I was so stoked to go to this bar because it was in Japan town and japan town needs a good bar, but the prices DO NOT REFLECT the atmosphere, here's a tip when you a dive bar be yourself and that will attract a lot more customers. Unlike trying to be a "high class" establishment when your not, that's why you're empty. read more

I honestly don't know how to review this place. So my suspicions were confirmed by other yelpers that this is indeed a front for prostitution (now I get why there was a toothbrush in the women's room). Drinks were not cheap, you could smoke, and the juke box was decent. I'd love this place for its shear absurdity of Korean women straight out of 1990 courting lonely middle aged white dudes and illegal smoking in a basement bar if the drinks were more reasonably priced. Oh well, I'm still on the fence, hence the three stars. read more

Went to Dimples on Saturday night. It was the second time I've been to this bar. The sober me rates it 2 stars. The imbibed me would probably rate it higher! What's great about this place: - People watching. The first time I went to Dimples, my friends and I had a bet to see what would happen to this elderly man. He was clearly three sheets to the wind, and he was surrounded by two younger Asian men. We couldn't tell if they were all going home together or if the two Asian guys were going to take out the old man in the parking lot. As one reviewer put it, I too wondered about the "questionable ladies" We saw them chatting up all the dudes at the bar. Interesting... - Low lighting. The vibe seems to be a little "anything goes" Nice that the lighting matches the ambiance of the place. - If you're a smoker, you're in luck! - Friendly bartenders What's not so great about this place: - No grapefruit juice for my gin :( - Bathroom needs to be cleaner more often. - Sometimes the drinks don't taste so good...my bff ordered a lemon drop and she said it didn't taste so good. - Also the well drinks were pricey, small sized cups. - If you're not a smoker, you might have a problem with the smoke. Would have probably been more fun if it wasn't the first stop of the night. It wasn't so crowded, too early for all the shenanigans! I may or may not return the next time I'm in J-town. It'll depend on my mood! read more

Needless to say, it's not the cocktails that keep the patrons - largely male - coming, so to speak. The drinks though astronomical are definitely not the number one revenue generator at this place. We walked in and were initially the only ones there, save for an older man in the corner with a bad toupee, smoking a cigarette and sipping a scotch. Waiting for the Viagara to kick in perhaps? We dropped $90 and came away smelling like smoke, albeit having enjoyed a pretty good selection of 80s tunes on the juke. We do continue to laugh about the experience. read more

I used to frequent this bar/lounge with my friends like 6 or more years ago. I can't even remember when but it wasn't like how it is now or maybe I was oblivious. Well last year I went to visit my friend that bartends there and DaYaM!!! Right when I walk in I see like 10 or so scantily clad hoochies that are somewhat attractive sitting all lined up with a seat between each at the bar and some even walking around. I even saw one or two of them sitting next to caucasion males that definitely want more than a conversation with drinks. One girl even came out with a questionable lipstick ring on her mouth. Hmmm. I'll leave the rest up to your imagination..... read more

This place is amusing. Not only does it resemble some 1980s Japanese lounge revival with its vinyl green seats and screens that people used to use in prom photos, but it is also run by chicks and only chicks. My friends, while I was knocking back a couple, came to the somewhat hilarious conclusion that Dimples is a front for a prostitution ring. I know it's not really hilarious or anything like that, but upon searching myself for a reason to disagree, the rate at which the girls at the bar would hover around lonely men only increases my friends' belief on the whole thing. Meh. I don't really care much for whatever the hell it is that my friends thought, but I really enjoy weird bars, dives or not. My only gripe is that their juke box really sucked, and our goal was to play the most ghettoist songs we could find. It lacked anything new, and we stuck ourselves in the middle of 1996 with some 2Pac and Ice Cube. Maybe if they just updated the juke, I would have had a killer time. Oh yeah, and the bartender gave my friend a free shot of tequila, since it was her birthday. That's very, very nice. read more

Want a drink, don't want to go to the hotel bar, walk on down, think it might be karaoke before we hit the bottom of the stairs but press on, get in, confused by the decor but hey there's the bar so whatever, hit the loo while the honey goes back up and out for a smoke, wait in a booth for his return and question whether it's a gay bar we've stumbled into 'cause there were only male patrons in there except me but saw Asian businessmen with arms around each other singing loudly with the jukebox and realized nope, they are just singin and hangin. What I guess to be the reality of the situation strikes me moments later, just before my honey comes back. When my honey realizes what's going on we have a huge laugh about it. Sat at the drinks only side of the bar with a nice older Latino gent and the 3 of us drank and joked and laughed for about an hour. The drinks were pricey ($8 a piece for small but actually well done cosmos and $8 each for a shot of jameson and then one of the macallan 12 year), cracked us up that they would let folks smoke in there, the 2 'tenders that tended us were friendly enough, spoke fine english, and even refilled the peanuts when my honey moved the bowl over towards the 'tender. Would I go back? Sure. Not every night or anything, and not without my honey, but if I were in the area again. I'd bring cash as suggested by another Yelper and not run a tab. Oh it's a dive (among other things!) for sure, but talk about ultimate people watching. Plus, we have a great story to tell now! read more

"Meh. I've experienced better." - This is the Yelp definition of two stars and exactly my thoughts about Dimples. First, karaoke machine is state of the art Korean noraebang style, with the ability to select songs alphabetically or by name of artist. BUT, and big BUT, our group could not figure out how to get the keyboard out of Korean so that we could type alphabets. The owner of the bar was pretty wasted by the time we got there, so she wasn't much help in trying to figure out the remote control. Just up the block at Do Re Mi, there's the same noraebang machine, but at least you can get the system to recognize alphabets. Second, this place lets you smoke. So if you're a fan of a smoking establishment, albeit I question if it's legal, this is your place. If you are not a smoker, then save your lungs. Singing while inhaling second hand smoke is quite brutal. I came out smelling like an ashtray. Third, room is ok - your typical greasy feeling karaoke establishment with a sliding door. The sliding door was unique and particularly fun when people get more wasted while trying to get to the bar right outside. Overall, if you are looking for a place to smoke, has an actual bar, and karaoke/noraebang rooms, this is the place to go. read more

$90 for 6 double vodka soda's - not worth it. The bartender was nice but she started playing dice with us I think to keep us content and spend more money on house cocktails. They do have a good music selection in the juke box. read more

This place gets a "eek", but this place sucks so bad it's actually kind of comical to go here. I went here once after going to a concert in the Fillmore, just down the street from the venue. The area isn't too bad, but this place is just LOL. First and foremost I had ordered a jagerbomb from the "bartender" that was working at the bar. She didn't know what it was. I could have made the beverage myself. The biggest highlight of this sh*thole is the bathroom. It's pretty dirty already. Thank god I can muster up the courage to even use the restroom and do my business, but for some reason there's a dirty plastic lawn chair in the bathroom, as well. Is there sketchy details going on in this place? I cannot and will not confirm. Either way, this particular "edge" about this particular facility makes me laugh and somewhat appreciate this place. This place, for me, receives a "eek!." if you like sketchy female bartenders (or are they really female and maybe ladyboys?), bad overpriced drinks, and REALLY bad karaoke, then this is a place that you would scream "yay!" and be a fan. read more

This place is a joke. We walked into the empty place and ordered two well gin and tonics. Total price 16 dollars!!!!!!!! WTF??? Never in my life have I paid so much for crappy gin!! Its like they are charging Japan prices in Japan Town!! Effing rip-off. Absurd prices. Unfortunately not a lot of options in the area tho. If I could, I wouldnt give 'em any stars, but Yelp! makes you put at least one down. read more

this place oozes sketchiness but it's a korean bar called dimples so what did you expect? Anyways on the plus side, people seem to mind their own business here and will def leave you alone. read more

Nice place to kick it. Typically when I think of dive bars, I picture Moe's Tavern from The Simpsons, but this place had a chill vibe to it. As for "hot Asian women" they're ok looking. Would recommend this place if you're looking to get away from the clubs and have a chill night with some friends. FYI, bring cash because there's a $20 card minimum =[ boo! read more

The drinks are crap (unless you're buying the Johnnie Walker bottle "full-service" I suppose). The place is small, cramped, weird and full of lone, unattractive male perverts. I do like the eighties decor, but there's no irony or intention in it. The reason the place exists is for its 'girls' who are sometimes behind the bar, sometimes mingling with the pervs and sometimes they disappear into this little room outlined by paper panels with the male patrons. So, based on what I just wrote, why would anyone pass up a beer at Dimples if they happened to be in Japantown? An enthusiastic 3 stars for the overall experience, 1 for the drinks and 5 stars for the sleaze factor! read more

How could you not venture into a "bar" when it's named Dimples? I have to admit, the name is surely what lured us into the place, but upon walking downstairs into the smoke filled lounge area we soon understood clearly Dimples was no ordinary bar. Why we stuck around after the first round of shamefully overpriced drinks and the realization that "you get what you pay for," I still couldn't say. Novelty maybe, that or it was the booze talking and the half naked chicks behind the bar. read more

This bar is amazing the staff is great the vibe is great tracey the owner is a sweetheart and lovely lady same with the bar maid Sai the bar very chill place to hang out and its amazing when the workers know and remember you this place is a must go bar if in San Francisco read more

Best brothel disguised as a bar. Don't go for drinks, just get giant bottles of Korean beer for 5 bucks a pop. Absolutely adorable mongolian bartender who was totally spunky & held her own against the super sleazy patrons who kept asking her for her bra. Hilarious karaoke! It's like international travel! read more

Seriously, I have been looking forward to writing a review for this bar since last year. Once in a while I make a visit and it is disappointing. The staff is rude and careless, I feel like I am bothering them and I should not be there. read more

Stumbled in here on a whim one night with my husband. This first time was fun, just a weird, smokey dive bar with $10 OBs and peanuts to snack on. The second time we came, we had friends with us. When we walked in, the music stopped. They claimed to not have any sake or soju. They didn't have anything we asked for, so we settled on the overpriced beers. The bartenders seemed really annoyed that we were there, so we finished up our drinks and got out of there. As we walked up the stairs to exit, the music came back on. Fishy. It's not really a bar for friends, just sad single dudes. read more

its weird when some of the hostess are your friends. weird things happen here. def not pg13. but if you gots a group of overseas clients (read hom sap los) you gotta do what you gotta do..... so i hear. read more

It's a hostess bar. If you buy the bartender $10 half shots of whiskey she'll flirt with you, if you want to drop $500 minimum you can go into the karaoke room and who knows what might happen? I go just to people watch after I've been to the Kabuki. read more

We stopped by Dimples while waiting for a table at a restaurant down the street. It was definitely low key and the older lady had a heavy pour for both rounds of gin and tonics ordered. I'd definitely go back if I'm in the area. read more

All I know is that Dimples hosted the best birthday of my life this past weekend. They had a cake for me and everything!

Stumbled upon it randomly. But had a few issues. Who charges a bottle of soju for $30?!?! I should have looked at the reviews. The karaoke vibe is nice, but it's hard to hear when trying to order. Another issue is not asking if I wanted to have the last bit of my soju poured into my friend's empty glasses (empty because I was the only one drinking it) and doing so and taking the bottle. That just felt rude and to me it felt like they were rushing us at almost midnight when they didn't close until 2am? Never going again, but glad to have had this learning experience. read more

My lord what an odd and majestic place Dimples is. The jukebox situation is killer, I mean I love this modern age juke where it's all internety and you can get like anything you want to hear. The decor and ambiance feels so illegal , but that makes it fun . There is a definite don't ask don't tell vibe going on , some of the rooms randomly in the spot seem like they have other usages ...uhhh ya. Anyways you can get forget your life hammered here which is fun , until you see your receipt the next day and wonder how your Budweiser and a shot was like 30 bucks . I am not a math genius , but seemed on the high side . read more

really i don't know how to rank this place... i came here by accident with my bro-in-law, looking for a place to hang out and drink a few on a friday night... this place is very bizzare really. i won't go into too much description since the other yelper postings hit it right on the head... makes me laugh actually. just don't buy the girls drinks... they are 10 bucks for some dinky shot of something-or-other. the girls working the counter are mongolian... they speak russian too. just an interesting tidbit that i wasn't aware of. read more

Really fun bar you can play whatever music you want and the owner is really sweet. If you are looking for a good time in japan town you should come here read more

My colleague and I wandered in here because it was across the street from our hotel (Kabuki). The bartender, who looked fairly wasted, gave me a drink order menu. When I tried to order a drink from the menu she told me that she didn't know how to make it. She told me to order something "simple". I ended up ordering a G&T which she made in an orange juice glass, with lots of ice, and charged me $10. She then proceeded to make drinks for her Korean pals at the end of the bar. Those drinks were in tumblers. The smoke in there is unbelievable and we were cracking up because there is a huge "no smoking" sign above the bar. The juke box is circa 1970. I put 2 bucks in and and none of my songs ever played. My only guess is money laundering....... read more

This place is a fine experience. Yes, the drinks are pricey. Yes, it is potentially an undercover brothel. But I still give it five starts because of many things. It's a fucking great place to watch the lone customers that wander in there and the waitresses attempting to woo them. You're encouraged to chain smoke and the jukebox selection is awesome. It's dark with comfortable seats and while the many female staff take men to the "private karaoke rooms" you can rest assured that no one will bother you while you sit and contemplate life and what you're still doing there. Keep up the great work Dimples. read more

Hostess bar. Hostess bar? This place was pretty popular with Raymond Shrimp Boy and his friends. Just kidding. Maybe. Some serious shady shiz is going on here and it can get creepy. If I were a Hollywood location scout this is THE place to film some shady dive-bar underground business scene. Complete with secret elevator the ladies take customers to who knows where. read more

This is one of the sketchiest bars ever...but i am going to lift my good mate Cliff S. mantra about women and apply it to here: spice is the variety of life...you need to slay some dragons to get to the princess. On just a random outing around good 'ole essf, liquored up from Geary waterholes, we all decided to go karaoke in Japantown. Making an appointment, we had ample time to kill. As a result, we stumbled into the nearest building and walked into a really nice establishment. We were all really drunk at this point and all I could remember was fine lighting, waiters, and a lot of couples sitting about numerous tables. A butler immediately greeted us, and instead of taking us to a table, took us downstairs, thru the kitchen, into another dimly lit bar. Our troop of 10 or so followed like blind lemmings. We could have literally been slaughtered in the kitchen. This bar was the antithesis of the establishment upstairs. The bar was patrolled by some female bartenders and there was one who stood out in particular...the Dragon Lady. She looked like a madam. A police officer even came down, creating a bone chilling silence. My good friend, doing pull ups for some reason by the doorway dropped down silently and gave the 'ole boy in blue a wave. The cop, surveying the scene, retreated and the party favors came out. The bartenders were really nice and made various elixirs that we could throw back. The drinks were regular price. There are also hidden alcoves which lead to karaoke rooms. One kind man let us into his den where he serenaded us while I palmed the tambourine and the rest of the gang provided backup vocals. I think we were outshining him because we were soon ushered out after a song or two. There were some deathly silent men brooding along the fringes of the bar...I think they were its guardians and most likely had nunchucks or even worse tucked in their waistbands. I read that there was a shooting either here or around this area so be careful. I would not be too belligerent here or else you might be asked to go to the kitchen.....catch my drift. If you are here to ogle bartenders, I give this bar an earnest recommendation as they are gifted in gab and terradiddles, which equates to a slimmer wallet by the end of the night. read more

I can't wait to get married, so I can start having an affair at Dimples. Although as my compatriot said, for $8 that drink better come with a blowjob. read more

Dimples is in a basement. This is the dive bar of Japantown. Questionable, yet comfortable. Bring money for the juke box, otherwise you'll have to listen to awkward conversations at the bar or karaoke in random back rooms. Easy place to chill and hang with friends if you like dive bars in random neighborhoods... Which I do. read more

Dimples is, without any shred of doubt in my mind, the very best bar - no, establishment - in San Francisco. No poo poo. The five stars that I bestow on this institution are not given meekly. They are given with fire, bravado, and a deep sense of gratitude. read more

Dimples was so much fun. I had a great time singing karaoke and the people were very nice. It's a nice place to get drinks and have a good time. read more

Weird place. It's a karoake bar, but I being there are 4-6 over painted, underdressed Asian women behind the bar. I have concluded that the male patrons provide the "microphone". Peanuts anyone? read more

I had fun, but it could have been my company, because it is just a bar. There is something cool about this place, it's downstairs and dark and they serve peanuts. The white russian was not right that my friend ordered, no vodka, just Kaluha and Baileys?? but whatever. read more

OK, this one gets my first 5 star review, just because the place is so wacky. It's equal parts karaoke, hostess bar, regular bar, which took me a while to piece together, and I used to live in Korea. So let's do that more slowly: - Karaoke. In Korea, there are two types of karaoke bars: "noraebangs" and "Karaoke" (capitalizing to avoid confusion)- noraebang is a 'normal' place where you go with your biddies when your drunk to sing and be merry. Karaokes come in all flavors, from cheap to classy, but they are hostess bars. In other words, you go there, get a karaoke room, and it comes with a few girls that will sing with you and, mostly, keep you drinking expensive liquor. In some Karaoke bars, nothing will happen except for a cute (sometimes) girl holding your hand, in other places, things get more wild, in which case there may be (expensive) additional activities in the hotel down the street. It all depends. - Hostess bar. See above. You sit at a table and a (sometimes) cute girl sit next to you and keeps pouring you overpriced drinks. Some hostess bars are high end, some classy, some are basically act 1 for paid sex to follow. So dimples is kind of all of the above. You can go sing in the karaoke room with one of the hostesses, or they'll hang out with you at your table, or you can just mind your own business and hang out with your friends. The hostesses are kind of second rate. But the whole place has a pretty decadent energy about it, which is what makes it fun. I go there to smoke and get drunk before moving on to more exciting adventures. My favorite thing about the place is the culture clash between the different kinds of customers that walk in there, esp the odd normal Korean couple on a date that walks in expecting a normal Korean bar. There's that moment when the girl on the date looks around and sees the hostesses and sort of puts in together, that look of horror or confusion before she decides to just go with the flow. So stop complaining about the $7 beer, it's the price of admission to a fun 'worlds colliding' experience. read more

Mike thought this place would be a strip club- and was he disappointed when we walked down the stairs. The bar is small and was pretty empty when we came in. The drinks were pretty damn expensive for a dive- $18 for a well drink and a beer?? Are you kidding me? read more

I felt like I was in a surreal indie foreign film or something. The bartender was very friendly... we came on a weekday night and it was completely deserted. Very interesting! read more