and on the second floor, there's a seating area;
Other thing is, you'd have to get there a bit early (depending on day) to swoop on in those seats.
There's space on the second floor to act as a dance floor.
I love this place, but the only thing is, bathrooms.
There's only one bathroom for the females.
And I have a small bladder.
But, coming to this bar, has NEVER failed me! :D
A great time all day, err day, err time. :)Listed in: Best Happy Hour!
-
Review from L R.
San Francisco, CA
1/23/2012
Dont be fooled by the dive-y looking exterior! I live a stone's throw away & went here for happy hour a few weeks ago & it was a good time. Decent drinks, good service, cool crowd & places to chill & hang out.
-
Review from Charles S.
Salt Lake, UT
We stopped in here for a quick drink around 6pm on a Saturday. The place was dead. It was me, Lisa, and two old dudes at the bar. Then, a few others showed up... then a crowd of well-dressed folks walked in for pre-show, pre-dinner, cocktails. Then a couple of pilots on a two-day layover arrived... and a few regulars. Before you know it, our quick drink turned into a full-on, knockdown, dragout, drunk! Brian, the bartender, was super cool and was johnny on the spot with drinks and refills and bar snacks and conversation and whatever else anyone needed. No matter what strange cocktail order was thrown at him, he was all over it... and quick too!
The crowd was a great bunch of locals and "others" like us and we had a great time. The music was a great mix and not too loud to have a conversation.
This was one of the most enjoyable evenings we spent in San Francisco! -
Review from Priyam D.
Fremont, CA
1/20/2012
Average bar. I went for happy hour with a friend and we snagged two bar stools. It was pretty chill, but nothing special. Convenient location though.
-
Review from Kenny L.
10/27/2011
Dark 'n' Stormy + blueberry mojito + drinking on top of the Stockton Tunnel = happiness!
-
Review from Kinga H.
7/24/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Dirt cheap and delicious.... that about sums up the drinks served up.
A casual crowd... nothing fancy shmancy about the folks here.
The place is small, two stories. Weekends -the upstairs turns into grind on a girl central. So avoid unless you can score a seat by the DJ or on the couch. Otherwise spend time downstairs chatting with friends.
The DJ turns out some great tunes... different depending on the night of the week you are there.
A great bar for a chill night if living in the Nob Hill area.
Oh ya, it's cash only. -
Review from Drew P.
San Francisco, CA
7/30/2011
Not a bad place to spend an evening. Went there tonight, and the DJ was playing non-offensive music from the 90s and 00s. Service at the bar was a little slow, but after you first drink, you tend not to mind so much.
PRO:
- Unpretentious, no dress code
- Upstairs lounge isn't as hot as you might think it would be
- Decent music, not too crowded
- No cover charge
- Walking distance from Union Square
CON:
- Slow bar service
TIP:
- Cash only bar, and the ATM is not always reliable -
Review from Lisette P.
San Francisco, CA
9/24/2011
This place is tiny but lots of fun. Recommend the upstairs area, especially if you want to get your groove on (DJ spins from about 10pm).
Drinks are fantastic - had a mojito, a pomegranate something-or-other and a vodka. Friendly, unpretentious crowd the Friday night we went out as well.
My tips? It's cash only... oh, and try not to have too many drinks in a short space of time. I was easily, crazily, wasted. -
Review from Erica L.
San Francisco, CA
8/10/2011
Vacation cabin setting+nice and cozy ambiance+amazing drinks+peanuts raisins snack mix+the most charming bartender!!!!
They use fresh fruits in all the fruity drinks, it smells wonderful sitting at the bar when our bartender, Jean-michel, was making drinks. He's super nice and makes amazing drinks.
You HAVE to get the strawberry mojito was delicious, tons of freshly crushed strawberries! Really easy to drink, just the perfect ratio of sweetness to minty-ness, SO GOOD. They also have watermelon gimlet with fresh watermelon (which smelled amazing too).
I'll be back for more delicious drinks! -
Review from David P.
8/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great place for an after-work happy hour if you're in the Downtown/Financial District area.
Their drinks are strong, well-poured, and they use fresh fruits for all of their cocktails. I literally saw the bartender slice and dice hunks of watermelon for a cocktail order, now that's service!
This place has a lively afternoon crowd that fills up fast. I'll have to come back later in the evening next time for a different experience.
Note: this place seems difficult to find if you're coming from the south on Stockton Street, but just remember to take the stairway up right before the tunnel entrance. Tunnel Top is right at the top of the stairs on Bush Street. -
Review from jessica r.
San Diego, CA
10/18/2011
This is a cool little place. Friendly bartender. Great Happy Hour prices. Next time I'm in the area I will definitely return to this bar.
-
Review from Jane K.
10/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I completely adore this place. I've had too many fun and memorable nights here both with the people I came with and with the random crowd that loves this place. It's sort of divey but totally seductive.
Listed in: The Places I Go Out
-
Review from Amy C.
8/4/2011
Hmmm, I've passed by this place for years but never though of actually coming in for a drink. The name of the joint adequately describes the location of this bar.
Dark and kind of gloomy I didn't think much about this place when I first entered. But as I went inside it was a cozy place to be (especially upstairs). This place is quite small so coming here before midnight is a must* Just an overall good place to hang out with small groups on a weekend to unwind. -
Review from Jenny S.
4/17/2011
the 20+ people in our party RAIDED the upstairs of Tunnel Top!!! dancing the night away... even on their tables (which we were later told not to do)...
Tunnel Top was such a great time especially because there's NO COVER unlike other bars/clubs around the area!
I honestly don't remember how the drinks tasted.. but my only complaint is that both the upstairs & downstairs area of TT are really small SO its hard to ROLL DEEP with a large group, but i'm glad we did because TT attracts some older people who creepily stare SO at least we could keep to ourselves
GOOD TIMES =) -
Review from Tricia A.
Roseville, CA
6/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
What a perfect name for the location. They were playing some dope reggae & dancehall mashups when I was here last Friday. The first thing I noticed was the red chandeliere made of bottles, which I couldn't stop staring at the whole night (I'm a sucker for unique lighting fixtures). I spent about $13 for 2 cocktails, which was so much easier on my wallet, considering the $10 small gin/tonic that I paid for @ Ruby Sky on the previous weekend.
Im glad we stopped in, im gonna remember to come back when I'm in the area again. -
Review from Kristin F.
Traverse City, MI
7/28/2011
Great happy hour... 4:30-8:00... great location... walking distance from North Beach and the Financial, and an easy scoot from SOMA. They have a downstairs bar and an upstairs sitting area/loft, which is always appealing to me. The name is suiting, as it's right on top of the tunnel.
Mixed crowd, easy to get to, cheap drinks. Cash only!
This was one of the first spots I came to when moving to SF in 2008, and I barely remembered how to get here. I was quickly reminded as I took the 1BX to work and passed it every single day. You can arrive by foot, bus, or tunnel... though I don't recommend tunnel.
