Cash only live music, a good saloon. My wife found it and we wandered in, a great bit of history.

The music beckoned is from across the street!! We followed it to The Saloon and were delighted! Strolled in, were greeted by the bartender, ordered $5 gin and tonics and proceeded to listen to Highwater Blues and make new friends! A fun stop! read more

The Saloon - Jazz & Blues Near Me - San Francisco, California

A good bar with live music! I had an awesome time! The drinks are affordable & they do charge a cover read more

The Saloon - Jazz & Blues Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great old bar straight out of the 1800's it is one of those cash only old school salones a must see I. The city read more

The Saloon - Where the bands play - Jazz & Blues Near Me - San Francisco, California

Cash only! Had to walk to the Chase Bank down the street to get cash. The bartender was a hilarious crusty lady. The live music was fun for dancing. I love seeing a group of octogenarians playing saxophone while their counterparts cut a rug on the dance floor. read more

I made the very honest mistake of asking where I could find the ATM since this is a cash only bar and was screamed at by the bartender so brutally that the band stopped playing. It was so theatrical that I genuinely could not tell if it was a performance or not. I completely realize I'm a huge idiot for not seeing the signs, but it was a very earnest question. I've never been spoken to like that in my life. read more

Music was great and the service was rude in the best way- hahahaha. Just make sure to pay in cash and follow their rules.

Jesus is greatly the best person and the best bartender this place has EVER had. He's a true gentleman and had always been nothing more than respectable to everyone. read more

Made the mistake of walking into the bar when everyone was looking at us like we didn't belong. Well long story short we didn't the lold lady bartender I think it was a lady was very rude. You should just put up a sign that says NO BLACKS! read more

Now THIS is a dive with history! Seems stuck in the past, not much upkeep or investment, cash only. Beer in bottles only, no draft. Lots of cheap liquor. Local barflies at the front. No frills, but the place has character. If you're in for a real dive bar, this is the place! LOL read more

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The bartender that was male and elderly was making me extremely uncomfortable and over pouring my drinks. He usually wears a baseball cap and eyeglasses. Pretty clear that he cannot handle a busy bar on his own. On another note GG Amos band or singer pessimist as usual and asking for donations to buy groceries. Plenty of other bars or bartenders to be served from. Do not come here in the late Tuesday evenings. read more

Great band, ambience.. and @Samuel Marshall band ! Getting people on their feet! Standing room only! read more

The Saloon - Jazz & Blues Near Me - San Francisco, California

Delta Wires w/full horn section!! Gorgeous bartenders!! The One and Only Saloon in San Francisco: Greatest Bar in the World! read more

I'm here specifically to give a massive shout out to the bartender whose name is something like Mikayla (?) who really looked out for me as a single woman at the bar. She had her eyes on every single transaction that was going on and she was on top of everything. She came up to me when she thought that I may have been taken advantage of and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate that. On top of the awesome music, this single lady felt very well taken care of. CASH ONLY and if you are a clean frank don't bother coming here. It's a dive and we love it! read more

Great music on three chance occasions. Every night different. If you get to see Mitch Polzak play he's a blast. (I think he is in the photo above) read more

One of the best bars we've been to. Cash only. Met spark at the bar who is a no nonsense bartender. Just a great experience. Music was great and ambience was great too read more

Love this place ! Great music, atmosphere and great people behind and in front of the bar !

Great no nonsense bar in San Francisco North Beach neighborhood. Cash only and live music. Rule #1 minimum. 1 drink per person! And...if you have seen Reese Witherspoon in Just Like Heavan, they filled a scene here. Stop by for a drink and some fun! read more

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The older male bartender, Ray with extreme grey hair and glasses over served me for the SECOND time. He's worked the door checking IDs. The first time he served me he had tried to grab my hand on the way as I was exiting the saloon. He's been filling in at the bar lately as a bartender. Peter the other door man, asian fellow, claimed false accusations and called the north beach police. He admitted to EVERYONE in the bar that he called the police on me. He is a bad guy and he didn't make a mistake. Ray was still watching me at the bar when he last worked the door, even though we chatted about that night. Peter knew what he was doing and there was absolutely no reason for him to call the police. I told the police that I was willing to leave and just wanted my phone back. Peter should be FIRED & 86d. He was openly gossiping to the entire bar of what had occurred this evening. He and the police, both caused me severe PTSD & Trauma. After the police station I was taken to CMPC, Urgent Care, because I was going to attempt self harm. Neither of the staff took me seriously more took into consideration after the fact of what I had mentioned the series of events, following the police picking me up from the bar. They asked me to take this review down. I will not & I do not have to after being so mistreated so poorly. I never deserved to be treated this way. I am still dealing with PTSD from this evening and series of events and interactions, all these weeks later. read more

When you're in the city looking for places to drink, this place is mandatory. Stop by, listen to the music. Chat with some locals or tourists. Get you a very cold beer. They're very cheap, if not the cheapest beer to get in North Beach. Saloon is perfectly across from El Farolito if you get hungry. It's the oldest saloon in the City. read more

Great place for live music and well drinks. Cash only, with a $5 cover per person on the Friday I was there, and the staff are super friendly. Can be hard to get a drink at the bar, so have your order ready when they come to you. Something to be aware of, there are pickpockets that hang out in the back, where the band is playing. Guy put his whole hand into my purse while using a jacket over his arm to hide it. read more

as soon as I walked in their was this creepy bar guy but when I found my friends he stopped bothering me lol music was absolutely amazing ! !! read more

Great little cash-only dive bar with Live Music. One drink minimum is a small price to pay for free [good] live music!! read more

The Saloon - Cash bar - Jazz & Blues Near Me - San Francisco, California

Performer (at 8pm) demanded my group be kicked out because we didn't "tip him enough" when he shoved his tip jar in our faces and demanded a tip at the cash only bar where we used all our cash. Have a cover if you want everyone to pay. Very disrespectful, we will not return. read more

My friends and I are locals and have been coming to this bar for about 4 decades, love this place and have been served by the blond haired bartender many times over the years. But after my Sat night experience there when I was there with my wife, I will stop coming. Looking at the other comments here about her and the crowd at the bar, I doubt this comment will make any difference. Anyway, I was at the front of the bar trying to get a beer. She was dancing around - which was fine. After 20mins trying to attract her attention - I was waving my hands. I could not tell if she was not seeing me or ignoring me. Anyway, at some point she yelled at me to be "f.. patient". At which point, shocked and dissappointed, I had no choice but to leave as I guess I was not getting a drink. Most people at this bar have been very nice and friendly over the years, so this was very dissappointing. The popularity of this place will no doubt make no difference. She may have been having a bad day, or could not hide her animosity towards us - we do look like "yuppies" or whatever we are called these days. No matter what, it is very dissappointing behaviour, to see in the city we love and a bar we have loved. read more

Fun cash only dive bar for a stop on your weekend out. Cover charge of $5 for really good live music. Drinks were strong and bar was full of energy and good vibes. read more

I love this place always have good music. Pretty much a small dive bar but my only complaint is sometimes it's hard to get a drink. This is usually my last stop of the night when I'm I. The city. Last night for whatever reason they only had one bartender and I couldn't even get her to look at me so I left and went to Tupelo down the street. I'll be back because I love the Saloon just know there are nights like this....... read more

The blonde girl, I think her name is Mareille or something like that is extremely rude, treats customers badly, always outside smoking. Singing on stage while customers are waiting for a drink. I am only in SF occasionally for business and every time I'm in town wanting to just check out live music and relax over a drink this lady ruins my whole experience. I've chosen to go to another bar. Pretty sad because I really like that Saloon. read more

Love this local dive bar! We've been there 2-4 times when we visits San Fran Great staff and drinks and live bands read more

Service was the worst for first time going there Other Spanish guy is normally nicer that I've seen but some guy in a crust up dry aged pony tail got so mad about us coming in even tho we haven't been drinking we asked for what we wanted and denied us service just to keep giving us 5 rounds of just water on top of having an attitude and probably g we rid of your roach traps too that's not appetizing read more

This place is so fun, the music, the energy, all so great. The drinks are great and the bands are amazing.

SHARON!!! My spouse and I are tourist. And we were recommend this bar many times, though we already had planned to come here. It was WELL worth the hype. If anything it was undersold to us. Very good prices on drinks, great clientele, but let me speak on the bartender- the one who sets the tone for the bar. Sharon knew we weren't locals but was happy to share the history of the bar, take us outside to show more history, and recommend food/fun/dining nearby. After only 2 drinks I consider her a friend. She makes a GREAT host. My spouse and I own a bar in Florida and if we could pack her up and take her with us we would. She was incredible. From start to finish. We'd visited many bars since being in San Fran and never stayed more than one drink anywhere else. She is a perfect representation of this bar. All wits, banter, fun, and full of character. A class act in anyone's book. You can tell she's a valuable asset to The Oldest Bar In The Bay. I can't wait to make another visit solely to be served by her again. read more

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Visited 1/5. Nice woman bartender. Dog on the bar. Dog and I hated the music. IT WAS WAY TOO LOUD. Drink prices reasonable

"Music Makes the people Come together" -Madonna Excellent perch to people watch and dance to live music. Don't even think about parking on weekends-- take Bart or get a ride. Great time! read more

A dive bar, with cheaply priced drinks, and really good blues music! Went back there twice on our 5 day trip in San Francisco!

It is one of the oldest drinking establishments in San Francisco and it feels like the day it was built. The staff is magnificent. The crowd is always interesting and the music is always fabulous. Go now. read more

The Saloon - Music from the bar - Jazz & Blues Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is a dive bar. But it isn't. It's a cool, local, eclectic dive bar! Cash only so prepare for that- in addition to incredible live music, helpful bartenders, and immaculate vibes. Put it on your SF list! read more

The Saloon - Entrance to the Saloon - Jazz & Blues Near Me - San Francisco, California

The Saloon has cool vibes, a friendly bartender, and music daily. It's an SF tradition since 1861 and definitely worth the visit. read more

The Saloon - Cool vibes, friendly bartender - music daily. An SF tradition since 1861. - Jazz & Blues Near Me - San Francisco, California

I love this place. I love the quality of the bands. The bar and people are friendly. You can't beat the history it is small but things were like that in 1861. I like the crowd mostly older locals, but then there are tourists. It's a must go to spot while in San Francisco.. read more

The Saloon - Jazz & Blues Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This place shouts that it's a dive bar. Not so much IMHO. What it is is a wonderful music bar with a casual (rough) interior, very good inexpensive drinks, smart bartender, and really great music. Incidentally, one reason I question it's diveish credentials is that they have a discrete but excellent sound system, not easy in a long narrow room with the music at one end. Get there between sets, stake out your seats and don't move. It's small and gets very crowded when the music's playing. There's limited (very) space for dancing in front of the band. read more