Shotwell's Historic Bar

Mission, San Francisco –

Except during that pesky prohibition period when a small grocery moved in, there’s been a bar at this address since the 1890s – and apart from the name, little has changed at Shotwell’s since.

No fancy cocktails on the menu here – just an array of beers and a bit of wine and sangria, which suits the diverse but habitually mellow crowd of regulars just fine. Hipsters, blue-collar Joes, and jeans-clad post-grads gather at the long bar, ordering up rounds from the seasonal drinks selection that’s scrawled across a giant vintage mirror.

Antique lamps and a few more mirrors dot the muted walls, while collections of oak barrels, stained-glass brewery logos, and saloon-style bric-a-brac complete the rest of the décor.

Affable conversation is king – save the occasional heated discussion at the pool tables and pinball machines or in front of the TVs when local teams are playing – so even on weekends, the venue is normally far from rowdy.

Although barhoppers looking for a crazy party won’t find it at Shotwell’s, they will find an amiable spot to sip a few pints, play a few games, and maybe get to know the neighbors.