Delighted that this new bar rolled into my hood, with surprisingly little pomp & circumstance. I've been here several times and each time has been delightful, particularly the time for a post-hike chimay on a drizzly afternoon. Not sure what bartenders the previous reviewers have encountered, but on each of my visits I've been welcomed with a great bartender, unique-yet-classic and well-made (not to mention strong) drinks, great lighting, and a place to sit. The doorman also doubles as a harmonica player at times! One disclaimer: while great at other times, the "bitter cup" is not a good idea at the end of a big night... read more

Liked the decor but too dark. The record library and organist were nice touches. If you're going to write your drinks on a chalkboard, put some lighting up there. Not sure what was in our drinks, though I dug the Bitter Cup. Probably opt for Iron and Gold over this spot for a mellow drink but this is a nice starting drink for a fun night out. Just a bit loud and a bit dark. read more

Went here yesturday after Pride for a nice mellow drink. The nice thing with this bar is you get just this if you go. There was a mixture of live organ music playing and old records as well. Very dimly lit, so great date atmosphere, if you want it. A nice mixture of mismatched couches, chairs, benches here so you can find you own little nook to sit in. I don't drink hard alcohol, so just had a beer on tap, but this place seems like they would make very good cocktails. A nice little place, that I recommend stopping into if you are in the neighborhood. :) read more

This place is a gem. They make great cocktails, play awesome records, and if you're lucky a live organ player. They also have an awesome small outside area with lemon trees. It's a great intimate spot to have a cocktail and listen to good music. (Heads up it's cash only) read more

Been here a few times. The inside is dark, which makes it a little hard to read their great cocktail menu, but there is a better lit back patio. I love their drinks, made strong but seriously tasty. Atmosphere is well suited for a relaxing evening, and with the strong drinks and dark lighting, it works great for mellow last stop on a date. read more

This is one of my favorite bars in the mission and SF because this is the only place to travel back in time to the beatnik era of San Francisco. Come here to impress a hot date or show off your bar knowledge to friends in this less frequently visited part of the Mission. Details: The decor gives off of a Beatnik vibe without the commercial feeling of Vesuvio. The cocktails are bold and daring. The carnival mule is a must try. The jazz is amazing. Live covers of Wes Montgomery! The back patio which isn't known to exist by many guests is superb. This place has it all! read more

This is a pretty funky bar. It's got a whimsical feeling due to all the fun decorations. Drinks are fairly strong and reasonably priced (cocktails from $6-12). The bar tender did a great job. The jazz is a lot of fun, and there's no cover read more

I stop by with my wife during the week to enjoy the cool vibes! I loved the live music and the decor surrounding the place. We from out of town would always come back and visit this gem next time. read more

Royal Cuckoo - so chill. - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Proper bar. Cozy atmosphere, not fancy, local characters/patrons, nice bartender, live music, good cocktails. What more can you ask for a Monday night. read more

I think this is one of the more unique speak-easy type bars in San Francisco that I've been to. The red-tinted dark inside provides an interesting vibe that I would definitely return to. The live music was a great addition to the night, but be aware that the bar is cash only. They do have an ATM inside but I didn't use it. read more

last night i witnessed two bartenders being completely unprofessional and down right rude to some girl who wanted less alcohol in her drinks. what was the big deal? she made requests and was kind plus she tipped them well. for the life of me i didn't understand why she stayed. a black woman and some guy in glasses were loudly making fun of her in front of everyone at the bar. even the guy sitting next to her asked her why are these guys being such jerks to her. she shrugged and said no clue. i saw her ignore them and she seemed to to be doing her own thing. i would of left. i was there for several hours and watched them roll their eyes and mock her. for what? she was just sitting there like normal and drinking like everyone else. i've been coming here a long time and it didn't sit well with me. it's hard to believe they would treat a paying customer who was normal and nice so badly. don't make requests here or else. read more

I decided to grab a birthday drink at the Royal tonight. There was a visible bouncer at the door who saw us walk in and didn't stop us to then call us out. At this moment he could have asked for our IDs and we would be on our way in but things went a different route. He started asking question like "have you ever been to a club" "what happens when you go to a club" I was incredibly confused and thought he was being funny or was trying to just chat. The questions continued... "I feel like you're showing me no respect" Meanwhile other people were entering behind us without getting their IDs check... Finally I'm completely confused and ask him what he wants from us. His response was: "Get out of here we don't need your money" Here is my question, if he needed to check IDs why didn't he ask that in the first place? read more

Amazing atmosphere, LOVE the organ, and live music, but cash only, plus awful cocktails! My boyfriend and I have returned a couple times hoping the last time we just had a bad bar tender, but every time we leave disappointed. Last time I could only drink half before we just gave up and left. What's the point of a bar if you can't enjoy your drink? Just get a beer if you do go... read more

Like so many others, I'm not a fan of the bartenders here since they're typically very rude. The place is a bit too dark for me and I end up wanting to fall asleep after 1 drink. There are better bars close by, so avoiding The Royal Cukoo isn't a loss. read more

You have amazing drinks. Great ambiance and decor!!! Outside area it's honestly a win win situation! Why 3 stars you ask? I'll tell you... Your bar always smells like vomit! Seriously sour vomit it's gag worthy... And it doesn't matter how much booze I consume. Don't know where it is coming from. Doesn't matter if it is early late now never it always smells like puke. Can you shampoo the carpets or just remove them!? Seriously I think you may get more business! Now that's a win win read more

I really want to love this place. I really want to be able to give it a four-star. Alas I have been leaning towards giving it a two-star. So instead I'll just go with the average. Where to begin? Sigh... The RC has all the makings of a perfect neighborhood spot. A uniquely difference place for people to enjoy some conversation and good drinks. Instead it is almost going out of its way to make conversation difficult. Tonight I went there with a bud for some long-overude catch up time. But unfortunately I COULD NOT HEAR HIM. He's a professional actor, makes a decent living doing so. I mean, the guy knows how to project his voice. But it's no match for the Hammond organ blaring from behind the end of the bar, played by a Jimmy Smith wannabe. JESUS CAN YOU TURN THAT THING DOWN ?!? If I wanted to have a musical experience to overwhelm the senses, I would have stopped a few doors down at El Rio. But guess what. You're not El frikkin Rio. You're the much chiller-looking place with the comfy looking chairs and the taxidermy. So turn down the fucking organ. Yes, it's cool you have an organ there. YOU'RE cool to have a bar with a goddamn organ in it. You've arrived, man. Congratulations. Now please stop shoving it down the throats of your patrons. And if you're going to serve shmancy cocktail drinks in this neighborhood and charge $8 for them, they ought to be a bit less watery. At least make it seem like you're trying. read more

One of the best bars in the city. I can't give a great explanation of why. Their beer selection is limited. Drinks are ok. Cash only. But the space is amazing. Come in, grab a beer, listen to the bar organ, and reflect on how good life is. read more

This place would be a great neighborhood bar (not really someplace you'd travel much of a distance to visit) if the staff weren't super rude to customers. Really unfortunate that they're staff have single-handedly ruined my hopes for having another comfortable bar to hang out in around the corner from my house. read more

I love dark, cavernous bars that make the day feel like night. I'm mainly a beer drinker (and jami neat), so i didn't get anything mixed, but watched the tender (who is an owner of this bar and chez spencer) make some pretty rigorous drinks. Was entertaining, and to boot... Lavay Smith came on around 7 with just a keyboardist for the sunday night live show. What a great boost to the already very cool environment. Great bar, great music, personal service. Def will be back with regularity. read more

My bar of bars! Small, dark, eclectic, great live music (live organ music? Yes please!), great cocktails (some cheap, some not) and great staff! THE ROYAL CUCKOO always has a good vibe and since it's walking distance to my place, it's become my local watering hole, I am indeed a fan! read more

Hey dip shit last time I checked your hours said you were open until 2am. It's barely 1am and your "fucking make it quick I already called last call" doesn't cut it. Sorry to inconvenience you and trying to put money in your pocket. read more

Cool bar, nice people, good drinks...and a Hammond B3

Ambiance and drinks are great. Unfortunately, the pretension (from the door man to the bartender) overshadows the charm.

Gotta love a dive bar. The best part is the live music behind the bar. Someone always seems to be playing the organ throughout the night. When they're not playing, the bar spins vinyl. Drinks are a little pricey, but the atmosphere is great. read more

They have awesome hand-crafted beers for a good price and I really enjoyed the dimly lit ambiance of this place. I was told that there's live music until 11pm, but we got there around midnight so they were playing music on a music player. However, I find the crowd and bartender to not be that friendly. read more

The bar itself is really cool. Kitschy with great music but this review is strictly for the bartenders. The dudes working last night were total jerks. They act like they're doing you a favor by getting you a drink. I got 2 drinks for $16 and gave him a $20, I was planning on tipping him the $2 per drink but he didn't even give me the option to do so. He literally just never gave me the change. That's straight up rude. I've worked in the service industry for years and would NEVER not give a customer their change back. Also the other bartender literally got in a screaming fight with my friend because he felt $5 wasn't a big enough of a tip for 2 drinks because he felt they were "specialty". One was an old fashioned (which he decided to put a lime into..?) and the other was a margarita (that was brown for some reason). Honestly this place is dope but I've seen multiple complaints about the staff. They should seriously consider training them on how to interact with other people. read more

Love this place. Dark, comfortable, always great music, friendly bartenders that know how to make and pour a proper drink. Please do not come here. read more

Ok well I'm happy I wasn't just really losing my vision (although I do have poor vision) and it really was that dark .Thank you other YELPers for pointing it out as well. Cool homey decor,love the records playing .That shrub julep specialty drink is superb! So so friendliness in the service department but human beings are just that,human. I'm not that shining in the nice department on a consistent basis either. I would definitely come back,but I'd really like there to be more illumination. Ambience is cool, but DARK is quite another read more

I love the atmosphere in here how it's small and dark almost like a dungeon. The drinks are pricey like every other bar but the staff are friendly and no there way around a cocktail. I also like the music, the night I went they were playing soulful music. This is a small and can be a relaxing place to get a few drinks with friends it almost feels like a party in your living room. But getting here a little bit early won't hurt if you're trying to get the comfy chair !! read more

Ambiance: Hipster? I think no. The partons are way too old to be considered hipster. More like Yupster.

Great spot. Love the garden at the back, the live music and the drinks. Hot apple brandy when it's cold and strawberry fresca with tequila when it's not. What's not to like? read more

My favorite watering hole in San Francisco. Everything -- from the decor to the lighting to the bartenders -- is top notch, old-school, the way a dive bar in the city by the bay is supposed to be. During the cold weather months they mix up a great hot brandy cider, but anytime you can get a cocktail at the end of the mission, go here! Warm and cozy, especially when you have the organ player and an accompanist setting the mood with live music. The best little spot to bottoms up! read more

Our favorite dive bar in the city! We love this place for the chill atmosphere and really cute back patio. We sometimes bring our dog and sit back there with our usual crown and coke and whatever cocktail. Bartenders have always been friendly. Remember to bring cash!!! My favorite time come here is right after they open on the weekend and we have the patio to ourselves most of the time! read more

I moved from NYC because I wanted to live in a city where there was a certain level of consideration for others. I have NEVER in the 2 years I've lived here witnessed more rude bartenders. At 1:40 they told everyone to get the F out of the bar and got aggressive when we asked if we could finish the drink we had bought 5 minutes earlier. I live around the corner and when I mentioned this to my neighbors I found that they have a reputation for this. Definitely not your friendly neighborhood joint. Would rather give my money to the million other places in the mission where they are kind human beings. read more

Fun, totally unique bar. Yes, it's a little dark. Yes, there's animals on the walls. BUT, what other bar has a live organist, actual VINYL playing, and hand crafted cocktails? None! This place is a little gem and is a great addition to the neighborhood. read more

The Royal Cuckoo is fantastic. The mix of amazing live music, friendly patrons, and intriguing decor will keep me coming back for a long time. read more

So pleased to find this place. Looks like a dive bar from the outside, but other than some tacky/sticky surfaces, it is super sweet, well decorated and a has great drink menu. And they are playing vinyl! Definitely stop in for drinks if you are in the hood. read more

This place is the embodiment of a 4 star bar. Cool atmosphere, stiff drinks (I recommend the rosy nail...), and not too overpopulated (yet...but it's still pretty new). I'm glad it replaced the trashy pool bar that used to be in its location, and I also enjoy its extreme proximity to Taqueria Cancun Sorry, Knockout. You've been ousted for coolest bar in stumbling distance to Cancun. There's nothing I dislike more than paying cover in order to pay for some drinks. I'm not sure what it is about it that misses the Woohoo factor, but maybe I just need to hang out there more in order to figure it out. Or fall in love with it. Stay tuned. read more

Incredible guy singing old classics with live organist. That's really all that needs to be said. But I guess I will add that the atmosphere is nice and dark and cozy with plenty of seating. I'm not sure why people call this a hipster bar, I've been there a few times now and there were zero hipsters, but then, I don't have a problem with hipsters! People are people. I would love to see a more LGBT crowd though.... read more

I love this place. I can't vouch for how it is here on weekends, but on hump night, it's perfectly chill, great atmosphere with the help of the organ player. I had a Cismontane imperial stout...after noticing the tiny sign that says no bar service by the organ. Got it. read more