Those of you who read have no doubt been reading about the trend of people having concerts in their…read morehomes for small groups of people. I attended one of these recently, and had an out of body experience, while listening to one of my favorite SF-based jazz groups, the Lost Trio. This particular show took place in the living room, but the home's owner, Jack Hanny, is in the process of preparing a basement rec room as the site for future shows; he refers to it as the "naughty pine rec room". Because you are in someone's home, the vibe is very homey, and all attendees are expected to bring food or drink to share with the band and the other patrons. A wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon, hear some great music, and be home before dark.

Super cute, really cozy and wonderfully friendly karaoke bar…read more We came to the Lucky Horseshoe for a friend's going away party and for our first time, it was a pretty awesome place. Neither of us are into karaoke so we stayed back and were happy to encourage and cheer on others who were performing. There's also pool tables if you prefer games to singing. Standard beer and well drinks, it's a neat dive bar with an alternative/punk feel. Bartenders were quick and attentive as well as friendly. This would definitely be location to stop at in our regular dive bar rotation if it was closer to where we live, it's definitely a neat place to stop in for a quick drink or stay for a few hours and chat with others.

We've come here a few times on a Friday night for karaoke.People and staff are always really…read morefriendly. They also have a pool table in the back. It never gets super crowded so it's easy to find a place to sit. And street parking is usually easy to find too. The drinks are strong and plenty of beers to choose from. The place is fun and divey, just a chill time.

Too crowded. Music on the lower level needs to be more upbeat and mix . No food but the drinks were…read moredecent expensive

Primero hablamos de los precios. $20 por una Modelo y agua es un robo total. El servicio, pésimo…read more El grupo que fuimos a ver estaba casi 3 horas tarde y seguían poniendo música que era tan alto que te podía romper los oídos . Se nota la saperia de este lugar cuando pagas VIP y te dan lo que les da la gana. Deben evitar este lugar totalmente. First let's talk about the prices, $20 for a modelo and water. The service, awful. The group we came to see was almost 3 hours late and they kept playing music that was so loud it could leave you deaf. You can tell the lack of respect this place has when you pay for VIP and you get seated wherever they want. Avoid this place at all costs.

I'm not sure why I've been so lackadaisical about writing my personal appraisal of El Rio. I've…read morebeen just a handful of times in the past year, and honestly not been disappointed with my experiences here. The only times that dishearten me was when they decided to close the bar for private events, often leaving me disgruntled to find another place to wet my whistle. I can think of worse things in life like JD Vance becoming VP. Now that would be a tragedy. I usually find myself here when they open at 5PM during the week. Jasmine has been my bartender of choice, and she makes a mean cocktail whether it be a rollicking $8 Tequila Sunrise (photo: https://yelp.to/zp4Bw0t2Cx) or one of the house specialties, the smoothly spiky $12 Margarita Silencio Mezcal (photo: https://yelp.to/NJiZldM8EI). More often than not, I find myself sauntering over to the expansive back patio where one part was usually being decorated for an imminent group event, while the remainder was free for solitary drinkers looking for a moment of reflection while imbibing a libation or three. I've yet to have a problem of overstaying my welcome, but then again, that's part of the inclusive nature of El Rio. Indeed I belong here. DRINKS - 4 stars...not lethal but potent enough to make me think the Carmen Miranda cutout actually moved AMBIANCE - 4.5 stars...it may have the only vibe in SF close in spirit to WeHo spots like The Abbey SERVICE - 4 stars...usually greeted with genuine enthusiasm...Jasmine is a gem of a bartender TOTAL - 4 stars...if you need space for your cavorting, this be it RELATED - Exploring Bernal Heights? Here's my collection of places I've tried and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CaaWFe

0 STARS DUE TO THE RUDEST BARTENDING STAFF IN SF…read more It's always a great time partying at El Rio -- the energy, music, and vibe are unmatched. Unfortunately, my most recent experience at the bar left a sour taste. My friend ordered two mixed drinks and was served in plastic cups with no ice. When I asked a different bartender for just a scoop of ice and explained that my friend hadn't received any, the response from his co-worker -- loud enough for us to hear -- was, "NO TIP, NO ICE." The other bartender simply shrugged and apologized before moving on without offering any ice. As someone who has worked in the service industry and bartended for 5 years, I understand bar etiquette, customer flow, and the tipping culture. Tipping is appreciated, but it's never guaranteed -- and it should never determine whether a customer receives a properly made drink. Serving a room-temperature cocktail without ice out of spite is unprofessional, unnecessary, and frankly spiteful. To be clear: tips are a bonus, not a requirement -- they're not taxes. Respect, quality service, and basic hospitality should be the standard, not something customers have to earn. I hope management takes this seriously. A place as legendary as El Rio deserves bartenders who contribute to the good vibes, not tear them down.

A True Mission Gem -- Gritty, Loud, and Full of Heart…read more Caught Star Belly Bug here recently and had an absolute blast. If you're looking for a venue with soul, personality, and a healthy dose of weird -- The Knockout is it. The Scene: This place screams underground SF in the best way. The walls are plastered with stickers from hundreds of bands, artists, and regulars that have come through -- it's like a living punk flyer wall. Dim neon lighting and vintage touches give it a divey charm, but not in a try-hard way. The Virgin Mary painting above the bar and eclectic photo strips tucked in every corner add a little extra mystique to the already vibrant decor. The Music: Star Belly Bug was killer -- great sound for a small venue, and the energy was contagious. The stage is super intimate, so you're right up close with the band, no matter where you're standing. The Knockout clearly supports local and underground talent, and it shows in the diverse lineup and passionate crowd. The Bar: Drinks were strong and reasonably priced (especially for SF), and the bartenders were cool and efficient even when things got packed. There's a solid cocktail list on the board, but also plenty of cheap beer and no-nonsense options. Vibe: Inclusive, weird in the best way, and 100% authentic. This is the kind of place where you can dance, lose yourself in the music, and just enjoy being part of the scene. Zero pretension. Lots of regulars. Great people-watching. Whether you're coming to catch a band, dance your face off on theme nights, or just grab a stiff drink, The Knockout delivers the goods. A Mission must-stop.

Nice place to play - very cool people, sound man knew what he was doing, helpful and got a good…read moretone. small place - but 40 people feels like 100 so I don't mind. Place was clean, I don't drink alcohol but some folks loved the drinks and they had some new alcohol-free options which I appreciated. Than you guys! one thing to consider if your'e a band playing here, parking is tough and unloading becomes a little dicy when double parking. Ended up having to park 4 blocks away.... that said, would play it again. cheers!

This was the last weekend the San Francisco Shakespeare festival coterie will perform the Tempest…read moreat the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater. Their next stop will be at the Sue Bierman park September 14 - September 22. The tempest is a play seeped in rich shakespearean prose. Each actor's interpretation of the characters they played were remarkable , the costumes and fabrics were beautifully tailored and the music was outstanding, especially that of the percussionist, Phoebe Chow, who interwove her single Conga drum rhythmically throughout each Act. And the pre-recorded music scores were exquisite as well.

Great venue and a great space to enjoy live entertainment in the less visited part of San…read moreFrancisco. I enjoyed the nature and the vibe here. I appreciate free entertainment in San Francisco in a cool place.

Got the kamikaze which was balanced with the alcohol and flavor, not too sweet. Loved the lychee…read moremojito too! Tasted pretty good but also can still taste the alcohol. Music choices were nice. You can join and play your own song when you download the app! Our server was kind and quick.

Love this place and our girl Shirley! She's always taking care of us. This place is always a go to…read more Live bands, local artists, juke box, dj's, karaoke night & yummy drinks.

On a recent visit to San Francisco, Barebottle Brewing was top of my list to visit thanks to many…read moreexcellent can selections we've gotten at the local bottle shop. Their beer is excellent, and I've heard nothing but great things about the place and people. We visited on a Sunday and met friends, who said it took a while to get a big table for us; it was surprisingly packed! It's a large industrial brewery, with the equipment chained off at the back. They make great use of the rest of the building with large tables, small tables, bar seating/standing room, plus an arcade area, outside seating area, and a few cozy living room style areas with stuffed furniture at the back. To the right on entry is the canned beer for takeout, to the left is their large bar and impressive tap list. We mostly get IPAs, so it was fun to try their other styles like rice lagers and a barleywine, everything was excellent. Their flights are huge, basically half size goblet pours in a six rack. Prices are reasonable for the well developed beer. They also had a food vendor outside, which we loved (see separate review). It's great to see a place equally rock great beer and a fun experience, I definitely look forward to returning sometime soon.

Service was acceptable, and the space itself is spacious without feeling crowded. However, the…read moreexperience falls short on value, quality, and atmosphere. $13.50 for a pour is steep, especially when served half-full in a small glass. The stout was, to be polite, thin in texture. The aromas were present, but I winced with each taste of the lukewarm, harshly burnt flavor of acid. It didn't get better with each sip. For a moderately quiet Friday, I had to shout to people next to me due to the acoustics of the space. If you prefer traditional, additive-free brewing and full pints, there are far better options.

Came to Wild Side West during Pride weekend, and it's such a cool local spot! We were a group of 5…read moreplus one dog, and it was great to sit in their back patio area, which feels like a little forest escape with funky decor. It was cash only, and the drinks were surprisingly affordable for SF. We got margaritas and other mixed drinks - would definitely come back to try their specials. Staff was very friendly, and it was nice enjoying a quiet spot with outdoor seating - feels like being in the backyard of a friend's home. Would definitely come back for their events and other specials.

Great find! Must visit the patio out back. Super quiet and private little spaces…read more Bring cash! The bartender recommended this great seltzer when I was struggling to order.

Dr. Ko represents the highest standard of musical professionalism and artistry in the Bay Area. His…read moreplaying is elegant, sophisticated, and emotionally resonant. From the moment he began performing, it was clear we were experiencing the work of a truly exceptional musician. His presence carries a quiet refinement and care that elevated our entire event. Words cannot adequately describe what it meant to have him perform at my 40th birthday celebration. It was an honor for our family and guests to experience such beautiful music. Thank you, Dr. Ko. We are deeply grateful and will certainly be looking for reasons to invite you to perform for us again.

I recently had the pleasure of working with Dr. Ko for a wedding, and as a planner (Parker & Paloma…read moreEvents), I cannot recommend him highly enough. He is a consummate professional who brings an incredible sense of warmth and elegance to the day. Dr. Ko's adaptability is seamless; he knows exactly how to read a room and adjust his performance to fit the moment perfectly. What impressed me most was his ability to learn new music specifically for the couple. He took their unique requests and performed them with such soul and precision, making the ceremony feel deeply personal. Beyond his technical skill, Dr. Ko has a wonderful collaborative spirit. He is a true team player who is easy to coordinate with, and he has a natural way of making couples feel comfortable and at home. In the whirlwind of a wedding day, his calm and kind presence is a gift. If you are looking for a musician who is as talented as he is easy to work with, Dr. Ko is the best in the business!