Washington Square Bar and Grill
(415) 982-8123
1707 Powell St
San Francisco,
CA
94133
37.8004
-122.4108
Neighborhoods: North Beach, Northeast
Hours:
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30am-3pm
Dinner: Sun-Tue 5pm-10pm
Wed-Sat 5pm-11pm
Price:
$
Parking:
Street
Last updated 4.27.09

What People Are Saying About Washington Square Bar and Grill
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
This SF landmark, re-opened after being painstakingly restored, is a perfect time capsule of Herb Cain-era North Beach, when writers, politicians, musicians, professional athletes and charmingly crooked cops all schmoozed, boozed and occasionally ate here. Gimmick-free and defiantly old-school, "The Washbag" clings to its history with memorabilia and framed black-and-whites of local icons, and even re-hired much of the same staff from its heyday. The house-specialty is nostalgia, and the classic menu reinforces the theme--expect bar-and-grill standards like calamari, troifles pasta and flat iron steak--although unlike the old days, the food isn't an afterthought; in fact, you may find yourself thinking fondly about it afterwards. What's coming out of the kitchen has vastly improved, but the bar's remained exactly the same, save for an added rack of fine scotches of the sort once found in a decanter on the commisioner's desk. This city may have changed, but this old haunt full of old timers having a good old time hasn't, and is betting its future on its glorious past.
User Reviews
mdinightmary
June 05, 2008
Liam Tiernan of Tiernan's at Fisherman's Wharf will be re-opening the restaurant at the end of the summer. Be on the look-out!
read full reviewpatrickbad
January 02, 2008
I went by today and this place was closed for business, the landlord was looking in as well. He seemed surprised the place was closed. The delivery of bread was still sitting on the table and not a soul in sight. Pretty odd. Considering they were opened the night before.
read full reviewanneaden
November 08, 2006
The restaurant was great at first! It's in a great location with a good old-fashioned atmosphere. We were greeted at the door by a hostess who was cheerful, pleasant and seated us quickly. The waitress was attentive and the food she recommended was terrific! Unfortunately our otherwise perfect meal was ruined by someone screaming in the back in the kitchen. From what I was told it was the owner who was yelling. My husband wanted to leave right then. I can't imagine the owner can keep any of his staff for very long with that type of innapropriate berating. That's definitely no way to run a good restaurant! All in all, I might recommend this restaurant because of the food and service - but stay as far away from the kitchen and the screaming as you can. If I wanted that type of chaos at dinner I would go out to dinner with seven toddlers.
read full reviewThe Details on Washington Square Bar and Grill
Save Money:
Need a late afternoon snack? Sit at the bar and order something from the 10 Things For Less Than $10 bar menu.
Parking:
There's no valet, but park at the Filbert Garage (Filbert and Columbus streets) and receive a $3 credit on your bill.
When To Go:
The bar features live jazz nightly.
Fun Fact:
Back in 1987, this restaurant made more money per table than any other establishment in the city.
Parking:
If you're going out in North Beach, the trick is to get there between 5:30 and 6pm; people who work there drive home, and people who live there don't want to park in the metered spots they free up.







