Those of you who read have no doubt been reading about the trend of people having concerts in their…read morehomes for small groups of people. I attended one of these recently, and had an out of body experience, while listening to one of my favorite SF-based jazz groups, the Lost Trio. This particular show took place in the living room, but the home's owner, Jack Hanny, is in the process of preparing a basement rec room as the site for future shows; he refers to it as the "naughty pine rec room". Because you are in someone's home, the vibe is very homey, and all attendees are expected to bring food or drink to share with the band and the other patrons. A wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon, hear some great music, and be home before dark.

Super cute, really cozy and wonderfully friendly karaoke bar…read more We came to the Lucky Horseshoe for a friend's going away party and for our first time, it was a pretty awesome place. Neither of us are into karaoke so we stayed back and were happy to encourage and cheer on others who were performing. There's also pool tables if you prefer games to singing. Standard beer and well drinks, it's a neat dive bar with an alternative/punk feel. Bartenders were quick and attentive as well as friendly. This would definitely be location to stop at in our regular dive bar rotation if it was closer to where we live, it's definitely a neat place to stop in for a quick drink or stay for a few hours and chat with others.

We've come here a few times on a Friday night for karaoke.People and staff are always really…read morefriendly. They also have a pool table in the back. It never gets super crowded so it's easy to find a place to sit. And street parking is usually easy to find too. The drinks are strong and plenty of beers to choose from. The place is fun and divey, just a chill time.

Too crowded. Music on the lower level needs to be more upbeat and mix . No food but the drinks were…read moredecent expensive

Primero hablamos de los precios. $20 por una Modelo y agua es un robo total. El servicio, pésimo…read more El grupo que fuimos a ver estaba casi 3 horas tarde y seguían poniendo música que era tan alto que te podía romper los oídos . Se nota la saperia de este lugar cuando pagas VIP y te dan lo que les da la gana. Deben evitar este lugar totalmente. First let's talk about the prices, $20 for a modelo and water. The service, awful. The group we came to see was almost 3 hours late and they kept playing music that was so loud it could leave you deaf. You can tell the lack of respect this place has when you pay for VIP and you get seated wherever they want. Avoid this place at all costs.

I came for the Take A Dance On Me event on Feb. 20th, 2026. I can't lie, the DJ didn't disappoint…read morewith the ABBA music. I even heard songs such as The Winner Takes It All, Under Attack, When All Is Said and Done, Slipping Through My Fingers, Don't Shut Me Down (new album 2021). However, the last 1.5 was dedicated to EDM and House music which ruined the mood for me. I left earlier than I had expected. The staff was very friendly and it got super-crowded in the room where the event was taking place. If they ever do another one, I plan to return.

I'm not sure why I've been so lackadaisical about writing my personal appraisal of El Rio. I've…read morebeen just a handful of times in the past year, and honestly not been disappointed with my experiences here. The only times that dishearten me was when they decided to close the bar for private events, often leaving me disgruntled to find another place to wet my whistle. I can think of worse things in life like JD Vance becoming VP. Now that would be a tragedy. I usually find myself here when they open at 5PM during the week. Jasmine has been my bartender of choice, and she makes a mean cocktail whether it be a rollicking $8 Tequila Sunrise (photo: https://yelp.to/zp4Bw0t2Cx) or one of the house specialties, the smoothly spiky $12 Margarita Silencio Mezcal (photo: https://yelp.to/NJiZldM8EI). More often than not, I find myself sauntering over to the expansive back patio where one part was usually being decorated for an imminent group event, while the remainder was free for solitary drinkers looking for a moment of reflection while imbibing a libation or three. I've yet to have a problem of overstaying my welcome, but then again, that's part of the inclusive nature of El Rio. Indeed I belong here. DRINKS - 4 stars...not lethal but potent enough to make me think the Carmen Miranda cutout actually moved AMBIANCE - 4.5 stars...it may have the only vibe in SF close in spirit to WeHo spots like The Abbey SERVICE - 4 stars...usually greeted with genuine enthusiasm...Jasmine is a gem of a bartender TOTAL - 4 stars...if you need space for your cavorting, this be it RELATED - Exploring Bernal Heights? Here's my collection of places I've tried and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CaaWFe

Nice place to play - very cool people, sound man knew what he was doing, helpful and got a good…read moretone. small place - but 40 people feels like 100 so I don't mind. Place was clean, I don't drink alcohol but some folks loved the drinks and they had some new alcohol-free options which I appreciated. Than you guys! one thing to consider if your'e a band playing here, parking is tough and unloading becomes a little dicy when double parking. Ended up having to park 4 blocks away.... that said, would play it again. cheers!

A True Mission Gem -- Gritty, Loud, and Full of Heart…read more Caught Star Belly Bug here recently and had an absolute blast. If you're looking for a venue with soul, personality, and a healthy dose of weird -- The Knockout is it. The Scene: This place screams underground SF in the best way. The walls are plastered with stickers from hundreds of bands, artists, and regulars that have come through -- it's like a living punk flyer wall. Dim neon lighting and vintage touches give it a divey charm, but not in a try-hard way. The Virgin Mary painting above the bar and eclectic photo strips tucked in every corner add a little extra mystique to the already vibrant decor. The Music: Star Belly Bug was killer -- great sound for a small venue, and the energy was contagious. The stage is super intimate, so you're right up close with the band, no matter where you're standing. The Knockout clearly supports local and underground talent, and it shows in the diverse lineup and passionate crowd. The Bar: Drinks were strong and reasonably priced (especially for SF), and the bartenders were cool and efficient even when things got packed. There's a solid cocktail list on the board, but also plenty of cheap beer and no-nonsense options. Vibe: Inclusive, weird in the best way, and 100% authentic. This is the kind of place where you can dance, lose yourself in the music, and just enjoy being part of the scene. Zero pretension. Lots of regulars. Great people-watching. Whether you're coming to catch a band, dance your face off on theme nights, or just grab a stiff drink, The Knockout delivers the goods. A Mission must-stop.

This was the last weekend the San Francisco Shakespeare festival coterie will perform the Tempest…read moreat the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater. Their next stop will be at the Sue Bierman park September 14 - September 22. The tempest is a play seeped in rich shakespearean prose. Each actor's interpretation of the characters they played were remarkable , the costumes and fabrics were beautifully tailored and the music was outstanding, especially that of the percussionist, Phoebe Chow, who interwove her single Conga drum rhythmically throughout each Act. And the pre-recorded music scores were exquisite as well.

Great venue and a great space to enjoy live entertainment in the less visited part of San…read moreFrancisco. I enjoyed the nature and the vibe here. I appreciate free entertainment in San Francisco in a cool place.

Got the kamikaze which was balanced with the alcohol and flavor, not too sweet. Loved the lychee…read moremojito too! Tasted pretty good but also can still taste the alcohol. Music choices were nice. You can join and play your own song when you download the app! Our server was kind and quick.

Love this place and our girl Shirley! She's always taking care of us. This place is always a go to…read more Live bands, local artists, juke box, dj's, karaoke night & yummy drinks.

Fun place with good selection of beer and great 80s music. Had several IPAs and frequently change…read moretheir lineup. Some sours, if you're into that kind of thing (I'm not) and a good variety of other styles. Some pinball and video games across the way. Very pet friendly. No real food inside but did have a pop up Mexican tent outside on the sidewalk.

I come here fairly often with friends or colleagues since its in the neighborhood, great place with…read morea lot of space and usually a food truck outside for grubbing! I stopped by here again last week with a friend who came up from San Jose, grabbed a few beers as the service is usually super quick even on busy days, got my usual IPA, and grabbed a seat outside as it was pretty hot. Great place to hangout, they have a mini-arcade for kids if you've got little ones, and of course a to go fridge if you want to grab some cans to go! This is definitely a fun place to be, and if you're watching sports, they've got Tv's as well!

Came to Wild Side West during Pride weekend, and it's such a cool local spot! We were a group of 5…read moreplus one dog, and it was great to sit in their back patio area, which feels like a little forest escape with funky decor. It was cash only, and the drinks were surprisingly affordable for SF. We got margaritas and other mixed drinks - would definitely come back to try their specials. Staff was very friendly, and it was nice enjoying a quiet spot with outdoor seating - feels like being in the backyard of a friend's home. Would definitely come back for their events and other specials.

This is a really cool bar. I went with a friend who lived in the neighborhood. It is a lesbian bar,…read morebut it's welcome to everyone. It has a very whimsical backyard that you just don't expect from a San Francisco bar. When the bar first opened, the owners were greeted with trash left on their doorstep. The owners then turned that trash into art. Now, you can find an old toilet that's very transformed into a lush planter that is surrounded by tons of plants. The garden feels like an hidden oasis. On chillier days, you can cozy up inside; there's even a fireplace. I really dig the vibe in this bar. It's a place I enjoyed hanging out.

Dr. Ko represents the highest standard of musical professionalism and artistry in the Bay Area. His…read moreplaying is elegant, sophisticated, and emotionally resonant. From the moment he began performing, it was clear we were experiencing the work of a truly exceptional musician. His presence carries a quiet refinement and care that elevated our entire event. Words cannot adequately describe what it meant to have him perform at my 40th birthday celebration. It was an honor for our family and guests to experience such beautiful music. Thank you, Dr. Ko. We are deeply grateful and will certainly be looking for reasons to invite you to perform for us again.

I recently had the pleasure of working with Dr. Ko for a wedding, and as a planner (Parker & Paloma…read moreEvents), I cannot recommend him highly enough. He is a consummate professional who brings an incredible sense of warmth and elegance to the day. Dr. Ko's adaptability is seamless; he knows exactly how to read a room and adjust his performance to fit the moment perfectly. What impressed me most was his ability to learn new music specifically for the couple. He took their unique requests and performed them with such soul and precision, making the ceremony feel deeply personal. Beyond his technical skill, Dr. Ko has a wonderful collaborative spirit. He is a true team player who is easy to coordinate with, and he has a natural way of making couples feel comfortable and at home. In the whirlwind of a wedding day, his calm and kind presence is a gift. If you are looking for a musician who is as talented as he is easy to work with, Dr. Ko is the best in the business!