Located in the famed Mission District of San Francisco, right on the well-known Guerrero Street, you will find yourself face-to-face with a dive bar with a huge marquee.
The 500 Club has been around since the early 1950s, and there is no mistaking this when you walk through the doors. The neon sign that greets you out front invites you to experience the best space for a drink in the city, and when you sit in one of the original leather booths, you can literally be transported back in time to a place where strong drinks and friends gathered around the bar was the norm.
I have been to the 500 Club many times, and it’s a bar I always want to stop into when I’m in this area of California, whether it’s to watch the latest game on the HD TVs or to see if there is anything new on the jukebox.
Maybe I’m biased, but this is one of the best places in the Mission District. Do others think the same? Let’s find out.
500 Club Reviews
Since the 500 Club San Francisco has been around for so long, you will find reviews on this bar on all of the major review sites.
For instance, when I wrote this review, there were almost 500 other reviews on Yelp. With an average of 3.8/5 stars, people love the happy hour specials, the bloody marys, and mention great things about every bartender here, elaborating on the great attitude and their eclectic style that fit so well with this place.
If there are any complaints about this place, it tends to come in the form of two issues.
First, the 500 Club SF doesn’t serve food…but, you can easily order from the place next door, Turner’s Kitchen. They literally deliver right to your bar stool.
Second, some people just seem to not be cool enough for the 500 Club. For some reason, a few reviewers said this place was pretentious. I never found that. I always feel right at home here.
Finally, I think it’s important to mention that Broke Ass Stuart, a famed reviewer in the San Francisco Bay area, loves this place, too.
The 500 Club Dress Code
Many would describe this bar as a “hipster bar,” and really, that’s all you need to know when it comes to dress code. Expect a lot of jeans, flannels, and typical San Francisco style. You don’t have to put on your heels and sport coats to fit in here at all. Come as yourself and have a cocktail.
The 500 Club Location and Hours
The 500 Club
500 Guerrero St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: (415) 861-2500
The 500 Club’s operating hours are as follows:
- Monday to Friday: 12:00 PM to 2:00 AM
- Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM
These hours are confirmed by the bar’s official Instagram account.
When visiting the Bay Area, it’s a must to try a Pliny the Elder beer (pictured above.) I’m happy to report you can get it on tap here!
Learn more about the story of this beer in our visit to Russian River Brewing. If you appreciate beer, it’s a must visit.
Final Words
If you ask anyone to describe the 500 Club, they are going to say one of two things — it’s a dive bar that has a cool sign, or it’s an amazing dive bar to have a drink in the city, but they wish there was a pool table. You can’t please everyone, right? Do yourself a favor and check it out. You might find that you are the coolest person in the room, or you might need to up your hipster game.
About Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt is a 20+ year Entrepreneur and Digital Marketer. A Fort Lauderdale-based "Digital Nomad," he enjoys traveling as much as possible with family and friends. AllWorld is his escape to document all of his adventures, including being a hardcore "foodie." He has property in Costa Rica and visits several times each year and is happy to offer his expert advice for planning your trip. Make sure to download the AllWorld Travel Hacks FREE ebook.
