Maybe we came at a bad time but, our experience was not like these other reviews. I came here with two girlfriends on a friday night. The first thing I noticed about this place was a "smell". It had a sweaty people/humid musty smell that was hard to ignore. The bar wasn't that busy but none of the tables had been bused so we had to clear our own table when we sat down. I also noticed that my shoes seemed to stick to the floor a lot. We tried to over look all that and stayed for two drinks. But, even then we were not impressed with the drink flavors that much either. Sorry to say but, I just wasn't feeling it and probably wont ever return... read more

Good call drink prices. Great service. Dog friendly "if" you're interested, I'm allergic to dogs.

I came here after a night out with a friend and we were looking for a place to drink. We stumble upon this place and I must say, this place is pretty nice! Small and cozy, this bar seems laid back and nice to bring a small group of people. They have this fireplace at the center of the bar which is cool because it feels at home, especially with the couches around it. We wanted to talk comfortably so we were in the back. I ordered an old fashioned and she ordered a lemon drop. Both were good and proceeded to take some more drinks. After a shot of tequila with lime, I suggested we should get a scooby snack. The bartender didn't know of the shot and did some "research" (aka: Youtube) on it. I was pretty impressed on how spot on he made the drink and my friend loved it. So much so, she asked the bartender for another one and gave him a big tip. Overall, a great place to take someone out, have a drink, and have a casual conversation. Given the fireplace at the center, this could also be a more intimate place to take someone to as well. Great bartender, and from I read in other reviews, dog friendly, which is a plus for me. I would definitely come back to this place the next time I'm in the area. read more

Good drinks see Erick he's always takes care of us when we go in and you can select your own music here and the place is always clean plus you can bring your dog in read more

Fireside Bar - Turn up - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Super chill atmosphere, quiet enough to chat with a friend.. or a date. All I got was a greyhound, so I can't speak on their beer list/cocktail prowess. Great local bar though. read more

Love it. Cash only, but otherwise no down side. One of the feww places in the Inner Sunset that resonates w/ my "dress shoe" persona read more

Im here now. A guy had a coaster over his beer on the bar, indicating someone was coming back, but it was between two seats. My boyfriend and i took two stools, just to order a drink. There was a stool left on our right for the person who had left the coaster on their beer. The bartender, a slim older woman with black hair, walked over to us, rudely said "someone is sitting there," and walked away. The guy came back from the bathroom and gladly took the stool to the right of me. He didn't care. But I asked my boyfriend to get me a drink and moved to a seat away from the bar because she made me so uncomfortable. Btw, this is the first yelp review I have written in about 7 or 8 years. That's how rude this woman was. I am never coming back here and going to tell all my friends who live in this neighborhood to avoid it! read more

Deep conversations- y'know, the ones where you get that chance to talk with your friends about all those deep, fascinating epiphanis about life? fireside seems to be some crazy cosmic nexus where this seems to happen all the time- at least to me. oh no less than the last few times i've been there, I've figured out a.) I should break up with the girl I was dating for 5 years b.) there's more to life than just (fill in verb/adverb here) and c.) if you eat naan n curry, there's no going back from smelling like naan n curry all night... oh, the bar? chill, relaxed, and they make a damn strong gimlet read more

Even with the paint job and the new furniture this place still has a feel of The Wishing Well. Walking by anytime of the afternoon seeing the same gin-blossomed blokes in there hiding from the light of day. I did try to see it from another angle however. I went there a couple of weeks ago on my 35th birthday, my friend and I were in a whole other age category. Twenty-somethings doesn't even start to describe the other patrons....I felt like I was in some bizzaro bar, reminiscent of my early bar days (fake id days I should say). Sigh...where does an aging drinker go these day? The Starlight Lounge? The Gold Dust Lounge? Anywhere with Lounge in the name!? read more

Sometimes there are dogs in the bar - yay! The ambiance is really mellow - woohoo! There are TVs so if your date ain't going well, at least you have something to look at - yippie! The bartender poured my Guinness correctly - aww yeah!!! The pint of Guinness cost me $6 - WHAT!?! *sad face* Or maybe I just don't go out as much as I used to and that's the new going rate for a pint of Guinness? If so - *permanent sad face.* Clearly, the terrorists have won.... ): read more

I live across the street from this little place...literally. I walk out my door, cross the street and pass the MUNI stop and POOF! I am there. Pass it all the time and never go in because of the cloud of smoke that lingers at the front door from displaced nicotine fiends. Last resort on a Tuesday night after the bar across the street was closed. Nice bartender, good music - a bit loud on a Tuesday night, and $5 beer. Cash only so leave the plastic at home (I was totally unprepared and my roomie covered me). Art for sale on the walls from local artists - some very nice but pricey pieces (one sold for $1300). Would I go back? Sure. As long as my roomie is paying ;) read more

Cheap drinks, really relaxed atmosphere, and cool bartenders. I've had many a drink here, both just to stay, and as a one-for-the-road-before-MUNI-shows-up, and every time it's been pretty damned cool. My only complaints about this place are: 1. The couch area is a great idea, but it can get pretty cramped in there by the fire. Not too big a deal, but kind of annoying, and 2. One time this place smelled a little like puke and nobody but me seemed to notice. Maybe it was me, but that's a pretty distinct smell. read more

Great spot. Friendly service and conversation. Ran into this lady named Carol causing a scene the last time I was here. The bartender calmly handled the situation. Think his name was Holt. What a lovely guy. read more

I like the Fireside. It doesn't smell like Yancy's does, musty and stale, the Jukebox is fantastic, anything and everything you could want, and the crowd is totally chill. I remember when this place was the Wishing Well with no beer on tap and old men at the bar all hours. Some guy wrote a review on here that has nothing to do with the bar, rather the patrons who get a little out of hand. Three words for you buddy, "Close your window" read more

This is my neighborhood date spot. It's nice and cozy, good drinks and very dark and romantic in a casual way.

This bar is great, love the atmosphere. Would definitely go back to this place.

Smokin hot bartender. Good pours. Odd mix crowd. Not as hipster as expected. Pleasant cross section of the Sunset.

A bar is a bar, but the Fireside is a party. Yelpers took over the bar early on Saturday afternoon, and it was a very friendly affair. No spilled beer smell here, it opened clean. There were little bar tables all over the room, but joy of joys the centerpiece is THREE large curved couches surrounding the enormous-looking fireplace. It felt like we were in someone's living room. I thought, this would have been nice to know about in the rain and drizzle last month. Ah, fog days approach, and I have this bar in my catalogue now! The internet jukebox was tres cool -- Jill downloaded a tune -- you can play anything you want! The bartender was Mr. Cool, too. read more

Fireside Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I can't imagine a better bar in the sunset. Super chill, great seating and atmosphere , and best of all, really cool bartenders. I met a friend here to catch up over pre-dinner drinks. They have a decent selection on draft. Later we had Oban on the rocks and the bartender gave us the rest of the bottle since there wasn't much left. :P read more

This place is hilarious. From the pictures, you would think Fireside Bar is a hipster joint with over-stuffed chairs around a crackling fire, indie art on the walls and music by Baths being played over head. Nope. It's actually equal parts divey and well, plain random. There fireplace was magnificently underwhelming so much so that you can't help but laugh when you get there at how different the place looks than in the pictures. The bar is really standard, almost what you would see in a movie that involves bikers or something off the side of a desolate interstate. The bartender was a large, gruff dude who gets a little peeved if you ask too many questions but remains pretty likeable despite your indecisiveness. The drinks were cheap (especially with the Scoutmob deal!), the bathroom is clean and it's really close to the Muni. I might be back if I ever come 'round this 'hood. read more

More modern than I was expecting, but still 4 stars here thanks to cheap drinks, friendly staff, and cozy atmosphere. I'd kill to have a place like this over in the Richmond. Didn't pick up on the digital DJ box. Will have to bring my quarters next time. read more

Classy dive bar? Yes, this may be it. I like this place because it's casual, and yet it's not the typical dive. There is a fireplace/fire, with couches and tables around it for intimate conversation, and also other little tables scattered around, in addition to the typical long bar you see in such an establishment. The staff is hot, (well one of the bartenders is, I was so focused on him, I didn't notice any of the other staff) and there is a jukebox that has a good selection, and plays good music (esp. since I picked the songs!). Been here 2 times, the first time on a weekend when it was packed but not in the way where you can't move through the room. Last night, on a Tuesday night, every seat was taken but again, not overly packed. Good times. read more

I don't really get it but I kind of like it. There are no foofy cocktails, there's no pretentious crowd, and the bartender seemed upfront and down to earth. I almost thought we weren't in San Francisco anymore. I was informed that this is how it's done in the Avenues... There is indeed a fireplace and we did indeed sit fireside. Like and like. It was opposite day, so my happy hour partner (Stephan) and I went with beer for the first time since oh...before I was born and beer is pretty hard to screw up. An old friend met us and while regaling us with tales of his recent gay yoga retreat vacation (he's straight), he appeared to enjoy sipping a Manhattan, so I'm guessing their mixed drinks are ok too. He also left the cherry for me (thank you, Eli), which gets him 5 stars. Not a bad choice if you're on Irving and don't want to contend with the rowdies at Yancy's. read more

Was looking for a bar. We passed a wine bar, we kept walking, looked too fancy. Then we saw Fireside. It wasn't really busy. It had a fireplace and the seats in front of it were available. There are 3 tv's placed around the bar showing sports, that's key. There is an digital jukebox that is constantly flashing colours. The washroom is pretty gross, but that was expected. Drinks were cheap, I think. I think I bought 3 beers, 1 mixed drink and a coke for $16. Anyway, we didn't stay long, but I could have seen that happening for us. It is a really relaxed atmosphere. read more

Giving this a two star rating solely for the atmosphere. The girl bartender is very rude and condescending. I went there by myself to get a drink one night because I didn't want to be at home and she goes to the whole bar "OH LOOK GUYS WE GOT FRESH MEAT IN HERE" THEN proceeds to ask me if I got stood up on a date. I was like can a girl not go to a bar and drink alone??? The first time I went there I was with two of my girl friends and she also was like shitting on us for being young... which I mean I don't know why that would be a bad thing? And then when we would go to the bathroom would ask if we were okay. I then went there recently and there was a different bartender (thank god) and he also was like "oh you're fresh off the boat," and seemed pretty intoxicated. I work at a bar and I honestly don't really get offended by jokes it's just funny how there was a common thread and I would NEVER ask a customer sitting alone if they got stood up on a date. Extremely unprofessional. The atmosphere is amazing which is why I've been three times but If I were the owner I would 100% talk to my staff read more

This is the best place west of Stanyan St. The bartenders (several of whom are owners) are somehow *always* friendly, even when it's extra busy on Thursday/Friday/Saturday nights. They have a great selection of good booze and good beer, dog biscuits under the bar, a good jukebox (feel free to play it, it'll override the iPod that's hooked up to the stereo), and friendly regulars. It's a mixed crowd that always gets along... there's no attitude on either side of the bar. For sports and/or frat brothers, please continue down the street to Yancy's. The N stops in front of the place, and the 6/66/43/44/71 are all within a block or two. read more

I used to come here when they first opened. It was very cozy, they had a fireplace and some nice sofas. Reminded me of some of those vacation houses in Tahoe that your friends own and you hang out at during the winter. Now it's super busy, and I haven't come by in years. If you don't mind the crowd, check it out. There's a crowd for a reason... read more

I would use the term "cocktail bar" loosely. This bar felt more like a dive bar but the space is nicer than one. Drinks are cheap though!

Fernet shots, Chimay beer on tap, an impromptu amateur mike-less rendition of "I Love Rock N' Roll", an unplanned conversation with a loner, the smallish men's room stalls (that may count as just one giant stall) and losing your temper as you listen to everyone else's shitty jukebox choices as you impatiently wait for yours. But seriously it's my kinda place. Mostly touted as a locals' hang-out, the bar has personality. And it starts at the top with the owner Lisa who (during a down period in my life) won points with me by not throwing me out of the bar (I spent a late night there drunk as a bachelor and eating nothing but salt. Yup, salt.). As for the bar itself, the seating by the fireplace is simple and intimate. The general atmosphere is lively but not overwhelming. I often go there on weekends with friends. I sometimes just go there myself. This is a great spot in a good part of town. read more

Is there anything you can say bad about The Fireside?? I think not. Between their great bartenders, heavy pours, cheap prices, and great crowd it's in a very small club of five star neighborhood bars. If you're looking for a foofy drink this might not be the spot... But if you're looking to hang out and have a drink you will be welcomed. read more

Maybe it was an off night, but I got nothing out of my visit to Fireside. The eponymous fire wasn't even lit! One side of the bar was a bunch of old guys, and the other end was a pretty drunk group of young guys. It's good to see a mix of clientele, but it seemed like the kind of place where regulars might get a bit territorial. The seating area was just a mess of chairs and tables in random locations, and apparently no one was working except the bartender because empty glasses were all over the place. There was a good selection of music, but it was up so loud there was no chance to carry on a conversation without shouting. Maybe on a snowy winter day I'd go back in hopes of sitting near the fire, but that's not exactly likely, is it? read more

Small, cozy and cute. I started off w/ a red bull/vodka while my friend got a greyhound-esque drink (I believe it was cranberry vodka + club soda). The total came out to $11. Not bad. We came in right before it got semi-busy so we were able to snag a table. I didn't really see the fireplace, but it was super warm inside the bar. I wasn't expecting it to be THAT warm in there. The bathrooms can be confusing for newcomers. The guy's bathroom is next to the "employees only" room while the girl's bathroom is on the other side. I saw a lot of girls walk into the guys bathroom because they couldn't see the sign for the girl's bathroom. I saw the mistakes these ladies made so when I had to use the bathroom, I knew the right way to go. Then, I ordered a cranberry/vodka while my friend got a midori sour. The total came out to $11.50. Not too shabby. It can get pretty loud in there and the music selection isn't always the best, but overall the bar itself is not too bad. read more

The prices here are pretty good... the staff is really friendly. Good beers on tap... They lose points on the feel of the bar. The have a neat fireplace and all that with candles but its laid our really weird. There are booths placed randomly and tables in other spots.... just not a good flow. It is however a nice place to go for a drink when you don't feel like getting crazy because it is a mellow bar. read more

Nice quiet little spot. Prices are pretty good. Layout of the place is a little weird, but the fireplace is nice, warm and toasty. I like the jukebox the most. Very modern, it's like a giant Ipod mounted on the wall. It's a nice place to be to just relax by the fire and catch up. read more

Nice bar. Good if you are in a small group since there are a few tables. Can get pretty packed, which can make sitting tricky. Wish there were single tables. Not a good place to hold a big event. There's not much of a central area for people to gather unless everyone knows each other well. Good ginger ale. Most bars' tap ginger ale tastes flat, but this place's tastes fresh. read more

I don't get here often, but I always look forward to it when we do. One of my favorite bars in SF. Lots of adults having a good time or just unwinding. Also a trustworthy crowd--we left a purse here and got it 100% back the next day. read more

We all finally regrouped here after Power to the Peaceful. After a long trek the buzz was starting to wear off and we needed more drinks. A cozy bar with cheap beer. For some reason the bartender took a great liking to the"man" and hooked us up. The problem was that we were all ready very drunk. Craziness ensued, lots of spilled beer, party poppers and roaming puppies. read more

Chimay, on tap! and only $6! Chill place to sip on suds and lounge. We went for a walk in the park, which is really close by, at night afterwards. read more

The Fireside Bar, former the Wishing Well, is a nice neighborhood bar in the Inner Sunset part of San Francisco. The bar is small with the majority of the place being taken up by the bar. The staff has always been friendly, so have the patrons. As one reviewer stated they have not minded if you bring food in from the local restaurants. Probably since they do not service any food. Due to the bar's size individual groups of more than 7 people may be difficult unless you are going to take over the whole bar. The jukebox is varied and fun with a major artist represented. Drinks are cheap but good. This is a low key place to relax and have some drinks and hang out with friends. Don't come expecting DJ's, dancing, and such. Chill out at the Fireside Bar. read more

Cozy. Indeed. I had many an argument with my ex in every place around this whole damn neighborhood. Still, when we came to Fireside, somehow, that was all irrelevant. It was right by the Judah stop. Even if we were coming back from a rainy day downtown, and it was across the street, it seemed to beckon. I guess you heed the call and understand the place you're at for you've gone there for a reason and you stay for the reasons you've accepted. Good tap. And fire. Yes. read more