I think it's really sad to see some of the bad reviews for this bar. This is a friendly, neighborhood joint that has a nice partnership with The Front Porch across the street. We always come here to drink before going to the Front Porch, but it's nice to know we could order from there if we were comfortable. Rock Bar has a lot of personality. Random stuff all around, some seating throughout and tv screens showing sports. We always grab a couple of margaritas and either sit inside if there are seats or their outdoor seating. The bartender was friendly and served us very quickly. There is very little food available there, but like I said, they have QR codes to order from The Front Porch across the street. Overall, a great little neighborhood bar. read more

See all

Good drink selection, they sell snacks and cooperate with the front porch restaurant across the street. Good amount of seating including outdoor seating. Good music and usually has sports on Carlos and the guy with the long hair always host a good night Left a bad review once due the blonde female bartender she harassed me and my friends for not tipping enough.(we did tip) We hadn't been there longer than 10 minutes and only ordered beers. She made our friend who we brought here for the first time feel very disrespected. Will be back only if she isn't there read more

Adding yet another review to warn others about a female bartender who works here. Yesterday, my friends and I, four women in our 30s, stopped by Rock Bar on a nice Sunday afternoon after having lunch nearby. We asked for a tequila soda, two waters, and my friend who was in the restroom wanted a beer. The bartender checked our IDs, stared at us, then asked us to repeat the order. We repeated, she stared at us one by one, and then asked us to again repeat our order for a third time. Strange, it wasn't too loud inside, nor was our order complicated...something was off. At this point I realized she is mocking us and giving us a hard time, and not in a funny way. Not that I need to justify asking for water, but I was driving home soon, and of course I was still planning to pay/tip cash. We confirmed our request again, the two drinks and two waters please, and she looks over at my friend and screams "If you keep looking at me with that f*cking face, you can get the f*ck out of here!" Whoa! She then walked away and proceeded to openly talk about us to the other patrons. We walked out, and in our nervous state my friend left a $5 tip on the bar, haha. Honestly I don't think she was ever planning to serve us, no matter what we ordered. Outside, a gentleman explained that the bartender was "completely wasted" and had had a bad day due to the football game. Poor girl, better yell at a kindergarten teacher to make it right. It was also my friend's birthday, but at least now we can reminisce about the time we got kicked out of a bar on her 31st. I've had good times at this bar before since my friends live close by, but will absolutely never step foot in here again. There are several other reviews documenting similar behavior, and it seems to be the same person time and time again. I think the owner of Rock Bar also owns the Front Porch across the street - I ask the owner, why do you continue to employ a person who drinks on the job and is hostile to customers in your place of business? You probably know exactly who it is, too. +1 star for the "No ICE" sticker, and for all the rocks. read more

Came in here this Monday night on MLK day around opening for free pool! Partner & I would call this place one of our main joints, and sad to say we wont come back! First thing, we come in & take a look at their taps. We say we've been here plenty of times after she pointed out the obvious beer list. She rudely states "I'm just showing you where things are" so harshly my partner thinks they've offended her. Later, her friends seize the pool table not even a minute after we go to refresh our drinks. We chalk up our loses to go have a smoke. I come in to get another round & stand to the side while the bartender talks to the group that's playing pool for FIVE MINUTES. I realize she's not gonna acknowledge me so I decide to have another smoke. The nail on the coffin is when my friend closes out his tab and gets called out in front of the bar (of 3 people) for tipping $1 for can! As a bartender, I could never imagine even opening my mouth to say that, and she does this in front of the THREE OPEN TABS SHE HAS. Naturally, one by one she goes to each of us saying she's voiding out our tips but "in the future, if you're gonna tip so low, might as well not tip at all!" She had the gall to double down when I explained to her I work as a bartender & all she served him was a can; why would he tip more than 20%? Would prefer a bartender that gives ACTUALLY GOOD SERVICE & doesn't get prissy when they expect above and beyond for THEIR BARE MINIMUM. A real bummer because this place was a cool hang before knockout karaoke. I preferred the guy that would close out your open tab & ask you to open it again. read more

We call it FunTimeCastle. Nestor loves it there. Good place to crank your hog n have a killer time. read more

Rock Bar - Nestor - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

The hipster girl wouldn't serve me a drink! I had a dress shirt on, so it must've yelled tech bro. If the owner doesn't fire the female bartender who worked here tonight on June 17th, 2019 -Monday at 9:30pm, then you'll probably be out of business by September. Godspeed. read more

Rock Bar - a group of people sitting at a bar - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Dive Bar in a good location with pool. Music playing, drinks are fair priced and there are specials. Can bring food inside. Nothing special, but a place to grab a drink. Felt like service was good from bartender. read more

Came here while waiting for our table at The Front Porch across the street. It turns out the two establishments are owned by the same people. I got a shot of vodka and my friend got a spicy margarita that she thoroughly enjoyed. The music was oldies and it felt like a very cozy neighborhood vibe. Then bartender and many of the patrons were on a first name basis and the guy who sat next to me even had his own drink+music special. Very homey. I hope to one day have a home bar. read more

Rock Bar not to be confused with the new Rocks Den in the E. Used to be a sketch Central American Bar back in the day. Love to see the Chicano Latin American OG crowd mixed with the hipster native crowd. The native bartender really friendly. Very knowledgeable about the area. Shitty Boulevardier but I'd come back for the decor and ambiance. Decor similar to Royal Cukoo down the street. Good pregame spot. I met a couple interesting people here. Just a walk from Mitchell's Ice Cream, La Altena for Mexican food, Los Panchos for pupusas, The Knockout Room for karaoke etc read more

Horrible bartender, very rude. Don't go here. Consistently making rude remarks to questions asked.

A dive with pretty hit or miss bartenders. Wish they'd get some of the smaller details right. But ultimately it's exactly what it is, a place to drink cheap beer. I've had a couple encounters with trashed bartenders but that sometimes comes with the territory. If you're looking for a cocktail I wouldn't recommend it. Even if they can do it (not sure), my guess is it would take forever or be met with a pretty mixed reaction from the bartender. Beer lines taste pretty janky and not always cold. Stick with bottles. read more

Rock Bar is one of the best bars in the city. Everyone who works here is incredible-Shout out to Priscilla, Flowers and LJ! The vibe is super welcoming. The music is wonderful and the vibe is classy dive. And you can order food from the Front Porch across the street at the bar! read more

Love rock bar. The pool table was on point. I did really well in pool and smoked my homie(in pool). Made some friends I think we really hit it off. I feel like the connection was facilitated by rock bar. read more

I love this place and Jess the bartender! She was so welcoming to me and my group of friends, a fun time was had for all! I'm glad we decided to stop in. We'll be back! read more

Great service and well made drinks. Friendly vibe. And you can get delicious snacks from the Front Porch delivered to the bar

One *Rocking Star* for an alkie ménage a trois; carrying BOTH Fernet Branca and R. Jelinek Fernet. *Double fists* (NOT that kind, you pervs) One *Rocking Star* for strong AND cheap cocktails. One *Rocking Star* for delivering food from Front Porch across the street (same owners). One *Rocking Star* for a girly Victorian-ish themed bathroom for the ladies. One *Rocking Star* for premium chasers a la hand squeezed orange juice. YES! Hand squeezed orange juice! Who does that? Rock Bar does... 5 ROCKING STARS! OTHER NOTES: *Friendly and efficient bartender. It was packed on a Tuesday night but the female bartender held down the fort. *Happy Hour Specials (everyday 4 pm - 7:30 pm): $1 off draft beers, wells, and specialty cocktails. *Specialty cocktails are $7-$9. Wanna get faded? Get the Power's based Dark Crystal cocktail. *Lo-key hipster crowd. *Divey and dark ambiance with several flat screen TVs, a pool table, and a juke box. *Order food at Front Porch (http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-front-porch-san-francisco#hrid:KrYMXbOPqNmKUOKYioSZtg) across the street and they will deliver it to your seat/table at Rock Bar. *Midnight Chicken Wing delivery on the weekends from Front for $5 an order. *Semi-difficult street parking. *CASH ONLY. There's an ATM near the pool table. read more

The secret is out about the bar that feels like a secret lovers' haunt. It's brazenly dim. Elegantly divey. Small but not snobbish. And it's exactly the kind of spot you seek for a clandestine late-night tête-à-tête. On the heels of a dashing dinner at nearby ICHI, we made our way to Rock Bar for that one last cocktail. He drank a Manhattan, she sipped on the Earnest Diamond, and both shared the same small bench. There's a certain aesthetic that keeps me in a bar longer than I'd usually stay - an arcane coziness; a strange brand of delicious anticipation (maybe this night could be the best one yet?). Mismatched glassware. Delicately vintage votive holders cradling subdued punctuations of light. Whispers and secret smiles and a room full of beginnings. Rock Bar brings together an attractive collection of irregularities yet somehow, it's such a harmonious space. Really lovely. Maybe most importantly, the cocktails are good... very good, even! Give me exactly what I want to hear musically and I'll stick around for even longer next time. read more

Rock Bar - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

You wouldn't believe me if you were standing outside this place but Rock Bar is one of the top ten cocktail bars in the city. It still scarcely makes sense to me as I'm walking into a building that probably served up about a million fifty-cent Budweisers in a past life. Once you're inside, though, it's clear that you're about to tangle (or tango) with a legitimate establishment. The manhattans are great. The negronis are great. Weird stuff that they made up (like the Donkey Show) are, surprisingly, also great. Definitely worth checking out if you like expertly made cocktails or a laid-back atmosphere. read more

Cash only. Cheap drinks. Chill vibe. And dog friendly. Stop by on a random Saturday. Dive bar feel- low lighting. Pool table in the back. Booths and bar seats. The crowd was a mixed of laid back people. Everyone doing their thing. The well drinks were good for the price. Id definitely come back. read more

A nice departure from the usual bar scene I'm entrenched in while visiting SF, Rock Bar might be a place I'd call myself a regular at if I lived in the area. On a weeknight when it's got just enough folks without being crowded it becomes an easy place to mingle and sip on something strong. Date night or pick up night, you make the call. There is a dive bar element interiorly speaking, but there is something about the tranquility that lends itself to a steady and easy ambiance. This doesn't feel like a place I'd bring 20 of my friends to, but rather a spot where I'd catch up on some conversation with close ones while imbibing with the best of them. Speaking of drinks, the Manhattan is the real deal. Strong without squinted reactions, potent enough to keep the flow and the vibe going. The Winter Sour also gets a nod in the grand scheme of drinks in their lineup, and the Ichi Rock also has me smitten. Whether it's bourbon, gin, vodka, or tequila based, there is a little something in it for everyone. The prices aren't as steep as the rest of San Francisco cocktail spots. Friendly bartenders and a seasonal selection of cocktails means I'll be back soon enough for more. Bringing good company while thirsty is highly encouraged. read more

Powerful, tasty cocktails. Having tried most all of their menu, their most artfully crafted cocktail is the blood and sand which I would return for in a heartbeat. The others were not made to the caliber I am used to at Bourbon and Branch, my gold standard for cocktail making. I love the vibe, ample seating, and friendly bartenders. I heard you can order bites, and they will deliver from Front Porch across the street. A few of the drinks I tried... *Gold Digger ($11) - 3.5 STARS: London Gin, Pear Liqueur, Champagne, ginger, peach. Reminds me of a Mike's Hard Lemonade. Very tasty, a bit sweet. Refreshing. * Real Thunderberg ($9) - 1 STAR: Four Roses, Bunderberg Ginger, Underberg. Tastes like medicine. * Rhuby Mule ($10?) - 3 STARS: Vodka, Cherry Heering, ginger ale, rhubarb bitters. Love moscow mules but this cherry version was way too sweet for me. * Soft Rock ($10?) - 3.5 STARS: Lillet Blanc, soda, lemon, cucmber. Refreshing and tasty. * ICHI Rock ($10) - 3.5 STARS: London Gin, St. Germain, Yuzu, grapefruit bitters. This was another one that reminded me of Mike's Hard Lemonade. Super refreshing and tasty but not the type of cocktail I gravitate towards. Too frou frou for me. They also have a decent list of special cocktails listed on their board, which includes my favorite - Blood and Sand. Tip: Cash Only. read more

This is the bar that is owned by the same owner as Front Porch. They serve inventive cocktails (albeit kinda pricy) in a funky old bar atmosphere. We arrived at 6pm on a rainy Friday night and it was still pretty empty. The cocktail I enjoy is the one with the vodka, cherry liquer, and rhubarb bitters, YUM. One friend got a negroni -which was also fantastic. This is the perfect place to catch a quick buzz before the incredible fried chicken across the street. read more

Good classic Mission bar to hang out, have great conversation, get to know new peeps and of course, get a drink, beer or Cava like I did. Solid neighborhood place! read more

AVOID THIS BAR. Never before have I ever been so disrespected and basically told to "f*ck off" at a bar like this place. Went in on a Friday night for a nightcap and was treated in such a rude manner by the bartender that my friend and I walked out without even ordering anything. Even before I opened my mouth to ask for a drink the look on the bartender face said she wanted to hit me. I tried giving the bartender a chance thinking she was just giving us a hard time as a joke but nooo she was 100% serious. When my friend turned to me saying he wasn't feeling the vibe there, bartender said "Ok bye" and walked away, not even trying to defend herself. Good luck getting a drink here without getting treated like garbage. 0/10 bar read more

I asked the bartender to mix me something up delightful made of clear alcohol. I ended up with a Yuzu Fizz... a citrus drink served in a mason jar garnished with orange peel. Very cool and it tasted great! There were many tables to enjoy with company and the lighting in the place is great... lots of candles in mason jars along the bar and at the tables. I think it would be perfect for happy hour and a date night ;) read more

Rock Bar - Yuzu fizz! So good :) - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

We waited 13 minutes to be acknowledged and we were standing right in front of the bartenders. This came in the form of both bartenders complaining about how hungry they were, and a friendly customer handing us their drink menu because the individuals behind the pine did not know what was behind them. We appreciated the double bourbon measured in a shot glass and put into a rocks glass though. No eye for customers, no eye for pours. Maybe they should just turn some lights on. 16 dollars for one drink is average though. read more

Really great neighborhood bar with an easy vibe. It feels like they have a lot of regulars, but no one cares if you're not. Cocktails are stiff (that's what she said) and tasty. Ambience is cool and cave-like. Very dog friendly. The bouncer when when were there was adorable and went out of his way to be friendly and welcoming. Know that it can get *loud,* but that's very bar-appropriate. All told, this is one of my my favorite bars in the city. read more

I used to come to Rock Bar all the time before the shutdowns and it was my favorite bar. I really like the lighting, drinks, music, photo booth, and that I could get food at the front porch before hand. I went in last night, my third time post lockdowns and reopening and it has gone downhill a lot, mostly in regards to service. I was excited to be able to come back to this bar that I loved that took a while to open back up and was happy it survived the long closures. My boyfriend and I ordered a drink with a gentleman and didn't have much problem. We went to the photo booth and came back to the shorter female bartender, I think her name is Jess, and were completely ignored. I looked her direction and gave her a smile so she would know we were looking for a second drink, and she yelled, "IDs and Vaccination cards" from across the bar and never came over to check them and ignored us for another 5-10 minutes, just moving cups around and doing dishes, refusing to look at us. We had IDs and Vaccination cards ready to be looked at, which she never actually came to see. No one had checked them that night since we had come in. For whatever reason she decided she didn't want to serve us. I don't ever come to a bar with a bad attitude or looking for trouble. I was nice to all staff and patrons, actually had very minimal interaction with anyone at this point besides my boyfriend who had just gotten there with me. It really sucks to go to a place you love and have the people who work there treat you terribly for no reason at all. We weren't drunk. This was our second drink of the night. We weren't rowdy and didn't even speak to anyone to cause any problems that would have warranted this treatment. It's honestly very disappointing. I come with a good attitude and just want to enjoy my night and have it ruined by someone who decided they didn't want us to for reasons that are beyond me. I drive across town to come to this bar because I like it there, but I don't think I will be anymore. read more

I never had a chance to hit the International Club when it occupied this space for eons, but the birth of the new Rock Bar across from Front Porch had me wanting to smell what these cats were cookin' as soon as they broke ground (WWE reference, my friends). It's no secret that I love a good dive bar with a quirky theme, and when you throw in a gaggle of handcrafted cocktails into the mix, it makes it even better. Not only can you get down on cheap, shitty American beers and craft variations from breweries all around the Bay Area, but you can sip on their version of a martini (Dirty Metamorphic - Dirty Tito's martini with muddled Fresno chilies), something strong, yet delicate for the ladies (Basil Mudstone - Templeton Rye, Pineau, basil, lemon, and white tea), and something noteworthy that'll go viral among your circle of friends (Fire in the Hole - The above-referenced shot-and-a-beer special with Schlitz, Bulleit bourbon and complimentary charcuterie). All of their signature elixirs are quite tasty ( and named after gemstones), but if you want something a bit more traditional, they'll be happy to whip up a classic Manhattan or a Sazerac as well. If your'e feeling hungry, word is you can order fried chicken from Front Porch right across the street (they own the bar). Talk about the best bar bites ever, huh? If you've yet to enjoy a greasy piece of their renowned fried chicken, you haven't lived! read more

Rude bartenders and staff that are mostly into their own scene and have scant regard for customers (unless you fit a certain mould). I was ignored for 10 minutes on a very low key weekday night, waiting to just have a quiet beer, because the bartender was too busy doing shots with her "friends". Avoid this place unless you know the people here, or have a rad skate board. Also, don't go there alone looking like a techie. You might get your head chewed off. So much for all the fake inclusiveness and liberalism going on around this part of town. read more

I went for my love of sediment, I stayed for the most rockin' jukebox in SF (no pun intended). Seriously, a collection of psych from around the world? Definitely rad. Also, there's a pretty plastic pony in the ladies bathroom. In other words, this place has everything. read more

There's a drink here named after Ichi Sushi down the street. Well played. Bonus points for the old school bowling machine.

The Rock Bar?! I think they really got the idea to have a miner themed place when they took over the International Club, and didn't know what to do with all those tacky rock veneer on the outside: hey, we have all these rocks, and let's name it the Rock Bar! Okay, back to the real business. It is a new bar that is not quite swarmped with hipster yet, and it should stay that way. A short list of special cocktails at $9 each, this place is following the cocktail trend. Most of those cocktails are good, not spectacular, but my boyfriend didn't really like one of the drink and the bartender gladly replaced it with a beer. They have Abita on tap, out of 8 that were availible. There is a pool table, and if it is not crowded, you can squeeze in a game or two. It is not a really big bar. Over all, it is a good place to chilled with friends if you are in this part of town. Nothing worth traveling to. read more

Feels like a dive bar, but they make fancy house cocktails for $7 . They have a drink menu and a list on the wall. I like the miner theme. They have a pool table. Ryan likes the all-alcohol cocktails here. read more

A lovely miner-themed bar in a great spot. It's ideal for hitting up pre and post dinner at The Front Porch or for getting out of the heart of the Mission scene (but not too far out). The drink menu is a mix of some well-done classics (e.g., Vieux Carre) and some inventive house-made concoctions. Great location, great drink selection, great neighborly vibe and super friendly and attentive staff. Go get you a drink. read more

This may seem crazy, but I've never been a big bar-scene fan. In all honesty, I just went by because I'm a geologist and, hey...it's a geology themed bar (which is freaking awesome). But man, was I in for a surprise...the drinks are fabulous, the staff is great, and it's a nice place to go chill out for a bit and talk to some fellow bar-goers. You won't go wrong with the Rock Bar. Someone mentioned that it's cash only, which is fine - since there's an ATM in the corner. read more

Great new bar right across from the Front Porch. The interior has nice touches of old mining equipment here and there and it kind of makes you feel like you are in a little miner bar back in the gold rush. House specialty cocktails are poured by bartenders that know what they are doing (try the sazerac) and cost $9 each. Wasn't overly crowded on Sunday and Monday night when we went back-to-back. This is definitely looking like it will become our local bar! read more

See all

I've been a fan of the Front Porch for a while now. Boyfriend and I were freezing our asses off after waiting for 45 minutes in the rain to get into a roller derby match without jackets. We were cold and hungry. We went to Front Porch, but there was a wait. So while we waited we crossed the street and went to the Rock Bar. The service was fast and good. The waiter made me something warm and boyfriend ordered off of the menu. Great place to wait for a table, that doesn't feel like a place to wait for a table. A few weeks later we went there for a pre dinner drink, the bartender remembered us from the prior visit. It was lots of fun. **the drinks are strong. going here for a pre-drink may make you not care about eating and you just drink more. Fun night but the next day sucked, through no fault of Rock Bar. read more

Have been frequenting its' across-the-street sibling, Front Porch, for a while and have been meaning to try this place. Impromptu walk-in this afternoon and glad we did. Bartender, Ryan I believe, is a great guy. Quietly engaging and reads his customers well; highly knowledgeable about the craft without being booze nerdy. Bar is cocktail-centric but half a dozen or so beers on tap. Didn't see any wine but it must be lurking there somewhere. Daily special cocktails on the chalk board and also on a bar cocktail menu. Not too pricey - thinking $6 - $9 for well prepared cocktails utilizing some rare ingredients. Best Old Fashioned I've had in a while, followed by a St George's Rye Gin cocktail, then I asked for a cocktail of Ryan's own choosing and had a great Rum drink. So a fun hour or so breezing around some of the spirit staples..! Mid/late afternoon for this first visit so pretty quiet. We are a 40/50 something male couple & rest of bar a 20-30 something mix. No attitude. Great to be able to call across to the always excellent Front Porch for refueling. In summary, a great little bar. read more

Solid dive bar even though I wasn't a big fan of the Thanksgiving cocktail. Should have ordered a beer. Lots of interesting folks and even some single straight dudes (that's a rarity). Across the street from Front Porch and there are some rocks just laying about that can be used as weapons if need be. check it out! Ca$h only read more