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The Detour

3.9 (451 reviews)
Closed 5:00 pm - 11:30 PM

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THE DETOUR ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Loud
Casual
Outdoor seating
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - The Detour

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Sara R.

i absolutely loved this place when i visited san francisco! my friends and i were searching for a place to grab some drinks and just relax so we stopped by here. their cocktails are so good we tried a good amount. i love how they have tournaments for video games, i wish there were places like this in LA. the vibes were lively and you can tell everyone was there to just have fun. the bartenders are also such lovely people. definitely a go-to place.

Bruce C.

What a superb place I accidentally stumbled upon during a stroll down Market. I thought this might have been an ode to the old Detour, which I have find memories. Rather, this is a great new spin off a familiar name, complete with pinball, 80s video games, a bat and restaurant. While this initial visit involved a play on the vintage Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga machines, I'll be back hopefully for a bit more. This is also the spot where I seem to have become a member of the Elite Squad for Yelp! I'll remember this place fondly too. Thank you!

Burger with tots
Jade G.

This place is such a fun hangout spot--I've been a few times now and it never disappoints. The atmosphere is electric, especially on the weekends. Yes, it can get a little loud and crowded, but that's kind of the charm. It's a lively, high-energy bar that feels like a perfect mix of retro arcade vibes and modern chill space. The bar service is super fast--which is impressive considering how busy it gets. You never have to wait too long for a drink or food, and the staff keeps things moving smoothly with great attitudes and quick hands. And let's talk about the food--I was genuinely blown away. The burger is one of the best I've had at any bar, seriously. Juicy, flavorful, and cooked just right. Everything on the menu feels like it's made with care, not just slapped together like you'd expect from a typical bar. It's the kind of place where you come for the drinks and games, but end up staying because the food is that good. There's also a giant TV that's perfect for watching games, fights, or whatever major event is on. It turns the whole bar into one big watch party, and there's something about cheering along with a room full of strangers that just makes it extra fun. Whether you're here to play some old-school arcade games, catch a game on the big screen, or just hang with friends and grab a great bite, it's definitely worth checking out. Loud? Yes. A little wild? Sure. But that's what makes it a great night out. I'll absolutely be back

Dale S.

This was a fun little spot we stopped at the other night. It was definitely packed and buzzing with people. It was literally the only bar in the entire area that actually carted me at the door. They had tons of arcade games and some tournaments going on but it was incredibly loud inside . This is probably a really nice spot to have some fun, but not the greatest place if you want to have a conversation or catch up with someone . It was good for people watching for a little while as plenty of guys were being loud , playing around , and taking silly selfies . The employees also use a loudspeaker, probably because of the high volume inside so if you have any auditory issues, this might not be the place for you. The restroom seemed fairly clean, but they didn't have anywhere to hang a purse so I ended up having to sit there with my bag on my lap which is never enjoyable. Also, they didn't have any flavored vodkas so the drinks were quite bland and we didn't stay long. Still, I would come back again if I just wanted to have fun and play some games.

Kelly H.

This is the best place for trivia night! Also got a delicious pina colada here (not too sweet!), also ordered the Filipino breakfast bowl with shrimp, veggie lumpia and the shrimp tacos. Everything was fantastic! The atmosphere is so fun and they always have events going on.

Lumpia
Anthony H.

Fantastic barcade! Fun trivia night and amazing food! The staff is fun and the food is fast. Love the atmosphere and crowd. Definitely a great hangout spot any time of the week. Definitely get the veggie lumpia! Truly wonderful and the vinegar sauce is the owner's family recipe!

Pizza, beer, tater tots, egg rolls, corn dogs
Priyanka S.

The detour is a super fun arcade bar in the Castro with tons of delicious drinks, friendly staff, and tasty food items. When I went with friends we decided to go for their Thursday trivia night and it was quite packed so I definitely recommend planning on arriving early. Luckily we were able to snag a seat and competed in the trivia challenge but did quite awful and lost by a lot haha - nevertheless, the vibes were immaculate and it was a great time. The only downside was that the bar was incredibly noisy it made it very difficult to hear one another and there was not enough seating for everyone so many people had to stand. We ordered the pizza, some tater tots, some fried corn dogs, beer, and eggrolls. All of which were solid and tasty with my favorite being the pizza. All in all, definitely recommend checking out the Detour and their super fun trivia nights!

Nori Tots
Sumi K.

If you're looking for a week night trivia spot, this is the place to be! When I'm at a bar for trivia, I'm usually only focused on the questions and the drinks, but the creative food menu here definitely exceeded all of my expectations. The nori tots were really well seasoned and the crispy cauliflower was perfectly deep fried in a great sweet/spicy sauce. The vibes of this place are ideal for a mid week pick me up!

creamsicle drink + beer
Michelle Z.

Lively arcade bar just off of Market. Was great vibes on a Friday night -- good music, lots of people, but not too crowded. They had smash on the big screen for people to play (just need to exchange ID for a controller). The drink I got was really good (Creamsicle) -- super sweet and fruity. The arcade games are pretty limited and the space inside is small; personally I prefer thriller arcade bar and emporium for their variety and types of games. However, I appreciated that this place wasn't so crowded that you had to wait in lines to play anything which always happens at those two. They do have a fun killer queen machine here though. Don't forget to bring cash to exchange for tokens!

Games
Brettany G.

Super fun spot, really enjoyed the game that they had. Some of the games are a dollar minimum to play the pinball machines are the best ones!

Pinball machines
Sammi L.

We've been to a lot of arcade bars over the years, and the Detour is one of our faves. We were pretty let down after a slightly gross night at Emporium, and Detour couldn't have been more different. Even on a busy Saturday night, we don't have to push through people to play games, and the machines are in good shape (not sticky like at some other places!) The drinks are POTENT - you will get your money's worth. The bartenders are always nice and quick, even during a rush. I've played Super Smash Bros a few times at the bar - all you have to do is turn in your license for the duration of your play. Looking forward to our next night out at the Detour.

Alyssa V.

Saturday night fun bar with easy access bar service, not too crowded and energetic space! 1 of 2 quarter machines were working - definitely bring $1 bills. Bathroom could use frequent checks. Will be back for more fun and to try food!

Colette J.

I came here to Wednesday to play drag bingo and celebrate my birthday. My friends and I had a great time! Our MC/host of the night was a gorgeous gal and she did a great job keeping us entertained throughout the night. They have drag bingo every Wednesday from 7PM to 10PM. Their menu was very interesting. They offer a unique spin on asian fusion dishes. We ordered 2 rounds of lumpia and the okonomiyaki tater tots. Both were piping hot and absolutely delicious. I honestly didn't need the tater tots because the cabbage salad on top was very filling, but still light. Toward the back of the bar they have your old school Pacman and Mrs. Pacman along with other classic racing and shooter games. They've also got a fooseball table, life size connect 4, skeeball, and a basket hoop game among other things. I would recommend the Detour if you're an adult looking for a fun night out with entertainment, games, music, good food, and booze!

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9 months ago

Fun spot to hang out. I haven't been to an arcade that has .25 games in years. The toys were very addicting

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1 year ago

Ok bar, but they really need to accept Apple Pay and/or Visa cards. Drinks are good but it's hard to pay for them lol.

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The Detour Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - The Detour

Is it free play every Tue? Or just first Tue? Because I was there yesterday and saw conflicting signs

What is killer queens?

Killer Queen is a multi-player arcade game.

Is this only 21+?

Generally yes, but I've seen signs a couple times about being open for families until early evening on Saturdays and Sundays

Do you need to be vaccinated to go inside?

As of January 2023, there are no vaccine checks at the door.

Is there a private room available for rent?

Nope but you can make a reservation if you have more than 20 people coming!

Is food served?

Now that Brewcade has been remodeled into The Detour, it now offers foods and bites in addition to drinks and arcade games. Keep in mind from reading the articles that discuss the plans for remodeling, the foods and drinks are selected for… Read more

Do they play music? if so what kind?

They do, and it a mix! The only thing I can't remember is if they have a jukebox there that you can use.

What's the age restriction?

They only allow underage guests to enter the bar on Saturdays from 2-6pm.

Is there air conditioning?

Yes we have AC

Dog friendly? Is the outside area large?

I've seen dogs inside (kinda just walking around, limited by the leash, while their owners play arcade games), but I don't know the bar's official stance on it. Hmm, I'm not aware of any outside area, other than the front which is the sidewalk...

Do their TVs ever play sports games?

Yes

View All 15 Questions

Review Highlights - The Detour

I had no idea what Killer Queen was when the night started, but noticed a lot of mentions of it in the reviews.

Mentioned in 37 reviews

Read more highlights

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Love what + how they do it. It's a neighborhood bar that…read morejust feels right. Food wise I'm drawn to a few favorites like the stellar pork belly banh mi slider, fries and the chicken bites. It's a thoughtful menu w something for everyone. Had a Paper Plane which the bar man furiously shook to an icy froth on the top. Soooo good. Went on St Pat Saturday and was looking for a non frat crew vibe and was really pleased I remembered BH was close by.

Cool bar with bites in the Mission District. We got there shortly after it opened at 4pm on Friday…read moreafternoon. I was craving a refreshing craft cocktail and got one with the Green Emmanuelle. I liked the cardamom in the Beauty Mark as well that my partner ordered. We ordered shishito peppers and mushroom bahn mi sliders. The mushroom bahn mi sliders were amazing - the quality fillings and taste of the soft bun - I was unexpectedly hit with a bite of spice from maybe jalapeño seeds left but didn't sour my experience. The shishito peppers ended up being extremely spicy as well, those are usually just a few spicy and not the majority. The roasted lemon and salt was a wonderful combo but just too spicy to eat. However, the server very kindly removed it from our bill without us asking. We order the crostini because we were still hungry and that was an absolute hit. Delicious med-soft crostini with luscious berries and sweet honey. I didn't care my hands got sticky as it was soooo good! Great experience, I would be weary if the peppers as I'm a bit spice-intolerant but everything else was spot-on.

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Blind Pig Speakeasy Lounge - Hot & Sour: Tanqueray Gin w/ lichiko shochu, aloe, rose, hot pot paste, basil, citrus, peychaud's ($18)

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4.7(187 reviews)
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Hot Take: Weeknights are better than weekends for going out…read more Chill, less of a crowd, a locals vibe, and to avoid amateur hour. I'm personally over (and too old) dealing with sloppy drunks spilling drinks on you, getting pushed around in a crowd or end up in a middle of a brawl Blind Pig is that perfect spot, well at least on a weeknight: chill, low-key, and moody. And, most importantly comfy seating AND solid AZN inspired craft cocktails ($18-$19). Cocktails with black sesame, taro, pandan, mapo tofu, tea, and hot pot flavors? YAS! D R I N K S * Hot & Sour: Tanqueray Gin w/ Iichiko shochu, aloe, rose, hot pot paste, basil, citrus, peychaud's ($18 x2) The sichuan hot pot inspired cocktail was silky smooth from the milk-washed gin, nicely balanced - sweet (but not too sweet) and sour with a subtle málà numbing spice. Stiff yet easy to drink. The manager/bartender, Leo was awesome with great hospitality. Background lounge-y music is not too loud so you can yap and catch-up with friends. Overall, Blind Pig is a great place to unwind after work or start the night off. If it's too tamed for you, you can always go next door to XEX to make bad decisions - no judgement cuz we've all been there! ;) O T H E R I N F O * Walk-in only. PW to enter is on IG. * Blind Pig originally opened in Chinatown in a larger space but they're now in a more intimate space on Polk. * Blind Pig is under Mins Group (Sushi Sato, Sushi Hon, The Roll, The Buoy, Dento Piano Cafe, Dragon Horse, and more.) * No snacks/food but plenty of food options within walking distance.

Ah, I wanted to love Blind Pig, but I just couldn't get into it. This San Francisco speakeasy is an…read moreAsian-influenced bar looking to bring Asian flavors and liquors to the bar scene. I think in many ways, Blind Pig just fell a little flat. I would like to say that the service here was amazing. A bartender who sat with you to talk about the menu, the process, and your experience very passionately and intently.  However, I think that the bar program is a little unrefined. Every drink had 10,000 ingredients, and most of them did not work together. If the drink did work together, you just tasted nothing because everything blended together and you couldn't taste any special or fun ingredients.  Unfortunately, I don't think this spot is worth looking for.

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Pacific Cocktail Haven - Silk Street: Song Gin, amaro, jackfruit-coconut cream, sudachi, longan, pandan - Perfectly balanced, not too sweet

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My wife & I visited SF for the 1st time & stayed at Hotel Emblem next door. We noticed so many…read morepeople coming in to this place we decided to look it up & see what the fuss was about. Seeing that it was named one of the top 50 best bars in North American, we had to check it out! We came in a Thursday night in mid-April about 9:45 PM. They have security outside thar checks IDs & also manages the queue in case the bar gets too crowded. We had no issues getting in, but there were zero indoor seats available - both the bar & table seating. Thankfully, they have a really cozy & well-lit patio area. The waitress let us know that even the outdoor patio has table-side service, so we made ourselves comfortable on the outdoor bench & within seconds she had brought us waters & cocktail menus. Weather outside was really nice, so I'm glad we actually sat outside. Each cocktail is $20, which definitely is a little steep, but I think the creativity, quality, & prestige of being named a top 50 bar supports the price. Each part of the menu is organized by liquor ie whiskey, vodka, brandy, gin, etc. We tried 4 drinks total. I only took menu photos of the pages we ordered from but they have a lot more selections. We ordered the Kung Fu Pandan, Silky Street, Rice Rice Baby, & Tropical Gangsta. We had some favorites over others, but all were very well crafted! The drinks came out pretty quickly considering how busy it was. The only hiccup was our final drink took quite a while. Turns out the ticket machine malfunctioned & deleted orders put in & caused a back-up. The waitress was so apologetic & ended up comp-ing 2 drinks, which she definitely didn't have to but it speaks volumes to the high standards they hold themselves to & their customer service. Overall, highly highly recommend checking this place out for a fun night out or post-dinner treat! Glad we made the decision to stop in!

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The Detour - arcades - Updated May 2026

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