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Category: Dive Bars
Neighborhood: MissionMon-Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
"I liked this place I really do. Was around the area, GF and I agreed to have a few drinks. Plenty of bars and such but we settled here.…" read more »
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Good beer on tap, decent music, and lots of seats and bathrooms.
Yes, the bartenders can be a bit brusque, but so the fuck what? If you really need someone to tell you how pretty you look while you order a beer (or a patron), go to the marina and pay $9 for a Bud Light.
Yes, most of the bathrooms are portables, and yes, they're kind of gross, but there are many of them. I'd rather hover while I pee than wait 20 minutes to use a still-gross indoor bathroom. It's called utility.
Yes, much of the seating is outside, but it's San Francisco! Get a scarf and suck it up! Or, you know, don't go here if it's raining and cold. It's not like anyone is covering up the fact that most seats are outside. It's pretty notorious, so if you can't deal, go elsewhere!
Thanks, Zeitgeist, for being a low-bullshit watering hole near my house. See you this afternoon.
The bartenders are rude people and have decided to be this way to everyone. They don't appreciate tips at all. They are very angry about life and all click up to form this group of dipshit tweeker looking people who all feed off of each others stale bitterness.
I have a feeling these people make decent money yet choose to focus on pretending to hate their lives and job and take it out on the customers like Randell from Clerks.
I used to come here alot but more and more I have decided to take my business else ware and its strictly based on how much the bar tenders are assholes. I know many other people that feel the same way. They should re staff i know plenty of people who would love to work there and be decent to the paying tipping customers.
Note to the Bartenders: Cheer Up you have a great high paying job.
A place you can be yourself.
Bring a big group and grub.
Drinks are cheap.
You know, I don't come here often, but after reading "Lisa W.'s" experience there, I really have to make more of an effort. "They don't serve Patron so Double Fail!" hahaha... go back to the Marina indeed...
Kudos Zeitgeist!
I've been coming here for a long time... and i feel stupid for not writing a review.
So here is what I say about Zeitgeist: CRAZY, COOL, GOOD DRINKS!
This place is great - indoor, outdoor, drink, food, people, music - what's not to like?
Bring a friend, make a friend, bring an enemy and turn them into a friend, whatever you like.
Lots of beers to choose from - whether in a pint glass or a pitcher - score!
All the "negative" reviews below, like Cupcake's and Yelena's, are certainly true. If you're a pretentious, self entitled douche bag the Zeitgeist employees will treat you as such; that fact alone makes Zeitgeist by far the best bar in the city.
Beyond all the stupid frat boys and their bitching girl friends getting what they deserve, you can get a glass of beer ($4, pretty good deal), go to the back yard, sit down at a crowded table, and immedietly make friends with the person next to you.
If Seinfeld came to San Francisco, Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer would make a cameo at Zeitgeist. The scene at last call amused me ~ staff repeatedly shouting, "LAST CALL! DRINK UP! GOTTA FINISH THAT NOW!!!". Some of the other Yelpers experiences are (unfortunately) reminiscent of the 'Soup Nazi.'
Nonetheless, I enjoy Zeitgeist for its character, its spacious beer garden, pink elephants decor, black beanies and leather. I recently noticed that the building adjacent (the one with a rainbow on it) looks like a movie set.
Great spot for people watching, catching up with friends, making new friends, a few pints (or pitchers) and a grilled meal...be sure to bring your greenbacks (and thick skin), this place is cash only. *3.5*
hoegaarden by the pitcher
grilled cheese sandwiches w/potatoes
..thats all i have to say.
This place seems like it has potential, but I was so terrified I would do something to offend the bouncers or bartenders that I really couldn't let loose. The guy checking IDs looked something like a minotaur in coveralls, and his demeanor reflected that as well. Bar service tends to make you feel like you're the last kid to get picked for kickball. The subculture is definitely selective, and I felt like I wasn't edgy enough to be there. The jukebox basically consists of metal, metal, and more metal. Come to think of it, maybe I was so uncomfortable because i was afraid to run into a guitar-shredding hipster ex-boyfriend of mine. This seemed like a place he would frequent.
Just an awful place. The staff is angry and treat the patrons with hostility and resentment. What is the point of running a business if you obviously hate the people who come there?
The bouncers are miserable, rude and definitely overcompensating. It's like they know once they step outside the boundaries of Zietgeist they're nothing, so they act like complete &^#$'s on power trips inside.
Spend your money somewhere where it's appreciated. ick.
I agree 100% with Cupcakes review:
"Just an awful place. The staff is angry and treat the patrons with hostility and resentment. What is the point of running a business if you obviously hate the people who come there?
The bouncers are miserable, rude and definitely overcompensating. It's like they know once they step outside the boundaries of Zietgeist they're nothing, so they act like complete &^#$'s on power trips inside.
Spend your money somewhere where it's appreciated. ick."
All these things are true, but instead of being reasons to stay away, they are reasons to go inside, go to the patio, drink your face off, and have a good time.
If you're open to it, you will make friends. Guaranteed. Go here when you're hung over and grumpy and get a bloody mary. Stay for the BBQ. Stay for the Tamale Lady. Stay for the games of dominos with strangers. Stay for the pitcher after pitcher until your too drunk to feel the cold when the sun sets. Then stay some more.
Possibly the most overrated bar in SF. Most seats are outside and it gets cold out there. Has 2 single inside bathrooms and porta-johns outside, ugh!!! Beer is cheap but mixed drinks are ridiculously overpriced. I paid $14 for a manhattan at a dive bar! Has food too but the kitchen looks like something out of Gordon Ramsey's "Kitchen Nightmares."
You can smoke outside but that's about the only thing this place has going for it. Staff can be entitled and rude sometimes.
The bartenders can go to hell.
The only thing that keeps this cesspool of obnoxiousness afloat is the outdoor patio.
One of the best Dive bars i've ever been to...and that's saying something. Great "smoking" section...bikes, outhouses, food, beer, picnic tables
How can ya knock a deep pour, teeming outdoor patio and a sympathetic crowd of varied demographic? Add porta-potties that's how, but otherwise totally legit expenditure of time, moola and mission momentos.
Outdoor patio can be crazy sometimes, but it is always a good time.
The bartenders have yet to be social or friendly with me, even after I offer up my most award-winning smile. It's a good smile, too!
True statement: This place is only popular due to its beer garden.
I get so irritated when they refuse to sell me just fries, since I don't eat meat, but before I can get too hangry, the Tamale Lady usually shows up in the nick of time.
Great place to meet up with a loud group of friends, I have to say. And the word on the street is that they make killer bloody mary's that are basically a drink with a healthy lunchable inside.
Good location, too.
This review in no way reflects the quality of the food or drinks. I have to admit that their bloody mary is one of the best in the city. However, the quality of service is DESPICABLE!!!!! How you can tell a customer "Fuck you" is still beyond me and I have never been treated so rudely no matter what hole in the wall I went to.
I came in to hang out with friends to get over a hangover with a fresh bloody mary. As it was my first time, I only brought $20 not knowing that they only take cash. So by the time I decided that I wanted to try their burger and get another drink, I didn't have enough money, so I borrowed from friends. Now I do feel an obligation to tip the bartender, I felt bad when I was already borrowing money, so apologizing to the burger guy, I said that I'd definitely cover him next time I come in. I planned to come in again. It seemed like a very cool place.
To my HORROR, this asshole's response was "Well, I have a daughter to feed, and this is the cheapest burger in town ($5), so FUCK YOU." I was stunned. I used to work as a waitress, and some people did not tip me after a served them a $40 tab, but over a $5, considering that I have to pick the food up myself, I was stunned. The tip jar was actually empty, but I was the shmuck who felt bad, and would have tipped the guy $2 instead of $1 next time I went back, and to be treated like that by an imbecile who depends cannot even comprehend how to treat a customer is abhorring.
I am actually somewhat sad to give this place a 1 star review, because otherwise, it's great, but after being told "Fuck you" by the Burger Guy for not having a dollar to tip, all I have to say is screw you. You ruined an otherwise a fun afternoon at a great location and lost a customer in one go!
Are you freakin' serious?
You could have received **** for your unique albeit mellow ambiance reminiscent of a good friend's backyard BBQ uniting fellow San Franciscan hipsters and tourists alike but due to your questionable bartender and her lack of social skills, I think not.
Me: Can I get 2 Cazadores?
Male Bartender: Sure...$12 please.
Me: Ooh, and 2 limes please!
*ignored*
Random guy to the right: Oh, why don't you just grab it? Here, I'll help you.
Me: I got it, thanks!
*grabs 2 limes from behind the counter*
"Bartender": EXCUSE ME. Don't grab limes with your hands, it's unsanitary.
Me: I'm so sorry!
"Bartender": That was totally uncalled for and rude.
Me: I SAID, I was sorry.
*turns over to my friends*
Me: WOWWW
"Bartender": Excuse me? Don't cop an attitude with me.
Me: I already said I was sorry, there is no need to be rude.
"Bartender": You'd be rude too if you worked here.
Me: Sweetie, that's not my fault.
"Bartender": Honey, this ain't no Starbucks. GO BACK TO THE MARINA WHERE YOU BELONG."
Wow...what a freakin b.
I usually don't partake in altercations with people in the service industry but this "bartender" needs to be taken down a notch or three. Good luck Zeitgeist with hooking on potential new regulars, with bartenders like that, I'm surprised this place is still up and running.
One more thing, you don't serve Patron.
DOUBLE FAIL.
I agree w/ the 4 star average. Cool bar.
Lots of outdoor seating out back (but don't go on a weekend night being as there will be NO where to sit) and good music [including punk rock] on the jukebox...
Pool table and food. Nice feel in the interior.
Not my favorite bar but definitely a cool change of scenery.
Great dive bar which is apparently a popular place for the locals to nurse their hangovers with bloody mary's.
The bar inside is definitely dirty, grungy, or whatever you want to call it. But you know - it's a dive bar. So if you came here and unexpected anything more then shame on you for being an idiot or uninformed.
I had a burger. It was pretty damn good.
There's a large outdoor patio area with picnic benches where it's apparently OK to use your State of California approved "medicine".
Food - 5/5
Service - 5/5
Price - 5/5
Atmosphere - 5/5
Best Drink: Long Island (They make em strong for me!!!)
Best Food Stuff: Home Fries
Hands down, by far, my favorite bar in SF.
Their food is the bomb!
I have never had a bad time here. Ever.
The people that complain about the staff or bartenders are the ones who are acting like complete jackasses and of course that kind attitude is going to be met with hostility. Respect the bar and the bar will respect you.
Sadly, I have yet to see the Tamale lady, but it will happen. It must happen!!!
The setup outside is perfect. It forces you to be social. Especially when it gets crowded. If you don't make a new friend here, your not trying.
Prices are a tad high, but the drinks are strong and well made.
Still one of the best dive bars in The City.
Great feel to the place, good crowd, and well-priced beers.
Lots of cool stores nearby (Scuderia, Ocean Treasures Aquarium, etc.)
I don't really know why I'm reviewing this place. I doubt anyone really cares at this point. You all know what kind of place this is. They have decent priced drinks and food and an outdoor area where you can stick your bike. And it gets hella crowded.
So instead of telling you what the other 1409(!) reviews can tell you, I'm going to give you a haiku. I checked, and none of the other reviews have a haiku.
Zeitgeist, I get it
Let's finish the night elsewhere
Fuck it, more beer please
There is something about a hard as nails, biker bar, tattooed all to hell, punk rock, country, everything for the rough neck with a baseball cap, no attitude, all attitude place like this.
The walls reek with the authenticity of no bull shit shall be taken here, but now there is Purel hand sanitizer near the door and it has become written up in several sterile fancy magazines for said authenticity.
I love this place, and I hate this place. If Merle Haggard had a kid with Nancy from Sid and Nancy, and they kid ended up going to Montessori Schools and then to an East Coast art academy, this would be where the kid would hang out.
The food and the memories will always bring me back, but I also go hoping that one day it will return to former ways.
If this is what San Francisco yelpers consider a dive bar (really? there wasn't even a visible layer of filth on the floor on a Saturday night!), I'd recommend you hightail it to a seedier city (or, you know, anywhere in New Jersey), find an unadvertised watering hole, and re-evaluate your opinion of Zeitgeist.
As a lover of dive bars, I feel a need to give a list of reasons why Zeitgeist, while an outstanding bar, is not a dive bar.
Drinks are reasonably priced for this being the trendy hipster hangout that it is, but that means it's not a dive bar. Dive bars generally have a lower hipster quotient, and thus a lower price on drinks.
The space is large, especially the back patio area, which is more like an empty lot filled with long tables. Dive bars don't have these. They're small and dank and cramped and have mouldering ceiling tiles where you see open sky at Zeitgeist.
The Tamale Lady: delicious tamales, but would be chased out of any dive bar.
The staff: just surly enough to get people to listen to them, but not drunk on shift or surly enough to throw anyone out.
Rude, rude, rude.Read cup cakes review you will see what i mean
When I first moved to California, I wasn't the same person I am today. I've become rusty on being completely rude to people. So, let me tell you a little bit about my day....
We're looking for a place with good bloody mary's and some food to cure my friends hang over and grab a bite. We find Zeitgeist on Yelp. It was the first thing that came up when searching for Fries and bloody mary's. I'd been here before (just got tamales and never approached the bar myself) and they do have a KILLER bloody mary so we decided that was our spot.
The line for drinks wasn't bad and I was totally loving my mary as we walked to the other window to order food. When we get there, the cook is on the phone bitching that he's the only one there. He hangs up and then I say "I'm sorry you're having a bad day." He said "Well, hurry up and give me your order so I can help the people behind you." Um.... OK. We all (4 of us) put in our order and he says "GREAT... nothing you ordered goes on the grill and I have to make EVERYTHING by hand!" I pay for myself and my BF and left a tip. My friends paid, but he had forgotten to change them for the salad. He handed them the change and they were trying to figure out how much to tip the guy and the guy says in a VERY snotty manner "Thanks for fucking leaving me a tip especially after I gave you a free salad" WOAHHH NELLY!! They hadn't even moved from their spot!!! I was so taken aback.... (I'm seriously mad at myself right now for not checking the yelp reviews further before going there but usually a 4 star review is enough!) I wish I could say this was the end of my unpleasant visit but it's not. Be happy that I'm going to spare you those details. Let's just say it totally ruined our day!
Well, the food is decent, the mary's are awesome.. but man, they SERIOUSLY need new help with MANNERS!! I really never in a million years expected to hear someone get talked to like that in SF. Grow up people! Everyone has problems. That doesn't mean you get to take them out on your customers.
Since I will not be returning, I'm giving it one star. You really know how to ruin a good thing, Zeitgeist!! GOOD JOB AT BEING THE RUDEST PLACE IN SF! If I want rude, I'll go back to NY!
WHY WHY WHYYY you have 4 stars, I'll never know... get a grip people!
Reasons this place is great:
- the bloody mary's are slap-yo-mama good
- this is one of the few awesome outdoor bar spaces in SF
- the beer selection is pretty good
- the Tamale Lady
Reasons this place makes me want to die:
- the asshole staff
Seriously, I don't need you to smile or wish me a great day or any of that shit but if you could just serve me a beer or check my ID without giving me attitude I'd appreciate it. It's like to qualify to work here you have to have a stick up your ass and a chip on your shoulder. And tattoos and flannel.*
When I hand you my Georgia ID and point out that the "birth date is in the middle" to help you out you don't have to say "yeah, i know, it's my job" and then give me bitchface.
When I order a beer, please fill it to the top or somewhat close rather than leaving an inch and a half of head. And maybe put the change back in my hand rather than throwing it at me. Thanks.
*I have a weakness for flannel and tats so that's not necessarily a bad qualifier.
Good drinks. Good burgers. Back patio is a big bonus. I'm not so hot on the giant rats by the portapotties. But a good pour on a whiskey drink is worth it. Seriously, I'm tired of watered down drinks in this town. Zeitgeist has never jipped me on my booze. Is that how you spell jipped?
I think the best word to describe this place is "grungy." So if you like the sort of barbaric culture of bars come here. They have a great patio outside where people all sit together in big wooden tables. Kind of reminded me some bars I've been to out in Europe. Beer is moderately priced. I've never tried the food but have seen people eating burgers and other sandwiches.
Oh and it's bike friendly, tons of people park their bikes out in the patio.
And lastly, I met Quentin Tarantino here. He was chilling at the corner of the bar sipping on a whiskey and I believe a bottle of Tecate.
I had a first date here over the weekend. You would think that this is a bit of a risky move and you are probably thinking that this was my idea. However, it was his. It was his because he knew that the only thing that we had in common is that we both are somewhat involved (used quite loosely) in the Bay Area punk scene...though not musicians ourselves. I was all over it. I always hide the fact that I am into the dirty bar/whiskey scene because it scares men away. This man could handle it. As such, good weeder date bar.
It is a pleasant walk from 16th St./Mission BART on a sunny day. I was hit on by a guy who was fried on Mescaline and carrying around a bowling pin on the way. Before that, I was called "puto" and then called "purple baby" (I was wearing a purple sweater). This means that it was a normal trek through the Mission. I finally found my destination and waited for the date outside. (I was on time! Can you believe it?)
I was not expecting the order of Jack n' Coke to automatically be a double/pint size. Holy #@$%! I love this place. However, I did have to sort of be on my best behavior and nursed it accordingly. Once a second drink was offered, I requested "the kids size."
I loved how I heard not one, BUT TWO White Zombie songs. I loved how tamale lady showed up. (It was Labor Day. I was expecting her to take the day off.) I loved the patio in the back and how, for some reason, nobody noticed the pot smoking. (Why are all the patios in SF? Oakland, step it up.)
I did NOT love the hipsters. In fact, if I *DID* have two double Jacks, one hipster probably would have gotten a severe Michelle S. throwdown for having no respect. (That would have also been an automatic fail on the date.)
Dating sucks. Zeitgeist doesn't. Hmm....maybe the mescaline bowler is still available. *posts Craigslist "Missed Connection"*
10 points for the cab driver who drove us directly here when we told him we were looking for a cool dive bar.
It was a Saturday night in SF and the bars were filled with the usual club kids, except for this place. It was kick back, no line at the door, fast service and great beers on tap. I opted for a Great White and we roamed the bar. There is an awesome patio, cool, chill people and it was just an awesome place to get away from the duchebaggery of the usual SF club scene.
I will DEFINITELY be back when in town.
There's nothing else quite like Zeitgeist..at least not in San Francisco. I'll start with the two glaring cons and then roll on through to the pros that make the bad stuff not matter.
The attitude. People always say New Yorkers are such assholes. Clearly, they've never been to San Francisco (this is a native SFer speaking so don't start sending me hate mail...please). Just try having a conversation with another patron here or perhaps compliment the bartender on the excellent Bloody Mary and prepare to have your head bitten off. Last time I was here I asked a dude what type of beer he was drinking and replied, "Are you speaking to me?" and stared me down until that grin was wiped right off my face. Really, just take my advice and keep to your protective crew of friends here. The second problem? They don't take cards and the ATM machine tacks on a hefty $3.95 fee. I suppose that balances out the cheap and tasty $6 burgers but that is one hefty tax.
Speaking of burgers...this is one of the best veggie burgers I've had anywhere. Fired up with real cheddar, a big 'ol bun and all the fixin's and you've completed your beer garden experience. The regular burgers are made with 100% Niman Ranch beef and the bratwurst is humongous. The garden out back is so friggin' incredible and usually packed with hipsters, hippies and everything in between but big enough that you can usually squeeze in somewhere. Pitchers galore and the BEST $8 Bloody Mary on either coast and your Sunday afternoon could seriously not be any better.
Now shut up and stop looking at me.
I think Bloody Mary's are gross, which resulted in two things:
1) Having to wait a while for beer while the bartender made 10 Bloody Mary's at once
2) Feeling sick to my stomach watching people drink them all around me.
The bar itself was really cool and non-threatening to us dorky, non-biker tourists. The garden was huge and had a good feel, but we didn't get a seat. I want to give Zeitgeist another chance when I don't feel like crap. If I'm ever in town again, this would be a fun place to go to with a bunch of people.
This place is Oh-Kay. I like the outdoor beer garden that sits under the freeway overpass and the port-o-lets lining the back gate. It is a perfect compliment to the decent prices on drinks and the tamale lady that runs through. They have giant jars full of matchbooks with naked women on it.
But don't expect to get anything from the staff other than looks of annoyance and straight-up-asshole antics. I get that they are trying to be tough and all, but seriously? If I wanted to get treated like shit when getting drunk I can just call an ex-boyfriend. He might even buy me my beer!
First time to this place and it sucks big time. I get the hipster thing and trying to be uncool so they can be cool concept, however the employees at this place are the worst in San Francisco. I don't understand how they are still in business. I think the only reason is the outdoor patio with tables next to port-a-potties. Been to every dive bar in the city, this one is the worst because the people who work there treat you like cattle.
this is my favorite bar is sf. hands down.
the staff is known to be salty but hey, it's an old school biker bar. they're not suppose to be happy-go-lucky and smiley sue. i've never been treated badly and have actually gotten some extra love a few times ;-) and anyhoo, if you salt me, i will just salt you back.
beer is cheap, mixed drinks are not. again, old school biker bar. they don't give a flip about cosmo's and vodka/redbulls so come correct!
being from the south i'm picky as hell about my burgers and theirs are ON POINT. home fries are bomb as hell and though i don't drink 'em, i've heard they have the best bloody mary's in the city.
it can get cold outside but it's sf, it's gonna get cold y'all. where else can you chill outside, drink and smoke to your hearts delight. yes please! and thank you.
I wish we had a Zeitgiest in San Diego. Thats how much fun i have there when i get up to they City.
It's gonna be crowded to the max with beer drinkers and party goers on friday -sunday eve's, but thats part of the charm, and also why Zeitgiest has an incredibly huge back yard drinking area with picnick tables set up. lost of room to mingle with friends, strangers, and get the vibes rollin. If you want to duck inside the actual pub you can do that too.
they have giant bike racks where you can hang your bikes on for those who want to ride under the influence home.
Great beer selection too. Didnt have any food there, but the burgers looked good and thick. the only negatives about this place are two, the A hole bouncer dude who looks like Boss hog hanging out in the back, and there was another douchey cat who looked like he hated his job and almost tried to start funk with me for putting a pitcher of beer on an old truck in the yard.
its like dude, dont try to play with me homie, you will get smashed on. one of these days he's gonna step to the wrong cat and get beat down like a chump.
besides that, go to Zeitgiest!!
It's hard to know how many stars to give Zeitgeist.
On the one hand, it's a San Francisco institution, a required stop for anyone who visits. And there are many reasons it maintains its position as King of the Mission Dives: stunning barback skills, excellent bloody marys, sarcastic and brusque bartenders, thick coat of dirt and bike chain grease all over everything.
On the other hand, it pisses me off that they removed the grilled cheese from the menu, and the burgers are not the transformative experience they are made out to be.
Maybe my standards are artificially high. Maybe I'm just sick of being either freezing cold or unable to get a seat for love or money, depending on the weather. Zeitgeist is rad, it's just not as rad as one might be lead to believe.
Neighborhood: Mission
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: Mission
Category: Dive Bars
Neighborhood: Mission
Category: Dive Bars
Neighborhood: Castro
Category: Dive Bars
Neighborhood: Mission
Category: Bars
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