The Revolution Cafe

This is a cool cafe in the Mission. They were in the middle of setting up for some live music at the time when I stopped in Saturday evening. This feels like a European cafe where you can sit and hang around for a few hours without being shooed away. The patio area is pretty welcoming and there are heat lamps in the space to keep you warm. The atmosphere is really relaxing and they have a beer, wine, tea, and coffee available for ordering. A menu of food items is available but I didn't order any and just settled on an espresso. It looks like they also have a variety of breakfast items to go behind the counter.

Cash only for drinks so be sure to have that or use the ATM on-site.

While I love this place when you're barely hanging onto a square foot of porch space and the music is going full blast, I love the worn in charm of mid days reading a book as the sun filters through the front doors and the steam rises off a simple cup of tea.

It's got old mission district charm and character you just can't replicate. good deals, great service, lively crowd, and you might actually meet a born-and-raised local there.

When visiting our friends in SF, we came to Revolution Café after a Saturday brunch. Our friends are here weekly, so they brought us here too.

The café is super small and has a European feel to it which was really nice. It also had the feel of a typical spot for locals to gather. Great to see for an outsider like myself! The café was half indoors/half outdoors (with a roof) which felt cool since it was hot outside. We ordered a few beers (cash only) and sat at a few tables while the band played some great songs. It was a great spot to chill and talk with friends. We stayed for about an hour. Next time, I would love to try their coffee!

Pretty neat joint to come and grab a drink while listening to live jazz music while people watching... It was a great spot for my friend and I to kill time before our dinner reservation in the area...

They can work on improving their wine list... and their sangria was quite overly sweet...

This is the few cafes in San Francisco were there is never a dull moment. Great people watching while having coffee, beer, or wine. I like the live music. This has a feel Europe in the heart of the Mission.

CASH - CASH - CASH - Be sure to have cash as it's the only payment accepted.
I went on a Thursday evening, arriving a little before 9 pm. It was a rainy night. The place is tiny but uses the space really well and seats quite a few, with an open front, to a covered patio. A 5 piece band was playing a little too loudly for the tiny space. Mulled wine was the hot ticket of the night. I would probably go back if I was around town with no better options.
Aloof staff.
Competitive prices.
Good ambiance.
Free live music.

If you're killing time in the Mission district or just looking for an unassuming cafe that has coffee, tea, pastries, and more importantly wifi/power outlets, then The Revolution Cafe is for you! Granted, there are only a few outlets, but the wifi is reliable and the vibe is laid back (unlike the bustle of a non-wifi establishment like Ritual Coffee Roasters).

One thing I liked about this place is the live music which almost seems like it occurs everyday, most of the day. Sometimes the music is being played by a skillful/peaceful/quiet duo while other times it's a full blown loud band that can cramp your style if you're just trying to get some simple cafe ambience while working on something.

I also liked how the place was cozy but with large open swinging front doors and big windows, lots of light comes in so you don't feel cooped up and more connected with the Mission district!

The Revolution Cafe is cool. It's one of those places you can spot from a mile away, without having to see the sign.

There is live music, and the space opens to the outdoors. They serve coffee, wine, and beer, and I thought it was pretty neat that my cappuccino was served in a glass.

Nice chill place to hang out with friends on a weeknight or even the weekend.

Not one good experience

When I first started working in the Mission, Revolution Cafe was the first cafe I visited. Several experiences later, I can safely say I am not a fan.

Every time I've gone during the mid-morning or mid-day, the counter server is always away from the register. In my last experience I waited at the counter for at least 10 minutes, in plain view of the counter server having a deep conversation with someone in the back.

This place is beyond frustrating. It's not really a cafe--more like a grungy dive bar masquerading as a cafe. This place comes alive at night when they have live music, but it's often too crowded and smells of smoke and BO. Not sure how this place stays in business. Maybe a loyal customer base from its hay day? Hipsters clinging to the grunge scene?

As for the cafe being open to the air, I am not impressed as other Yelpers. There are WAY better bars, pubs, and cafes that have outdoor patio seating. Since Revolution Cafe is on a side street, it's a more calm environment, but between the smoking and flies buzzing around, it's not enough.

Cash only! This is a nice little café tucked away on 22nd. Coffee was decent, there's a small selection of beer and wine however it's very expensive. Small selection of food. The live music can be fun, but it's very loud since it's a small space, so it's impossible to talk.