Went here last night, Saturday, around 10pm. Had to pay a lousy 5 bucks just to get into a bar, which I ferociously dissaprove of. Bathroom sucks, place was dirty, and it was way too crowded. Couldn't figure out why it was so packed. Anyways, next time I'll save 5 bucks, buy a few 40s, and just stay home. My house is cleaner and I don't have to hijack the boys bathroom to pee. read more

This place was alright. Like a lot of the reviews said: it's mostly hipsters that frequent this bar. The drinks were cheap, but the music wasn't my cup of tea (Japanese hardcore music; different strokes for different folks). read more

I like their drink specials and their bartenders are really chill. I don't really dig a lot of the people that hang out here. But they have good events and music from time to time. I wouldn't say it's my favorite bar, but I don't really have any complaints about it. read more

It smells bad, the service is alright, the drinks are okay, the photobooth is...present, and the location is just outside where I can easily access. And yet, the place rules. Really, it's my favorite. Monday through Thursday, there's so few other places I'd rather be. Thursday is Bingo night, and geriatric is just alright with me. The drinks are next to free. I've never left without a conversation with someone slightly drunker than myself; Go to the Knockout. read more

Rock and Roll is not dead in San Francisco! Came here for a local music show and head a great time. Cheap drinks, cool ambiance, live music (yay!), and a great crowd. I will be back often! Wednesday nights live rock and roll is the best night to come if you like live music. read more

I went here recently to see my friend's fabulously eccentric band Borts Minorts. It is a great space. Kind of divey, and comfy, but with all the amenities you might want. A pool table, photobooth (color), small stage, good bar, DJ (on Monday), and a funny crowd. I heard that it is popular with the Burning Man crowd, and all the dancers there did seem to be enjoying themselves with that Burning Man abandon. They have a great sign that I heard was drawn by one of the new owners, but I could be making that up. read more

A friend of a friend suggested I go here when I asked where a good divey bar with good tunes I could go to. I don't know how it is on other nights, but I came here on a Saturday night and it wasn't really what I expected? I thought it was gonna be like the other bars on 16th & Valencia... So I pay $5 at the door and enter a different scene equipped with live honky tonkin' bands and women clad in vintage 50's attire. Okay, so I kind of expected bands, but didn't really expect (or really want to) see rockabilly bands. Suffice it to say, they were great. Very good in their craft. Everybody was boppin' around the whole night. The place was a good size. They had an intimate-sized dancefloor and a stage for the bands. Sweet photo booth (good for those drunk-o pictures that everybody loves to take of themselves). The second band I remember, The Royal Deuces, was great. The lead guy was amazing at his chicken pickin' and tremolo pickin' on the gee-tar. Everybody was really cool and I didn't feel intimidated by anybody (given that it seemed to be rockabilly night and I'm from Orange County / Los Angeles where the scene here is saturated with idiots who'll fight anything that moves). So I was very surprised and had a great time. And the best part about it was their cheap-o drinks (and their names, "The Bro-seff, Bro!" or "Absolut Manberry"). What I was extremely excited about was that they served a Vietnamese beer called Brew 33. I never even knew Vietnam had their own beer (a little ethnic pride washed over me)! So I'm sure that it's different every night and the night that I went shouldn't make it any different because I'm sure that there ain't no bad nights here. I'm sure you're always gonna get a great crowd with great service and great music. I will definitely visit this bar everytime I'm in town. read more

last night i went to the knockout to watch my friends' band play (the aerosols--indie psych trio). bartenders were friendly and attentive for every drink...and it didn't take long to get drinks despite being a bit crowded. they need to get some air conditioning or something in there tho...it got HOT and stuffy. pretty cool crowd...and the other band--the parties--were great too. the first band--the matinees--were decent...but didn't seem all that into their music, which makes it that much harder for the crowd to get into it. BUT, the lead singer was SUPER cute...so that def. helped ;) oh, and the aerosols closed with a sick cover of "lucifer sam (...a tall young cat)"--syd barret-era pink floyd. that RULED. i realize this is a review of the knockout and i'm pretty much talking mostly about the bands...but hey, isn't one of the most important parts of a bar experience what music's playing? of COURSE it is. rock out with your knockout. read more

this was stop numero dos on a friday night, and being uninterested in the bar, i was won over by the music. you know djs are doing an amazing job when you have no idea what song is playing but are still shakin' it. on every song. it was a refreshing change of pace from other snooty, overpriced options, and the fun-lovin' group of people on the dancefloor personified their motto of "let the good times roll." look in the mirror when you're waiting for a drink and you'll see what i mean. but to the people from last night, leave the grandma-esque baby powder at home. only breakdancers can claim that stuff as a dance aid. read more

i don't really understand what the appeal is. full of pretentious hipsters, super crowded, kinda dirty. and they don't even know how to dance. strong drinks, though. about a dollar more than they should be at a dive. and i like the photo booth. ugh, why do people go to dives at all? read more

photobooth, sit down ms. pacman arcade, and stiff drinks. i'm really tempted to give this bar a 5 star rating: the DJs are good (pink mountaintops AND liars? yes, please), and the interior of the bar reminds me a little bit of Wild At Heart (this bar i love in berlin). however, it's not within stumbling home drunk distance from my flat, so 4 stars will have to do. i heart thee, knockout. p.s. stop booking lame bands. read more

Tons of different kinds of beers and the perfect place to meet your friends who've "retired" to Glen Park when you live in the Mission. I've only been there for the Godzilla Sushi night hosted by Timmy (ex Tokyo Go Go chef) on Weds night happy hour (6-8). Get there early though, his more popular rolls go early. He and his cohort Erin provide the friendliest service around. And, they have a nice little setup where you can sit in front of him, sorta like a makeshift sushi bar. Definitely try to sit in front of him, he'll have you laughing and choking on fish. In a good way of course. read more

Went on Sunday and it was a place where we will plan to go again. We are new to the area and have been looking for a place with a cozy feeling and maybe some northern soul, motown and garage music might played. We were all feeling good towards the end of the night. The crowd was decent and drinks we reasonably priced. read more

Love love love this place. Came here for Bingo Thursdays and it was a hoot. Tina BINGO'd once and won a free drink and some smarties. We went to Cancun next door and ate a big heaping wet burrito while drinking tall Tecates. My only slight gripe is the drink prices. For a dive bar this far out, you shouldn't be paying $5 for tall boys. read more

This bar is a microcosm of that which is San Francisco. A burning man bar with amazing oddball entertainment, you can always find a 400lb woman in a blue sequin dress or a blood-fetish night. Just...wow! read more

I went here Saturday night for the first time; my date recommended it because he wanted to hear the band. I loved the band and the place. This is a very comfortable local bar that had good bartenders and nice customers. I plan on going again to check out Bingo night. read more

I use to frequent the Elbo Room back when DX had rockabilly bands playing every Wednesday night. Although I miss the spaciousness of the Elbo Room, the Knockout is a close replacement. Cheep drinks, good tunes, but not a whole lot of room to dance. read more

What a great bar!! I love, love, loved the Knockout! We got there around 9ish on a Thursday for bingo. Next time we know, we have to get there a little bit earlier. But we had such a blast playing. They pour the drinks here STRONG. The bartender had me laughing. He was a little rough around the edges and maybe a tiny bit drunk. But he was great and added character to the place. Oh, and the photo booth?!! Awesome. I felt like I was 10 and at a carnival taking pictures in there. Everyone was super nice and friendly. This is a great spot and I can't wait to come back. read more

Love this place. Awesome live bands, oldies night, tecate, and a photo booth! It doesn't get as crowded as the bars on 16th, so there's plenty of room to dance. The men aren't aggressive here at all, so you can enjoy your drink in relative peace. Plus, it's surrounded by late night mexican/El Salvadorean fare next door and across the street! read more

I have done some unspeakable things at this bar. And by that I mean far more unspeakable than you might imagine. I owe it to the $5 hamm + x-large shot of Whiskey. And the fact that I sneak in flasks of whiskey and no one seems to care. It's wonderful that I've yet to run into two of the three least favorite people I have ever known, inside, even though they're always here, because it's so dark. And being next door to Taqueria Cancun does not hurt either. And I really appreciate shoegaze, pychedelic, and otherwise some of the mopier musical selection that's spun here for rug-cutting. read more

Worst service ever had!!! Stood at the bar for 20 mins waiting on a drink said excuse me to the bartender he gave me a crappy look and I Said may I get a drink and he said not that way and I said well I have watched you serve 10 other people as I have sat here and he said I don't care fucking yelp it!!!! So here you go!!!! Worse service ever!!!!! read more

Knockout is a large bar, nicely decorated inside. They have live music here often that I hear is usually OK. Happy hour prices are nothing to scream about, especially in light of the fact that it is so far out in the Mission (although I really like that area of the city). The most redeeming quality of the knockout is their Bingo games, which are offered on Thursdays after 8 pm (or whenever it gets crowded enough). read more

This place rocks. Kiren beer on tap, cheap happy hours, and PBR in cans, what's not to like? Oh, and bingo nights. All that is missing is some wings and this place would be perfect. read more

I've had some pretty amazingly good times here. It's really dark and definitely on the small size. Most of the time, I can't handle the thought of so many people squeezed into such a tiny space, but they generally play pretty great music or have a rockin' band or two. read more

I was diggin Oldies Night in a real way, but as the tracks wore on, I realized: this DJ seems to be playing obscure just for the sake of being obscure. I get a minor kick out of the ludicrous lyrics of tunes like "Hippy Hippy Shake" and "Tiny Tim," but there's only so much most people can take, right? The silly needs to mingle with the just-plain-good. But, no Exciters, DJ says. Maybe I left too early for the Ronettes, Smokey, etc. I hear Teenage Dance Craze has that spoonfull to help the rest go down. read more

The Knockout rules. Good people, good drinks, good events. Thursday bingo is awsome and they used to have a karaoke night on Sundays that kicked ass. I'm not sure if they do it any more but the nights are full of good 60s R&B. What more could you want. A gem in the upper mission. read more

A cool place with cheap beer and good music, but, alas: The most rude bartender in the world (the female one). And when I took a cherry from the bar, I was escorted out amidst cursing and hulabaloo. Geeze, guys, as soon as you told me to leave, I started walking. Why did you feel the need to scream at me and act all macho? Well, you've lost my business, and that all of my friends'. read more

bingo is rad, so is the bingo girl. i go there cause its a dark cool lookin bar. decor is cool. rad old horror movies playing in the backround. i'm so gay. i've never seen a band there tho as i really havent noticed any that intrigued me; and i dont really go to shows i have to pay for unless its friends or something i NEED to see. mostly my roomies drag me there, but its not such a bad place to be dragged to. Booty basement is super cool! edited (01/22/08) - i just realized how lame this review reads. it should go more like this: the knockout is i nice medium sized bar with a photobooth and a dark, classic monster movie decor. bingo on thurs rocks as well as booty basement on the 3rd friday of the month. my god i use the word 'cool' way too much read more

When you have five bingo cards going and a couple beers the fun just gets better and better. I would tell you what night I was there (was it Thursday?) but the fact that I can't remember is probably the best sign of all. Every beer you get a bingo card and they have some good giveaways. Also on Wednesday they have a killer sushi night (I know but I eat Tamales from a lady that wanders around in the mission so I figure what the hell). The place is super chill and a lot of fun. Away from some of the mission craziness but still can get pretty rowdy on the weekends. read more

The vibe in this place is electric and the dance floor is insane. I felt like I was was in a time warp, watching a dance session from the 50s. Very San Frantastic and a hipster mecha of sorts. read more

Had a blast with Naked and Shameless. Easy to get to on the Van ness bus. Beer good price

Large Drinks, Nice Bartenders, Excellent music and dj's, check dx, and rye in the sky. Probably the best city venue in terms of variety and quality of musical billing! read more

Bingo on Thursdays is fun on a stick. However, the band that was warming up before Bingo started sounded like nails on a chalkboard. It was near impossible to have a conversation. I'll forever love my squeaky chicken I won during the game, and will go back for more! read more

the perfect bar. fun to be had everyday. Great music, good staff, great bookers for shows

Pros:- good vibe, nice crowd, upbeat music, not too crowded. Cons:- Kinda sorta far out (location wise). read more

ohhhhhhhhhhhh this one is for the racist jerk of a bartender, JOSH! Horrible service, just straight lousy. I get it, bartenders can't serve everyone at the same time, I can wait to order my delicious golden beer. That was cool for the first 30 mins but then you just did not want to help out my friends. Thank you for not taking our order, thank you for yelling at my friend, and thank you for trying to show off how tough you are behind the bar. You are a horrible person and I hope your boss figures out that the establishment is being tarnished by the ugliness that is you. read more

The non-douchebaggery side of the mission. Like where latino's live and stuff and white kids hang out....oh wait, this is the next step to the great cleanse. yikes. read more

Free punk shows on tuesdays!!!!! one of the most amazing things a cool bar could do! i love this place.

The Knockout is one of my favorite bars in the city. It's just divey enough but not dirty or sketchy. The staff is all really cool and the drinks are strong. My favorite nights there are Oldies and Teenage Dance Craze (50's,60's music) but Debaser and Shine On (90's music) are good too. read more

This is one of my favorite bars but the dude's bathroom is so small you can poop in the toilet, piss in the urinal, and wash your hands in the sink all at the same time. read more