Blackthorn Tavern

First thing you notice when you walk into the bar is that it is pretty dark with tons of seating! I came to this bar with a group of 7 and usually at a bar in San Francisco it would be pretty difficult to find seating but Blackthorn not only has seating at the bar but it also has 2 giant circular booths and they have backdoor seating for those who smoke which was amazing since most of the time you have to step outside in the front of the bar. We went of a Friday night after work so a few of us were a bit overdressed but the ambiance and the people at the bar didn't pay any of us any mind and we went straight to the bar to get our drinks. The bartender came quickly and was very friendly he started talking to my friend and I about the beers they served on tap and he was very knowledgeable about each beer. It was easy for all of us to get seats near the pool table and waited for our turn. I also recommend checking out the schedule and events at the bar because there have been a few times when the pool tables are taken up all night for pool tournaments. Overall I love the bar and have gone there many times with friends to watch sports and to play pool. If you're looking for a casual bar to chill with friends and play some pinball or pool this is the place to go!

I love trivia, more than than I'd really care to admit. My friend told me about Blackthorn a few months back, and it's become my Monday night trivia fix. It's real casual, and one shouldn't feel the need to dress up past what they feel comfortable in. It's not huge inside, and its not unusual on trivia night for it to be reduced to standing room only. However, there is also a patio area in the back if trivia and the elements are of little concern to you. A wide range of games (Giants, Warriors, Sharks, etc.) are shown on the dozen or so TV's above the bar, and at least one always seems to have Sports Center on. The trivia consists of seven rounds: 3 of general knowledge, 1 of current events, 1 of music, 1 of pictures, and 1 of a weekly theme. The difficulty level is a happy medium, not to easy or to hard, with a few challenging questions sprinkled in. With the right pool of random knowledge, your team could bring home a $30 gift card for the bar if you are the champion, and 4 free drinks if your the runner up or best small team (4 people or less). Blackthorn doesn't have a particularly extensive list of beers on tap, they have the essentials. They do have a Magner's cider, one of my particular favorites, for a reasonable $4. Blackthorn is the type of place you go on a weekday night because you know it won't be dead, and you'll be able to get a fair drink or three.

I love coming to this bar for the sole purpose of trivia nights. I am HORRIBLE at trivia, but going in with a big group of friends on trivia night is so much fun. It's often hard to find free fun things to do in the city and this is one that everyone should do! Come and bring some friends on trivia night and buy a pitcher of beer to share and enjoy each others company. It's a great way to spend a week night!