If you live in San Francisco, you are well aware that our summer comes late. If you are visiting San Francisco, don't come here in June thinking it will be shorts and t-shirt weather or you will be one of the millions of visitors who go home with one of those San Francisco fleeces they sell at Fisherman's Wharf to cold tourists who didn't pack right. While it comes late, San Francisco summers (August-October) can have really great weather and we all know what that means, outdoor drinking! When the weather is nice, outdoor drinking can be one of the best times out. Here is a list of some of our favorite outdoor bars in San Francisco where you can enjoy a pint and grab some rays at the same time.

Zeitgiest
Everybody knows Zeitgiest, it's always bumpin' when the weather is nice, even on school days. It doesn’t hurt that this place is in the warmest part of town either. If you’re looking for a little drunken debauchery before 7:00 p.m., this is your spot. It’s like drinking in your parking lot, but you’re not labeled a vagrant.

El Rio
The backyard at El Rio reminds us of backyards in SF where there have been 4 owners who’ve all done their own thing and none of them have done it to any kind of code. This is one of the only dive bars where it’s not uncommon to see a line, (like on a Sunday afternoon). Keep your eye on the calendar for Oysters, drink specials and Salsa Dancing. It serves as a perfect Mission hang-out on a beautiful day. As a side note, this is one of the few places in the city that has bar shuffle board, Doc's Clock being one of the others.

Momo's
Before or after a ballgame, Momo's is packed. They make a great Bloody Mary and the food is pretty good too. A lot of times it can get too crowded during the game, so it’s best to just skip out of work and spend the afternoon there, makes for a productive Tuesday. The patio area makes for a pretty good party too, minus the DJ of course.

Americano Bar
San Francisco is kinda unique in that you will find people that hang out at a Yuppie, white-collar bar like Americano and also hang out at Zietgiest. The two are polar opposites of each other in terms of cost, ambiance, and drink menu. We recommend this place when you find yourself downtown or working late and you don’t want to mess up your fancy shirt. They have a good wine list, frou-frou food and steep prices, but if you’re running with the corporate card, live it up.

The Ramp
China Basin is a weird place for a bar and The Ramp is a weird place in China Basin. It's like a ship yard got a liquor license and opened a bar. It doesn't really seem like it's supposed to be there. Anyway, that part of town gets some of the best weather in the city. So if you wake up on a Saturday and want to bask in the sun while world-ported ships are tug-boated around the harbor, head down to the Ramp and you might actually get a tan.

Connecticut Yankee
This place has a loyal following of neighborhood types and old skool jam band regulars. In the last few years they've begun to book music too, but our best days at Connecticut Yankee were always during the day, drinking a Bloody Mary out at the picnic tables. It's a small area, but the Yankee’s positive vibes will make you want to hang out at for a while. You can pop in to check the scores on TV, and head back outside to finish your drink. You won't find a raging party at the CY, but on a sunny day, you can't help but to have a couple cold ones there for an hour or two.

Mars Bar
This isn't the first place most people think of for drinking outdoors, but Mars Bar is worth checking out. For one, the staff and owner are very cool people, second, they have a pool table, third, they do brunch, and lastly, they play good house music with regular DJs spinning from behind the bar. Add all these together and the small space with the seven or so tables outside, makes the trip there well worth it. The next time it's a nice evening and you're headed down to SOMA to party, hit up Mars for a pre-party drink outdoors.

Pier23
Located between Fisherman’s Wharf and The Ferry Building, Pier 23’s location is as sweet as their off-the-menu pitchers of Sangria. The beach shack-like layout of the restaurant offers a laid back vibe for you and your friends to drink the day away. Enjoy fresh DJ sets and weekly live performances. Along with its cocktails from the full-bar, Pier 23’s kitchen offers a selection of fried seafood favorites such as Calamari, Shrimp, and Oysters. Next time you’re heading down to the water, grab a sip at The Embarcadero’s Pier 23.

Sam’s
Whether it’s by ferry or by bridge, Sam’s Anchor Cafe of Tiburon offers a gorgeous view of the bay and cityscape as well as a pretty interesting people watching post. The ambiance of Sam’s is widely noted by its visitors and its heated deck seating offers a cozy place to drink even if the bay breeze is acting up. If you’re planning on making the trip out there, either for a date or just to grab a couple brews with some friends, call in advance, getting a table can often take a while, especially on weekends. Sam’s full bar and classic jukebox will make your experience worthwhile.

Park Chalet
If you’re trying to soak up the summer sun over a nice in house brewed beer, you’ll surely want to check out Park Chalet. Located in San Fran’s epic Golden Gate Park, Park Chalet is a place to enjoy live music, daily happy hours, and taco Tuesdays. Oh, and did we mention that the outdoor seating spot allows dogs? So the next time you’re out walking your pug-nose, feel free to stop by for a drink.