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San Francisco: Late Night Spots
SF isn't a crazy party city, but that doesn't mean late owls can't thrive in these parts. Check out the places below for late night activity.
12 Places
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Jando’s 4-star review: And old reliable in the Mission, it seems I can never go wrong with Beretta. Great for brunch or dinner, grabbing drinks, a dinner date, or playing catch up with friends, this place has plenty to offer, Everything from killer cocktails, fabulous seasonal small plates, and fantastic service, this contemporary Italian spot is an ideal spot for all scenarios. Since the places are small, sharing is definitely caring while dining at Beretta. Shoot for a plate of baked polenta with a smidgin of gorgonzola cheese or gnocchi with procini and pancetta for a delicious bite. Their bruschetta combos and meat / fish antipastis are loaded with plenty of mouth watering variety. Another specialty is their pizzas, which are thin crust and light. Throw in a bowl of risotto (saffron and osso bucco!) and you've got an indulgent meal without the guilt. Aiming for something a little more low key? Brunch is a great way to start. Get the table in good spirits by ordering a breakfast pizza - consisting of eggs, bacon, carbonara, pecorino, mozzarella, topped with black pepper. Not feeling like pizza, aim for a frittata, which with salad and potatoes, is a fun and balanced brunch worthy meal. Finally, the budino (parmesan and scallion bread pudding topped with fried eggs over a mixed green salad) is always a hit. Atypical and rarely on other brunch menus, this is another option to keep the experience interesting and delicious. Then there are the drinks. Each will range from $9-12, but are stiff enough to where you don't need too many to feel the heat. I'm a fan of the Añejo Sour, a tequila based drink with some agave, lemon, and a dash of protein via an egg white. Composed of scotch, cocchi americano, and drambuie, the Old Pretender is no wussy concoction - it's just good. For a little something sweet and sublime, I recommend folks try the airmail (rum, honey, lime, prosecco). I am a fan of keeping the drinks and food separate, but boozers and eaters can easily have the best of both worlds here. And since the menu changes all the time, I can always look forward to a new experience each time I come in. And with my SF trips becoming more and more frequent as of late, it seems I'll be paying a visit back to Beretta in no time. -
Jando’s 2-star review: One day not long ago, a small group of friends and I were feeling like dancing. It was already soon approaching 1AM and we had to figure out a place fast. A local buddy had the keen idea of going to Icon after going there for a recent happy hour. We didn't have any expectations, other than the hope of good music and a nice after midnight crowd. After all, it's not every day you go clubbing in SOMA. Stationed at the corner of Folsom and Rogers, Icon looked like a place that could've been a diner at some point. From the pics it looked somewhat chic, loungey, and intimate. Instead, it was uncomfortably hot, somewhat beat up, and had some of the stickiest floors I had come across in awhile. That's what I get for showing up past midnight. The DJ did his best to keep the bodies moving on their very small but semi-packed dance floor. Music either makes or breaks the crowd, and this guy was on point with a little slosh of hip hop here and a mosh of dance music there. No angry music thankfully, just enough to keep people's heads bobbin and hips poppin. While sipping on one of their overpriced cocktails at the bar, I got a little attitude from a bartender about a credit card minimum when trying to close out. Rather than put up a stink about imposing impossible limits, I just ordered more drinks to make up the difference. He was much friendlier afterward. Would I come back? Certainly not in a group. If it were peak hours, the smallish place could get very crowded and very fast. Speakers aren't as strategically placed as one would hope. My ears were ringing, feet were tired, wallet was way more empty, but the experience was unremarkable if not unpleasant for the rest of the group. Repeats are not necessary with this joint, even if it is somewhat iconic. -
Jando’s 4-star review: It might just be the pseudo-New Yorker in me to think of Manhattan when "Union Square" comes to mind, but this cleaner, exceedingly more retail laden west coast version is likeable too. Be it tourists or locals, there are people just about everywhere and even more during the holiday season. It is a great people watching spot, an ideal time killer, and a great place to relax in a city that offers so much to its inhabitants and visitors. It is in every way a city landmark, a place surrounded by high end retail shops and the consummate meeting place for folks coming from all directions; uniquely SF and constantly changing to keep up with new holiday themes, cultural festivals, and the occasional hipster activists looking to draw attention for some worldly injustice. Most folks know this place as the site of the big Christmas tree lighting and the annually installed ice skating rink, which again conjures up images of New York (ahem, Rockefeller Plaza). To live near Union Square is to pay a premium in the already crazy rent of the Bay area which will coincide with the spendy fees at any of the nearby high end hotels. Union Square is undeniably a place of gathering for all and best enjoyed during the daytime when the bay area fog has lifted. -
Jando’s 3-star review: For some people it's about the fast food. For many others, it's about the crowd. More often than not, it's been a little bit of both for me. On a weekend evening between 2:15-3:00am, there is no better spot for people watching in all the city. So try this. Go at 1:45am, order whatever you need to soak up your evening's vices and find a seat with a view to the counter or front door if possible. As the clock strikes 2am, the late night rush comes, and with it the best kind of cast of characters one can find in the Tenderloin/Union Square. The lines will be fierce. Plenty of folks will not have brought enough money or any form of payment at all ("Oh snap, I left my card at da club!"). Many of them may be homeless looking to pawn off a monster taco or two. Countless will be seeing rainbows / colorful shapes / hearing magical voices with an inability to to read or speak properly. Drunk scantily clad women will be leaning up on each other while the dbag broskis will be lining up the bathrooms, never washing their hands or any courtesy flushes. Generalizing much? The crowd of late night goers are more consistent than the gnarly cheeseburgers from the counter. Plenty of non-English speakers will coming through the door and for many of them, this is their first experience at Jack in the Crack. To top it all off, imagine a huge bouncer near the door the door to regulate on the crowds. Yes, a bouncer at Jack in the Box. Truth. The staff is going to try to be quick. They will mess up on more than one occasion and the food is going to be on the lower end for any JITB connoisseur. Stick with the value menu and don't go beyond the breakfast menu. If you're feeling generous, give the leftover change (if you have any) to the endless stream of pan handlers waiting outside. 'Hello Frisco!' -
Jando’s 5-star review: When the drunks get hungry, the hungry goes to El Farolito. This taqueria has become the top of its class amongst the late night Mexican joints in the Mission. The go-to choice for all the intoxicated and easily the most popular joint up and down the Mission for its crave-worthy Mexican food, presented in the most greasiest and gluttonous glory, is a sight to behold. Truth is, you don't have to be drunk to appreciate El Farolito. You just have to be hungry. Really hungry. Meaning "The Little Lantern" in Spanish, this tiny place lights up the corner of 24th and Mission, and can command a crowd that lines up from the moment it opens till the wee hours of the morning. People say El Farolito is cheap, but it's really on par price wise with its taqueria vecinos (neighbors). Prices have steadily gone up to as much as $11 for a special shrimp burrito ($10.95 la combination super con camerones), but for the most part a decent meal can be had for under $10. El Farolito is the essence of Mission style Mexican cuisine. Hearty portions, giant size worthy items (i.e. super), with a heart clogging heaping of sour cream, avocado, and salsa, with just about every item. Super burritos make regular burritos look silly, as do super quesadillas, and super nachos compared to their normal sized selves. Mexican food lovers be they purist or glutton, owe it to themselves to try this interesting regional variety of the cuisine. The late night hour is the most popular one, which for all intents and purposes is essentially the rush hour of drunk food. Tables are small and availability is limited. With a little luck and patience, people eventually find a seat, since most meals are consumed about as easily as they're assembled. The air of grease is no mistake and for many worshipers of this establishment is the perfect ambient odor to dine in. My personal advice when coming here? Don't hold back. That carnitas burrito platter that you love but are too afraid to order? Get it. Fear the subsequent gas from the super platter of nachos? Eat it any way. I promise it will be delicious. Coming here to eat a taco salad is practically an insult to the folks who have sacrificed their well being just to eat here for a hot minute. Get the special burrito I mentioned earlier, which has the makings of a carnitas burrito, stuffed with egg, shrimp that pan fried in butter, to produce one of the most amazing burritos that even a Biggest Loser contestant would kill for. Folks who are into the alternative animal parts have their pick of sesos (brains), cabezas (head meat), even ojos (eyes) on occasion. And trust me when I say *all of it* is fantastic. Drunks instinctively know this is the king of all late night junk food; the kind that subdues the inebriation and stimulates the taste buds; the one thing that many people in SF look forward to any night of the week when the city goes dark. Anyone who has had the pleasure of eating here is certain to miss it the moment they leave town. -
Jando’s 2-star review: There are a multitude of reasons I'll find myself coming to Grubstake: * I need greasy food. And lots of it. * I feel like waiting. * I'm drunk. * There is no where else to go. * I have too much money to spend (#1) * Friends want to go. Popular vote wins. * I want Portuguese food. (#2) As you can read, the reasons are never good. The food at Grubstake is hardly worth waiting for, but people do so because there aren't a lot of places to go post bar crawling in these parts. The staff is also a bit inept at times, but just imagine having to serve a drunk crowd late into the night. You would be bitter and snarky too. The bacon egg cheeseburger is almost always disappointing. $13 with fries, it's small, greasy, and somewhat unappetizing in plate form. If you're trying to score a decent meal under $10, make it breakfast with their $9 two eggs and protein option. At least one gets (bland) home fries and some toast. Make sure to bring cash. Credit cards will only ensue strange looks and quite possibly laughter. _____________ (#1) Apparently, I'm still drunk. (#2) Seriously. They have a separate Portuguese section on the menu. What the .. ? -
Jando’s 4-star review: Two things of which I think San Francisco lacks sorely: Karaoke and Korean Food. Thankfully at Playground, one can have both. It isn't going to be the best Korean or the best karaoke experience for many who know this scene well, but it will serve as the one of the better venues to serve the lethal Asian combo of soju and singing. Noraebang, i.e. Asian (or Korean) style karaoke is a private room voice belting affair that is addicting and fun for all American Idol finalists and window cracking vocalists. There is no pressure of the public crowd or the random stranger filming you from afar (#1). Instead, it's all about friends, food, and fun. The song selection at Playground is decent. For the two rooms I got to check out, the sound system and the music videos that come with it are dated and a tad ghetto. (#2) There is a limited variety of English songs and a hell of a selection on Korean songs (but of course!). Please, someone invest in some quality wireless mics. Those wires are so 1990. Most Korean food in SF I've had has been very mediocre and Playground's offerings aren't doing much to deter me from that conclusion. All the jungol stews, banchan sides, pajun pancakes, myun variety of any kind has been lackluster at best. But instead of talking about the stuff I didn't like, here are a few things I think would work otherwise: * Cheese Corn. Don't have them zap that ish in a microwave in a plastic bowl. Have them serve it on a skillet. Trust me, it's *way* better this way. * Yogurt Soju. Sure it's cute and yogurt-y, but if they douse enough cham-cha-reum in there, it's game over for you lightweights. * Bulgolgi Fries. Southern California's Carne Asada fries have nothing on this beast. Extra cheesy with layers of kimchi make this heart attack of a platter, one worth having. * Mul Mandu. Boiled dumplings. They seem handmade, which is surprising for a club/nightlife type spot. Smooth skin, tasty filling, it is an excellent choice for folks wanting something semi-traditional without going the pubby food route. Lastly, the service is good. They're an amiable bunch, which I can't say is the case for many other similar places in the Bay. Hence, if I absolutely must do Korean anything in SF, it's more than likely I'll end up coming here. Big ups. ___________ (#1) Unless of course, you decided to sing with a bunch of strangers. Roofies isn't just a drug, it's a way of life for some folks. (#2) Relax. It's nothing like Do-Re-Mi (http://www.yelp.com/biz/do-re-mi-music-studio-san-francisco). -
Jando’s 3-star review: One immediate sad aspect of SOMA is that the hood effectively begins shutting down 9pm and beyond. After 11pm, most businesses are closed and it's definitely all whispers come midnight. The only place that still makes its presence felt post 3am is this 7-Eleven. So right off the bat, I have to give it kudos for being open late. Unlike the other nearby neighborhood convenience stores, 7-11 always has an upper hand because they tend to have a fully stocked inventory of all things that people come for in the middle of the night. Whether it's beer, munchies, toiletries, or straight up 7-11 branded food, it's definitely available. Is it me, or is it always bright in here? There is no way anyone can miss 7-11. While it might be a stroke of genius on their part, I don't want to see what their electrical bill looks like. The hot dogs, slurpees, hot pocket concoctions is a stomach churning adventure waiting to happen. Proceed with caution. If you find yourself in here and somewhat offended by the counter clerks, keep in mind that they've probably seen some crazy ish that day. Cut em a break and get out while you still can. -
Jando’s 3-star review: For weeks I was Tommy's across-the-street neighbor, passing by it countless times dismissing it as divey pub food. It wasn't till I found myself starving for anything open past midnight did I venture in here for some late night grubbin. I've become a semi-regular at Tommy's since, not simply because of proximity and its late hours but because the said grub is a solid hangover option. The initial hesitation in coming here was purely looking from the outside in. Tommy's is not a trendy or amazing eatery, but it does the job as a cheap haven for comfort food lovers served cafeteria style. What kind of food exactly? Meat and lots of it. Presentation is not one of their strengths. The execution from the first scoop to the final "plop" on the pate makes for an unpleasant and almost unappetizing experience. Often dry and a sloppy mess, it wouldn't be so much of a stretch to compare the look to prison food. \Jamie Oliver's food revolution clearly never made it here - he'd fail miserably trying to convert this Joynt. If only prison folk ate so well, the buffalo stew over rice is awesome at 1AM as well as their meatballs. The hearty BBQ Ribs deserve some recognition, best enjoyed with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy or even turkey legs (enhanced chicken drumstick!) with a side of potato salad. The brisket and corned beef is also quite nice - tender, juicy, and perfectly complemented with side of horse radish. I'm still not sold on their coleslaw, salads, or their overcooked lamb shank. I've had subpar results with their sloppy joe combos, especially the turkey (which is awesome on it's own but does not go well with the sloppy joe mix). A good way to rebound any fail on this end would be with a pastrami sammy, one of the best things they have to offer. Don't expect the cleanest interior or amazing service. Beyond the cafeteria service, the communal style dining via the picnic tables makes for a fun, yet casual touch. Scoring napkins are almost a luxury here when they haven't run out yet. It's a cash only joynt, which may be a problem for those who are credit lovers and ATM haters. The prices aren't bad for SF standards, at about $8-12 for a good bit of food and a solid selection of well and beer drinks. Just be sure to come in hungry, since the service and griminess of the place are enough to make enough folks head for the door. -
Jando’s 4-star review: The dive bar of dive bars, Butter on looks alone is enough to keep most visitors looking the other way. Somehow amidst the grime, filth, suspect bathrooms, sticky floors, and piss poor ventilation, I can't stop coming here with friends. In fact, I make it a point on a yearly basis to be here amongst the crowds and drink like there is no tomorrow. Butter is the reason why it's always possible. Making simple conversation here isn't easy. There is incredibly loud music, obnoxious SF douches, projection streams against the wall, and a steady flow of people crowding the bar at any given hour. Thankfully the bartenders have seen this night in and out and have managed to serve each person, in surprisingly diligent fashion. Beware of the jello shots. They're sweet, potent, and downright deadly in the game of drunkeness. They're not the easy to shoot, and it's likely your paper cup will still have lots of jello on it before you're done. Order a few cocktails which are $6 for the well version / $9 special cocktails, the bartenders always have a strong pour and aren't likely to let you down. Or simply shoot for a $5 beer. When we bring the party, the night turns into a blur. As the host, Butter simply does as its told in helping us celebrate the night like its our last (typically with these trips, it is). While I might wish the place was slightly bigger, it just means for now the crowd will simply have to get closer. (#1) If food is on the mind, you might want to save your stomach for the crepe guys outside. Fried finger food have their place, but not in the unsanitary confines of Butter-land. If you're still feening for munchies, then a few tator tots, mini corn dogs, and nuggets will go down with the booze quite nicely. ____________ (#1) Good idea while intoxicated? You be the judge. -
Jando’s 4-star review: It's not my favorite In-N-Out in the bay, but as the only one in SF proper, it more than does the job. For awhile I wasn't so hot on recommending this location to first timers to what might be America's favorite fast food chain, but when beggers can't be choosers, this is certainly a better option than not having it at all. Contrary to popular belief, my subtraction for the star is not due to it's touristy. Most In-N-Outs in major metropolitan cities of California will almost always been flooded with people, be it animal style craving locals or double double curious visitors. It's the fact I've always found the service here to be minimal, just enough to take an order and hand out the food without the usual smiles and occasional winks. They're curt, perhaps because it's Fisherman's Wharf to begin with and because they have no nearby In-N-Out options to relieve the pressure. And without a drive-thru, it's almost always ungodly crowded here, even during bad weather. But that sad, this place still cranks out pretty solid fast food quality In-N-Out is known for. The burger fixins taste fresh, the fries are rarely overcooked, and the secret menu options are alive and well. Despite the service attitude, I have yet to really encounter any mishaps on their part. And thankfully, they're open till 1-1:30AM. With San Fran already shutting down at 2AM as a city, this makes for a decent late night eats option. -
Jando’s 2-star review: You know it's really bad when I considered starting this review with "ugh." San Francisco is certainly not without its share of amazing late night eateries. I really thought the only reason folks would entertain good ol Mel's was because Tommy Joynt (http://www.yelp.com/biz/tommys-joynt-san-francisco) was closed and El Farolito (http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-farolito-taqueria-south-san-francisco) was too far away. But no, the crowds still flock here on the weekends, leading me to believe that I am either out of my mind or perhaps the city doesn't have many great options after all. Like many others before me, I too came here because I knew of no other choices. Pseudo nearby Grubsteak (http://www.yelp.com/biz/grubstake-san-francisco) was cash only, not to mention expensive and the Mission was too much of a cab ride for 8 people considering we were staying nearby. Thus, my first experience with Mel's was with a group of late night owl friends, all of whom were grumbling over what was about to transpire. I really had no idea what all of the fuss was about. The name and antiquated decor is where the 50s theme really ends because a) it's neither a drive-in or a spot to drive to b) the wait staff isn't dressed like anyone from Johnny Rockets or Back to the Future c) they were playing Ludacris (#1). It was by all accounts, a diner and a mediocre one at that. An order of the chili burger and fries proved to be pretty disastrous. My chili was piping hot, but the inside of the burger patty itself was actually cold. The wait staff wasn't in the mood to deal with my requests to heat it up as it was a busy late night, I ended up trying everyone else's food instead. The fish and chips were dry and ghastly, the meat loaf was bland, and the French dip was pretty awful. The au jus was like watery and the roast beef tasted like it had been sitting out for awhile. It was a miserable dining experience. Fast forward a couple of years later, I find myself staying at the adjacent Opal (http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-opal-san-francisco). I ordered room service one night and found the food to be pretty unappetizing. When I found out the food was provided by Mel's, I learned it always pays to read the fine print. Regardless of the situation, I've found myself here more often than not. So if you do have to get something at Mel's when you're having to bite the late night bullet, let it be breakfast. Hashbrowns and eggs usually have to be cooked on the spot and make for outstanding drunk food and morning eats at the same time. A little salt and pepper can usually take care of the blandness and with all meals good and bad, make sure you do with great company. ____________ (#1) This may have been the best thing that night.
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