Bars, Bars and More Bars

Most neighborhoods sport a handful of good watering holes and call it a day. Not the Marina. When it comes to bars, the Marina has more choices than your body can handle. We've chosen a few faves from some classic bar categories.

Sports Bars
The Brick Yard
1787 Union Street @ Octavia
One of the newer kids on the block (about a year old), the Brick Yard sports 20+ beer taps, big flat screen TV's and a pretty killer food menu.

The Republic
3213 Scott Street @ Lombard
Tasty grub, killer taps, big ass TV's and tons of seating makes this bar a great spot to cheer on (or cry about) The Giants or any other team that happens to be playing when you go.

The Blue Light
1979 Union Street @ Buchanan
19 Giant TV's playing sports pretty much around the clock, a healthy selection of taps and cheap and tasty pub grub have been the secret sauce for this Union Street institution.

Dive Bars
Bus Stop
1901 Union Street @ Laguna
A bar that could also be in our Sports Bar category, The Bus Stop Saloon has been a mainstay in the Marina since 1900. Pool tables, cheap booze and juke box chaulked full songs your tipsy ass wants to sing along to at the top of your lungs. It's a winner.

The Horseshoe Bar
2024 Chestnut @ Fillmore
75 years of serving up beer (15 taps) and cheap stiff drinks to Marina folk has put this Marina staple in almost historic status. It's always packed with folks watching a Giants game, softball players knocking some back after a game, pool hustlers (they have 2 tables) and general riff raff looking to stir up some trouble.

Donahue's Marina Lounge
2138 Chestnut St @ Pierce
When it's time for a white russian, some Led Zeppelin (or other classic rock via juke box) and a game of Golden Tee on a Tuesday night in a dimly lit, quiet, chill bar, Donahue's is your spot.

Wine Bars
Bin 38
3232 Scott Street @ Lombard
The secret to this quiet restaurant/wine bar is the backyard patio. A fire pit, huge comfortable couches and big tables for large groups make the great wine list and menu that much better.

California Wine Merchant
2113 Chestnut @ Steiner
A hot spot for grapes and mingling smack dab in the middle of the Chestnut drag, California Wine Merchant specializes in, you guessed it, wine from California. You can pony up to the bar for wine by the glass and a cheese plate or snag a bottle to bring home (or both).

Pe Yale
3131 Fillmore Street @ Pixley
A newcomer to the 'hood, Pe Yale is a quiet little spot with a loud wine list. Focusing on small production wines that you likely won't find elsewhere, it's a great place to pretend you are a civilized person.