Toronado is a cash only pub in the Lower Haight, near other establishments such as Noc Noc and Molotov. The beer menu is extensive and there's something for everyone, beer-wise. There 's outdoor seating, in addition to bar seating, tables and a back room with more seating. The crowd seemed a bit older, like, say 40s-50s which is always a nice change from the louder 20 something kids. If you like beer, and take no issue with dive pubs, it's worth checking out. read more

Great selection of beers but super snobby. Can't ask questions without them assuming you've basically never had beer before. Noc-noc is way better, go there instead. read more

I've been living in the neighborhood for three years and have given this bar multiple chances, but after my last visit, I'm done for good. The bartender with the backwards hat has got to be one of the rudest people I've encountered in the area. The service is awful--no help, no attention, and just a really bad attitude all around. Whether if we ask to try a beer or ask to see a tshirt - every time it's clear they don't want to do their job! And It's clear they don't appreciate locals and especially people visiting! Honestly, it's disappointing because the spot has potential, but with service like that, I'll be taking my business elsewhere from now on. read more

This review is for the super delicious Fieldwork IPA they had on tap last week. I wish I had asked for the name of it since there are so many different ones. Thank you guys for the experience. read more

One of the best places to get quality beer on tap. It's always lively and plenty of room to sit. There's always a game playing on the tv. They're a cash-only spot, but they do have an ATM in the back if you forgot. They have an extensive list of beers available. Happy to see Revolution beers on the board. Def recommend Deth's Tar. They also have Allagash and Monkish ales too. They're quick to serve and overall friendly folks. read more

Great selection of beer Good atmosphere Next door, get a snack and eath wih your choice of beer read more

Toronado is one of the most famous beer bars in the country. One of the first to really curate their menu and give (at the time) up-and-coming microbreweries like Russian River a shot, the roots of top California breweries run deep here. There's not food but you can BYO, which is heavily suggested with Rosamunde right next door. The 'door' is a swinging saloon one, there are brewery sticker graffiti all over the places with other paraphenalia, a lot of worn down wood, and a big ass chalk menu of options. That may not sound appealing to everyone, and it's not meant to be. But it's a verifiable temple to beer. Bartender I initially got was a straight up douchebag. Wouldn't even talk, just grunted with a scowl on his face. Looked like a hippie who had been through 1 too many bad trips. I get he probably deals with 1K idiots a day who come here and are rude in turn, however I was not. I was just a guy who wanted a beer and was excited to be here. His shift eventually ended, and the bartenders who replaced him were over-the-top friendly which was pretty damned funny. Wasted no time trying a Russian River when I had Damnation. Probably the best example of the Duvel-like Belgian Strong Pale Ale style I've had. It was a tough choice with Lost Abbey (which I LOVE), Moonlight, and so many other great options available. Had 2 more beers where my wife just had 1 lighter option from Moonlight. Prices were surprisingly reasonable. Was tempted to camp out here all day but my wife was not into the idea; I subsequently negotiated into buying their 30th anniversary beer to go. Had this later and it was very reminiscent of Orval funny enough. Service aside, these guys are famous for a reason. If you're a beer lover like me, this is as much of a must-visit as Alcatraz. read more

Good ole Toronado, where the beers are fresh but the bartenders are consistently rude. Come here for cheap good beers, the smell of piss, beer, and grungy music. It'd be a shame to expect anything else read more

Rude bartender. No descriptions of the many beers beside the brewery, and no desire to explain or suggest what you're about to buy. No samples policy. Give me a break - next! Ps whole place smells like a urinal read more

Classic bar vibe, great selection of tap beers. Great spot to grab a couple pints and catch up with friends.

I've heard for a long time this is the best beer bar in SF and it's hard to argue with that. there's a huge selection of beers (including Pliny), bartenders are friendly and there's a nice vibe. not too hipsterish, not too dive-y. feels like a nice neighborhood pub prices are very fair (most were $6 - $8). cash only, but there's an ATM inside (only $1.95 upcharge haha). I was having dinner in the area, but this is definitely worth the trip just to visit read more

Go here if you're: 1) a local 2) a beer snob Don't come here if you're part of a big crowd and want to find a spot with homies to watch the games, or meet and pitch investors, or if you're visiting the US for the first time and want to try a US beer. There are many articles online that gives advice prior to coming here, most of them are accurate. While you can read a lot of great stories by filtering by 1 star reviews, I'd like to share some highlights from coming here for many years: - A guy visiting from NY wanted to buy a shirt and stood too close to the shirt shelves. Poor guy got yelled at so hard by the bartender everyone looked over - que GoT scene "SHAME SHAME SHAME" - A group of Europeans visiting for the first time and the door guy asked for their IDs - poor group took one step towards the bar (as they didn't want to block the door) and as they were scrambling to get their IDs out the doorman yelled "I SAID IDS!!!". Next time I'm craving a Stephen King movie I'll come here and wait for a new crowd. Anyhow you can tell the Europeans were shocked - probably will have many stories to share when they get back - A group of girls came here recently and didn't know much about beers and kept asking for tasters - fortunately for them the guy working at the bar was incredibly nice, had others been working they would've had a completely different experience. You can tell many locals were judging them hard, some were even shaking their heads at the 5th taster ask. Yeah I'd advise against doing that here. Anyhow, here are the top reasons why I give Toronado 5 stars - - They post their daily draft list online at a Facebook group called "Toronado Drinkers". I usually check several times a week and if I find some I really wanted to try I'll make sure to make time for a visit. Usually the selection is amazing. Maybe one day they'll put their live menu on Untappd to simplify the process. - Their prices are the best - usually at cost (how much breweries themselves charge - no mark up). They have daily happy hours till 7 and offer $1 off all drafts. - They have an amazing bottle selection - make sure to ask for the bottle menu. Most beers are also available to go in addition to not having a surcharge for on-site consumption. The menu also has a description of each of the taps at the end. - Like many tap rooms and bars that don't have a kitchen, Toronado let's you bring in food. A popular venue locals usually get is a sausage place next door called Berliner Berliner, formerly Rosamunde. Highly recommend trying their specialty sausages - reasonable priced at around $8 each. - They host the best events - from their annual Toronado Drinking Day to annual Barleywine Fest - they have the best selection of rare beers and again, don't charge a hefty mark up other craft beer places charge. Imagine paying $5 for a pour of cantillon from the 90s - insane. Go early for these events as some of the rare beers will be kicked early, usually a line starts forming prior to opening. Also as many reviewers had pointed out - bring cash (most eateries around the area are cash only as well). read more

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If you're a beer lover in SF, Toronado is a must visit spot. While walking by, Toronado can feel fairly unassuming (and maybe intimidating?) but once you enter it's a great dive bar atmosphere. They have memorabilia from iconic beer brands throughout history, reminiscent of Delirium in Brussels. They have great deals on rare and hard to find beers as well as the classics that are always rotating (~$5-$7 a glass). Ohh and they have the elder on tap at all times... You can check their current tap last either online or in person on their board. They are cash only, though they do have an atm inside. Check this place out if you're in the mood for some high quality beer. I recommend this place in particular on a cold evening as the inside is dark and cozy. read more

Toronado - Pliny the elder and Maui Waui IPA - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Bald bartender was an asshole to several patrons for no reason. Was told this place was legendary and must visit. Looked just like every other craft bar I've been to, but with a shittier than usual attitude from staff. Woohoo... read more

My boyfriend and I checked out this little hole in the wall dive that was near our Airbnb and we were pleasantly surprised! The beer offerings were great, with a huge taplist that included some rarer beers that we hadn't tried before. They even had a Founders beer that we had to look up because we hadn't heard of it (and we live in Grand Rapids, where Founders was ... founded)! When we stopped in on a weekday afternoon there was a small crowd at the bar and a couple of dogs hanging out. The guy checking our IDs was polite and the bartender was patient when we were browsing the options. Prices were beyond reasonable and probably even cheap for this area. Toronado is cash-only and they don't have any food, but it's definitely worth a stop if you're a craft beer lover. We would have gone in again but unfortunately didn't end up having enough time during our stay. Until next time, Toronado! read more

Toronado - Cheap beer, dive bar. I'm home! - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Everything about this bar is what I want when I go get a beer. It's divey in all the best ways, and it has the best, biggest, and most diverse beer list I've encountered since moving here. I'm from San Diego and I'm used to being able to walk around the corner and find a brewery - something not as easy to do here in SF. While Toronado isn't a brewery, it's truly the best place to find a beer for any taste. From German imports to local brewers, there's no shortage of choice. Dogs and outside food welcome, cash only, and has a juke box. Also - so far all the employees and regulars I've met here are friendly and fun to talk to if you're feeling extroverted. Also a great place to come and drink completely alone and unbothered if need be. read more

Always a great beer line up and suburb sausages next door to bring in. Grab a table inside or out.

Decent bar with an amazing selection of drinks! Don't judge a hole in the wall by its cover! Rough looking with a tough guard at the door. But once they look at your ID and let you in, it's a good time. Very busy block of bars and food shops. These drinks here were both affordable and on the cheap, we were so surprised. Very crowded, lively, and bumping with music. I guess a bunch of people were trying to drink away the basketball game and Raptors business. We eventually snagged two chairs and a sticky table to rest our drinks on. So much memorabilia and art and branding all over the place. The bathroom is a messy masterpiece, people just write all over the place and walls. No mirror, which was startling, but some funny and outrageous things written down with the occasional reminder to wash your freaking hands. Surprised no one has written on the floor just yet. Beer is great, and I'm not a beer drinker! Fast service and I really can't get over the price. I don't even think they charge tax, it came out even $4 a can. I definitely would come again. Make sure to grab food next door! read more

I've been coming to Tornado for 30 years. And while I enjoy coming, I've never seen anything like I saw tonight. Tornado is wonderful with welcoming dogs all the time. Tonight a gentleman and his date were there enjoying a beer and had a dog with them. I was sitting next to them. They were at the bar and the dog was out in the aisle being pet by somebody else. The bartender came over to the gentleman and said " Hey- you need to get your dog out of the aisle". I heard the gentleman say "No problem, I just brought her back under the bar". After that, the bartender lost his mind. "You bet there IS a problem!" , completely misunderstanding the gentleman who did what he was asked with his dog, saying "no problem". From there, the bartender proceeded to verbally abuse the patron who was sitting there with the dog. He said, 3 times, "If you don't like it you can fuck off"! And the whole time the patron was trying to explain that he had done exactly what he was asked and agreed with the bartender. " No problem" meant just that- it wasn't a problem. But he nor the other bartender who then got involved were having anything to do with it. It was really uncomfortable. at that point the other bartender said he wanted to hear "no more fucking word about this" and told the patron he had to leave immediately. The man said to the bartenders, "wow. This is exactly the image you all like to live up to for as long as I have been coming here". Bartender says, "Get the fuck out". And then the man and his date and his dog, depart. Terrible. If this is the kind of establishment you want to support, then go ahead. But just so you know, this was a despicable display by the bartenders. And if they are not the owners, they should both be fired immediately. I hate to bring this report, because I've been coming here for 30 years. But this was a step too far. Shame. read more

This is your classic beer only bar in San Francisco. They have very reasonably priced beers with a large and interesting variety. Some of the beers are special, meaning they were brewed just to serve at this bar specifically. Beers from places like Russian River brewing, only costing $5. What a deal! Although they don't serve food, menus for the sausage place next door sit on the tables so you can easily order from there. Issues: Cash only! like many places. Also the bathroom didn't have any paper towels...not a big deal but could be fixed easily. My husband is a super beer enthusiast, he would have given this place 5 stars. We will be back for sure!!! Street parking is metered but completely free on Sundays if you're thinking about driving to the area. read more

Toronado - princess by marin in left, and dark swan by lagunitas on the right - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

The ambience is Cheers bar if the regulars were gritty, antisocial 50 year olds that smoke pot in their mom's windowless basements all day and still watch VHS videos. Great selection of beers, cash only. read more

Crowded. Check. Bouncer. Check. Beers on tap. Check. All sorts of beer memorabilia on the wall. Check. Cash only. Crap, but there's an ATM. Toronado is a dive bar on Haight St if you didn't already know. The place was busy when we managed to walk in and busy when we stumbled out. There are plenty of TV flatscreens to satisfy you and plenty of beer served here. My cousin and I were in search of Russian River's Toronado 25 but that wasn't meant to be. Oh well. This place is still a great place to grab a drink in the middle of the day. No judgment here. read more

Toronado - Hibiscus Gose by Widmer Bros - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

It was good until it wasn't. First impression, just a regular dive bar. Stinks like dirty mop water. Cash only. Good music. There is not a full bar and from what one bartender told me "we don't usually let people sample the beer". Um ok. Anyways, I ended up getting the Russian river. Tasted fine ordered a couple talked with some people who were also there. One of the people there was the bartenders girlfriend who was very vocal about being communist. Weird vibes but go off. She leaves and things were fine until I went to the bathroom with my boyfriend where another bartender appears out of no where yelling at us that we can't use the bathroom together and proceeded to yell at us to the point of kicking us out. Obviously from other peoples reviews this is a common occurrence by this employee. That's ok though him being a loser isn't my problem. Bad vibes to end the night. Maybe go here if you're looking for some drama to spice up your life read more

I'm probably going to be at this bar every time I visit San Francisco from now on. There is so much that I loved about this joint that I'm certain to forget something. It's a no frills dive bar that is cash only. The stellar draft list included three beers from Russian River: Blind Pig IPA, one of the -tion sours, and the Pliny the Elder double IPA. Found a few seats in the back area and I went to the bar to procure our obligatory round of Pliny to start with. I went about getting this delicious nectar as if I were dealing with the Soup Nazi. I think about the only words I muttered were "two Plinys" and "thanks". We were not to be denied. While you are certain to find beers on the list that you know nothing (Jon Snow) about, save your questions. Order. Pay. Clear. Drink. Repeat. You can bring in food and the Rosamunde sausages from next door were just what the doctor ordered. Ballast Point Sculpin for my next round and then Anderson Valley's Bourbon Stout to cap my night here. It was pretty crowded by the time we left and we could understand why. Excellent craft beer selections, four casks, and the most expensive pint I had all night was only $7 (the bourbon one). We loved it. Remember, no kissing in line. read more

Toronado - Are you not entertained! Beer me. - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Now this is a real bar. Not only because this place has beer taps as far as the eyes can see but because it's got metal blasting though the speakers. Park your bike out front and watch the world pass by while you're enjoying a delightful sud from the taps. Listen to your neighbor scream out the windows to you to save you a seat while you try n fight off the local bar fly pissed about the seat priority. I love this place and if you enjoy banter and live action well then you will truly Appreciate this gem. Enjoy and drink responsibly. read more

The bald bartender was a prick. Very short in his responses and rude to customers. The guy in front of me asked for a Bud Lite and he gave the classic "we don't serve that here, we serve what's on the menu" response. When he served me (which took forever) I ordered 4 beers and once he finished pouring them I began passing them back to my friends when he said in a really loud and snarky tone "don't ever pick up beers without putting money down on my bar" while I was literally holding 50 bill in my hand ready to pay. Guy is clearly just a beer snob on a power trip, won't be coming back here again. To the owners, If you notice there are plenty of other reviews calling out the same guy for his rudeness, maybe it's time to give him a refresher on politeness and customer service. read more

Polarizing place, if you're not a beer dork, I'd probably say you shouldn't even bother. If you ARE one, however, this spot should be #1 on your list! Let's get some things out of the way: - loud - cramped - not fancy - cash only - one surly staff member working the whole joint Scared? Still with me? They have awesome shit on tap. Real good shit. I'm one of those people that, after all these years, STILL thinks that Pliny the Elder is one of the finest beers a person can buy. There's a lot of sour grapes over this beer in places where you can't get it "I never loved her anyway!", but, to quote "The Interview": they're just peanut butter and JELLY. Put another way: They hate us cuz they a(ain)n('t)us! Anyway, grab some cash, squeeze in next to some burly bearded beer bros, and crank back some tasty pints. Everything is good. No bullshit, just good shit. read more

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I met a work colleague here yesterday for a couple beers and conversation. He's based in Calgary, was visiting with Family and since we're part of the same global work group, it was convenient opportunity to catch up. He had actually been to Toronado before, while this place was on my list for it's divey and huge beer selection reputation. No food is served, although you can bring it in. Please also note that this is a cash only establishment (ATM on premises) and that you need to order at the bar. That was fine by me, although one of the barkeeps could have been a little more cheerful when he handed me my IPA and mentioned that it was happy hour ($1 off my pint). We snagged one of the tables on this relatively crowded afternoon. That was also due to one particularly loud guy and the fact the the Giants/Dodgers were on the bar TV. We enjoyed our conversation, our beer, and the whole vibe that Toronado throws out. I could be a regular here if I lived closer. read more

Toronado - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Coming from LA, bars... even so called "dive" bars can be filled with pretentious people.... not here though! It was my first time in SF and was staying in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. I was looking for some cool bars to hit up while I was there and found this little gem on New Years Eve. I mean.... $4 beers, rare ones that you usually can't find all in one spot, how could I resist?! (fyi: this place is CASH only!) I chose to order: -Allagash White -Dogfish Head 120 minute (wow!) -Pliney The Elder This place is what it is. A bar. Don't expect a bunch of done-up snoots, just down to Earth, REAL people looking to have a good time, throw back some drinks or just get smashed. I love the Mom & Pop feel of this place. It's hard to get the bartenders attention though, especially when it's busy.... so definitely know what you want to order or they will leave your sight in a heartbeat. Everyone keeps talking about the sausage place next door, but I chose to grub on some pizza at Mythic Pizza which is on the opposite side of the bar. (some of the biggest & best pizza I've had, but I'll save that for another review) Whether you live here or are visiting from out of town, this is one of those MUST GO to bars in SF, you don't want to pass this place up! Prost! read more

Toronado - Allagash White & Pliney The Elder - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Horrible bar tender...extremely rude ...we didn't have cash, we assumed they took credit cards as any other place and he threw away our beers without giving us the chance to go withdraw some just across the street...aggressive and mean.. read more

who doesn't like dive bars??! . saves money and have good strong drinks, and I can order the best and pay alot less than those speak easy bars. . this is called balling on a budget. . balling on a budget is getting good stuff at cool divey bars and taking nice pics to post on social media to make others jelly hehe... well let's just say I have so much fun with the wifey when we go to these dive bars lol.... . my wifey is ridiculous when I come back with a fancy glass, shes like did you go to the bartender and ask what drinks have nice glass or cup served in. I'm like rolling my eyes back to my brain and say no I didnt even know it just happened to I have great expensive taste. lol.... shes like maybe they just judge the way you dress and they give u fancy mugs and etc. . anyways this spot is cool they grea decor and a juke box and there's 2 bathrooms. it was filled with people when I was there this Saturday afternoon 3pm ish. . also dog friendly with a big dog roaming around.and sniffing people and people get to pet it. . additional seatings in the back and they have great seats for groups of 5 like us to chit chat about life and catching up. anyways my fancy drink was only 4 bucks in a nice fancy mug while there's is in pint glasses which are so basic. so yea look at my pic and u know what i mean. thanks for reading and have a yelptastic day. . also nearby there is church where you can skate and it's called church on 8 wheels ;) just fyi if you looking for something to do while reading this having a drink. hehe read more

Toronado - royal pilsner 4 bucks - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came here today because of Pliny the younger. Came in, asked the bartender and immediately got yelled at. The other employee apologized for the other person's behavior, but legitimately was unacceptable. To that specific bartender. Sorry your life is miserable enough that you have to be rude af to random strangers. Highly recommend letting this guy go. Really big red flag if a business allows their employees to act this way. read more

I found this place years ago when I was visiting my friend. Once you find this place, you don't want to drink anywhere else. I had Pliny the Younger! I happened to have been there last week during San Francisco's beer festival week. I also had my share of other beers. Beer festival week gets really busy, even on the weekdays starting around 4pm! On a normal day, I can usually walk in and find a seat at the bar. I forgot my wallet during my 1st of 3 visits to Toronado during my 5-day stay in SF. I didn't realize it until after I had ordered my Pliny. I asked the bartender if I could Venmo her. She laughed at me and gave it to me on the house. I wouldn't have it, though, and called my friend to bring me my wallet because I left it at her apt. Plus, I wanted to be able to drink more ;) I highly recommend Toronado to any beer-lover. You can bring in food from outside. The Rosamunde sausage place next door is delicious. read more

Toronado - Pliny the Younger - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Fantastic beer, unbeatable prices. Lots of great options from local, regional, East Coast breweries.

Pliney the elder on tap! If you are a double IPA fan, you won't want to miss this place. If you like beer, you have to come here. Here's the step-by-step: Order a sausage next door, set your timer for the 10-15 min wait, come in here, get a beer, timer goes off, go back for sausage, bring it back, drink - don't sip your beer. Uber home. read more

wide craft beer selection with a cool dive bar atmosphere with unfriendly host. Note that signaling the bartender with a wave might lead to a longer wait. Tips are not encorouged they are demanded. read more

You either feel welcome or not at this place -- and you will know if you belong right away. If you can pass the test (its your own test) then you will have access to the best beer collection in Northern California all on TAP and FRESH. Some bars may have a ton of beer taps but guess what that keg has been sittin for weeks waiting to be finished. At Toronado they go through kegs like water, so you know whatever you order will be fresh. I've read the reviews about walking in looking like a corporate stiff and being barked at but that's a bunch of bull; I've walked in with shorts and flip flops to full on coat and tie and I've been served with no attitude. Show respect to the bar staff and they will pour you a generous pint. Cheers! read more

Great selection of beers, especially barley wines when I was there. Pretty cool atmosphere-divey but well lived in. Doorman was fine. So why only two stars? Bartender was a rude ass who could barely put together an intelligible sentence. Granted it was prime time on Saturday night and they were busy, but he could have been working at the post office-find another job if you're that burnt out. They have a big sign that says order by tap number but the beers I wanted were unnumbered so I had to order by name-could have been that was too much for him to process but it's not my fault you've set up such a half-assed system. Also, the place is dirty and needs a broom and mop in a bad way. Overall, somewhat overrated and not worth the effort. Too bad because there's great potential here, maybe a slower weeknight would provide a better experience. read more

The more I go to Toronado, the more I think of it as an indispensable part of Lower Haight-dom. Really, it's an indispensable part of living in SF if you're an avid beer drinker. The selection is killer, frequently rotated out, and all at a very reasonable price. If you want to get the best bang for your buck, you can go by during happy hour and get that extra buck off. While in the past I've felt the service/friendliness is lacking, I now think perhaps the problem was stopping by when it was crowded and full of amateurs. I too would probably be a less than thrilled bartender if I had to deal with some of the people that pass through there on a weekend night. And last but not least, I must say again how much I appreciate bringing in a sausage or sandwich from love n haight. Just the thought of that delicious pairing makes me want to drop in every time I walk by. read more

Came here for some Pliny the Younger for beer week 2018. On a Monday i didn't think there would be a line at 11:00 AM for some beer, but sure enough there was. They moved the line really fast as soon as they opened and once i got in I was surprised at how much space they had to fit everyone in that was in line. All the bartenders knew what everyone was there for so they handled the traffic well, moving from one side down to the end and back over again. Keg kicked in about 20 minutes, but that's to be expected for the Younger. Came back after leaving for some food and grabbed some Pliny the elder on tap too. Solid, solid place. All good beers on tap, especially Pliny the Elder which is rare. And they also have all the old taps they used to have all over the walls so you know they've been doing this for a while and did a damn good job at it too. read more

Toronado - Pliny the Younger, Beer Week '18 - Dive Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California