I've probably walked by this bar dozens of times going to City Lights Bookstore, Vesuvio Cafe, The Devil's Acre, and never known it was tucked away in a little alley right next to it all. Luckily, my friend remedied that situation and took me there on a busy Saturday night where it felt like a cozy oasis away from the sweaty bars in Chinatown and North Beach. Interior was homey, drinks were good (and cheap!), vibes were immaculate. read more

Love this place! I had driven by the area so many times not knowing this was tucked away but always admiring the interesting fun outside. Very cool vibe! Kind of speakeasy-ish. Drinks were fabulously made! Ambiance is great! Service attentive and friendly. Definitely will be back! Totally recommend! read more

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A gem tucked away in a small corner in broadway. It has the coolest local dive experience. Interiors 5/5 Eclectic collection of world trader good. Something you would see in a French antique museum or shop. Every corner has some fascinating statue form a different land: cobra fighting a mongoose, shrunk head etc. vintage pictures of foreign celebrities, paintings, and so much more. The place is pretty well light and the vibes are very welcoming. Plenty place to sit. Drinks 4/5 super cheap. Order an Irish coffee and a cocktail - barely $10. Not much crazy mixology going but it's casual. Two bartenders were cool. Got our drinks and excellent responses. read more

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If you're not a regular don't go. An a hole bartender was annoyed that he had to change out the tank for my friend's gin and tonic. He told her he had to do it when she ordered it, clearly wanting her to order something else. She ordered it anyway . read more

Discover the Hidden Gem in North Beach, San Francisco Those who may not be familiar with Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Café might either miss it entirely because it is hidden in a busy corner of North Beach or bypass it altogether because it may not look inviting at first glance. So, let me tell you a little about its history and try to convince you that it is worth at least one visit, especially if you are into urban history, in this case, that of San Francisco. Adler Museum is not exactly a dive bar, but it is a watering hole that comes close to it in some respects! It has been a North Beach watering hole for many artists, poets, and musicians for over 50 years and was a bar for years before that. According to some accounts, it was also one of San Francisco's first lesbian establishments. The founder, Richard Simmons, nicknamed "Specs" because of the glasses he wore, was born in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston in 1928. He left Boston in 1948, became a merchant marine, and spent time in Europe. The first time he visited San Francisco was as a merchant marine. He returned to San Francisco in 1951 and eventually met his wife, Sonia Marantz. Fast forward to 1968, when the couple opened the bar in William Saroyan Place (Back then, it was called "Adler Place"). According to legend, Simmons got the money from royalties from the "MTA" song performed by The Kingston Trio, but this is another story in itself! Since its opening, Specs' has been a cultural institution and a beloved watering hole for a wide range of patrons. It started as part of the Beat and counterculture movement of the 1960s and has continued to attract a diverse crowd, reflecting San Francisco's vibrant community. The walls of the bar are covered with a wide variety of artifacts from around the world. Many of these items came from Simmons' personal collection and gifts from patrons and friends. Sailors who frequented the bar in its early days often brought souvenirs from their travels. The decor includes flags, political posters, nautical relics, Northwest Coast art, San Francisco and California history pieces, musical memorabilia, and more. Specs' is one of many historic North Beach businesses, including Vesuvio Cafe, City Lights Books, Caffe Trieste, and The Beat Museum. Together, they are a significant part of the neighborhood's unique history. In 2016, the City of San Francisco recognized Specs' as a Legacy Business, acknowledging its importance in the city's history. The bar is now owned and operated by Richard Simmons' daughter, Elly Simmons, and granddaughter, Maralisa Simmons-Cook, making it a women and family-run business. The cafe continues to uphold its founding values and remains a member of the hospitality workers' union, Unite Here Local 2. Not convinced yet? Well, what if I told you they have an excellent draft and bottled beer collection and make delicious cocktails?! They also feature a diverse monthly calendar of events, including live music, poetry readings, book parties, and more. Stop by for a beer next time you are in North Beach, and let me know what you think." read more

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Loved this bar, reminded me of our local dive bar at home. Great for a beer and chill vibe. Service was great, bartender was very nice. Nothing crazy but just what I was looking for read more

Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came in for a quick drink. Beers were on tap. Ordered at the bar, and no sales tax if you pay with cash. Divey and good place for a catch up with friends, but wouldn't make a special trip for it. Decor is unique and cool to explore, if that's what you're into! read more

Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe - wo glasses of beer on a table - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

The most incredible bar !!! Great atmosphere and customers. Love this place ! I try to visit whenever I'm in north beach !

Our friends got married and wanted to take pictures here as this is their go-to favorite bar and it was SOOO FUN!!! This place had this Russian (I think) bartender who is kind of slow in pace, but really interesting and there is a big block of cheese on the bar you can get a slice of, and just super random stuff from various time periods in history and it is just soo interesting. The drinks were good, I wouldn't say they were the best ever, but they were good and strong and we just had the best time looking at all the decor on the ceiling, the walls, in the walls and it was just a blast to stay and take pictures and get to know the others in the party and it was so fun. We even tried to go back after the reception, but they closed at midnight. read more

Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

An absolutely great dive bar with lots of personality and interesting characters who show up. Come here for cocktails and don't forget to order a basket of cheese and crackers for snacking on. This is literally the main reason we come here, cause who can say no to a big hunk of gouda and saltines?? read more

Some of the coolest history and just very good people- great service . Zero bullshit . Awesome atmosphere. Fairly priced . Clean . Highly recommended check out their calendar cause they often have cool events . Great bartenders!!!! read more

Visited Specs while staying in the city on Saturday night from Sacramento. My wife and I visit SF once a month and explore a new area since moving down from Seattle in January. Let me start by saying that North Beach where the bar is located is an exceptionally great area of town adjacent to China Town. The bar was recommended to us by some patrons of another spot we were at earlier in the evening. The bar is cute maintaining its charm from years past and the prices are fair. END....... Upon ordering my second drink I asked the bartender (female) if should could make a Martini Straight up but shaken hard even going on to mention that I love a martini with ice chards floating in it. Not sure where this went wrong but she looked me dead in the eye and said that they do not "shake" drinks here. Wow.....a cocktail bar that does not make a martini shaken and some attitude to boot. That's all I needed to hear right? Hey, check please! We will not be spending money at this spot til I peek in and see that this one has left. Recommend Vesuvio is just a skip away same type of ambiance and drink prices. read more

I went here at the invitation to hear a friend sing. I love North Beach and this place has room for dancing! I met some colleagues from the auction business there and we had the best time. The wines were reasonably good and I has a very small cosmopolitan- however it was delicious. There was a man called let's say Adam was such an awesome dancer he lost his heel of his shoe. There was also a couple dressed to the nines with fabulous moves. My friend told me to tap Adam for a dance and I did. Wow what fun as he twirled me around like a pro! I am sorry to say I never got a chance to order any food. People where so friendly and introduced themselves to our group. I can't wait to go back! The decor was tons of fun with lots to look at. I really felt comfortable there and it reminded of a San Francisco that's almost gone. read more

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Fun little place we found on the way back to the hotel. Read a bunch of their post cards which were great.

Lovee this bar. Good martini and also sell snacks. Tut in the corner was good vibes. Amble seating. Bartender gave me an extra olive. read more

Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe - Girl dinner - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

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If you are looking for a drink and you ask anyone who knows anything meaningful about San Francisco, then they will tell you that Specs' is an essential stop. Old school, perfect ambiance, great service, solid drinks, and they even got cheese and crackers! Make sure you pay them a visit (and tip well), whether you're a tourist or a resident. read more

Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe - Make positive connections with the staff and they might go the extra mile and provide a chilled glass with your cheap American beer - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

The ambiance here is totally old school San Francisco and an experience in itself. Cozy - okay a bit tavernish - but very welcoming. Drinks are far more reasonably priced than the nearby establishments and tables were full of friends (all ages) socializing or like us waiting to go on to their dinner reservation. Only food is saltines and a wedge of cheese - it's hilarious but works. In a city where so much has become the same with cool restaurants and stylish bars - it's a breath of fresh air - something I never thought I would say. We loved it and will be back. read more

Jack Hirschman hung out at the beatnik bar and I went back here last Saturday for his memorial. Old beatnik bar. Had a cherry soda. Talked about Jack Hirschman and Amber Tamblyn. haha read more

Specs is the best bar in San Francisco! In a city that had gentrified and changed so much, Specs is the welcome relief and place to go to feel at home, relax, have fun, keep it real and connect to the history and old school vibe of our great city. And listen to great music of course! I love Specs!! Consider donating to their Go Fund Me canpaignwhat you can to keep this 52 year old San Francisco institution, rich with the history of the Beat Generation in North Beach, alive. https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-specs-afloat?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet read more

Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe - Me and my friend the great singer Valeriana Quevedo at one of her monthly live jazz at Specs nights - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

A million years ago, a group of friends and I were sitting down over drinks trying to come up with the elusive criteria that would define our "favorite bar." Not one of our favorites: our undisputed, one-and-only favorite bar in the world. Ultimately, we settled on "What bar do you picture when someone starts a 'guy walks into a bar' joke?" For me, that's Specs'. I've spent my career over the past almost 20 years both behind and in front of many a bar, and every hypothetical scenario in my head that takes place in a watering hole takes place inside Specs'. (When I was a kid and had no better reference, it was 'Cheers', so to indulge a tired cliché- I guess Specs' is my 'Cheers?) When I stumble in, I'm at the edge of the world. San Francisco and the world at large melts away. It's as close to actual magic as I can experience whenever the hell I please, and I hope it's around long after I'm gone. Hold my wake at Specs'. read more

Cute! Dive in bar, casual vibe, vintage decor. Nice bar to come chill and not I've loud music. read more

Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

This weekend, I totally raided a Santacon party. While I wasn't all dressed as a Santa, I got into a festive mood and dressed up. I hit North Beach up looking to meet up with my friends. My friend Jaime recommended this little pub in an alley and we headed off to Spec's. We get there and it's filled with Santas. At the door, I'm given a "Nice" sticker. Hehe, I'll take that because even my Naughty is Nice and it's fun to play along. Oh what fun... It's Cash only and kinda divey, we were able to find a table in the back and have a little fun before I had to run off to dinner. Fun little place that I will keep in mind to return to again. read more

Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe - Sassy and distracted Santas - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

The history of this place is astonishing. They have a collection of postcards from fans all over the world. The bartender let us look through the basket of postcards to read some of the letters. I read a letter that was from 1990. I am so happy this place survived the pandemic. I wish I remembered what I ordered haha but I loved the cheese and crackers snack! It was delicious! read more

Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe - Cheese and crackers - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

Love this local bar next to Tosca cafe. This was a welcoming change after escaping from the noisy Tosca cafe Friday night. When I walked in, I was overtaken by the quaintness of this cozy bar. this place has so many eclectic items collected from all corners of the world, neatly spread through the walls, in the cabinets, from the ceiling, without cluttering the place. Even though this place didn't have my usual requirements of good wine/cocktail, I still was happily sitting on the stool, sipping some water, and feeling happy to have been taken to such a cute and low key joint, unbeknownst to the hipsters next door. read more

Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe - A low key Friday night - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

Also they have this giant wheel of cheese that's amazing and you should absolutely get some cheese. Also comes with hot sauce and crackers.

Port wine & a chunk of cheese with crackers is too tempting to pass up whenever I'm here. Awesome little dive with lots of interesting decorations read more

This was a cool place to hang out. Located in North beach, very accessible and surrounded by many other bars and restaurants. The space inside is nice and was pretty busy on a late Wednesday night too and that says something! We just got drinks here and it was a fun time. The interior is very interesting giving it a nice dive bar feel. Some of my friends think it's one of the most fun bars in the city! They had a good selection of drinks and the bathrooms were not terrible so that was a plus. Will hang out here again and recommend it to all ! read more

I've been coming here for quite some time and never disappoints. The dark and sometimes quite ambiance makes it easy to have a conversation. Don't expect fancy drinks and libations here and for me at least is what I look for in a bar. I love this place and I hope it continues to bring joy for mny more years to come. read more

Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

Historic dive bar with a wonderful mix of people young and old. Strike up a conversation with someone who looks interesting. Is that type of place. Cheers! read more

Have to go here! Always interesting and fun. So many interesting people and nick nacks. This place is wonderful. Never disappoints.

The classiest of dive bars, dirty gin martinis and a wedge of cheese with some saltines. This place is one of my favorites in San Fran. read more

Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe - Cheese wedge and saltines - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

Specs' is San Francisco. Since 1968 - Specs' (named after the owner Specs Simmons) has seen a vast array of poetic and bohemian characters pass through their doors. Everywhere you look around Specs' there are stirring pieces of history or creativity which sing of San Francisco's diverse and rich history. And it's real too. Specs' has always been just a quirky and magical haven in the North Beach. It never had to try or court the San Francisco scene. The scene came to it. The warmness of Spec's vintage lights highlight the art that is showcased and which unfolds here. This past weekend - we sat in the back - and I watched as two remarkable artists became engrossed in the energy of the place and just drew. Right behind them was an old piano - which I heard comes alive on certain nights accompanied with stirring live music - which further awakens this unique space. Old Folk music crooned throughout the place as I sipped on my hot tea (yes, tea) here. I kept on warming my hands on the hot glass full of soothing lemon - as I glanced around the room full of conversing patrons and beamed. There was no top 40 stuff being belted through the space. No one was wasted or stumbling to the bar. The bartender was lovely and refilled my hot tea water throughout my time here. Not only does Specs feel beautifully right - but it's just always been right. Trust. read more

White Russians, crazy crap all over the walls, plastic bins of Ritz crackers and partial blocks of cheese, cash only. That about sums Specs' up. That and it's just perfect. On a Saturday night my party of 7 was able to snag a large round table, several plastic bins of Ritz and cheese, and round of white Russians in mere minutes of walking in. It's dark interior is offset with what is clearly some very colorful history at this local dive. A total win and the first of many visits for this gal. read more

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Dark, divey, gritty, musty, & cluttered. That's just all a part of its particular brand of charm. If you want hipster, this isn't your joint. If you want old school, then it is. Loaded w history, culture, & artists, Specs' is an institution, both the bar & the man! I met Specs (Simmons) back in the 90's, & 2 things were constant... his looming presence, & his love for the ladies. Today, he doesn't get around as much as he used to, but his love for the ladies is still going strong. Conveniently located right next to Tosca, & right across the street from City Lights Books, a stop here is a must for any local, artist, neighborhood newbie, or tourist. In other words, anyone. 4 stars. read more

Dive Bar, Speakeasy, Social Club, Funky Hangout...whatever... Specs' is a great spot tucked away next to overpriced Tosca and across from City Lights. Warm, friendly, humble, cozy, divey...all words that come to mind when thinking about Specs. Check it out as a great start to your tour of North Beach...or a great spot to end it. read more

Specs has character...Specs has history....Specs has SOUL. The fact that it's North Beach location subjects it to a horde of tourists on the weekends might detract from this somewhat, but doesn't diminish it completely. What you see inside is a more than just a snapshot from a single period or culture. Browsing the walls and ceilings exposes one to a broad swath of San Francisco history that changes it's gist and period with every movement of the eye. There's stuff from the 70's that boomers can relate to. There are relics from the 60's that ex-hippies can appreciate. There's city-specific history from World War II that your parents might have fond memories of. Check out the old artifacts from the Sutro baths, and you'll see things that might even give your grandparents the warm-and-fuzzies. Even though a similar collection of artifacts could no doubt be amassed, it's haphazard assembly and mishmash arrangement weave a bizarre quilt of history whose evolution over a period of 40 or more years can't be faked. Everywhere you look, there are pictures, papers, scribblings....some framed, some not. Some are tacked to the walls at the corners, displaying a gradual yellowing that only age can bring about and a soft curvature that's only created by decades of gentle gravitational pull. It seems that more recent placements of items have had respect for what was existed there before, creating a delightful asymmetry that bears more witness to history than it does decorative talent. If you're around during the weekend, pop by mid-afternoon when a smattering of the old guard locals will chat politics for hours on end. The after-work crowd can be pretty interesting too. Late mornings and early afternoons are hit-and-miss....sometimes it's open, sometimes it's not. Weekend nights usually draw a crowd....the tourists come in, the music goes up, and it doesn't take long for the regulars to head for the door. Regardless, pop by to get an eye full of history...stick around for awhile if you can squeeze your way into a conversation with a group of the regulars. But have a plan B if the tourists are about. The decor is worth a visit, but it's nothing that'll keep you entertained all night... read more

Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe - Please respect the local wildlife - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is the choice beatnick-atmosphere, hole-in-the-wall-(of an alley) type of bar, that's not dirty and includes a piano. You may find some old timers jamming here, which is becoming increasingly more rare in this world. Good price... drinks/service are all great. read more

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It feels like you are waking back into time when you walk into Specs. It is really old and you can marvel at all the memorabilia on the walls. It feels like you're walking into a haunted house when going to the bathrooms. I've often seen women take a wrong turn into the guys room due to lack of signage. I enjoy the $4 draft beer which is available all the time. See you soon Specs. read more

This type of bar is one of the reasons why I think I officially like SF more than LA. Charming, old, cool.... You still have those places in LA but you really gotta hunt for them. Here you can just stumble into any old place and find a gem. This was a gem of a gem... An emerald if you will. The beers were fine--$5 for a Stella. But you really go for the atmosphere. The old bricks. The beer stained wood. The antique furniture with old signs collected for a century. Not like new signs made to look old like in a Crackerbarrel or an Applebees in the Midwest... Bathrooms were kind grimy though. read more

Congratulations to Spec's on its legacy businesses status and the new 10-year lease. I strongly believe North Beach would be missing something special without you. While by no means my regular watering hole, I appreciate that it's such a neighborhood stalwart that you can stop by no matter how long between visits, and still feel lost in time - like nothing has changed. No nonsense, straight forward, classic bar with the occasional tune on the old piano in the back, Spec's makes a great spot for a low key post-work happy hour. Check out the tchotchkes. The nostalgic charm of the place is a bonus. Also love the humor and attitude of their sandwich boards. Spec's new lease keeps the spirit of the Beat poet movement alive along with Vesuvio and City Lights Bookstore that give North Beach much charm. Cheers to 10 more years! read more