One of the dreariest aspects of life in North Pacifica is the lack of nightlife....and nothing illustrates this point more vividly than the fact that the Surf Lounge is the only bar within walking distance of the area. The sixties-esqe storefront done in pink crushed-rock stucco doesn't make a very good first impression. Neither do the three-foot high cursive letters emblazoned onto the building in white. Still, if you live anywhere close to the McDonald's near the Sharp Park exit off Highway 1, you might as well just forge past the hideous exterior and head in for a beer....there isn't much else to do at night and it's only a matter of time before you break down out of desperation and sheer boredom, both of which are inveitable in North Pacifica. Things don't look much better once you get inside. It's a dim, dank cocktail-lounge completely devoid of natural light. A shotgun bar runs the length of the establishment, a small collection of video games and pinball machines populate an area to the right of the entrance, and a fish tank graces the wall behind the bar. The fish tank was a major source of depression for me when I lived here....Barely 18 inches long, it housed a fish that was almost a foot in length. The poor thing barely had room to turn around. It grew even bigger, and after awhile someone finally did the right thing and found it a home with a bigger tank. If you head out the back, there's an outdoor area with a ping-pong table in a bleak concrete patio with a concertina razor-wire cyclone fence in the distance ( http://www.egoza.net/gallery/ ). The beer is priced reasonably...the bathrooms are always pretty clean. There's no food on the premises, but McDonalds, two pizza joints, a pair of chinese restaurants, and a SafeWay aren't more than 200 yards away. The crowd is another subject. Remember that super-cool guy in high school that blew his life savings on a Z-28 Camaro or a Trans-Am Firebird? The guy always had the coolest haircut, the bitchin'est blonde girlfreind, smoked the best weed, and had the loudest car stereo. He kept partying after graduation, then sometime after your 2nd year of junior college he disappeared. I didn't exactly find the guy you have in mind, but I found a bunch like him. He's still got the same car, he's got the same haircut, he cops to being a Night Ranger fan ( http://www.nightranger.com/index2.html ), and if he's not divorced, he's still with the same woman....though the years haven't been kind to her, and she's a shadow of her former self. Furthermore, if he lives in Pacifica, he's on a first name basis with the bartender at the Surf Lounge. The other half of the crowd is crotchety old men. I can remember being there about the time the gulf war started, and Bush Senior had just sent about half-a-dozen cruise missles at a target. The old men were discussing it, and I chipped in, saying I wasn't crazy about it, mainly because cruise missles cost about 3 and a half million bucks a pop at the time. Lips crinked. Eyebrows furrowed. Eyes stared straight ahead in the manner of retired soldiers expressing abject disgust. So I took a big swig of my beer, and changed my tack...."I think it woud have been alot more economical to just send in a bunch of B-52's and CARPET BOMB the place". Eyes opened wide with glee, and smiles went ear-to-ear the minute I mentioned the term "Carpet Bomb". All of a sudden I was one of the club. The leader of the band gave me a father-to-son talk on why we used cruise missles instead of B-52's. The other patrons found this transfer of knowlege from the old to the young to be quite heartwarming. I nodded politely while listening. Someone bought me a beer. We all talked guy stuff the rest of the night. If you're stuck in North Pacifica, it's the only game in town unless you're up for driving down to Winters ( http://www.yelp.com/biz/I20nN-9UmxqlIa-G3oMfIQ ) or Vallemar Station ( http://www.yelp.com/biz/wzfn6T5hf-i2vLskoPynkg ). Talkative crowd. Dreary decor. Completely male clientele. Still curious? Drop by if you live there...but otherwise, just don't and say you did, OK? read more

The bartenders are very nice as are the owners. Too dark and too loud for my taste though. You defenitely get what you pay for here! Drinks are totally affordable and strong!!! read more

Conflicted. The bartender was sweet, but the patrons were asshats. True dive bars welcome all, not just the regulars. Not the case here. As a Pacifica resident for over 25 years, I felt like an outsider. I guess I'll stick to real dive bars. read more

Dive bar at the beach, super friendly bartender, sometimes karaoke, old drunk locals, next to the grocery store so miles of parking. You can bring food in to chow no problem. Full bar with all the regular stuff or get fancy and start picking out random tropical blender drinks - and see how far you get - they're good and they're strong and if you're sitting at the bar the bartender will keep topping up your drink with the remainders from the blender. Bringing a designated driver is a good idea cause you'll probably be smashed when you leave. Same owners as Trad'r Sams so you know what I'm sayin! read more

I give this five stars not because the atmosphere but because of Louie the bartender. We were staying at the motorhome resort and yelped this place. Looked a little sketchy walking in. But Louie greeted us made us some great drinks and was full of local info. Just a great bartender!!!! Would go back anytime I was in the area!! Plus lots of tvs for sporting events! read more

This is a dive bar. It has enough televisions to satisfy ones need for a major sporting event. The beer prices are great. The patrons there appeared to be barflies. If you sit below the bar, be prepared for the bar regulars to block your view of the television while they fraternize with their fellow barflies. Get a seat at the bar and you will be fine. There was only one bartender during a Warriors playoff game. It took too much time to order a drink. Cash only bar will always take a star away. read more

The kind of watering hole enjoyed best during happy hour every weekday morning from 7 am and 9 am. At least that is the impression I get from the place. read more

I've been here twice. Once waaay back in 2004 before it was remodeled. It had a ton of character and the bartender fully catered to our already drunkenness since we were traveling by foot. The seats were ripped, there was a fish tank and it was the first bar in San Francisco that allowed smoking. Flash forward to 2010. The place is completely redone, new menu, seemingly new staff. It was a fairly good experience, next time there's an occasion we might consider this place over the Seahorse Saloon. One thing that is notable though, is that almost every time I go to Safeway or the Farmers Market in the evening, it seems there is some kind of scuffle happening outside the doors of this lounge with yelling profanities, shoving and general mayhem. Maybe it's just my luck...? read more

Great place!! Had my birthday there and my friends all enjoyed themselves. Ample parking, great atmosphere, awesome bartenders, best prices and all around great place to go! read more

I live right by this place and have tried it on a few weekdays and one Saturday. Only go on Sundays. The regulars here have taken over and they aren't going anywhere. No matter what time of day they will be there and completely loaded. Sundays are pretty mellow and the drinks are great. The first time we came here we got a scorpion bowl. It is highly recommended. read more

i have been curious of the surf lounge ever since i moved to pacifica from hawaii about a year ago...but last ngiht, while waiting for our thai food order, we finally ventured in. we had been tentative because the place doesnt have much curb appeal, and i have never seen anyone enter..ever. but i heard that they had a grand re-opening recently and are connected to trader sam's in the city. here's the breakdown: SPACE: relatively small, maybe 40 max?? DECOR: retro surf, but not in a completely horrible way BAR: full tropical drink menu- only 2 beers on tap (pbr & anchor) BARTENDAR: chad is sooo funny! it was like a comedy show. he was also really welcoming CROWD: all 7 of us sat at the bar. there were a couple of other young people, but mostly middle-agers and beyond. BUT everyone was so nice and one guy bought us all shots- tropical shots of course. BATHROOMS: surprisingly clean and decent. TAB: 3 beers (+2 free shots) = $10.50! this place is really awesome if youre in the area, but i wouldnt go out of my way to get here. its a cool, lax place, especially for a weds. read more

Just moved to Pacifica and discovered Surf Lounge. If it's a "dive bar," that's meant in the best sense of the term. Pretty clean, nice surf/tiki decor, fun tiki drinks, reasonable prices, friendly employees. One thing, though: they sometimes like to play music LOUD. I mean you have to scream just to speak to someone two feet away from you. I don't get it. Why would you want to make it so hard for customers to converse with the person next to them? I like my rock n roll, but there needs to be a little perspective. I'm sure I'll be back, just not sure how long I'll stay, 'cause I like to be able to hear myself think. Thanks for reading. read more

This place is great! The prices are a throwback to a time past. The bar tender is awesome. You can byo food. Good atmosphere. Good jukebox and always good music playing which tells you that you're amongst good people. Altogether a good experience. Double thumbs up from this guy. read more

Pseudo-tiki bar in a strip mall owned by the Trad'r Sam's people. Thumbs up for being nice and dark inside. Fabulous tiki drink menu that most of the locals don't utilize. I recommend the Scorpion Bowl if you're with friends or, the Grasshopper if you feel like drinking minty ice cream. The bartenders are friendly. I've seen full grown adults in their 40's shooting spitballs at each other at this place. read more

Grew up with the owners, great family and they welcome anyone who just wants to have a few for any occasion.

Typical dive bar. A little grungy feel but the people are cool. They seem to all know each other, like it happens at every neighborhood bar in small towns. They had a good selection at the jukebox and the bathrooms were clean. Overall it's a cool spot in an otherwise dead neighborhood. read more

I found surf lounge randomly on friday night. I live up the street and was looking for a local watering hole. Got there around 930. place was nice and clean. good lighting. they were playing hbo boxing. ordered 2 beers for $6.75. Great deal for a dive bar. The cool part was they had a live band. some group called westline drive playing. Group was pretty cool and live music is also a plus. I will def check out this spot again. read more

The front door to this place has been chained up for a couple of weeks....I heard the owner passed away. Not sure when or if they will reopen. read more

Are you sports bar in the Pacific area or is friendly workers there with a smile on their face

One of the BEST local bars I've been to. I come from South City now to Pacifica just to go to the Lounge. The bartenders are awesome. Jukebox muic is great. Drinks are reasonable and stiff. The boucer SteveO makes the experience even more worthwhile. He's totally attentive to the patrons and keepin the bar tightened up. Definately worth checkin out. See SteveO at the door and he'll welcome you with open arms. Not like some of the usual rude, arogant bouncers around. Cheers!! read more

I recently went on Saturday for the first time to this place while waiting for some friends who live near by...the bartender Will was awesome and made great drinks, had a really awesome time there. Prices where good. The people where really nice made some new friends.. There is an outside patio and shuffle board.there are places across you order food and bring in..I can't wait to go back..Beach is right there...Will is there most Friday and Saturday nights.. You should check it out... read more

This place is a great little dive bar! I wandered in here the other night and had a great time, the locals and staff were very friendly and I will definitely be coming back next time I'm in the neighborhood! The drinks are strong so be warned! Just the way I like it though, even if I was a little tipsy by the time I left! Sorry guys! read more

This place is skid row. There is one bartender in particular (with an accent, possibly Irish) who was the most angry and rude person I have ever come across in the service industry. He screamed at me when I ordered my first drink and scared me so severely I left scared for my safety. I don't believe he was sober, which isn't surprising, but as he said he's been "bartending for 10 years" so you'd think he could keep it together. Not a safe place for a woman. read more

Favorite locals spot if you live in the area. They'll always hookup your drinks. And they have a jukebox. Outside area in the back for smokers or just to get some air. They also have a game there. I forgot the name but you slide the pieces. Pretty fun. Can have some weirdos at times but what bar doesn't. I frequent often. read more

only go on Sundays, only go before 6 - anytime other than that, the place is pretty seedy.

I went out with my sister and some friends just go get out of the house. They suggested we go to Surf lounge, right down the street from there house, I'm not from the area and I usually come to visit family. They said they've been here once and it was a pretty coo place. So I said sure and we went on down. It was a Friday night, still fairly early..and there were a few people at the bar.. some already drunk at around 10ish..the crowd was pretty mixed, of course being from SJ I'm use to an asian crowd.. but this place was great. Super friendly staff, and from being here the crowd was super friendly as well..My identity for the night was a model for a Parent's magazine, and some guy said he's seen me in the ads. lmao. drunk or flirting? probably drunk.. not sure but hey ill take it! Had the Scorpion bowl, a little too strong for me but its all good, it was free from a guy that flirted with us in the begining of the night.! I love their ice cream blended drinks, I don't drink to much anymore.. but that one was just PERFECT.. i think it's called the grasshopper? It was def a winner in my book, they had a couple tvs and a pacman game, they had a corner wear you can go and choose songs to play in the bar.. overall i had a good experience. I will probably coming here :) read more

The people there are nice but kinda you know its Pacifica ha ha ha! Kinda Loud Music...

I was there last Friday 9/12/08 and I had a wonderful time; the bartender was very friendly and she makes the best drinks ever!!! I can't wait to go back... I only hope she is there again... read more

This is the best place ever!!! Friendly folk, awesome bartenders...especially that funny lady with the accent. who is welcoming and always makes you laugh....it's like the old Cheers TV show....."everybody knows your name"...even tho it may not be the right one..... read more