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The Summer Place

4.3 (77 reviews)
ModerateDive Bars
Closed • 12:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

The Summer Place Dive Bars Photos

Business Info

THE SUMMER PLACE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Trendy
Moderate noise
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - The Summer Place

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Reviews With Photos

Exterior sign
Aimee A.

On the eve before a big family event, I popped into this little neighborhood bar in Nob Hill, San Francisco. The Summer Place came from a local's recommendation, and had great bartenders, kitschy movies from TCM on screen, and a great vibe. I was introduced to Fernet, and thank you, no. One of my family members liked it though, and kept drinking it.

Wonder what the door looks like at other times of the year??
Kristi M.

First, lived our drinks. Second, this place is DECKED THE HALLS out for the for holidays! It could only be better if the music playing was a pop Christmas carols station. Our bartender was friendly and the service fast.

Smoked Manhattan
Fusco J.

Great ambiance and their smoked Manhattan was fantastic - nice job. Will definitely be coming back to this place while out in SFO for work.

Montage of images from The Summer Place
Ed U.

If you're a befuddled tourist who managed to get lost somewhere between Chinatown and Union Square, this appears to be the casual watering hole for you. That's because the young bartender here loves to chat and share everything he knows about the local attractions to needy visitors. That leaves befuddled locals like me waiting patiently for the young pup to take my much needed drink order. Smacking my lips wasn't getting me any attention. During the summer, I managed to get the bartender to put some mileage on their eternally grinding slushie machine and ordered the $15 Hibiscus Margarita Slushie (photo: https://yelp.to/OSjYyordzl). It was quite a refreshing refreshment even if the margarita aspect was somewhat diluted. When I returned several months later, there was no evidence of the slushie machine. That was understandable given the chill in the air. This time it was more fitting to have a $15 Espresso Martini. It was a pleasantly lush cocktail which you may have figured out is in my regular rotation. They place specialty designs on the foamy topping, and for some reason, I got the Cheers TV series logo (photo: https://yelp.to/VYgmit57G_). Probably because I look like someone who would remember who Shelley Long was. DRINKS - 3 stars...impactful enough but honestly middling AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars..tourist-friendly spot SERVICE - 3 stars...well, I just wanted to order a drink TOTAL - 3 stars...casual Tendernob spot serves its purpose RELATED - Exploring Nob Hill? Here's my collection of places I've patronized and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2IfTVOB

Emily C.

Super cool spot - chill, cozy vibe; friendly and cool bartender slaying delicious cocktails; great music (old country). Would come back!

You think you're a party animal? You got nothing on this beast!
Tommy W.

This used to be a real dive and the exterior has been included in two Marvel movies! Now she is cleaned up with an IG ready corner and a bathroom that isn't ghastly. The costumers are a mix of familiar locals and others. The bartenders are gregarious types who appear to be down for a good time. I've had their custom cocktails and wasn't convinced it was the best reason to come here. Come for the fun vibe.

Tony the bartender doing what he does best.
Anthony D.

If Studio 54 and a unicorn had a lovechild and raised it in San Francisco, The Summer Place would be it. This is not just a bar--it's a high-camp, high-octane choose-your-own-adventure where every path leads to laughter, wild dance moves, and shots you didn't ask for (but definitely needed). Let's start with Gay Tony and Gay Rachel. The chemistry between these two? It's like Lucy and Ethel got reincarnated with better outfits and a fully stocked bar. Watching them behind the counter is like watching a live-action sitcom--except instead of commercials, you get Jell-O shots and glitter. They are a TEAM. A duo for the ages. A bartending power couple without the romance, but all the sass and sparkle. And then, just when you think it can't get any better, here comes the dance routine with Tony and Laney. I am not exaggerating when I say I briefly left my body. It was camp. It was drama. It was synchronized magic on a sticky dive bar floor--and I will never be the same. Brett, the owner, is the calm, kind heart at the center of this beautiful cyclone. A true hospitality hero who knows how to build a space that feels like home--if your home were full of screaming drag queens, shirtless men, and strangers who instantly become your best friends. And don't even think about ordering something fancy without chatting up Dan, the bar's unofficial alcohol librarian. This man knows everything--EVERYTHING--about every bottle on that shelf. Ask him about tequila, whiskey, mezcal, gin... and suddenly you're in a TED Talk you didn't know you needed. The Summer Place isn't just a bar. It's a community. It's chaos. It's home for the beautifully unhinged, the gloriously tipsy, and the disco-hearted. If you're not here, darling, you're simply not living. Long live The Summer Place.

Just right- great spot  your new fav neighborhood bar less the dust and dull music! We'll be back!
Liane M.

As always, the summer place does not disappoint! Refreshing 'dealers choice ' gin cocktails. Perfection! Great vibe, great selection. Stop by!

Old Fashioned
Chad M.

Only bar I have been to into the city. Not sure I need to go to another. Great jams, awesome bartender. Good drinks. Good people. If you are looking for a small close knight bar this is the spot. Thanks for having us for drinks:

The decorations are so beautiful and cozy!! I would absolutely recommend coming here.

Scarlett M.

Imma start and say this is one of my absolutely favorite bars I stumbled upon while visiting San Fran. The bartender so sweet and funny, forgot her name but she has a scorpion tattoo on her neck. My favorite game is to tell the bartender to surprise me, and dang did she. She made me the best drink I had on the entire trip(and I drank a lot lol). I known it's listed as a dive bar but definitely has a more lounge vibe and I loved it. The people and energy was perfect San Fran. Absolutely fantastic bar to stop in. Affordable prices for what is delivered, oh and no menu which is fun!

Konrad J.

What a disappointing experience. We went to the bar because their signage said they served "spooky drinks" for the Halloween season. The venue had no AC and was filled with cheap inflatable yard blow-up decorations for a sweltering Party City vibe. When we entered no one greeted us, and we sat at a table for a while before going up to the bar to order since we eventually figured out no one would serve us without being at the counter. The bartender said they didn't have spooky drinks despite their advertisements, so we asked what the house cocktails were. She said she didn't have those either. I asked for a Blue Hawaiian, but they don't have curaçao either. At that point I asked her to make me something sweet and tropical so she'd have more leeway in being able to make something, since there seemed to only be roadblocks with trying to get a drink made. Despite asking for something sweet, the drink was both bitter and tart, since she had oddly added bitters to it. Each member of our three-person party had a drink that was made either wrong (for two of them - a dark and story, then a Moscow mule), or tasted bad (all three). When it came time to close the tabs the bartender gave one of my companions the wrong card. She didn't seem to care about the patron's experiences or be concerned they were advertising things they didn't have. All three of us agreed we wouldn't return.

Cheers from OCA Morris B. (Philly) & Your favorite OCA!
Courtney B.

I came to this establishment late night last year with my fellow OCA Morris B., Philly (see his review from 12/10/22). We were on the hunt for a neighborhood hangout where we could have a few cocktails and meet the locals, and this bar came to mind. The last time I was in the bar was about 20 years ago. This is not the same bar I remembered with a jukebox and smoke filled air. Instead, it is now reminiscent of a new take on a classic bar motif. The service at first was a bit "off," in that the bartender wasn't welcoming. However, as the bartender began to interact with us, he seemed to be more personable. The drink consistency could use some work as the first drink's ratios were off ( I guess that was in line with the attitude of the bartender..see what I did there). Whether bar goers are interested in a cold bottle of beer or top-shelf spirits, they would be able to find it here. This windowless dive bar is definitely not what you would call summery, but it is a place where you can get a drink.

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26 days ago

My husband and I sat at the bar and watched The Boston Celtics. The bartender was so nice and fun! He made excellent cocktails.

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Good vibe, solid drinks. Very attentive bartender who held down a bar of 20+ people easily. Highly recommended if you're in the area.

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4 months ago

Ohhh, I love all holidays decorations. Drinks were on point and bartender is super friendly.

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8 months ago

The bartenders Rachel and Tony are so much fun. Super cool atmosphere where locals and tourists can have a great cocktail.

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Ask the Community - The Summer Place

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The Summer Place - divebars - Updated May 2026

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