A massive, sun soaked beer garden, a huge supply of quality brew and biker bar 'tude make this Mission bar a classic.

(415) 255-7505

199 Valencia St
San Francisco, CA 94103 37.77001 -122.42237

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Mission Dolores (Hub, Mid-Market), Central, Mission Dolores

zeitgeistsf.com

Hours:

Daily 9am-2am

Last updated 6.15.11

Category:

Bars & Clubs, Beer Gardens, Neighborhood Bars, Lounges, Bars & Pubs, Biker Bars, Dive Bars

Payment Methods:

Cash

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Notable Beer List, Bar Menu

Restaurant Special Features:

Happy Hour

Bar & Club Special Features:

Outdoor Seating, 21 & Over, After Work

Smoking Permitted:

On the patio

What People Are Saying About Zeitgeist

The Owner

Zeitgeist

Owner

Zeitgeist is a bar and guesthouse offering guests an outdoor deck, BBQ and over 20 German beers. Hotel rooms are located right above the bar and priced at $30 a night. Among some of the beers include Hubsch Marzen Hubsch Hefe-weizen, Spaten Premium Lager, Steelhead Pale Ale, Paulaner Hefe Weizen and Lind Drake's Ale, to name a few.

Provided by CityGrid

Featured Review

Patrick Heig

Contributor

Stepping into Zeitgeist, you can imagine what a dime-a-dozen dive it would be--a few pinball machines, a pool table, signs like "The place for warm beer and cold women," and "Hangovers installed and serviced" above the bar--without its glorious beer garden. A quarter-acre of sun baked picnic tables, the dappled shade of a willow tree, and rock music blasting while everyone from bike messengers with neck-tats to bond-traders with Bluetooths order round after round. There are over 30 Euro and micro varieties on tap, served by the glass or by the pitcher, and the with plenty of 'tude (especially…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
This place only accepts cash, but there's an ATM on-site.
The Extras:
A hotel above the bar is available for those who've consumed too much or met a new love. Inquire about rates at the bar.
Parking:
Metered spaces are typically available on the surrounding blocks.
Fun Fact:
Just how popular is Zeitgeist? Rumor has it that the dayshift bartenders make over a grand in tips on sunny Saturdays.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/19/10

BEST Outdoor Venue in SF

by Mel723 at Citysearch

If Zeitgeist is defined as: "the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time", this bar must be from a time when stiff drinks and smoking cigs went hand-in-hand, and when bars understood that when one has a good buzz going, one wants greasy food. I love, love, LOVE Zeitgeist. The food is the best around, when it comes to BBQ (thumbs up for grilled cheese and veggie burgers for us non-meat eaters), and the beer selection is phenomenal. I'm not one for bloody marys, but I have a friend who swears by them here. Zeitgeist is the first place I think of heading to on those rare occasions when the sun pokes out in SF. The only prevalent aspect of this place that is a negative, is all of the hipsters that are perched along the benches at all times of the day. That said, this would only reduce my rating by half a star, if possible, because this joint is the bees knees!

  • Pros: smoking, outdoor patio, food, beer selection, bloody marys
  • Cons: hipsters
4 Star Rating: Recommended

05/01/10

"Happy Time" Smoking

by Casi C , Citysearch Contributor at Citysearch

The first time I went to Zeitgeist was a week within moving to SF. I think I gave the place a better review than I should have. In truth it was packed with scenesters (a word I learned here in SF) who were rude, and hipsters who hated all those scenesters and were just rude cause they wanted them to get the hell out!

The second time I went was on a Friday night. So all those scenesters in their little dresses had headed home. Now the place was free to be what it really is! The diviest dive bar that has ever lived. I only mean that in a good way! The place was packed with nice people, who were willing to laugh with you and share their table. Yea, the laughter may have been caused by the massive amount of "happy time" smoking that was going on, but if it makes people happier and nicer than have at it! Great time with great people.

  • Pros: Friday Nights
  • Cons: Sunny Saturdays
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/16/09

great patio for warm nights

by royhobbs at Citysearch

none

  • Pros: patio, beer, tamale lady
  • Cons: none
4 Star Rating: Recommended

11/20/08

Outdoor seating and huge beer list

by SFFoodDude at Citysearch

What more do you need? Tamales? Oh wait, she comes here every hour or so. This place is nirvana. I also love the beer selection, and the bloodies here are top notch. The only thing I could do without is the smoke of the grill and the stink of the portapottys but that is part of the ambience.

  • Pros: Outdoor seating
  • Cons: portapotties, surly service
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/19/08

Awesomest bar in the city

by allentomdude at Citysearch

The beer garden in the back is my favorite place to down a pitcher. There's never a wait to use the bathroom because there's a row of port-o-lets right there in the patio. You also don't need to worry about your bicycle, because you can just bring your ride in with you. The Tamale Lady is usually there selling her delicious pork tamales, which go perfectly with the beer.

One thing to watch out is that they kick everyone out at 1:45am sharp. They'll literally grab you and toss you out onto the sidewalk.

  • Pros: Bike parking and port-o-lets
  • Cons: smelly hipsters

As Seen In…

Best of Citysearch

San Francisco

Best of Citysearch

San Francisco

Best of Citysearch

San Francisco

Message from Zeitgeist

  • Hotel rooms
  • Outdoor deck and BBQ
  • Over 20 beers on tap

Zeitgeist is a bar and guesthouse offering guests an outdoor deck, BBQ and over 20 German beers. Hotel rooms are located right above the bar and priced at $30 a night. Among some of the beers include Hubsch Marzen Hubsch Hefe-weizen, Spaten Premium Lager, Steelhead Pale Ale, Paulaner Hefe Weizen and Lind Drake's Ale, to name a few.

Zeitgeist