Lefty O'Doul's Irish Pub / Piano Bar / Restaurant / Sports Bar

Downtown / Financial District, San Francisco –

Located a block from the shopping, hotel, and theater district that surrounds Union Square, Lefty O’Doul’s is a lively, old-fashioned pub/cafeteria that straddles the line between relaxed watering hole and gaudy tourist bait.

An archway divides the long space into two separate areas, the first of which drips with classic Celtic kitsch and yellowed old-time boxing and baseball photos, including many of the venue’s namesake left-handed pitcher.

Fresh from a cable car ride, out-of-towners from all walks of life grab a tray off the long buffet counter, reminiscing about high school lunchrooms as a thick roast beef sandwich plops onto their plates.

An oak bar runs down the opposite side of the venue, extending back toward the second space, which eschews the midcentury sports décor in favor of a riot of bright neon beer adverts and widescreen TVs tuned to the Giants.

The party vibe really kicks in every night, however, when the feisty piano player settles in to lead patrons through requests and sing-alongs until closing. The crowds keep coming on the weekends, when a mix of working-class locals and budget-conscious students stop in to mingle with the continual crunch of non-natives who’d do well to leave any non-Giants paraphernalia in the car.

Full of people toasting, feasting, and singing, Lefty O’Doul’s is like a latter day mead hall with lots of kitsch, a good dollop of grime, and loads of fun.