Definitely woohoo & as good as it gets because I met Baek San Chang here 3 years ago and went on to marry him this September. This is a place where dreams come true, PBR in hand, next to a heat lamp, standing under strings of tacky Christmas lights and a sky of stars/fog. El Rio is for lovers forreal. read more

El Rio - Gettin' marrrry'd thanks to El Rio. - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

The lady called last call at 1:14 ugh..... come on do you wanna make money I'm a bartender and I would never do that

gender neutral restrooms! outdoor smoking & seating. Free BBQ most days of the week. supporters of artists ... why go anywhere else?? plus this place is in my backyard practically! read more

El Rio is a great bar! I went for the Friday night oysters, BBQ party and Burlesque show. The Red Hots Burlesque show was so much fun. You only have to pay 5-10 dollars to get in. The MC/queen burlesque dancer was a hilarious hostess! The entire evening was very light and fun. The reason why I give this place four stars instead of five is because it is very difficult to walk around or pass the bar, which is near the entrance, because of some weird shuffle board table against the wall and all the bodies between the table and the bar. Also, the drinks were not very tastey, but they were cheap! XOXO read more

Solid dive and dance bar in the mission. Make sure you go out back, that's where the iconic SF backyard party atmosphere is. Drinks are a little steep and it gets quite crowded, but a great easy choice for a night out. read more

Awesome dive bar complete with pool table and great secluded back patio area off of the street and away from the noise. Crazy nice bartender and they offer a local California hard cider. Cash only. No biggie. Why 3 stars? Because smoking is not only overlooked, but ashtrays are provided. Ew. This was literally the only bummer about the place. Everything else is in line to make this the best place ever! read more

I have not been here for a minute although I think I will go and check out mango on Sat with a bunch of friends... Fridays are cool Jackie is in the back shucking Free oysters Raw or from the grill they are always Fresh and good to wash down with a cold beer... read more

+1: Friday Happy Hour = $3 drafts and wells from 4pm - 9pm +2: Free half-shell oysters +3: Huge shared patio +4: Dive bar I can go to +5: Saving the animals +6: Well made drinks -1: For the toddler sized toliet; it's a good thing I can pop-a-squat, because I had to do so here. And for no soap, I mean c'mon I can't be immuned to everything. -1: For the tiny cups given for the $3 drinks, yet if you look above they were strong (nonetheless). I'll only go back when the next wave of my office crew goes again. Don't think I'll head here on my own. read more

Holy shnikey's this place is a diamond in the rough. I should probably not review this place so I can keep the crowds away. But being the good yelper I am, here it is. I believe happy hour lasted from 5-9!!! A pint or well drink is only $3. But that is not the best part. They have a raw oyster bar that or group strategically sat next that cost free.99. On top of that I think they usually BBQ oysters in their huge backyard patio. However, that night they had BBQ chicken, chips, and salad which again cost me free.99. So when I do the math, my dinner for the night cost me free dollars (excluding tip). Remember to tip yelpers. That is not all. They also had a burlesque show. We did not attend the show because we were enjoying the free food. There are also heat lamps outside which makes the outdoor patio and all season area to hang out. read more

The top reasons to go to El Rio: 1. Pool table and weird shuffle board curling game. You know what I'm talking about. 2. Your friends are there, plus potential friends you haven't met yet. 3. Cheap beer, if you're down on your dollar you can pick up a cheap PBR and never think twice. 4. Fabulous, huge back patio which also sometimes serves burgers? Oh yeahhhhh. 5. Extremely small side room with very loud and raunchy punk and metal bands. 6. Good jukebox. 7. This truly is YOUR dive. read more

So, the other day I met up with the mister and his peeps at El Rio. Granted, I was coming in from SOMA where a friend and I failed in our attempt to see a free screening of Step Up 3-D (maybe it's not so bad that we missed it?) Anyway, the idea of heading into the Mission (or, Bernal Heights) at 10pm on foot from Church street seemed a little intimidating to this still-sort-of-SF newbie. BUT, I am just a paranoid fool and my walk was totally creeper free. Upon my arrival (after stopping to look at google maps 3 times because I thought I was lost) I was greeted by 2 friendly gals at the door who were checking ID. In that dimly, sort of empty part of town, it was nice to encounter genuinely friendly faces. Apparently the drink special of the day was $3 margaritas, which tasted like $3 margaritas, but I was content with that - the headache I had the next day was ridiculously intense, but that's my own fault. The space is really great. Dive-y of course, but the patio out back is the best part of El Rio. A lot of things in San Francisco remind me of places back home in SoCal. El Rio's patio reminded me a lot of Bluebird Art House in Whittier. Spacious and a lot of little nooks/tables for groups to just relax and have conversations. This place is only 7 blocks from my apartment and I plan on coming back soon. read more

I always imagined it as a Mexican bar like many others on Mission st where I would need a couple drinks to just dare to get in. I discovered this bar last week and I really liked it. Drinks are cheap, much cheaper than what I am used to !! Honestly ,whiskey and coke for $3, Great deal !! The best thing about El Rio is its back patio where you can enjoy your drinks outside in a calm woody atmosphere. It's probably incredibly crowded during the warm days but ... it's worth it. I will come back !! read more

El Rio, Friday Sweet happy hour (trust me, the booze is so cheap everyone's done by 10:30) Sweet porch (heat lamps, trees, people watching) Sweet Free BBQ (?!) looooove it. And if you get there for Fernando you know there isn't a better bar in the city. read more

Sundays are back again starting this week!! Shatangi has found the place where talented dancers can show off in the perfect setting. I am always mesmerized by the cast-of-Fame atmosphere. The drinks are crap the lines are long and they won't make me a caipirina any more on Sunday but what the hell. Nice mix of mo, metro, hetero and fauxmo. Shatangi told you read more

This place is incredible. Went there on a Tuesday and 2 bands were playing. One senior citizen band (you read that right) in the main bar, and a lineup of 3 indie bands in the room next door ($5 cover). There's a rad patio out back equip with heating lamps for those coldish nights. Sound quality in the next door room was not that great, but who cares. So many characters at this bar and I'll definitely be back. read more

Been three times, and they are three for three. Stiff drinks and free oysters during happy hour on Fridays. They have good happy hour specials, and great patio in back with a grill that is usually cooking something. You will see lots of girls with tattoos, who likely hate the Marina. read more

I've been here a few times now over several years, and this is a great community spot. The set up is so warm and inviting, and it's always a great time. Love, love, love El Rio. read more

El Rio - Love it here - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

A bar unlike any other. I had always meant to visit El Rio after hearing that they had Free Oysters & BBQ Fridays, and I finally found the time to visit after a long, long day at work. Free Oysters AND BBQ??? Yes, please! I was a bit sad to discover that they weren't serving oysters that particular evening, but instead started their BBQ earlier (oysters are served at 5:30, BBQ at 7:30). Oh well! I threw a few bucks in their donation jar and sunk my carnivore-y teeth into their juicy, BBQ'd chicken. mm! Next up, a mango margarita on the rocks. Not the most amazing one, but when enjoying it at El Rio's patio w/ a mix of all sorts of folks, you can't help but be quite content w/ it. I love how El Rio is so completely laid back. You feel like you're hanging out at a neighborhood block party, especially when there are a few dogs, big & small, hangin' out. Plus, w/ chips & salsa, a platter of strawberries w/ powdered sugar and corn meal crust pizza scattered about the "backyard" for everyone to delve into, how can you not be more at ease? fyi, there's a shuffleboard by the bar & a burlesque show for 10 bucks on Fridays. It's places like these that make me adore San Francisco. read more

El Rio is one of those bars you think only exists in movies and TV shows. You know, that perfect bar, with the perfect crowd, with a perfectly lit outdoor patio and that actually serves the perfect two dollar well drinks. The BF and I have been coming to this joint for a while and decided it would be the perfect place to have our mini impromptu joint birthday celebration. They're cool about letting you bring outside food in so we actually came in bringing two boxes of pizza and a cake. By the end of the night we were sharing our cake with strangers. Lol. We had the best birthday ever. I wish I could give el rio 10 stars for their amazing outdoor patio and uber friendly staff + crowd. But seriously, come to el rio if you're looking for a chill unpretentious SF bar. This place will win a spot in your list of top places to hang out in the city. I kid you not. read more

El Rio, you conundrum. Patio in the back, pool+shuffleboard in the bar, and a steal of a happy hour. $3 beer and well drinks. Don't mind if I do. Try and snag a table in the back, lest you be caught standing by the smokers. Hater gon' hate. There is also a burlesque show next door/at the same place (head to the patio, you'll see what I mean), so there's something for everyone. The good: Sweet happy hour. The bad: smoking plus food only served outside till 9. Plan accordingly. read more

Karaoke on Wednesday with KJ Paul is always a good time. He has a large, if not exhaustive, songbook of well-curated songs. The crowd varies depending on the season, but is usually a healthy mix of decent singers and the not-so-decent (one lady in a pink corset last night got up to the mic to sing "Stay" by Lisa Loeb and announced, "It's me! The terrible singer!!! Again!"). The good thing is, if they're not playing your jam while you're waiting to sing, you can go out on the beautiful patio, overseen by the visage of Carmen Miranda in the form of a lovely mural. Also, they frequently have live shows (with a cover charge), but if you're just going to karaoke or hang out there's no cover. When I was there yesterday there were lots of posters for an upcoming show of the Evangenitals, which I think is the best band name I've seen in a long time. I like the trans-friendly signage on the bathroom doors ("universal toilet" and "galactic urinal"), it's small details like this that show how El Rio really supports its community. Drinks are cheap and usually pretty strong, bartenders are cute. What more do you need? read more

They nailed it again. Thank you for making my weekend get away so much fun for two years now. WHOOOT!!! Just like with CHOW, lets just get the bad stuff out the way. The guy at the door on Saturday October 27 around 10pm or so was a complete twat. he was so rude to several people inside and kept looking at us to back his sweet ass up on it. As a gay man I was so bothered by how he acted and as a man I was very bothered with how he spoke to women. In New York or LA his grill would have been smashed. Once past the door this place rocked. VERY FRIENDLY people, great bartenders who handled themselves very well even as packed as the house was. Their service was fast, very friendly and the drinks were on point. Like I said this is our second year in a row we've coming up from LA for Halloween Weekend and this spot was so on our radar because we had such a blast last year. So freaking happy we did not go to the DNA Lounge. My friends who live in the City said we would not have a good time at DNA. I love the vibe at this place. We were able to get some seats on the patio and just enjoy each other and have fun with other people as well. Everyone was so nice. So happy we did this again this year. Maybe they'll be a round 3. OK SIDEBAR: THANK YOU SO MUCH to the Blond number behind the bar for getting me a shot and thanks Brandon who watched as I pounded my shot and he got me another. YAAAAAAY baby. This place rocks. This place makes me miss living in the City read more

We went there for their fund raiser for "A Witches Brew", their second annual fund raiser. They raise funds for the Ghost Society, which give tours all over SF of the haunted places. It was like halloween in September. We have been to El Rio before for a fund raiser and decided to go again because it was so fun the last time. The bar is old, that is obvious, but the place has old SF ambiance, with a long bar, nice staff, a pool table, and a great outdoor patio. They have a deck and a stage. The fund raiser had some fun local music onstage, with The Poisoner, a one man show, who plays a cool black guitar and is also a comedian I think. There is a burlesque show, which has been there before, which was hiliarious, and another band which I think we have seen before there. They have a tarot reading shack in the back, and vendors selling some interesting stuff. They had a raffle for a buck a ticket (we bought like 6) and a wheel of fortune for a buck, which has some fun prizes. I won some bracelets a ghost hunting kit, and hubby and I both won free 15 minute sessions of tarot reading. The beer was cheap and the food was free. There are a mix of people who show up to these things, from goth to the retro-style kind, but they were all friendly and having fun. read more

El Rio - A Witches Brew Fund Raiser - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

It's still the trifecta of community based, absolutely support of every imaginable member of the any imaginable alternative community (not just based on LGBT or ethnicity - underweight Romulans with three arms would be especially welcome here if they were gentle souls), and really fun for all. It's location near Valencia Street puts El Rios as a starting, end-up or pivot point in one's day. It's a great Meet-Up venue for so many of my friends. Good place for a gf meet up and great for a part of the date night wind down or date afternoon start up. All of this plus what I've written in my first review holds this place high and steady in my personal regard. It's a safe haven and an oasis in one of my favorite parts of SF. read more

um.... phenomenal. magnificent backyard patio. i was there a friday afternoon and there was even a FREE bbq!!!! they had a tip jar out, but there was no set fee for the fresh oysters they served (raw or bbq with a salsa cheese type thing), or for the chicken/spinach salad/potato salad/chip combo they had (also delicious).plus the bartender gave me a free drink since it was my birthday.... and that's always nice. i will definitely be back here. read more

El Rio - gotta love the backyard patio... - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

I checked out El Rio on a Monday night, when $1 PBRs and $2 well drinks were being served. So naturally I had a Diet Coke. My travel companion and I paid the $5 cover to see the upcoming band Spider Garage, since, according to the door girl, they were about to go on. We walked toward the Christmas lights on the enormous back patio, expecting the show to take place there. Instead all we found were groups huddled beneath the heat lamps--a huge number of people for a Monday night, a lot for a Friday even. We noticed a jiggling drum set through a window, realizing Spider Garage would be playing inside. We sat on the black leather couch in the back of the long, narrow room, surprised that Spider Garage doesn't play punk music as the door girl claimed. It was more like...surfer easy listening--a clear contrast to El Rio's hipster coolness. I wish I could've seen a band like My Morning Jacket there in a year like 2002... read more

lube wrestling. yes it's a real thing. who are the wrestlers? it could be you! anyone can sign up if you want to touch another dude, who's also covered in as much lube as you are. the lubey kiddie pool is not lubey enough, they might think. they pour buckets of lube ON you. yes ON you. you can experience by watching or participating if you pay $10 cover, which i think is worth it. i did not participate in this activity. i was just a spectator. but you know when you look at a bunch of lubey shiny hot men touching each other you know that your night is gonna end well. and that night ended well. very well. :) read more

El Rio - lube wrestling - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

El Rio might well be the best bar in the city. Why? They have strong/affordable drinks, which is the most important criteria, they have a great pool table, and the best patio in town! What's not to love. Couple that with the fact that they host great dance parties, awesome live shows and serve delicious food and what more could you ask for? FYI my two favorite things to go to at El Rio are: Hard French! This party RULES. It's an outdoor afternoon 60's soul dance party (amazing, right), with a beer bust and barbecue. People get crazy too, and everyone is wasted, dancing and singing along by 6pm. It happens every 1st Saturday from 3-8. Friday Happy Hour. Sooo good. It's a total 30-something worker bee crowd, which isn't really my scene, but actually makes for magnificent people watching. They have $3 well drinks and draft beers til 9, FREE oysters and FREE BBQ! W.T.F? read more

El Rio. The purposely divey bar. I really enjoy it here. Per my check in tip, Monday nights ensues dollar tecates. Really can't be beat. They have fun parties. Awesome back patio for all sorts of debauchery. However, I'm starting to get a little weary that El Rio is catching on a little too well to anyone and everyone. I'm a lover at all, but I'm sorry, the moment that I have to wait in a 20 minute line with girls in heels and bros in raybans, I may need to decline any invite here. Stay cool. read more

Happy hour until 9 pm with 3 dollar draught beer and free snacks... Need I go on? The crowd here is diverse. There was this tiny old lady who appeared to pretty much OWN the pool table, which I thought was awesome. I love bars with patios and the backyard is huge with ample seating. All in all....I had a wonderful time here and can't wait to go back. read more

Best dive bar ever... Everything is ridiculous.. anything goes... you can find all sorts of people... ... so much fun to be had at el Rio... I can't wait to go back! read more

The back patio is really big and cozy, the music was really nice, so was the dance floor. There are also pool tables inside. The drinks are not super expensive, and there are two bars one inside, one outside. Also late at night they start selling piadinas, so you don't really have to go out to grab something to eat, which is a huge plus. One of my friends lost an iPhone, and she emailed the management and they replied back in two hours, they were really helpful. read more

I have no words to say about el rio except that i love it. you can't come here and NOT have a good time. it's just fun all around! there's something for everyone. - dance floor - pool table - ping pong table - cheap drinks - outdoor seating + HEAT LAMPS read more

Every time I've been at El Rio I've had a fabulous time. Once, a dominatrix showed me that the sweet, young latino boy she brought as her date was actually wearing a cage on his privates. We took a picture. Once, I made out with two different people in one evening. Once, I saw a completely kickass band and I didn't even mind that I was deafened for about two days. Each time, the music and crowd were completely entertaining. read more

Hole-in-the-wall? Yes. Glory-hole? Yes, in a non-disgusting kind of way. It looks like a tiny bar from the outside but once you get past the bar and shuffleboard, it opens up like an oasis or an oyster if you're there on a Friday. If you're into that hot-for-teacher sort of thang, this is the place to go. Where else can you go to find teachers getting their drink on? I'm keeping my motorcycle just so I don't have to deal with parking at places like this. read more

This bar totally exceeded my expectations. It doesn't look big from the outside, but I was shocked at how large it is when I walked in. There is a bar area with shuffleboard, and beyond that there is another space with a pool table. Beyond that, there is a large outside beer garden/patio area, with picnic tables and benches to sit at and heat lamps. There is also another room that I didn't go in, but there was a band playing in there, and I think you have to pay to actually go inside, but you can sit outside and hear the music if you don't want to go inside where the band is playing. The people were chill, the place was spacious, I had a great time playing pool, the bartenders were friendly and poured a strong drink, and I can't wait to go back and sit outside when the weather is warmer. read more

So I'm not a huge happy hour gal, BUT given an early night off work when friends are around, I must tell you that El Rio is awesome in Summer for fun times. It's actually has been a rockin little go-to place since before we were of legal age to even drink. Outdoor patio is why it's rockin. Cool people, cool vibe. Free BBq, oysters on the 1/2 & great local bands. Sweet! Live music here is seriously worth checking out. Even if you're not drinking, the vibe here is solid. Casual as it gets, Rio is real and if you've never been, check it out one day. Bring your cash- they don't do magic plastic here. The end. read more

This place is actually...kinda cool and super Divey! Came here on a Saturday night and there was no cover. There's a big outdoor patio in the back for you to chill and chit chat with drinks in hand. There's also outdoor heaters if it gets chilly! Inside, there is a billiard table and a shuffle-board. (first time playing shuffle board and it was quite fun!) read more

We've hosted two fundraisers for Pride at El Rio, and they are the best! They are super accommodating, and the organizers and the staff at the bar were super friendly. I would not hesitate to host more events at El Rio. read more

Always a fun time at this place..... Also nice because it's in my 'hood..... Nice outdoor patio, bands in a seperate room if you want to check them out - the shuffleboard table is sorta cramped against the bar but at least they have one! read more