I've lived a block away for over 25 years, many of which passed before I found the Geary Club. No sign (hint: you can find it by looking for glass bricks). It may just be the smallest bar in San Francisco, and now that most of the wonderful local bars are closed, or have been fancied up to where they are completely different (and worse), the best one in the neighborhood. Always a character or two (not that many, remember this place is tiny), and the German bartender is hysterical and possesses so much faded glamour half the reason I went there was for her. She told me her beauty secret too (it works, and no, I won't tell you, it's a secret). Well, I think she's gone now, and I wandered by there a few weeks ago and popped my head in just to have a look (and surprised it was still open). I was also surprised to see Laurie, a bartender at one of my favorite bars ever, the White Horse, now closed, working there. We chatted a few minutes, and she told me she always works Wednesdays. Last Wednesday I went by, and the bar was closed. But by the listing here it doesn't look like it's closed for good, and I hope not. Oh, the drinks are fine, and strong, and they have a cool juke box, and nothing has been remodeled, and it's a dump and I love it, love it, love it. And it's not just the old German bartender's beauty tip that's a secret, the whole place is. So sshhhh. Don't tell. read more

Gotta love a solid dive bar because there's no pretense about them. Sure, there are bad ones with surly patrons but not this hidden hole-in-the-wall. This is one I tend to forget because the block doesn't really call my name if you know what I mean. Yes, it's in the dark center of the 'Loin, but I swear the bartenders here have always made the extra effort to converse with me. Like today when I felt like I needed something after a long day of jury deliberation. I had a tangy $10 Tequila Sunrise that she presented in a martini glass (Photo 10). A nice touch and a good hang. RELATED - Exploring the Tenderloin? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/g3Sd97-TpW read more

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Terrible. A men's bar ladies beware. Played a song and not even 10 seconds into the song the bartender is skipping. I hate it when bar tender give you 1$ sorry I skipped that ...wtf costs a a dollar anywhere? That song cost me about 3$ anyways never would have spent 7$ on a beer advertised for 5$ on the sign outside if i knew you would do that. Tenderloin bar so you know. read more

This place was amazing. Got off the Bart and walked about a mile to get here. Was that a smart idea on a Monday after a show in Berkeley..... probably not but hey I am on vacation. And who truly needs two kidneys! Bar is the dive bar you have in your mind. Colorful locals and great staff. We had a blast even though we had to sit thru some jerk playing vengo boys are coming. Ahhh still in my head. Bartender was great. They have everything you want and if they don't have it you don't need it. Go somewhere else for your fancy sugar drink. This isn't a Starbucks. Why 5*s for a dive bar? because this is the best dive bar in the city. Read the sign, " best secret, and the worst kept neighborhood" - truth! read more

Geary Club - Sign says it all - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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All of the above. The bartender was/is fantastic Great music little local bar in the neighborhood. Drinks were great service even better.

Stopped by to get out of the rain and stayed for the people. James is a great bartender and this bar is the perfect dive bar.

My favorite dive bar in the area. You can find other amazing dives in Oakland, or the Mission, the Haight, the Dogpatch, even in the sunset & the marina. But the Geary Club is the best true dive bar anywhere near the Tenderloin, IMHO. read more

Really awesome hidden bar. Spending the weekend touring SF and stumbled upon this bar. So happy we did! Very friendly, attentive, and just fun! The night bartender even went out of his way to help my friend with acquiring tums. Definitely will be back! read more

Geary Club - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

came by for some drinks with a friend. I really like this place. It has a nice cozy vibe which makes it easy to relax and be myself. The bartender is really cool too and the 3 of us enjoyed some good conversation. read more

If there was such a thing as a Dive-Bar convention, I suppose Geary Club would be the Belle o' the Ball. Also - I wonder where it would be held? Atlantic City? Reno? Jacksonville, FL? I'm not exactly sure what it would look like, but I know it would smell of: Stale beer, old cigarette smoke, farts, and lord only knows what else. Oh sure. There are divier dive bars (like, where you think you might get murdered by the guy ranting to himself in the corner - eh hmm... looking your way Jonell's), and there are certainly seedier joints. This is a dive bar's dive bar. On the one hand, Super Divey. On the other hand, actually pretty classy as dive bars go. I was told to come here on a recommendation while I was at Ha-Ra Club. Sure enough, it's a good thing I got the tip, because I would NEVER have found it otherwise. You know a bar can stand on it's own two legs if it does NOTHING to be noticed. What you'll find: 1. Bottled Beer only (for beer - they have the hooch) - Which is fine, because they have Icey-Cold Mueller Light bottles. (is best beer - taste a-ok's, no filling ... thanks to my Russian friend for that assist) 2. Bartenders who think short-term bartending gigs are at least two decades. A few nice ladies - although, I suspect you need to go at least for five years before you are considered Geary Club Elite. 3. Neighborhood patrons. This is a nice classic gem nestled against the back-drop on impending gentrification. 4. A guy who calls himself "Evil Robert". I didn't think he was that evil. ...just saying. 5. A bar that is open Ear-lie in the Morning. 6. A stuffed Tiger-Head. Named... wait for it... Tony. read more

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An unmarked entrance faces Geary street. It's open door welcomes visitors, but it's dwelling-like storefront is devoid of signs, windows, and neon. The sounds of laughter and music beckon visitors to enter, but the unmarked exterior makes first time visitors apprehensive of what might be inside. Bar? Restaurant? Private Club? Somebody's Garage? I stumbled by this place on a Saturday afternoon, and couldn't resist casting a pensive glance inside. What dwelt within? Naught more than a neighborhood bar, a sight that didn't reveal itself until my pupils dilated enough to see amongst the interior lighting, which is equally sparse as the exterior decor. The long, narrow room reaches deep into the building it dwells in. It's dark near the entrance, gets darker further in, and becomes *really* dark near the back. Modest-sized TV's sit at either end of the bar...get a seat near them if you want to watch a game. The interior is definitely old-school....cheap simulated wood paneling on the sides with stucco up top. The barmaids are quick, friendly, and cute-as-a-button. Liquor selection is average, and I didn't see any beer on tap. The crowd I saw was mixed, and somewhat older. Neither the beautiful people from the trendier part of Geary nor the freaks from the Tenderloin were present. A younger guy sat on one side of me, and a lady in her 70's on the other. Striking up baseball chitchat with the younger guy proved futile...all I got in return was a punkish gruffness. The lady on the other side proved very talkative.....in baseball, history, and politics. Bluntly put, it's a dank, dark, somewhat characterless space whose only saving graces are the bartenders. One might see it as an upgrade from the Tenderloin, or a refuge from terminally trendy spots several blocks down Geary. And empty beer and four point lead by the Phillies over the Giants signaled it was time to move along. I pondered the Geary Club's virtues as I walked out the door, racking my brains for a reason to praise it. Halfway down the block, I'd drawn a blank. Come the first street-crossing, I found more important things to think about.... read more

Geary Club - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

This tiny dive bar is exactly what you want in a dive bar: cheap drinks, intimate but comfortable ambiance, and a great bartender. Lilliana, the bartender, is truly amazing. An enormous amount of energy, fun, chatty. For me, she made the Geary Club awesome. Fun tip: challenge Lilliana to an arm wrestle. She will surprise you read more

Rob says "Come often. Bring cash. Leave a big tip." Our favorite bar of the 2018 SantaCon. The locals were kind enough to let us in, imbibe a bit and sing a few ...uh...carols. It's a small place, but it is cozy and full of positive vibes. This should be a mandatory stop on your night out. read more

This is what people mean when they say dive bar. No frills, just cheap, strong drinks and people wanting to hang out and do their own thing. The bartender, who people constantly refer to here, is absolutely fitting for the place. Friendly smile and eager to be your buddy while you sink your pints. And yes, they do allow smoking. I think if I was here too long, it'd probably bother me, but it's not bad when you're there for your last couple of drinks for the night. It's not somewhere I'd go all the time, but certainly a welcome change from some of the over-frequented, overly hip places in sf. next time i'm there, i'm going to have look at this jukebox... read more

3 things about The Geary Club: 1. This is your neighborhood dive bar. 1 TV, rail liquor selection, and bottled beer. 2. I loved the atmosphere for a dingy dive with a great cast of characters enjoying a Friday night. 3. Lillian has been running this joint for a while and will take good care of you. She suggests a beer and a shot Anchor Steam and a shot of Fernet Branca. Dont bring your date here unless you wanna test them on how down to earth they are. There are bar flys literally. But if you want a cheap drink Lillian's got you covered. read more

Awesome dive bar in the city. No drama and no stuck up, snooty fools in sight. All chill and good times all around here!

I don't recall how or why everything went down the way it did that night but, I was with Drew A and friends when we came in. Read his review for a more accurate description as he remembers far more than I do about this divey gem. Yes the bartender was schmammered and she did arm wrestle most members of our party but, the thing I love her for most is that $20 for the juke box. No touch tunes here, you flip the album covers looking for your favorite jams like back in old days... or at least the 90's. From this point on I was dead set on creating the most epic playlist to ever be heard at Geary Club and Judging by the fact that $20 in that bad boy got us something like 400 songs, they're likely still jamming to our groups musical stylings as we speak... I hope you like Van Morrison. We all had a blast here and if it wasn't for photo evidence I may have told you it never happened. Instead, it did happen and I don't regret one song I played on that juke box no matter what you say. Pro Tip: If you want to die... order shots! She might as well have handed us each a bottle to suck down. read more

This place is not the worst, but it's pretty close. The reason it's a two and not a one is because a) the entertainment value of watching Lillian, the bartender, is pretty fantastic and b) the juke box. That being said, Lillian is almost always drunk and kind of a jerk. We tried ordering a bourbon neat eight times from her before we have up and converted it to a gin and tonic. It also has some weird clientele. Watch your bag and your back. Go here if you want your patience tried and your drinks cheap. Stay away if you want anything else. The good: cheap drinks. The bad: the fear of looking Lillian in the eye. You think she has snakes for hair and you may turn into stone. Your move. read more

Geary Club - This is my bourbon neat. It looks identical to a gin and tonic...because that's what it is. Thanks, Lillian. - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've made many mistakes in my life, but patronizing this establishment has never been one of them.Has easily become one of my favorite spots. The perfect dark and seedy bar. Stiff drinks for a good price. Mixture of all sorts of People. Good music, Chive TV,There's a mounted Tiger head on the wall, Handful of people can sit at the bar, but there is also outdoor seating, and man o man are the bartenders hotties lol read more

A neighborhood "dive" bar that is actually a lot of fun and really inexpensive. Good drinks/beers all decently priced and besides that, it's super close to home also a decent juke box! Worth a visit...love the tiger head!! read more

This was a great neighborhood bar before the recent ownership change. Afterwards, no point in coming around. The new bartender was extremely rude and unfriendly. Met one of the owner's brothers and got bad vibes, it seems like they're just planning on gentrifying this bar into an upscale whiskey bar. read more

These guys are incredible. Cool bar. Great vibe. With nothing but kind folks... doesn't get better.

..Wow...was just showing some friends the geary club site and didn't know Amber was let go...STUPID!! Was planning on bringing my family through like we do every year during Christmas but if Amber isn't there we will find another spot this weekend! Up to 18 people so might just take Craigs advice and try Aces. Amber was the "Geary Club"!! June was the best she earned her retirement too ! Very disappointed in the new owners they hounded June to sell to them - they said oh we want to honor her and keep the staff and pay tribute to June but also do a little modernizing which is fine but they are dumbasses. It was the people that worked there that made Geary what it was shame on them !! read more

Deepest dive in the city. Geary Club is the city's most cutty bar. This is where I go to escape the abominable wave of douchebaggery that crashes into the tenderloin on weekends. It's like a refuge for the tattered remains of San Francisco's soul. June the owner is a soldier and a saint read more

This isn't your standard wannabe dive bar that really is just dirty instead of divey. The drinks are cheap, the mirrored beer signs are authentic, and the crowd is made up of folks from every walk of life. The bartender lady is someone you could see shooting the shit with every night after work, ruminating on life, until you have a really really really bad day and find yourself bawling your eyes out on her bosom. I give it four stars - for some reason, I just don't think 5 stars does it the right kind of justice. Weird and illogical, I know, because honestly I love this place. But it just feels right. A five star review might get read just because it's 5 stars - like a book with a great cover. But Geary Club doesn't have a great cover. You just have to dive in and discover its perfections without ever seeing a bright sign out front or a ridiculous line out the door or 5 stars on its reviews. read more

This place evokes memories of childhood. No, it is not what you think. I did not drink as a small child. But I did.... .....play hide and seek. So does this bar, what, with no sign whatsoever you have a hard time finding it when you are actually seeking it. ......watch The Wizard of Oz, and remember a little line that went "Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh MY!". Well, they have the tiger anyhow. ....find myself surrounded by my parents friends a lot. The average age of the clientele puts them in my parents age range. ......work hard for my allowance and spend it on candy. Well, now its alcohol but, just like when I was a kid, a few dollars goes a long way. ......read Alice in Wonderland. This bar was modeled after a rabbit hole. I know for a fact that I have taken the red pill when I walk in here because there is no possible way this bar is meant for full size human beings. You could also assume, once you look around a bit that there are definitely many people in here that have also journeyed down the "rabbit hole". read more

H ip or not, Hot or not, O ld and young, L ocal watering hole, E veryone fits right in, even me? I gnoring the tiger head up on the wall is tough. N o signage out front makes this place a difficult find. W ells for cheap. Other drinks also. A Tenderloin-flavored establishment. L ose the group. Come alone or bring one other. L ose the attitude too. Nobody cares. This place wins in the "'DARK DIVE, JUST DRINK, DON'T DRIVE" category. It is a bit smoky, despite the "No Smoking" signs outside. I need to take a shower and wash my sweatshirt afterwards, but that's no problem at all. Sometimes you need to find an escape like this, a spot others won't expect to find you. read more

This place is a total sh*thole and that's why I love it. You: "How can you love such a sh*thole?" Me: "Cheap drinks and an awesome bartender" What makes an awesome bartender? (in a dive bar)... -She gave me $20 to put in the jukebox, (which is like 250 songs there), then quickly sassed all of our selections -She was missing for the first five minutes we were there -She was hammered -She arm wrestled several members of our party -She served shots that were just ginormous -She laughed with us... and at us With the other patrons being cool with our shenanigans and a cute little library book exchange in the back, how can you not love this place?! Oh, you like nice things. Right. Yes, well, carry on then. Like a cheap drink at midnight and a fun place to goof? Come on over. read more

Oh hell yes. I definitely want to be a member of this club. I can't decide which is more awesome, the lack of any signage out front, the ashtrays made from tin-foil, or the fact that some dude at the bar bet Aaron V $2 that he couldn't beat up Katie S. Or maybe it's simply the fact that the name Geary Club inspires visions of a swank, upscale, pretentious private establishment when it's actually a real dive bar (not some fake hipster bullshit, but an honest to goodness dive like the Ha-Ra). Where do I sign up? read more

A friend asked me if I'd ever been here and while I regularly hang out in this neighborhood I'd never heard of this place. I was told that there was a "hot" German bartender that gets drunk and occasionally randomly "tongues" customers. I was told it was a rowdy TL dive bar. Isn't it interesting how different people perceive things so differently? The bartender was very pleasant but not what I'd call "hot". I thought perhaps the hot bartender had the night off until the one that was there told someone that she had to work a 12 hour shift because mom wasn't feeling good. Unless mom is an unusually attractive sixty something this must have been the "hot" bartender. I did see her get very cozy with one of the customers. Also, not that it matters, but I know Germans and I'm not convinced she even had a German accent; it sounded eastern European to me although I make no claim of accent expertise. The Geary club is a typical dive bar with a cliquey set of regulars. They don't have any beer on tap if that's important to you. Finally this place is a little smoky, how did I stand going out before they banned smoking in bars? Just a little smoke is intolerable to me now. Since this place is so close to one of my favorite bars, Edinburgh castle, I doubt I'll be back. In fact I'd rather go to Ha-Ra just a block up the street. read more

I've had Yelper's block recently. I've spent way too many minutes staring at the computer screen, fingers frozen over the keyboard. The few reviews I've cranked out have left me feeling 'meh' so I decided to "go back to my roots" (a late night week day drinking festivity that involved me acting like a total girl). Yep, fueled by a much needed chat fest, continuous vodka tonics and snappy attitude from every angle of the bar I could feel the magic of Geary Club thaw my Yelper's block. If you don't know what kind of a place Geary Club is, I can sum it up for you fast: it is a bar to get your dive drinking on! Now I'll elaborate. This place is "classy", like the same level of classy an afternoon shift stripper with a missing front tooth and an eye patch is. There is no shame. You know, a bar where some truly quality drinking takes place. One of those multipurpose bars where your mindset can be up for a cheery day of drinking to the truly depressing "I don't give a flyin' f*ck anymore, I just want to be loaded" as you slurp away at your drink and stare off forlornly into space or a recovery/ recollection drink from the night before. It's a place where you get your drink with a bar stool and counter space. A bar where no natural light has the strength to make it past the first foot of the door (a special bar vortex if you will). Yes you can smoke in here and yes, as a smoker I appreciate this. Even as a non smoker you should be able to appreciate this too because this little drinking palace is in the heart of TL. One glance around the room or pop outside should tell you the funk you WOULD be smelling if this was a non smoking establishment. And of course there is a certain delight in ashing into a piece of foil bent into an ashtray (I told you, this place just exudes true class). The crowd is an healthy slice of the local neighborhood. $20 can get you 3 to 4 rounds (with tip) for your group or your own sorry ass. Of course, you can be like me and my friends and smartly invest in the jukebox so you can have a soundtrack to your commiserating. The best part of Geary Club though is the "on the border of kicking your ass" feel to the place. Whether it be tough as nails bartendresses, the attitude of the other patrons and the neighborhood or the aftermath of too many well drinks, you can pretty much assure yourself you will have your ass handed to you in some way or another if you aren't in check. But really, sometimes we have to learn our lessons the hard way no? read more

Yes. I'm so happy that this is in my neighborhood... or, should I say, I'm in their neighborhood. Don't be deceived: this IS a dive bar. No two ways about it. If you're expecting the Bigfoot, get the fuck out. If you're gonna get picky about your cocktails, get the fuck out. If you just wanna get down... well, they have booze. Radness you bastards. read more

No signs No lights Hidden behind a tree Off of Geary Is a little club Hidden within the walls Is a little bar You would never discover Without word of another. Inside these walls Many stories emerge. Cynthia On her taxi driving Cursing all bikers Against their Unrealistic antics Cruising the wrong way. Cups of wine Stories of bourgeoisie All non drivers to her Are just plain crazy. Harriet Behind the bar Serving us drinks 40 years She has lived In the Tenderloin A life devoted To serving drinks. She lights a cigarette So I sip on my bourbon Where I am transported To the decades' past. Red lips she wanted Constructed on the toilet So all guys know Where to pee. Golden streamers Creepers upon creepers The heart of the TL The Geary Club Truly provides Tales of the tell all. Stop by I must suggest. Relax To hear true life To hear true inner-city To hear true San Francisco. read more

Small place with a lot of regulars... Granted, I'm no drinker and amazed at how some places stay in business. Geary Club is a testament to longevity! I was taken by the faux taxidermied tiger head atop the bar, personally. The bartender is an older lady that wears skin tight clothes and is happy to get pretty tipsy along side you, if you're good people. As tiny as it is, you will still feel pretty comfortable considering the space. You won't find trendy folks here either. Just, well, 'real' people. Nobody trying to check out a scene. If anything, all types of individuals walk in and pay no mind to anyone else in there. Very low key and very much nestled in the Tenderloin like a little kitty that has found a place to nap...for a long time. Be warned though, people smoke in the bar and if you are averse to smoking, smokers and your clothes smelling like smoke in the morning, this place is not for you. read more

What's the deal with people bitching about one of the few bars in the city where a smoker can manifest their filthy habit with out slinking out the door in shame? Come on folks, go to Jillian's or John Collins or something, people! Geary Club is a dank little tool-shed of a bar. The videocrack machine is running on a 286. MGD and an Old Overholt come in at about a ten spot. They've got Professor Longhair on the jukebox. The staff is friendly, if hard as nails. In other words, this is one of the city's best bars. Don't come here if you're a whiny little yelp-bitch. read more

"The introverts' bar" was one fellow-patron's description. The Geary Club is a special place, dissimilar from the other bars in the Tendernob. Here people are quite friendly, but not at all outgoing or pushy-"friendly". Sit for a while, think, nurse your (cheap) drink - and when you actually have something to say, say it. This bar is much quieter than most; but the conversations much better. Here you will hear the sound of people speaking standard American English,tho not always with an American accent. There's none of the hideous Stanford-drawl of the Marina douches, nor the equally hideous Norcal-snark of the Mission iClones; nor any incomprehensible ghettobabble; nor the crazy bum-gibberish endemic to the TL. It's a subtle thing, but the sound of a place contributes a great deal to its character. At the Geary one rarely hears the grating tones of pretension, snobbery, or willful idiocy. The volume on the (fairly decent, and appropriate olde-timey) juke box is kept low. The bartenders can control it, but flat out refuse to turn it up loud. The clock on the wall is set to Network Standard Time, none of that imaginary Bar Time bullshit. There's no sign on the door, and there's a tiger head named "Tony" mounted over the bar. The bartenders are all older women, one of them notable as a cougar, all decent & polite people. The patrons are a pretty broad cross section of the City. Taxi drivers, laborers, ad men, programmers, students, artists.. anyone who loves cheap beer and good company. Natives, immigrants, economic refugees from the flyover side by side. Not to say it's a perfect place. There is only one variety of wine, some pink girlie stuff I don't want to drink. A cheap red wine would be greatly appreciated, if management is listening. Beer selection is not huge, but at least a bit eccentric. They serve Coors - not Coors Light like everywhere else, just plain old Coors. read more

Some guys think they're being slick when they are in a crowded place and they try to get past a girl and they "accidentally" grab their ass or lean into the boobage. This place is perfect for being on the receiving end of those small invasions of the personal bubble. I mean hey, the bar takes up 80% of the room! If you can't beat 'em..... read more

Divey to a whole other level, the Geary Club makes the Nightcap seem like an AA meeting and Whiskey Thieves look like the Vatican. As close to a hole in the wall as you can possibly imagine. They smoke inside - a lot. I'm pretty sure you'd get your ass beat if you complained. And I'll bet real money the people beating your ass are ex cops. Or union reps. Or made men. Something like that. This place has *character* - and very cheap drinks. If I was ten times the drunkard I am, I'd sooo be here every night. read more

At this point I'm one bourbon, two shots of fernet and three anchor steams deep. Sitting at the bar, I lean over and order another beer. ME: "Can I get another Anchor please?" BARTENDER: "We're sold out, we've got Bud Light, Coors, Anchor Steam, Corona ... " ME: (interrupting) "I'll have an Anchor Steam, please." BT: "Coming up!" (reaches down to fridge, comes up, hands me a Heineken) ME: ... (stares blankly, thinks for about 5 seconds, proceeds to drink Heineken) This review is intented to be more of a reflection on what the Geary Club is and why I like it; a place where you drink. A place where you drink, even if you get the wrong drink. You know a place is great if your taxi driver says it's where she goes to drink everytime she gets off of work at 6am. There is nothing else. There's no darts, no foosball, no shuffle board. Nothing to engender yells of victory or curses of defeat. There's no dancing either. Even if you really wanted to and the place was half full, there's just no room. There is photohunt, but that is a solemn thinking man's game. All that is left is drinking. Drinks. $3 well shots all the time. Bottled Beers as low as $2.50. You come, you converse and you drink. That is all. read more

We got a hotel nearby and needed a place to get a drink and wait for our room. Justin was very cool and the vibe in the bar was awesome. WE went to the Chinese New Year parade and after we couldn't find a bar that felt white as good as Geary did so we came back. We met Mike, an owner, and he filled us in on the history of this amazing dive bar. So glad we found this hole in wall. read more