The Phoenix Irish Bar

Cheap as hell. Trying to find parking is a nightmare though per the usual for the streets of SF no matter the night. Phenomenal Shepard's Pie but be warned this is a very heavy dish. I've had it before at basically every Irish bar I've ever been to in L.A. but this was by far the heaviest version I've yet to encounter. I ate about half and had to pass it off to my guy friend who will eat all leftovers happily. All the apps are great too especially the fried everything platter with "Tayto chips and Skins". Friends raved about the chicken wings though I skipped them due to my weird thing about meat off the bone. Fun spot to meet a group of friends and get a little rowdy. We had our eye on the list of desserts we saw scrawled on a chalkboard in the kitchen entry way so using the leftover cash after everyone pitched in for the group bill we ordered two desserts and the total including tax was something ridiculous like $6! We expected dinky bite size portions to come out but we were floored to see the large size of each dessert, enough to share amongst the table of about 6 people.

At some point when wandering between a hip Mission cocktail bar and the newest trendy dive bar, you may find yourself needing a good spot to watch some sport. Luckily, The Phoenix provides a rare oasis in the Mission of no-nonsense good food, tasty pints and your sports team on TV. The long bar greets you on entrance providing plenty of space for lone drinkers to prop up their pint between the locals, of which there is a healthy proportion. The bar is well stocked and unlikely to leave you wanting, but The Phoenix really gains its edge through a very tasty menu of Irish-Americana food. An almost-authentic soda bread holds its own, while the fish and chips would not be out of place in Dublin. Happy hour provides a chance to grab some tasty small plates as well as discount pints. For out-of-town patrons wanting to watch their team, a number of flat screens mean you are more than likely to be obliged. Past the bar and obligatory Irish decorations, including Guinness posters and various pieces of hurling paraphernalia, a back room provides extra leg room and seating. But aside from big game days, when the place fills up fast, you generally have a good chance of snagging a table within view of your TV of choice. The crowd is more eclectic than the average Mission venue. A good mix of workers, hipsters and locals provides for a buzzy and often entertaining atmosphere. Drinkers searching out the next hottest venue in town will be disappointed, but if an unfussy, relaxed pint in friendly surroundings is what you are looking for, then The Phoenix is definitely worth a visit.

This is a super local and neighborhood kid irish pub. I love coming to these irish pubs because you can sit down at the bar-no hassle-and enjoy a beer without dealing with crowds. Sometimes this bar gets popping, but usually it is locals that generally come in a few times a week for a chilled beer or cocktail. There food here really is good. I highly suggest the beer battered fish and chips. I always get a basket of those with some beers and enjoy my time in a less chaotic bar. I haven't gone here in a long time, but it has been really long overdue! I suggest you check it out if your in the Richmond anytime soon.

There isn't much to the place--a long bar, some booths, tables in the back, some TV's--but it's one of my favorite spots in the Mission because the crowds are down-to-earth and friendly (that stereo-typical Mission District hipster vibe seems strangely absent), plus the food is pretty good. Additionally, the bartenders (I've only seen female bartenders there) are excellent eye-candy and quite friendly, but not in that hooters-girl-bleached-blonde-hair-tight-t-shirt kind of way. It's a comfortable place to watch a game or to enjoy a relaxing meal with friends.