Fantastic bar hidden in the heart of North Beach. 4.5 stars Drinks: 4 Service: 4 Atmosphere: 5 Highlights: - Nice inside: was expecting a dark dive bar - Small: long bar and some tables in back - Drink menu written on back of the bar on the mirror with some classics like vesper and different ones like a pear sparkling cocktail - Chilled martini glasses: only way to go - Great reprieve from a crowded street festival - Bartender: fun watching him make drinks - Clientele: chill older crowd with good variety of people Lowlights - Never been here before so I've been missing out! read more

We grabbed a drink at Tony Nik's Cafe while waiting for our table at Tony's Pizza. It's right next door. A small bar with about 10 bar stools at the counter and a handful of chairs/tables in the back. A hole in the wall vibe. It was packed on Friday night but we were lucky to grab a small table as someone was leaving. My dirty martini with vodka was strong, cold and dirty. Just the way I like it! My friend had Persuasion which was another popular cocktail. A good spot to grab a quick drink and do your next thing. read more

Tony Nik's Cafe - Dirty Martini - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Tony Nik's isn't just a bar, it's basically a North Beach time machine. I first walked through its doors in the late 1990s after moving to San Francisco, but the bar itself dates back to 1933, opening right as Prohibition was ending. It was founded by Anton "Tony" Nikitovich and quickly became a gathering place for the neighborhood's Italian and Croatian communities, where people came to swap stories, argue politics, and enjoy a stiff drink after a long day. And honestly, that tradition carried on well into the years when many of us became regulars. I hadn't been back for a few years until recently, when I decided to stop in again. The bar wasn't overly busy, but a handful of neighborhood folks were sitting at the counter, trading stories over their drinks. It felt instantly familiar. Not much has changed since the early 2000s when I used to come here regularly, and that's exactly what makes Tony Nik's special. Step inside, and it still feels like a mid-century film set: tufted leather seating, a long wooden bar that's seen nearly a century of San Francisco history, and that iconic neon sign glowing outside. While much of the city has reinvented itself again and again, Tony Nik's somehow held onto its soul. It's a grown-up bar without being stuffy, no loud club music, no trendy gimmicks, just well-made cocktails, a classic jukebox, and an atmosphere that feels earned rather than manufactured. The bar stayed in the Nikitovich family for decades, and the current owners were wise enough to preserve both the name and the vintage character Tony originally created. It's one of those rare places that reminds you what North Beach used to be, and, thankfully, still is. read more

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Cute little hole in the wall, very no none sense, bar is bare without being boring. Not too much decor but just enough charm. I enjoyed my short time here and everyone around me looked to be having a great time too. Highly recommend if your in North Beach and would like a drink. Stephanie was awesome!! read more

Tony Nik's Cafe - Dirty Shirley - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

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My friend and I met up for dinner in North Beach, but since we were only on the waitlist, our estimated seating time got pushed from 7:30 to 8:30 PM. Everywhere was packed, so there was no point in changing plans. Luckily, we were in the perfect neighborhood to kill some time. We headed two doors down to Tony Nik's Cafe for a quick drink. My friend ordered a dirty martini and said it was a nice, strong drink. I went with the Pearsuasion, which is made with pear vodka, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup. It was a tad on the bitter side, but not too bad. Tip: the bartender definitely fills your glass right up to the rim! Take a big gulp before you even try taking your drink off the bar counter to avoid spilling. The vibe inside had a classic, old-school SF charm. read more

Such a fun place to grab a few drinks and truly unwind after a long day. This was my first time visiting, and I can confidently say it will not be my last. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere immediately stood out. The vibe is relaxed yet lively, making it a great spot whether you're stopping by casually or planning to spend a few hours enjoying yourself. The overall energy of the place made it easy to settle in and enjoy the evening. Everything felt welcoming and well put together, from the ambiance to the music and crowd. It's the kind of spot where you can have great conversation, laugh, and completely decompress without feeling rushed. The service was excellent from start to finish. The staff was attentive, friendly, and consistently checked in without being overbearing. Drinks were made well and delivered promptly, which really added to the experience. Overall, this is a great place to relax, enjoy well made drinks, and soak in a fun atmosphere. I would absolutely return and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a solid spot to unwind and enjoy a great evening out. read more

Tony Nik's Cafe - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Nice dark bar. Martini was a bit watery to my taste, too much ice. Clientele a mix of after-work drinks and people starting a night out. A bit pricey for the quality. read more

I like this spot, it's very old school and rustic. The staff are pretty kind, usually one bartender. I prefer strawberry lemon drops, but he didn't have strawberry on hand so he recommended pear. It was absolutely delicious. read more

Tony Nik's Cafe - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

Whenever I'm in North Beach, Tony Nik's is such a great spot to hit for a delicious espresso martini. The bartenders are always super friendly, and the espresso martini is one of the better ones I've had in the city. I love that it doesn't get too crowded, even on weekends, so you're able to enjoy a drink at the bar, or the other seating they have inside. The cocktails are also decently priced in my opinion. Love it here!! read more

Tony Nik's Cafe - Espresso Martini - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

Date: Tuesday, December 17th, 2024 Time: around 6:45pm Party of: 3 *Manhattan *Martini *Old Fashioned An old friend was in town. She was staying in North Beach, so we decided to meet up in that area. I haven't been to NB in quite a while, so she suggested Tony Nik's. I'm always down to check out new spots. (At least to me.) We walked in, sat at the bar for a bit to order our drinks, and then brought them to a table in the back. It was rather cold that day, so the draft from the door made the bar seating a little chilly. We ended up at a comfy table right behind the bar. Vibe was really cute with the holiday decorations. I got the manhattan. It was nicely balanced. We spent a good hour plus here, so it was nice being able to chill and catch up. The bartender was really sweet when I asked for waters, etc. I don't know the price of each cocktail as I did not get an itemized receipt, but our subtotal was $40. Great bar to get one or maybe even a few rounds. Especially on a chill weekday. REVIEW #3646 read more

Tony Nik's Cafe - Martini, Manhattan - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Sebastian, Ian, Jerome, and the entire team are truly a special breed of people; kind, funny, attentive, and incredibly hard working. You can tell the folks at Tony Nik's really care about their patrons and service. Have been here a hand full of times for a cheeky late night cocktail but worked with the crew to host a birthday in the back area and couldn't be more happy and grateful with how it went. Jerome greeted our group at the door kindly after I worked with Sebastian and Ian to schedule ahead of time; we were met with such kindness and swift attentiveness. Great drinks, great music, great vibes. Highly recommend Tony Nik's, whether for a specific occasion or no occasion at all. You won't regret stopping by. Cheers. read more

Great cocktails!! We were waiting for our table at Tony's pizza ! We had the persuasion and the paper place which both were excellent !!

SOLID lounge with a feeling it's from a bygone era. Friendly enough service with excellent cocktails made quickly. We went early to meet friends before dinner (around opening time at 4) and it wasn't hard to find a table at all. I can't speak for how busy it might get later. Well for sure be back- highly recommend the Pearsuassion! read more

Classic bar in the center of North Beach. Lively, accommodating and fun with a diverse crowd, interesting people to connect with and of course great cocktails! Enjoyed the unique mezcal Negroni and good gab with the friendly bartenders and great service. read more

Tony Nik's Cafe - Entry to T Niks - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Tony Nik's was a great time on a recent Friday night. if you didn't know, North Beach is the best entertainment district in San Francisco. This is without debate. Had two beautiful icy slightly dirty Stoli martinis. My credit union blocked my purchase then I used another card. The bartender had no attitude about that! And he also charged up my phone. Fridays, there's a live band on Stockton at Green across from Tony Niks and down the street from Luke's Locals. That area is bustling. Hadn't been to Tony Nik's for many years! I knew I had to go in when there were a bunch of women outside in bright costumes one was dressed in 70s orange as Mrs. Roper from Threes Company! Enjoyed my chat with Jerome the doorman I'll definitely be back to Tony Nik's! read more

Can't believe I hadn't been here before - I looooove the old school cocktail bar vibes. I had a paper plane and it was delicious and well-made. A very cool place to stop into for a drink, will definitely be adding it to my recommendation list for friends and visitors. read more

Deliciously strong and beautiful dranks in North Beach?! Don't mind if I do! What an awesome bar! I don't really kick it too often in the city these days, but lately I've been finding myself out here more often than usual. I guess I can thank my friends for that. I'm not typically the type to haul it to the city for bar hopping excursions, but I'll be damned if I say that I wouldn't make a special trip JUST to come back here again. Tony Nik's has got it, y'all! I can't remember the last time that I've had this much fun at a bar in the city. We loved the hell outta this place! Came here for post-brunch drinkies after stuffing our tummies with some AYCE deliciousness at Chubby Noodle down the street. As soon as we walked in, we were not only greeted by the bartenders, but the other bar patrons welcomed us in too. We instantly started chatting with the other patrons at the bar. Many of them were locals and probably knew that we weren't regulars. Some people don't like to be bothered or are super comfortable just hanging in their own clique, and there's nothing wrong with that. But there's something about meeting people in a fun space that just makes me so happy. Maybe because this hasn't been the norm for almost the past 2 years now, but I've been craving that social aspect of the bar. And that's exactly what I got here. Everyone was so friendly and just enjoying themselves. Sebastian is the MAN! Such a fun bartender! We kept him busy but he had no problems crafting up our cocktails. And speaking of cocktails; they are delicious! Esthetically pleasing, strong, and yummy. Yuuup, all that jazz. We actually had several rounds of drinks (maybe 4?!). I honestly can't remember how many rounds we had, but I do remember how yummy their lemon drops and Moscow mules are. Also, there's this drink called "Pearsuation". GET THAT! If you like a sweet and fruity creeper kinda drink, this one is for you. The martinis are quite popular here as well. A couple friends got some dirty and apple martinis. I didn't try them but they raved about them and ordered more than one round. I love that they bump those good ol' oldies tunes! Not that I don't enjoy today's music, but the classics are always fun to jam to at the bar. I love the diverse demographics too. Young and old, men and women, different races and faces. Just an all around super fun vibe. If I had to classify the type of bar that this is, I'd say a classy dive. Not bougie but not super divey either. But for this area, Tony Nik's is totally winning. I'll be back for sure. read more

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I been going to Tony Nik's for years. On Sat I went there with a girlfriend and the bartender ( guy with long hair ) was been rude to people left and right - he went out of his way to be a jerk ! He even put his open hand in front of peoples faces when they try to get his attention ! No manners what's over ! Bad attitude - He needs to treat his clients with respect! So disappointing! The owner needs to give him a wake-up call ! I would ! Clients are very important ! We don't deserve this kind of treatment ! My mother just past away and all I wanted was a drink in a friendly place ! This Jerk ruin my night ! I had the pleasure of meting the owner before and he's a Complete gentleman. The 1 start is for the horrible Jerk bartender last night ! I love this bar and I will go back but not on his shift ! He does not deserve my money! I do wish the owner well he's a dissent guy read more

Ian rocks. Definitely drink here. Best secret booth in the city. Don't just walk by. read more

A friend brought me here for Halloween. Was hesitant at first because it's a small space and was crowded. But the bartender Arno was awesome. So friendly, attentive and made great drinks. Will definitely come back! read more

Cozy bar near Washington Square that has great cocktails and a neighborhood feel. We chatted with the bartender / owner who was very friendly and told us the history of the bar. Overall recommend and would go back for a drink. read more

Tony Nik's Cafe - Cocktails - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

We saw this place on the Netflix show "Man On The Inside" and just knew we had to check it out when we were in San Francisco. It didn't disappoint. We had the Bees Knees and an Old Fashioned. Sebastian was our bartender and was very warm and welcoming. We had a nice conversation and a lovely libation. read more

We stopped in for an after dinner cocktail and sat at the bar. We were immediately greeted by a bartender (I feel bad, I cannot remember his name) but he was there Sunday night of February 26th. We gave him some ideas of a cocktail that we each wanted and he made his bartenders recommendation and did a fantastic job! We continued to sit there chatting with him about the area, about his time living in Denver (where we are from) and his recommendation on some delicious treats at a bakery on our way back to the hotel. Great conversation and great cocktails. Cute place too. I like the atmosphere. read more

Came here with my daughter. She enjoyed this local hangout in north beach. Super duper nice people in bar, and although it looks and feels like a neighborhood bar, there is a super nice classy environment. Updated and clean!!!! Plus bartender can make very good craft cocktails. A better wine selection would be wonderful read more

Fun spot to grab a drink before or after (or both) dinner in North Beach. When we saw a break from the rain during a recent storm, we took the opportunity to enjoy a gorgeous, sunshine-filled afternoon in San Francisco before seeing Dear San Francisco at Club Fugazi, the former home of Beach Blanket Babylon. While many places caught our attention for possible pre-show drinks, we opted to pop in here, located a short walk from the theater and near a lot of great dinner options. Sebastian was welcoming and made us tasty classic cocktails. The cocktails are reasonably priced for the area ($12-$14). Cheers! read more

Congratulations to the awesome bartender turned NEW owner. This place is always a great, chill time. We love the local feel and everyone is just enjoying a relaxed time there. This place can get rowdy during north beach events or santa con, for example. But usually, its quiet, low key with great service. You can find a seat either at the table or bar even though it's a smaller space. Often times, we make a stop here while waiting on a table for dinner. read more

My first time here, and this bar makes everyone feel right at home! Beer on tap was amazingly delicious along with the ambiance. LOVE it. read more

Tony Nik's Cafe - Oktoberfest beer - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

Cool bartender at Tony Nik's Cafe was Freindly and my wife and I enjoyed the cocktails. It was our first time here while waiting for our table at Tony's. This bar and cafe is relaxed, classic, I dare say low key elegant with wood finishes and terrazzo floor. Really cool place to escape from busy North Beach while still in North Beach. read more

Really good cocktails with an extensive selection of spirits! Great place to sit at the bar and chat with friends, bar staff are super friendly too. Only slight downside is they didn't stock any Pisco the last time I went, but the other cocktails available made up for this! Place can get pretty busy at peak times! read more

Being able to enjoy hanging out in a bar has been something many of us have been unable to do for quite a while. On a recent visit to San Francisco with my daughter, we discovered this amazing North Beach bar on our first night in town. The place was busy and it looked cool and intriguing so we went in and within a few minutes were able to get seats at the bar. An evening of fun was about to begin! The drinks here were great and the banter with the bartenders made for such a fun night. Partway through the evening we made a new friend who was visiting from Australia. It was so much fun that we decided to visit again on the next evening and both of the bartenders remembered us and helped us find seats at the bar again so we could drink and talk. Where do you find such a great place like this? Well, this one is a real gem. read more

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A bar is held up by it's staff. The history and mystique is important, but the bartender is the hub of operations. In my humble experience, I've never met a more friendly and accommodating bartender than Tim. He was a wealth of information about restaurants in the area, bar history, and good cocktails to try out. We trusted his opinion on making drinks and he did not steer us wrong. Thanks Tim, you rock! read more

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Great ambience, solid cocktails, fun and eclectic tunes. Tables at back are cute for date night or small groups, bartenders are nice

super chill and accommodating dive-y bar in North Beach. Sebastian (owner?) was awesome and really did a great job taking care of our large group who came in after a late dinner where we had already had a lot of drinks. I don't think we were obnoxious, but definitely a little high-maintenance. He was great and didn't make us feel unwelcome at all. I left a large tip, hope it was enough! Highly recommended! read more

I love this place. This place is the definition of North Beach. Sebastian is wonderful & always friendly. Great cocktails, great music & good company. read more

We were in town for a short weekend and we stopped in for a drink before heading to dinner. Grant (bartender) was so cool and made great drinks. We come to SF at least five time a year and we also find a new gem. Definitely stop in for a drink and you can't beat North Beach You are guaranteed a great time. read more

Tony Nik's Cafe - Pearsuasion and aperol spritzer both were really good. Husband also had an Old Fashioned, but I missed the pic. All we're really good. - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great hole in the wall bar! Not much seating up front but more in the back. Great service also.

This little hole-in-the-wall looking bar is easy to miss and easy to write off, but it's got some awesome drinks, beautiful ambiance, and over-the-top service. We come here a few times a month to relax and get away from the tourist feel of the area. It's generally not busy when we come in (early evening on Saturdays) and the bartender is quick to get our drinks, usually making them right in front of us as we sit at the bar and having a conversation about whatever topic you bring up. Tony Nik's is one of our favourite bars to stop in at to relax for a bit. Definitely recommend. read more

If you're standing in the rain in front of Tony's Pizza Napoletana and are reading this. I know a place that's warm, serves delicious cocktails and just a few short steps from Tony's where you can dry off and drink a tasty bourbon drink while you wait for your table. Leave your cell phone number with the hostess and head over to Tony Nik's Cafe. It's the perfect place to sit and sip and discuss your pizza plan of attack. The vibe is casual and there is usually plenty of space to scoot up at the bar or just head for one of the tables and be prepared drink away. read more

Tony Nik's Cafe - Bulliet bourbon sidecar and Buddy C - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

I love this place, and be happier that it survived COVID!!!! Thanks again for the superior service. The vibe, and all- around excellence!!! read more

Tony Nik's Cafe - Manhattan and an Old Fashioned! - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

Lived in North Beach for a year and this was one of my favorite bars. Staff is friendly and provide great service. Great location too close to everything read more