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About the Business
Business owner information
Mike L.
Business Owner
Bar Basic is your neighborhood bar -- We invite you to come and relax, listen to great music on our interactive jukebox, play a few rounds of Mario Kart on our SNES and enjoy a couple of drinks with your friends -- Enjoy our LARGE and always expanding WHISKEY selection and Classic Cocktails! HAPPY HOUR is Monday-Friday from 4pm to 9pm -- Tuesday Trivia Nights start at 8pm with free food and prizes.…
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Recommended Reviews
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- Liza H.San Francisco, CA
12/30/2019Came here for a team outing to learn how to make cocktails and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
We came for a 330 class so it was nice and intimate with our group and a few others enjoying drinks in the bar.
We learned how to make three different cocktails and learned the specifics about which tools to use as well.
The instructor was very informative and great to work with. Would definitely recommend coming here for a team outing. - Mike L.San Francisco, CA
6/21/2019At the risk of sounding like a complete jerk, Bar Basic is about as basic as their name suggests. However, to be clear, I mean that in the most flattering way possible! Other bars in SoMa may be more popular and/or have something more unique to offer that fits what you WANT, but this place offers exactly what you NEED - a chill spot to grab a drink or two without the fuss of being "a scene". Okay, well, maybe not what YOU need, but it's exactly what I'D want!
With its relatively modest size and unassuming facade, it can be easy to miss Bar Basic if you're not looking for it. Not only are they somewhat overshadowed by Marlowe next door, but the exterior is pretty simple, as there's just a small sign outside that's kind of hard to see at night. Inside, it's more of the same - a simple, yet well stocked bar on one side and a long row of bench/booth seating running along the other. That said, their drink offerings are terrific - a solid selection of beers on tap, along with an array of cocktails made up of both classics and house specialties.
Since we were here on a Tuesday for trivia night, I can't speak to how busy they get on Fridays and Saturdays or what the crowds are like (it was moderately busy when we were here, both for trivia as well as their happy hour specials). However, it doesn't seem like the kind of spot that Giants fans would flock to before/after games, like Local Tap. Instead, it's more like where folks might stop off at to grab a drink before and/or after dinner at nearby joints like Cockscomb, Marlowe, or Alexander's. Which, as simple as it may seem, is exactly the kind of joints I love!
Now if only my team and I had won trivia night...sigh. I guess we'll just have to make the trek back out here again. ;) - Tran P.San Francisco, CA
9/18/2019Went after dinner at Marlowe. No frills kinda bar and drinks are strong!
Liked it! - Diane L.New Hyde Park, NY
11/18/2019What a delightful bar in the neighborhood. Came here on a week night and had a blast! Let me disclose some of their merits:
1. A welcoming place with no pretenses
2. The owner Mike is awesome and if you don't know what you're in the mood to drink, talk to him and he'll make you what you desire
3. The bar is dog friendly! They even have their own mascot - Butters the adorable Frenchie!
4. They have an old school arcade game towards the bathroom. Waiting for the bathroom? Why don't you and your friend have a trip down memory lane versing each other?!
5. The bar does not have a kitchen for food BUT they do sell snacks and Korean cup ramen...I mean what more do you need?
6. There's a game you can play at the bar for cheap shots. I don't recall what the price was but it was CHEAP. You roll the dice and depending on what number you roll on your random shot is chosen. Warning...some of them are weird/nasty but that's the fun of it! - Ahmad B.Fresno, CA13 friends126 reviews18 photos
12/29/2019Truth in name. It's a basic bar. Clean, friendly, great drinks, just not a lot frills. Had a few drinks there before dinner. The Blood and Sand is a must if you enjoy cigars, pipes, and/or scotches. I wish I could make that drink on the regular.
It's a great spot to grab a drink and just relax. - Porsche C.San Francisco Bay Area, CA
3/4/20182 check-insBIG SHOUT OUT TO THE OWNER OF THIS BAR!!! Mike is the SHYT!
Bar Basic is the place to be Friday and Saturday nights. Located right in SF where all the action is taking place, Bar Basic truly stands out with their delicious drinks and great Happy Hour deals! Great vibes here and everyone always seem to have a great time.
My girlfriend introduced me to this bar in 2017 and ever since that I've been a true fan. We came here to celebrate the owner, Mikes, birthday and I must say, he knows how to throw a DAMN good partay! There were drinks flowing ALL.NIGHT.LONG! Drinks offered, but not limited to: Kettle One, Fernet, Whisky and Jameson.
This place is perfect for after work get together to chill and relax with a drink in your hand. The bar has a lovely cozy vibe with comfortable lounge seating and small tables.
The bar doesn't serve food, but the owner does allow you to BYOF (Bring Your Own Food). The staffs here are always so friendly and attentive.
Oh, wait! Don't forget about the cute little bar dog, Butter! He is the CUTEST! The owner, Mike, will bring him to the bar every now and then and he just the BEST. Make sure you say hi if/when you see him.
This is one of my FAVORITE places to come after work. I just LOVE how lively it gets after hours.
Definitely a place to come visit Friday-Monday! - Michael K.San Francisco, CA
8/30/20181 check-inCame here for Wine Wednesday ($6 wine glasses) yesterday with some peeps. We did 2 rounds of the $3 mystery shots! Too bad they're all the sweet versions of the college liquors we've come to know and cherish. Classics like Smirnoff Peach, or Southern Comfort Caramel (just gagged typing this).
Bartender was chill and kind of an instigator! Had 3 drinks here within an hour before heading to more drinking shenanigans :) - Yumiko H.San Francisco, CA
11/17/2018This bar is located in my neighborhood. It's a good bar when you live in neighborhood because they always open, and the bartender is funny, nice, and easy to talk with. This bar isn't so crowded, and not so noisy. You can enjoy the time with someone with relax feelings. It's not a fancy place, but stay there with comfortable feelings. They don't have foods, so they only sell some snacks such as potato chips and corn chips. Therefore, if you're hungry, my recommendation is eat something before you go there :)
- Nic Z.San Francisco, CA
9/10/20171 check-inBar Basic is as the name implies - a simple bar that delivers on its promise...of being a bar.
It's tucked away just off 4th and is perfect for grabbing evening drinks during the week.
The interior has cozy seating and cute decor. Bonus points for good wine. I'd come back! - Elena N.San Francisco, CA
5/13/20171 check-inA girlfriend lives close by, so we decided to have one more drink before dropping her off last Friday, May 5th. We got here around 11pm, so it was rather chill. Got a table (or two) along the wall for our party of four.
*The G-Spot: silver tequila, fresh lime, st germaine, grapefruit juice ($10)
*Blood & Sand: great king street scotch, orange, carpano antica, cherry heering ($12)
I didn't try any of the cocktails as I had quite a bit to drink on our stops before. Just stuck to a straight pour of Oban 14. (Or some sort of scotch / whiskey similar to that.). One of my friends also got a flavored vodka. I think it was boysenberry? Honestly not too sure, but I don't think he liked it. And he drinks a lot of flavored vodka. My other two friends have been here several times, so they seemed to enjoy their cocktails.
Fun bar. I'm glad it was a chill Friday night as I tend to like more laid back bars. Good for a few drinks while watching TV or just catching up with some old friends. - Peter L.San Francisco, CA
4/25/20175 check-insThe cocktails and beers are decently priced for this spot of SOMA with rotating specials. Try the mystery shot from a crate of about a dozen liquor bottles. It costs $3 and could be fun. It depends. You pick a number from a set and that number correspond to the liquor shot. However, it is no joke if you're mixing or planning to have different alcohols on your outing. Believe that the next day!
It is crowded at times but not always. At HH opening it was relatively sparse, as well as on a Saturday night I went. The low lighting at night made it looked like a dive bar but once your eyes adjust it's not, and the seating is cushy/loungy so it's a nice mix for everyone. The drinks were good but that might be due to us having drinks elsewhere first. Good place to drink before, or after, going out at night. - Sarah L.San Diego, CA
4/22/2017Happy hour is crazy cheap ($6 well martinis, $7 wine).
I came here on a Friday at 6PM and there were only a few people, but by 630PM it was packed.
Has kind of a divey/bro feel. It got pretty loud which is fine, but def not somewhere to go for a quiet or intimate drink.
I don't know if this information matters but when I left at 715ish, there were 41 people, only 4 of which were women (including myself). - Diana C.Los Angeles, CA13 friends10 reviews
7/30/2019Too fucking loud on a Tuesday night. Volume of this place is 83 dba, it's loud enough to damage your ears.
- Cindy Z.San Francisco, CA
9/10/20181 check-inI met up with a couple fellow Yelp elite friends for happy hour on a Wednesday evening. We started off here for their cheap drinks. After a glass of wine, we opted for the $3 mystery shot. You pick a random number with the bartender and he'll pour you up a mystery shot. For $3, you're obviously getting cheap alcohol reminiscent of college days, but you won't find a better way to get drunk. If you're looking for a fun time, this is a good start.
- Olivia H.San Francisco, CA228 friends87 reviews9 photos
3/17/20191 check-inI only come here for trivia on Tuesdays, so I can't speak to the weekend crowds. Drinks and good, although I miss the martini special they used to run on Tuesdays. The prices are decent, although they're probably great by SF-adjusted standards. It's generally not too packed, although, again, weeknight. Trivia is fun and there is often a free snack food provided (think pizza rolls or chicken nuggets).
- Natalie Y.San Diego, CA
5/21/2017Damn this place is pretty lit!
Came here around 6:40PM on a Tuesday and this place was packed! Great prices too especially for a downtown SF location so close to the park. I got a lychee martini for $6 and 2 mystery shots $3 each. (There's a reason why it's $3 bucks but still awesome.) My friend got a moscow mule for about $9 and it was damn tasty.
Tuesdays are also their trivia nights, and holy crap I didn't know answering random ass questions could be so fun. They have different variety of trivia, from "Name that Artist!" to "Guess that celebrity!" and my favorite "Where the f are these national parks?" They even gave us free popcorn and jalapeno poppers! Highlight of the freaking night man. Free stuff is the way to my heart.
10 out of 10 would go again. - Kelsey B.Seattle, WA
2/2/20171 check-inA couple of my friends wanted to meet up for drinks before headed home on the Cal Train so I suggested Bar Basic for a little mid week happy hour. I thought this place was more of a 'dive bar' from the outside, but once you walk in it's actually quite nice. There is a lot of open space , a decent sized bar and a wall lined with couches for lounging. I arrived around 5:30 on a Wednesday only to find a few patrons (and a dog!) enjoying some drinks.
Bar basic has a great daily happy hour. Monday - Friday from 5-9 you get dollar off drafts, $7 glasses of wine and a specialty martini or well drinks for about $6 I believe. I went for a gin gimlet, it was refreshing and service was quick. The bartender was friendly and really spent a lot of time cleaning in between making drinks/down time so I always appreciate that.
I do wish there were some better seating options, maybe some high top tables, it is a little awkward if there are more than a group of 3 with seating as the booth is just lined against one wall. Otherwise, a perfect HH spot especially for those looking to be close to public transit.
cheers! - Christine S.Irvine, CA
7/8/20153 check-insWhen Yelpers described Bar Basic as a dive bar, I was expecting it to look the part. I was pretty surprised it didn't! The bar is spacious long-wise (and the bathroom is in the back). There's a long sofa along the left side with small tables. Since the sofa is connected, you might have to make friends with your neighbors! (That's never a bad thing, right?)
Their happy hour deal is $1 off draft beers. But go for the $3 box shots! Pick a number between 1-12 and drink up!
3 beers and 4 shots later, the bill came out to be $30 with tip. Not too shabby, especially for San Francisco! Cheers! - Steven H.STANFORD, CA391 friends34 reviews19 photos
12/30/2018Awesome spot for local brewed craft beer. Jim is an amazing master brewer, really knows his stuff and was super hospitable and nice and friendly to all of the staff. Am definitely going to come back and try the other beers on tap, love it!
- Tiffany D.San Francisco, CA
10/8/20162 check-insBack to the basics of a bar, indeed!
Simple menu and lounging on the side as well as at the bar!
When happy hour is on, cocktails are 5 bucks, a steal deal!
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