5 stars for the AMAZING Burning Brides show and the good time I had at the Knockout. This is how a bar should be: trashy, loud rock and roll, sweet as pie girl bartenders that smile and give you a good pour and don't ignore girls at the bar, and lots of hot rock and roll boys that aren't shy about checking you out. *sigh* GOOD TIMES. Oh yeah, there are some little things which annoyed me, like its location in Nowhere, Bumblefuck but it is not a deal breaker. (And I have a suspicion that its location is what makes it so great--perhaps people that bring down a party don't like to travel.) I almost do not want to go back just in case I dreamed this placed up and/or I have a bad night there and get disillusioned. Knockout--you make my dirty rock and roll lovin' heart go pitter-pat. If I had a locker, I'd put your picture in it. read more

As in... The final, fight-ending blow; where you always end up after going everywhere else in the Mission because: it's Primo's Oldies Night and you know that everyone will be dancing, the energy will be throw back and good times, and Cancun is just next door for much needed Mexican style sponge action after all your shot taking, twist doing, clothing removal encouraging, bar tender attention getting activity. Or, a really good looking woman; everyone looks better bathed in red light, shaking their ass, and if no one believes you there's a picture booth to preserve the truth. read more

I came in here due to my mobile Yelp! app telling me there was Happy Hour and it got good reviews. We came early before our Dinner reservations (across the street) - the drinks were very strong and good, the bartender was super nice. The bar is a bit of a dive - It seems like it used to be a pub or it was designed similar to a lot of pubs I have been to. Overall great and I would go back. read more

A group of friends were going to the 90's party. With a line out the door even with a $5 cover... It was packed! Mission atmosphere here. The 90's mix could have been chosen better and the crowd had a real problem with no falling over into our crowd. This is a dive bar and it's fun with friends. They have a stage so I assume they have live music at times. It's a bar that I'd come back to for something different. read more

I went here once...they made me draw the chalkboard sign.

Not much was happening at Knockout around 10 p.m. on Monday night, unless a lukewarm karaoke session counts. I acknowledge the sentimentality I felt from watching a middle-aged man perform Bush's "Machinehead" and a twentysomething woman belt out Robyn's "Show Me Love." One flock of friends stapled themselves to the song list, so I couldn't check for Joan Osborne's "One of Us" even if I wanted to. Free pizza was available on a table in back. Free cheese didn't sway me; in search of something hopping, I left. read more

1. Photo Booth 2. Dirty Rock and Roll 3. Pool Table/Dance Floor 4. DX 5. A million different places to sit depending on your mood The only negative about this place is sometimes the music is too loud and too eclectic. Unlike the Hemlock, which is pretty consistent musically (but not with their pours, so much), you get either Oldies, Rockabilly, Garage, or Bart Davenport. I like it all, but some of it I need to prepare for first, you know? read more

This is an established dive in bar, period. It at the end of Valencia St, on Mission and away from the Valencia bar strip yet it gets super busy after $10. Well, I was there on a Friday Night so...duh! Small old place with a good sized dance floor. Tiny little DJ booth. The bartenders nice and bathroom is super clean. Best thing about the location? If you forget to eat before you drink or vice versa, go to the Taqueria or Thai restaurant next door, or Vietnamese across the street. read more

90's night is a very underrated theme. Wear flannel, and you get in for free. I sang my little heart out to Annie Lennox songs. Unpretentious, cheap GOOD drinks, and a jolly good crowd. They have photobooths too. read more

Debutante at the Knockout: Every Wednesday, 5/3 featured the Dilettantes Great venue for live music and good spirits. The "Detox special" of the night consisted of Tequila and OJ. Stings a little at first, due to the quality of the tequila being poured, but after a while its quite refreshing. They also have a very good selection of other spirits including Sake and an Alcohol drenched "Root Beer Float". The beer selection is impressive as well. If that wasn't enough they also offer Trivia on Wednesday nights and Bingo on Thursday nights. I thought the size of the room might be confining to The Dilettantes sound, but they actually sounded very good in the intimate setting. The venue is a little out of the way (for me), but its definitely worth the trip to see some good, unsigned bands... read more

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite hang out spots! There is always something fun going on at the Knock Out! Godzuky Sushi serves sushi there on Wednesday nights, it's delicious and cheap!! You can wash it down with $2 Sapporo. Bingo night (every Thurs) is a bit crowded but super fun nonetheless. On the second Friday of the month they have oldies night. The dj plays nothing but rare -yet hot- 45's that you can totally dance your pants off. If you are in the mood for something sweet yet strong, try the root beer float! read more

Since I am such a knockout, I had to check this bar out. Love the location - 29th & mission near some great restaurants and other good bars. I arrived at 6pm - a prompt start to Friday happy hour and the place was EMPTY. But the bartender was great and we chatted for a bit while I guzzled my Root Beer Float with Vodka and extra cherries. So good. Turns out there is Bingo on thursday nights and the Tamale Lady usually stops by on Wednesdays. Good to know. Friends arrived later and we caught up and chatted with background beats that were very nice. The bar wasn't super crowded when we left at 9pm to get food, but looked like it was a hot spot for the locals. DJ was setting up for the night when we left - with an entourage of like 50 ppl. Guess that is how he rolls. read more

I have frequented the Knockout for some time now and Saturday seems to be my favorite night of the week thus far. the space is moderate but the crowd's make it feel very intimate at times. divided spaces for drinking/dancing and drinking/socializing at the top of your lungs due to the great selection of music that the DJ's often spit out. if you're looking to dance with a group of friends, this venue will provide all night. the drink selection is on the skim side, beers and mixed drinks, but is often overshadowed by how much of a blast your having at this place. the small cover at the door is definitely worth it. oh and aesthetically, if you remember to look around before you start drinking there is awesome artwork scattered throughout the place. the photobooth is money as well. read more

Bingo night. Thanksgiving night. Fun night. A great little hole in the wall, some splendid drinks, and they were up and playing bingo thanksgiving night. Quite the crowd as well, some folks really lit up the karaoke machine! Definitely a good hang out place.. read more

Cool crowd, PBR and a photobooth. The Knockout meets my all requirements for a good time. Also, the neighborhood isn't that great, so that is always a plus when I am looking for a place to drink. read more

I enjoy attending Thursday night BINGO at The Knockout with my labmates, if only for the reason that I derive pleasure from helping to lower the hipster/science nerd ratio of the bar. Personal vendettas aside, this place offers stiff libations, a photobooth in which to get your pose on, good music, computerized solitaire, and large, clean surroundings. God, I just realized that commenting on hygiene makes me sound like an old geezer *denture falls out of mouth*. *Now lower denture falls out as well*. If hunger seizes you before, during, or after your scheduled drinking session, Taqueria Cancun's delicious tacos await you two doors down. read more

OK all this hipster talk--try being a 40-something lesbian who, yes, looks like a lesbian, and lives in the Mission. I still walk right into these "hipster" bars and have a great time. First, I smile politely at the guy at the door who wants to see my ID, and I just tell him DJ Chaperon is here--I never show my ID. My first experience was when the place was the Odeon, and I did not live in the hood. A friend was visiting from Leeds so we had a great dinner at Blue Plate; then we wanted to have a drink. My gf being a bit buzzed tried to get into Lucita's--well, since we were not working girls--that did not work out--they must of been having a private party. So next nearest bar was the Odeon. We walked in and a duo was on stage. The lead singer was playing the stand up bass and singing Old School, Honky Tonk, country and western tunes with a very thick Japanese accent--I was in heaven. Much to my friend's delighted surprise and my gf's obvious chagrin--I knew every word to every song--scary but true. Yes, I have red neck genealogy straight from the Ozarks. The evening was a unexpected surprise for us all. Second time I walked into the Knockout it was for a quick beer; people were nice, beer was cheap and cold, and no one tried to speak to me in Hip-slang. So do not be afraid; it is a cool place to go even if you a girl like me. read more

What?? This place has a photo booth and Thursday night bingo? Nice! I was browned-out when I got here, but I do remember the bartender being super friendly... The drinks were poured stiff and the shots were free (or, who paid for my shots?) Anyway, It would be worth going back here to see if I had as much fun as I think I did. read more

it's not a bad place to drink, but it's not one of my favorite dives, and i'll tell you why: I live upstairs, and they STILL charge me a cover every time, despite my constant arguing, and despite the fact that it's usually for a DJ, and not even live music! i mean.... come on! don't charge your neighbors a cover! Usually all I want in a neighborhood bar is a drink or two in the middle of the week without a hassle, I don't wanna pay a cover... clearly this is not the place for that. Update afew years later... I never go here. It draws a shitty crowd that chain smokes on the sidewalk next door to my house. I've never cared for the crappy bands that play constantly and I'm definitely never paying a cover to get in. I forgot about this place years ago. You will too. read more

I only go here for bingo, otherwise the Knockout is a bit too hip for my tastes. The bingo allows (forces?) the hip kids to take off their veneer of cool indifference and shout along with the drunken masses "BEEEEEE SIIIIX!!!!" This makes me happy. That and my Virgin Mary night light that I won a few months back. She lights the way. read more

Get thee to the Knockout! John is fun to work with (if you are booking shows) and they're working hard to make a go of it. Great shows and Bingo from the former Sadie's crew is the hot ticket here. Not easy being in the neverland part of the Mission, but it's so much more relaxing than the 16th St corridor. Dustin now works there Weds, he's a peach! They have sushi happy hour with Sake specials and Clare has an 'annual prom' in July! read more

I joined friends here who are regulars of the Thursday Beer Bingo. So much fun!!! A little crowded and disorienting, but the bartenders are efficient and friendly, and the crowd is a good mix of hipsters, comedians, drunks, and nice people (like me). My friend won a cute rug (how random are these prizes? I love it!). A couple weeks ago, another one of my friends won a bottle of mistable KY lube. Ahhhh, yes:-) Definitely going to be a somewhat regular place to hang out at when I'm in the Mission on a random weekday night. read more

Came here for Bingo on a Thursday. The announcer was annoying but the beers were good. The space is kind of weirdly laid out. There is a glittery stage and a dancefloor which is cool but during Bingo the announcements were so loud that I couldn't hear my friend next to me. Really, does Bingo need to be that loud? The place wasn't packed or anything. Anyhow, I am not much of a bar person but we thought it might be fun. We were wrong so we went next door to the wine bar to have wine and Tiramisu. read more

I went here on a Sunday night to see my friend's band playing. The place was pretty cool, a regular hipster bar but I don't really mind. The drinks were very reasonable. They serve the old school beer, Hamms. Hamms+a shot of Jim Beams=$5. That's awesome! They also have a lot of fancy drinks but in the place like this, make me feel like a fool to order one. Ha! I got gin&tonic. It was only $4 and the glass was definitely bigger than most bars I went to, so I was happy as a clam =) They have photobooth! I love places with photobooth though didn't get a chance to take one. I definitely have to come back though it's kinda out of my way. Ah, I wish you were a little bit closer to me =( read more

DONUT PARTY rocks my socks. I stumble into this Mission bar, 3 martinis to the wind. A friend suggested we go here and we are "on the list". I guess the "list" happens to be a Donut with sprinkles. I grabbed a button and a hand-stamp and moved on. What I encountered was some of the best music I have heard live since...ok I havent heard anything live like this shit before. I was coherent long enough to hear Miyami (minimal synth electro) and white jumpsuit-clad Tussle (drum-heavy electro pop). Loopy and yacked out of commision, I couldnt help but be mezmerized by this beautiful electronic ear-sex. This party IS just like a donut. Sweet, fluffy, well rounded and leaves you wanting more. read more

I love this place! I've only been there twice. Drinks are reasonably priced, there's a pool table that never seems to have a long line, kewl random videos screening, a photo booth, and good music of a mixed variety is always playing. The staff was incredibly nice (even after my friend shattered a martini glass...thank you for not kicking us out!) Also, I highly recommend the Doo Wop Night...sounds cheesy, but loads of fun. read more

First time here but I'm already feeling food vibes. John our bartender is rocking it right now, good drinks friendly staff. I also love the art on the walls, defiantly cool decor. Cheers. read more

My band played here last month. We really loved the ambiance -- christmas lights and red walls! What what! Plus there's a photo booth, Ms. Pacman, and bizarre movies playing on a few tvs. Nothin' says fun like old-school godzilla. AND they did some really cool chalk art promoting our show on the chalkboard outside in a pseudo-tattoo font. We'll be back. read more

I just love me some Oldies Night. It's twice a month with Teenage Dance Craze to fill in once a month. So the great music and the dedicated crowd are awesome. Oh, and the cheap cover doesn't hurt. Things that leave a little to be desired: dance floor is way too tiny for said dedicated crowd. Mixed drinks are too strong (yes), with margaritas bordering on undrinkable - if I wanted straight tequila, I would've ordered some. No cards [cash only] is kind of annoying. At the end of the day, though, I would consider it very nearly my favorite bar in the city. It'd probably help if it wasn't so fuck-all far into the Mission that 1. it's really hard to get back from and 2. no one wants to meet me there. read more

Dropped in to see a friend's band play and really enjoyed this skinny little bar. It wasn't conspicuously hipster, more of the uncool-cool ethos. Or maybe just because it was Daniel Johnston tribute night, so people played it down just in honor of him. Anyhow, a feel goody sort of neighborhood bar, pleasant and friendly with reasonably priced drinks (a large nigiri sake for $8, $4 for a bass and $5 for a margarita, among others). Plenty of TV screens about, that night playing the Devil and Daniel Johnston, natch. Great music in between sets too (lotsa british invasion plus one of my favorite nuggets (run, run run by the gestures). read more

It's getting HOT in here! No really it's HOT as HELL!! Went to my 1st booty basement and we danced our booty off but it was CRAZY HOT! Everyone was literally soaked in their sweat and it was gross accidently bumping into a stranger's wet body. I think I lost 5lbs of sweat. The music was ok and the videos of bouncing asses were hillarious read more

Bingo on Thursdays here is awesome. Motivation to imbibe as much beer as possible? An extra card for every drink purchased. The only downside is the woman who reads the bingo numbers tries to make every number reading as sexual as possible. Funny at first, but annoying after going a couple times and hearing "6" read as "dicks" every time. If she were hot it might be cooler. Awesome times here though. Music afterwards is sometimes a plus. read more

I'll keep it short as there's already 100 reviews of this place, but how can you not love a bar that: a) has bingo b) serves cans of Hamm's beer From the Land of Sky Blue Waters (Waters), From the land of pines, lofty balsam, Comes the beer refreshing, Hamm's the Beer Refreshing, Haaaaamms. read more

Dude. Bingo. I haven't played in years and there I was rocking five or six cards at once. I'm not even sure how many, all I know is that you get a card every time you buy a beer, hence the confusion. Plus everyone loves photobooths and being the nerd I am I was stoked that this one is real color prints, not that crappy digital shit. We stayed after bingo as the tunes were really great. I think I have a new thursday night routine. read more

It is definitely an issue of what night. I go zero nights. Unless a friend is playing. Trevor, TLG, and the like are there from time to time... at least back in the day. It holds a lot of good memories.. like the night we boarded the party bus to the TLG show in SC at Moe's. The KnockOut is a fine little bar.... with superb memories. Minus two for the too hip for me people that were sort of... boring... and silently judging me. read more

I really like this place and have ended up going there quite a bit recently. Can't say I love their choices in bands that they have there all the time, but the people that go there, bartenders, and atmosphere are all fun. They also have what might be one of the better drink deals in the city all the time: 22oz. Tiger Bombers for 5$. They don't advertise it, but they're there. Waiting for you and calling to you behind the bar. I also like the $1 Oyster Nights that the do too. High quality food for a happy hour deal! read more

Hot heavy packed and hip to scene as possible and has every right to claim cred from all the patrons that frequent this sensational find. You will end up dancing no matter what, apparently I came on Oldies Night which was infuckingcredible. read more

The Knockout SF - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I might actually give this fine bar Five Stars, except (when it was the Odeon) they used to do karaoke here. And it was always a car crash. Good times. They called it Costume Karaoke and would trot out 4 or 5 tubs of skanky burning man costumes and make you put one on before you sang. Stay away from furry things or onesies and you were usually OK. I'd always just grab the Dracula cape. The KJ was super hott too. Now they have better DJs here and Smile is on Mondays and I know all you BM-ers really, really miss the Odeon but it's time to move on. Start your own bar for the one month a year you aren't preparing for or returning from BM. read more

Probably my favorite bar in SF. A nice long walk from Valencia & 16th - needed after the first couple rounds of pounding. Pint margaritas (substitute Cazadores for the well, which they never seem to charge me for), pool, band, characters, etc. Great spot. Not much in the way of trim usually, but alas I am retired from skirt chasing. Bus ride back to 24th then down Mission. A fantastic loop full of rewarding experiences ; ) read more

Just the BEST bar to ever open in SF! You can't go wrong with what ever is happening here! Make sure you check out Shuckin and Jivin on the first Sunday of the month! dX the bartender/DJ rocks!! And try the Root Beer float, it's great and you'll be on the floor before you know it! read more