San Francisco Weekender: The Best Bars In Hayes Valley

Two Sisters Bar and Books is the ideal establishment for those looking for a nice quaint and intimate spot to grab a drink and share a little snack. The menu is extremely reasonable, especially for the Hayes Valley area. Inside, the décor is warm, the vibes are amazing, and the staff is awesome. Make sure to arrive a little early to grab one of the few seats and be ready to enjoy a great classy night at one of the neighborhood’s favorite bars.

This unique Bavarian-style beer garden is located in the heart of Hayes Valley and is a favorite place to grab a beer on a nice warm Saturday afternoon. Don’t only visit the Biergarten for their great drinks, but make sure to check out some of the great German food as well – especially recommended are the traditional pretzel or sausage. For the individual looking to branch out a little more, try the currywurst or the pickled deviled eggs. The lines start early and can last throughout the day, but do not let that keep you from drinking a stein in one of the coolest atmospheres in Hayes.

Muka is the premiere place in Hayes Valley for all types of drinks. They are known for their coffee during the day and cocktails at night. This place is awesome because it isn’t nearly as crowded as the other places, yet still has as many options and a similar ambiance to the other bars as well. The atmosphere is another perfect spot for date night because of the amazing dinner and drink combo. Make sure to check it out if you’re looking for the next perfect low key spot to relax.

Fig & Thistle is a neighborhood bar hidden in an alley in Hayes Valley. The bar is super casual and is known for the hipster crowd that hangs out there. Fig & Thistle serves local beers and wine and is known for the unique bunk bed that sits in the bar. This is another great little intimate bar with a friendly staff and lots of recommendations from wine lovers.

Absinthe Brasserie & Bar is one of the nicer placer on the list but still will not break the bank. It has some of the best food, covering all options. It is also a local favorite for its amazing brunch and lunchtime options as well. The bar focuses mainly on its wine list but has a ton of spirits and some beers on tap, too.

A great place for sports fans, Dobbs Bar has a nice list of beers on tap and a wide range of spirits. On game day, the bar can become very crowded, leaving only standing room for patrons. Their menu offers lots of bar snacks and even brunch on the weekends. Over the weekend, it’s a great place to stop before or after Biergarten for another beer and to catch up on some of the games of the day. Dobbs Bar is a must for those looking for a relaxing place to watch the game but with a little classier feel than the normal sports bar.

Sugar Lounge is a cool, lowly lit bar in the Hayes Valley area. It has a nice setting with an array of well-made cocktail choices. The lounge is known to be filled with opera house attendees or locals. It is also known to get very busy for after dinner drinks, but happy hour appears more manageable. They also provide great bar munchies to snack on! The overall verdict: great cocktails, great lounge, great artwork, and great vibes.

Brass Tacks has that classic bar-type feel, and the entire back wall is littered with spirits to choose from. Bass Tacks follows the Hayes Valley theme of being dimly lit with a great energy to it. The bartenders are extremely nice, and even help by recommending a great drink. As the night gets later, the place becomes more crowded so make sure to get a seat earlier. Brass Tacks has the hometown bar feel even you are not from the area and should thus be on anyone’s list to check out.