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The Ave

4.3 (101 reviews)
InexpensiveDive Bars, Sports Bars
Closed • Closed

The Ave Photos

THE AVE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Juke Box
Divey
Casual
Moderate noise

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Recommended Reviews - The Ave

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Reviews With Photos

Soulful Sundays with D.J. ROB V
Jesse C.

10-6-2019...5p.m. Soulful Sundays with D.J. Rob V... Every Sunday 5P.M.-9P.M. ya diggg Good people, good vibes, great drinks... Nothing like chilln in ya old neighborhood.. The Ave is a kool place to be... Stop by and get ya chill on

Manhattan on the rocks
Jesus A.

Great vibes and great cocktails and cider. Friendly and easy parking! Service was phenomenally again!

The bar
Angela T.

Today is my first visit here. It's on Ocean Ave but we found parking right away. First impression is that this is an A+ little dive. Loving the nostalgic vibe. They've got a great celestino of beer, including a cider on draft today. The bartender is super friendly. And the crowd here today is friendly. Vibe is a friendly neighborhood bar.

The Ave...
Earl G.

Hanging out and watching a Giants game at the Ave is like chillin' at a barbershop. Bunch of guys talking, sports, smack, ish', and what not. There isn't a pool table or anything else to keep you occupied but the friendly regulars are lively and will keep you entertained. They do have some old school pictures on the walls for decoration. As well as some old school class and football/basketball team pics from the local all boys HS that's right around the corner. Riordan is the barkeep's alma mater as well as mine. There's some serious male bonding to be had here.

Ginger beer masterpiece
Simi J.

This was the first bar I ever entered 5 years ago. It holds a special place in my heart. That is the kind of energy you will feel at this bar. It's very welcoming and neighborly. Bay Area game days are on point, and you never know who you are going to run into or how many funny conversations you're gona have. The jukebox is on point and the 90s hiphop will make you happy! I love them especially because they carry ginger beer! That is usually the missing ingredient in most mixed drinks! If you're looking for a nice lowkey place to hang out and drink, come here! You won't be disappointed. P.S. Be ready to get hit on you beautiful ladies! Hahaa

The juke has the slaps
Lupe R.

I usually dont go to bars but after going here once I'm hooked, Gaby gives the best service and the drinks are fire. You have to come and see for your self.

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3 years ago

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Business owner information

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Yusufu B.

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3 years ago

This is a great place to chill and listen to some of the city's comedians. The service is great as well!

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

Hours not accurate - tried to come, paid for parking, and they closed. Only open th/Friday/Saturday now

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Ask the Community - The Ave

Review Highlights - The Ave

“The owners Bomani and Lucia are simply wonderful, as are all the employees!”

Mentioned in 3 reviews

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Miraloma Club

Miraloma Club

3.2(41 reviews)
1.4 mi•Miraloma Park
•$

It was a night of smells…read more I'd been to a restaurant earlier in the evening where before, during and after my meal, I'd been assaulted by wave upon wave of potent food smells -- so potent, in fact, that when a companion became cold later on in the evening, I fetched my jacket out of the car and loaned it to her, only to watch her put it on, sniff, then discreetly take it off, fold it, and put it on a chair next to her. The coat reeked from the restaurant. Deliciously. So back to Miraloma. It also had its peculiar reek. Only it was the reek of party. The haze out front at 11:30PM could only partially be attributed to the gusts of fog sweeping through that cold parking lot. KayJay's description of it in superhero terms is apt: it sits, not a little like the Fortress of Solitude, alone in the cold and dark amidst a vast desolation. And if you are a woman, the Miraloma will endow you with mild super powers: for example, the mere act of walking through the door will give you mind control over every man in the place . Shots and drinks are poured generously and the bartender's cool. The decor is '70s VFW lounge meets downtown Beirut. The men's room had paint the color of fresh arterial blood peeling off the wall. There is a big mirror between the main barroom and the pool room, possibly to allow bartender to intervene in any sordidness near -- or on -- the pool table. Outside, you will overhear or be party to some sketchy convos. While I had some air outside, I looked into a car packed with four large men and women (who looked for the life of me like they were passed out). I eavesdropped on a patron in effect begging his friend to go easy on another friend. This conversation clearly implied that the absent friend was going to get an ass-beating from the one guy - or worse. Prison was referenced multiple times. Still, it's a great place to hunker down with fellow lizards - finding space isn't an issue and the crowd is congenial. You will never have to worry about parking here. Sometimes, that's enough.

Small dive bar in the miraloma park neighborhood, bartender Christine/a. Is insufferable, You cant…read morehave a drink without being berated by her politics . if you disagree with her, she will just accuse you of drinking prior to walking in. It's her signature move. The other bartenders are nice , just don't go when Christine/a is working - she's very adamant about being anti law enforcement and anti veteran , God forbid you have your own opinion or served your country .... I've gone here a few times since moving back to SF & the Miraloma club is the type of place you pop into have a drink and then get out of there. They've had a few issues in the last year of people driving cars through the building(accidents/mishaps) so watch your back! They have a surprisingly decent pool table- The bar is cash only ! ATM is 50/50 (half the time you get your money half the time it doesn't work) Either way It's a good place to grab a quick drink, but I would not refer or recommend anyone to come to this place! Save your money and go to West portal if you are on this side of the city

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Miraloma Club
Miraloma Club
Miraloma Club - Beverages :)

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Beverages :)

Recovery Room - Buffalo wings

Recovery Room

4.4(72 reviews)
1.4 mi•Mission Terrace, Outer Mission, Excelsior
•$$

Great neighborhood bar to stop by when you want to have a drink and hangout! The bartenders are…read moregreat and the food is awesome, there Taco Tuesdays were delicious and i'm assuming its still going on, I just haven't been on a Tuesday in a while. They have Tv's to watch sports or if you just want to decompress, enjoy a beer with your local neighbors, this is the place to be!

The name alone was the reason I wanted to check this place out when it first opened. formerly known…read moreas Pissed Off Pete's and then bought out by the co-owner of the (now closed and conveniently located) Last Stop in Daly City where the Muni 14 Mission bus terminates, Recovery Room is a pet-friendly, laid back dive with a great selection of draft and bottled beers, some cocktails and large flat-screens above the bar area that makes it an ideal spot to catch a game or 3. some memorable personal encounters of mine thru the years include members of the Mongolian national (?) basketball team hanging out and being drunkenly invited by some hella friendly Samoans and Tongans to a biannual picnic at Candlestick Point. there's a back kitchen that dishes out wings, some of the thickest and juiciest burgers around (with plenty of choices for toppings) as well as hot sandwiches that include pastrami and turkey. every once in a while, they'll also feature live music/bands. I think there's even a karaoke night, to boot. though I still miss the Last Stop, Recovery Room has nicely filled in its absence and continues to be one of my favorite bars in this part (Excelsior District) of town.

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Recovery Room - Inside w/plenty of TV's

Inside w/plenty of TV's

Recovery Room - Delicious pastrami sandwich.

Delicious pastrami sandwich.

Recovery Room - Vodka soda

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Vodka soda

Holy Water - Drinks and holy decor

Holy Water

4.4(331 reviews)
2.5 mi•Bernal Heights
•$$

Super cute bar in SF! Went here at night with friends. The decor is kinda crazy but fits with the…read morename of the restaurant. Was really impressed with the design of the menu! There's plenty of tables and seats inside! All the drinks were great and strong. We tried the Sacred Valley which was fun! Definitely had a fruity taste, followed by a strong vodka aftertaste. They provided water and lemonade for those of us who didn't want to drink. They also had special branded cups, which was a nice touch!

On a visit to San Francisco after an evening at a brewery nearby, we weren't ready to let the night…read moreend so we walked to Holy Water. This is a gorgeous spot; the detail from the welcoming greens sign, to the cozy lighting, tasteful religious kitsch, and well thought out style, we had a wonderful visit. The decor made us explore the bar before we sat down; they have tables and different seating areas around, but it seemed like the bar was the place to be. They have a full selection of liquor, plus a cocktail menu, and killer tap list of mostly local draft beer. I absolutely loved their glassware too! The bartender was very friendly; I failed to notice the tap list above the bar was different from the menu so I was glad that was pointed out for my second beer. Prices are reasonable for the experience of being here. The other clientele at the bar were also friendly, it has a neighborhood vibe but is welcoming to all.

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Holy Water - IPA

IPA

Holy Water
Holy Water - Inside view of bar

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Inside view of bar

The Knockout SF - Bar

The Knockout SF

3.9(313 reviews)
2.6 mi•Bernal Heights, Mission
•$

Nice place to play - very cool people, sound man knew what he was doing, helpful and got a good…read moretone. small place - but 40 people feels like 100 so I don't mind. Place was clean, I don't drink alcohol but some folks loved the drinks and they had some new alcohol-free options which I appreciated. Than you guys! one thing to consider if your'e a band playing here, parking is tough and unloading becomes a little dicy when double parking. Ended up having to park 4 blocks away.... that said, would play it again. cheers!

A True Mission Gem -- Gritty, Loud, and Full of Heart…read more Caught Star Belly Bug here recently and had an absolute blast. If you're looking for a venue with soul, personality, and a healthy dose of weird -- The Knockout is it. The Scene: This place screams underground SF in the best way. The walls are plastered with stickers from hundreds of bands, artists, and regulars that have come through -- it's like a living punk flyer wall. Dim neon lighting and vintage touches give it a divey charm, but not in a try-hard way. The Virgin Mary painting above the bar and eclectic photo strips tucked in every corner add a little extra mystique to the already vibrant decor. The Music: Star Belly Bug was killer -- great sound for a small venue, and the energy was contagious. The stage is super intimate, so you're right up close with the band, no matter where you're standing. The Knockout clearly supports local and underground talent, and it shows in the diverse lineup and passionate crowd. The Bar: Drinks were strong and reasonably priced (especially for SF), and the bartenders were cool and efficient even when things got packed. There's a solid cocktail list on the board, but also plenty of cheap beer and no-nonsense options. Vibe: Inclusive, weird in the best way, and 100% authentic. This is the kind of place where you can dance, lose yourself in the music, and just enjoy being part of the scene. Zero pretension. Lots of regulars. Great people-watching. Whether you're coming to catch a band, dance your face off on theme nights, or just grab a stiff drink, The Knockout delivers the goods. A Mission must-stop.

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The Knockout SF
The Knockout SF - Shoegazey photo of the excellent watermelon mezcal paloma

Shoegazey photo of the excellent watermelon mezcal paloma

The Knockout SF - Simpsons Trivia

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Simpsons Trivia

The Ave - divebars - Updated October 2026

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