Hemlock Tavern Bar / Live Music Venue

Civic Center / Tenderloin, San Francisco –

Situated on a popular stretch of Polk Street well-trod by barhoppers, Hemlock Tavern hosts bands, DJs, and Happy Hours every night.

A large walk-around bar serves lots of PBR to the hipster regulars – “Skinny jeans: Activate!” – while wooden benches spread throughout the room provide spots for the punks, folk lovers, and antisocial art students waiting for the night’s act to kick off.

Smokers head to the enclosed heated lounge for a few drags, while on Fridays and Saturdays, preppier Marina and suburban types tend to hang out at the long tables at the end of the bar, a mellow place to chill for a bit as they drink their way down Polk Street.

A random décor of fake deer heads mounted on landscapes, fluffy kitty paintings, and plastic swordfish is a fitting background for the eclectic clientele, although most eyes go straight to the red arrow that marks the music room. Usually less than $10 to enter, the room quickly packs to capacity once the bands start playing off its knee-high stage, and in case a particular performer’s skills are lacking, the room is also (kind of) soundproof from the rest of the venue.

With a variety of live talent and an always interesting mix of clientele, Hemlock Tavern is a great go-to bar for an entertaining night out or a perfect place to end up after a long night of pub crawls.