First place I went after finishing the Bay to Breakers. I've been by here a million times but never went in and was always curious. Turns out to be a lot bigger than I expected.. As I said, I went after B2B so it was like 1030-11am and there were only like 4-5 other people there. I got a kick out of the "Alcoholics Anonymous" book nestled beneath the TV in the bookcase,.I can't imagine it being especially "happening" even on Saturday night or whatever but maybe that's a good thing,.I liked it..bonus points for selling pitchers,. read more

Route 101 SF - Exactly.., - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came here last night for the first time after noticing the place for 3 years and wondering about it. I have to say it wasn't really what I expected. For some reason I thought this place was a major dive, but it turns out it's a pretty decent "normal" bar. The place had just enough people in it to feel lively on a Friday night while still remaining pretty chill. It was easy to get a pool table, and there was no "scene" to put up with. Hung out, had a few beers with friends, played some pool, all in all not a bad place to stop by on Friday night. read more

CJ picked me up at my Mardi Gras party at R Bar and we carried on back to my house, stopping along the way at Route 101. A dive bar, that has always looked so divey I have been rather scared to go there thinking it was a rough looking place where probably local men who have been going for years went to. We just stayed for one beer, but the bartender was able to take what I said I was drinking earlier and help me along with my drink decision (which to be honest, sometimes takes awhile.) We played pool - wait did we bet twenty dollars on a shot???? Did I end up winning? Anyway, I had a great time. I love playing pool and it was really a fun night. No free pool however, so I am not sure if that makes it as divey. The most fun part of the night, which makes me smile at the memory was me chasing around the pool table. I couldn't catch him, are we surprised! The night didn't end hhere... because we left, and of course needed a night cap..... read more

NOTE: Cash only. Whatever, man. Who cares. Route 101 is a great place to get a drink. I mean that in the most literal sense. You want to go to a place, have a drink, sit with a bunch of people who too want a drink, maybe to talk to themselves, that's this place. It's dark, but not too dark. It smells okay. The beer selection is good. The bar staff are awesome. They'll talk if you want to talk or stay quiet if you want to be quiet. I love coming here because there is not an iota of pretension or judgment. Have a good damn time. read more

I went to an Atmosphere show at the Grand earlier this year.. and actually used the ATM in this bar but didn't grab a drink. (The Grand is right across the street! So if you go to a show there you should hit up this bar!) One of my best friends moved up to the city.. right off of Van Ness. We went to Route 101 last night.. trying to find something close to his place. The bartender was super sweet and she even "created" drinks for us; and the price wasn't bad at all! This place has two pool tables and a couple couches. Nice little dive bar.. we will definitely go again :) read more

If you want to be guaranteed a pool table then this is the spot. They have two pool tables and even around midnight on a Saturday night it wasn't that crowded. This is definitely a dive bar, but a great one! The jukebox was consistently playing awesome music, and not just when I was picking the songs. The drinks were cheap. There were three couches forming a U if you want to chill, a decent size bar, a big screen tv and a few other tvs playing sports and just a super laid-back vibe. This isn't the type of place I would come to hit on guys but I will definitely be back with friends. read more

Route 101 is one part local dive and one part tourist. It's close proximity to several hotels and high visibility seems to invite a good number of poor saps who can only visit this great city. However there are plenty of drunk old locals here too. Last time I was there, one such old drunk was fruitlessly trying to find out the favorite flowers of the bartender. Eventually she was like, "I don't really like flowers." To which he excitedly replied "Then I'll go pick you some grass!" Then downed the last of his drink and confidently strode out the door on a mission. Reasonably strong drinks (6.5/10 on the booz-o-meter), and really cheap prices. Act like a big shot and buy a round of well shots for the house - $3.50 for their well whiskey. A couple pool tables in the back, cool bartenders both times I've been, and a good (if not schizophrenic) jukebox selection make this a good place to stop in for a drink or two. read more

I've only been here once, so maybe this is a typical night at Route 101. You tell me... A few years ago, the weekend after Michael Jackson died, we were partying all afternoon on my buddy's roof deck and were feeling no pain. Things were dieing down, and so we decided to head to Route 101 on a buddy's suggestion. I'm glad we did, because I could not make up what happened next. We walk in the bar and sure enough, "Billy Jean" comes on the jukebox. Out come the moonwalks, crotch grabs, and "Hooooo!" and "Hee heeee!" screams. I guess my antics were impressive because this guy, who can be best described as a pimp (for real), gave me his fedora and big black sunglasses to wear. I jumped on the couch and proceeded to show off my best MJ moves [insert crowd applause and "woo woo!"s here]. Anyway, later on I go to order drinks at an empty space on the other side of the bar from my friends. I see some commotion down their way, but I don't know what's going on. After I get the drinks, I come back to my friends and they tell me that the young blonde girl in the summer dress, who is with the "pimp", suddenly attacked my friend Jim and wrestled him to the ground. I look over at her and I can see this crazy-ass look in her eyes. I set my drink on the bar, because I can sense what is coming next. She lowers a shoulder and attacks me! Now she only weighs about 100 lbs, but has a rabid wild animal type fight that explodes out of her. Pretty soon we're on the ground with a flurry of head-locks, strangle-holds, and pins. I even had her ready for the pile driver at one point with me standing and her legs over my head. Well, the bartender saw about enough and came over to break up the show. We stopped, shook hands, hugged, and toasted our drinks. We had great fun that night and experienced a "Hangover" type moment the next day. During the wrestling, my girlfriend was taking photos with my camera. We looked through them and noticed a few details that we missed the night before, like the girl's bloody knees, her boobs popping out, and (ummm, how do I say this?) a string hanging out of her. All and all it was a great evening. I think it may be time to go back for round two!! read more

Had to give the 5 for having like the worlds worst- I don't a fuck bartender. Yep its a dive. Don't bitch and complain cos you know what its gonna be like. I work pretty close to this spot so hit it once in a while. One time the TV blew out on the wall at like 6ish; bartender dude who looks like Ray Davies of the Kinks jumps up on bar; walks over the TV outlet clacking his beatles boots along the way not giving a single fuck to all the people drinking at the bar. He turns around and looks at me and says..." the fucking owners don't pay me enough to die like this".... read more

Came here since it's down the street and I like checking out my local spots. Im almost 30 and the bartender checked my ID as if he was a Customs officer. Relax! Im don't look underage. Haha. $7 for a draft beer??? Damn, very pricey for a dive bar. The place had 5 patrons. Nothing special or worth seeing. I recommend skipping this one. read more

THIS IS THE BEST DIVE BAR IN SAN FRANCISCO. The music is top notch, the bartender fantastic, absolutely dashing and by some weird miracle he is single. Get there now while the prices and getting is good. DO NOT MISS THIS PLACE!!!! read more

$2 pbr and superrrrr cheap pool. It smells a little like castro valley bowl but it's a chill place to go shoot the shit and enjoy a cheap beerskee. read more

2 pool tables. Friendly folks that leave ya alone if you want, or will chat with ya. they sell pitchers of beer too! This is a friendly not quite as dark as many of the other bars I frequent sort of place with beer and mixed drinks. I'm not completely impressed with the beer selection, but I've been turning into a beer snob and getting excited about fancy pants brands on tap these days, so I am admittedly getting hard to please. The other day I was there, and the bass tap line was not very clean, but the bartender was more than happy to comp me a drink, and said that I should always let him know if it wasn't up to par. John's the bartender that I almost always see there, in the after work sort of time line, and he's always been friendly and not snotty. This is also a friendly place a gal can play a really poor game of pool and not have a bunch of dorky guys try to tell me how to do it. (yeah, that's right, I just need to play more, and then I'll get better....meanwhile, you running your mouth means that you're simply distracting me and making it take even longer!) read more

Went on a Thurs to pick up a friend. I didn't have any drinks so I can't comment on them. I was only there for about 5 mins. The place seemed pretty big although it was empty except for a few folks at the bar. They have a jukebox and at least one pool table. The crowd seemed like a bunch of older locals. Definitely not a mingling spot (at least not at 1am on a Thurs). My friend commented, "Isn't that the oldest bartender you've ever seen?" I thought that was cold...but I couldn't disagree...she was friendly though. I'm don't frequent dive bars, so I'm no expert, but if this ain't a dive bar, then I don't know what is. read more

Great place to sit & drink while waiting to go to a show at the Regency. Drinks were good (wish they were a little stronger) and the service was wonderful. read more

I came here with a friend before the Dandy Warhols show at The Regency. It's not bad, but not great either, somewhere in the middle. The red-haired bartendress steered me away from The Guinness, saying it was a little funky that night. Okay. It was fairly busy that night, so I understand that you're going to have to wait a bit. Someone else apparently did not understand this and all I saw down the bar to my left was a glass flying into the bar taps I think. She told him (them?) to get the fuck out, and if you don't like waiting, then leave. So sorry. I'm glad she stood up for herself and essentially told them to fuck off and go home. Not sure if and when I will be back, but it's so close to The Regency Ballroom that it's really really convenient before a show, particularly if you don't want to walk up from the Polk street bars in the rain, you know, if you're afraid of water. read more

Would I ever just make my way to this bar to hang out? Never. It has no real draw, and is not located all that conveniently. Unless, that is, you are going to a concert at the Regency next door. This is the go to spot for drinks before a show here, for a couple reasons. It is easy to meet at so you and your friends can find each other without climbing through throngs of people in the venue, drinks are inexpensive, so as you wait for your friends who always show up late, you won't break your bank sitting here, and finally, it is literally next door, so you can pay attention to the crowd gathered outside in the smoking area for an idea of whether an opener is on, or it is between bands. This is my go to spot for pre-concert relaxing. read more

I like this place because they have 2 pool tables with cheap draft beer. Friendly bartender. No complaints at all. read more

Route 101 SF - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is a perfect spot to start the night, or chill out when you don't want to stay out too late. I say so because I've noticed it gets very packed late at night. Probably not every night, but I've walked by when the crowd was pouring out the door. There are a few major feathers in this place's so-called cap. First, it has two pool tables, and both of them have enough room around them to be accessible. Secondly, it has a "Golden Tee" arcade game. I'm a sucker for arcade golf games with the roller ball. It really puts you in the game! Finally, there's a really cool little lounge area in the back by the pool tables. There's a few couches, some big chairs, and some coffee tables. It's cool to be able to take a business associate, or a cheap hooker, into the back to sit comfortably and enjoy a Guinness. This place is slightly more expensive than places I usually go, but it's also nowhere near as expensive as the places I tend to avoid. I would recommend this place to a friend for sure. read more

Here's what I remember: A few friends/relatives were in town visiting. You know, yelp would be alot cooler if we could include pictographs in our reviews. For example, I was sitting at counter (a) on bar stool (b) explaning the joy of sailing to fellow bar guest (c) while my cousin (d) stared on in near drunken oblivion. As I (a) leaned back on my stool (b) to demonstrate the joys of leaning backwards on a hobie cat to take in the water, and rush of wind, I fell ass over tea kettle (b - a) and ended up on the carpeted floor. After the ensuing gaffaws and wtfs (d mostly, although with an outstretched hand), I (a) hauled myself up and into the ladies' where I notice a bit of a scrape on my forehead. The rest of the night was spent playing arcade golf, with random strangers. Not the most fun night, because there weren't many people there to schmooze. Correction, there weren't many schmoozies in their 20s - the handful of folks were all 40+. I was trying to get a live night on the town going with friends, not terribly successful . The bartender is a chatty cathy, and pretty cool. Cut to the next very hungover morning. I walk into the bathroom and scream at the horror that is my face. I have a bloated, white, oozing open sore on my forehead the size of a silver dollar. Que HORROR! Yep, it was a rugburn. So kudos to the fellow patrons, for still talking to me, and thanks to the bartender for still serving me. I think. Two weeks later I returned after a p-funk concert with a bandaged head. Okay space. And they don't kick you out if you're fugly. read more

I'm just gonna go ahead and say that this is one of the weirdest bars I have ever been to. It is like community center meets midwestern dive. Pluses - really comfortable couches, super nice bartender lady, 1.50 PBR, rad juke box, two pool tables, NEVER crowded. Minuses - its just f*)(^*)* weird. Go there to see for yourself. There are dudes in there seriously sporting handlebars and mullets...'nuff said. read more

Now this is the kind of place you'd see on TV in a biker bar fight only without the bikers and without the fight. Had enough time to run in for a quick drink before out meeting and noticed that they really don't offer anything else but booze. The bartender was cool and said we could order a sandwich next door and eat it in there so we did. Other than that, Can't really say anything bad about the place. I'm sure there are nights when this place is packed but we went in there for lunch so it was okay. read more

Update 6/19: I am told that it's not as divey as it used to be and that the wagon wheel tables are no longer there. I have not been there in quite a long time. It's a dive for sure. Not a bad place to kill time before a movie at one of the nearby theatres. Wagon wheel tables and a jukebox that I don't really remember as being extra good or extra bad. read more

Pool for a dollar 2 Pool tables Cheap Beer And its right across the street from home... read more

Worst service of the night. Bartenders try to scam you and there is no loyalty to customers. There's plenty of places in San Francisco don't waste your time here. read more

Do you like to play pool? If yes, then go to this bar. They have two pool tables in the back, and the people playing are always willing to compete (and they're good). I have to knock off one star, however, because there's no smoking room and the bartender got an attitude with my girlfriend for having a Hawaii ID with a San Francisco address on it (she's 24!). That's where she's from, duhhhhhhhhhhh. I was with a group of people, all 25 or older, and the girl still questioned whether the ID was real or not. What a goober. What I do like about this place (other than dual pool tables) is the fact that I've never seen it extremely crowded. I live only a few blocks away, and even on a Friday night it's got a medium-sized crowd. I don't like big crowds at bars because I can't hear myself talk. Isn't drinking supposed to be social? read more

This could be thee best jukebox in SF! Check it out. PBR (sorry, soft spot for hillbilly beer), plenty of great booze to choose from for shots, and Hobie is king. The most down to earth baretnder, certainly in this neck of the woods. always good for people watching too, you will get some local elements. Nice! read more

This is a dive bar. 2 pool tables, a few sketchy couches, a juke box, TVs, and some great bartenders. What more can you ask for? Always good times to be had at the Route. One more thing - best Bloody Marys in the city. Yes this sounds strange but it's true. They make 'em from scratch with like 12 different ingrediments. read more

I know I drank more than 101 beers and cheers! The Spanish fly and I haven't been there for years and years... I think when I did go back again for the first time since I left SF they just remodeled. So, yeah it's been a longtime............... The bartender was this hot little Irish girl with black hair... Great girl!!!!!!!!!!!! Good times...... Nice service.. Yep, It's empty at times..... But that was one of my best times there... Started the bar up when it opened and played pool. Then two Swedish bikini girls come in to drink as well. We played pool and boozed!!!!! Beer commercial with no show to interupt us! What A night! Thanks! Route 101!!!!!!!! That's just one day. Played darts with the owner. Great close games. Nice people...... Thanks Justin. miss ya. read more

This dive bar was super fun. My sister and I stopped in for a cold beer. It was fun and my beer was cold. :)

San Francisco, there was I. And this Saturday evening was boring! Boring to the point that I felt that for entertainment, only a couple of Irish Car Bombs would do the trick. Yes, I meant the beverage of mixed alcohol, (the black liquid gold of Ireland known as Guinness, Baileys Irish Cream and the water of life, Jameson Irish Whiskey), YES, I meant a beverage and not the actual explosives that my maternal cousins set off in the Northern part of the Emerald Isle. Whenever I am here in the city by the bay, I crave strong alcohol and tonight, a game of pool. I somehow found my way from the outer Richmond to Route 101. Once inside I ordered my drink (an Irish Car Bomb) with a PBR chaser. Now about that game of pool; Between the darkness on the street and the doorway filled with light enters the legendary Eddly and he wants to hustle me at a game of pool. But first he sends his girl, Carmen to get us a couple beers. Not just any beer but Pabst Blue Ribbon, of course! During the hustle, we both sipped our sophisticated drink (the aforementioned "Irish Car Bomb") and slammed another round of PBR's whilst Eddly sank shot after shot, calling out the eight ball in the side pocket to complete the spectacle. I soon learned that Eddly's resume as a pool hustler includes hustling on "the long and winding road" and later, the professional tournament circuit. However, on this very evening Eddly finally came head-to-head across the table with the legendary (and far more treacherous) pool shark (not just any pool shark), our old friend and alternative rock bass guitarist, eL Capitan himself! Surprisingly, Eddly won their match, only to find out that eL Capitan lost deliberately, having had money riding against himself. Being a gracious man, eL Capitan gave Eddly the equivalent of $10,000 Philippine peso as a cut from the bet but Eddly gave the pesos back to eL Capitan and told him that it was simply an honor to play pool with him. Not one to forgo an opportunity for a fiesta, eL Capitan order a round of drinks for the entire barroom clientele. "Usted es un digno adversario. Por favor, amigo mío, por favor, tomar una copa conmigo" eL Capitan said to Eddly but since I don't speak Spanish, I have no idea what he meant. Next thing I knew, the bartender, the cute dark-haired, Irish bartender, set us up with another round of Pabst Blue Ribbon. Someone played the Irish Rovers (or U2, not sure which as I often get those two bands confused) on the jukebox and a group of really cute (Irish?) girls start dancing. Well, of course they both grabbed eL Capitan by the arms and began to do "Riverdance" and most everyone in the bar joined in. It was an epic dancehall recital with Irish Car Bombs, Irish pop music and Irish dancing. At the peak of the evening, eL Capitan and the dark haired Irish bartender (the one that looks like a young Catherine Zeta-Jones) ran outside and rode off into the night on eL Capitan's vintage Norton bobber. "See you on the other side" eL Capitan yelled as they motored off towards the Bay Bridge on ramp. "Guess they're goin' to Alameda" Carmen said. "Hella NO!" Eddly said with a serious tone, "OAKLAND!" After watching them ride away, Eddly, Carmen, an Irish dancer named Stella and ME, went back inside and ordered another round of drinks and played another game of pool . . . If you ever find yourself in the city by the bay and you are looking for a great "dive" bar with an awesome staff, reasonably priced drinks and awesome ambiance, get some cash and head over to ROUTE 101 PS - TIP YOUR BARTENDER(S)!!!! read more

Something tells me if you picked someone up here you could describe them in the same way you'd describe the bar-a little rough around the edges, dark and brooding inside but more or less friendly. The two words dive bar are definatly a good catagorization of this place. Has all the fixins to make up a dive bar from the cheap drinks, nuked hot dogs, pool tables, patrons talking to the bartenders or staring in their drinks. It's close enough to get bombed here before or after a movie at the AMC. What oh what will the local patrons do when/ if the "ironic hipsters" of Polk take over? Watch out! read more

I like this place for it's consistency. It has, for the most part, remained the same for a long, long time. I'm always comfortable sitting on my stool near the door drinking, people watching and enjoying a conversation or two with the talkative types who might wander in. read more

If you're looking for a no-frills place to hang out with friends, relax, play pool, pinball, watch TV, or play some great jukebox music without pretension, then this is your place. This a "family owned" business and you feel just like part of the family being there. read more

Have recently stumbled upon this dive in my hood, and I have to say- it ain't bad. Decently strong drinks, a whole truckload of space in the back where you can play some pool without having to listen to some marina trash talk on their phones, have some asshole eyeing your tits, or basically deal with the rest of the daily bullshit in this city :) It's chill and unpretentious. And the owners seem cool to boot. read more

ROACH PROBLEM. STAY AWAY FROM DARK CORNERS This place has a roach colony under the bar. If the lighting is sufficiently dark and you are in the corner you may make a new buddy with antennae. In my 60 minutes there I saw 4 Really? For god's sakes management, this may be a dive bar but I have never seen a roach in any other establishment in my 20 years in SF. Just spend the $500 on an exterminator. Sheer disregard for your workers and guests. Disgusting. read more

This place stares at me from across the road as I slog away on the stairmaster machine, and sometimes the tempation of an after-workout beer proves too much. It's a somewhat nondescript place, too big to be cosy and lacking a certain character. It's not ultra-divey, but very unpretentious and the clientele is authentic. Can occasionally get invaded by groups of students on a pub crawl. The pool tables have seen better days, but if you are in the neighbourhood and need a beer and a quick frame then you could do worse. read more

Sort of depressing as not much of a crowd comes by this area is search of a bar, but they have two nice pool tables and some old couches and TVs. Pretty clean. Great Dirty Harry pinball machine. Serviceable spot for drinking if in the area or you live nearby, but not a spot worth going out of the way to visit. read more

We went in here last night craving a really divey dive. It really wasn't that divey. But the bartender was super sweet. And we liked it enough. To keep on drinking anyway. read more

I used to live a few blocks from this dump, and as a result I ended up drinking here more times than I'd like to admit.... but to be honest, it's a pretty decent dive bar. It's never crowded, there's a few pool tables, and a few couches to sit on. I almost forgot -- the jukebox kicks ass. read more