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    The Detour

    3.9 (453 reviews)
    Open 5:00 pm - 11:30 PM

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    THE DETOUR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Loud
    Dogs allowed
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - The Detour

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    Sara R.

    i absolutely loved this place when i visited san francisco! my friends and i were searching for a place to grab some drinks and just relax so we stopped by here. their cocktails are so good we tried a good amount. i love how they have tournaments for video games, i wish there were places like this in LA. the vibes were lively and you can tell everyone was there to just have fun. the bartenders are also such lovely people. definitely a go-to place.

    Bruce C.

    What a superb place I accidentally stumbled upon during a stroll down Market. I thought this might have been an ode to the old Detour, which I have find memories. Rather, this is a great new spin off a familiar name, complete with pinball, 80s video games, a bat and restaurant. While this initial visit involved a play on the vintage Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga machines, I'll be back hopefully for a bit more. This is also the spot where I seem to have become a member of the Elite Squad for Yelp! I'll remember this place fondly too. Thank you!

    Burger with tots
    Jade G.

    This place is such a fun hangout spot--I've been a few times now and it never disappoints. The atmosphere is electric, especially on the weekends. Yes, it can get a little loud and crowded, but that's kind of the charm. It's a lively, high-energy bar that feels like a perfect mix of retro arcade vibes and modern chill space. The bar service is super fast--which is impressive considering how busy it gets. You never have to wait too long for a drink or food, and the staff keeps things moving smoothly with great attitudes and quick hands. And let's talk about the food--I was genuinely blown away. The burger is one of the best I've had at any bar, seriously. Juicy, flavorful, and cooked just right. Everything on the menu feels like it's made with care, not just slapped together like you'd expect from a typical bar. It's the kind of place where you come for the drinks and games, but end up staying because the food is that good. There's also a giant TV that's perfect for watching games, fights, or whatever major event is on. It turns the whole bar into one big watch party, and there's something about cheering along with a room full of strangers that just makes it extra fun. Whether you're here to play some old-school arcade games, catch a game on the big screen, or just hang with friends and grab a great bite, it's definitely worth checking out. Loud? Yes. A little wild? Sure. But that's what makes it a great night out. I'll absolutely be back

    Dale S.

    This was a fun little spot we stopped at the other night. It was definitely packed and buzzing with people. It was literally the only bar in the entire area that actually carted me at the door. They had tons of arcade games and some tournaments going on but it was incredibly loud inside . This is probably a really nice spot to have some fun, but not the greatest place if you want to have a conversation or catch up with someone . It was good for people watching for a little while as plenty of guys were being loud , playing around , and taking silly selfies . The employees also use a loudspeaker, probably because of the high volume inside so if you have any auditory issues, this might not be the place for you. The restroom seemed fairly clean, but they didn't have anywhere to hang a purse so I ended up having to sit there with my bag on my lap which is never enjoyable. Also, they didn't have any flavored vodkas so the drinks were quite bland and we didn't stay long. Still, I would come back again if I just wanted to have fun and play some games.

    Games
    Brettany G.

    Super fun spot, really enjoyed the game that they had. Some of the games are a dollar minimum to play the pinball machines are the best ones!

    Kelly H.

    This is the best place for trivia night! Also got a delicious pina colada here (not too sweet!), also ordered the Filipino breakfast bowl with shrimp, veggie lumpia and the shrimp tacos. Everything was fantastic! The atmosphere is so fun and they always have events going on.

    Lumpia
    Anthony H.

    Fantastic barcade! Fun trivia night and amazing food! The staff is fun and the food is fast. Love the atmosphere and crowd. Definitely a great hangout spot any time of the week. Definitely get the veggie lumpia! Truly wonderful and the vinegar sauce is the owner's family recipe!

    Pizza, beer, tater tots, egg rolls, corn dogs
    Priyanka S.

    The detour is a super fun arcade bar in the Castro with tons of delicious drinks, friendly staff, and tasty food items. When I went with friends we decided to go for their Thursday trivia night and it was quite packed so I definitely recommend planning on arriving early. Luckily we were able to snag a seat and competed in the trivia challenge but did quite awful and lost by a lot haha - nevertheless, the vibes were immaculate and it was a great time. The only downside was that the bar was incredibly noisy it made it very difficult to hear one another and there was not enough seating for everyone so many people had to stand. We ordered the pizza, some tater tots, some fried corn dogs, beer, and eggrolls. All of which were solid and tasty with my favorite being the pizza. All in all, definitely recommend checking out the Detour and their super fun trivia nights!

    Nori Tots
    Sumi K.

    If you're looking for a week night trivia spot, this is the place to be! When I'm at a bar for trivia, I'm usually only focused on the questions and the drinks, but the creative food menu here definitely exceeded all of my expectations. The nori tots were really well seasoned and the crispy cauliflower was perfectly deep fried in a great sweet/spicy sauce. The vibes of this place are ideal for a mid week pick me up!

    creamsicle drink + beer
    Michelle Z.

    Lively arcade bar just off of Market. Was great vibes on a Friday night -- good music, lots of people, but not too crowded. They had smash on the big screen for people to play (just need to exchange ID for a controller). The drink I got was really good (Creamsicle) -- super sweet and fruity. The arcade games are pretty limited and the space inside is small; personally I prefer thriller arcade bar and emporium for their variety and types of games. However, I appreciated that this place wasn't so crowded that you had to wait in lines to play anything which always happens at those two. They do have a fun killer queen machine here though. Don't forget to bring cash to exchange for tokens!

    Pinball machines
    Sammi L.

    We've been to a lot of arcade bars over the years, and the Detour is one of our faves. We were pretty let down after a slightly gross night at Emporium, and Detour couldn't have been more different. Even on a busy Saturday night, we don't have to push through people to play games, and the machines are in good shape (not sticky like at some other places!) The drinks are POTENT - you will get your money's worth. The bartenders are always nice and quick, even during a rush. I've played Super Smash Bros a few times at the bar - all you have to do is turn in your license for the duration of your play. Looking forward to our next night out at the Detour.

    Alyssa V.

    Saturday night fun bar with easy access bar service, not too crowded and energetic space! 1 of 2 quarter machines were working - definitely bring $1 bills. Bathroom could use frequent checks. Will be back for more fun and to try food!

    Colette J.

    I came here to Wednesday to play drag bingo and celebrate my birthday. My friends and I had a great time! Our MC/host of the night was a gorgeous gal and she did a great job keeping us entertained throughout the night. They have drag bingo every Wednesday from 7PM to 10PM. Their menu was very interesting. They offer a unique spin on asian fusion dishes. We ordered 2 rounds of lumpia and the okonomiyaki tater tots. Both were piping hot and absolutely delicious. I honestly didn't need the tater tots because the cabbage salad on top was very filling, but still light. Toward the back of the bar they have your old school Pacman and Mrs. Pacman along with other classic racing and shooter games. They've also got a fooseball table, life size connect 4, skeeball, and a basket hoop game among other things. I would recommend the Detour if you're an adult looking for a fun night out with entertainment, games, music, good food, and booze!

    Interior

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    1 year ago

    Fun spot to hang out. I haven't been to an arcade that has .25 games in years. The toys were very addicting

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    Ok bar, but they really need to accept Apple Pay and/or Visa cards. Drinks are good but it's hard to pay for them lol.

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    Page 1 of 12

    The Detour Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Detour

    Is it free play every Tue? Or just first Tue? Because I was there yesterday and saw conflicting signs

    What is killer queens?

    Killer Queen is a multi-player arcade game.

    Is this only 21+?

    Generally yes, but I've seen signs a couple times about being open for families until early evening on Saturdays and Sundays

    Do you need to be vaccinated to go inside?

    As of January 2023, there are no vaccine checks at the door.

    Is there a private room available for rent?

    Nope but you can make a reservation if you have more than 20 people coming!

    Is food served?

    Now that Brewcade has been remodeled into The Detour, it now offers foods and bites in addition to drinks and arcade games. Keep in mind from reading the articles that discuss the plans for remodeling, the foods and drinks are selected for… 

    Do they play music? if so what kind?

    They do, and it a mix! The only thing I can't remember is if they have a jukebox there that you can use.

    What's the age restriction?

    They only allow underage guests to enter the bar on Saturdays from 2-6pm.

    Is there air conditioning?

    Yes we have AC

    Dog friendly? Is the outside area large?

    I've seen dogs inside (kinda just walking around, limited by the leash, while their owners play arcade games), but I don't know the bar's official stance on it. Hmm, I'm not aware of any outside area, other than the front which is the sidewalk...

    Do their TVs ever play sports games?

    Yes

    View All 15 Questions

    Review Highlights - The Detour

    I had no idea what Killer Queen was when the night started, but noticed a lot of mentions of it in the reviews.

    Mentioned in 38 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    The Beehive - Beauty Mark

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    4.3(457 reviews)
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    This is by far my favorite bar in SF. I used to drive up here weekly with my coworkers for Friday…read morenights almost 4 years ago. This place has not changed much (in a good way.) The atmosphere is so lovely, there's good music that gradually turned into old school hiphop as the night grew longer. The servers were so kind and came by all the time to refill water and make sure everyone was happy. Little shoutout to the server that took care of us all night Kimberly! She was so amazing and had the best service. (: It may be a bar but the food is so good, we got a little of everything to share. As a regular of lounge-style bars, this place has good lighting if you like taking pictures of your drinks, a good surprise! I really appreciate all the staff for being so kind and attentive on a busy Saturday night. We had a party of 12 that took up a little two-couch area with no issues at all! If I can make a recommendation for anyone that reads this, get the Thunderbird!

    Cool bar with bites in the Mission District. We got there shortly after it opened at 4pm on Friday…read moreafternoon. I was craving a refreshing craft cocktail and got one with the Green Emmanuelle. I liked the cardamom in the Beauty Mark as well that my partner ordered. We ordered shishito peppers and mushroom bahn mi sliders. The mushroom bahn mi sliders were amazing - the quality fillings and taste of the soft bun - I was unexpectedly hit with a bite of spice from maybe jalapeño seeds left but didn't sour my experience. The shishito peppers ended up being extremely spicy as well, those are usually just a few spicy and not the majority. The roasted lemon and salt was a wonderful combo but just too spicy to eat. However, the server very kindly removed it from our bill without us asking. We order the crostini because we were still hungry and that was an absolute hit. Delicious med-soft crostini with luscious berries and sweet honey. I didn't care my hands got sticky as it was soooo good! Great experience, I would be weary if the peppers as I'm a bit spice-intolerant but everything else was spot-on.

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    We stumbled upon Third Rail after watching a basketball game at Chase Center, and it ended up being…read moresuch a gem! The atmosphere was great. It was busy on a Saturday night without feeling overwhelming and the whole place had a really fun relaxed energy to it. The staff was also fantastic and super helpful with all of our questions. We tried an Old Fashioned and the Third Rail cocktail, which was similar to a sour, and both were phenomenal. Seriously some amazing drinks. We didn't get a chance to try any of their jerky this time around, but we'll definitely be back for it!

    Girl dinner: cocktails and jerky. What's not to love? We…read moreordered: - The yuzu cute cocktail: perfectly refreshing and tart, not too sweet from the pineapple - A mango coconut horchata cocktail: good but a bit sweet and bland. Needed a kick - The jerk jerky: goddam this was spicy! From someone with a medium spice tolerance! Good thing I had the cocktail to wash it down haha. The parts that weren't tongue burning spicy were so flavorful though - The red eye: the espresso rub was subtle but a fun contrast - The thicc Jim: better than any slim Jim or chomp stick you'll ever eat. Fresh pork and that hot honey garlic essence Logistics: - Indoor and outdoor seating - Limited street parking nearby but right next to the light rail and buses along third street and the bay bike trail - Non alcoholic options available

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    4.2(579 reviews)
    2.2 miFinancial District, SoMa
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    A friend of mine told me about this place so she reserved a table for us. The place has a cool vibe…read morewith the music playing in the background and the inside is nice. They have seating inside and in the patio area which is heated. We arrived on time but had to wait a little bit before getting a table. We sat in the patio area and they had to turn off the heat because it was too hot. Better to be too hot than cold. We ordered a couple drinks to start and they brought us waters as well. For our appetizers and entrees which we shared were french fries, UNI AMAEBI DONBURI, PORK JOWL, and the SHOJI BURGER. The fries came out first and were cooked perfect crunchy, and the sauces that came with it was a nice addition. The Uni Amaebi Donburi came second and it was really good, light, fresh, and overall delicious. Too bad it was a small dish with a big price. The Burger came out afterwards and it was delicious. The burger was cooked perfect, and the cheese flavor was very tasty. It was a great burger. We didn't order desserts so that will have to be next time. The service was really good because they were really busy. I would recommend reservations. The price is a little high so be prepared. i'd still come back to try other dishes because the food and service was excellent.

    I have been wanting to try Shoji for a while now, but haven't had a chance to as the buzz when they…read morefirst opened was crazy with long lines. I finally got to try it and walked in on a Saturday right at opening for a party of 2. We waited probably about 15 minutes and were sat in the back patio. The interior space was beautifully done and looked very elevated. The back patio also looked nice, but definitely gave off a different vibe. The service was great, no complaints there. Everybody was super nice and attentive. The food also came out fairly quickly. What we ordered: - Donburi ($53) - 5/5 - Pork Jowl ($28) - 4/5 - Akazu Fries ($10) - 3/5 - NA Cold noodle mocktail ($18) - 4/5 - NA Dashi Apple mocktail ($15) - 5/5 - Shoji Burger ($28) - 4/5 - Ceviche ($25) - 4/5 Total after tax/tip - $236.50 Objectively, the food and drinks were pretty good. Our favorites were the donburi (of course) and the dashi apple mocktail. Some cons: - how expensive it was for the amount of food. Some reviews mentioned the donburi was tiny (which it was) - no bigger than my hand. - Almost all the dishes we got were finger foods but kind of hard to eat. The ceviche with the nori chips would fall apart. The dark nori seasoning got all over our hands and was difficult to get off with just the cloth napkin. The shoji burger was covered in cheese which we assumed was finger food since they didn't offer any knives. The donburi was filled to the top in this bowl which was small so you have to be very careful scooping out. In addition, the seasoning from the seaweed was a bit oily as well. Maybe offering a wet wipe or napkin at the end of the meal would be a nice touch. I guess it was a bit confusing given the elevated / upscale vibe it was giving off but could improve in the small details. Not sure if I can say I recommend or not but would be willing to give it another chance. Perhaps try the experience inside instead.

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