10/18/08

There is no better than El Rio

by greenvalleyoh

El Rio is just wonderful! They are an old club with both a friendly crowd and nice staff. I have always felt welcome there even before they got to know me. They do a wide variety of music and shows and are very supportive of the mission community. It can get crowded on the weekends especially sundays. They have a great afternoon salsa party. They also have great happy hours during the week.

• Pros: Diverse, Friendly, Cheap, Great Outdoor Patio
• Cons: They can get super crowded

11/19/06

Great dive bar!

by chiario

This place rocks....funky crowd and vibe....great drinks and a surly bartender. What more could anyone ask for a dive bar in the Mission.

• Pros: Funky atmosphere....eclectic crowd
• Cons: Parking is difficult

A free-spirited dance club with an outdoor patio in the Outer Mission.

by Contributor

In Short
Any night might find the ample dance floor packed with revelers who live up to the "Funk-on-Fire" banner in the back. The crowd redefines "multicultural," with belly dancers and Mediterranean food on Thursdays, free oysters and fabulous world-beat music on Fridays, salsa dancing on Sundays, and live rock on other nights. The patio is where the action's at, with sweaty members of all walks of life converging to cool off.

05/30/06

Great place

by reyhan2000

Their catch phrase is "your local dive bar" and its true but its a dive in the best ways. Its so roomy cause it can accomodate large crowds and there are several sections to choose from depending on the night. The bar is quaint with a pool table and fooze ball and the patio is great for a smoke or to chill if the weather is nice and then there's a stage area with a small room that holds a hundred people or so. Great place to see a show too.

09/27/04

A "Be Yourself" bar

by korirenee

Monday night drink specials are amazing. World music is great, too. El Rio is *the* place for a casual social gathering of friends. It's not fancy, definitely not beautiful and not scenester-friendly like its outdoor competition, Zeitgeist. But the outdoor area is fun, the people are warm and you feel at home. This is one of the best places in my neighborhood.

• Pros: good vibe, cheap drinks, outdoor area
• Cons: , not too many seats

11/23/02

Small Loacal Bar Haven

by lauralippay

Being the east coast transplant that I am, I've accustomed myself over time here in SF to the swanky, stylish bars, each trying to outdo the next with hairdryer seats, or hostesses in bikinis and fur coats, or rooms that rain. I'm always up for good entertainment. But when I walked into El Rio, I was flooded with memeories of back east at the places where Everybody Knows Your Name.. Very reminiscent of the local bar in the local town full of locals yokels, and with a touch of homey atmosphere that makes it just perfect! The outdoor patio is much more San Francisco, but adds the perfect touch. I'm always a huge fan of bars with board games too. Excellent place to have a drink with good friends, or maybe make some good friends. Leave your SF chic-ness at the door.

11/19/02

Check this place OUT!

by whatsupsf

It speaks well of this place that there's a good gay/straight mix, diverse entertainment offerings, and it's so BIG! I've been a regular here forever. Viva!

• Pros: Cool people, Party atmosphere
• Cons: None

11/09/02

I agree best outdoor bar

by eastcoasttransplant

El Rio has the coolest homiest backyard in the city. I love kickin' it with friends there.

• Pros: outdoor area, pool table

08/26/02

Needs an ATM or Credit Card Machine!

by MichaelaKlink

I realize it is hard core or maybe cool to bash on the credit card class, but to only accept cash for overpriced drinks is just bad customer service. After paying $8 each to get in for their famous Salsa afternoon, our wallets were too empty to afford the $6 well margaritas or the $4 bottles of bud. I thought this place was going to be cheap, as it is branded as a "dive bar." I don't like to wander the neighborhood looking for cash. I guess they don't want people to buy drinks! It put me in such a bad mood that even the great music will probably not get me to go back.

• Pros: Good Music

08/02/02

Dive bars rule!!

by bdgsf

Monday's $1 well drinks were enough to win me over, as well as the outdoor patio in back. Get there early to avoid the lines that keep you from the relief of sweet, sweet alcohol. Great jukebox and pool table, too. Hard to beat a great dive bar like this, especially in this expen$ive city.