For most of us, there are a number of distinct neighborhoods that immediately come to mind when envisioning San Francisco. Even though the city is just shy of the well-known guesstimate of seven by seven, at forty-seven square miles, it can feel a lot smaller when it’s considered from the perspective of a few familiar territories. The specific portrait that’s often painted of our fair town is shaped by turf that’s been well documented and explored. But San Francisco is much morecomplex and interesting when you include areas bordering the city or those teeny-tiny spaces that sit between well-distinguished regions.
Like the climate that changes ever incrementally in different swatches of the city, micro-boroughs each have their own slightly different characters. Even if they’re not necessarily that micro, they’re still largely unseen in spite of that fact. These lesser-known territories are mostly suburban, home to pretty rows of houses broken up by the occasional shopping center or row of restaurants. For that reason, I will warn that some of these bars are just outside the perimeter of the specific neighborhoods I’m talking about, but they are the places to hit up if you’re in these areas because they are the closest bars to them. So give yourself a night away from the familiar by heading to one of these spots in little-known neighborhoods. If you’re looking to break out of the same old bar scene in your area to try somewhere truly new on for size, here are four places to grab a drink that will allow you to do both.
Neighborhood: Cathedral Hill
Bar: Whitechapel SF
Now, Cathedral Hill isn’t necessarily in an area that’s completely out of the way, as it’s in the Western Addition right between Pacific Heights and Hayes Valley. Most likely, you’ve driven or walked by it several times in the past on the way to somewhere else. It’s essentially the area on top of a hill with that giant, beautiful cathedral known as St. Mary’s, as well as a ton of condominium and apartment complexes.
I’d pair this neighborhood with Whitechapel SF, which is easily gotten to by walking a few blocks downhill into the very edge of the Tenderloin. Since you’re essentially moving closer to downtown, this is very much one of those newer themed cocktail bars that are all about atmosphere and intricate drinks. I will say I was impressed by the all-gin menu and the whole “Ye olde England” vibe they have going on, and it’s got a fair number of places to sit down while you drink (which is always a bonus in my book). I got the Lamplighter’s Story, which includes hibiscus, grapefruit and serrano chiles, a spicy and sweet combination that was quite refreshing after the walk.
Neighborhood: Balboa Terrace
Bar: Que Syrah
East of the San Francisco Zoo and just northeast of San Francisco State, Balboa Terrace is a tiny neighborhood that’s purely residential. Unless you live here or are passing through on the way to the Stonestown Mall, there really isn’t much reason to be out here. It’s a nice, quiet and—according to data—fairly expensive neighborhood, one that is a good draw for families looking for a less hectic area of the city to settle down.
But let’s go back to that “nice and quiet” part of the equation. If you find yourself out here, you’ll have to head to West Portal for a drink, but it’s absolutely worth the trip and reasonably close. Que Syrah is a wine bar that’s well suited to the neighborhood’s climate, as it honestly feels like you’re drinking wine at your house, except there’s an extremely friendly wait staff ready to swing by to pour you more whenever it looks like you’re running out. It’s by far one of the more relaxing experiences you’ll have out drinking, as the conversations around you are hushed and peaceful, with sofas and a fireplace that round out the whole homey experience. I got a Tempranillo, but there is a handy selection of reds and whites to satisfy whatever you’re craving.
Neighborhood: Diamond Heights
Bar: Le P’tit Laurent
According to a profile of this neighborhood in the San Francisco Chronicle, Diamond Heights was intentionally developed in the ’60s and ’70s, featuring pretty parks, great views and, unfortunately, not much to offer anyone visiting the area. With Noe Valley to the north and Glen Park below it, the area is characterized by long strings of homes hugging winding roads and a lack of more urban elements such as—you guessed it—bars.
To grab a drink when you’re in this neighborhood, I suggest going slightly south toward Glen Park, where you’ll quickly find a charming little French place called Le P’tit Laurent. When you arrive at this bar/restaurant, tucked away between banks and a few other eating establishments in the area, you’ll immediately be greeted by some pretty damn mouthwatering smells wafting out the door. Sadly, I was there only for a drink, but after eyeing the plates of my fellow customers, I could tell I would want to return here for dinner as soon as humanly possible. I got Le Pamplemousse, a gin and grapefruit concoction elegantly topped with a basil leaf, and will leave you with the fact that because it’s so small, inviting and out of the way, this place would make for an ideal date-night spot.
Neighborhood: The Excelsior
Bar: Pissed Off Pete’s
Finally, a little-known neighborhood with a bar that’s actually in it! In fact, the Excelsior district is weirdly unheard of for how big it is, with the entire region comprising a few other neighborhoods like Mission Terrace and Crocker-Amazon along with the eponymous area itself. The sector is just south of Bernal Heights between Mission Street and John McLaren Park, and, similar to the other places in this list, is mainly suburban. A few more fun facts: in addition to being the neighborhood where Grateful Dead front man Jerry Garcia grew up, the name actually means “ever upward” in Latin.
Which brings us to our sole dive bar on the list, which I had to include not only because it was actually within the bounds of the neighborhood but also because it was so beloved on Yelp. And it was easy to see why: Pissed Off Pete’s has a nice selection of beer, fries for three dollars (!), an endearingly salt-of-the-earth name, a kitchen that’s open late, a jukebox that plays sing-along classics and—once again, worth reiterating—fries for three dollars. It’s cash only, but that’s maybe the only negative point. If you’re looking for a good dive bar that isn’t packed and thatserves food, this is absolutely the place to go.
