Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge

105

200

2 months ago

Absolutely love it here! Best place for karaoke in the city. The bar is small and narrow, but it is always a good time. It can get packed and crowded, but people are always filtering in and out. The prices are affordable and they are quick to make drinks. They are also quick to put in your karaoke song, and there's a great flow to it. The only thing that can't really be controlled is that if you submit a song, you have to let the crowd know it's your song, or else someone will sing the song for you! If you make it out, have so much fun and tip your bartenders!! read more

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Cas R.

219

2 months ago

The customer vibes were great, good songs picked to sing, friendly atmosphere; however, the bartender was not as kind. She was rude both to us and the customer next to us. Claimed that karaoke was for customers only AS WE WERE PAYING ? We were not allowed to put in a song and left after finishing the drinks we paid for. read more

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Marlon T.

1395

3842

10173

1 year ago

I love Ruggy J's review from 2012. 5 stars for Bow Bow because it's a no frills straight up drinkery karaoke spot in Chinatown SF. Drinks are reasonably priced and the karaoke system is great. I visited during this year's Chinese New Years and was jumping in and out of this bar to watch people pop off fireworks. Get that Bhudda beer just because the bottle is so cool! read more

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Natalya M.

3 months ago

Waited 30 mins for a song that I paid for and they kicked me out when we bought drinks. read more

Business owner information

Rona F.

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We would like…

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Clarissa V.

3 months ago

If I could give it zero stars I would. Owner was super rude. If you don't order a drink within 5 minutes of you being there the owners are hostile towards you. You have to also pay to sing. We paid for a song and then someone else sang it. Go anywhere else for karaoke, this place doesn't deserve any business read more

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Bronson S.

113

210

1 year ago

Was headed back to my hotel late at night when I heard Whitney Houston playing loudly nearby. As I passed Bow Bow, I realized it was karaoke! I decided to go in, buy a beer, and queue up a song. After making some friends, one song turned in to four and I ended up staying until 2AM, it was that much fun. The boss and some of the regulars I met were very friendly. There's a large selection of Chinese and English songs. Every song I wanted to sing they ended up having, which is rare! Definitely recommend if you want to have a good time and perhaps socialize with some friendly strangers. read more

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Jacek J.

2 months ago

Small lil place that went out of their way to make sure we had fun! Karaoke system wasn't working right but they made it work (might could use updating) but doesn't hesitate to go have fun in this lil divey place read more

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Ariana A.

222

898

1 year ago

Last night was my first time at Bow Bow and had so much fun! It was recommended to me by some friends who wanted to get drinks and karaoke. It's a small bar, but very lively and a good system for non-private karaoke. I saw 3 karaoke books with the song selections and you write the number of the song on a piece of paper, hand it to the bar tender, and they queue up your song. There is 1 all-gender restroom, bar stools, and free street parking in the evening. Will definitely come back again. read more

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Abbey N.

6 months ago

waited 2 hours to sing 1 song for my boyfriends 30th birthday. Told Jenny the owner after waiting for over an hour with 20 people there and she acted like it would be up next. Waited 30 more minutes and decided we didn't want to hear "I am the walrus" for the third time when the same exact guy didn't know the words AGAIN. I don't care if it's a bad kateoke song I think it's part of the fun. But to wait so long and never get a turn on such a special night it was Very upset. The first bartender was great but I will never be returning. read more

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Curtis M.

7 months ago

If you actually want to karaoke. This is not the spot. Searched at least 10 songs by song name too, and they had zero. And then my drinks went from 16 for 2 to 26 for 2 read more

Business owner information

Rona F.

Hi Curtis, thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.…

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Lillian C.

5 months ago

My friends and I came on a monday night when it was practically empty with maybe 3 other people there at a time. We sang a couple songs and got some drinks and when we asked for water, the bartender said, in a very rude tone, that she was going to charge us because we were singing too much. She was on her phone the entire night not being attentive and we had to keep going up to her to request songs. read more

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Morgan W.

116

215

2 years ago

Nice owner, passable drinks, and positive vibes. It also helped that our rendition of "dragostea din tei" was well received. This was one of the only non-private room karaoke spaces that I've felt comfortable singing at - I loved how intimate and supportive it was. read more

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Amy Slates W.

2 years ago

Omg how fun!! What a cool small little bar! Had the best time! Great location, love the bow bow cocktail, staff were super friendly, and was comfortable and welcoming. read more

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Roman A.

1 year ago

Awesome place to have a drink and sing some tunes, friendly vibes with very tendful bar tenders.

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Romy V.

1 year ago

Stumbled in on Jan. 1 after having dinner in North Beach. Super fun bar, hottie bartender, great crowd ready to karaoke and sing their hearts out! read more

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Greg T.

176

470

331

4 years ago

I absolutely LOVE this bar! It has more character than most of the bars I've ever visited in my life. For you regulars: Mama Candy has retired, and the excellent Jenny now has the helm! I imagine this would be as close to a Hong Kong dive bar by the docks as you could get outside of Hong Kong! Narrow, long, & dimly-lit, but with a very modern, clean restroom! The karaoke is a mix of American and Chinese hits, with "Piano Man" as the long-standing anthem sung here ... sometimes 5 times a night! But who cares? EVERYONE'S singing! And that leads to the clientele: Everyone from around the neighborhood, city, county, state, nation, & world comes here. No joke! Drink prices here are the most affordable I've seen on the West Coast, too. All-in-all, this is one of my Top Three Dive Bars on the planet! read more

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Amy W.

519

2396

5709

3 years ago

EXACTLY how I like my dive chinatown bars...a few quirky characters/regulars, a nice bartender (who gives you both a free round!) a pretty decent bathroom, and reasonable prices. We just stumbled upon this place, and it was a nice end to our date night. read more

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Satyam D.

2 years ago

Super fun karaoke spot in North beach! It's an Asian owned karaoke bar with a massive collection of songs and horribly bad cocktails! Very divey and relaxed even though they like to call themselves a cocktail lounge. The staff I believe are the owners themselves and they're awesome! Don't go here for cocktails but for music and fun vibes! read more

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Annie S.

Elite 24

367

213

499

2 years ago

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Paulita E.

125

164

2 years ago

Sorry for the late post. If you want a small hole in the wall with good karaoke in Chinatown; this is the place. No food; just drinks and a good time. Husband and Wife crew really gave good service as we brought of group of 30 people so the house filled up really quick. Thanks for having us and allowing me to be a back up dancer. :) read more

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Ku'ulei R.

Elite 11

106

2 years ago

Went here after a night of drinking and had lots of fun singing and hanging out. The bartender, I forgot her name was AWESOME and friendly and really the best. She also has a beautiful singing voice. Will be back again! read more

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Tara B.

2 years ago

SCAM ALERT! DO NOT GO HERE! This place just charged me additional $40 on my tap! I came in on Friday, I bought 2 drinks for $22 each.... Which she never even handed me. Just checked my phone now and I was charged $80s. One working bathroom for the entire bar so gross. The bartender was rude and clearly running some sus operations. read more

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Bryan L.

Elite 23

221

164

514

3 years ago

I came here after hearing about a bar with karaoke nearby in Chinatown. It is a long thin bar and can get busy and crowded on a Friday night. You should definitely check it out for a casual night out. The drinks here are to be expected of a dive bar. The bow bow special is probably the best one while the rest seem a little haphazardly made. Song selections are a little dated and comes from 80s to about 2010s which pulls in a different crowd of millennials and older. It can bring back a good amount of nostalgia whether if it's Chinese or American songs. Funny memorable moments were when Country Roads threw in a house remix at the end or when Dream a Little Dream of Me had a lengthy chinese segment thrown in it. Service is good and extremely friendly. When I went it was only one woman serving the whole bar which can be chaotic when twenty people are waiting but she handled it like a champ. read more

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Kristina M.

209

403

2 years ago

Super fun night here! Tight little space but the karaoke is poppin' and the owners are super kind and amazing. Drinks were affordable enough, but make sure you have cash - it's a $15 minimum for card. Thank you Mama June! read more

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Lily D.

2 years ago

Omg i love it here! Such a staple! Vibes immaculate, cute ambiance, friendly staff. Always my to go in the city for a good time. read more

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Sirenne S.

2 years ago

Local karaoke dive with solid jams. Where Ma will take care of you. A must when in SF. read more

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Connie B.

167

3 years ago

Love to stop at Bow Bow for a early evening Coctail and Song. I prefer to come here early. It's a small hole in the wall and you just never know if it will be quiete or crazy. Definitely not as Vibrant as when Candy was around. Miss seeing her . Karaoke is very Casual at the bar singing. big book no frills just have fun Chill vibe. no long waits like at other Karaoke bars. At times ita like the Patrons run the place. lol I like they have Tiger beer here. I see more older people here, not too many young people. they come in look around then leave. So I guess upu can say it's a favorite place for the locals who live close . Glad it's still around when I wanna sing and not be at the bigger Karaoke places. read more

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Ben G.

Elite 16

938

3 years ago

This is the only karaoke place in North Beach worth seeking out. You'll always get a chance to sing a song here. read more

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Vincent H.

350

4 years ago

3 of us walked along China Town and stopped at 4 bars along the way. We were losing faith in finding a good one until we stopped at this little gem. This was our favorite and really the only one that we liked. The ladies behind the bar are super sweet and friendly and there's just a nice vibe in here. They have karaoke and the bartender has such a great voice! Very impressive. The restroom here is nice and clean. We don't make our way out to SF very often but the next time we do, we are definitely stopping by. Thank you for the great time and for holding onto my sweater that I left there! You ladies are fantastic! read more

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Mervi T.

495

254

474

3 years ago

Came here for a chill meet up with friends & was served by a very nice bartender! She seemed to know a lot of the regulars and made everyone feel like home. They also have a karaoke machine you can use, but the songs are quite old read more

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Christine V.

Elite 24

308

130

303

2 years ago

Favorite bar in Chinatown town, grab a drink, (I usually do a lemon drop, or tequila shot) let loose, and sing the night away! There's no food, but sometimes people get pizza nearby, and they might offer you a slice. The local uncles and aunties are always charming, and Jenny the bartender is an enigma. Come here if you want to experience the community that is Chinatown. read more

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Bailey D.

143

195

4 years ago

I am almost loathe to write this review because I don't want anyone else to learn about my absolute, hands down, favorite bar in SF. Do you like cheap drinks? Singing your heart out to a mediocre list of karaoke songs? Excellent service from someone who will also give you snack bags of chips? This is your spot. It is my spot. Take your bad vibes elsewhere. Bow bow forever. read more

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Allan A.

264

406

853

4 years ago

If you want a cool divebar and bad karaoke this is your spot. Although every now and then you get some real dam good singers lol. Mama has since retired but the new owner is just as fun and friendly. Parking is limited to the garage or whatever street parking you can find. Best to carpool or uber/lyft. If you're near Chinatown, hit this joint up read more

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Cassandra C.

4 years ago

We came to Chinatown for the lunar new year parade and of course the food. While my sister and I went shopping my bf and her fiancé went to this bar to chill while we walked around. Once we were finished we went back to the bar and the bartender Jenny immediately remembered my bf and sisters fiancé. She came to pour us shots and even offered us some bags of chips for snacks! Then proceeded to give us full packs of fireworks to set off in the streets loved Jenny she was amazing and so accommodating, even took a shot and picture with us. Definitely would come back next time we're in china town. read more

Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge - 2 full packs of fireworks given to us for free by Jenny - Karaoke Near Me - San Francisco, California

Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge - Jenny to the right - Karaoke Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Pedro C.

Elite 22

625

107

4 years ago

Fun, karaoke place with solid drinks. Easy going. Have a beer, bring a friend. Small but cool to hang read more

Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge - a bartender pouring a drink - Karaoke Near Me - San Francisco, California

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John D.

3 years ago

A very lovely place for quality beer, shot, and hangout. The services were quick and efficient - didn't wait more than 5 minutes to get our drinks even with a full room. The karaoke system has a decent amount of songs and the quality of its mic and speakers were good. They have a hike box which is a separate system from the karaoke machine, but I think when people are singing, the juke box remains muted. I was told that the juke box can be played if no one's singing - which makes sense. Will try it next time. read more

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Silvia S.

7 years ago

At first the impression was to walk away fast, but curiosity and reviews made us stay. We are glad we did... it was only 2 patrons when we walked in, about 30 minutes later there was no room to stand ,.. I am talking 60 people with about 20 capacity .. Fun, fun, fun... mama Candy is amazing character, straight out of movies, drinks are excellent, price is reasonable...with plenty drinks on the house. No food, but who cares.. eat before you come with lots of choices of Italian restaurants around the corner . Come early , grab a seat..take a journey. Good times. Thank you Mama Candy Omg! The best way to end our trip in San Francisco. Unexpected, how so many people can get United with music. We met so many great people, had so much fun. This was by far the best night ever! Couldn't have asked for anything better. San Francisco, you will be missed. SG read more

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Daniel A.

3 years ago

Always have an amazing time here. The bartenders put up with a lot, so if they seem a little slow to respond cut them some slack. If you come in with some respect and a smile, it'll be returned to you tenfold. read more

Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge - The karaoke screen - Karaoke Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Halen T.

Elite 25

166

3 years ago

Best karaoke. Such a fun whole in the wall bar. Our group had such a good time here!!

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Daniel C.

126

4 years ago

If you're looking for a dive bar with a lot of cool people down to earth, you've come to the right place. This place is a small little place but I've had some of the best time here and most of the time, the crowd is awesome. It looks like Yelp doesn't recognize this as open but I went recently and was so happy to see that it was open again. Good old world charm of Chinatown, and a just an old fashioned good time with drinks and yes, karaoke! read more

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More info about Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge

1155 Grant Ave
San Francisco, CA 94133
Chinatown
Directions
(415) 421-6730
Call Now
Visit Website
http://bowbowsf.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge open?

Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge opens at 5:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge opens at 3:00 PM on Wednesday and Sunday.

What time does Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge close?

Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge closes at 2:00 AM (Next day) on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Wednesday and Sunday.

Mon-Tue, Thu-Sat 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM (Next day)Wed, Sun 3:00 PM - 2:00 AM (Next day)

Payment methods

Does Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge take Bitcoin?

No, Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge does not take Bitcoin.

Does Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge take credit cards?

Yes, Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge have a happy hour?

Yes, Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge has a happy hour.

Does Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge serve alcohol?

Yes, Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge serves alcohol. Full Bar

Services

Is Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge by appointment only?

No, Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge is not by appointment only.

Indoor Amenities

Does Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge allow dogs?

No, Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge does not allow dogs.

Does Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge have TVs?

Yes, Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge have bike parking?

No, Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge does not have bike parking.

Does Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge have outdoor seating?

No, Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge does not have outdoor seating options.

Does Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge have parking?

Yes, Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge is wheelchair accessible.

Does Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge allow outdoor smoking?

Yes, Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge allows outdoor smoking.

Does Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge have free WiFi?

No, Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Established Chinatown karaoke and cocktail bar to have a good time with your friends.

More Info

Health Score

Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge Reviews in Other Languages

Danish
1 Review

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Review Highlights - Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge

“After ordering a vodka soda from Mama Candy, I promptly peeled open the karaoke book and found my song.”

Mentioned in 57 reviews

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4.3(343 reviews)

Such a fun place to grab a few drinks and truly unwind after a long day. This was my first time…read morevisiting, 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.

Tony Nik's isn't just a bar, it's basically a North Beach time machine. I first walked through its…read moredoors 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.

The Champagne of Beers

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Legacy North Beach Bar

3.7(24 reviews)

Apparently North Beach is the best 'hood in the city for nightlife...right now…read more IF I was still in my 20s, I would start the night off at Monroe for Battle of the Decades where drinks start at $1 at 5 pm and increase by $1 every hour until 10 pm. Nosh on zucchini fries at Original Joe's before bar hopping on Grant Ave. IF you like a diverse crowd with DJs spinning hip hop, a visit to Legacy is mandatory. We did a little weekend day drinking at Legacy and when we saw customers sporting their Frisco gear, we knew we were in the right place! Sorry but it's Frisco, The Sco, or The City, it's NEVER San Fran. For those who disagree, tell that to Mac Dre, Too $hort, and the Hells Angels. Plus, Herb Caen eventually took back his "Frisco" stance. Anyhow, after Legacy, I would move on to watch the midnight ballerinas on Broadway and end the night smashing faces with a Golden Boy! A slice of clam & garlic OFC. O T H E R N O T E S * Friendly staff. * Low-key, locals bar with lounge seating, vinyl lined walls, TVs, and projectors for game day. * No HH specials. * Crisp sound system with DJs spinning hip hop on Fridays and Saturdays. * Dog-friendly but obvs wouldn't bring my dogs here when it's crowded at night. * Clean restrooms. * Cc's accepted but there's a discount if you pay cash.

BFF wanted to stop her after dinner for her 50th birthday…read more I mean I grew up in NB my entire childhood. Love it love it love it but after COVID-19. Nothing has been the same. People are a bit rude and raunchy and don't respect the area for what North Beach stands for. Being in your 40's, it ain't the place really to be. To let loose, gotta have some drinks and blend in. It was bedtime for me. Still had to get home to our kids on the other side of the town way South. Music was cool but wasn't all that. Just came to celebrate and have fun, we did just that.

0.1 mi•Chinatown, North Beach/Telegraph Hill

Espresso martini with cacao nibs

Empress Gin and Tonic

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Paris 75

4.8(90 reviews)

Stumbled upon this beautiful gem as we were pivoting our New Years Plans and it didn't disappoint…read more The vibes were great the bartender was friendly and quick we got there around 8:30pm and it was starting to get packed. There is definitely a rage of people who come here because the music really ranged. It was our first time here so we didn't know that it was connected to another bar which had a different variety of music, more my vibe it had hip pop, r&b and pop and some reggaeton which low key was a plus. Overall would definitely come back for their events definitely loved the vibe. We didn't eat food with tried their cocktails and also regular drinks and they did not dissappoint.

I came here for a social event and quite enjoyed the atmosphere, service, and complimentary…read morecharcuterie. The watermelon vodka cocktail I ordered was light and refreshing, yet still packed a punch, and the bartender was nice and gave me their friends' discount. What's really cool is this bar is adjoined to Paname Club next door, so we walked over after a few hours here. It was such a vibe to discover these partner venues.

Bar counter and decorations

Glasses ready to pour wine into at the beginning of the reception party, with the bar well and liquor selection in the background

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Parisian Mule

The Saloon

4.2(552 reviews)

Cash only! Had to walk to the Chase Bank down the street to get cash…read more The bartender was a hilarious crusty lady. The live music was fun for dancing. I love seeing a group of octogenarians playing saxophone while their counterparts cut a rug on the dance floor.

The bartender that was male and elderly was making me extremely uncomfortable and over pouring my…read moredrinks. He usually wears a baseball cap and eyeglasses. Pretty clear that he cannot handle a busy bar on his own. On another note GG Amos band or singer pessimist as usual and asking for donations to buy groceries. Plenty of other bars or bartenders to be served from. Do not come here in the late Tuesday evenings.