I went here with a few friends around 5pm on Halloween. I have no problem with the bar, its divey and has character. However, the bartender was so incapacitated he could barely function or stand, let alone tend bar. The place was near empty and he was ignoring us. He forgot our drink orders and disappeared for quite a while. Needless to say we left. read more

This used to be the best bar in the loin, until they opened the place off the alley named after a poisonous potable. I still really like the 101, the owners are chatty & friendly, but not in that annoying way. I used to work with a girl who shagged one of the bartenders on a couch, so I don't like to sit on those when I go. He's a cutie, but she's a skank. read more

This is just a good dive to get a drink with a friend when you feel like getting drunk in a place where you can have a conversation and not worry about interacting with anyone. I have never seen the bar crowded but the drinks are cheap and the last time I was there the beefy bartender was wearing a leather vest with a cowboy hat and watching Oprah on the big screen. I'm a fan of randomness so 3.5 stars for that. read more

Great neighborhood bar on Van Ness Avenue. Unpretentious, friendly crowd with two pool tables, good couches, and an outstanding jukebox (Supersuckers, Social D, etc...). Great bartenders, stiff drinks, good prices. Convenient place to meet up before or after a movie at the AMC 1000. read more

I've been kicked out of like a half dozen bars in town....Like on the for reals psuedo outlaw badass bars...Fucking punk bitches....But this is one I have yet to fuck off...Only because Hobie, Mac Trey and the wonderfull Scotttish? Brittish? proprietress make me feel like family or atleast welcomed....These are straight out my kinda people....BTW to the reviewer behind me Mr.Drue C....We don't need no stinking placards, memorabilia or otherwise bullshit....Peak on gay places along the 101 in Marin or Ventura for that lameness- Fucking Chump! read more

Not looking to compete with the rowdiness of other bars on Polk, we stumbled upon this place for a late Christmas night cap. The bartender was dressed festively and was very friendly, and the place was spacious but not empty. Any place where people can have a few drinks without shouting to maintain a decent conversation is okay by me. read more

Very divey and a mellow spot. Some of my buddies don't like it because there's only been one time more than 20 people were in here, and the bar emptied out after an hour or so. I like it specifically because of this and the drinks are cheap. Beers are in the $3 range. There are some pool tables in the back and comfy couches. The bathroom is pretty sketchy, but what dive bar has a really clean one??? read more

Super divey! This bar is incredibly HUGE! I had no idea. They have pool in the back, a big screen and comfy couches. We had the dog parade in tow so it was great that they were dog friendly too. read more

so i go here a lot because it's like 2 blocks from where i work, but the one shitty thing about this place is that their draft beer usually taste like shit due to the fact that they don't clean their lines! rule number one in my book, never ever ever compromise the integrity of beer!!!! i hate to sound like a beer snob, and i know i kinda' am one, but really... who wants to drink shitty tasting beer... i rest my case! on the plus side though, i get off of work and usually head straight there on tuesdays with some friends from work and get my buzz on immediately! another great thing about this joint is that they show every single mlb game that is on that day! i am a ny mets fan and during the season i can watch my boys do their thing and talk mad shit about giants fans while they all drink their sorrows away! i don't really care about the pool table in the back, but if you feel inclined to get a game going on to show what you're made of, then thats fine by me... more elbow room @ the bar for me!!!! 3 out of 5 stars ain't that bad, but once again the only reason for this rating is because of the dirty ass sock tasting lines... c'mon guys, clean the fuckin' lines already!!!! see ya' there on tuesday y'all!!!! ***ursa major*** read more

Good luck finding this place on your GPS, haha. A very clean dive bar. Good service from behind the bar, and good nut selection (not talking about the clientele), and the drinks are cheap, well, at happy hour. Why the $3.25 price for a PBR though? I plan on returning for their aforementioned bloody mary. read more

I have been coming to this bar for quite sometime now since I live right down the street and I always have a great time! But they just got a new bartender Nicole and she seems to make the place even better than before. Congrats to whomever hired her!! Great girl! read more

I'd go back again. The patrons and the barkeep were friendly as hell. Plus they have a couple pool tables and a decent juke.

Place smells cigarettes and was kinda dirty. My friends and I left when the roaches started crawling on us.

I like a good dive bar and this place fits in well. The only thing missing are some pickled eggs!

The only good thing about this place are the pool tables. The prices are not cheap and they don't have a dishwasher so your glasses are not exactly clean. The brunette bartender is nice but the red head who works Friday and Saturday nights is brutal: NEVER says thank you for tipping her and in general is just rude. The bathrooms are foul. Also don't put any food down or you will find a cockroach on it in 2 seconds. read more

I was visiting from out of town (a small, "hick" town down the coast). I must say that I've never felt so at home in the city. This place was awesome! Pool tables, jukebox, cheap -strong- drinks, and friendly atmosphere. Best part of all: Alli, the bartender. By far the BEST bartender I've ever encountered. She's a "take no bullshit sweetheart" that has that place on lock. Although she wasn't working while I was there, I also got to know the other bartender, Nicole, who was also awesome. Anytime I'm in the city, you'll find me here. read more

Ahhhhh..... Route. It is what it is folks...a solid, good old-fashioned dive bar. The BEST dive bar at that. The ladies that tend bar Alli (sp), Nicole and Natalie have got this place under mother effin control. Courteous, quick and, when necessary, super cautious to a randy weirdo who might stumble in. This no frills joint clearly has a huge base of loyal patrons who look out for the overall wellbeing of everyone there, and that is very cool. Cheap pool, fun jukebox and prompt service, what more could you ask for??? Love. read more

The snotty bartender accused my ID of being fake. Awkward when you turn away a legal patron. Save your money (and possibly a likelihood of getting Hep A judging by the place), and walk down the street to any other of the bars. There will be a bartender willing to serve a legal adult. read more

This is an after-work mecca for my coworkers. I only go in there on Fridays when the greatest, hardest working, take-no-shit, hot as hell bartender Natalie is working. The jukebox has some country hits available, which is another upside. The crowd is generally laid back and it's the kind of place you can go to alone and read a book or talk to your creepy overly-friendly neighbor. Or you can go with friends and take over the couches. Either way, it's not the best bar in the city, but it's comfy and often entertaining- especially when the douchebags stumble over from the Regency and are ripe for the mocking. read more

This place is a great spot to stop and grab a drink...although I've yet to go there at night...it seems like a more of a Sunday afternoon poolspot for cheap drinks and a low-key vibe before a movie...bartenders are friendly, prices are reasonable, and hey---they don't forget a face. They enjoy repeat business, customer service, all of the things that I was complaining about below... read more

A comfy dive filled with couches and pool tables and people popping coins in the well curated jukebox. Nothing special, but a good spot for a drink and conversation. read more

We like to check out dive bars & old man bars. Route 101 seemed to fit the bill but unfortunately one person at the bar was too smashed and seemed like he could get a bit out of control so we had one and left. The bar tender should have kicked him out or cut him off before we got there especially since the next bartender was a girl. read more

This bar is everything a bar should be. Lots of room for the two pool tables in the back, a projection screen for sports, cheap drinks and lots of space. Plus it's right between me best mate's place and my house. read more

You get good cheap alcohol and a pool table. What do you expect?

My girlfriend and I stopped in last night. Like other reviewers, We loved the jukebox. We played a lot of 80's punk rock, and just good, classic tunes from The Replacements, The Clash, The Cure, The Supersuckers, Hank 3 , Stiff Little Fingers, etc.... Drink prices were good, selection was good. Our bartender hustled. People were friendly. Will come back to this place. Lots of space here too. read more

I tend to look for a few key things when choosing a bar - nice people, pool tables, and dog tolerance. As the 101 has all three, I like that place! My dog acts like she runs that bar, and nobody tells her otherwise. Friendly people work there. I always go there on Halloween, for some reason. read more

Dangerously close to the Regency for a pre/post show beverage. Sadly, the taps lack Anchor or Speakeasy. Shame.

CASH ONLY. HANDY-DANDY ATM MACHINE AVAILABLE TO WITHDRAW MONIES. This dive bar was conveniently located a few blocks from the hotel I was staying at. The boyfriend and I had a couple drinks, decided to bar hop, and ended up at Route 101 for the remainder of the night/morning. $4 well drinks, friendly female bartender, plenty of seating, an assortment of munchies to snack on, and people to watch -- I was entertained. read more

I like this place. Decent dive bar to go to before any shows at Regency or Social Hall. They have pool tables and a few areas to lounge. Not much more to add really. read more

No bouncer, but the bartender asked to check id. The bartender was nice, drinks were pretty cheap, but cash only. Jager on tap. Sprite was kind of flat. Music was pretty random. Older crowd here. read more

Yup - I'd say that this place falls under the 'dive' category... in a good way, of course. Pool tables and an adequate juke box. I got the feeling that we were the non-regulars at the bar, and that we were outnumbered as such. I assume that the pool tables are probably the primary draw at this place. read more

Tre the drummer made us feel so welcome and at home on this gloomy Sunday evening. Great place to knock back some shots and a PBR with great specials, pool tables, people, and community vibe! Definitely making this my regular spot!¡ read more

I was waiting for my oil change. I ordered a Lagunitas IPA. The lame bartender poured some foam. Instead of the guy just saying, oh, we are completely out of Lagunitas, or changing the keg, he just mixed Lagunitas foam with budweiser. Then the rude bartender kept asking me if I was nervous. He charged me full price for the beer. He clearly defrauded me all while being very rude about it. The shady idiot seemed like he was on drugs. read more

lets start with the cowbot hat... makers neat and a corona i dont care if they "pair" well together he always serves it with a smile two pool tables I'll rack you break i love this bar whats the plural of y'all? all y"all!! word read more

I love this bar. Drinks are kinda pricey. I. Plus the staff is always friendly and they just put a new jukebox in.

The Good: Staff is cool, Jukebox is good, Never too crowded. The Bad: The pool room in the back should have a parole officer on duty The Review: 4 Stars. If you want a dive bar, this is one of the best. The bar staff are cool - your glass never gets empty - the jukebox is always playing something decent, and there's a few tvs with some obscure show on. The back room with the pool tables always seems to have at least one felon in it - which i guess is fitting for a dive bar in this neighborhood. read more

I've been a fan of the 101 for going on 10 years, ever since I worked on Van Ness at KRON. Best Bloody Mary's ever, made by scratch. Don't let the griping of the bartenders discourage you, they are the best Bloodys ever. What's best about the place is the lack of pretention and -- BINGO! -- absolutely NO pseudo-intellectual hipsters. Great place to relax and people watch. Occasionally, a rock band bus will pull up in the alley next to the bar to unload equipment for the shows at the Regency. read more

I was only once in 101 but i think it was very nice. Great inside, it felt like i was home again. But i was helped by a lady behind the bar and damn who the hell is she? She was very nice and she did a great time all by herself, cause it was a lil bit crowdy. If someone have connections with her, plz tell her she was doing well. I mean the girl with half length brown hair dont know if there are more girl working there. Have fun in 101 read more

Everything that everyone else wrote is true. Seen it with my own eyes, yep. A dive, couches, vidjya games, pool, cheap drinks, TVs. I am hanging my head while admitting that my friends and I closed this place down wearing formal night attire, post holiday party last night. We were sore thumbs, but we also accounted for half the people in the bar. It woulda been a good fight, yep. Nothing really sticks out about this place... except maybe my friends and me. read more

Drinks are strong, very reasonably priced... they have two pool table and one pinball. There is Ample street parking available. Bartender is cool read more