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Vesuvio Cafe

Dive Bar$$$$

North Beach, San Francisco

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Vesuvio Cafe

8.7^/10

757

ratings

Ranked #1 for dive bars in San Francisco
"upstairs back corner overlooking Columbus"(17 Tips)
"Get the "Jack Kerouac" and their Anchor Steam IPA."(9 Tips)
"Amazing and unique and hums with the beatnik vibe."(5 Tips)
"Get the recession special"(6 Tips)

128 Tips and reviews

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jack kerouac
upstairs
beatnik
authentic
bar
people watching
casual
happy hour
alcohol
scenic views
books
great value
cheap drinks
liquor
sangria
antiques
coffee
music
good for dates
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Allison AbbottJune 29, 2015
Amazing and unique and hums with the beatnik vibe. Loved sitting on the second floor with the windows flung open, people watching (both tourists outside and some rowdy characters inside!)
Upvoted Mar 18
Pamela GocobachiMay 29, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Grab a Dark&Stormy (rum&ginger beer- quite refreshing!) and grab a seat upstairs by the window for prime people watching on Columbus! Also, this place doesn't serve food but you CAN bring your own in!
nils jansonNovember 16, 2014
Really neat place to sit and watch the tourists go by. Table service is something you don't usually see at a dive. Cool decorations, like an authentic version of what TGI Fridays wants to be.
Upvoted Feb 3
Dean MoriartyFebruary 7, 2017
Hip place to get drunk. Interesting bartenders with great stories. A great place to write, talk and live. Poets of all walks drink here. Rock stars, yuppies, beatnik. Cool jukebox
Ed AtenMay 29, 2011
Been here 5+ times
Try the Charlie sheen - shot and two beers (2.5 men) or the Tom Selleck - shot with three beers (3 men and a baby).
Erin O'ConnorJanuary 21, 2020
The balcony is a great spot if you can get a table. People-watching is always good! And you can see the ancient gas light chandelier from up there.
Lindsay EyinkAugust 14, 2014
Jack Kerouac's old hangout and right next to City Lights. In the center of the Barbary Coast and SF's. Definitely feels old school and doesn't feel touristy.
Upvoted Mar 20
Marta TapperoDecember 30, 2016
Vesuvio is a classic. They're friendly, the ambiance is great. Not all cocktails are great, go for the classics, they know.
Daria TomilovaNovember 19, 2013
Probably the best place I've been in Frisco. And it feels sooo beat, if you know what I mean :) come here and enjoy ginger beer and dark rum in one cocktail!
Cassie PJuly 17, 2013
You can really sense the history walking into the bar. I would recommend sitting upstairs and hang out. Cool view of the entire restaurant.
Michelle O'RiordanSeptember 14, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Atmosphere is always great here. Crowded yet cozy place to get away from the tourist traps of North Beach and enjoy a beer.
SF WeeklyMay 31, 2012
SF Weekly’s Best Of 2012 Winner – Editorial Pick – Best Place to Hang Out with Strippers without Going to a Strip Club. Vesuvio is a great spot to get a drink or three at any hour, and if the... Read more
Eli HickoxApril 25, 2019
Been here 5+ times
Great bar with a lot of history. One of my favorite places to get a Pimm’s cup
Megan BannisterMarch 20, 2013
Grab an espresso, a classic beat read and people watch from the second floor of one of Jack Kerouac's old haunts.
Elena BaseottoMarch 24, 2015
Drinks are nothing special, but the atmosphere is very unique. Great for reading and having a drink solo in the afternoon, before it gets busy.
Blaine GarrettSeptember 13, 2010
Great stop on a SF visit from MPLS. Weird mix of crust punks, bohemians, and popped collar kids. If cabbing it, leave a bit before bar close or else have to compete with the strip clubs kitty corner.
BeersandBeansMarch 9, 2013
Try the Jack Keroac - The Jack Keroac special drink. Very tasty and a great vibe at this place! #bar #drinks
Margot SeetoSeptember 3, 2018
Been here 5+ times
Good ol’ Vesuvio. Classic North Beach bar. Sit upstairs for good people watching!
SukiSeptember 17, 2020
Cozy beatnik bar with Christmas lights and cheap beers. Bring friends and cash.
.:. sAugust 13, 2015
A definite dive bar. I didnt see much of an art, bohemian crowd when I was there but I guess they were there in spirit.
Jessica RaeSeptember 3, 2013
Old Beatnick hangout next to City Lights Bookstore in North Beach. Have a drink where Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and Neal Cassidy used to spend their evenings.
India KDecember 26, 2018
one of the last authentically perfect bars in san francisco
Gregory K.September 20, 2017
Nice and cozy arty space. Nice staff.
Amanda ThauFebruary 28, 2013
Great spot with an awesome beer selection. Second floor is perfect for small groups or date night!
Andrea ReynaFebruary 27, 2015
Grab a book next door at City Lights and read (and drink) yourself silly.
Adrian PhillipsOctober 26, 2016
If you're in North Beach you should grab a drink at Vesuvio Cafe. The drinks are strong and the Halloween decorations are fantastic. Order from the cocktail waitress when you sit upstairs.
Karina van SchaardenburgOctober 19, 2015
Do the beat poetry detour and start here to immerse yourself in that literary era.
Seema MaloniMarch 3, 2013
Grab a table upstairs. Great views of busy North Beach tourist traffic and pervert men going into nudie bars.
kim milosevichFebruary 16, 2013
Best bartenders and most interesting crowd (in a good way)
Thom ButlerNovember 21, 2012
The seat in the upstairs back corner overlooking Columbus is one of the best views in all SF
Kurt NelsonMay 19, 2022
Been here 5+ times
Lurk from Jack Kerouac's old seat upstairs or join the mostly locals sitting at a bar stool
Joseph TinnerFebruary 3, 2015
Joanna is awesone. Loved the Sazerac cocktail!
EsquireFebruary 1, 2011
Congratulations, you've found one of Esquire's Best Bars in America. No matter how many tourists drop in for a pint, it still feels as though it's full of locals. We recommend an Anchor Steam.
AskMenSeptember 9, 2011
Vesuvio is just dripping with history, and local characters can often be found holding court at the bar. Read more
Heather TerrellNovember 18, 2013
Drink where Kerouac drank. Teetotallers welcome too: decent selection of tea, plus espresso drinks.
Anton GaddiJanuary 2, 2019
A legacy North Beach bar that has a lot of character and history.
SFGate ManagerJuly 16, 2012
Open since 1948, it's where the Beats convened to quench their thirst. The upstairs nook might be the most perfect people-watching in North Beach.
Jesse LaneFebruary 1, 2014
Great atmosphere, good music and at a good price
Ro JJanuary 21, 2013
Must do if you're in SF. Get the "Jack Kerouac" and their Anchor Steam IPA.
Natalie MJune 1, 2015
It's like stepping back in time every time I come here. Love this place!
Eric BellApril 6, 2015
Great antiquated vintage atmosphere, good drinks.
Fukejř🧗 Mooza🏊August 13, 2018
Must have a beer here, after all Kerouac was drinking here too!
Aiden WylieAugust 14, 2012
Nothing to do with the beats. Don't be a douche and you'll love it. Use a card for two beers and you'll rightly suffer.
Alyssa BereznakSeptember 19, 2014
Cool vibe and history here, pretty reasonable drinks too
Fai VisuthichoFebruary 26, 2015
Been here 5+ times
Bring a book and some lunch and sit upstairs to people watch.
Jenn K.November 7, 2012
Love this place for its cheap Happy Hour pitchers and laid-back vibe.
Chris SAugust 7, 2015
This place is rad, and the penultimate dive bar. Protip: sit upstairs
BravoJanuary 27, 2010
Bohemian bar next to City Lights Bookstore. Good place to see some of San Francisco's finest characters. -Laurine Wickett, Top Chef
Hotel FrankMarch 7, 2011
A MUST do in SF. So much history and no matter how many tourists pop in it still feels like our favorite local bar. Mmmmm, Anchor Steam.
David CraigApril 21, 2012
Try the recession special a small glass of beer ad a shot of whiskey for cheap

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