Located in the Tenderloin, this two-tiered rocker bar attracts tattoed, laid-back 20- and 30-somethings.

by Contributor

Half Polk Street hangout, half punkers paradise, Hemlock's the closest thing SF's got to CBGB's--a barebones bar/music venue with plenty of personality--and attitude. A handful of stools sit near the entrance, ideal for streetside people-watching, while the narrow central bar is crowned by quirky chandeliers, two of which are fashioned from old rubber tires. A smoking room off of the bar area keeps puffers happy, while punks head for the back room where there's a stage that gets play from big and small bands.

High Marks
"There are so few places in SF to hear up-and-coming local bands. I love that Hemlock has live music 5-6 nights a week." (bhageman, Citysearch user)

"...there's a seperate room for the smokers, so you don't have to be sittin in a cloud of smoke." (willotoons, Citysearch user)

"Its a cool place with great live music....Its got a rocker/indy vibe but I have seen all types of people
there." (pinkytuscerado, Citysearch user)

Low Marks
"This is the type of place where they hire bartenders based on how they look and instead of how they mix a drink or how efficient they are..." (missmockingbird, Citysearch user)

"the only bad part about this bar is its kind of addictive,and when its closing time they REALLY mean it." (truethat, Citysearch user)

11/20/06

Nice Dive

by pinkytuscadero

Its a cool place with great live music. A hip scene. The bartenders rock, they are on it and clearly want you to drink. Its got a rocker/indy vibe but ut i have seen all types of people. Pretty mellow after work and usually packed in the evenings.

07/06/06

Always fun!

by shoegal84

Attention all girls...you must try it here if you love rocker boys. They really aren't my thing but when my friends are in town the like to drag me out here. It's a change of pace for me and it actually is pretty fun. Music is different, drinks are good, people are interesting to watch, and there is a smoking room attached within the bar if you smoke.

(Things have seemed to change a bit in the last few times that I have gone. You see more guys in nice jeans and button up shirts, and women looking trendy - which I don't mind, but it kind took away from the rocker vibe a bit.)

• Pros: Rocker boys galore!
• Cons: None that I can think of.

06/19/06

great place to hangout!!!

by shane94116

My buddy took me here last friday and it was chill as.... there was everytype of person there and we all seemed to mix and mingle enjoyabley. I had vodka tonic for $4, cheap vodka, but great pice.

A lot of bars in SF, but u should check this one out!!!

04/17/06

this place rocks!

by truethat

very no nonsense bartenders with really fast service(i didn't go to hang out with them anyway i went to hang out with my friends!)the drinks are strong and fairly priced.the weekends are a little rough with the cosmo/lemondrop crowd starting to invade the place.there are always bands in the back room with quite a variety but if you don't like em ,you can't hear em,since its a seperate room.smoking room a plus!and the whole bar is pretty large.i like mondays.the only bad part about this bar is its kind of addictive,and when its closing time they REALLY mean it.

• Pros: fast bartenders, pretty good jukebox, captains chairs

06/24/05

She can't mix a drink

by missmockingbird

The bar is attractive inside and could be a lot of fun, except... This is the type of place where they hire bartenders based on how they look and instead of how they mix a drink or how efficient they are. Yes, it was crowded but there were three bartenders on duty; one pretty boy and two well-endowed women. It took WAY too long to get my beer and my friend's cosmo. My friend took her cosmo back twice- that's right- the bartender had 3 chances to make a simple, popular drink. My friend's not picky, but a cosmo shouldn't taste like Kool-Aid. If all you want is beer you'll be fine.

• Pros: fun atmosphere, smoking room, attractive interior
• Cons: slow service, terrible mixed drinks

01/12/04

Something for Everyone!

by topramen

Spacious, lots of seating, and a smoking room with a heat lamp! I love it! The shows are free/cheap, and they even have a pool table...dig

• Pros: smoking room, strong drinks
• Cons: not enough bathrooms

01/10/03

Great local hangout

by willotoons

Our friends go to this bar all the time, now we see why! It's really comfortable (not sceney!) and the best part is there's a seperate room for the smokers, so you don't have to be sittin in a cloud of smoke next to the guy obviously didn't get the note that it's the LAW to not smoke inside any public establishments! Go to the Hemlock, have some nice drinks, play some pool AND you won't get cancer!

• Pros: comfortable, seperate smoking room, great lighting

01/03/03

Never again

by misty26

i live in the neighborhood and had enjoyed the hemlock on occasion until the other night when the service was so rediculously rude and unbelievable. i don't think anyone deserves to be treated that way, don't care how frigin cool the bartender thinks he is...i thought he was a jerk. Made me not want to go back. and I don't usually write reviews but i believe that it's not worth it to go out and be treated with such disrespect.

• Pros: crowd, space
• Cons: service, bartender

07/01/02

Live music? Imagine that!

by bhageman

There are so few places in SF to hear up-and-coming local bands. I love that Hemlock has live music 5-6 nights a week. Plus, the bands are the back room so you aren't forced to listen if you prefer to just sit and drink.

Can't say enough about the bartenders. Friendly and heavy handed when they pour. And a heated smoking patio? I'm home!

• Pros: Great live music, Stiff drinks, Smoking patio