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Northstar Cafe

Dive Bar$$$$

North Beach, San Francisco

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Northstar Cafe

7.6^/10

165

ratings

Has a stamp of approval from Eater and SFist
"Bomb beers and free popcorn!"(7 Tips)
"Good red beans and rice/gumbo on LSU game days"(3 Tips)
"Great bar for watching Buffalo Bills and Sabres games!"(2 Tips)
"They play the Buffalo Sabres games!"(2 Tips)

44 Tips and reviews

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free popcorn
buffalo bill
sabres games
lsu game
happy hour
beer
pool tables
great value
bar
casual
music
football
neighborhood spot
pubs
crowded
beach
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EaterMay 25, 2017
It can be crowed, due to it's cozy size, but happy hour starts at 1:30 p.m., the drinks are reliable, and pool and popcorn are free. Overall, it's a gem. Read more
Upvoted Feb 16
Daniel PearsonAugust 9, 2014
Cozy dive with free popcorn. It's a great neighborhood spot to grab a beer (or many) and watch sports. They also host a lot of bar crawls so be ready for crowds in and out.
TK-421April 19, 2016
My mistake, I was looking for the Death Star! Doh! However, I found some nice locals hanging on a Monday (it's always Monday for Stormtroopers) who were friendly; one was totally digging my Dewback!
DoubleDeuceMay 30, 2023
A surprisingly level pool table for the free price. Definitely a Philly bar but fun to view the various photos/collections on the walls too.
SFistMay 29, 2015
Northstar is what most would call a neighborhood bar, not a hipster bar, and it's also a sports bar.The liquor and beer are cheap and the crowd is friendly. Read more
Steve PolandMarch 6, 2013
They play the Buffalo Sabres games! You can request the audio for the back TVs and they can still play music in the front. Pool table and great beer selection.
THE Z WORLD ZAHRANSeptember 25, 2016
Came here on a pub crawl. A small bar, popular with the locals. Good music, nice and friendly staff. Good happy hour deal.
Nick CollinsOctober 8, 2017
Get crowded on weekends during games but pretty friendly crowd. Can’t go wrong with the Dark N Stormy
Jayme DuranJanuary 14, 2013
Been here 100+ times
Great sports bar! Bartenders pour heavy, free popcorn, friendly staff and patrons. Just be aware of the mayor...he has a crass mouth.
Rob RayNovember 22, 2011
Been here 10+ times
"Bus Stop East" for me. Love this bar. Usually a good cheap beer on tap. They also run a (free!) football pool every week that can get you a $50 gift certificate (for here or for Shanghai Kelly's).
Jon GoldmannMarch 30, 2018
The alcohol. And it’s a haven for Philadelphians, so pretty much the best place ever.
Jessica MyersOctober 29, 2018
Great local bar. Bomb beers and free popcorn!
Daniel RusteenSeptember 8, 2012
Been here 10+ times
Great local bar, not very divey (which is good), free popcorn, good guy/girl ratio, rarely a line for the bathroom
Joe HallAugust 24, 2014
Good dive bar that's been here since 1882. Free popcorn. Pool table. TVs.
BravoJanuary 27, 2010
This is the only dive bar I go to because it's so close to my house. They have a jukebox so you decide the music style. You're in control!! -Mattin Noblia, Top Chef
GadlingSeptember 29, 2010
Staff can be a little surly, but the overall vibe is relaxed, and the beer selection is pretty fantastic. Look for the photos of boobs on the walls.
Kelsey KotzebueFebruary 26, 2017
Great neighborhood spot with group of friends.
Andrei RomanovJuly 4, 2010
Been here 10+ times
Leave a little bit of the (free) popcorn on the bathroom floor earlier in the evening for a great late night snack. JD loves it.
Leah W.June 27, 2015
Love this place, a must at least once.
Diana MirakyanJune 5, 2016
Nice place to have some drinks and see a football game
KNOW BODDIEFebruary 4, 2012
Been here 10+ times
During football season, North Star shows LSU games on Saturdays and Buffalo Bills games on Sundays.
Roger MaAugust 7, 2014
Free popcorn on the far right of the bar! 👍
Mark PSeptember 8, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Great bar for watching Buffalo Bills and Sabres games!
June QinJanuary 3, 2015
Very nice food here and nice environment
Luke GallagherMay 21, 2011
Been here 50+ times
Great place to leave your credit card. The next day you come to get it and enjoy the popcorn.
hafeez rajiJuly 18, 2011
trip into north beach, nothing spectacular...had to stare at a Giants flag thinking why didn't i wear my Yankees gear for this spot, show them a true CHAMPION Read more
Jim StonecipherNovember 9, 2013
Great for LSU Football in SF
Richard LiuSeptember 4, 2010
Reasonable prices and a great crowd--my favorite starting spot in North Beach.
Matt JensenMarch 31, 2012
Been here 25+ times
Come for the drinks. Stay for... Uhm... The drinks.
Justin TAugust 6, 2016
Nothing really great about the bar itself; it just seems to be a popular gathering point for paid barcrawls.
Adam ROctober 14, 2015
Great beer selection
Adrian LiuNovember 13, 2012
Order a drink here! They're good!
Natalie MJune 1, 2015
Avoid on Wednesday. There's a bar crawl that rolls through.
Carolina MadridMay 31, 2011
Been here 10+ times
Good selection of beers on tap, fun atmosphere. Read more
Craig ChanApril 19, 2013
Been here 100+ times
Molly and Hooks are the best
Anna LimaSeptember 4, 2011
This is an LSU alumni bar!! Check it out to watch all the LSU games!!
Meredith HermanJanuary 10, 2011
The free popcorn is awesome!
Talia MacMathJanuary 10, 2012
Good red beans and rice/gumbo on LSU game days
Phyllis MurrayApril 26, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Free pool!
Ed DISCHNERSeptember 21, 2011
Play pool. No quarters needed.
Rebecca YuenDecember 7, 2010
The office of Hawkins, ceo of the Day Club.
Fog GilbertDecember 6, 2009
The City's ONLY Buffalo bar.
EricOctober 24, 2009
Beat place to watch Navy football games.
Brent YocomJanuary 8, 2012
Been here 100+ times
The mayor is a bitch.

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