Top 5 Bars In The Lower Haight

Looking to grab a beer (or five) in the Lower Haight? Check out our picks for a night out along one of San Francisco’s most iconic streets.

Noc Noc

Bar, Pub Grub

Did you just step into a bomb-shelter ornamented with Paleolithic cave paintings? Oh nope… it’s just Noc Noc. Self-proclaimed as the ‘Lower Haight’s most unusual bar,’ the name is short for Nocturnal Nocturne; this is a space for folks to come early, stay late, and get funky. With stalactite light fixtures, walls that bud into benches, and barstools that resemble intergalactic thrones, Noc Noc’s interior will offer up enough conversation starters for the entirety of the night.

Mad Dog in the Fog

If you and some buds want to watch a game over some beers, Mad Dog in the Fog is your spot. With TVs lining the walls and a massive projection screen at the rear, you can catch European rugby matches, Monday Night Football, and everything in between. In fact, Mad Dog is so dedicated to sports lovers that it provides a complete schedule of gametimes on its website.
Mad Dog in the Fog, 530 Haight St, San Francisco, CA, USA +1 415 626 7279

Toronado

Bar, American, Pub Grub

Toronado is the Lower Haight bar with a lively atmosphere and local feel. There is a plethora of craft beers, including the hard-to-find Pliny the Elder and Batch 0001, and the walls are decorated floor to ceiling with old tap handles, this is a brew lover’s paradise. It’s cash only, but you can grab a couple bills from the in-house ATM. Trust us, you won’t regret it. Nickies I ©Phil Dokas/Flickr

Nickies

Nickies is a no-nonsense bar that offers a little bit of everything, beer, pool, dancing, and, of course, football. On a big game-day it can get quite crowded, but otherwise the large interior offers ample space for visitors. The brightly lit bar is lined with colorful liquor bottles and framed soccer jerseys, and a disco-ball reminds guests that it’s alright, in fact encouraged, to kick up their heels and let loose.
Nickies, 466 Haight St, San Francisco, CA, USA +1 415 255 0300

Underground SF

Head over to Underground SF to dance, dance, dance. Open Tuesday through Saturday night, the space is dark, crowded, and, of course, underground, making it the quintessential dive-club of San Francisco. Each night hosts a different musical theme, including SF’s longest running drum-and-bass night every Tuesday, and Bubble Thursdays for the dance maniacs.
Underground SF, 424 Haight St, San Francisco, CA, USA + 1 415 864 7386

About the author

Natalie Garnett

Natalie was born in Santa Barbara, California, and moved up to Marin County as a child, where exploring her natural surroundings quickly became her favorite activity. Attending the University of California, Berkeley, she double majored in Biology and Art Practice, allowing her to meet her love for knowledge with her many creative passions. Now a recent graduate, Natalie indulges in writing, drawing, playing the guitar, hiking, cooking, and anything else that crosses her path. She’s forever eager to travel and discover, even if it’s simply in her own city—San Francisco.