Best Places To Watch the San Francisco Giants
With the smell of popcorn, stadium food and sounds of cheers, you know it must be spring, which of course mean baseball season. Here are the best bars in San Francisco to catch all of the baseball festivities.
Double Play Bar & Grill
2401 16th St
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 621-9859
www.doubleplaysf.com
Hours: Mon to Fri - 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sat to Sun - 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
The memorabilia alone is enough to drive fans out to this baseball bar known as the oldest in the city, established in 1909. However, the killer Bloody Mary's, 12 beers on tap, $4 Heineken's and $2 draft Dos Equis served during happy hour Tuesday through Friday does a nice job as well. Watch Tim Lincecum earn that $40.5 million contract on the 61" big screen stuffed into this friendly neighborhood joint while chowing down on their breakfast, lunch or dinner selections.
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Zeke's Diamond Bar
600 3rd St
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 392-5311
Hours: Mon to Sat - 11:30 a.m. - 2 a.m.; Sun - 10 a.m. - 2 a.m.
This cavernous sports bar in south of market is jamming with friendly locals on game day. Grab a Wisconsin Beer Boiled Bratwurst, Steak Sandwich or half pound Diamond Burger paired with your favorite beer and chances are you're not far from one of the 16 hi-def screens surrounding the bar. Great place to kick off the Giant's 2012 winning season.
Related: Top 5 San Francisco Bars for Female Sports Fans
The Red Jack Saloon
131 Bay St
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 989-0700
Hours: Mon to Sat - 1 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Sun - 9:30 a.m. - 2 a.m.
Margaritas are so strong in this North Beach hideaway that if you consume enough you may think you're one of the pro ball players. Pace yourself. The day is young, the drinks are cheap and you'll want to make it to the seventh inning stretch. The crowd flow is comfortable and the atmosphere laid back with Pier 39 action within walking distance.
Chug Pub
1849 Lincoln Way
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 242-9930
www.chugpub.com
Hours: Mon to Fri - 4 p.m - 2 a.m; Sat to Sun - 12 p.m. - 2 a.m.
How can you not fall in love with a place called Chug Pub? Home to the three liter "chug tower" a goddess of beer vessel, served with a side of nachos. Get your fried fix here from onions, mozzarella and jalapenos to chicken, fish and beer battered shrimp. Take a seat at the bar or kick back at the booth seats lining the establishments, all comfortable and provide screen time or a little neighborhood gazing.
Lefty O'Doul's
333 Geary St
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 982-8900
www.leftyodouls.biz
Hours: Daily - 7 a.m. - 2 a.m.
It's an honor and a responsibility as a lover of the sport to have a drink at Lefty O'Doul's. The man was baseball. A 1933 World Series champion and Japanese Baseball Hall of Famer, O'Doul's played in the Pacific Coast League as well as the Major League, was a highly respected coach and manager and holds the 4th highest career batting average in Major League history. Friends included baseball greats Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth, and Ty Cobb. So don the black and orange at Lefty O'Doul's where the old world charm of baseball's past lives on. It boasts one of the largest full service bars in Union Square downtown San Francisco.
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Robyn Chelsea-Seifert is a freelance writer living in San Francisco. Her work has appeared in The Miami Herald, Creem, Hit Parader, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel and International Musician. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.