Serenader
Neighborhood: Lakeshore, Grand Lake, Lower Hills

504 Lake Park Ave
Oakland, CA 94610

Tracy A. writes: I did actually get to have a drink here.  We were in a neighborhood bar hopping kind of mood.  We started at Kingman's Lucky, moved to Smitty's, then the Alley, second from last was the Serenader (finally stopping at the now Easy, then 5th…

Classic Billiards

1300 4th St
San Rafael, CA 94901

Gerard Y. writes: Nice small pool hall to shoot at. They only have a couple Brunswick table but it's well maintained. The table I was playing on had some funky cushion on it so it was trick to make bank shots. I can't say the same thing for the balls though since they…

Trevor's Pub

927 Tamalpais Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901

maria d. writes: The best thing about leaving town is getting to go to a genuine dive bar with bright lights, questionable service, cheap drinks, old people, un-ironic decor and where everyone is a regular.   Trevor's fits the bill.

Sweetwater Booking

408 E Blithedale Ave
Mill Valley, CA 94941

Rachel L. writes: I think this is suppose to be sweetwater venue. WHICH TOTALLY FREAKING ROCKS. Duh!

Marvin Gardens

1160 Old County Rd
Belmont, CA 94002

Marjorie B. writes: On a nice summer day in Belmont or Redwood Shores, when I'm sitting in my stuffy cubicle, what I'm imagining is getting off work early and pretending I actually have friends to meet at Marvin Gardens.  In fact, most of my current coworkers either…

Lefty O'Doul's
Neighborhood: Union Square, Civic Center/Tenderloin

333 Geary St
San Francisco, CA 94102

David D. writes: An old-timey hofbrau, full of comfort food.  After searching the entire Macy's for the perfect dress, it was time to relax and fill ourselves with tasty calories.  

My wife had sliced turkey with mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes.  I had a BBQ beef…

Biscuits & Blues
Neighborhood: Union Square, Nob Hill, Civic Center/Tenderloin

401 Mason St
San Francisco, CA 94102

KayJay .. writes: People... please... my minimum funny review number is 17.   This means, if I have less than 17 funny votes, I don't write shit until I feel compelled.  Slow it down woulda ya?  You're making it so I have to write reviews at a faster pace and I've…

Tonga Room
Neighborhood: Nob Hill

950 Mason St
Inside the Fairmont Hotel
San Francisco, CA 94108

Janney B. writes: I'm not a fan of surprises.  Actually, I take that back - I love good surprises, but loathe bad ones.

Like the time I got a call from my boyfriend of 18 months, who was in jail for growing pot in that secret room in his house that he would never let…

Azul
Neighborhood: Union Square

1 Tillman Pl
San Francisco, CA 94108

stephy s. writes: I had a shot of tequila here last night that was so strong that it made my nipples hard. Sadly, that's the most action I've seen in awhile.

Azul, giving single girls thrills since 2000 something.

Yeah.

Shar-Ade Cocktail Lounge

25144 Mission Blvd
Hayward, CA 94544

Jonathon J. writes: This is a quiet local bar with good drinks, friendly clientele and a wonderful staff. Check it out if you're in Hayward and looking for a nice place on the "down low."    If you're hungry and enjoy soul food, stop at the restaurant next door for…

Oaks Corner Take Out

4099 San Pablo Ave
Emeryville, CA 94608

Aaron B. writes: This place has some great hof-brau style food. Great turkey legs, mashed taters, roast beef, as well as burgers. The place is a little dingy and dark , but they have excellent food and cold beer-they even serve breakfast! I have been going there for…

The Bellevue Club

525 Bellevue Ave
Oakland, CA 94610

Kathleen M. writes: This place has a ridiculous amount of potential as an awesome wedding venue. Architecturally, the building is a gem and the ballroom and pink parlor on the fourth floors have old-fashioned charm. Something that's not even advertised about the place…

Golden Bear

389 Grand Ave
Oakland, CA 94610

Kristen S. writes: Update April 2008:

Seriously, you gotta catch this place for a Warriors game...and by Warriors game, I mean, end of the season, don't know if we'll make the playoffs game, game. Warriors fans are nucking futs here. We believe! Seriously, Cadillac…

Kim's Backyard

2424 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, CA 94612

jen d. writes: it is a bit pricey, but sometimes you can get a deal depending on mood. this is full on raider nation!!! i had a gin and tonic and it was 5 dollars and nothing but gin. so at least it is strong if thats what you are paying for.  free popcorn and…

Gilbert & Sullivan-Lamplighters Music Theatre
Neighborhood: SOMA

469 Bryant St
San Francisco, CA 94107

Amy J. writes: If you are a Gilbert and Sullivan fan, this venue is IT...No One does justice to these period pieces like they do. Since it's a relatively small audience, they are constantly in danger of closing down. If you have room in your life for old timey…

Chris's New Harbor Bar

150 Harbor Blvd
Belmont, CA 94002

Paul S. writes: Last night the bartender was Chris.  (I'm guessing it was the Chris from Chris's New Harbor Bar).  Beer was cheap ($4 for Fat Tire on draft) - fun atmosphere with pool tables, pinball, and several TVs including one giant projection screen.  Daily…

Paddy Flynns

246 Lorton Ave
Burlingame, CA 94010

mary ann c. writes: The first time I came here was about 6 years ago.. right before my first trip to ireland
It was so much fun... and we met a lot of irish
"do you girls want to learn a toast in Irish" said this guy Michael from Cork
We agreed of course and practiced…

Club Sixty-Five
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin

65 Taylor Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Lisa W. writes: The bartender at Club 65 is everything I really want to be in this life.

She's hot. And she's friendly to everyone. But she's also totally kickass. I watched her throw some creepy coked-up TL dude out of the bar. He tried to get up in her face and she…

Dicey Rileys Irish Pub

221 Park Rd
Burlingame, CA 94010

Bryan B. writes: Definitely a local's joint, so be prepared to experience some of Burlingame's more, um, colorful individuals.  It's a good place to toss a few back before heading to dinner at one of the places nearby.  Although I have to say that the last time I was…

Knuckles Historical Sports Bar

1333 Bayshore Hwy
Burlingame, CA 94010

Connie C. writes: Located inside the Hyatt Hotel is one of the best sports bars in the bay area. I love catching a weekend Giants/UCLA/49ers game on the huge projection screens at Knuckles. The food and drink menus are really good, but the best thing at this bar is…

Finn McCool's

213 El Camino Real
Millbrae, CA 94030

Robert G. writes: Upscale restaurant tasting, hip/young bar/lounge atmosphere feeling, wrapped in an 70s looking pub.  I think there are identity problems here, but don't complain cause the place is great.  The food is exquisite and seriously begs the question of what…

Sachi Cocktail Lounge
Neighborhood: Japantown, Pacific Heights

1581 Webster Street
San Francisco, CA 94115

Hong K. writes: Update: Sachi's has been closed for a few months! See my new review for the new owners, "Festa".

--

Sachi's is the perfect place to go on a Saturday night if you are a Japanese businessman from out of town looking to sip some sake, reminisce about the…

Joxer Daly's
Neighborhood: West Portal

46 W Portal Ave
San Francisco, CA 94127

Prima D. writes: a convenient pub to wet your whistle before dining at El Toreador, Fresca, et. al. it's always 5 pm somewhere in the world, isn't it ? the delightful greenhorns stand in front, at all hours mind you, smoking cigs while waxing sentimental about the…

The Dubliner
Neighborhood: West Portal

328 W Portal Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127

InfodivaMLIS B. writes: Friday 3/14 My Hood Spot was happening. I got some Green Beads, Heineken Bottle Openers and other Irish Drink Up Schwag.

I am loved and recognized here. The owner supports Irish Son Barack Obama. They received mucho Obama posters etc.

The jukebox is…

Lamour Club
Neighborhood: Financial District

931 Kearny Street
San Francisco, CA 94133

Leigh H. writes: This place is a definite 'underground' find! I don't know how we 'stumbled'...and we did just that, across this place. However, everytime we go to chinatown, we end up at lamour. Usually, the only people who speak English, but whatever. They are…

Roaring 20's
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill

552 Broadway
San Francisco, CA 94133

Jaime L. writes: It was a slow Wednesday night, and after seeing big cocks and strapons and almost buying a drinking game called "Fuck It" at Big Al's, Amanders and I headed over to the Roaring 20's because I had been staring at her boobs all night and she wouldn't…

Moriarty's Club Tac

1336 Pomona St
Crockett, CA 94525

Tim C. writes: Crockett is the home of C&H Sugar factory and the last bastion of the wild west in the east bay...maybe.  Unincorporated town, it has no law..in town at least.  If you're an outsider, you WILL be noticed. Club Tac is a bar and a restaurant, and the…

Rainbow Room

21859 Mission Blvd
Hayward, CA 94541

Kari M. writes: A longtime gay bar that in the past year changed ownership it has a very cool mix of straight, gay, transgender and lesbian patrons. I highly recommend Tuesday nights with Bob the bartender. A funnier more entertaining man is hard to find. Fridays…

Paulo's Lounge

25088 Hesperian Blvd
Hayward, CA 94545

Robert M. writes: This spot is home one of two home base bars...
The owner, Mike is a great host that embraces anybody who comes to hang out at this establishment.  The place is small, but a lot happens here, especially considering this place is in Hayward!  On…

Cue & Brew

1029 Arnold Dr
Martinez, CA 94553

jack w. writes: This bar delivers on its name and little more.

The Bar differs very little from its title.  The beer and tables could be cheaper.  I don't dig the sport/ premade cookie cutter liberal progressive brewer paraphernalia decor bar, but It seems the masses…

Schelly's

15001 Farnsworth St
San Leandro, CA 94579

Mama L. writes: LOOOOOVE this place! Cheap drinks, friendly people!

Fusia Lounge

3708 S El Camino Real
San Mateo, CA 94403

Bryan K. writes: i saw the karaoke sign on the way home from work driving by on el camino...

it was a friday nite, i had nothing better to do in this new town... i came, i saw... i was the only non-chinese except for this giant black bouncer dude.  this is a hang out…

Wally's Corner

1600 Webster St
Alameda, CA 94501

Drue C. writes: Sit back and relax. I would say close your eyes but then you couldn't read this review, duh! So, anyhow, picture your eyes are closed as you read this review. If you can't do that then you do not have the imagination to move on to part two of this…

Island Paradise Club

1436 Webster St
Alameda, CA 94501

Annie D. writes: This funky little hole in the wall club was a great surprise. Located on Webster street in sleepy little Alameda, who would expect to find a Reggae club? They did look at me like I was the only white person ever to come in there, not to mention the…

Farrington's

1938 Contra Costa Blvd
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Pamela D. writes: There's something so wonderfully cliche about this place! It gets three stars for holding every single thing I find wrong with society under one roof! Sometimes I feel as if I have an extreme lack of stuff to complain about, but all I have to do is…

Union Jack Pub

18553 Mission Blvd
Hayward, CA 94541

Jennifer S. writes: So, a friend took me and my boyfriend here for the first time Friday night.  Its a fair sized place with 2 pool tables, a decent sized bar ,and a small dance floor.  They have one of those Internet jukeboxes that will play almost anything.  It wasn't…

The Round Up

3553 Mt Diablo Blvd
Lafayette, CA 94549

Dee C. writes: Jill has just described what seems to be her daily routine to the round up, by her knowledge of such a fine establishment. In fact during the Lafayette Art and Wine Festival I stopped in for nostalgic reasons and had a "classy" beer. I noticed a…

Cunha's

155 Pelton Center Way
San Leandro, CA 94577

Haaay East Bay l. writes: After a night of cruising through all of San Leandro's weirdo bars with a high school friend -- from the abandoned Club Temptation, to the Southeast-Asian-codeword- only Club Chanel, to the single-cowboy-at-the-pool -table Washington Club, to the…

Jim's Cocktail Lounge

34696 Alvarado Niles Rd
Union City, CA 94587

Mark D. writes: can't beat the cheap CH3+CH2+OH