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- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 2 am
- Take-out:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sun, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Drive-Thru:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Dive-y
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
1886 reviews for Zeitgeist
Review Highlights
"I can't forget to mention the Tamale Lady."
(in 265 reviews)
"and i hear the bloody marys are superb as well."
(in 131 reviews)
"Love the place - especially awesome on a sunny day."
(in 72 reviews)
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1886 reviews in English
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Review from Liz H.
San Francisco, CA
2/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Zeitgeist is a great place to grab a drink, whether it's a sunny Sunday afternoon or a warm Friday night. There is a small indoor portion to the bar, but the back patio is where it's at. There are about a dozen picnic tables where people gather to drink, hang out and play games (Taboo, cards, even Scrabble!).
They have a great beer selection and serve up hamburgers from the grill. I'm not a big fan of tamales myself, but the Tamale lady often makes appearances at Zeitgeist and people get really excited.
Even if you aren't a hipster or a biker, Zeitgeist is worth a trip! -
Review from Tasha A.
San Francisco, CA
2/6/2012
I've been going to Zeitgeist for 8 years now. Sat I had the worst experience I've had anywhere in years. I was there for 3 hours with 2 other friends had a pitcher, burgers etc. Then once my friends left and I was alone waiting for another friend to show up. BAM!
4 Employees surrounded me in the corner while i was on the phone, told me my therapy dog had to be on the ground ( the other bouncer said they had rat poison on the ground and to have him on the bench) I did what I was asked.
Then they asked me to leave once I did so. I told them I didn't understand and they were being intimidating coming closer. They called a "fucking bitch"....
I was all alone, it wasn't that crowded. They started getting closer and closer to me my dog started shaking and told them to back off and leave me alone.
They called me a "fucking bitch and again and that I needed to "get the fuck" out of there.
i said "I'm sitting here quietly on my phone what's your problem?"
No answer.
I was fed up called the cops in front of them. They started laughing and me saying that the cops wouldnt help me.
Cops said they have "the right to refuse service to anyone."
Ive been a patron for 10 years, no issues. I was there about 3 hours with friends, 10 minutes after my friends leave they gang up on me.
I know they've got a reputation for being mean, but this was harassment and bullying like you'd see in an 80's movie. It was kinda awful.
I just bought a beer too, I was a paying customer.
I'm never going back there. They have no respect and think they're really cool for being jerks.
Karma's a bitch, and so are you guys. -
Review from Erica T.
San Francisco, CA
1/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
I went here Saturday night for a friend's birthday and this was the first place where they had various beers on tap for a good price.
I ordered apple cider ( I know, weak!), but it was just enough to keep me tipsy throughout the night. The cider was $5.00 a glass and it was in the tangy side, but it was good!
I ordered 3 drinks that night: 4 horsemen, beer, and cider for only $16.50! Great deal in my opinion.
Also, there is tamales for sale from this lady that walks around the back patio area and sells them for $5 bucks each! HELLA BANK! but if you are drunk.. who cares! I tasted Jalapeno cheese and chicken. Even though, jalapeno cheese has no meat, it was the one that was NOT dry and was more flavorful than the chicken I bought. -
Review from Laura S.
San Francisco, CA
2/7/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Whoa, what's happening here? Friendly front door staff and shiny new bathrooms?? Wtf. Sunshine behind the bar is still just a ray of light to order from, but hey, you'd be cranky too if you had to spend your hangover time kicking people out from trying to do coke in the bathrooms two at a time. Don't let the shiny new bellsand whistles distract you, this place is still as dirty and divey as ever (minus stinky port-o-potties out back). And just to prove it, my friend got gum on his jeans from underneath one of the picnic tables outside. Ahhh, that's more like it.
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Review from Talia G.
San Francisco, CA
1/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
Nothing better than a sunny afternoon at Zeitgeist with lots of friends, a deck of cards, several pitchers are beers, and the tamale lady. Nice nights are ok too - I was here last night and it was quite pleasant.
There is pool and a few arcade games inside, but the place to be is out back in the large patio with all the wooden picnic benches. The crowd will be 73% hipster, 24% biker dudes, and 3% other people, but don't be deterred. I'm saying this as someone who falls squarely in the 'other' category, everyone's friendly, Zeitgest is awesome.
If you're hungry and the tamale lady hasn't shown up yet, the burgers and veggie burgers are quite good. Prices were just raised from $5 to $7 for a burger sans cheese, but they're large and come with home fries.
Prices are pretty standard - $8 for Chimay, $4.50 for Sierra Nevada...that pretty much shows off the price range. It's a full bar, so if beer isn't your thing you're still good to go. -
Review from Jasmine F.
Bayview/Hunters Point, San Francisco, CA
1/29/2012
Great outdoor area with plenty of tables, and the bar didn't smell as bad as I thought it was...
Can I just tell you how incredibly happy I was to find a bar that served Firestone Double Barrel Ale? I love this beer with all my heart and I have missed it dearly ever since I moved to the city, so thank you, Zeitgeist, for providing me with a new favorite beer drinking hangout! -
Review from Diana W.
Oakland, CA
1/13/2012
I love beer bars with outdoor space. Zeitgeist has all the ingredients for a perfect bar except for the perfectly horrible jerks that work there.
The last time I went on a beautiful sunny day, the place was packed. To be understood since they have that great patio. While my friends waited in line for drinks, I looked around outside for possible seating.
I tried to survey the area from the stairs and a bouncer came up and told me to keep moving. I walked down the stairs and out into the gravel and tried to look around more only to have the bouncer come and yell in my ear "I TOLD YOU TO MOVE!" Freaking a**hole, I did move! Was he going to follow me from place to place and just tell me to move? Someone take him off his 'roids please.
Needless to say, we left and went down the street to Sneaky's BBQ - mega yum!
Zeitgeist let me know when you get rid of the jerk bouncers everyone complains of. I will happily come back. -
Review from Cyndi C.
San Francisco, CA
2/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
hands down one of my favorite bars. babes, babes,babes,babes!!!!!!! perma horny up in dis bizzzzz!
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Review from Shanna G.
San Francisco, CA
1/10/2012
Zeitgeist has a lot going for it.
The outdoor area is cute as pie. There was some guy reading (probably) Catcher in the Rye on a bench under the large tree in the center. He epitomizes the crowd who frequent Zeitgeist on a Monday night (I also saw the largest, most unruly hipster-beard in the whole of San Francisco, and more plaid and cardigans than you can shake a bike lane at). The have upright bike parking, adorable signs, and an outdoor occupancy limit of 208 (indoor is 83 or something).
The grilled cheese was great! It was something like $4, greasy and cheesy etc.
The bathroom, like bathrooms at most dive bars, was filthy, lacked a mirror, and the soap dispenser was empty ; however, it had a door and the door locked (mad props).
The bartender was pretty sweet (gave my friend a free PBR).
Location is not ideal. I had no idea where I was headed, got lost on the way home, but was glad I ended up at Zeitgeist. -
Review from Taylor C.
San Francisco, CA
2/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Definitely not your typical bar experience (Or, more than likely since I spend the vast majority of time in the Marina, not MY typical bar experience...) Inside and out you are treated to plenty of heavy metal, as well as arcade games and bike racks. THe majority of the space is outside, and it resides not-so-far from the underside of a freeway, lending to its edgy vibe. That being said, there are plenty of spots to pull up a bench on the long tables outside, the bartenders are friendly and the drinks are good value. Can't rule out a repeat visit if I'm in the area
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Review from J j.
San Francisco, CA
1/17/2012
HAIKU REVIEW
Thinking what I am?
Psycho-logical world-mind,
That's what "zeitgeist" means.
Many, many beers.
Can I try them all today,
Shite-faced in the sun?
Bloody Marys, too:
Peppery, celery to chew.
Might be best around.
Not grungy-looking?
Get slow service and stink-eye.
Will you guys grow up?
Park that bike, and SMILE !
Then all bars could be like this
Patio of friends. -
Review from shalini g.
San Diego, CA
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
been here twice....it's my girls spot. so when i visit the bay area..this is a must.
inside and outside is huge and somehow manages to be packed solid!
the outside is full of communal picnic tables which forces everyone to hang together...cool...
the air is filled with multiple forms of smoke....so you may want to bring a gas mask and schedule your next hairwashing immediately after leaving....
food and booze are ordered at different counters...both are winners! the burgers are yummy. i really wish San Diego had a place like this! -
Review from Sarah C.
San Francisco, CA
1/13/2012
Best Bloody Mary in town. In fact, probably the best I've ever had.
They also have a grill where you can get burgers or grilled cheese. Yum
Good Beer on draft.
Great outdoor seating.
They do tend to be a little pretentious, but it's not nearly enough to stop me from going again and again and talking about it all the time. -
Review from Javi N.
12/7/2011
What not to do at Zeitgeist. Order a few drinks like your ass doesn't stink, then complain to the bartender that she needs to be a little more friendly. Yeah, those dudes didn't last.
Good bar food, savvy selection of beers on tap, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds on the jukebox makes for one damn happy Javi.
for it.
Yup, definitely a night for the lotus eaters... -
Review from ruggy j.
Updated - 11/22/2011 11 Check-ins Here
Everyone knows about the wonderment that is Zeitgeist's world-renowned bloody mary... but how many are aware of just how amazing their hamburgers are? Seriously, it might go unnoticed to some, but it's absolutely remarkable what they have shakin' on that fiery grill of theirs.
Their hamburgers and cheeseburgers will run you $5 and $6 respectfully, and while that's an insane deal in-and-of-itself... they're using some of the best quality beef you'll find anywhere in San Francisco. It'd be reasonable to expect that a $5 burger would get you a patty made from the grain-fed, horrific factory farmed meats you see in PETA propaganda videos... but this $5 burger is different. Their patties are made from Brandon Natural Farms 100% Colorado grass-fed beef. Ever try buying grass-fed beef outside of a restaurant? It'll run you about $10 per pound in most boutique butcher shops and grocery stores that carry grass-fed animal proteins. At $5 per grass-fed hamburger, I don't know how Zeitgeist makes any money on their food at all! It's amazing.
I wish more places could take a page out of Zeitgeist's playbook and offer patrons a higher quality cut of meat for their comfort food staples. If you're convinced that every burger is the same, you're wrong. Do a quick Bing search of grass-fed VS. grain-fed beef if you have any interest in your personal health and nutrition practices.Listed in: Dive In!, Gettin' Busy In The Mission, Mission Bars, Bloody Marys, Burgers
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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4/30/2011
Still, without a doubt, my favorite place in the city to enjoy a warm day with a few cold elixirs in… Read more »
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Review from Drew T.
1/20/2012 3 photos
Tons of room, fairly clean for a bar, and great crowds even on slow rainy nights. 60+ beers (but they might not all be pouring). Could use some outdoor space heaters or bench warmers or something 'cause it's damn cold out there.
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Review from Whitney D.
San Francisco, CA
12/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Mouthwatering Bloody Mary's with all the fixin's.
Ample outside seating.
Decent music. (Minus the 50 Cent that was playing...although it did make me feel young again!)
Chill crowd.
Wear black if you come here.
I'll be back for the patio & Mary's! -
Review from Jillian M.
San Francisco, CA
11/21/2011
There is no way in hell that I am hip enough for a place like Zeitgeist. However, I think recognizing how unhip I am, by definition makes me hip, since true hipsters know that being hip is unhip, so the desire to be as unhip as possible makes them hip. OKAMIDOINGTHISRIGHT?
The point is, I can drink enough to think Zeitgeist is awesome, and that's what really matters. -
Review from Christine S.
San Francisco, CA
1/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is great! *Very* generous pours on the drinks and outstanding people watching. Went with a group here and had a total blast. Loved the outdoor beer garden! Will definitely go back and hopefully next time I'll realize I'm hungry before they close the kitchen!
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Review from Nick K.
San Francisco, CA
12/28/2011
***Good***
Best biergarten in the city. Cool place to hangout with picnic tables outside where you can bring a big crowd. 100ish beers on tap.
***Bad***
Food isn't really worth trying.
Pretty hipstery. Watchout for tight jeans, american spirits, occupy wall st., scarves, and fedoras.
***Recommendation***
Pick a beer based off the bar tap, they have a lot of cool ones. -
Review from Pammy S.
San Francisco, CA
1/3/2012
this place is about as hip as a marina sorority.
p -
Review from Nicholas A.
Hollywood, CA
1/22/2012
This place has a really friendly staff and I love their decor. I think the best time to come here would be whenever it's hot outside as this place has a fairly large backyard drinking area. The people I talked to that were here were really friendly.
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Review from Hannah A.
11/23/2011
Order an AMF from here and you won't have much to review.
Hell, order two. They seem to be extra stiff here.
Adios amigos.
It will all be a colorful blur of picnic tables, a friendly conversation with the bartender about who knows what, rock and roll playing in the background ( except It feels like its in my head) and more bearded men. I'm pretty sure I asked a few of them for a cough drop.
Who carries cough drops on a weeknight in their back pocket? No one.
EXACTLY.
I'll review again, but for the record...every time I visit I seem to have a great time. -
Review from Chester H.
San Francisco, CA
1/22/2012
Everything is very good and what you'd expect from a place such as this. It's a fun place. The sausages could have more flavor. The service for the most part is excellent, however the bouncer or doorman is a very rude fellow (he's tall with long dark hair). For example of his rudeness he'll unplug the jukebox if he doesn't like the music you've chosen (kid you not). I don't think he get's the whole customer satisfaction thing. He should come to the realization that it's not about him.
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Review from Julia D.
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
I am kind of ashamed to say I just went here for the first time. Am I uncool or actually really cool? I came to meet up with a larger group of friends, and I loved how there was enough room to walk around. The space is big enough where people are not breathing all over you and elbowing you. The food was extremely slow, and didn't seem to need to be because the menu was pretty simple and not so many people were ordering. I want to try coming back during the day and sitting outside.
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Review from Hardy R.
San Francisco, CA
11/17/2011
This used to be a cool dive before they started letting in all those poseur scene kids.
Good call, Zeitgeist. Psh. -
Review from Anny P.
San Francisco, CA
1/17/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Meanest Bloody Mary in town.
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Review from Julie L.
Boston, MA
12/20/2011
What can I say about Zeitgeist - it is definitely the place to go on a sunny SF day. Although I prefer the less sunny, less crowded days. The bloody marys are fantastic, the margaritas are delicious, and the beer selection has gotten increasingly better over the last decade. Not to mention the potatoes are SO good!
Lines can be long, but be patient and friendly, good drinks take time! -
Review from Nikki v.
12/20/2011
Waaaam waaaaam waaaaaam. That's me doing an air guitar. Zeitgeist comes with one. I also always end up wanting new tattoos and a motor bike. Not that I don't feel welcome without these overrated style items. You just get inspired to go all the way at Zeitgeist.
The Margaritas may also well be to blame ... they are so good, and loaded with so much booze that you feel like a rock star after drinking even one.
Make sure to get a spot in the sunny beer garden, it's great for afternoon boozing and playing with cool strangers. -
Review from Mike O.
San Francisco, CA
1/18/2012
Awesome place to have a couple of drinks outside in the morning or early afternoon. The Biker-Biergarten feel is not without its charm.
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Review from sonya d.
Updated - 10/31/2011
Omg I love you Zeitgeist. You kept my purse with my whole life in it in your lost and found and my snuggie and my friend's blanket.
.....yes it was a rough night....
But now you pretty much completely rock in my book, and like I said, I love you more than you will ever know.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/27/2008
Definitely a cool bar. Although we went when it was SUPER packed, so it probably would've been… Read more »
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Review from Jim B.
San Francisco, CA
12/23/2011
This place is disgusting. The clientele and employees of this place make me want to take a shower. Totally infiltrated with hipster d-bags, covered in ironic tattoos, who radiate a lot of passive aggressive anger towards anyone in a colared shirt or tattoo free flesh.
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Review from Deraj D.
Houston, TX
1/13/2012
Dear Zeitgeist,
I miss you man. The bloody Mary's, the pink elephants, the venus de biker, your bouncers shutting down camera ops, and most of all the burgers...holy crap. I've travelled the world looking for a comparable version, but you cotinue to reign supreme. -
Review from Ashley S.
Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, CA
1/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Excellent beer, good crowd. Outdoor seating which in SF is a plus!
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Review from rachelle p.
San Francisco, CA
11/14/2011
I felt like I definitely wasn't cool enough to be here. Lots of flannel, lots of mustaches, lots of moody people...
But a damn good Bloody Mary. They don't use a pre-mix which I find pretty sexual. Lots of worcestershire sauce (which in all actuality I could drink straight), lots of vodka, lots of accoutrements...
I'll come back when I'm not looking business professional and feel like brooding over something. -
Review from Monelle P.
San Francisco, CA
10/14/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Arrived at Zeitgeist buzzed and left Zeitgeist drunk. What happened in between was a blur of:
-A perfect, sunny day in SF
-A picnic table in a shady corner of the outdoor patio
-Really, really good Bloody Mary's
-Really, really strong Margaritas
Don't be overwhelmed by the grungy, divey vibe of Zeitgeist. You don't have to be tattooed or riding a fixie to enjoy some drinks with friends here. -
Review from Mitchelle M.
Aptos, CA
1/5/2012
BEST BLOODY MARY EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, this place looks a little sketchy on the outside but don't let that steer you away please come in and treat yourself to the best bloody ever!!! The bartenders are super friendly and make the best drinks. They also have a killer beer selection. We went for a friends going away party and sat outside. It is a bit "sceney" but who cares! -
Review from Stefanie L.
San Francisco, CA
12/28/2011
I've heard many a muttering about this place: too many hipsters, rats in the planters, smoky air abound. But I'm happy to report that, on my maiden journey to this bar, I was not overwhelmed by any of these detriments. My porter was delicious and reasonably priced, my grilled cheese was surprisingly filling, the outside area was not as freezing cold as I expected, and... drumroll please... the outdoor bathrooms were nicer than most indoor bathrooms I've seen in other Mission establishments. This is an important factor, folks. Thumbs up for this hip-and-happening joint, where I hope to return and check off a few more beers on their 100-brew list.
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Review from Bree P.
San Francisco, CA
10/4/2011 1 photo
I thought all of the bloody mary talk was just hype, but holy batman, BEST BLOODY I'VE EVER HAD. Spiiiicy and full of veggies--the perfect breakfast for a hungover, fiending girl like myself. Mind you, I drink bloodies every weekend...this is my new go-to spot.
And the beer selection? Those taps go on for days, dude!
Plus, $14 pitchers of Stone IPA? Ohh yeah ;)
Also, I love the summer-camp-gone-drunken-biker-bar vibes outside with the long tables that almost encourage strangely hilarious interactions with randoms. -
Review from Shannon B.
San Francisco, CA
9/24/2011
This neighborhood is crap now. It's oozing with gentrification and can be seen, from the lack of porta-potties at Zeitgeist. The tamale lady now charges like $5 per tamale.
I still love Zeitgeist but seriously it's no longer a dive, more like a mid level self respecting bar (but slightly dirty) with outdoor seating & 4 star BBQ. The hipsters moved to Dolores Park on nice days with bagged beer cans. Cash only, great for a group & don't forget to bring a coat.
