Outdoor Bars in San Francisco
Updated: June 15, 2009
True San Franciscans can handle the constant fog, but when the sun comes out we like to party. From rooftops and terraces with panoramic Bay views to the grimy backyard beer gardens, check out these choice spots to drink while enjoying that rarest of SF anomalies: sunshine.
Outdoor Imbibing
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Medjool Restaurant Cafe
Read Reviews2522 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (map)
The city's only rooftop bar offers sweeping city skyline views from the Mission. It's been called SF's "douchiest" bar, but the sky-high romance factor is worth the clientele.
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Americano Restaurant
Read Reviews8 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105 (map)
Old-world Italian recipes and a lively bar scene make the Hotel Vitale's restaurant-and-bar hybrid a foodie destination and an happy hour favorite (especially on the patio).
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Bin 38
Read Reviews3232 Scott Street, San Francisco, CA 94123 (map)
Sexy, popular wine bar and restaurant with lots of room for stylish mingling and relaxing, inside and out.
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Ducca Restaurant & Lounge
Read Reviews50 Third St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)
Take in city views while sipping wine or cocktails and munching light bites in the outdoor lounge, which is designed to look like a modern piazza.
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EndUp
Read Reviews401 6th St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)
Outside at this legendary after-hours club, green foliage, a waterfall and a two-tiered deck comprise the city's most tropical backyard patio.
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Zeitgeist
Read Reviews199 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)
A massive, sun soaked beer garden, a huge supply of quality brew and biker bar 'tude make this Mission bar a classic. It doesn't hurt that they also serve solid burgers grilled outside, too.
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Thee Parkside
Read Reviews1600 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94107 (map)
When Zeitgeist is too packed, indie rock kids take to the large patio here, where music blares and videos are projected.
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The Ramp
Read Reviews855 China Basin St, San Francisco, CA 94107 (map)
A killer view of the bay is the eternal lure at this unpretentious China Basin restaurant and bar.
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Broken Record
Write a review1166 Geneva Ave, San Francisco, CA 94112 (map)
It's not quite the Zeitgeist--the backyard is much smaller, and this bar is way out in the Excelsior--but it does have several beer garden-style picnic tables, 50 cent pitchers of PBR on Fridays and some of the best BBQ in the city.
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Cafe
Read Reviews2367 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)
Young gay guys and gals swarm the patio and second-story veranda overlooking Market Street on sunny afternoons and pleasant nights.
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El Rio
Read Reviews3158 Mission St, San Francisco, CA Cesar (map)
The massive backyard at this Outer Mission dive brims with bodies on warm nights who come for dirt-cheap drink specials on Monday nights. Also pay attention to the freebie food nights, like gratis oysters on Fridays.
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Mars Bar & Restaurant
Read Reviews798 Brannan St @ 7th, San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)
This SoMA bar has a hopping heated patio, perfect for after-work parties. Expect standard drinks and a short menu of food options.
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Cigar Bar and Grill
Read Reviews850 Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94133 (map)
Buy a cigar from the humidor, light up on the European-style courtyard and shoot a game of pool, either indoors or out, at this North Beach bar and boys' club.
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Wild Side West
Read Reviews424 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110 (map)
You'll find a huge, two-tiered beer garden out behind this old-school saloon hidden in Bernal Heights.
