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Top Rated Nightlife in San Francisco

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Freehouse

Rustic and romantic, Freehouse is a haunt for the beer lover in you. The interior of this beer garden is made to look like a cozy living room; it is furnished with intimate seating spaces and the fireplace keeps patrons warm on colder evenings. Yellow lights and timber-clad walls give this place an old-school look. The outdoor seating in the spacious courtyard lets larger groups dine under the bright California sun. At Freehouse, the menu is ever changing but classics like Beer Poached Mussels, the house salad and Chicken Pot Pie never go out of style. Limited but potent cocktails are on offer along with beers sourced from eminent breweries.

Pappys Bar & Grill

Pappys Bar & Grill, located at the Telegraph Avenue, is a great place for larger groups and even families to spend an evening together. The place is equipped with a large projector screen and several small televisions, hence watching a game at Pappys Bar & Grill is always fun. A good game is well complemented with their scrumptious bar snacks, which are very easy on your pocket. They serve a variety of drinks and have over ten beers on tap. They also house a dance floor at the basement.

Bender's Bar & Grill

Bender's is a Mission District legend. Firebombed into oblivion in 2006, its valiant founders rallied the troops, and with a cavalcade of community support, reopened just a year and half later, bigger and better than ever. Some choice burnt-to-a-crisp fire wreckage are kept around as "trophies" of the place's victory over tragedy, you will love watching it. Comfy booths surround the pool table and the grill, which is operated by the folks at Weird Fish.

Heart & Dagger Saloon

This friendly neighborhood saloon is conveniently located right next to Lake Merritt in the Lakeshore district of Oakland. Come and enjoy the casual atmosphere inside and out as Heart & Dagger features a charming garden patio perfect for hanging out with friends on a nice day. Don't forget to take advantage of the jukebox, pool table, tabletop Pacman and several pinball games. The saloon often hosts "theme" nights and features various drink specials throughout the week. Please note Heart & Dagger is cash only.

Ruby Room

When you walk into Ruby Room you will immediately get it. Dimly lit with red lights (hence the name) with a smoke-filled back room (one of the few), Ruby Room is a hipster hangout. Large drinks for reasonable prices and pool tables make this downtown watering hole a popular spot with the twenty-something crowd. Ruby may not be for everyone, but those who like it keep coming back.

Merchant's Saloon

Merchant's boasts that it has been "poisoning Oakland since 1916." This is definitely your ultimate dive bar. Located just blocks from Oakland's historic Jack London Square, Merchant's got its start as a sailor bar in the early 20th Century. Now its where hipsters, punks and all lovers of cheap beer, fun times and stripper poles hang out. Merchant's also hosts various "alternative" shows that are not necessarily for the faint of heart. If you're looking for the opposite of a fancy night out, Merchant's is the place for you.

More Nightlife

The Willows

1582 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA, United States, 94103

The Willows is an amazing gastropub delighting patrons with delicious pub fare, creative cocktails and, board and video games. The welcoming setting of the pub consists of two bars and a seating area which is lined with simple tables and chairs. The seating is comfy enough to aid you in playing an undisturbed game of scrabble while gorging on chicken wings. One bar of the pub is dedicated to serving craft beers while the other is where the cocktail magic happens. In addition to games, a pool table also occupies the spacious pub. Looking for a place to enjoy a good game of Jenga in the company of friends, beers and pork sliders? The Willows is just the right spot, for that plan!

BuzzWorks

365 11th Street, San Francisco, CA, United States, 94103

An arcade gaming enthusiast and beer guzzler's paradise, Buzzworks offers the best of both worlds. Featuring over 40 tap beers and 100 bottled/can beersm this craft beer haven is perfect to catch a late evening or night game with friends and colleagues over some flavorsome beers and delcious finger food. This sports bar has multiple HDTVs mounted on walls all over the premises to give you the best game experience. This apart, there are 7 pin ball machines, 2 full-size pool tables and a foosball table to let you satiate your inner arcade game demon. This sports bar offers happy hours and free entry for everyone above the age of 21, which is also the age limit for entering.

Emperor Norton's Boozeland

510 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA, United States, 94102

Emperor Norton's Boozeland is a bar that is as quirky as its name. With its dimly lit interiors, a mural of the Emperor, an outdoor patio and friendly service, the bar is a pleasant place to grab a drink with friends or enjoy a match on one of their TVs. The bar offers a full range of alcohol, including some draft beers on tap, at amazingly reasonable prices that will delight both you and your wallet. With a jukebox, pool tables and a shuffle-board for entertainment, a visit to Emperor Norton's Boozeland promises to be one that is as fun-filled as its name suggests.

Bloodhound

1145 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA, United States, 94103

The Bloodhound is a popular cocktail bar in the SoMa district of San Francisco. The bar offers a selection of draft and bottled beers alongside a variety of unique cocktails that have been prepared using classic spirits and fresh ingredients. Although lacking the infused-spirits and syrups are found aplenty at newer trendy bars, the drinks served here are undeniably delicious and certainly pack a punch. The decor is stylish, yet minimalistic, with comfortable couches, a pool table and blackbirds panted on the ceiling. Bloodhound is lively and often crowded, especially during happy hour; the service, however, remains impeccable. Noisey, without being obnoxious, Bloodhound is a great place to unwind and grab a couple of drinks with friends.

Slate Bar

2925 16th Street, San Francisco, CA, United States, 94103

Located in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District, Slate Bar is a cool and quirky pub and restaurant that serves tantalizing craft beers and other hard liquors till the wee hours of the night. This eclectic pub and lounge features pool tables, a jukebox, karaoke and DJ nights to cater to all your music and leisure requirements. On a weekend, head over to the bar with your friends to spend a night that's full of life. Go for your staple glass of beer or try their house specials for a creative indulgence. Catch a live music show to complete the experience.

Rumors

398 7th Street, San Francisco, CA, United States, 94103

Rumors is a trendy sports bar and lounge. Buy a beer on tap and watch a sports game on one of the large TV screens and root on your favorite team. There's also a great selection of food. The Chicken & Waffle Bites are out of this world! After you eat play a round of pool or a game of dart.