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Hobson's Choice Bar

Hobson's Choice Bar San Francisco United States 37.769688 -122.448742
4 4

Bar

Review

Ratings:

Lucas

Adriana

Jonah

Emma

Party Earth Review: Home to more than 120 varieties of rum – quite possibly the largest selection in the city – Hobson’s Choice is a place where real men quickly discover the power of a frou-frou drink. Haight residents sporting skinny jeans and perpetual five o’clock shadows drop in for Happy Hour, slinging back $3 House Punches as med students from UCSF plop onto antique couches with one of the monthly specials. Tiffany-style lamps and gold-leaf mirrors give the venue a Victorian flare, but the long shelves of bottles set behind the well-lacquered bar are what most patrons are focusing on. A few older locals in dreadlocks and 60s duds sit at one of a handful of tables, sipping Dark N’ Stormys and watching the Giants finish up on the flat-screens, while barbecue fare from Asqew Grill a few doors up ensures cocktail garnishes aren’t the only thing patrons have to eat. Once the evening sets in – especially come Friday – it’s normal to find Hobson’s wall-to-wall with barhoppers, large groups of students, and tattooed hipsters unabashedly ordering another round of Wiki Waki Woos – and it’s about that time that regulars know to dart upstairs for balcony views of the sugar-charged madness below. Showing up at Hobson’s Choice after 10pm means shouldering through a crowd and then fighting some more for the bartender’s attention, but once it’s time to order, all the non-beer drinking visitors face a simple decision: rum…or rum.

... read full review

Neighborhood:

The Haight

Address:

1601 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
Get Directions

Metro:

MUNI N Line: Carl Street & Cole Street‎

Phone:

415-621-5859

Links:

Official Website

Hours:

M–F 2pm–2am, Sa–Su noon–2am

Recommended as:

 Day Spot Night Spot
See Address and Hours See Ratings and Summary

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Hobson's Choice Bar Review

Tip from Emma:

“Sure, the signature rum punches are spectacular, but if you need a little kick, try out the delicious $5 Van Gogh espresso martini. Just don’t hold any sharp objects when you drink it – it’s packed with caffeine, and it would be a shame to get the shakes and end up looking like the drink’s namesake!”

The Scene

Home to more than 120 varieties of rum – quite possibly the largest selection in the city – Hobson’s Choice is a place where real men quickly discover the power of a frou-frou drink.

The Haight, San Francisco – Home to more than 120 varieties of rum – quite possibly the largest selection in the city – Hobson’s Choice is a place where real men quickly discover the power of a frou-frou drink.

Haight residents sporting skinny jeans and perpetual five o’clock shadows drop in for Happy Hour, slinging back $3 House Punches as med students from UCSF plop onto antique couches with one of the monthly specials. Tiffany-style lamps and gold-leaf mirrors give the venue a Victorian flare, but the long shelves of bottles set behind the well-lacquered bar are what most patrons are focusing on.

A few older locals in dreadlocks and 60s... read more →

Crowd

College students, eccentric Haight locals including the kinds who wear full-body leather on nights other than Halloween, pierced and tattooed hipsters, med students, edgy young professionals, and tourists dropping in on the Haight scene, 20s to late 30s.

Entertainment/Music

Jukebox featuring an eclectic mix of mostly alt rock. A few flat-screens usually tuned to local sports. Pac-Man tabletop game.

Food/Miscellaneous

Barbecue grub from Asqew Grill, including ribs, skewers, and vegetarian dishes, available until 10pm. Upstairs can be rented for private parties. Happy Hour M–F 5–7pm. Credit card minimum $20. ATM on site.

Prices

Appetizers $4–$5, skewers $7–$12, chicken and ribs $10–$18. Beer $3–$5, cocktails $6–$9, rum punch $5–$6/glass, $18/two-person bowl, or $30–$35/large bowl.

Dress

Anything goes: jeans, t-shirts, medical scrubs, hoodies, work attire, polos, tie-dyes.

Hot Nights/When to Go

Friday and Saturday nights for the largest crowds, or anytime during the week for the $3 Happy Hour punch specials.

Close By

The Alembic (1725 Haight Street) is a very popular neighborhood haunt with a large selection of liquor, beer, and specialty cocktails, as well as an ever-changing menu of intricate American cuisine.

Tags:

20s30sATMAlternative RockAnything goesArcade GamesBalconyBarbequeCocktailsDrink SpecialsEdgyGroupsHappy HourHipsterJam PackedJeansJukeboxLate 30sLocalsOffice AttirePolosRumSkinny JeansSpecialty CocktailsSports FansStudentsT-shirtsTVsTouristsYoung Professionals

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