This was my first time in Gestalt in a couple years, and it feels better than it's ever been. I hear it's under new ownership and it feels like it's getting the refresh it needed. Great beers on tap, fun folks in here watching the Super Bowl, bartenders handling the crowd well, and a really nice selection of modern pinball tables that seem like they were set up by someone who really knows what they're doing. My partner got the soju margarita and did *not* like it...so maybe stick to the beers. Black Knight, Mars Attacks, Foo Fighters, Dr No, and - a clean bathroom! A buck for three balls, woohoo! And there's a pool table now. Haven't tried the food, but I'll be back. read more

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Pinball at gestalt is fun ..Pool ...nice to visit again ...cool city ..Valencia ...try the pinball $1.75

One of my favorite bars in mission. They have pliny on tap which is the best IPA in my opinion. Very chill atmosphere and they like dogs. read more

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The owner is super chill to deal with. Best part is they have Pliney The Elder on tap!! read more

I love this place. Great beer and kombucha on tap. Vibes are immaculate. Pool and pinball -- and tons of space. We came here two night in a row and had such a good time with a small group and a super large group. Killer service. Looking forward to patronizing this spot for many years to come. read more

Really enjoy coming here, the beer selection is so great. It's under new ownership so the vibe is fun and they are starting to offer food which is a plus! read more

I was excited to find another German spot in the Mission, but this is more of a bar. My boyfriend likes their beer options, but they have limited food options. * Pretzel - 2 stars Not fresh. I'm pretty sure this was microwaved. This was way too hot when came out. It also came with a weird fake-looking, but spicy, mustard dip. * Bratwurst - 2.5 stars Not great, bread pretty stale, not very memorable. read more

Gestalt - Pretzel - 2 stars. Not fresh. I'm pretty sure this was microwaved. This was way too hot when came out. Sat lunch 2018-07-07 - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Poor business practices. Performed here on a Friday night under a simple written agreement (only $200). At the end of the night we were not payed in full and were told "I don't think we can actually afford you guys, but sorry about the short change." *live music, DJ, vinyl, beer read more

Beer and pinball machines. That's it. They are not serving food. Learned from a nearby merchant that the bar will be closing soon for good. Regardless, didn't get a comfortable vibe from the place. read more

Very poor experience here. Bartender on shift (Tuesday night) made some inappropriate racial comments.

Gestalt is actually a branch of psychology which is based on a theory that what people need to do in order to "heal" or "be complete" is to look at the big picture, in which the whole is more than the sum of its parts. So why is this bar called Gestalt, you ask? Answer: I have NO effing idea. It's known for being a hipster beer bar in the Mission where you can hang your bicycle on the wall while downing pints of quality international brews. The walls are red, it has a pool table, and the bathroom is gross. There are some well-worn couches/chairs at the front of the bar, but the music (did I mention the live DJ?) might make it difficult to sit back and read. The bar advertises that it's a great place to watch sporting events, and rocks 4 big screen TVs. They also serve various 'wursts, including a vegetarian bratwurst (welcome to SF!!), so nobody has to go hungry. Drink-wise, they offer 20 beers on tap in additon to a variety of bottled foreign beers, and the bartender will permit you to taste the beers before you buy one. I went with Young's Double Chocolate Stout, which was fantastic. All of my friends enjoyed their draughts, served up in fancy glasses. Prices are generally in the $5-$6 range. This Gestalt definitely has a lot of parts, but I'm not sure that it makes a cohesive whole. read more

Gestalt - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Fairly chill bar in the mission Most bars in the area has a hipster vibe, and this place is no exception! Pinball machines, retro lamps, graffiti on the walls are all part of the decor. The crowd is also young and somewhat hipster, but in general the place is fairly open. The doors are wide open, and it certainly feels like anyone walking by can just swing in for a quick drink. The waitstaff is pretty friendly as well. A good place to swing by whenever happen to walk by. read more

Gestalt - pinball - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

Vegan sausages, that's what brings me here. I'm almost positive they use the Tofurkey bratts (I haven't confirmed), best when grilled, which is the method of choice at Gestalt. They have meat ones too but thankfully they're slick enough to have separate grills. And what do you need after a kraut covered vegan bratt? Beer: and luckily for us all this place has some good ones to wash down the sausagy goodness. In my opinion this place has all the fixin's for a perfect hang out kind of place. Couches, pool, food and beer, all you have to do is add people and you've got yourself a decent evening. read more

Ended a fun night here! It was nice and low key at 1am on a Saturday/Sunday so plenty of seating. Enjoyed how colorful the place was, maybe it was the dim lighting? They have TVs and a big screen playing the most random things. I saw clowns, a person being tied up, and whales. So. No need to take anything to feel like you're high lol. They also have three arcade type games here. Did not play but looked cool, possible free? Since we got in so late (or early?) the kitchen was closed. But I'd come back next time for some andouille sausage or a pretzel, or both. I had a sweet cider and my friend just picked some beers, chill end to the late night! read more

Gestalt - Their sweetest cider. Just ask for that. I don't know its name. - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I love that they have DJ's spinning vinyl especially Felix the Dog. Great vibes in a great venue.

This place is a nice bar to come to & just hang out. They have good beer selection, food, board games, and pin ball machines! I ordered their spicy link hotdog and it was good, but unfortunately my bread fell apart as soon as I look my first bite. Regardless, I finished it and the link was delicious. read more

Gestalt - Pin ball machine - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

Loved this place. What a tap list! I've spent three days in this town looking for a decent Porter on tap and finally found one. We just stumbled on it, too, after eating dinner across the street. The pinball machines are a nice touch, too. Some good throwback titles. Definitely worth stopping in if you have a chance. read more

Very please to find this institution open for pick up in these trying times. I got a tasty sausage Sando and a cold bowl of water for my pup. Well worth the drive from San Francisco will be back for more. read more

Gestalt - Tasty lunch. - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Periodic review #4. Pinball has grown and there's always 10 machines here and luckily Rainbow has put in a solid state on a rotating basis. Right now it's Taxi, a great machine from 1988 or 1989 I think! Justin the manager is awesome and helps to make sure that the machines are in good shape and their rotating beers on tap are usually a pretty nice mix of styles. Play in the SF Super Selfie Pinball League or check out the championship cup from the Bay Bridge Pinball League of which Gestalt hosts two teams including the defending champions (TBD!!!!!!!!!) as well as my team, the Mission Flipsters... read more

Just come and check this out. Beer, food & TV screens - oh yes, lots of pinball machines in case beer ain't enough 4u! read more

Gestalt - Menu as of 6/3/17! - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Came in with a friend for the free (donation based) jazz music on a Friday night and I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the music was great, bar was not busy, and there was actually a place to sit inside. The bartender was nice and drink prices not overcharged. The decorations were unique, so this is a perfect definition of a dive bar. I feel like it's a hidden gem ride at one of the busiest corners in the city. I will be back and I want to try the bratwurst everyone is talking about read more

I've been coming to Gestalt since I first moved to the bay area. It's an unpretentious spot, with a great selection of beers, and a great vibe. I decided to ultimately write a review based on recent experiences I had with the manager, Mike. I was looking for a location to celebrate my 30th birthday. I wasn't interested in a big, flashy affair. Just me and my friends in a bar, drinking and celebrating. After emailing around to multiple places with mixed results, Mike responded to my inquiry about a private event. Want to rent out the place on a Saturday night, during peak hours? No problem. Don't know the exact headcount, but have a rough idea? No problem, let's put a minimum down and cover the additional people day of. At every opportunity, Mike accommodated and did it with a smile and laid back attitude. He truly is an awesome person, and it helped make my birthday an amazing time. So to Gestalt, I love you and your bar. You've been a mainstay in my life for many years now. I hope to continue that. But to Mike, you are the icing on the cake. You were amazing and helpful in every way, and I cannot thank you enough for all that you did to help make my 30th awesome and special. I hope the owners know what kind of person they have in you. Cheers! read more

I'd heard that they'd taken out the bike racks but I had no idea what the ramification of that was. I hadn't been in for a while and was shocked at the change. it's no longer the rowdy, dark, loud cycler bar it once was. One of the other patrons informed me that there was a new owner. While it was not as fun as I remember it this change is probably a smart financial decision, I suspect the yuppies are going to win the war for the Mission. *******************7/25/2008****************************** Great! The too cool for school Zeitgeist biker (not the cool kind of bikers) crowd have another bar to hang out at! How long has this place been here and how is it that I didn't hear about it until recently? I love liter mugs of beer and German sausages cooked on a George Forman grill!!! read more

An okay place to drink with friends, especially bikers (and I don't mean of the motor variety). They have a double decker indoor bike rack which is both amusing and useful (now you can drink without worrying about your carbon fiber fixie). The crowd is very laid back and we talked to a bunch of random people, friendly folks all around. The theme is German, but they didn't seem to have a killer German beer selection, nor were there many Europeans hanging around. It's more of a Mission hipster scene. Mostly dudes, so don't come here looking for a healthy pickup scene 'cause it's not going to happen. Better to bring your own sand to this beach... read more

On our way to Elixir, we needed food. "No Vietnamese," said my friend, "my Uncle went over there and came back funny." I was feeling up for stout midwestern meat-and-potatoes fare, it being January and the state being subjected to abnormal "freezing" temperatures . . . "Beer, brats, and Bikes" promised Gestalt. We gave it a try. Bikes? They mean bicycles. There's a double-decker rack by the door, and everyone in the place has a helmet, and often a front wheel, hanging out with them. Beer? Alright . . . the bartender seems nice. Brats? Well, for $4.50 you get a mediocre brat drowned in sauerkraut. On a bun. The bun is nice. But, see, when I see "beer" and "brats" paired on a sign, I'm thinking the brats have spent some time swimming in the beer. This bratwurst was . . . underwhelming. The decor is chalkboard black, with vertigo-inducing rows of Christmas lights on the ceiling. I would NOT come here if I was tripping. I would NOT come here, really, unless I had a thing for bicycle people. This place just kind of creeps me out. I would not come here, but to each their own. It's hardly awful, certainly different, and if I were a bicycle nut, I might feel right-at-home. NB: I was using the restroom and my colleague told the guy to bring on the kraut . . . stuff slides off, so no frets. read more

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I'm curious that I have never reviewed Gestalt Haus before tonight. When it's not jam packed crowded this is one of the best little kept secret bars in the Mission. Granted, it has the worst BATHROOM in the Mission (go across the street to Kilowatt if you have to go, tip courtesy of Mick F.) That aside: the beer is plentiful and cheap; the sausage is bang on and the potato salad is worth going to Gestalt alone for. Delish! On crowded nights, only go if you really REALLY have a hankering for sausage with sauerkraut. Another up side to Gestalt - at least for me - because they do not serve anything other than ale or wine it's damn near impossible to get stumbling drunk at this bar. Which at the age of 35 is a good thing, because I've had too many hangovers in my life thus far and need no more... Gestalt lets me go be social without risk of being sloppy knee walkin' drunk. Yay! Win-win-win! read more

Gestalt - Potato salad! - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

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10/10 would come here every day to play pinball if I could. The best part was playing the KISS pinball machine for half an hour than sitting at my desk the next day humming "Detroit Rock City." read more

Gestalt - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

This was an amazing find next door (almost) to Monk's Kettle where you don't have to sacrifice half your limbs and donate your kidneys to buy a beer. In fact, this place may be even better than Toronado if I dare say so! The same style is found where this is a cash only bar with great beers on tap, fantastic selection in the bottle and a fun atmosphere with a great bartender. The sausages... yeah not sure how they stack up against Rosemunde (sp?) but the beers here surely are fantastic. We arrived early in the night right after dinner just to chill and grab a drink, ended up staying for many rounds trying out all kinds of recommendations the bartender had. I love bars like these because they have character, arcades and pool tables and bartenders who actually like beer, like their own product and can make a solid recommendation instead of just whatever seems to take your money. It's definitely a bit of a hipster vibe but you can fit in just fine. read more

Excellent selection of beer and vegan sausages. I don't know why there aren't more really good beer places in SF with vegan options. We all know vegans love eating, especially drunk vegans. Give me all the vegan bratwurst and all the IPAs. Oh and there are pinball machines! read more

Came here with some girlfriends around New Years Day. Nice little dive bar in the Mission. Their beer selection isn't as crazy extensive as other places but it has a little bit of everything to satisfy a wide variety of tastes. The staff here was awesome. I ordered a hef and I like to enjoy it with a slice of orange or lemon. When I requested the bartender said he didn't have any. I was a little disappointed, but what can yah do? The bartender had an answer! He pulled out some cash, RAN over to the market nearby bought an orange, ran back to bar, cut up the orange, and gave me a slice for my drink and then another third of the orange just so I could have more orange. Granted, the bar wasn't crazy busy, but it's gestures like that that makes a customer's day/night. Thank you bartender, you are awesome. Next time I'm in SF, I hope you're there when I visit. :) read more

Gestalt - My hef with a special slice of orange - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

I always laugh when people use their review to wonder if this place is "trying to be Toronado" or "trying to be Rosamunde." If I wanted to live in a place with just one beer bar or just one sausage place, I would have stayed in Vermont. They have some of the best toasted sandwiches around (or are they just **trying** to be Ike's???) read more

Not a bad bar at all. I was half expecting it to be full of sneaky-swede faced hipsters in their tight pants and pristine bicycles that they only ride to bars, but there were normal people there. The Polish sausage is enh, but the kraut tastes homeade so I'll try another one next time. This place is at least 5x better than what was there before (Cafe La Onda or whatever the hell it was called). read more

Maybe I hit this place on an off-night, because I really wanted to like it, but just wasn't feeling it. It has all the makings for a great place - relatively good beer selection, food to accompany, bike parking, a pool table and even pinball. But the vibe was way off. Too crowded, a bit pretentious (the bad kind of) and a DJ who was playing kind of lame music (and we were the only ones dancing but he still wouldn't play our requests). In the interest of fairness, I'll give this place another shot because I think it has a lot of potential to be awesome, but based on first impressions? Eh. read more

For some odd reason, I always end up at Gestalt Haus when I'm going out in the Mission. Maybe its the constant allure of the boot or the fact that their name becomes a lot harder to pronounce after a few beers. Pros: - The beer selection is phenomenal. You'll find yourself staring at the wall for a good 10 minutes trying to pick something out. If you're a fan of German beer, you'll be in for a treat. Spaten Optimator is the way to go. - Das Boot. 2 liters of whatever beer you fancy. Not many bars in the city have it, so take advantage of this rare experience. The boot will not disappoint. Just make sure you're sober before you start, or else you might have trouble. - Pinball machines, couches, and German themed decorations. Pretty sweet layout and a nice relaxing feel. - Relatively spacious. If you can't get a seat on one of the chairs or couches, there's plenty of standing room, even on a busy night. You won't find yourself rubbing up against people. Cons: - Only one horrid, disgusting bathroom. You'll be really lucky if you don't have to stand in line for it. Doesn't look like they have room to build another bathroom, but it would greatly help. I feel bad for the ladies who have to endure the constant piss-covered toilet. - Bartenders aren't too welcoming. They're not rude, but they don't really have anything good to say. - $40 deposit for the fragile boot. Be VERY careful. I've had a friend break the boot once from a simple clink with someone's glass. If you must clink, do it with the thicker base. While there's a great selection of heavily themed German bars in SF, Gestalt Haus is more laid back and has that chill neighborhood bar feel. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area. read more

Gestalt - Das Boot - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

I can get lost looking at the beer menu at this place. But I always ask whatever oatmeal stout they have on tap. The bartender even let me have a small sample in a shot glass. Tasted hella good to me. They have a few TVs playing sports and the couple of times I've been here, they always have the Warriors game on. They have nice music playing in the background, but yet it's just that. You can have a conversation without having to yell. Oh yeah, they have pinball machines too. read more

Caveat - I went just for the food, and to say hi to a friend for her birthday. I wish the sausage concept was a bit better played out - the bread got soggy due to the huge amounts of sauerkraut on it, so the tastiness of the sausage was minimized. The sausages are healthy and organic and froo froo -- not bad I guess but I wanted some real pig fat in my weiner. The sausage was a bit salty, too...which if I were going to be chugging some beers, they would've made for a nice compliment. Also the service at the bar was a bit slow tho no one else seemed to be ordering anything. The bartender was nice but he'd had some cell phone chaos happen that nite, so was spending a bit of time focused on that issue.... read more

Great music blaring, retro arcade games (4 player pacman anyone?), grafitti art bathroom, and beers in "dass boot" serving make this place awesome and quirky. For those brave enough to try the boot, there is a deposit to prevent breaking and return of the glass. Not all beers are available in the boot either. Specifically the ones with a higher ABV %. read more

Gestalt - The boot. - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Great beer selection at reasonable prices! Service is usually timely and polite. Sometimes, downright friendly. Staff knowledge of beer varies. If you need a cisarone go to Monk's. If you want a down to earth experience at a more affordable price, come here. I think they still do sausages and I know you can now order pizza from nearby. My favorite beer spot in the area, hands down. read more

Great low-key neighborhood bar with good beers and chill vibes. They have pinball machines too, which is nice, although they got rid of the best one, Ghosts Busters :( I miss hearing Bill Murray shouting "Who brought the dog!" Please bring back Ghost Busters read more

Totally mind-boggling selection of beers, both on draught and in bottles. Tons of stuff I've never heard of before and that's the way to my heart. Awesome and kind staff, able and willing to answer any questions you may have. Minimal, yet delicious, selection of German pub fare. We got a bockwurst at 1:30 AM and it was outstanding. Pretty decent-sized space. PINBALL MACHINES?! The bathroom was the worst part, but that's the Mission. I can't wait to go back. read more