San Francisco's Top 10 Outdoor Drinking Destinations

Americano
8 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 278-3777
Americano

The FiDi crowd drinks at this sleek and modern hotel bar after work. It's hopping on weekdays, and overlooks the (often freezing) Embarcadero. See, and more importantly, be seen here. You'll be judged by what your order, so no mojitos. Instread, try the sultry Ginger Bulleit, featuring Bulleit bourbon, LOFT ginger cello and Carpano sweet vermouth.

El Rio
3158 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 282-3325
El Rio

Big and rambling, with lots of nooks and crannies, El Rio's outdoor area is like your favorite dive bar sans roof. Less intimdating than Zeitgeist, El Rio is casual and friendly. And kinda weird. In the famous words of the Goonies, "This isn't the kinda place you want to go to the bathroom."

The Ramp
855 Terry A. François Boulevard
San Francisco, CA
(415) 621-2378
The Ramp

The Ramp is where everyone goes to work-off a serious hangover. It's impossible not to run into someone you know at The Ramp, even though this drinking destination is across town from just about everywhere. The food is less than fantastic, but the sweet sun and the funky view can somehow magically cure that headache.

Wild Side West
424 Cortland Avenue
San Francisco, CA
(415) 647-3099
Wild Side West

Bernal Heights is blossoming and this is the perfect Sunday spot for folks in the neighborhood. While Wild Side West is a famous lesbian bar, everyone's welcome to sit outside and sip a beer.

Zeitgeist
199 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 255-7505
Zeitgeist

You either LOVE Zeitgeist or you HATE Zeitgeist. It's become an adjective, a park of San Francisco's vernacular. This beer garden is packed with hipsters, bikers, metal heads and yuppies who want to prove they're not yuppies. If you do not fit in any of these groups, you might get a little nervous in Zeitgeist. But brave the quirky crowd for the ultimate outdoor experience.

Momo's
760 2nd Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 227-8660
Momo's

This high-end bar and grill across from the ballpark is absolutely swamped on game days! With bars inside and out, you'll want to arrive early to get a spot in the sun. Strong drinks and a great beer selection make Momo's a hoppin' drinking spot, but the food is fantastic as well. Try the pulled pork sandwich or any of the sharable appetizers. And if you get a great table outside, get comfortable. That's some of the hottest real estate in SF.

Pier 23
Pier 23 on the Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA
(415) 362-5125
Pier 23

Along the Embarcadero, Pier 23 is an old school throwback with live music and loads of old photos. Not quite a dive bar, Pier 23 is a laid-back spot at any time of day, featuring a full menu of American standards.

Mix Bar
4086 18th Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 431-8616
Mix Bar

Castro's kinda, sorta backyard bar, In the Mix offers cheap cocktails and plenty of cruising. Head down the stairs and through the dingy interior to a covered, outdoor deck with it's own bar, occasional barbeque and friendly crowd.

The Parkside
1600 17th Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 252-1330
The Parkside

Potrero's Hill most mellow patio, Thee Parkside features a popular BBQ on the weekends. Check the website for band lineups and special events, but any evening is a great one to sit on the back patio and sip a beer. The crowd is casual and a little hard rock, but you'll have a great time at this fun find.

Park Chalet
1000 Great Highway
San Francisco, CA
(415) 386-8439
Park Chalet

All the way at the ocean end of Golden Gate Park, the Park Chalet where fancy fleece folks sit in Adirondack chairs and admire each other's dogs. Next door, the Beach Chalet is a favorite of tourists, but locals prefer this slightly upscale spot. Bask in the grass with your beer until the fall rolls in, then head indoors and and park by the fireplpace to peruse the extensive wine list.

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