Planning a trip to San Francisco?
Foursquare can help you find the best places to go to.
Li Po Cocktail Lounge
Dive Bar$$$$
Chinatown, San Francisco
Has a stamp of approval from Eater and SFist
"Crazy strong and delicious Chinese Mai Tai"(26 Tips)
"... the Mai tais, but the Buddha beer is pretty great and super affordable."(4 Tips)
"A ridiculously chill dive bar in Chinatown."(3 Tips)
"Awesome Chinese dive bar decor, strong drinks."(2 Tips)
108 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- Mai Tais
- good for groups
- boozy drinks
- casual
- great value
- (11 more)
Sort:
- Popular
- Recent
Brian BAugust 17, 2018I love this dark, gritty dive. Tons of character and great, reasonably priced drinks. The mai tai is super tasty and will sneak up on you. Check out the secret club downstairs behind the bathrooms.
Gus ClassSeptember 15, 2018There is a secret bar within this spot: walk past the giant air conditioner downstairs , through the corridor, and into the room back towards the front.
Shirley LiuOctober 4, 2015This place is awesome!! get a Chinese Mai tai (or 3), Anthony Bourdain approved. Buddha beer is gross but comes in an adorable glass.
It's all about the Chinese Mai Tai with Light and Dark Rum, 151, "Chinese Liqueur" and Pineapple Juice
AskMenJuly 5, 2011Coolest little bar in Chinatown, where tired regulars, hip locals & confused tourists meet. Tip: Get a shot of the magical Chinese elixir pronounced “in-gah-pay” in the clay bottle behind the bar.
Josh MartinJuly 6, 2021One of my favorite spots in all of SF. Can’t imagine you can get a better mai tai!
Dave ZhouJanuary 30, 2018Find the basement. Congrats. You’ve made it to the hippest non hip spot of the bar. Enjoy the lights and grab a Buddha beer
Heather GJune 21, 2022Sometimes cash only, but seem to accept Visa/Mastercard now. Different experience tonight with loud music. Not my thing, but like the divier experience I had last year. Nice servers!
Amy BDecember 21, 2015Dangerously good Mai tai. Cash only. Crowd is a little different now that Anthony Bourdain profiles but still a good time.
Josh RangelNovember 3, 2012Very cool place. Get yourself a Lucky Buddha (bottle is amazing) and some of that Chinese elixir; just ask for "in-gah-pa".
Gotta love a place with padded stairwells to accommodate the shithoused. Oh, and get a mai tai. This stuff's not complicated.
Jon LawsApril 22, 2015Came here after Anthony Bourdain did for "The Layover" with high expectations. Unfortunately, the Chinese Mai Tai was not nearly as strong as advertised, and we all felt a little let down.
Vivian WangSeptember 1, 2016Love this place. Downstairs area is great for hanging out with a big group- Michelle WuFebruary 27, 2015I know everyone likes the Mai tais, but the Buddha beer is pretty great and super affordable.
Bianca GarciaAugust 8, 2014Oh! You must have the "in-gah-pay"! It'll rock your world!! Girls restrooms were quite ok when we were here!
BommyOctober 19, 2014Warning: chinese mai tai goes down extremely well. Buddha beer is light and also goes down too well. Be careful.
TV Food MapsApril 8, 2015Check out Li Po Lounge as it was featured on Best Bars in America for Oldest bar in Chinatown. Trademarked the Chinese Mai Tai Read more
Dave SteinbrunnFebruary 15, 2014Love it! Chinese dive bar right up to the early 90s hip hop they play. Do a shot of Chinese whiskey for me!
Brad GrahamMay 10, 2014Mai tais (notoriously lethal) named after Li Po, famous Chinese poet who drowned after trying to embrace the rays of the moon reflecting off the water.
Sarah StrehlerMarch 2, 2016If you do anything at least once in your life, visit the Li Po Lounge and have a Mai Thai with the "special Chinese whiskey." So fun. So boozy.
David RApril 3, 2017Popular local dive bar in Chinatown. Mai Tai is the only drink you should get. It's basically a cave so don't expect phones to work.- squeaselOctober 8, 2014Awesome Chinese dive bar decor, strong drinks. Maybe take Uber, you won't want to drive after.
Heather TerrellNovember 18, 2013Beware of the Mai Tai: so good you won't want to stop at just one. Though you should probably stop at just one.
MaiTais. But the prices get raised on weekends and during Chinese New year's
Xian XianAugust 20, 2011Cute bar, love the Buddha sculpture, nice bartenders and painting on the wall but the bathroom smells like rape... ;-)
Alexis TiradoOctober 10, 2011A gem of a bar located smack in the middle of Chinatown. Just do it. You won't leave disappointed.
Ray LinDecember 30, 2013Get their Chinese rum-based Mai Tai, made famous by Anthony Bourdain on Layovers.
There's a lounge area in the basement if you walk past the ice machines
Check out the secret bar / lounge in the basement (past the bathrooms and ice machine).
The ParkDecember 12, 2011Sunday Nights. Sweater Funk. Family. See legends like DJ Spinna, Dam Funk, Peanut Butter Wolf, ShredOne and more on the shh shhhhh
Kevin RipperMay 20, 2015Everyone gets Chinese Mai Tais here, ones that would make Trader Vic scream and then get over it and then try it saying, "Alright, that's pretty good."
Sarah ChaseAugust 16, 2011Not the cheapest drinks that you would expect from a rando bar in Chinatown, But Anthony Boudain came here so will I!- Xian XianSeptember 1, 2011Potent Mai Tai's, friendly staff! Anthony Bourdain got his drink on here on Aug 9, 2011! Be sure to tip well!
Bradley PeppersJune 24, 2010The Mai Thai here is crazy good and is rather dangerous!! Very cool atmosphere and a Chinatown original!
Brian CarusoNovember 29, 2010Mai Tai $9 but worth it. Watch out for the secret Chinese Liquor added at the end!!
485 Photos
Foursquare © 2024 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Li Po Cocktail Lounge
916 Grant Ave (at Washington St)
San Francisco, CA 94108
United States
San Francisco, CA 94108
United States
Closed until 2:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 2:00 PM–2:00 AM
(415) 982-0072
Features
Credit Cards
Yes
Restroom
Yes
Food & Drink
Drinks
Beer, Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
You might also like
Appears on 442 lists
San Francisco | Best Dive Bars
Created by Joe Bertino
55 items • 52 followers
Created by AskMen
167 items • 2,249 followers
Created by Artem Kochnev
48 items • 29 followers
