El Rio
Dive Bar, Music Venue, and Gay Bar$$$$
Bernal Heights, San Francisco
The experts at SFGate and SFist recommend this place
"Mango for the ladies and Hard French for the guys."(4 Tips)
"If the killer patio is full, you can always shuffleboard!"(6 Tips)
"Best patio ever and pbr is $2 !!!!!!"(6 Tips)
"Come for a love show and be sure to enjoy the back patio."(43 Tips)
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122 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- outdoor seating
- hard french
- casual
- dancing
- good for groups
- (15 more)
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Some of the nicest and down-to-earth folks (staff & patrons) in the City! Stop by, enjoy a libation and possibly strike up a conversation with someone awesome! The Bloody Mary bar/buffet rocks as wellUpvote5Downvote
The wait time for drinks is shockingly short--maybe the shortest in SF. Great outdoor space and roomy, even though it gets a ton of traffic.Upvote2Downvote
Vic AveryDecember 10, 2015This is lush! Great public ) Cool bar staff, generally nice crowd. The terrace is a gem in SF to be outside with a drink & smokes. It's rare. & the crowd is really cool & friendly )UpvoteDownvote
Staff PicksMay 18, 2016The famously raucous Bay to Breakers party is hitting SF. Head to El Rio to keep the party going. With a great outdoor space and an even better Bloody Mary, you can continue the Bay area buzz. Read moreUpvoteDownvote- AFAR MediaJune 26, 2015Their backyard is one of the best outdoors spaces to drink in town and home to many of the most frequented gay parties in San Francisco, including Mango for the ladies and Hard French for the guys. Read moreUpvoteDownvote
- Mo SiboDecember 22, 2016A good place to drink early. Later, it gets packed. There are music shows in the back room. They have barbecue some days. Lose to my dad at pool here.UpvoteDownvote
Andrew BristowSeptember 19, 2016This bar gets packed during day time realness. Come early, cash onlyUpvote1Downvote
Annie 🌺 JalotaJuly 7, 2017It's nice to grab a drink and hang out in the patio out back. They've got some heaters too in case it's cooler 👌🏽UpvoteDownvote
WhiskyAvengerJune 13, 2018Excellent patio to enjoy a hot day on while knocking back a few craft brews.UpvoteDownvote
CaterinaOctober 9, 2016Best bar in the world. Loved the queer vibes. Left a pice of my heart in this place.UpvoteDownvote
Ellen McGrodyAugust 23, 2017It’s hella gay. Also the margarita was $6 and really salty and that’s amazing.Upvote1Downvote
First Saturday (except winter) is Hard French, a queer dance party. Come before 3pm to beat the insane line.UpvoteDownvote
Hard French party every 1st Saturday of the Month. Every Friday Free Oysters 5:30pm, Free BBQ 7pm. Every Sunday Free BBQ 5pm. Joanna + Gyllian are the hottest bartending team in history! Just Sayin'!Upvote1Downvote
Q TipJuly 18, 2013Great place to just chill and chat. Great drink specials and hella pet friendly.
Upvote2Downvote
Peter ChiuApril 13, 2016Great dive bar with a decent backyard. Go for transvestite karaoke. Fun timesUpvoteDownvote
Zachary Reiss-DavisMay 16, 2013On a warm night, their back patio is an amazing place for a drink. Cheap, no frills, but warm with plenty of seating.Upvote1Downvote
JamieMarch 4, 2012live music, shuffleboard + @rockysfrybread! ...not enough? ok, then just head over on a sunny day (post-dolo) & enjoy a $2 pbr on the back porch... you earned it.UpvoteDownvote
Kait GaissMay 12, 2016Outdoor garden oasis with lots of places to sit and oh how could I forget, MARGARITAS.UpvoteDownvote
Brook ShelleyApril 20, 2019Awesome bar with a great back patio. Cash-only, so be prepared.UpvoteDownvote
Greg SchechterAugust 19, 2014Decent dive bar with outdoor patio. Some cool events happen here, like Berlin style ping pong.UpvoteDownvote- Stop buy and try the Bloody Mary Bar. Various flavor-infused vodkas with tons and tons of fixings to enhance your libation experience!UpvoteDownvote
DustinFebruary 8, 2017This place is always fun. Good crowd, backyard patio if it's nice out.UpvoteDownvote
Tom AAugust 25, 2014Everyday is fun here but I especially enjoy Sunday Salsa! Great crowd and music.UpvoteDownvote
Julia MaJanuary 29, 2014Cool dive bar with a pool table, shuffleboard, and outside patio.Upvote3Downvote- Favorite place for cheap beers and margaritas and the best crowd. Patio!UpvoteDownvote
Millu NajeraJuly 28, 2014Mondays are loved again at this place. Long line to enter, $2 dlls beer, try to arrive before 9 to avoid the lineUpvoteDownvote
Katie AtwellMay 18, 2015HH 1-8. $1 oysters on Fridays . Back patio is great. Monday has tecate for $1UpvoteDownvote- Nancy TranJuly 7, 2015Spacious bar for dancing. Great outdoor area but it gets crowded.UpvoteDownvote
Cesar PriettoApril 1, 2014Latino gay bar with a huge lovely patio. Mellow young gay and straight hipster crowd.UpvoteDownvote
salsa sunday... go to el rio´s facebook page around 10 am and wait for their guest list post to show at any moment, write them an e mail and get there for free plus one and a 2 drinks...UpvoteDownvote
Matt DewaltJuly 8, 2019There's a photo booth deep in the back of the patio, where the cool kids hang. photomatica.com
UpvoteDownvote
Tim HarrisonAugust 7, 2014Cheep beer, good people! Check out the show calendar for something rad!UpvoteDownvote
BravoJanuary 27, 2010Huge back patio. Perfect place to take a large group of people. Great place to hang out on a nice day and sit outside. -Laurine Wickett, Top ChefUpvote13Downvote
Awesome outdoor space. Cheap beers. What else do you want?UpvoteDownvote
- Salsa Sundays are quite nice here. Also if you get in before 3 p. m. No cover charge for salsa.UpvoteDownvote
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El Rio
3158 Mission St (btwn Valencia & Cesar Chavez St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
United States
San Francisco, CA 94110
United States
Closed until 5:00 PM Thursday (Show more)
- Thu
- 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Fri
- 5:00 PM–Midnight
- Sat
- 3:00 PM–Midnight
- Sun
- 3:00 PM–8:00 PM
(415) 282-3325
Features
Credit Cards
No
Wi-Fi
Yes
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Music
Live Music
Food & Drink
Menus
Happy Hour
Drinks
Beer, Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
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- 7.4
"Perfect place to go after you've been drinking...food fit for a 5 year old child, which is perfect, imo! Good vibes and cheap. Def going back next time I visit SF."
Francesca Varney - 8.5
"the patio out back is spacious and fantastic"
Skylar Woodward - 8.5
"Wonderful dive with a great beer list. To properly enjoy try to go early as this place is popular and is crowded often."
WhiskyAvenger
Places people like to go after El Rio
- 8.3
"The vegetarian burrito is my go-to."
Faun - 8.8
"Great ambiance, dim lighting, awesome drinks, cool patio - one of my favorite bars in San Francisco"
Jonathan W - 7.2
"grungy but hip, king of dive bars (cheap beer & photo booth) who dare to venture south of Cesar Chavez St. cover for bands on weekends, but never more than $10 Bingo on Thursday. best taquerias nearby"
Jessica Rae
Upcoming Events
- Frank (Oakland, CA), Yeobo, and Periscope
9:00 PM on May 9, 2025
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