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Kilowatt

3.8 (456 reviews)
InexpensiveDive Bars, Sports Bars
Open 5:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
Updated 3 months ago

Kilowatt Photos

KILOWATT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Divey
Casual
Juke Box
Loud

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Recommended Reviews - Kilowatt

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Ed U.

Did you know a kilowatt is a unit of power that measures the amount of electricity an appliance needs to function? Then you're clearly smarter than I am. I'm just sharing useless trivia that doesn't have anything to do with my excessive alcoholic consumption at this friendly dive bar. However, it feels like a word that reflects the comfy retro vibe that evokes what this bar captures in spades during Happy Hour. It's relaxing and pretty spacious in here at least when there isn't a show on the stage in the back. Jeff was a solid bartender during my first visit. We traded travel stories about Japan, and he made a potent $6 Tequila Sunrise (photo: https://yelp.to/ITqL_KavXK). On a more recent visit, I learned they were not limited in their repertoire, and I had a particularly smooth $13 Espresso Martini (photo: https://yelp.to/g_7rDTMOaN). It definitely generated kilowatts for my otherwise nonconductive nature. DRINKS - 4 stars...the libations satisfy here AMBIANCE - 4 stars...feel at home in this retro-vintage sanctuary SERVICE - 3.5 stars...I'm not a regular but still friendly TOTAL - 4 stars...managed to generate a kilowatt or two RELATED - Exploring the Mission? Here's my collection of places I've patronized and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2NHtst6

Bathroom door decorated with stickers
Allison W.

A great bar with great music events -- so fun for dancing! The staff are relatively easy to flag down and are fast with getting drinks. Bathroom in the back can be crowded but is decent. I wish it was open even later to keep the party going -- can't wait to be back!

Outside
Lu L.

Kilowatt is a wonderful dive bar in the Mission District...No food here but you can bring in your own if you wish. Nice drink menu. Reasonable prices. Unfortunately, We were there before the bands started and have heard they have great musicians that perform here. They can get crowded so arrive early. We did shoot some darts which was a lot of fun Rick was very friendly and informative. My son frequents this spot. We would too if we lived closer! Highly reccomend

Morgan V.

did their dating show and had a lot of fun! such a cool bar and the staff was great! Will definitely be back

Michelle K.

Such a fun dive bar! Went here during a Halloween weekend and the decorations were so cute and the vibes were great. I really appreciate how nice the workers were, inside and out the bar! The upstairs spot is also really nice if you want to chill. The prices were also very reasonable for the drinks. Would love to come back!

everytime i go here they always charge double for drinks. tell me why i ordered 2 beers (it was 16 dollars and I tipped 4) and they charged me 20 extra dollars in gratuity after the fact. they do this every. single. time. they are SCAMMERS!! if you go here for a show get drinks before if you dont want to be ripped off. love the vibes here so its honestly disappointing.

Darts! $10 deposit for them
Valerie G.

Cool bar but rude bouncers. When we entered, we asked if he had heard about San Diego's Kilowatt brewery and he made a comment that he "didn't care at all in the slightest." Probably racist as well. Drinks are cheap and there are some cool entertainment options such as pool tables and darts. Darts cost a $10 deposit and are half broken when they give them to you. Cash bar only I think? Wouldn't come back knowing how rude the staff is. I'll go to Elixir instead where the bouncers are the most welcoming and actually enjoy talking to customers.

Erica's second birthday bar party

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1 year ago

Went to my first shows here last weekend and was blown away by the talent. Great ambiance as well. Looking forward to coming back.

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11 months ago

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2 years ago

Loud music plus a pool table (quarters only) and 5 dollar draft beers. I like the skateboards hanging on the walls!

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2 years ago

Cool enough place, but...braindead bounders. i mean, bounce someone for getting knocked down in the pit. really? smh

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3 years ago

Best bar in the city! the bartenders are incredible and there's amazing live music on a regular basis

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Ask the Community - Kilowatt

Review Highlights - Kilowatt

There is quite a bit of seating here, a dog-friendly policy, two pool tables, two dart boards, pinball and Ms.

Mentioned in 17 reviews

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Li Po Cocktail Lounge - Mai tai

Li Po Cocktail Lounge

4.0(841 reviews)
2.3 miChinatown
$$

The first time I came to Li Po's was for Halloween in 2024. I didn't eat enough before coming here,…read moreso this was my final bar of the night. Flash forward to now. I finally made a comeback over this last weekend when I went with a group of friends after dinner nearby at China Live. I saw a whole new side to the bar. Previously, I didn't realize that they have a basement section, which in my opinion is worth checking out and way better than staying on the first floor. My group headed downstairs as soon as we entered and lined up to buy drinks. I ordered one of their infamous mai tai's, the same drink that pushed me over the edge a couple years ago. It was just as sweet as I remembered, but since I'd just eaten, I didn't feel jittery or like it was too much at all. There's just something about being served a cold cocktail in a paper cup. I have no complaints. It was filled to the brim with the frothy drink. I hope using disposable cups makes the staff's cleanup faster and easier. I'm really glad i visited this familiar yet transformed haunt with a different group of friends in a new year. It was so good to be back.

This lounge is one I would take my friends visiting from out of town. Give them a sense of San…read moreFrancisco throwback, nostalgia, and one of a kind bar in the City. Known for their "patented" chinese Mai Tai, it's a go to drink to try while hanging out in this hideaway lounge in the heart of Chinatown. It can get a bit crowded, but it's a great place to lay low and take in the vibe. Mai Tai is a tad pricey but it's a deal if your not there often, or be it a one time experience. No frills, expect no updated modern chic vibe, its a bar in Chinatown.

Photos
Li Po Cocktail Lounge - The entrance

The entrance

Li Po Cocktail Lounge - Entrance

Entrance

Li Po Cocktail Lounge - Downstairs bar

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Downstairs bar

Kilowatt - divebars - Updated May 2026

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