This is the best dive bar in the Tenderloin, hands down. My favorite and fun-loving bartender at this family run joint is Aye. She is a wonderful presence and the awesome prices will make your night out a pleasant bluer. Cheers folks, see you at Cinnabar. read more

I just had to pop by and leave an absolutely glowing review for NaNa! She is so friendly and kind & absolutely made my night better! If you are lucky enough to visit when she's working, be sure to get a drink from her! And don't forget to tip ;) read more

The bartenders are friendly, but they have been out of Jack Daniels for over a week. I substituted a cheaper whiskey and was charged the same price, and the next shot I was served a different one and charged a lot more. Tonight was fairly dead there, but someone took over the jukebox and played their songs as priority, so for over an hour it's been only Spanish music. Won't waste my money there again soon. I've been there 10 times in the last month according to an app that tracks that. read more

Cinnabar - Let's just play only one type of music all night In 5 songs they repeat a group and a song. Ugh. - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Was in the area to see a show. The area itself has seen better days but this bar is not to be passed up. Definitely added this bar to my list of go to dives in SF. Asked for proof of vax when I rolled in, which is fine, i am fully vaxed up baby. Plenty of TVs for sports watching. Very nice for viewing ya crudy football team haha. Bar is nice and long so plenty of seats available. The bartender is a hilarious sweet lady. I almost collapsed when she mentioned Tom Brady being attractive. Why?! Haha. She even showed off a lil bit of her spanish. Drinks are nice and strong. Bathroom is what ya expect. Dive in the rough worth checking and catching a game on the tube read more

Cinnabar - Bartender reaction after I said Tom Brady is not hott - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

It's a dive bar. Delivers on what it promises with dive bar-ness. As soon as you walk, in take control of the jukebox otherwise you'll be listening to crap music all night. read more

Great cheap dive bar. The bartender was awesome. The night was a bit of a blur thanks to her

Dope spot, drinks were cool. I didn't catch the bartenders name but she was super cool.

Was in the area and needed to kill some time before heading to our next destination, so we popped into Cinnabar. We were greeted right away by the bartender, who was a very sweet girl. It was happy hour and the drinks were cheap, I ordered a vodka and 7up with a cherry, somewhat version of a dirty Shirley, and this drink was super strong. Chatted up with some folks in the bar and before we knew it, it was time to make our way to our next stop. So if you're looking for cheap strong drinks and friendly service, give Cinnabar a try! read more

Cinnabar - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came here because of a Facebook friend works here (her day off) and I found the perfect dive, super friendly bartender and a good array of drinks, multi-language bartender that can mix as well, definitely coming back highly recommend this dive read more

You can run a dive bar without eye-candy bartenders, a swanky backdrop, top-shelf hooch, or beer on tap. A bad location or a grungy interior is also forgivable if the place is known for kitchy decor with a sense of history or an amusing array of oddball clients. But if a bar is in a bad location, has icy bartenders, lacks any kind of creative decor, and hosts insular and unfriendly clients, how the hell can it stay in business? Halfway into my first round at Cinnabar, I found myself repeatedly pondering this question. Cinnabar is big for a Tenderloin drinking establishment. Rectangular and far longer than it is wide, it has an excess of square footage that most South-of-Market dance clubs would give their eye teeth for. Two TV's service the bar while one stands guard over an interesting area with a large table and opposed-couch style seating. The Giants were playing the Rockies that night, but both TV's shunned baseball in favor of the latest vapidness from "American Idol". Decor is sparse and absolutely devoid of soul. Every bit of it was mass-produced advertising decor from major breweries. Only an SF Giants wall-mirror broke with an otherwise consistently bland decorating scheme. The bartender had a coldly transactional demeanor similar to that of an IRS auditor, and the music was straight out of my worst junior high bell-bottom-jeans nightmares. After back-to-back selections from the Bee Gee's, ABBA, and KC's Sunshine Band, I managed to tune the whole thing out much like one would a repetitive squeak from an aging sedan. Three clients at the point of the bar engaged in lively banter, but they left not long after my arrival. The remaining clientele were about as talkative as fire hydrants. An older man to the left of me was good for an occasional single sentence reply, and all I could get out of a Korean man to my right was brief eye contact and a single grunt. I glanced down the bar to see four other lounge-lizards that were equidistantly spaced about two stools apart. All of them seemed perfectly content sitting in total isolation while staring blankly into space. Cinnabar's only saving grace was a decent selection of beer in bottles, a rarity this deep in the Tenderloin. Their liquor selection looked OK, but drink specials called "Turbo Charge" and "Fire Blaster" looked like something out of a bygone Godzilla flick. I didn't even want to know what was in them. The bottom of a Sierra Nevada Pale ale left little reason to stick around. I walked out the door just as the jukebox started belting out ABBA's "Knowing Me Knowing You". Ick. I visit some pretty seedy places, and seldom does a bar leave me fruitless in my search for just one scrap of charm or character. Cinnabar is a rare exception. If you're on a dive-bar exploration through the Tenderloin, just leave this one alone. 5-20-06 Update: This place is being gutted from top to bottom. Capenters are doing a complete re-model. Probably won't be open for awhile. read more

Cinnabar - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

We we're staying around the area and went to a lot of different bars in the area but hands down the best one. It's a little whole in the wall but I must say, service and hospitality was excellent, exceptional bartenders, they told us the right places to go and even gave my girl and my self a birthday cake shot on the house. Anytime I come to frisco I am definitely gonna stop by. Also Danny thank you for the beers . Plus drink prices are so good, with 30$ you'll come out feeling good. read more

Cinnabar - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is pretty much your standard dive bar. Small space, pool table in the back, and cheap cheap drinks. That's really the best reason to come here - most places in San Francisco seem to be really expensive but here you can get well drinks for $4-5! So you can be solidly drunk for under $20. Another nice thing about this place is that it is relatively empty - so if you come here you know you won't have to fight to order a drink at the bar and you'll pretty much get a seat if you want one. I wouldn't make a specific trip out to this place but if you're in the neighborhood and looking to get drunk with some friends on the cheap, I would recommend this place. read more

Came here last night toward the end of a long overdue Tenderloin crawl. I don't really understand most of the reviews on here, because this place is not scary or particularly divey. Sure, this place is on the corner of Ellis and Jones, so if you have lives a sheltered existance, and never seen crackhead, zombies, people publicly defecating, or publicly using illicit drugs, the neighberhood just may not be for you. But, let's not rate the bar, based on the seediness of the tenderloin. As that is beyond any TL bar owners control. At it''s core Cinnabar seems to be a bit behind the times, but it is a nice spot to get a beer or two. The bar is very big and long with a pool table, and some megatouch in the back. I've been here for a few parties and they definitely have a lot of activites going on, from pool (there are some seriously good players in here some nights), karaoke, cards, dice, etc. The beers are cheap (bottles only $2-4 a pop) and they also make strong, and pretty cheap mixed drinks. The bartenders are always nice and they have a pretty interesting selection on the jukebox. Despite everybody saying that this is a chinese or vietnamese bar, I don't know if I buy it. On my last visit here, there seemed to be a lot of clientele from all over the place. One of the bartenders is Laotian and grew up in Thailand, another is from Cambodia, and I definitely saw a couple of Singaporean dudes playing dice in the back. If anyhting, this bar seems to not excluse anyone...including me and my friends who are often the only "white" people in here. fyi, a lot of English is spoken here, but as far as asian languages go, Thai seems to be the defacto in this spot, and a little bit may go a long way in helping you get in on some pool or dice. This is a good spot, when you are not feeling the hipster douchebaggery of other TL bars. Visited in a 1-2 punch with Jonells next door is a nice bit of ellis and jones drinking fun. + stars for the fact they sell interessting bar snacks, and cigarettes + stars for the fact you can smoke inside (you wouldnt really want to have to stand on the corner of ellis and jones to light up) and that there ashtrays are empty altoids tins... read more

Love? I'm just not feeling it. The place is decked out in antisepctic Soviet aquamarine blue. No taps, just bottles. Quiet, sterile, cavernous space, flat screens. It's like taking a drink in a vintage bus depot. Kind of 1950s clean but without the culture. Bar-sized pool table is a buck but it's in seldom used good condition, enough room around never to cramp for a shot, cues are straight, and it's got the cones of hand talc. The name's worth an extra star, though. Alchemy, intoxication, lead into gold, mercuric oxide, evolution from witchcraft to modern chemistry, all that stuff. The cinnamon colored band in the window, though? Was hoping for a convent of witches but instead someone did the glass with a magic marker. read more

My friends and I had a great time here. It is a Vietnamese bar and we were the only white people. The bartenders were cute as a button. One of them was playing a game I had never seen with one of the customers that just fascinated me. The jukebox had a pretty good selection. I was kind of an asshole and played "Born in the USA," but that is allowed because I was born in Turkey! Looking forward to coming back here. read more

Great dive bar . We love the beautiful bartenders Ae and June . Get a shot of Jameson !!!

Well, I like the countertop for the bar, but it went down from there. Not much more to say. Happy hour 4$. Beers.

WOW! If you haven't been back since they re did the place, you should. The tv's with music videos, the mood colors and the great deals! Wini is my bartender of the year! She does a great job and makes great drinks. The entire staff does a great job. Check out the Happy Hour specials and ladies night one hour $1 drinks at 9pm. I'm very happy your re-opened. read more

I usually make it out to this place once a month, and it's a great divey little place. Pours are HEAVY so be careful!

Total gem of a bar. Strong drinks, fun atmosphere. Brand new pool table too! Just a two minute walk from Geary or the other bars on Jones Street. From Union Square, just a 5 minute walk. Some nights they have a DJ. The bar's location gives it an urban feel. But inside, it's always safe. Never any drama. Bottom Line: Stronger drinks, better value, friendlier bartenders. read more

This bar is in the TL aka the ghettos. Not the best place to go for drinks. Upon entering, I smelled piss odor. That was not cool, I try to down my drink asap so I can leave and never come again. There was a pool table at least and a flat screen. read more

Yikes! I can admit to fearing for my life at times while at some random bar but I am never coming back here! This place is too scary for a non-city girl like myself. The people I went here with - who are city folk, btw - almost got into a fight with some street bums loitering in the doorway... despite the massive policing in the surrounding streets I did NOT FEEL SAFE. Call me sheltered, but a tiny girl like myself all dolled-up for a night out on the town should never be subject to an establishment where the women's bathroom does not even shut completely (the bf had to stand in front of the door while I pissed). The men's bathroom was locked. Scarryyy. We came here already pretty drunk but lemme tell ya... did I sober up quickstyle. I did not even have one drink here & I had the bf take me elsewhere shortly after arriving. If you live in the TL, sell drugs, know karate, are ghetto & carry firearms illegally, then this may just be the place for you - just please, don't take your girlfriend here. read more

I found this place as I was walking back to the office after a haircut. It was a real hot day and I figured why not have a beer. I also really like trying to find the diviest bar in SF. This place really is in the heart of the TL, I mean you can't get any Loinier. There are crackheads outside arguing with each other drug dealers hookers the works, but that doesn't bother me at all. What I look for in a dive bar is cheap beer and an exciting vibe. Cinnabar definitely has both going on. I don't think that you will find me here after dark and I don't think that it will ever become a staple in my rotation but I had an ice cold Miller Lite for 3 bucks on an 82 degree day and it was an interesting walk. read more

Great spot--oasis maybe--in the heart of The Tenderloin. Excellent bar staff, good drinks and chill vibe. Definitely a few rungs above most of the other joints in the neighborhood. Occasional live music too. Was in last night and they had this totally groovin no-name band playing jazzy-soulful-deep groove stuff and the two bartenders, Miss Haze and Natalia, jumped in will killer freestyle over the top. The band supposedly plays there once a month but no regular schedule as yet. Check it out. read more

Great local bar with a super friendly bar tender. Came here on a Thursday night around 10pm and loved that the noise level wasn't so obnoxious that I could actually carry on a conversation with others. Another great plus was that there weren't any annoying millennials spilling their drinks on you. Will definitely be back! read more

My neighborhood bar. Fun and clean! There is a pool table to enjoy and the bartenders are so sweet.

I love this place !!!!!!! It's like family bar because ppl go there are very friendly!

You need to check this place out especially if you are not from around San Francisco. This place is affordable and fucking awesome. Come play pool! read more

This bar is a great place to go if you're into strong drinks, incredibly friendly bartenders (June, Eye, Favi, and Hazel are all tied for nicest people in SF), spontaneous karaoke (I'm not really sure what prompts them to take out the microphones, but it's a lot of fun), pool, football, etc. They usually have pop/hip-hop playing, but on some nights, they have rock or house. Never country. There are other nights (birthdays, 49ers games, for-the-hell-of-its) where they barbecue free food for customers. All in all, give this place a try when you don't have a specific goal in mind for the night. This bar is all about spontaneity and chance. read more

This place does not got it going on. I mean I like dive bars, wait..scratch that, I love dive bars, but Cinnabar is one of the worst dive bars I've patronized even though it has the quintessential dive bar location deeep in the tenderloin. Outside you have crackheads fighting with each other about who has the rock and not realizing that they actually just smoked it, but inside Cinnabar it is dull and has no true dive bar appeal. I almost feel like Cinnabar has an identity crisis, like it's not sure what exactly it wants to be. The front bar area tries to give the appearance of some sort of classy joint, but ends up just looking tacky. And 6 dollar gin and tonics??? Get out of here with that BS. The bartender was nice though, thus the 2 stars... read more

Cool bar! Finally decided to write a review after visiting this bar for a few times. Very nice happy hour. Never went to a bar with 6 hours happy hour. (3-9pm) Also there is ladies every night special 9-10 pm, all well drinks $2.). Very nice atmosphere even though it is in the tenderloin district. Definitely will take my friend there.. read more

GREAT dive bar to just hang out, chill and have a beer or two. The place has a pool table and a jukebox with great selections of music. It's a great place to go with a small group of friends because of the sofa and loungy area in the back. Definitely would go back there!!! read more

My friend and I walked into Cinnabar as she used to live in the TL and knows a ton about the 'hood. The bartenders are very friendly and attentive and the drinks are great AND cheap. How about that? Cinnabar also has a very nice sound system that sounds even better when you have the electronic jukebox play good music. The pool table is really nice, too. read more

This place is welcoming,entertaining,nice bartenders,everyone is great company it's always a good game on all the televisions,I frequent there often BEST DIVE I've been to in frisco read more

Amazing town with amazing people and the Cinnabar is no different. Everyone is friendly...genuinely so. Saturday, they ususlly have a live band from 5:30 to 7:30pm and that's exactly what's on my itinerary. Tried the Petite Verdot and Petite Syrah and a plate of cheese and fruits. Met some wonderful locals and their cute doggies. It was a great early evening before getting ready for dinner down the street =) read more

Definitely a dive bar. I go here from time to time because I have a friend that works there. They're nice and provide food and snacks sometimes. I forget the night but they also have karaoke. It's fun to come with a bunch of friends. read more

Sweet bartenders.. great DJ.. awesome MC.. drink specials.. nice place! I went on a Friday, and it was hip hop all night. I will definitely be back :) read more

I just love the bar! Its just a few blocks from home and the bartenders are best. I especially like coming here to catch a 49er game. Cinnabar will always have place in my heart. XOXO! read more

This is absolutely my favorite bar!! The bartenders are very friendly and attentive. The cocktails are amazing! This is a great place to kick back and relax and have a few drinks! read more

I used to live in the neighborhood and this was my joint. The bartenders are cool, the vibe is chill and even though I moved I still find my way back when I can. read more