I just came home from an open mic that I participated in. This was the second Monday, last Monday having played the Botanical Garden Piano event, a group of people I just met went there after. It was a blast. Charles, who leads the event, is the most helpful. I had an issue with the connector to my instrument, the iPhone. Honestly, I have no idea how I sound to others. I am usually nervous. It started at 8:30. A line forms in the middle of the room silently. You write your name in the book and you have 2 songs or ten minutes. Molly serves the booze. Every type of music gets sung/played. All skill sets. Everyone is friendly. If as one person said, she waited and waited, think of it as a blessing. You didn't have to pay. You got to take in the atmosphere free of charge. There is a therapy in waiting. Sometimes a bar is a form of therapy. Enjoy your life. Don't take yourself so seriously. I got to play my music, which I think is an addiction, and people were paying for drinks, and listening. Two people were nice enough to say nice things. What more can a person ask? I only have good things to say about The Riptide. "Can I pull out now?" read more

Being that I don't really drink - going out to bars has a different appeal for me. If I'm going out to a bar or lounge - I like to make sure it either has great ambiance, some pretty fabulous people at it, or some quality live music. The Riptide has all of that. It's one of the most charming and cozy bars in all of San Francisco. It's got a rustic inviting atmosphere - which is so fitting - considering it's right by the breeze of the beach. As you enter and leave you can smell the salt water in the air. Bliss. The Riptide's bartender are unbelievably on top of things.The whole time I was here - their main lovely bartender made sure that my water was constantly refilled (despite there being a self pour station). Each time he - added fresh wedges of lemon as well. So refreshing! It was open mic night and from the moment I entered - everyone at Riptide was kind. The older Irish gentleman sitting next to me at the bar had such a warm demeanor. He talked lovingly about his grown children. All of Riptide was bubbling with kind-eyed regulars - many of whom were there for the open-mic. Everyone was supportive of all of the musicians and just happy to be out and surrounded by friendly faces. My long walk to the beach was so well rewarded by an epic evening here - full of the nicest and most personable bar regulars and staff around. I can't wait to spend more epic evenings here. Trust. read more

It's a shame about the fire, this place was a great little bar stuck far enough out in the Sunset to keep it off the radar a bit. The bingo games always got the place collectively going, and all of the sudden some dude next to you is your new best friend bc now you have a common goal (other than wasting the day away on a barstool.) The bartenders know how to pour a drink and really don't take any BS. There always seemed to be a wave (pun!) of young weekend bar hoppers that appeared and kind of ruined it for a while, but they usually left soon enough. A very good drinker's bar. read more

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I'm neighborhood. Monday night security always asking ID. I explained 2 times I'm living near hear almost every night coming here but she need to see my ID. Today I came to here. She didn't recognized me I already came inside and then she was asking me show me ID. she said your attitude very bad. I show my passport but it's so weird, she remembered my attitude and she knows me why she needs check my ID again? Anyway, I like riptide. Owner and bartenders are very nice. I'm always drinking whiskey soda after work. I can relax every midnight. They shouldn't hire offensive security for neighborhood. read more

Great place for neighborhood hang out! Nice bartenders, reasonable prices....its the Sunsets solution to gray skies!

O69!!!!! There are dive bars, and then there are dive bars. Usually dive bars are... well just dive bars... but THIS is an AWESOME dive bar. It's near the ocean side of San Francisco, so I got super lucky, and it was insanely easy to find parking... unlike in the Sunset... or some other crazy part of town. If you look over yonder, you can see Ocean Beach! Wooooooooo. I was excepting... well... divey... but this. This place is homey; yes it's small (there are two parts to the bar which is divided by... well the bar), but even when it was a little crowded, it didn't feel that bad. The only thing I felt bad for were the dogs people were bringing into the bar... like people please... dogs? In a bar? Where they're at ground level and drunk people can't see and step on them? :/ Poor doggies... plus it's loud and kind of rowdy... so I imagine them getting kicked around a little bit. Drinks are cheap, but I didn't come here for drinks that night. I came here... for BINGO. Bingo, you say? The old people's game? No. This bingo is awesome bingo. Riptide does Bingo on Saturday nights at 6 pm. We were late, so we only got to play the last round out of three total rounds (come early because sometimes the rounds finish quickly), but it was still awesomely fun. It was a blackout round, so you had to blackout all the squares. The emcee was hilarious (pretty sure he made the game); drinking with the patrons, telling funny jokes, and he was super nice and let us play the last round. Here's the thing about this bingo. Everytime they get the O69 ball... EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE who is playing the game, gets a free jello shot! How's that for advertising. Makes the game pretty fun and everyone's obviously in a great mood. Love the decor, there's carpet in some places... which seems like it would get really gross, but it wasn't, there's a random fireplace too in the back! Seemed to have enough space for the people in the bar... and I didn't feel too claustrophobic inside. Definitely on my list to make it back to. So much fun! Oh also, don't forget. This place is cash only! So bring moola! read more

The Riptide - O69! Bingo here is awesome! - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

One of the best neighborhood bars in the City and with a pretty cool name. It's a stone's throw from Ocean Beach and its laidback vibe like, totally matches the lazy-ass surf. Maybe it's the beach's proximity, but it just seems like everyone's in a good mood and I even noticed strangers striking up conversations with each other. You're as likely to run into a surfer as you are to spot a dog or two up in here and sometimes the quadrapeds are fun to have around. The fireplace at the back makes for an even more inviting atmosphere. The jukebox plays everything from Aretha to Bo Diddly to The Clash. read more

It was open mic night and my friend performed here playing his own renditions of pop songs. For example, Brittany Spears comes to mind and "You're the Best Around" from the Karate Kid. I had a blast watching my friend but the other people that performed were ridiculously good. I'm tone deaf and cursed them all as they left the stage. The beer selection was also decent. I wish they would add Bass so I could get a proper Black and Tan. They made it with Guiness and Anchor Steam. Actually, not half bad. I would definitely go back. read more

You know that old song "Brandy"? It goes, "Brandy, you're a fine girl, what a good wife you would be. But my life, my lover, my lady is the sea." I believe Brandy works here. No reason, I just do. And that song happens to be a guilty pleasure of mine, so that's a plus in my book. The Riptide is a neighborhood bar and seemed to be populated by local Irishmen, surfers, and other men of varying ages and drunkenness. Girls, there's no need to dress up. The other women there definitely don't. There's a fireplace, too, which is cool, even if they do light the fire during Save the Air fire prohibitions. I also like the Riptide because it is the only San Francisco bar I can go to that when I tell people I live in Pacifica, they don't look at me like Pacifica is somewhere just south of Guam. In fact, when my friend said she lives in Potrero, they looked at her like she was the foreigner, you know, bringing gifts from far away, but making it clear she cannot stay . . . no harbor is her home. read more

I'm not sure if its fair to give the riptide only three stars because I've only been once but too bad, you get three stars. I feel like people love this place because its one of the few bars out that far. Its filled with surfers, people who like surfers, people who like the beach and people who don't want to live close to town. (I feel weird saying "town" but there you have it.) I don't surf, I didn't grow up in a surfing culture and the beach to me is hanging at the Jersey boardwalk so yeah, its not my scene. HOWEVER, the vibe is friendly and I do enjoy their Beach Chalet beers on tap but its small, reminds me of a bar I would find located next to Mo'Bags in Mt. Olive, New Jersey. I should note Mo'Bags is in a strip mall. Its definitely a neighborhood bar which is why it probably gets 3 stars, because its not in my neighborhood and I'm not willing to drive or take public transit down. I pass too many other places I would rather hang out at. If one does live in the neighborhood I can see the appeal; movies projected up on the wall and free food sometimes. If you live out there and haven't checked it out, definitely stop by OR if you surf in the area its a must stop. Otherwise, eh. read more

Coming from out of town not knowing where to go Let me tell you if you're like me and staying close to this bar I highly recommend checking it out Cheap beer and Good beer Great music and Great company Get a black an tan and sit back and Relax read more

Cool lil spot with alot of things going on within the week and a nice lil list of drinks. I tried em all they're all good. In fact the crowd was soo nice there I had people buying me drinks. The bartenders are great , no matter how loud it gets it seems like they can hear what you requested without you even having to yell and no matter how busy it gets they give you excellent service. It was packed and I didn't have a hard time ordering my drinks at all. The karaoke gets pretty happening here on tuesdays. Theres a nice variety of people in here. No clicky types , everyone seems to make me feel welcome. There seems to be a big college crowd here. I also find it to be a great place to watch the game. gotta check out the drink specials from 4-7, but they also have specials for the certain days of the week that last all night too. The food is delish. read more

Still a 5. seems like they maybe cleaned up a bit. have not noticed the smell the last few times in there. . .. . . still a must-do spot if you have never been. read more

I grew up in the Sunset, and have seen shows at the Riptide when I was younger. I was visiting home, and my friends and I took a taxi over from another bar where I and my friends had had one drink. Long story short: we walked in. I sat for 5 minutes alone waiting for a drink. My friend sat next to me for another 15 minutes; all together we were there for about 20 minutes and the bartender on purpose ignored us (with a great deal of eye contact) and kept serving other patrons first despite being there ahead of people. The bar back ignored us too. It was obvious they weren't going to serve us. We left. A. This is rude. B. This is judgmental. C. This is random. D. I won't be back. E. You're losing business. The door guy was nice, but this doesn't make up for completely dismissing customers on no basis on a Friday night. Lastly, we walked up to a bar on 33rd called The Four Deuces and they were happy to serve us and very friendly. ;) read more

This place is a great neighborhood bar. Built in 1941 The bar has rustic brick flooring and high ceilings, the original knotty pine walls and a raging fireplace. Strong drinks. Friendly patrons. There is space for a DJ and some dancing. There is a jukebox. The bar is one block away from the Pacific Ocean. Benches galore outside for smokers. Bingo night and other theme nights. I will be back. read more

The Riptide - Pubs Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Fireplace. Live music. Eclectic clientele. Rad staff. Beach a block away. The Riptide is a true diamond in the rough of the outer sunset. Hop on the L, head on out and have a good time. read more

Ah, what can I say about my go-to bar? Dive, beach, dogs, locals, awesome. Alisha, Jeff, Joanne, et al, you guys rock. Little known fact: best margaritas in town. read more

This is the best bar in San Francisco. The staff is one of a kind and it truly feels like you're a part of something bigger when you're there. They've adapted well to COVID safety procedures without losing their charm. Worth the trip. read more

Cheap drinks, cash only, walked here from the zoo after it closed for happy hour and was not disappointed. killer bloody mary. would be back frequently if i lived closer. read more

The first time I heard someone playing an electric ukulele I did not think I would find myself in the midst of one a second time... by choice or chance. It is just not the sort of instrument that should be played out of its traditional form, which does not include wires or plugs. I certainly did not think I would find myself in the midst of one at a bar that I fondly remember as the Sand Bar, a drug den and downtrodden stomping ground settled on the edge of civilization in the Sunset. However, this is no longer the Sand Bar. It is now the Riptide and instead of witnessing a deal going down or a brawl ready to erupt by the fireplace tucked in the back you have to stand back a bit and listen to someone bastardize music in a venue much too small for even a good musician to play. The decor has cleaned up since the days of the Sand Bar as has the clientele. The drinks are a fair price and the service is efficient. The majority of the drinkers here look to be a nice mix of semi-wholesome boozers who come here because there really isn't anything else around. I wonder what happened to the shady characters who used to come here.....I would pay them double the price of whatever they were slinging to take care of the guy with the uke. read more

I spent quite some time in Nevada City at one point in time (because of love, not because of insanity). The Riptide reminds me EXACTLY of a bar I have been to several times in Nevada City. This is good for me (memories) and bad for an SF establishment (mullets). Still, a good blue-collar time can be had by all. There are lots of boys in their 20s here. If you like boys in their 20s, this is a good place to cruise. Cougars, take note. There's live music. At least there was live music the night I was there. And after a few PBRs, you can dance around like a freak fool and no one will care at all. The location means you should probably drive but the alcohol component means you should probably walk or take MUNI. Which explains who all of these strange people are. They're beach people. And beach people are a whole other breed. read more

*******************************UPDATE************************* I was just informed *get this* that the owner of The Ridetide actually IS from Oklahoma! What an amazing coincidence! I was also informed by a member of the band that play the night I was there, the song about Jesus is actually making fun of born again christians. Even better! I must have missed the sarcasm in the singer's voice. I think I must give this Riptide another visit. ****************************************************************** This bar is WAY the heck out there... but it's still in the San Francisco city limits, right? Cuz from the look and sound of this place, I think I'm back in Oklahoma: 1) There is a live country band. 2) The country band dedicated a song to all the "born-again Christians" in the crowd. 3) The chorus from that song goes: "Me and my best friend, Jesus." 4) There is a dead mammal hanging on the wall. However, I must say that the beer selection is much better than most Oklahoma bars. The Riptide also had plenty of tequila. I mean, with that country music playing,... what am I supposed to do? WHAT WOULD MY BEST FRIEND JESUS DO? read more

Awesome hole-in-the-wall surfer's bar. I'd recommend cabbing it out here because Muni has been known to go M.I.A. in this part of the Sunset. Live music, bartenders who know what they're doing and don't patronize. Cheap, cheap, cheap beers. The bathrooms are as expected, smelly and full of kegs. This place is great for a casual night of drinking and nobody to impress. read more

I struggled with the stars on this one. Most of the time I go there and it's comfortable, queer friendly, and has a home town divey time. But with what happened recently I probably won't go back. The Thursday of the Warriors playoff games my girlfriend and I went to watch the game at 5pm ish. It was on the big screen but with no sound (???) And then I asked the bartender if it would be alright to bring in slices of pizza from next door. (PS I waited 5 minutes standing at the uncrowded bar while she was texting someone) She glared at me and literally barked "As long as you clean up after yourselves" and kept glaring at me. She was so hostile that the people sitting at the bar looked up in shock. I was in shock myself and to keep from saying "Well, you know it is hard for me to clean up after myself or even eat in public especially since I'm only 35 years old..." I just paused and laughed uncomfortably. WTF. Meanwhile there was a nasty little table with cold cuts and bread that people could eat that they had to dip their hands in. WTF x2. We left at half time and went to Parkside Tavern where the SF citizens with a pulse were watching the game and celebrating. read more

The Riptide is a pretty fun bar, but I am not "allowed" to go because it is my husband's "club", where he goes free of ball & chain to get his drink on. Just to keep things lively, I occasionally do go to the "club", drag him out by the hair, berating him at the top of my lungs for drinking up the family's meal money and falling in arrears with support payments for his other kids. That's always a crowd pleaser! ******************* (all of the above is untrue except that the Riptide IS a pretty fun bar, and the MIster prefers to drink with his BFF w/out the company of his wife.) It is a relaxed enough place that if I did drag him out by the short & curlies it would hardly raise an eyebrow. 5 stars. read more

Try living out in the Sunset or Parkside and suddenly you will see how important this bar is. It is better than all the others way out here. It is. Really. It is cozy. It is neighborhoody. They have some decent beers and it tastes like they clean their lines. They always have a drink special and not always something you wouldn't want. They have bands. They have bingo and all sorts of other game/hang nights. They have a fireplace. read more

This place rules. A quick hop, skip and a jump away from the beach and you'll be in an authentic beachy cool bar. The decor is interesting and not cluttered. It's clean inside, but not hoity toity. The tables? Maybe my favorite part of the bar. They are made of thick slabs of beautiful wood. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see a show here. However, next time I'm in town it'll be a must. Cash only for drinks here. The beer list will satisfy any palate and they are reasonable priced. AND, they have free snacks... which included tator tots when I was there! read more

Lately i've been doing a lot of thinking about life- and where i'm going, specifically, what type of old dude i'm going to be. The scienterifically executed polled consensus from my friend's seems to be i'll be that dirty old grandpa i'd thought i'd be. So with that in mind, its time for me to start "dating" dive bars, looking for that one for me to call home and bring that old crotchety saltiness we all know and love from "that old guy" in the corner. What does that have to do with the Riptide? Read on. This place has got everything you'd want from a dive bar, and freakin' more! Good beers, wood panelling, distressed everything- and even some dogs running around. Awesome! Monday was open mike night and i've got to say, it was by far the best i've ever been to in the city- with everything from bluegrass to boogie woogie piano (!). The crowd was pretty freakin' cool too- hipsters mixed in with other regulars and everyone was getting along (could be the strong drinks). yah- apparently there are hipsters in the outer sunset- who knew. Probably a result of some porkbarrel diversity program spending that requires hipsters to be bussed out from Zeitgeist and Casanovas to other, less skinny-jeans wearing neighborhoods (read: outer sunset) I think I may have found a dive bar/future home of Tim V winner..... time to start getting old, who's gonna help me with being crotchety? Line forms on the left..... read more

It Takes a Village to get a drink at the riptide. If you are a woman, send your man up to get a drink for you, apparently most of the bartenders don't like other women. The two doppelganger piranhas are incredibly beautiful, but their souls are cold as ice and their mean nature makes them ugly. The bad attitude of these weekend bartenders is tolerable only because there is no where else to go on the outer rim for blocks, and blocks, and blocks. I am boycotting the nights they work, and drinking tall cans with the hobos by the sea--anything is more entertaining than being treated badly for no reason. read more

What would I do if I was lucky enough to be out at Ocean Beach during an actual sunset? Watch it from the Cliff House? Watch it from the Beach Chalet? Nah. I'd stay on the beach and watch it, then walk over to Riptide for a beer. For a city surrounded by water, we have precious few bars where you can actually smell the sea. Throw in the wooden ship wheel decor, the neat double-sided bar, the trashy drink specials posted on the wall, the Beach Chalet's very own Riptide Red on tap, and a live band with harmonica that gets the place surprisingly packed with a lively but laid-back crowd from who-knows-where, and we might just have a winner in my search for a local bar (never mind that this is technically farther from my house than most places in the Mission--it's (extremely) west side and that's what counts). read more

This bar always feels like home. No matter who is behind the bar, the staff is always attentive and friendly. Whether it's a live band, DJ, or just bartender's choice, the music is always spot-on. After the fire, I was worried I might not get to drink here again. Ever since they re-opened, I've made sure to never take it for granted. It's the jewel of the Sunset, and as far as I'm concerned, the City. read more

I can now proudly say I have danced on top of a bar. When the (sweet Alicia) bartender whisked me up during the DJ's offering of "Rio" - I felt as if I could fall backwards into the lively crowd of 80's fans and be body bounced about ever so gently. Somehow I stayed on the bar, "dancing on the sand" with Durran Durran. A girlfriend had previously turned me onto the "skinny bitch" - Vodka and Diet Coke. This was my drink of choice in which I found pleasure in ordering and hearing myself do so. So, I ordered a few rounds for friends who then became hooked on the strangely good concoction. I was at the Riptide back in November of '04 - the day it "snowed" in San Francisco. As a Michigan native, I found it funny to hear the "hail" called snow, but made no effort to correct people who so clearly were beyond thrilled. Anyhow - a photo of this day hangs on the wall at this bar, reminding me how long I have been boozing it up at this fun little quirky outer sunset neighborhood spot. Monday's are great for open mic., Friday's there is usually a great 80's style DJ - michael. And, Saturday's really good live music. Check out the calendar online for more details as they also have happy hours and other events. read more

A really chill bar that has bingo night, pretty funny actually. Its located near the beach and something about this place feels really relaxing. Especially the tables/booth. This place gives me the same comfortable feeling I had when I was just chilling at a bar in Taiwan. Beer and laptop...the only difference is that I can't smoke at Riptide. read more

Holy crap, an open mic night that was GOOD! Now, I dont have anything against the concept of open mic. God knows you'd never get me in front of a room full of strangers performing. So I admire the courage it takes to get up there. But...usually I just end up tuning out open mic nights in favor of drinking...anything. Except I was lucky enough to stumble into the Riptide one night when we decided we would go carousing around the lovely dive bars of Parkside and the outer Sunset (on a Monday! oh yeaahhh!). And you know what? There were some awesome people performing. And there were doggies in the bar! That was a plus. Every night is themed differently so I'm going to have to go back and check out bluegrass night. read more

This is a crusty joint. The PBR flows in golden showers amidst rivulets of cheap whiskey, the bartenders have a few miles under their eyes, and the karaoke options include vaguely racist David Bowie songs.* I can't wait to go back. *I don't condone racism, and the staff is in no way racist, but hearing someone drunkenly belt out "China Doll" is a sight to see. read more

I came here the Friday of Halloween weekend with three friends. Let me just say that the last time I was here, it was a Wednesday afternoon and I was one of 6 people in the place. Not so exciting. Fast forward to my last visit: We walk in at midnight--my friend just turned legal--costumes and all. The place was PACKED! So much life and noise! Deeefinitely a different picture than scenario #1. The bartender pulls out a full-page menu of special Halloween drinks, and we get on with business. (Which by the way packed a strong backward punch in me at the end of the night. Strong drinks indeed.) A little while later, we're posted up right at the bar, and everyone's throwing me compliments on my costume and wanting a picture. I'm not trying to gloat/brag/whatever you will, my point is that the crowd here is very friendly, sociable, approachable, amicable, I can keep going...It was a very comfortable alternative to our next night at a gay bar in the Castro where the same costume returned absolutely no compliments or photo requests, only questionable and/or judging looks that l understood only as "What the eff are YOU?" (Feel free to sue me for wearing the same thing two nights in a row. It was indeed a superb costume, and I was on a budget.) To sum up, The Riptide is the place to go if you want a fun crowd to surround your entourage, if you need an upbeat place to party solo after a bad breakup/shitty week, and the music is great. Not to mention the drinks are relatively inexpensive. The ATM was giving me some trouble, though, so bring cash before you go on your way. And for those that are wondering, I was Slash. read more

I mourned the passing of The Sand Bar when it changed hands and closed for renovation. When it was reborn as The Riptide, I approached the front door fearing the worst...that of a tragic remodel involving sheet-rock walls, cheesy neon lamps, and a tolling of the bell for yet another neighborhood watering hole. Thankfully, The Riptide's new owners didn't ruin the place. To the contrary, they've performed the delicate balancing act of cleaning up a decomposing neighborhood bar while leaving it's rustic charm largely intact. The result is a place that's changed for the better. Years of filth have been scoured away, and decrepit timbers have been replaced. But still, the hearty soul of a meeting place with history remains. A central bar sits in the middle of the room, with most of the seating on the West side. TV's for sports are small, but decently placed. Limited wood on the walls along with a brick fireplace help create a humble ambiance with a rough-cut charm. It's an overall feel that no cut-and-gut remodel with new materials and contemporary styling could ever duplicate. The mid-day/after-work crowd is an odd mix: An easy-going group of young surfers and a smaller segment of old-guard codgers. Later at night the clientele gets younger as the beach crowd trickles in and the music gets turned up. All in all, I like it. It's a friendly mix of young and old where the two actually interact. And while the night crowd gets a little young and noisy for my tastes, I could really see liking it when I was in my twenties. It's out of the way, it's near the beach, and there's a pizza place two doors down. I've came, I've seen, I'll be back.... read more

Sometimes when I get out I get WAY out! The Riptide is so close to the beach that you can hear the friggin' Waves! WHOA! THE PLACE HAS SOME AWESOME DJs! the place is small and quaint. the drinks are standard. the dudes are dull, the babes are better than you would think. I have rocked and sexed tin this club and you could too if you knew what you were doing! read more

This might be the coolest bar in the city (Shhhhh!!! don't tell anyone i said that) Once inside you could be in the midwest for all you know. taxidermy (moosehead that was drooling mistletoe for the holidays), good music, cozy fireplace, cute surfer boys, friendly bartenders (free drink on my birthday). first time i went here i definitely got looks like i was from outta town. i like that. read more

Bingo Saturdays are the shizz. Love their drink specials and honestly some of the friendliest staff I have ever met at a bar, and in general. This place can be a real turn off if you're parochial and only drink high-end vodkas and spirits. Lots of a beer on tap. Lots of interesting drink concoctions like coffee flavored vodka and baileys, as a shooter. Absolutely tasty and for only 6 bucks, it sure gives you a kick! I don't know what else to say but this place is just so down to earth and so welcoming that it makes me want to come here everyday so I too, can become a regular. I am by no means a regular to this place, but I will say that my first time here, they treated me as one. They were welcoming, not judgmental, as I was- for sure -the ONLY Asian in this place, and just down right a fun bunch of people. What other place gives you free Jell-O shots during Bingo when the coveted O-69 gets called? What other place have regulars that bring in food for the whole bar to eat? And what other bar at times has bacon flavored popcorn? I give the Riptide 5 stars, for all of the above. read more