This is one of my bernal heights faves. I"ve had some great photobooth moments here. I've had some drunken walks from other bars here. had some heartfelt moments here, I've seen bands play here that were excellent. My friends band MC Meat hook and the vital organs played here and rocked. They have a great happy hour here. can't really know what kinda ratio its gonna be like here this place gets pretty random. The crowd is always great here, I love it. read more

Old school charm, not really into the screamo music scene... Just a heads up But it seems like they're good friends, and place for that local vibe read more

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

The KO is a pretty rad place to hang out. It doubles as a fun place to hang out when there's no djs/bands and a really packed, sweaty mess of people on club nights. Teenage Dance Craze and Oldies Night are both really good times. Plenty of people come here for Debaser too, but I have no interest in re-living the 90s unless specifically through britpop or shoegaze. Beer selection is good and I've heard the mixed drinks are made very strong. I use to think it was kinda lame how far out the KO out is, but then I discovered I can just take the 24 back direct to my house. May need to start heading out here more often... read more

I've been here twice. Once to see this band called Astral, right after getting burrito-jacked at Tacqueria Cancun next door, and once to see Jeremy Jay. When the bar isn't absolutely packed its actually a rather pleasant place to sit down, drink a few beers and listen to some obscure-ish indie rock type stuff. Its got that dingy indie dive kind of thing going on. They sell Hamm's beer by the can for $2. When it is packed, however, its very difficult to move around inside, and you have to really get all up in peoples' personal space to order a drink. The Jeremy Jay show was like that. There were all these indie-rocker girls screaming "Jeremy Jay!!!", and trying to cram themselves in front of the stage. The other girls would stare daggers at them as they slunk past one at a time in that little hand-holding daisy chain you see in crowded places. For the few minutes I actually lucked into a seat at the bar, people were leaning over my shoulder to order drinks. I got to chat with this one girl for a while as direct result of that. She was drinking Maker's Mark in a shot glass, and dripping Coca-Cola into it with a straw. "That's pretty slick", I told her, and she smiled back at me for second before taking another sip. After that, I went over to the KUSF table and bought a t shirt. Ty Segall, the opening act, let me take a few pictures of him as he leaned up against the wall near the bar. We chatted for a few minutes about guitars and reverb and stuff. Outside on the street, people gathered around me to bum some smokes as soon as I took the pack out of my pocket. This one guy and his girlfriend told me a story about how there's some dread-locked guy down by some tacqueria on 6th & Market who put weed on everyone's table to celebrate April 20th last year. Sounds intriguing. It was an intriguing kind of night, I suppose. read more

This dive bar is not one I would travel very far to go to. I was in Potrero Hill when my friend invited me to Simpson's trivia night, so since it wasn't far, I decided to meet him there. It's a small dive bar with typical alcoholic beverages...no frills...Simpson's trivia was fun to attend and catch some Simpson's episodes, but only fun because I had company that I knew. Otherwise, if I didn't have company, it would have sucked. read more

One of the great dive bars in SF! They have everything as far as music goes from punk shows to disco dj nights. There's always cool 70's and 80's movies playing thanks to the VHS player on the big screens. Wanna get a picture of your visit? Hop in the photo booth! The typical drink special is a cheap beer (Bud, Hamms, PBR) and a shot of well whiskey for $5 or $6 and there's restaurants on every side to help ya fill up! Decor is dark wood with some funky benches and couches, there's also two booths. I've been there a bunch, and I'll be there a lot more! read more

PAUL REUBENS. No, there wasn't a celebrity sighting. It's just that the Knockout looks like the biker bar from Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. They didn't play "Tequila," but they probably should have. Too bad the statute of limitations ran out on my indecent exposure rap. Speaking of indecent exposure, they have a photo booth next to the dance floor, just in case you want to record your inebriation in three second intervals. It's a painfully hip place. Definitely divey, slightly seedy, a smattering of Bernal Heights exiles from Cortland Street -- my kind of shithole. They were also showing The Shining, so you know I'll be back as that's my craigslist m4m hookup movie of choice ("Oooooh, weren't those dismembered twins creepy? Wanna fuck?"). Once again, I was a willing hostage to the charms of fellow yelpers Patrick M and MJ T...look, I love everyone but I'm sorry, they pull up at my office in a white van, club me like a baby seal, and throw me in the back. What am I supposed to do -- resist? Those bitches will pop a cap in my ass, they're all business. Plus, it's not like the rest of you ask me out. Word to my pretty female friends: I'm the perfect dinner date. I'm cute, asian, and fit in your satin evening clutch. So we were at one of the tables next to the window, chatting and otherwise being obnoxious to each other. There were two straight couples seated at the table next to ours. Now, we're friends in real life (right? RIGHT?) but we're also yelpriends, so we were talking yelp, when I noticed one of the harpies rolling her eyes and casting disparaging looks in our direction. They then quickly got up and left. Look you tramp, don't give me that. You're just bitter because you're stuck in your miserable life with your obviously gay boyfriend AND YOU DON'T HAVE A WEBSITE LIKE YELP ON WHICH TO BITCH! TALK TO MY MOTHERFUCKING HAND. Seriously, am I crazy? Does this shit happen to anyone else? Who knew yelping could provoke such hatred amongst the hoi polloi? Anyway, as we were leaving a [expletive deleted]* reveler wanted to prove he was going commando and showed us his pubes. Maybe Pee-Wee was there after all. *property of PM read more

Found out last minute GENE LOVES JEZEBEL was playing at Knockout & couldn't wait to go This was Jay's GLJ (aka, the *real* British band w/ the original members) and not Michael's GLJ which is only Michael, here in the US, claiming he's the real deal.....long blown out story of sibling rivalry gone horribly wrong but if you're interested, it's all here... http://blogs.sfweekly.com/shookdown/2010/02/what_to_do_mondays_pick.php Vibe of the place was interesting..... About 20-30 people total in the bar - everyone seemed to know each other (as with any good dive bar) and there was the overall sense of hanging out at a friend's BBQ / garage band party, like we did back in high school Dark open room w/ a HUGE layer of dust covering the disco balls hanging from the ceilings, photo booth in the back which could be all kinds of fun; Tron was broadcasting on the tvs at the bar & also onto the wall - awesome! Bartenders offer good & heavy pours b/c there was more than 1 person stumbling outta there after the show - props! After reading all the reviews about the Big Ass Margaritas, we knew that would be our drinky of the night - & boy did that thing pack a whollop! Mine was super sweet; bf's was super salty......he was a trooper & finished his but I only got down about 1/2 of mine & was still feeling a bit silly Great band appreciation, strong drinks & a unique vibe make this place A-OK for me & would definitely look forward to going back read more

The kind of place for a big Chimay and a table full of strangers who you may or may not end up hugging at evening's end, even if you're not really a hugger. Because this crazy bitch is so high she's calling you "babe" and handing you her dog and all of a sudden you're part of this weird ad hoc little family. Bars like that are nice. read more

teenage dance craze is too much fucking fun. I love love love dancing all night long to the best music ever. my only gripe is the bar needs to get some wine glasses, a chimay glass will suffice but come on. i've seen many bands at this space but my favorite evenings are with my love dancing to records. is anything better in life? "the people who do not dance are the dead" read more

Since Monday signals the beginning of another work week, Heidi and I took it upon ourselves to mourn the passing of the weekend by throwing back cheap vodka and singing our (her) heart(s) out at Happy Hour Karaoke at Knockout. Was it happy? Yes. And it lasted longer than an hour (6 p.m.-9 p.m.). The place is a dive but a clean dive full of outer-mission hipsters, guys in flannel shirts, and what appear to be neighborhood natives. The bartender last night was a most adorable, itsy bitsy dark-haired girl with a heavy hand for vodka and unending patience with a drunk guy at the bar. There is a stage, a PHOTO BOOTH, and a very private, clean ladies' room. It's a mellow place with a laid-back vibe and some pin up shots behind the bar. I wouldn't go out of my way to come back, as it's kind of out there, but it's a great option if you live in or find yourself in the Outer Mission. Especially on a Monday for Happy Hour Karaoke. OOOh! And if you get real drunk, you can even justify munching on some big, juicy tacos (*ahem*) at Cancun next door! read more

Went for the "Oldies"soul night promoted as being soul music from the 60s-70s. Looked up the DJ, Primo, and apparently in some circles he's respected for his oldies soul dj skills. What these circles are? I have no idea. Whatever circles they may be they don't no jack about soul music. Here's why: 1) No James Brown - he's the king of soul for a reason DJ Primo. 2) No Otis Redding 3) No Sam Cooke 4) No Marvin Gay 5) No Temptations 6) No Aretha Franklin 7) No Al Green 8) No Jr. Walker and the Allstars 8) Not even a Jackson 5 song Ok I can go on here but what's the purpose? Synoposis of Knockout Oldies Night with DJ Primo: Bunch of Square white people who can't dance and don't know soul music for jack who feel like they are hip for dancing to black music in the mission district. Disclaimer: This review is from a 32 year old middle class white man. My search for decent music in SF continues. read more

Last stop of the night on our Mission run! Some of us did get knockout... This bar was crowded! When we got to the door, there were lots of drunkies chilling out by the door and getting fresh air. We weren't aware that there was a cover charge, I believe it was $3 or $5 per person. The bar itself was very narrow. On the left side was a bar stretching from door to the end of the house. At the very back, that's where the restrooms were located. On the right side, there was loud music playing and many tipsy/drunkies dancing and bumpin to the music to what we called "dance floor". We started off with tequila shots! Hand over the lime and salt please! Great shot, what more can i say about Tequila? The bartender was nice enough to treat our birthday boy a 151 on the house. Now that was awesome! We ordered a couple more coccktails and within an hour, I had to use the bathroom.. Now letme just warn you ladies there was a HUGE line to the bathroom. I assume there was 2 stalls. Why did I say assume? Cause i didnt actually use the ladies room. Instead, I was lining up in the men's. I swear men were so nice here, they let me cut the line and went first. The only thing is, there was no door at the men's bathroom, so make sure you grab a close guy friend and watch the door for you. Nevertheless, I gotta say, I have never went to a men's bathroom without door in a bar! They also have a photobooth in this bar! So cool, BUT take note, its $15 to spend. At the end of the night, letme just say...2 of my friends were knockout. p.s. there is a mexican restaurant couple doors down! Perfect for "sobering up" food. read more

Blah blah hipstercakes (and if you get that reference, you are as dorky as me and should be my new BFF. we'll get friends forever bracelets. and buy domain names. and start our own LJ community. and our own IRC channel where we can trade viruses & porn. it'll be glorious.). No, seriously, Knockout is a great addition to the Valencia meets Mission meets Burger King section of the neighborhood. Odeon was always a little too "playa" for me (do you have any idea how long it took me to figure that reference out? too long.) (and the pathetic thing is i am a native spanish speaker.) and this is much better, less pretention, more locals who just want to listen to music and get drunk (really, what else is there in life?). Drinks are strong and reasonably priced. I would not go near the margarita ever again, unless you have a hankering for Jose Cuervo and a shitload of sour mix. read more

Yeah, I know people like this place but this is just not my scene. For one, I'm not a cool hip girl with cutesy clothes and cutesier hair. For two, I'm not a cool hip guy with size 28 waist and skinny jeans. For three, the only person who bothered to talk to me was the old (and I mean grandfatherly old) man at the bar. True he may have only talked to me because I was the one closest to him in age. Well, this place does have super cheap drinks - 2 Red Bull vodka + 1 double vodka collins = $14. I'll probably be back. read more

The first time I came to KO was back in December for Debaser's Weezer Holiday Sweater Party. It was SO RAD. Great music, everyone was laughing and having fun and singing along. Great photographer, cheap drinks, and a staff that was friendly and quick on their feet (i.e. catching the girl that started to crowd-surf during a smashing pumpkins song). It was magic. But, I swear to god we were tricked. Every time we've been back it has felt like a different bar -- with our group of friends having a collective, confused, "what is this place?!" exclamation. First, the $5 cover. I know there was one for the Weezer Party, and I know that the DJs have to get paid, but the acoustics in there are painful and the music has never been that great. And to boot, a door girl with a crappy attitude. Listen, I used to work the door at a grungy bar. But really, I was only as miserable as I let myself be. Upbeat attitude = less chance of people being jerks to you. Interact and joke with the customers, don't look at them like you wish they'd jump off a cliff just because they're trying to make you laugh. Second, the people. Really guys? There's a dance floor (well, after 12pm its more like a slip-and-slide). Stop drunkenly sloshing your giant Tecate all over my back when I'm trying to order a drink at the bar. I don't think you're cute. There are a lot of prowler-type guys at this place, and around 1, 1:30 you see a lot of last-ditch efforts from angry aggro guys that seem to hate everything about the world. No, my girlfriend and I won't go home with you. Yes we're queer, and we don't have a problem with straight boys (which is why we go to straight bars sometimes), but come on guys. Your chances of sleeping with a queer girl are at like .01%, a queer girl with a girlfriend is .001%, and by creepily lurking or hitting on us and assuming it would be OK your chances just landed at never ever ever ever ever. Never. Ever. Third, the bartenders. You guys were awesome that one time. Each time we've been back (about 4 subsequent times), you've either thrown our drinks down so hard on the counter that an inch of it flies out and soaks our glass/money/arms, or you throw our change back at us or into the aforementioned soak you've created by spilling our drinks. Yes its busy, but chill out. Being angry isn't going to make people want drinks any slower. In fact, being up at that bar was so stressful it made me just want to drink a lot of shots so you seemed like less of an asshole. I don't know why we left Doc's Clock to come here again last night. But, the night was salvaged when we went to El Rio for last call. I love that bar. Probably won't be back. read more

Met a hot guy at a bar and he convinced me to ditch that popsicle stand and accompany him to Knockout where it was Soul Night and lots of dancing. Now Im not one to turn down dancing that doesn't involve Pitbull or dubstep so I was SO there. I love dive bars and this one did not disappoint. The place was dark and the dancefloor was even darker. The tunes were bumpin and the night was makin its way into my top 5 nights ever. Went to the bathroom to change into a dress I bought earlier that day because I didn't want to keep carrying it around. All of the girls in line for the bathroom were so nice and helped me change and look extra pretty for this hottie I was with. Everyone here seemed happy and it was an amazing vibe! I didnt want the night to end. Great mood on the dancefloor. Definitely a knockout. read more

With a mere 3 bars, the Deep Mission manages to offer a very well-rounded hipster drinking scene. First: El Rio (the obligatory sprawling biergarten with random things to eat), then Argus (the best spot for ambience-fetishists and bar traditionalists like myself), and finally The Knockout--for the committed hipsters. The place itself, from the deliberately unaesthetic reddish-grey palate to the impractically small tables and the seemingly thoughtless (yet no doubt carefully composed) layout is very much an exercise in random-chic. Ordinarily that would be the telltale sign of a den of minimalist, abrasive snark, but you gotta hand it to 'em for going all-out on the activities--seems like not a night goes by without karaoke, bingo, an all-girl Kinks cover band, or (as in our case) a 90's dance night. And yes, we did show up in thrift-store flannel so as to get in for free. And then there's that drink menu. Long have I searched for a root-beer cocktail that was worthy of the name, and their root-beer float was just that (I think the secret is the vanilla vodka). Can't go wrong with the bro-seff either (though normally I abhor energy drinks). Or you can just down a mini-sake bottle for 8 bucks. Pretty soon, you'll stop worrying whether you're as cool as the guy in the fedora, glasses, goatee, tie and short sleeves who hasn't looked up from his iPhone all night (swear to God), and just get out there on the dance floor, moving from Blur to Supergrass to Stone Roses until suddenly you realize it's 1:00 and you're not even tired (don't laugh, I'm 65 at heart). Oh yeah, and don't forget to do a quick round in the photo booth for your morning-after Facebook profile (but plan out your poses ahead of time, or you'll be drunkenly caught off-guard--and out of frame). read more

Tecate tall boys complete with a fresh lime?? In the land where I'm from, the only canned beer that comes in 21 ounces is the less than extraordinary PBR. Last night's party at Knockout consisted of 50's doo wop, lumberjack looking twats, girls with high waisted jeans, and people getting down and familiar on the dance floor. Yeah, I'd go back. read more

I like you knockout. I often like your shows knockout. Mostly I like your bartenders except from when they can't take a joke and have to be assholes about it, but mostly they are not. I love the bingo nights, really love them, even if I don't go as often as I should. Sometimes I wish you were closer to me. But I do like you. read more

I like to come here with friends for bingo on Thursdays... I don't really know what it's like here for other events, although I hear they have some good dance nights. The drinks are inexpensive, and they have a drink called the root beer float that's pure deliciousness (I'm a sucker for sugary drinks). You get a bingo card for every drink you buy. The bingo caller is really entertaining, and the music is always good. It's more fun if you get there early, so you have a table to spread out all of your bingo cards... it's almost impossible to keep track of more than one when you're standing up. Trust me, I've tried. read more

I stopped in for Debaser which is a monthly event where they play awesome music! It's one of the better dive bars in my opinion. They have a good selection of drinks (at least from what I saw), the crowd seemed unpretentious and laid back. They also have a photobooth and a small dance floor. It's a little bit more tucked away than most bars on Mission Street but it's well worth seeking out. I'll definitely be back, hopefully with friends in tow next time. read more

I'm from San Diego. The Knockout (despite the fact that I came during the 90's night...YAY to the Flannel-palooza!) was still a refreshing change from the lack of a scene here in SD. Things this bar does NOT have, that every other bar in SD does have: 1. Girls wearing glittery halter tops and guys wearing rainbows 2. $15 Whiskey & cokes 3. "Don't Stop Believin" by Journey 4. "Livin' On A Prayer" by Bon Jovi 5. People who like to sing the above-mentioned songs EVERY time they play them at a bar. Cheers to the Knockout for providing a nice venue for me to escape from the horrors that is SD for a little while. read more

We used to drive by this bar in the Outer Mission and someone would always say, "We should try that place with the crazy monkey drinking a bottle of wine on the sign" (it's a Luchador). Well, last night, we did. There are many reasons to like Knockout. It's a mix of so many different things - random magic show on the t.v., photobooth, giant glow-in-the dark Godzilla poster, Virgin Mary beads, pool table, photo booth, live music. I mean, come on, there's enough going on to keep you there a few hours at least. The drinks are good and strong. I was being weird and ordered a glass of wine (we were going to dinner after), and received a tumbler of Malbec, so good, so big. When is the last time you had a good wine by the glass at a bar? The live music is good! It has that New York downtown kind of vibe to the place, and the band that we saw played a Johnny Cash cover that was decent. The crowd is mixed - cool, Mission-y, dive-bar-going folk. My kind of people. We were there at around 9:30pm and it wasn't packed - you could stand comfortably and hear each other talk. I would definitely go back - it's the kind of place that I feel instantly comfortable, like I've been there before. That is truly a rarity in SF these days. Go see the crazy monkey. He's got something for you - a good time. read more

Ok, I understand it was Sunday, but geeze this place was dead and a total sausagefest. I guess I'm the only female that likes funk? Bartender was nice and drinks were cheap, but c'mon let's get it together next time. read more

Thursday night plan: Eat super burrito at El Farolito Walk ten blocks to Knockout in attempt to burn off some of the super burrito Buy drinks to get Bingo boards Play Bingo! Win Bingo Win Blackout!! The last two steps hasn't happened yet, but its a super fun Thursday night plan. read more

Entrance to the Social Studies show: $5 Vodka Soda: $3 (!!!!!) Being two doors down from the best (and open late) taqueria in town: PRICELESS Also, the photobooth, mega touch and oldie's nights make the Knockout a knockout! read more

Two words: BINGO NIGHT My roommies have been going here on Thursdays and last week I finally caved in. It was so worth it! Very fun, late twenties something crowd. Do you remember those rainy days in elementary school when your whole class would stay in to play heads up 7 up, 4 corners, or BINGO? Well, it's like that, but with alchohol, people. I love how everyone gets involved, and when you win your future ceramic-pot-that-used-to-have-a-live-plant-in-there, and take home your future ex from there, you can't not come back again and again, week after week, you know what I mean? I also heard they serve sushi on Wednesdays. Only for the strongest of heart and gut, I assume. read more

This is my favorite grimy dive bar in San Francisco. Why? I like to look at the people who go there and I love the musical line up. While I'm not a show going person, I do think they have some good bands come here (that is if I liked contemporary music which I seem not to). The DJ nights are spectacular. You can hear anything from jock jams to French 60's pop. It's amazing. More on people watching/interacting. I have had more success here than most other places in SF. I have met new people here, ran into old friends, and I've even made out here (it was in a secret spot). But, let me tell you, if you ain't a hipster it may not be your thing. To this day I'm scared of bringing my friends from the the Marina here. It's one of the few Mission spots that isn't desecrated by frat boys on the weekend, and for that it def. deserves 5 stars. As for the drinks, well I don't like them much but they are much cheaper than the drinks I usually buy when I'm out. But what do you expect, this is a dive bar, and frankly it's a great place in which to be drunk even if it isn't the best place to get a drink. read more

I had a great time at Knockout. We went for a soul night, and there was much dancing to be had. Not sure if it was the music or the general nature of the crowd, but people were super into it, and there weren't annoying lady bros/bros getting it on on the dance floor. For this reason, I am a big fan. I got my dance on, and didn't drink, so I can't speak to the quality. But I had a blast, and I would definitely go back. The good: great place to put on your dancing shoes without fear of some rando grinding on you. The bad: kind of far away, but eh. read more

A "big ass" margarita in a pint glass w/ Cazadores and a bunch of fresh limes + a bottle of Pacifico = $10.50!!!! This is hard to beat! (Note: a margarita w/ Cazadores and a slice of lime in a plastic cup about 1/2 the size + a can of Tecate at El Rio = $12.50) Oftentimes, one doesn't necessarily realize he/she is getting fat, old, or are simply changing over time as such changes tend to come gradually. I didn't really realize that, over the course of the last several years, I'd thoroughly been (y)uppified and become accustomed to paying a double digit price for a drink in a small cocktail glass. Thanks to Knockout (along with a few other Mission bars), now I know that i can happily reach a sufficient (or excessive) intoxication level with a drink that actually tastes good for less than 1/2 the price while still being out and [anti]social. I don't know how hectic things can be at Knockout on weekends, but it was perfectly nice and mellow on Sunday night. A few hipsters and a cute bartender were having random conversations....it was cool by me. read more

I gotta give a shout out to the Knockout. I am surprised at how much I liked the place. Even though the crowd all looked the same, this group had an unconventional way of standing out from other hipsters in the city. They looked HAPPY. Smiling even! Maybe it was the dim lighting, but I think I saw some actual teeth. I felt a neighborhood-y vibe that reminded me of home and it was cool be amongst some friendly city folk for once. Knockout gives hipsters and SF a good name. Minus one star for it being so loud that the bartenders could barely understand my drink orders, it's not my fault your workplace hates your eardrums. read more

Hard to write a definitive review of my experiences here because they've all been great. I go for Oldies Night or other dancing events. Great bar, with great music and I meet swell people here. I love the coat hooks on the dancefloor. read more

What hipsters envisioned when they first googled "cool" and took their collective cues from Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, and checkerboard sunglasses. They seem to have an activity every night! Sleazy, fu*king sleazy let me tell you. But it's a dive bar, so WTF, right? Karaoke here rocks, stiff drinks and drunken debauchery. Just the way this checkerboard wearing skinny ass fool likes it. read more

SO far yet so worth it. So many different things happen here, I love it. I've gone here for Booty basement many a times, dance your ass off, get someone else's sweat on you. It's a great work out. :) I even did the hair for and walked in a friends fashion show here about a year ago, it was really fun. You can find pictures on fliker/ knockout fashion, or something like that. Donuts events are a blast here. I always see everyone I know here, plus or minus, you decide... read more

b-i-n-g-o!!! I've been meaning to drop by for bingo for years, but never made it till I moved back to socal and came up for a visit. Walking into the bar, I realized the true meaning of a Dive Bar, local awesome hole in the wall. Although the facility was a bit on the dingy side, the crowd was definitely friendly and easily familiar. Bingo was fun. 1 card per purchase of alcoholic beverage, which was amazing because by the end of the bingo night, you're buzzed and scrambling to check numbers on numerous cards. Now I must find a bar like Knockout relatively close to my house. Sigh. you can count this among my list of "why LA can never live up to the Bay area" read more

The Knockout simply rules. Good local music for cheap cover on most nights, Thursday night bingo is a blast! You get a bingo card for every drink you buy and a chance to win ANOTHER drink along with a titilating prize of your choice. Some past acquistions have included: tiger balm, noisemakers, and a rooster snow globe to name a few. Who doesn't need one of those? Come early on Thursday night to ensure a seat (before 8pm). You can grab a burrito at Cancun or the Tamale Lady makes ceremonious stops as well. Its near my hood, low-key and an all-around good time. Two enthusiastic thumbs-up. read more

First and foremost -- THE most flattering photobooth ever! Fuck all the poorly maintained, black and white booths smattering similar (and inferior) bars around the city that only work half the time. This is very important! I always tend to get very very drunk at the knockout, and that is sure reflected in the photobooth strip, but i still always look GOOD. magical. Other points: -Strong drinks -Bartenders and barbacks usually nice and easy on the eyes. -The occasional saucy little doorboy (wink wink) -Amazing pupusa place across the street open just late enough for you to stumble into after the bar closes -Lots of weird decor that amuses the drunk eye -Clean (girls) bathrooms with a convenient primping mirror outside the door while you wait. -In my experience, the ratio of creepy dudes is less than many other like places. Drawbacks? -Sub-par tabletop Ms. Pacman -Sure it's kinda "out there" but it's not too bad if you're coming from another part of the mission. I've made the walk. I've been known to trek there just for the pupusa joint anyway. -Somehow I just get TOO drunk every time. Grab your friends, split a cab, bring ones -- did I mention the photobooth? One last warning - a hot girl friend and i did have TWO strips of pictures consecutively stolen from the drop slot one very intoxicated evening. This incident still under investigation. read more

Drinks are strong and tasty, it's not impossible to get one, the decor is pretty sweet, and the DJs play some great stuff. That said, THE PEOPLE. It's like the photography crowd from high school decided that dancing in circles is even better if you're wearing thick frames with no lenses in them. Extra points if you refuse to talk to anyone outside of your group of friends. We went to Booty Basement, and if you're going to drop beats like that, people are going to want to dance. We started dancing almost immediately, and over the course of 45 minutes the dance floor was so packed with sloppy hipsters spilling their tall cans that it just wasn't worth it. Next time? No thanks. read more

Things you need to know: Bingo on Thursday nights. Hammjobs (a can of Hamm's and a shot of well whiskey) are $5.50. Godspeed, people. read more