What more needs to be said about this iconic place? A beer bar mecca. One that maintains old school classic dive bar roots, but serves up amazing brews for next to nothing. Top notch ambiance. Stickered walls, grafitti bathrooms, no bullshit here folks. And that tap list to boot. Where else are you going to go to get amazing beers from Russian River, Alpine, Moonlight Brewing, Deschutes, and many more for 5 or 6 bucks a pint? Not fancy dancy. Doesn't need to be, so don't come here out holding your pinky talking about the latest whale you just slayed either. Bottle list does have some interesting ones, but it's a bit small surprisingly, and the coveted stuff goes fast. Great people also work here as well who enjoy talking and shagging and serving pints. Much thanks to Steve (Steven?). And Bill Gould lives down the street and has popped in from time to time. How cool is that! Nothing more needs to be said, take it in proper how you like it, either early when no one is there to have to yourself, or packed like a mad house its up to you. Either way you'll never forget the beers you have here. A must stop place. read more

Our friends took us to this place to see what all the rage was about. For beer selection I give them 4 stars, but for seating availability I give them a 2. But the fact that this place was packed on a Tuesday night really is to their credit - they must be doing something right, but that being said, I don't like to stand and drink my beer in a crowded corridor. So sorry, I'm givin' ya 3 baby. So parking was a nightmare, SF, what of it, I know... I'm guessing they had about 25 beers on tap, tons of bottles, and even some ciders. Giants game was on, of course, and evidently you're allowed to bring in food from the neighboring restaurants. Bring your sharpie so you can write some random shit on the wall in the bathroom. I was hard to pee straight while reading all the random stuff written on the wall. If I knew I had a place to sit, I'd go back, if not, I'd steer clear. read more

Incredible beers, good dive bar, very very rude bartenders, and cash only. I just go here for great beers and ignore everything else.

I can add nothing to the hundreds of reviews about this place but to agree that the beer selection is unlike anywhere else. Not the place to sit and have a conversation though. read more

I LOVE THIS BAR. Toronado smells like pee and beer-- the way a dive bar should smell. The place is relatively clean-- I never have to hold my breath when I'm in the bathroom, so that's a plus. BTW-- there's another bathroom in the back room too. The staff is on point- they're not ignoring you, they're taking orders in the order that people came up to the bar. They know their beers--- if you give them what you normally like, they will suggest something that you will love. The beer is cheap and they are ALWAYS changing their menu. There are usually a few hand pumped beers. It's a good way to get to know your microbrews. If you're hungry, they don't serve food, so grab food from one of their neighbors and let them know you'll be eating it at Toronado. I suggest the sausage place next door--- sausages and beer, you can't go wrong! The people that come into this place are usually super-cool. A lot of San Diegans hang out here, which makes it feel even more like home :) read more

I once walked 13 blocks to get sauced on Pliny The Elder at Toronado. I would do it again, right now, if only I were in San Francisco and despite the fact that it's Wednesday in the middle of the work day. This is a bar at which to begin and end your descent into abject alcoholism. If you're looking for some trendy shot bar or swell faux martini cocktail lounge, go somewhere else. Dive bar? Check. Huge beer selection? Check. Awesome jukebox? Yessir. Lets you bring in sausage or pizza from the greasy counter joints next door? Sure thing! If what you crave is amazing beer in a totally unpretentious environment, surrounded by like-minded people NOT trying to look cool, this is your place. read more

I want to give this place 4 stars, but the bartenders are not always that friendly. The beer is killer and they often have a very good selection. The music is loud, the crowd is loud...good elements for a good bar. If you like Belgium beers, this is one of the better choices in the city!! read more

This place doesn't have any good beers like Coors Light, Miller Genuine Draft, Budweiser, or Pabst. I mean, come on dude, what the hell?! JUST KIDDING, OBVIOUSLY!!!! Well, they really don't have those beers but THAT'S A GOOD THING. Toronado is a beer drinkers bar. No hard liquor or wussy beers sold here. Bartenders are awesome and don't take any sh!t. Know what you want to order before you get asked. Don't ask for suggestions either - well unless you go there a lot and you're familiar with the folks who work there. Shot out to Stu. Besides the gigantic selection of quality micro-brews, this place has a sweet deal with nearby restaurants. You can buy food and bring it into the bar. Plus the Tamale Lady comes by a lot. Some yuppie places don't allow that. This is anti-yuppie. So if you're in the mood for a real Frisco beer bar, go here. read more

the moment you walk into Toronado it becomes painfully clear that with bars, just like anything else, there is a certain gold standard that is a cut above the competition. Toronado is the gold medal winner in the dive bar category. It is the type of dive bar that makes you proud to be a blue collar sucker with a beer gut and one pair of levi's that you've worn for the last 234 days. Man, talk about the real deal. I don't know what it is exactly but this place looks, smells, and feels like it belongs. Toronado is in perfect harmony with the Lower Haight. Sort of like the Ocean is in perfect harmony with San Francisco. I had my first "Death and Taxes" there, and nearly cried my eyes off. Holy shite was that good. I also had my first Hoegarden there. It was orgasmic. This place is inexplicably proper. It's mad f'in cool. It's visually pleasing as well. You can't go wrong here, unless you are, at your very core, wrong. Even the name has rhythm. Say it. Yeah, baby. read more

Sometimes I love being the only Asian person in joint. This place is one of those rare SF examples. Bars should all have this sort of personality. They had about 50 types of beers listed on the wall and I can't wait to try some more of them on my next trip after heading to the equally awesome sausage grille next door. This is also one of those places where the famous $9 SF beer does not live thank god. I had a 1/2 litre Heff, which outlived my sausage and it cost around $4! read more

...and the clouds parted, and the sunbeams shone down upon Toronado, and a chorus of angels sang... Is this beer heaven??? read more

This was my favorite bar when I first moved back to The City. I loved that it had an extensive list of beers! Over the years, I avoid coming because it's just too busy and now has a bit of a crusty feel to it. When I do come here, I prefer to sit in the booth in the back but will settle for a table near the front. I laugh to myself when I read reviews about the rude bartenders here. I remember a night when I placed an order with a salty older lady with black hair (you know who you are). I turned around to get my friend's order when she barked at me, telling me not to ever 'do that in her bar again'. I stood there a little stunned...do WHAT, exactly? I guess it's rude to turn your back on a bartender? Or maybe I'm not allowed to order for others? Seems a little full of shit, if you ask me. Anyway, if you are in the area and want a good beer, check this place out. But it's gotten a little played out - there are so many other bars in the Lower Haight that don't treat you like shit and still expect to be tipped. read more

While the Blind Tiger in NYC is still my favorite and IMHO the most impressive brew pub as far as assortment of impressive beers are concerned, this place comes in a close second. Unlike Blind Tiger, the clientele here is a lot more diverse - biker dudes, beer snobs, after work professionals, hipsters and locals. Beer list on tap was amazing - they had freakin Pliny the Elder on tap from Russian River. Right there, I knew this place was special. Beer list on tap looked to be about 60 in my estimation with a focus - but not all - on local craft brews. A few well respected favorites like Founders could be found as well. Please is an L-shaped bar with indie music playing with a long bar when you walk in and high tables along the other side of the wall. There's a corner room tucked in the back near the bathrooms with a couple of tables for a larger group. Everyone seemed to hang out front. Walls are decorated with numerous and various microbrewery tin signs against a emerald green painted wall. Like - and this is not a slam - a TGIFs feel is they were only beer signs. I liked the look - and don't like TGIF. Tucked in a cool little area of SF of various shops, stores, restaurants and bars. Street parking not too bad. Cash only bar. Or as the say here, "Johnny Cash Only" Will be back read more

Two men enter... one man leaves... this is to beer what the octagon is to UFC. From Pliney The Elder (don't ask) to barleywine ad nausea, the Toronado is the beer drinkers bar... in fact it's been rated one of the best beer bars in the country. Once the alcohol hits you squarely in the domepiece, feel free to peruse the lovely taps (can you tell the Anderson Valley? hint: it's the awesome bear) or grab some steaming pizza from Mythic. Only downside here is the parking... oh and the fact that if you go into too dressy, someone from the beer underworld will try to fight you and make a beer out of your fancy shoes. but seriously if you're a homebrewer looking for mad love from other homebrewers, brew it up at Toronado. read more

I wanted a lot of good beer with minimal bullshit, so I headed over to Toronado. It's been a rough week, and sometimes a girl needs a fiendishly good I.P.A in a place where everyone leaves her to her own devices I've been searching high and low for a gnome and was seriously envious of their little pointy hated friend shooting me a mocking smile from high above the bar. The wall is littered with photos, some aged and from what appears to be like decades ago. "Behind blue Eyes" played, and my severely mopey countenance and increasingly inebriated ass identified with the selection, in a way that made me think these were my people. My musings were briskly interrupted by the questioning yell of "Steve?!? Nick?!?" The half door by the entryway makes the ideal platform for Rosamunde, the hot dog joint next door, to try and pinpoint its wandering customers. The "no dogs allowed" sign is entertaining in an ironic way, given that there were two furry critters taking turns at emitting piercing howls. Beers on draught are proudly marqueed high to the left of the bar. In addition to their list of draughts, they have an extensive bottled beer selection. Unfortunately, the available selection differs slightly from what is advertised on the website, so you may have to hope the beer you've had your eye on is still there. But overall, their selection is pretty goddamned decent, and almost all of their seats were taken when I popped in at 1:30pm on a weekday. Apparently everyone else had the same great idea of extending their lunch hour to down a few pints, although my guess is no one there really works standard nine to five hours in business casual. I got extremely excited, I mean sexually, by how many hot scruffy dudes populated the place - and were genuinely nice. I had serious thoughts of blowing off the rest of my workday and my income, but I figured that wouldn't be the wisest or most appreciated use of my time. Another charming touch was the dude sitting on a barstool, burping his ABCs as his dog yelped in accompaniment. read more

Great bar! Came in from out of town with my dog trying to find a low key place for a beer and this place was perfect. I traveled alone so being able to go inside with the dog was must. I was able to order a beer inside with my dog and was told that I could stay inside with him if I wanted but I stayed on their patio instead. Great beer selection and really nice people. read more

Went here last Saturday and experienced the best on-tap beer of my life. We travel all around the coast and world to enjoy the best beers/pours, and the female bar tender here was the most experienced Beer-Aficionado I have ever met, she was more than knowledgeable, she was like a hot walking beer bible. By the 2nd pint I was hoping she would adopt me. Seriously. Best dive-bar experience overall, ever. read more

This is a beer drinkers beer bar plain and simple. If you're coming here because your company co-ed kickball team decided to have a pub crawl in the city...well this probably isn't the place for you. This bar is and should be for the craft beer drinker. Pliny the Elder on tap...hell yes, Dogfish 120 on tap for $5 bucks!, oh dear lord. Bottom line, this is a down and dirty beer bar. If the only thing you take away from this place is that your panties got in a ruffle because you "thought the bartender was rude"...well...at least your kickball team won right? Now move along and find yourself a Stella. read more

Here's the deal, I've seen all those punk bands on the bartenders t-shirt so while your trying to figure out what to order and being ignored, he's served me two beers already so get it together, figure out what you want before you go in and we won't read your whiny yelp review on this website. Get 'The Blind Pig' by Russian River and thank me later. read more

how dare Yelp categorize this as a dive bar! That's a total insult. This is not a dive bar....it is THE dive bar that you hope heaven has in store for you. Complete with old beer (and "other") smells in every nook and cranny. OK, have I scared you away from it now? ...damn, it's that lil' five star rating thing at the top, isn't it? Why does a stinky, sticky (ever touched the door handle or anything else inside?) dive bar get 5 stars? It's mecca baby. Look up the definition. Great fresh N.W. microbrewed ales, incredible selection of Belgian beers, and the Tamale Lady 'round midnight just in time to save us all from dreaded strong ales on empty stomach-itis. Dave, the owner, keeps the very cleanest tap system in town--he cleans his tap lines on a very regular basis, so despite the "patina" of the place, we're getting the very cleanest, tastiest, and largest selection of great ales this side of heaven. My only question: is the grafitti in the bathroom as funny to someone who is sober? Not sure I'll ever know the answer to that one. Don't forget to pay homage to the old tap handles along the walls--they are artifacts from our irrationally exuberant forefathers in the brewing industry, who laid down their lives so we can now drink quality product. read more

Cheap. Dirty. Excellent beer. Close proximity to sausage. Killer jukebox. Love this place. Favorite bar in SF. Go here. read more

Best side-by-side combo ever. Sausage from next door plus beer here.

I'm writing this review so I can add these guys to a list; the other 700-something reviews probably say it just as well. Go here for an awesome selection of beers, including Racer 5, a perennial favorite. The best part about Toronado is getting sausages from Rosamunde and bringing them in for the perfect accompaniment of just the right beer. Get in there early for a easy time finding a table. read more

If you like beer, than read no further and get over to the Toronado! Unless it's after hours, of course... This is a great place to hang with friends and knock back a few. They have a fantastic beer selection, and the fact that you can order a sausage from the joint next door and bring it into the Toronado is pretty cool. Of course, this allows you to get some some food in your belly that allows you to drink more beer, so it works out pretty well for all parties involved. They have a pretty good jukebox here too, and used to show the Simpsons on Sunday nights (do they still do this?). read more

Pros: -Deeee-licious beer -Super tasty sausage next door, which you can bring into the bar! Cons: -Hard to get a seat Bottom Line: I don't mind standing! I'll be back! read more

Heard about this place from a few folks, but never had a chance to go until a friend wanted to meet up the other night. It's fine, really - no actual complaints - but no actual accolades either. If it was my neighborhood pub, I'd definitely frequent - but I wouldn't go out of my way to go here. Yes, there are about 100 beers here (not 1000's like some people below are claiming - sheesh, get a grip. The place is the size of a bus stop.), and most of them are interesting brews from all over the globe... but I've seen this sort of thing done better elsewhere. There was no beer-o-the-week blackboard and no list of brews written down. The bartender I had didn't seem terribly knowledgeable, and yet, somehow, was still arrogant - not really sure how that works. Doesn't matter tho, even if he was knowledgeable, it wouldn't matter since we couldn't hear each other: this place is loud. Really loud. Like, if there was no one else in there but me, my friend and the bartenders we STILL wouldn't be able to hear each other. That kind of loud. There's a lot of reviews below about how this is how a beer joint should be, not a d-bag in sight, a perfect mix of beers and friends, la la la... That's cool. Really. I get it. But, hey, if a d-bag walked in there with some sound absorbing tiles and a beer list, I'd buy him a brew. read more

Best beer selection in San Francisco. The place does have a stink to it, but it should since its a bar. read more

Picture this: Sunday afternoon, NCAA regional finals, #1 North Carolina vs. #2 Georgetown, huge $7 stein of hoegaarden in front of me, the Misfits screaming from the jukebox, half-eaten rosamunde sausage percolating in my belly, 20 or so Toronado denizens cheering wildly at one small tv screen...Final Score: North Carolina 84 --- Georgetown 96. I heart you Toronado. Want to know why? Because much like most of the Lower Haight itself, you root for and relish being the underdog. 5 stars. read more

Okay, first of all: basketball is dumb. I headed over here on Tuesday, not realizing that the Warriors/Mavericks game was that night. I mean, it was fun being in a bar full of rowdy, excited (and ultimately disappointed) people, but I wish they had been excited about something other than basketball. Because basketball does not excite me. But enough about me: on to Toronado. I have problems with making decisions, and knew I'd have trouble picking out a beer (back to me again...), so I picked one from the online menu beforehand, then got there and it wasn't on tap. Oh well. I asked what one of the Belgian beers was like, and the bartender, who told us she was about to take out her .44 on the girls sitting at the bar before us (yikes!), belted out, "Alright, you want it?" "Um, yes please," I said meekly, and she laughed. "Just kidding! I'll let ya taste it" and poured some into one of those pretty Belgian beer glasses. It was delish, so I had her fill the rest of the thing up. And gave a big tip. After all, I didn't want her pulling out her .44 on me. One interesting part of the evening: a bunch of people were doing shots of some German drink that smelled like licorice and claimed to help with digestion and came in tiny little bottles. That was interesting. read more

My hubby's old roommate practically lives in this bar. The first time he took us, I was a little dubious because I'm a vodka and whiskey gal. Beer is good, but I always feel so full after knocking a few back. I was pleasantly surprised by the fabulous selection of beer and enjoyed every glass I was given. I tried so many that I don't remember all the names, and each time I have been back I've tried something new. If only they found a way to bring over some St. Bernardus... Study the board and know what you want by the time the bartenders come to you. If you ask if they have something that's not on the board, you'll get the brush off and a blunt, "Look at the board!" Don't be afraid to tell them what you like and ask for something comparable. They know their beer. Don't get your feelings hurt if they're short with you when it's busy (which is most of the time). And get a sausage from next door. It's a great place to chill with friends while watching a game. read more

I was visiting SF for a week and was told I had to visit Toronado. So I did, several times during that week. Living in SoCal it's pretty hard to get some of Northern California's best beers, especially some of the really good IPA's. But at Toronado they aren't just available, they are cheap! It seems to get excessively busy, but that's ok. For beer this good, it's worth it. The only thing I don't like is that my plane left the same day that a monk from the Orval Abbey came in for a tasting so I couldn't go. Bummer. read more

I loves me some PBR, but sometimes a woman's gotta get classy-ish...and that's exactly where Toronado comes into play. The best beer I've had in the city has been at this bar - and the menu ROTATES. It's not always the same beer...so the beer lover in everyone can get a taste test of different "fancy beer" from all over the world. Imagine, if you will, a bar decorated by hundreds of taps, random asshole-inspired stickers, and the rudest (see: quite lovable) bar staff in existence. This is Toronado. I've been here countless times and I'll continue to come back. That means a lot considering I usually have to wait a decade or so to get a re-fill (and this is the only reason they aren't a 5-star joint, in my book). Yes, this place is popular (and when you taste the beer, you'll see why). They also have a rad happy hour every day until 6 p.m. Something like $3 a pint if I remember correctly, but I can never make it there that early. It's also nice that there's a sausage joint next door that caters to the vegan-class, and Toronado is happy to have the brats in their haus. Plus-side: I've never had to wait more than two minutes for the bathroom. As a woman, I will worship a bar when this is the case. (Funny quip: The last time I was in Toronado, the owner's wife was tending bar. She is a spunky character and anyone without a spine should probably stay away. She'll knock you down about 52 pegs or two and continue to curb-stomp your face...and that's why she rocks. I overheard her make a comment at the bar about Yelp. "While you're giving me a shitty review for my attitude on Yelp, I'll be kicking my feet up and watching my 50" flat-screen in the comfort of my living room, so who's winning?") read more

So many beers, I couldn't decide! I tend to stick to ones I know, like Death and Taxes, but it's a good place to branch out and ask your bartender for suggestions. Of course, at first I went for ones with the cool names that I wasn't familiar with, turning out to be all IPAs. All the cool named beers are IPAs it seems, which I happen to not be a fan of. Always too hoppy for me. Eventually, dude realized I wasn't into girlie beers and he handed me a double something or other - it's a bit loud in this place on the weekends, so I missed the full name. But that didn't stop one girl from camping out at the bar with a bookstand, reading a huge novel and chugging down a beer. Sweet local spot. read more

Best dive on the west coast. Tie with the Rail Pub Savannah, GA. I rememer being in the back of this place ordering JGB tickets on a pay phone. A true classic wish there were more places like this in the world. read more

This place is awesome, there's so many beers here. All kinds of beer on tap and multiple beers you can order by bottle. There's a few seats here and then there's the back area where there are more of the bigger tables. I took off one star because they do not take card. There is an ATM there but I really wish they took card. I don't have food here but you can bring food from the areas around there and eat it in here. Overall, this place is great if you like beer but make sure you bring cash. read more

If you know of a bar that has a better selection of strange and tasty beers than the Toronado, tell me and I will buy you lots of presents out of gratitude. Death and Taxes, which they serve, is one of my most favorite beers ever. And who can resist a place that has a wide selection of beers made by monks? For some reason, beer tastes so much better if its makers have taken a vow of chastity. read more

Okay, so I might be slightly biased because I met my boyfriend here... But all mushiness aside, this is such a great place. I love the half door when you enter, giving it a fun, saloon type of feel. They have a beer for everyone. For those who aren't huge beer drinkers (like myself) -- the framboise lambic is AMAZING. They also have mead (mulled honey wine with spices). Very knowledgeable staff, they are great with recommendations and are usually nice about letting you try another beer if you really don't like what you ordered. If you're hungry, order a sausage or two from Rosamunde next door before heading to Toronado, and they'll deliver it right to your table just as that first sip of a cold brew is sliding down your throat. mmmmmmm.... read more

I will always be in love with Toronado. This was one of my first bars when I moved to SF, four years ago. They have an extensive micro/belgian beer menu (no Budweiser sold here) and the pricing is actually really good for what you get ($5-7 for common pints, +++ for your larger/reserve bottles). I think the bartenders are great and helpful if you ask about a specific beer. Do NOT just say "what do you think I should order?". They have a decent juke box and plenty of seating. Sure, it smells a little like rotten beer (some of you think it's piss, don't you?), but it's a real brew bar. Not a pansy a** sportsbar where their ales are only as skunky as Sierra Nevada or Fat Tire. Go, it's an SF staple. read more

No frills, no nonsense beer bar. Everything is faded old wood, painted, grafitti'd, and carved over by patrons many times over. The crowd looks decidedly early-late 20s, hipster, with funky hairdos and tattoos to match. Not one shred of a pastel color on any of them. Where the bar lacks in decorum, dress, or the like, they've channeled into their beer selection, which reads sophisticatedly by region and vintage in a way usually reserved for the haughty wine. If you don't know your beers don't ask the hard-looking bartender with the accent and arm tats, but the female one with the chunky blonde highlights, as she's much more amicable to the unfamiliar. Happy hours make for cheaper beers, but not really by much. They should consider taking another dollar off to compete with other happy hours. Disappointed to find no trace of bar snacks, not even peanuts or pretzels. You'll be dependent on the sausage shop next door, and hopefully it's open when you're coming to this bar. read more

This...is my kind of place. More beers than you can shake a fist at and a guest appearance by the Tamale Lady! This place wasn't too crowded and just the right amount of "dive-iness" that I look for in a bar. I was good and drunk off of delicious brew and barely made it into a cab and home. Excellent night in my opinion. read more