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    Royal Cuckoo

    4.0 (242 reviews)
    ModerateBars, Jazz & Blues
    Open 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Royal Cuckoo Photos

    ROYAL CUCKOO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Hipster
    Casual
    Moderate noise

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    Reviews With Photos

    Red margarita
    Sophie T.

    Cool dive bar with lots of fun decorations and live music! We went on a Thursday and the live music started around 9PM. It got pretty packed once the live music started, so I'd recommend coming a bit earlier. They don't cove charge but tip is recommended. Outdoor patio is cute too The red margarita tasted sweet and I couldn't really taste the alcohol, but I was able to feel it! It's a little hard to get the bartender attention to take your order if it gets crowded

    live music
    Marina F.

    I have to say if you are looking for a cozy live music venue this is your place. I absolutely love seeing live music and the bands here perform every night til 11:30. the drinks are also great, i really love their lemon margaritas and they also have really good bees knees. drinks are affordable and staff is pretty friendly.

    Montage of images from Royal Cuckoo
    Ed U.

    Man, I just love this place. I still haven't stayed late enough for the 8PM organ set, but presumably it doesn't consist of selections from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir hymn book but rather jazz numbers that complement their extensive vinyl collection. They open at 4PM during the week, and I showed up not long afterward since I happened to be walking on Mission. The comfortable vibe hit me right away. It was filled with a lot of vintage items including the requisite antelope head, but it didn't feel excessive. I think simply calling it a dive bar marginalizes what owners Paul Morgan and Debbie Horn truly provide here. My interactions have been mostly with Debbie, and she's the real thing, one of the most genuinely friendly bartenders in the city. And hey, I've been served by all kinds around town, and upon a return visit weeks later, she recalled me and where I was from without hesitation. This may be an obscure shut-in reference, but she reminded me of the effervescent Erin Napier, the host of HGTV's "Home Town", just someone whose smile equates to a warm hug. That's not to say Paul is a social slouch. He was busy trying to discourage a high-as-a-kite urban teen from entering the premises. Another reason not to call this a dive is their specialty cocktail menu which reflects their hard-earned years of respective bartending experience. The house cocktails don't disappoint. The $12 Ava Ray's Pina Colada wasn't frozen but quite delicious nonetheless with dark rum, port, pineapple, and coconut (photo: https://yelp.to/wY2XRbfdsc. The $12 Red Margarita caught me by surprise as it combined tequila and agave with pomegranate and raspberries (photo: https://yelp.to/sNqvywHg5L). It was a treat from Debbie, who spent years at Puerto Allegre perfecting it. I was so entranced I later ordered the $13 Backyard Lemon Tree Margarita which I believe took advantage of lemons picked in the welcoming back patio (photo: https://yelp.to/ED3asUmzdP). It ain't gay but I could become a regular. COCKTAILS - 5 stars...they know how to mix their craft cocktails, don't let the casual vibe fool ya AMBIANCE - 5 stars...just love the vintage garage-sale vibe SERVICE - 5 stars...all about Debbie TOTAL - 5 stars...I just need to come back with Jamie W. during organ time RELATED - Exploring Bernal Heights? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CaaWFe

    Vinyl delights
    Tanya W.

    A bar with no TV and vinyl...YES, PLEASE!! What a delightful den of oddities. I went on a beautiful Sunday afternoon and spent time outside and inside. The vibe is exactly what we were in the mood for and I will definitely be back. The bartender said there's a nightly organ player at 8pm.

    Taxidermy at the bar
    Annabelle R.

    We stumbled upon the Royal Cuckoo by chance and were pleasantly surprised. Lots of character inside, quirky decor including taxidermy at the bar, an old school cash register, dim red(ish) lighting, oldies music and jazz playing through the speakers (ie. Sinatra), vinyl music records stacked on the shelf, just a great ambience overall. Later into the evening, maybe around 8:30pm on a Friday, they had live music, same theme with an organist working his magic, and a female vocalist taking the "stage" as well. By stage, I mean they occupied just a small space next to the bar area and music record shelf. They made it work, a nice intimate feel, fitting for the venue. And the customer service is amazing here. The bartenders and employees are so friendly and welcoming, give great recommendations for beverages, and make good and consistent drinks. I tried the red margarita, and it was delicious, a great mix of flavors and perfect amount of sweetness. We couldn't stay long, but we loved everything about this place, I highly recommend!

    Mariia A.

    Very nice place. The atmosphere is amazing. The music reminds me of Christmas . Thank you, I will come back again

    Green Lady Bug

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    2 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    9 months ago

    Best dive bar in the city. Mulled wine, well priced drinks, and live jazz music every night. Everything you could want in a cozy night out

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Great divey bar, that's not so divey. Interesting decor, great outdoor area & friendly people! Wish I lived closer!

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Oh my, Antonio makes the Best Antica Manhatten in the City, hands down! If you like Manhattens it's a must try! Absolutely, delicious!!

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    3 years ago

    Fun bar with fun patrons. Plenty of drinks and a good menu. Live organ music or vinyl w good selection. Great place!

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Royal Cuckoo

    Review Highlights - Royal Cuckoo

    I tried the red margarita, and it was delicious, a great mix of flavors and perfect amount of sweetness.

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    1945 Lounge

    1945 Lounge

    3.5(6 reviews)
    2.5 miVisitacion Valley

    I had to update my stars because although the food is good and the vibes are cool the service…read morelacks. That will be this place's downfall. I don't know if the servers are family members who are doing their parents a favor by serving, but they need to hire actual servers or no one is going to come back here. Which sucks bc this place has potential and is desperately needed in Viz Valley and as a Black owned business.

    I am writing this review thoughtfully and with humility…read more I visited this establishment as a paying customer, a lifelong San Francisco native, and someone who has lived and served in the Bayview-Hunters Point community my entire life. I came in good faith to support a Black-owned business during the 49ers game with my family and community. Unfortunately, before my family arrived, I was treated dismissively. Basic questions about wine pricing were avoided, pricing was inconsistent between servers, and transparency was lacking. Food quality and portions were also inconsistent compared to others at my own table ordering the same items. What saddened me most was the noticeable shift in attitude once my Samoan family arrived. Service suddenly became attentive and respectful. No customer should ever feel that respect is conditional. I returned the following day to address this privately and respectfully. The owner chose not to speak with me and instead directed employees to handle the matter. That was deeply disappointing. I advocate for unity in our community. We are a thriving but still underserved area, facing real disparities and in need of resources and opportunity. Businesses operating here should uplift people, not dismiss them--especially those they do not know. This experience left me feeling sad, not angry. Sad that in a community that needs healing and solidarity, discrimination and lack of class still show up in spaces meant to bring people together. I hope this review encourages reflection, accountability, and better treatment of all customers--because respect should never be selective.

    Photos
    1945 Lounge
    1945 Lounge - Tequila sunrise

    Tequila sunrise

    1945 Lounge

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    7 Mile House - Ube Hot Chocolate (spiked, of course)

    7 Mile House

    4.2(2.2k reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    I enjoyed stopping by 7 mile house recently and it was just as awesome as I remember it when I came…read moreto happy hour after many work days 23 years ago! This place has a vibe that you need to experience to understand. It has so much history but also has a new feel. Filipino food is on point and drinks are the right amount of strong. The adobo is so tender and flavorful- I could have eaten the whole thing on my own. I wish i lived closer but I will not let distance be a barrier. This is a great spot to enjoy sports, good food, nice vibes, and friendly peeps!

    I came here last Friday to try some of their highly praised Filipino dishes. This place is located…read moreoff the road in Brisbane within this industrial type area. It looks random at first but at the same time, very unique. It reminds me of a dive bar for truck drivers from the outside and heading inside, it also gives you that feeling. It's a pretty small restaurant sports bar with majority of the seating being outside. I ordered their Sisig Manila Style, Sizzling Pork Adobo with rice, Lumpia Sampler, Calamari, and Ube Cheesecake for dessert. The Sisig is our favorite pick because it's fatty with that nice sizzling taste and texture. It's bold with a good flavor and pairs nicely with the runny egg. This dish is a must. The adobo was just ok. Honestly, it wasn't my type of adobo and was too watery, thin, and slightly bland. It just tasted like watered down soy sauce and light vinegar over shredded pork meat. The calamari was a big portion and went great with the garlic aioli sauce. I also didn't like the lumpia's. The lumpia was soggy and way too bland with little filling. It didn't have that authentic taste to them which was a bummer. I'd avoid this sampler. We thoroughly enjoyed their Ube cheesecake though! It was sweet, tasty, and had a nice cream cheese texture. The makapuno coconut shreds paired great with the cheesecake and made it so unique. We'd definitely order this again. Overall, I thought it was just ok. I listened to the hype and yes, it was too much. For those that aren't Filipinos or didn't grow up having authentic homemade Filipino food, you could tell the difference. It's almost as if the dishes are "Americanized" and lacks the real ingredients in the dishes. Truthfully, I wouldn't come back but hey, there's a lane for everyone and I know this place is beloved by many. That's important.

    Photos
    7 Mile House - The cheery section of the interior.

    The cheery section of the interior.

    7 Mile House - Crab, avocado salad with olives

    Crab, avocado salad with olives

    7 Mile House - Bloody mary

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    Bloody mary

    Mothership - Ten forward cocktail

    Mothership

    4.3(64 reviews)
    0.1 miBernal Heights, Mission
    $$

    Attended the first annual Cosmic Chili Cookoff event at this space-themed bar in SF this past…read moreweekend. It was $15 for competitors to participate and $5 for attendees to sample all of the chilis and cast a People's Choice vote. My mouth was on fire from one of the participants who used six ghost peppers in his concoction. And there were certainly some unique ingredients in some of the recipes, including jerk chicken and secret alien sauce. There were only seven competitors, but the helpings were large cups, so we were stuffed from all the chili goodness by late afternoon. Live country music played in the background, and both the indoor space and outdoor patio were lovely and created an inviting setting. There were giant TV screens inside too, playing the fifa world cup while we were there. We had a couple beers and the ten forward cocktail off the menu, which had a light and fruity flavor I enjoyed. My bf also tried the Nixta corn whiskey, which was definitely unique. The bartender and staff here were friendly, and there was even an adorable cat roaming around on site. We enjoyed our visit on this laid back Sunday in July.

    Fun bar, creative reasonably-priced cocktails, friendly service and cool out-of-this-world…read moreambiance. We got there around 7:30 PM to grab some drinks and talk. They had a DJ come in around 8 PM and it got a bit too loud for us, so decided to head out. Karaoke on Wednesday nights apparently. Would come back for the cocktails and friendly staff.

    Photos
    Mothership - Cosmic Chili Cookoff (July 2026)

    Cosmic Chili Cookoff (July 2026)

    Mothership - Aura

    Aura

    Mothership - Aura & Ten Forward

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    Aura & Ten Forward

    The Rabbit Hole - Dark Waters: Seaweed infused Roku gin, kombu, squid ink, junmai sake, sochu sesame oil, vegan foamer ($16)

    The Rabbit Hole

    4.2(135 reviews)
    0.3 miBernal Heights, Mission
    $$

    Rabbit Hole is an awesome neighborhood bar with inventive Asian-inspired food. They have happy hour…read moreeveryday 3-6pm, with one of the best smashed burgers I've ever had. We also had the ribeye and fried chicken sandwich. All food was good, especially the ribeye, which was amazing. At $31 for a ribeye, one of the best deals I've ever seen. Highly recommend trying out this place and I'll be back soon to try more items on the menu. They also have indoor and patio seating. Patio seating was great for a warm afternoon. Service was also really attentive and they had great recommendations.

    Was really excited to give this spot a try; drinks were okay, but the service ruined it…read more Came here for a pre birthday celebration, and while the drinks and small bites were okay....the service was just bad from the beginning. Came here with my partner and the waitress only wanted to approach me, and was not nice to my partner at all. When he was mid sentence ordering his drink, she cut him off and demanded to see his ID. ( mind you...it is also his bday...) A while later, we decided to get another round and he raised his hand hoping to get her attention. I completely understand that being a server is hectic and very stressful, but a little acknowledgment when you see your table asking for you should be bare minimum. She completely ignored him multiple times. When she finally came to our table and bluntly said to him " I see you okay. I'm doing other things but I see you. " she only wanted to speak with me when ordering also....which I found kind of weird. She is also not the nicest to the table next to us also, so at least it's not targeted. But aside from that, drinks and small bites are pretty standard for a cocktail bar. Nothing too special, but a good place to try with friends. The service mostly ruined it for us that night.

    Photos
    The Rabbit Hole
    The Rabbit Hole - Popcorn Chicken

    Popcorn Chicken

    The Rabbit Hole - Burger w/ brioche bun, sharp cheddar, gochujang aioli ($14)

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    Burger w/ brioche bun, sharp cheddar, gochujang aioli ($14)

    Recovery Room - Buffalo wings

    Recovery Room

    4.4(70 reviews)
    1.6 miMission Terrace, Outer Mission, Excelsior
    $$

    The name alone was the reason I wanted to check this place out when it first opened. formerly known…read moreas Pissed Off Pete's and then bought out by the co-owner of the (now closed and conveniently located) Last Stop in Daly City where the Muni 14 Mission bus terminates, Recovery Room is a pet-friendly, laid back dive with a great selection of draft and bottled beers, some cocktails and large flat-screens above the bar area that makes it an ideal spot to catch a game or 3. some memorable personal encounters of mine thru the years include members of the Mongolian national (?) basketball team hanging out and being drunkenly invited by some hella friendly Samoans and Tongans to a biannual picnic at Candlestick Point. there's a back kitchen that dishes out wings, some of the thickest and juiciest burgers around (with plenty of choices for toppings) as well as hot sandwiches that include pastrami and turkey. every once in a while, they'll also feature live music/bands. I think there's even a karaoke night, to boot. though I still miss the Last Stop, Recovery Room has nicely filled in its absence and continues to be one of my favorite bars in this part (Excelsior District) of town.

    Food and service was great! Tried the sandwiches and hot toddies. Food came out pretty quickly on a…read moreweeknight. Bartenders are friendly and they play giants games on tvs. Would definitely come back here to try the yummy eats and vibes.

    Photos
    Recovery Room - Inside w/plenty of TV's

    Inside w/plenty of TV's

    Recovery Room - Delicious pastrami sandwich.

    Delicious pastrami sandwich.

    Recovery Room - Vodka soda

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    Vodka soda

    Royal Cuckoo - bars - Updated July 2026

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