It was a heckuva weekend in San Francisco. Three games, two wins, and the 2014 World Series heads back to Kansas City with the Giants up three games to two. One win to go! If you didn’t make it to AT&T Park this past weekend, you certainly had a bunch of bars around town in which to enjoy the game. Do you have a local spot that’s a go-to, or are you like a good deal of us who are looking for that solid spot to meet-up for the game? Here’s a round-up of our best bars in each neighborhood to watch the Giants tonight at 5 p.m. Have fun, cross your fingers, and play ball!
(North Beach) NorthStar Cafe, 1560 Powell St.
Might be the best atmosphere of any bar for a Giants game. The kick-ass vibe for game four there on Saturday was magical, from the comeback win to the whole bar arm-in-arm singing “God Bless America.” It becomes a tightly packed place, thanks in part to the cheap beer. Plan on knowing everyone around you by the time the game is over.
(Mission) Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem, 2323 Mission St.
A massive bar with both indoor and outdoor TVs on the back patio. Jameson and Fernet on draft and a menu that features regular, sweet potato, and truffle tater-tots. Yes please.
(Marina/Cow Hollow) Bus Stop, 1901 Union St.
A real sports fan’s bar. The Bus Stop is a major destination for any sporting event and it’s a serious scene for a Giants game. Definitely attracts a young crowd of enthusiasts.
(Pac Heights/Fillmore) Harry’s Bar, 2020 Fillmore St.
It’s a classic Pac Heights bar, with solid grub and tables throughout if you’re lucky to get one. One thing to note, it has good mojo: The biggest Giants fan I know was there for 2010’s game five winner and goes there for all series clinchers now. (Superstition is everything in baseball)
(Pac Heights/Divis) San Francisco Athletic Club, 1750 Divisadero St.
They’ve done a nice job of establishing themselves as a go-to sports bar in Pac Heights in a short amount of time. Knowledgable sports fans abound here.
(Noe Valley) The Dubliner, 3838 24th St.
28 beers on tap and a TV on just about every inch of wall space. It’s the locals spot in Noe and the nearby intersection of 24th and Church is a prime location for a World Series celebration. Here we go!
(Nob Hill) Shanghai Kelly’s, 2064 Polk St.
While there are other nearby spots that are roomier and maybe a bit more comfortable (McTeague’s, The Wreck Room), props to you if you make it into Shanghai Kelly’s. Might be the hardest bar to get into for the game because it’s so intimate, but the drinks are cheap and the crowd is beautifully rowdy.
(Sunset) Yancy’s Saloon, 734 Irving St.
Because you want to be there to re-live this viral moment from 2010.
(Financial District) Royal Exchange, 301 Sacramento St.
A favorite of the FiDi crowd. The walkways wrap around the 360 bar with TVs at every corner. Their fried calamari strips are legendary.
(Castro) Hi Tops, 2247 Market St.
Hi-Tops is SF’s premier gay sports bar and if “Cold pitchers and hot catchers” doesn’t scream baseball, I don’t know what does.
(Richmond) Abbey Tavern, 4100 Geary Blvd.
This place is a classic. It has a wide open floor space, welcoming vibe, and $1 beers on Tuesday night after 9 p.m. Can you say, “all nighter”?
(Civic Center) Civic Center Plaza
Not a bar, but it’s gonna resemble one on Tuesday. Shouts to Mayor Ed Lee for ignoring SFPD advice and declaring the viewing party a go. It’ll be an incredible vibe, albeit one that will prohibit alcohol.
(West Portal) McCarthy’s, 49 West Portal Ave.
About as happenin’ as it gets in the Portal. A rockin’ Irish bar that was recently overhauled, McCarthy’s is a solid spot. Dark and classy.
(Bernal Heights) The Lucky Horseshoe, 453 Cortland Ave.
It’s shaped like a horseshoe. Do you really need another reason?
(The Tenderloin/Downtown) Golden Gate Tap Room, 525 Sutter St. #2
This newer establishment is absolutely massive. They have gargantuan drop down screens and there’s always plenty of room. Sure to erupt for a World Series game.
(Lower Haight) Danny Coyles, 668 Haight St.
A favorite of the sports bar crowd, with cheap Tecate's and buckets of 21st Amendment's Bitter American Ale ... Yes, buckets.
(Haight-Ashbury) Kezar Pub, 770 Stanyan St.
This is a real Giants bar. At any point during the season, it’s filled with fans and it’s a spot for die-hards.
(Dogpatch) Dogpatch Saloon, 2496 3rd St.
I love this place because it’s the definition of no frills. Big open floor plan, recently re-designed, yet still feels like a classic bar that’s been open since 1912. $4 drafts if you get there before 7 p.m.
(Cole Valley) Finnegan’s Wake, 937 Cole St.
The best Stella Artois tap in town. There’s just something about it. So cold and delicious. Sweet smoking patio out back with a ping-pong table too.
(Outer Richmond) Tee-Off, 3129 Clement St.
Go there for the cast-iron mac and cheese with Pancetta alone. Great memories of drinking pitchers of Harp lager here until last call.
(Russian Hill) Greens Sports Bar, 2239 Polk St.
This is one of the bro-iest establishments I’ve ever been to and I mean that in the best way possible. There’s sooo much SF sports memorabilia lining the walls and the taps of beer are plentiful. Disclaimer: You might hook up with someone by the end of the game.
(Outer Mission/Excelsior/Crocker-Amazon) Broken Record, 1166 Geneva Ave.
Their food kicks ass. Their “Hood Grub” menu is heavy on the pork and the tempura fried zucchini is killer.
(SOMA) Zeke’s Sports Bar & grill, 600 3rd St.
While there are many fine destinations to watch the game near the ballpark, Zeke’s takes the cake. It’s a tight fit, but it feels like what a bar by the ballpark is supposed to (like you’re basically there without being right next door). $3 pints of rolling rock and extra points if you order their patty melt on rye, it’s killer.
(Glen Park) Dolores Corner, 1600 Dolores St.
It’s on the edge of Glen Park and Noe Valley, but it sports a rockin’ Giants crowd, free hot dogs, and $8 pitchers of PBR. Sure.
(Potrero Hill) Double Play, 2401 16th St.
On the edge of Potrero and The Mission, it’s been around since 1909 and in fact, is on top of where the old San Francisco Seals Stadium used to be. Classic.
(NOPA) Barrelhead Brewhouse, 1785 Fulton St.
New spot with solid grub and a lot of specialty beers on tap. The bar makes good craft cocktails and there’s table service. the TVs are small, but it gets lively for games.
Got a neighborhood favorite that's not on this list? Tell us about your favorite spot for Giants watching in the comments.
Photo by Mari Francille/Flickr