Cool little bar with a real neighborhood type vibe to it. The bartender noticed that it was my first time in there and started asking if I was new to the neighborhood, etc. Real friendly guy, chatted with him awhile and he even bought me a shot (thanks bruv)! It's kinda far from my place so I haven't been back since the first time I went (the night I ended up there I was out on a walk to clear my head, long story). To be honest I don't really think I'd go out of my way to frequent the place, but if I was ever in the area and feeling a little thirsty for a good stiff drink, I wouldn't hesitate to stop in. I suggest you do the same! read more

Shanghai Kelly's - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is a classic dive bar and Steelers bar. Came on a Wednesday and they had a beer special of $2.50 for Miller Lite drafts. Not too shabby. Lots of locals/regulars in their respective groups having a good time. It is a small place with TVs in every direction. When the place is packed, service can be slow at times due to their limited staff. Everyone is friendly though and all in all, this is a good place to hang out with friends! read more

Tonight was the worst experience I have ever had at a so-called bar I Wars threatened by the bartender and other patrons because I questioned why my beer(a pint) was $8 when none of the listed beer available was that amount plus he trashed me for having a movement disorder this guy was what out of line.... not to mention the time I was injured because of a faulty stool(which they probably put "upstairs) this is a terrible hole in the wall forget the supposed historical relevance I'd like to speak directly with the owner of this dump!! read more

Shanghai Kelly's - I was charged $8 even though no drafts are listed at that price - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I heard so many great things about Shanghai's but I was severely disappointed with the service when I visited. Never caught her name, but a female bartender acted so inappropriately towards me and another girl. It ruined our entire experience. No positive communication besides insults and sassy responses. We enjoyed our time for what it was, but I'll never come back. Hard to support your local bars when they push their customers away. Please provide better customer service. read more

I live down the street and still don't go there that much. It has a good sports crowd if you like the Steelers and the local teams, but even then it is insanely crowded due to how small it is. I don't recall the drinks being outrageously expensive but there's nothing about it that screams "come back". Parking is IMPOSSIBLE in my neighborhood. If you get desperate you can pay for parking across the street at walgreen's. DO NOT test your parking luck. It will not happen, especially after 5pm. read more

It's nothing fancy, but I'm a fan of a laid-back dive-ish place to hang with friends and have a beer. It got a little crowded while I was there, but I took that as a good sign (I'd much rather it be a little crowded than deserted). I was there with some locals, and it seemed like their own personal version of Cheers, which was pretty cool. Plus, they have a pear cider on tap that was pretty awesome, so that in and of itself earned Shanghai Kelly's a star. I'd definitely go back again next time I visit. read more

Shanghai Kelly's - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

I had the best time here last night. #1 - Because the FL Gators won the National Championship #2 - Steve and Dave served it up right and didnt get mad that I kept calling Dave, Doug. This bar really is everything you need, great bartenders, open at all the right times, and the girls restroom isnt anything to right home about, but it does the trick. Polk Street offers alot of choices, but I keep coming back here, it 's just a sure thing, and a sure thing can be hard to find these days! read more

Shanghai Kelly's - This is a great place to watch big games! - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Friends and I went there just for some drinks before going to another bar and maybe there for only ten to fifteen minutes. We grabbed chairs next to any empty table and sat down to which another group came up and told us that we had taken one of their chairs and had basically told us a good "fuck you" while retrieving it back. I told them they should consider how their actions come across to others which then caused some push back from this other group and ended with a screaming match between my friends and this other group of "adults." Didn't help that the bouncer and bartenders came up to them afterwards, asked if they were okay and then proceeded to bolster this other groups attitude. Don't support racist supporters bro. It's 2022 in San Fran, be better. read more

My home away from home away from home. Being the sister bar of the North Star, the service and quality of drink is superb. Everyone there is super cool b/c they also bartend at the NorthStar. Weird to see that it doesn't have a four star rating. Not a five star b/c of the lack of jukebox. read more

I knew it would be a great time before we even got there! As soon as I saw the google maps review I called an Uber and met my friends at Shanghai Kelly's for a bday party. Was not disappointed! read more

Shanghai Kelly's - Google maps search results - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

Fun bar, it was packed but great service. Not local to SF but would definitely return if in the area again. Even bought shirts!

worst bar ever. There was broken glass all over the floor. We noticed staff and the reply was "we don't normally do anything about that", then I let them know we have a dog with us and that we don't want to order a drink, but we want a broom and they took care of it but it was so ghetto really like clean up the glass, you work at a bar it's your job read more

and of course, we go to shanghai's. Sub was there again - not sure if he was working or hanging. Daire was working for sure. I love this place. we always meet so many people and there's always a good story. ended up closing this place out after a long day of fun. i will be here a lot. with sarah. probably liz. and absolutely with kyla and amanda. definitely gets packed on fri/sat nights - great for games as well. read more

Your typical dive bar, nothing special. Good selection of beers and drinks at a decent price, lots of personality to the decor. When I walked in I was immediately swallowed by the crowd. My group tried to hang out near the wall but I was constantly jostled all night. And considering the majority of the crowd there.. I often felt like I was on some West Coast version of the Jersey Shore. I probably won't be coming back anytime soon. read more

I stopped in here for a solo pint. Nice open and airy bar. Folks were friendly. The staff were friendly. Pretty sure I could spend a whole evening or two sitting at their strip of wood knocking back a few. read more

Shanghai Kelly's - Shanghai Kelly's - San Francisco - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

I love this bar, the best times to come are during the day before it starts to get packed with too many meat heads there to watch sports and scream at each other. My husband has been rocking a Shanghai Kelly's hat for a couple years, he always gets a free drink when we go in :) I believe you can find this info on their website, but be sure to read the story about the name of the bar, pretty interesting. Also, there's a sign right outside the bar that's hilarious; you must check it out. read more

If its St. Patrick's day there is no bar more popular. I vividly remember the bars on that day and this one was happening. On an average night it is good unpretentious fun. Very casual and comfortable. Its a dive but people are happy here. You can be loud, be yourself and not worry about anything. Isn't that a big part about what a bar is all about? Its not very large but a good place to watch the game Sunday afternoon. read more

Shanghai Kelly's - From across the street. - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

This bar is an easy go to bar for me. Maybe it is because I pretty much know at least one person in there whenever I walk in whether it is staff or people there drinking. The place is pretty spacious for a bar on Polk st. and there is usually room up at the bar. My only hate of this place is the restroom. I don't know why but I seriously can't stand it. I always seems to be dirty, it could just be that it is so old that it looks dirty even when its clean but I just get claustrophobic in there. read more

Shanghai Kelly's - Stealers game days get a little nuts in here but always fun. - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Such a fun little bar! Came here on a Saturday afternoon around 3pm - John was our server and he was SO nice (and so was the other gentleman working at the time, didn't get his name - sorry!). Seriously the best service I've had in a long time. Since SK doesn't serve food, they allowed us to bring our own in. I was so ecstatic to be eating my Blue Barn at a bar. He he he. Overall FANTASTIC service! read more

So as a native born and raised in San Fransisco. I always saw this cool old school lookin warf rat bar on Polk St as a kid when my parents would bring me to eat at their favorite Chinese restaurant across the street. I was always curious about the man on the sign with a billy club. Many years pass as life happens you move away, but I came home recently for a funeral. My wife's cousin asked me where we gonna go drink and I said "Where going to Shanghai Kelly's!" It was not my usual haunts because I was raised in the lower Haight. I gotta say even though where in a pandemic, and we had just come from a funeral I couldn't have been more pleased with this bar I had always seen for 35 years. I met the owner son, John. He actually ended up serving us all night long. I can't tel you enough what a great time I had conversing with another real local. John made us feel welcomed and we chopped it up like old drinking buddies on a variety of topics but namely how are city has changed so much. The prices where good and shot after shot the night kept getting better. I would've like to enjoyed sitting inside at the actual bar, but I understand because of the pandemic. Cousin Fern and I conversed with other patrons and we had a blast. I would definitely look forward to returning here and having quite a few drinks again with good people. Shanghai Kelly's is what I always thought it would be. A piece of original San Francisco history! read more

Shanghai Kelly's - Out front of Shanghai Kelly's - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Great bar if you're white, and even better if you're a white girl. If you're a brown guy, expect a drunk John or Connor to ignore your table and return after 20 minutes with the wrong drink. read more

Waiters walked past us multiple times and didn't bother to acknowledge us, we were the only dark skinned people there by the way so that might have something to do with it. Would never recommend read more

I cant remember too much about this place. The line getting in was a bloody shambles. It was busy. Very busy. It smelled kinda musty. Everybody was completely shitfaced. The toilets were a bloody disgrace. Lots of Irish crap nailed to the walls. There was a scottish guy behind the bar. He was cool & so was his ladyfriend. Strange mirror at the end of the pub that you may collide with thinking its the next part of the bar. Did I mention that the toilets were a bloody disgrace ??? Apparently, I share my surname with a canadian girl who dislikes Orlando Bloom. Or perhaps Orlando Bloom was telling me he disliked canadian girls who shared my surname? Hmmm... Yes, it was nearly time to call it a night... One last stop... Hotdogs & Chilli. [Bar #6, 12 pints down] read more

Shanghai Kelly's is the sort of dive that if I lived nearby, I'd probably find myself hitting it up pretty frequently. Friendly patrons, strong drinks, and the sort of rowdy sports bar vibe that attracts my favorite sort of striped shirt/popped collar/former athlete. But since I don't live nearby, I felt like an outsider. Everyone was buddy buddy with one another, it was ass to ass crowded, and the wait for drinks was lengthy. And the dudes were all short, which of course had NO BEARING WHATSOEVER to my opinion of the place. None. Nada. Zilch. Plus points for two reasons: 1. I watched Oklahoma State kick some Missouri tushie here. No, I don't really know football, nor do I really like Oklahoma State. I chose the team with the better colors (orange and white are nice and summery) and ranking (17 is my favorite number). Don't you wish I was in your fantasy league now? 2. I got recognized here. Yep, little ol' inconspicuous me: *Tap tap* Tall chick: "Hey I know you!" Me: "You do?" Tall chick: "Yeah, you're the I Know I'm Fucking Tall girl from Bay to Breakers!" Me: "Haha, wow. Good memory!" Tall chick: "Oh I have your picture on my computer at home! I LOVE IT!" Bow down, bitches. You just read a celebrity's review on Shanghai Kelly's. No big deal. read more

When I saw this would be the 4th stop on the golf-themed pub crawl, I was excited. This is one of my favorite bars in San Francisco, if not my favorite. I always have tons of fun here. The place is pretty small, but it is filled with friendly bartenders, attractively priced drinks, rad music, and really cool people from all over the country (and world). But as a 49er fan, I have to deduce one star due to the fact it is a Pittsburgh Steelers bar! Boo! read more

If you like grunge, if you like divey, you'll like this joint. Come with low expectations and they will be met. It's everything you thought it would be and less. read more

Bartenders from Boston ROCK!!! Especially if they're named Brian. I stop into Kelly's all the time to catch the score with a pint or sometimes just to read the funny sign at the entrance...very witty bunch i tell ya. Not only are the owners Irish, but they have Irish friends too. Ahhh, I feel like I'm right back at home when I'm here. The annual party bus to the A's / Red Sox game is wicked fun! What a paahhty! They supply the booze and tickets and you just concentrate on screaming Nomahhhhh... Yeah, it's okay that he's on the A's now, we can still say it.. it's just plain ol' fun! If you're obsessed like I am, sign up for their mailing list too. It's equipped w/ sports trivia, drink specials and game schedules. Speaking of which, I'll be catching some March Madness action with a $3 cocktail in hand tonight! p.s. they are technically a Steelers bar but I won't hold that against them ;) read more

Don't blame me this is my favorite! Classy girls like it a little trashy too! Sorry Keith I chopped up your song a bit, but all I have to say (sing); "We got winners, we got losers Chain smokers and boozers And we got yuppies, we got bikers We got thirsty hitchhikers And the girls next door dress up like movie stars Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar I love this bar It's my kind of place Just walkin' through the front door Puts a big smile on my face It ain't too far, come as you are Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar I've seen short skirts, we got high-techs Blue-collar boys and rednecks And we got lovers, lots of lookers And I've even seen dancing girls and hookers And we like to drink our beer from a mason jar Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar Yes I do" -Toby Keith YES I DO! read more

Lots of compaints about the "frat boy douchebaggery". Well guess what people--I'M A FRAT BOY AND PROUD OF IT! Nick's crispy tacos was take out only, so I came here mid day with my sac of tacos. "You mind if I eat in here?" I asked. "Sure--what can I get for you to drink?" "A glass of water". Hahah you shoulda seen the look on the guy's face. I let it stew for about 5 seconds, and then ordered my Sierra Nevada. Anyway, the bartender was real friendly--one of those guys who can work the room and make small talk with everyone. Not sure about the nighttime scene, but I'd say it's worth a shot. Bro! read more

If one more guy comes up to me and says, "Do you Yelp?" as a go to pick-up.... haha. Just kidding. That's the Iine I gave one of my less apprehensive friends to use on a girl at the table next to us (I'm the lady you want in your corner, boys). And you know what? It worked. He totally got digits, and he might of even copped a feel. Score 1 for Yelp. Oh, and I love this bar. read more

Definitely a fun place to grab beers and kick back with friends. Shanghai Kelly's is a cozy neighborhood joint with good drinks, chill bartenders, and a fun, lively crowd. Unfortunately, the clientele here is typically 75-80% male so it makes for a good game-watching spot, but not so much a fun place to hit up if you're "cruising." Also, they don't serve pitchers, so that may be a downside. Nonetheless, Shanghai Kelly's is always an enjoyable, must-visit stop if you're ever bar hopping along Polk Street. read more

The first time I came here I wasn't a fan, it was a busy weekend night and it was PACKED. I'm barely a few feet behind my boyfriend, trying to get to my ID to get in, when some 21 year old looking, bleach blonde, blue-eyeshadow-wearing skank is hitting on my boyfriend, with me right behind him, as I'm giving her the stare of death, and she's asking him what his name is. "Your name is DEAD, bitch", I think to myself, as I try to explode her head with the sheer power of my mind, and the lasers I imagine are coming out of my eyeballs. (No, I am not a jealous person, why do you ask?) We went to the other end of the bar, my boyfriend was smart enough to hug me and make it known we were together, but I still tried to destroy her from across the room with my secret laser-eyes and psychic powers. Anyway, we stayed for a drink, it was packed with drunken 20-somethings, I remember we ended up escaping out the windows, that's how busy it was. And I never went back, because from the street on a weekend it often looks too crowded. About a year later I move to the neighborhood, go there early (around happy hour time) with a good girl friend of mine, joke around a little with a bartender there, and now I actually really like this place (because of the bartenders, mainly, and it doesn't hurt that it's about a block away from my new place.) I have a problem because I love pubs and dives but I hate beer and find regular drinks boring (I like wine and all kinds of martinis better) but I go there anyway because the bartenders make you feel very welcome and are generally pretty friendly. This "girl-drink drunk" (Kids in the hall reference, anybody know what I'm talking about?) gets by here by drinking Magners, even though I silently ponder the possible sugar and carb count as I drink it. ("you're gonna get the diabetes") I dare not ask for a wine, I did read their one sign "Our house wine is Jager" . . and Jager and I have had to break up many years ago although I do revisit it once in a blue moon, when my judgment is even worse than usual. read more

If you can ever rate a place based on how many people are in it, this place gets a 5 star rating. If you don't like a ton of people around you, people bumping your drinks and people fondling you and your date, this is not the place for you. Having said that, if you ever find me there, it doesn't necessarily mean I am there because I love how crowded it is or that I want some one to fondle me or my date. Well, maybe me, never my date. ;) This place rocks! Great crew, great strong beverages and fun atmosphere!! I've been 3 times now and I look forward to the time I get to go back. Super low budge, but great value! Thanks Kelly's! P.S. And yes, if you're not a Steeler fan, you can still go! Shhhhh, I ever stepped in as a Laker fan...Whoah Nelly! read more

"I don't really remember much about this bar, but..." seems to be what many say when talking about Shanghai Kelly's on Polk Street. That's appropriate, given the pub is named after a notorious asshole of San Francisco history who would "shanghai" sailors into service by drugging them and selling them to captains. And then you wake up still drunk in the morning at someone else's place. Yup, sounds about right. I don't remember much about Shanghai Kelly's myself, except that the one time I was there, I had a fairly good time. It wasn't packed and the service was good. Normally, however, I steer clear from this spot as it's usually full of bros. read more

What can I say that hasn't already been said about this place? I like Shanghai Kelly's because it's within crawling distance of my place; I like Shanghai Kelly's because it's a simple no frills sports bar where one can clamber up to the bar for a drink and watch sports on the TVs (or get distracted in watching the local talent get completely out of control); I like Shanghai Kelly's because not only can you watch local talent inside, you also get the sideshow view of the craziness outside Broadway & Polk; I especially like Shanghai Kelly's because... I, the idiot, due to my inability to mathematically add numbers correctly (did I mention I have dyslexia), made an obvious error in inadvertently adding an extra $10 to my already handwritten tip of $5. I only realized this mindless error the next morning when going through my receipts from the night before. I was puzzled when I saw an amount of $53 and was confused as my bill was $38 + $5 = $43. Tip was approximately 50% of tab. WTF? I called the nice folks down at Shanghai Kelly's and they kindly assisted me in figuring out the problem.... ME, it's my fault; I'M THE IDIOT who couldn't add correctly. Steve was nice enough to show me the obvious error (credit card receipt clearly reads Tip as written $5, but the total was $53), and was kind enough to reimburse the $10. I know I will be remembered as the dumb girl who couldn't add And although I walked out with ears down and tail between my legs; humiliation aside, I certainly will go back and show my face again. And I swear, next time I'll calculate my numbers better... no promises though. ;^P read more

Because of my lack of bar-hoppin' and reviews from bars, I can tell you one thing, that I'm probably the last Yelper to give a useful review to any bars. Like the preceeding reviews from other Yelpers, this small corner bar is definitely a bar for Pittsburgh Steeler's Fans. I don't know how this small bar can hold all these fans .i.e. my co-worker and his wife who are also die-hard Pittsburgh Steeler's fan. And me, a Niner fan, well, I'm just hiding shamefully and just there to watch and enjoying the game. I'm not going to tell the Steeler fans that i'm a Niner fan. I'm not that crazy! The bar offers $2.00 bottles of Bud and Bud Light. It is kind of odd offering the excited Steeler fans a special on a crappy St. Louis beer. Anyway, the sport-patrons drink whatever they can to enjoy the playoff game. Despite a sad and painful ending to Ravens Running Back Willis McGahee, the Steelers won the game and advance to Superbowl versus the NFC Champion: Arizona Cardinals. And all the Steeler fans including my two companions were very thrilled, happy and most likely be back to Shanghai Kelly's for the Superbowl. read more

Shanghai Kelly earns kudos to me and I wish there was a saloon in Alameda just like it . The bar is small but homey and the locals seem well established meaning they were not going to leave their stools for quite sometime. I like the fact that there are window stools so you can view the Broadway & Polk intersection and see the foot traffic. The gf was at her hairdressers and I had some time to kill on a Sunday afternoon. After a quick stroll to Lombardi's Sport store I strolled down Polk looking for a place to sit my country ass down. I saw one sports bar and it was filled with patrons wearing Steeler's uniforms - hostile environment I thought. I went back the other direction, strolled in, sat in between an older gentleman and a two lively ladies and ordered a beer. The bartender with the Mets baseball cap was very attentive with my order. With three screens on side of the room and two on the other I was in football heaven. Shanghai Kelly's offers a well stocked bar, 10 different beers on tap and enough shot glasses to cover those cheering on the Raiders whoop those Chargers. Another round of shots please!! read more

I am a big fan of this bar. Situated conveniently across the streets from the best tacos in town, Nick's Crispy Tacos, it is always a place I can call home after a big meal. Although it tends to get crowded at random hours, this bar can squuuueeeze in quite a packed house. The bartenders are good at keeping up and they are quick to serve. The entertainment of both the sports games on multiple tvs and the extravagant photos on the walls keeps me coming back. This is a great place to have a beer, hang out, and start your night out on Polk street right! read more

been here once, no desire to come back. Space: narrow and crampy Bartender: friendly eye contact, fast service Crowd: semi-cute guys..bought us drinks, nothing special Music: ??? i seem to be lacking in music memory Bathroom: small as hell eehh... read more

Holy crap, the way back time machine just slapped me upside the head. I just realized this is the same place that used to be called the Tender Trap. Back in the day it was just a neighborhood dive bar and from the sound of it, it still is. 4 stars just for the memories and the fact that it would even serve all us minors without fake ID's in a blink of an eye. if only we knew then...just a bunch of youngsters drinkin' Separators, Singapore Slings and Tequila Sunrises, yuck In real life today I'm thinking more like 2 stars... read more