Best local North Beach Bar ever, been coming for many Years. Sometimes visited by old Joe the Boxer and his nice Wife, owners of this place until just recently is is said. The Guy behind the Bar fir many years is way cool and great with everyone. Jumping off/Gathering soot before hitting Pizza, Seafood, etc. Anchor Steam on Tap read more

When yelp suggested that Columbus Cafe be my next review, I was baffled I hadnt reviewed it already as ive been coming for years. For the sake of not echoing the masses, i'll hit all the strong points. 1) BEST HAPPY HOUR IN SAN FRANCISCO. Two for one drinks from 4-8 (jesus christ please tip on the chip) and $4 fernet shots. 2) The friendliest bartenders ever. I mean seriously. Laura, Becka and crew are just all around good fucking people and even when I come in alone, I can count on them to be warm and inviting. 3) The crowd is mostly locals and service industry folks, whom I love. 4) Pool table and they play sound during games. I can say, without a hint of doubt, this is my favorite bar in SF. Please dont ever change, columbus. read more

Older bigger white woman bartender was so rude to us last night, gave me the worst look up and down when she asked for my ID, while looking at my ID for a long time after checking my boyfriends, he asked for a modelo and she ignored him before snapping and saying "can I finish what i'm doing first?" and then we looked at her confused and she refused service. My boyfriend and I are both bartenders with our certifications and never treated any customer that way. Not sure if she was having a bad day or what, but we left confused and shocked wondering why she was even upset in the first place. I live in the area and refuse to give this business any more money until they hire new staff. read more

Awesome hole in the wall bar a friend and I wandered into while visiting S.F. Our first night there and we were in luck. We found parking right across the park and stumbled in here since I was dehydrated from the walk across the park. So glad we ended up here. Awesome drink specials; awesome people. I couldn't have asked for a better first night in S.F. Thank you folks for making my night memorable-somewhat ( blame the alcohol) . :) read more

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Columbus Cafe is one of those quintessential San Francisco dive bars, located in North Beach snuggled next to great seafood and a few buildings over from Golden Boy. So when waiting for your seats at Sotto Mare, or the reason you need Golden Boy pizza, this is a great spot. The description of the place is like most SF dives: you walk in, it's a bit dark, there is a bar, but fortunately for this place there is a back wall of cushioned seats with some high tables, and a surprising amount of space in between, so unless it is swarmed, there should always be space to move around. The drink specials are what it is about. I don't know if they still give the coin out, but that was a nice feature and if I dug through some jacket pockets from when I dated a woman near here, I know I'd find a few. But even sans coin, great simple cocktail specials listed on chalk above the wall. The staff has always been very nice and helpful whenever I come in, and if I was in the area, would love to be a regular. As of now, it's usually on my annual schlep to Sotto Mare, but that shouldn't take away from it being recommended. read more

On the 6th of October 2023, myself and a goodly number of my shipmates and a group of USMC joined us for an e oat the Columbus Cafe. EXCELLENT EVENING IN EVERY ASPECT. I'm Scottish and serve in His Majesty's Infantry, Columbus Cafe showed me amazing hospitality at last years FleetWeek. I took a group there this year and it was even better. Polite, respectful, super friendly and just the best night ever. 3 weeks later and many of the lads keeping saying how good the night was there. This March coming in 2024 I shall be back in SF and many of the lads are trying to get shore leave same time I have. They want to be there again. That says a lot. We travel the entire world and visit hundreds of places in a years time. To make that big of an impression ye have had tae do something correct. In our book you folks did EVERYTHING SPOT ON. CHEERS FOR A FANTASTIC NIGHT!!! read more

Columbus St bar has a nice selection of beers, fun local bar tenders and a little funky edge that makes flor great neighborhood joint (wouldn't call it a dive). If you are looking for a San Francisco treat and aren't up for Rice-a-roni, take a shot of the herbal liquor Fernet Branca. They have a couple brands and this Italian booze will make you remember your college days without getting made fun of for drinking Yeager at the bar. Bottoms up! read more

Our favorite neighborhood dive bar. Very clean, great prices, awesome bartenders and an AMI jukebox. Perfect for hanging with friends and/or watching sports. read more

Really fun bar. Multiple TV's for viewing sports. Great atmosphere. And wonderful drinks served by the amazing bartender Michael Brown. I definitely will be back. read more

Why did the fat white bartender refuse to serve me? I show her my ID, and trust me, I am in my 30s. I have been going to bars for 10 years, and this is the first time that a bartender has accused me of fake ID. This is a serious situation because I have nothing to hide as I am well past age 21. Management should train their bartender better in terms of checking ID. This incident happened at 8/24 around 7pm. Do not go to this bar everyone. Their staff will falsely accuse you of having a fake ID. read more

Pizza and dranks what more could you ask for.After hitting up a few spots in north beach we stumble pass this place.Happy hour till 8pm wtf i'm all over it. So first thing first we had to grab our slices next door to continue our north beach stroll.I have been on a greyhound kick lately and these guys make one hell of a drink.Its your typical dive bar fully stocked with an awesome staff.I was actually surprised how comfy the seats are. So if youre in the area stop in Happy hour until 8 get at them. read more

Columbus Cafe - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've only sailed in here once, but it's a fun dive bar in North Beach with a lot of decent beer on tap and they're likely to be showing "the game du jour." There probably isn't a better bar in San Francisco to celebrate a guy with bad navigation skills who named the people already living there after the land he thought he was in and then traded corn for infectious diseases. Happy Columbus Day!! read more

Columbus Cafe - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

@Columbus_CafeSF There are so many great bars around here...they really should export some to other cities that are sorely lacking great local bars. Spent an hour or more here awhile back nursing a glass of scotch with a friend toward the end of one of the long evenings that seem to victimize me whenever I am in North Beach...ok, I'm a willing victim but that is beside the point. @onlyinsf #SFO read more

Columbus Cafe use to be my second home. I can be found here at least once a week sippin' on a pint glass of beer or taking a shot of Fernet when I first moved to North Beach! Update: 12/11/2007 A casual date with an awesome guy named Nick on a Tuesday night. We had 3 beers each. Karlee, the coolest bartender, and I also had a shot of Jameson. Yum :-)! Update: 7/1/2007 Meet up with Patrick M. at Washington Square Park and headed over to Columbus Cafe. Good times, great company, interesting conversation, 5 beers and a shot of fernet each -- perfect way to get to know someone better ;-)! 11/28/2007: Wednesday Night The roomie and I decided to spend a weeknight at Columbus because of Thanksgiving the next day... no WORK! As we sat having some great conversations, random guys started approaching towards us. The guys were decent, but not good enough to pursue. Update: 3/25/2007 Sunday night drinking with a fun, cool guy. CHARTREUSE, FERNET, and TUACA shots. Then two pint glasses of Hoegaarden on tap made Miss C very, very happy ;-)! ********_________________********** It's been a stressful week because of moving, but I finally had some time last night to relax. After watching LOST, Randy (Guy #1) and I took a stroll down North Beach to Columbus Cafe. The bar wasn't too crowded, just a few people here and there and a group playing pool -- a very chill atmosphere. We sat at the bar. He got a pint of Stella Artois and an Amstel Light for me. We talked, kissed, as we sipped our beers while watching "Hooters Beauty Pageant" on TV. It was a perfect night: "At Last" by Etta James was playing from the digital jukebox, a handsome man by my side who occasionally whispered sweet nothings into my ear, 26 microbrews on tap, $3 fernet shots and Smiroff Ice, friendly bartenders (they are awesome), clean bathroom, and happy hour everyday from 4p-8p with 2 for 1 specials (2 beers for the price of 1). Beer makes me happy. Beer with a man who is a great kisser is even better ;-)! I predict that I will be a regular here at Columbus Cafe because it's a few blocks away from my apartment. Will probably be here at least once a week. It's a great place to hang out with friends afterwork or with a date for a late night drink or two. Try the Pyramid Apricot Pale Ale -- it's yummy! Total Beer Count at the end of the night: Celeste: 3 Amstel Light Randy: 4 Stella Artois PBR me, ASAP! read more

I think this may be the best happy hour I've found in San Francisco so far. 2-for-1 specials every afternoon! And if you don't spend your free drink token, then you can keep it and use it whenever you next make it back to their happy hour. Fantastic. A bit of a walk from the Financial District after work, but I would be willing to make the trek because of the deal. Bartender was also pretty friendly when I was here, checking in with us often enough to feel like we were being taken care of, but not so often as to feel as though he were pushing us to hurry up and get our next drink. read more

Columbus Cafe - Shock Top with my free beer token! - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

The appeal of Columbus Cafe is quite simple. It's a straightforward sports bar/watering hole with a great daily happy hour deal. Don't expect fussy cocktails but be prepared to come in and drink regardless. Daily buy-one-get-one deal at happy hour via a chip system that is valid for redemption till 9pm. That's one of the best happy hour deals in North Beach for sure. To top it off, they have a wide selection of beers on tap so you're sure to find something you like. Feeling hungry? Feel free to bring in some Golden Boy pies from down the street. It gets crowded during happy hour for good reason. Folks are here to drink and drink plenty. Photo booth and pool tables available should you require extra entertainment. It ain't fancy but it's a wonderful spot for casual drinks and that's the charm of this stalwart on Green street. read more

I lived here in SF almost all my life and this is probably my 3rd time in this area. It seems as though my company frequents here often so that's always a plus; quick service. The staff here is super friendly and attentive. Right when I finished my beer, the bartender asked me if I wanted another. Not only that, but they allow customers to bring in outside food! I had to make sure my company ask for permission just in case even though he knew them. The customers here seem like a fun bunch. One person paid with a credit card and after printing out the receipt, the bartender laughed and shared with us his name, "Deez Nuts". Is that possible?! Your name can be Deez Nuts, Anita Hugginkiss, or Freely, first initials I. P., just as long as they get their monies I guess. While my company was off getting food, I was texting and apparently a customer was watching me. "It's interesting that you type with your middle finger" "I do? I didn't even notice. It's hard typing with my thumbs" "Yes, you type really fast with your middle finger, did you know?" "Well, I don't sit in a bar and watch people type" "Hmm, good retort" *conversation ends* I'm starting to believe that my sass is preventing me from making new friends. Slowly sticks out middle finger.....and starts typing away. read more

Heyyy!! What's not to love?? I got to know Columbus Cafe when I was working in the area. Trust me, people who work with the 18 and under after school are probably the most alcoholic WHILE BROKE in the world. Why should you come here? TWO FOR ONE BEER. That's right, TWO FOR ONE. You buy one, they give you a chip. Chip is good until 9! Now, make note. The chips are given until 8PM, but are good until 9PM. Any night. Say you drank a few too many but have a chip left over. What to do?? Well...clearly, come back another day for another drink! Another plus: You can bring in food. Golden Boy less than half a block away?? Winning. You can venture out every 10 minutes to check if the clam garlic pizza is free while sipping 2-for-1 beers! I've been here on those strange nights where there's dancing downstairs. Not bad...not what I expected, but its all good. Only two awkward moments here, which I clearly must share: 1) For a while (about a year ago) one of the bartenders was heavily pregnant. Wow...good thing no mixed drinks, otherwise fetal alcohol! 2) A random guy leaning over to my friend and I ordering Hoegaarden and correcting our pronunciation. "I don't mean to sound pretentious, but its pronounced 'who-garden' " WHO the fuck are you and WHY do I care? I've tried ordering a "who-garden" and no one knows wtf it is. Fail guy, fail. ***I've been corrected. It was 2.5 years ago the bartender was pregnant. And for the record, there's nothing wrong with it. It was just a surprising thing to view at a bar (for me). read more

AVOID. Bartender was extremely rude when I asked a simple question about the bill. He just started yelling at me. I assume there must've been a misunderstanding for him to get so mad... or maybe he's just unhappy idk. read more

Stopped in and watched Game 6 of the Warriors/Raptors game. I was lucky enough to score a seat at the bar in the midst of all the Warrior fans. Both bartenders were amazing and after the first drink, remembered not only my name but my beer of choice. She kept my hydrated throughout the course of the game. Some may call it a "dive bar" but coming from Wisconsin, I would call it just a great neighborhood water hole. Warm. Welcoming, Friendly. And quick to fill a glass. A perfect night (not counting the Warrior's loss!) read more

2 for 1 happy hour = good However: I'm sick of walking to work and sidestepping 6 piles of puke from CC casualties. Early weeknights = good Thurs - Sun nights = oh hell no. read more

Columbus Cafe - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Ok so this review is for Michael the bartender. The best bartender I've probably ever experienced. Its one thing to go to a bar and just a have a drink, cool and all, but it's a whole other thing to have a bartender who truly gives amazing service, customer connection, and person-ability. As a business owner myself, I really do appreciate these things. He was not just personable, but funny, a great person to be around, and so positive and doting about the place he works. He made our experience so enjoyable, I can see why this place has good reviews, why it comes recommended, I would definitely come back when I visit the city just for him alone! Come to this bar! You'll feel like family! read more

Cool bar wasn't too packed on a saturday night. $15 minimum for credit card tab. Just happy they actually took credit cards since a lot of the bars down here only take cash. Will update the review if I come back for more than a few drinks. read more

At least these nice people won't try and fight you like Frank Rossi. I'll come by have a beer and and tell geno and Carlo why they are going out of business soon. read more

I love the Columbus. The bartenders are awesome, and somehow they manage to 'persuade' me to have more drinks than I initially intend to! Whenever I just stop by for a night cap, it turns out not just the one... And for some reason the late Sunday nights I've been there have been just crazy. Not crowded at all, but those staying until the small hours.... usually compensate!! read more

Columbus Cafe - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

If I could give this bar a 0, I would. The service by Nicole was atrocious: not only was she rude and unprofessional, but she looked inebriated and high while serving us. I'll be reporting this business and Nicole to the San Francisco Alcoholic Beverage Control. read more

This is a great place to stop in for a beer. They have one of the best and most diverse (sometimes) beer selections (25 taps) in the area (one of the better in the city). Generally - always - when wondering about the city if I am in the area, I will stop in for a lip smacking delicious pint (big supporter of the Tricerahops abd Racer Five which they carry regularly). They have a good amount of big TV's so if your in the mood to watch a game or an event is a nice place to come. The pool table offers additional entertainment, during the day it's easy to get a game in, but later into the night it becomes a little to packed to come just for the pool. My favorite time to come is in the mid/early afternoon, not very crowded. If you come here and you are hungry, a few store fronts down is Golden Boys pizza, I highly recommend (make sure you bring cash) a slice or three. You can grab pizza to go and bring it into the bar. Happy hour is super unique! You buy a beer during happy hour and they give you a token (poker chip) good for a free beer (during happy hour). You can take it, you can use it then, or even for the eccentric few - you can hoard them to build a tower.. (I have a few).. read more

The old faithful never fails. ... And rene had 4 tokens in her bag. ;) read more

Columbus Cafe - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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My friends and I accidentally stumbled upon this place when we were trying to cab it from Columbus and Green to Bubble Lounge on Montgomery. Beers were served in huge mugs and only $5! It had a very chill atmosphere with a younger friendlier crowd which I liked. I'm from San Jose so if I could compare this bar to one in San Jose, I would say it most closely resembles Firehouse in Downtown San Jose, which I am also a huge fan of due to its chill atmosphere and bartenders. I will definitely be back for more than just a quick stop next time! read more

This place ROCKS, Been here about 10 times over the last year. Nice local dive in Northbeach. It has a great happy hour with cheap fernet shots, and buy one beer get a token for another. The bartenders here rock are friendly and sweet. The crowd here is real legit. No fake wanna be's, just normal workforce getting off of work who want to mingle and have a nice cold beer. Everyone should stop by and grab 2 for 1 beers @ 5 a pop, and a 3 $ fernet shot to give u that herbacious happyness!! :) read more

I haven't been to many bars after 2008. I think that was the pinnacle of bar-hopping nearby for my friend and I. Last night I had agreed to rendezvous with a friend at Columbus Cafe to hang out for a while. We hadn't seen each other in a year! I had one beer, and he gave me another one. Did I mention I drank the beer in short sips? By that time, I was drunk to the point where I'd fall on bended knee each time I approached the bar. The blonde, tattooed bartender gave me a glass of ice water as she fetched my friend's beer. The water helped me a little, because, by the time I got back to the table, I felt like running out for air. The atmosphere outside helped a bit more. Eventually, I proceeded to the bus stop, and went home. Friend messaged me to return. In the words of Malcolm X, By any means necessary! I gave my friend $5 for the jukebox. read more

Total dive bar. Super laid back and chill it reminded me of places I go to at home. Bartender was friendly and talkative. It was a quiet night and there wasn't much going on. Had a few drinks and went about our way. read more

Wtf!!! What bar autograts? I will be fighting this tab. Walked out and then noticed that a "dive bar" actually charged an auto grat. We paid to put a song on the jukebox and they cancelled it- we were annoyed and the bartender was like I hate that song so I was like no way I am tipping, then notice they just auto tipped it. Total BS. Never going back. read more

If you come to this old North Beach bar for happy hour you get a drink chip for every beer you order. They are pretty high quality chips so you can either cash them in or save them and use them next time you want to play poker. I recommend saving them and getting the hell out when happy hour comes to a close, because this carriage turns into a pumpkin after about 8:00. The evil stepsisters take the place over around this time, looking to take Prince Charming home for a quickie. However Prince Charming is generally downstairs dancing at this point as a prequel to barfing on their not so glassy slipper as the evening progresses. I assume this has something to do with the $3 Fernet shots they offer up, all of the time. Or maybe it has something to do with the internet jukebox, which, in the earlier hours can be a fairytale, but as the evening progresses and the douche bags show up to the ball, turns into more of a nightmare. The bartenders are super nice and the happy hour is good, but save this destination for early in the week or early in the evening if you want a happy ending. read more

Photo Booth + Strong cocktails = Endless hours of fun and embarrassing photos p.s. $3.00 Fernet, 2 for 1 specials from 4-8pm EVERY DAY read more

$3.00 Fernet, 2 for 1 specials from 4-8pm Daily. Need I say more. A woman walks into a bar with her 5 pound Chihuahua and sits down next to this guy, whom she notices is feeling a little bit queasy. A few minutes go by and the guy looks at her and blows his chunks. He looks down and sees the little dog struggling in a pool of vomit and says, "Whoa, I don't remember eating that!" read more

The last fuzzy thing I remember from my evening at the Columbus Cafe was Starla grabbing me by the elbow and ushering me into a cab with her to get me to stop making out with someone... it must have been a good night. Great little North Beach bar, drinks are reasonable and the joint is cozy. read more

Normally, I love Columbus Cafe. I have been here a few times and it's usually a fun place. We stopped by here last night, which happened to be St. Patrick's day. Two of my girlfriends and I were in the bathroom, you know the one that has the curtain as the door.... ya that one. If you know us, then you know how fast the three of us are in the bathroom at bars. We were in there for seriously no longer than 5 min. All of a sudden the door comes flying open. The bleach blond bartender starts screaming at the top of her lungs, in our faces, that only 1 girl is allowed in the bathroom and people want to use the bathroom. Excuse me?!... uh ya, we are THOSE people who need to use the restroom. Paying customers REMEMBER? She continued to yell at us on the top of her lungs, until we walked out of the bathroom. That whole experience changed Columbus Cafe FOREVER for me. I seriously don't think I will ever be back. I have never felt so awkward and well insulted in my life! And all over using the god damn bathroom. That bartender is bad news. This IS the reason why I don't like girl bartenders. read more

It's amazing how many places I've learned about because of DYLs. I came here for a recent DYL, and because I was sufficiently buzzed on the bubbly and some white, I'm not entirely sure how great or bad this place is. What I do know is that someone bought me a beer, and apparently it wasn't the beer he expected. While that was the fault of the bar or the orderer, I don't know, but I know the orderer is pretty on top of things. It's not a huge bar, and I'd probably miss it walking down the street, but I'm always a fan of running into random exes (and I use the term ex very loosely)...provided we're still on good terms. I wouldn't be adverse to going back, but I wouldn't make a point of doing it. There are other places to get reasonably priced beer and hang with my friends...especially places where I don't feel so old. read more

What a fantastic respite in the midst of some serious douchiness. I love the beers they have on tap, the drink specials, the dankness of the environment (hey, what can I say, I love a good dive), and the fact that they give you chips to carry around making you want to come back and get a 2 for 1 beer during the week. It's easy to like the bartendresses too. They are hot and give good customer service. Even to the douches who come in thinking it's a douchey bar. I promise my next review will be sans douche. read more