Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [180]
Toronado Gritty Lower Haight isn’t exactly a charming street, but there’s plenty of nightlife here, catering to an artistic/grungy/skateboarding 20-something crowd. While Toronado definitely draws in the young’uns, its 50-plus microbrews on tap and 100 bottled beers also entice a more eclectic clientele in search of beer heaven. The brooding atmosphere matches the surroundings: an aluminum bar, a few tall tables, minimal lighting, and a back room packed with tables and chairs. Happy hour runs 11:30am to 6pm every day for $1 off pints. 547 Haight St. (at Fillmore St.). 415/863-2276.www.toronado.com.
Tosca Cafe Open Tuesday through Saturday from 5pm to 2am, and Sunday 7pm to 2am, Tosca is a low-key and large popular watering hole for local politicos, writers, media types, incognito celebrities such as Johnny Depp or Nicolas Cage, and similar cognoscenti of unassuming classic characters. Equipped with dim lights, red leather booths, and high ceilings, it’s everything you’d expect an old North Beach legend to be. No credit cards. 242 Columbus Ave. (btw. Broadway and Pacific Ave.). 415/986-9651.www.toscacafesf.com.
Vesuvio Situated along Jack Kerouac Alley, across from the famed City Lights bookstore, this renowned literary beatnik hangout is packed to the second-floor rafters with neighborhood writers, artists, songsters, wannabes, and everyone else ranging from longshoremen and cabdrivers to businesspeople, all of whom come for the laid-back atmosphere. The convivial space consists of two stories of cocktail tables, complemented by changing exhibitions of local art. In addition to drinks, Vesuvio features an espresso machine. 255 Columbus Ave. (at Broadway). 415/362-3370.www.vesuvio.com.
Zeitgeist The front door is black, the back door is adorned with a skeleton Playboy bunny, and inside is packed to the rafters with tattooed, pierced, and hard-core-looking partyers. But forge on. Zeitgeist is such a friendly and fun punk-rock-cum-biker-bar beer garden that even the occasional yuppie can be spotted mingling around the slammin’ jukebox that features tons of local bands or in the huge back patio filled with picnic tables. (There tend to be cute girls here, too.) Along with fantastic dive-bar environs, you’ll find 30 beers on draft, a pool table, and pinball machines. The regular crowd, mostly locals and bike messengers, come here to kick back with a pitcher, and welcome anyone else interested in the same pursuit. And if your night turns out, um, better than expected, there’s a hotel upstairs. Cash only. 199 Valencia St. (at Duboce Ave.). 415/255-7505.
Brewpubs
Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Gordon Biersch Brewery is San Francisco’s largest brew restaurant, serving decent food and tasty beer to an attractive crowd of mingling professionals. There are always several house-made beers to choose from, ranging from light to dark. Menu items run $5.50 to $28 (for more information). 2 Harrison St. (on the Embarcadero). 415/243-8246.www.gordonbiersch.com.
San Francisco Brewing Company The first microbrewery in the city, it’s surprisingly low-key for an alehouse, serving its creations with burgers, fries, grilled chicken breast, and the like. The bar is one of the city’s few remaining old saloons (ca. 1907), aglow with stained-glass windows, tile floors, skylit ceiling, beveled glass, and mahogany bar. A massive overhead fan runs the full length of the bar—a bizarre contraption crafted from brass and palm fronds. The handmade copper brew kettle is visible from the street. Most evenings the place is packed with everyday folks enjoying music, darts, chess, backgammon, cards, dice, and, of course, beer. Menu items range from $3.70—curiously, for edamame (soybeans)—to $8.70 for a shrimp and chips platter. The happy-hour special, a 10-ounce microbrew beer for $1 (or a pint for $1.75), is offered daily from 4 to 6pm and midnight to 1am. 155 Columbus Ave. (at Pacific St.). 415/434-3344. www.sfbrewing.com.
ThirstyBear Brewing Company Nine superb, handcrafted varieties