Zeitgeist

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

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

08/16/09

great patio for warm nights

by royhobbs at Citysearch

none

• Pros: patio, beer, tamale lady
• Cons: none

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

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