Top 5 Bars in the Soma of San Francisco
Written by Joe Ira
Cover Photo Credit: bezikus / Shutterstock.com
Recent revitalization efforts have made the South of Market (SOMA) neighborhood one of the most diverse, yet often overlooked areas in San Francisco. What was once a warehouse-filled district now has a thriving nightlife with some of the city’s best restaurants, museums, bars and nightclubs. Whether you’re visiting SOMA before a baseball game, checking out the SF Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), or are a District 6 resident, you don’t want to miss these 5 SOMA bars.
SOMA Bars
1. Raven Bar (1151 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94103)
2. Tempest (431 Natoma St, San Francisco, CA 94103)
3. Rooftop 25 (25 Lusk St, San Francisco, CA 94107)
4. The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant (198 5th St, San Francisco, CA 94103)
5. TRADEMARK & COPYRIGHT (1123 Folsom Street San Francisco, CA 94103)
1. Raven Bar (1151 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94103)
Before bar opening at the Bar Bar in the SOMA of San Francisco.
Raven is one of our favorite SOMA bars, featuring solid cocktails, good drink specials, and a fun dance floor on the weekends. They have a good music selection too, typically with fun 90’s music videos playing on their TVs. If you’re looking to get your night started, check out their shot + beer special for $7, or ask for one of their hand crafted specialty cocktails.
2. Tempest (431 Natoma St, San Francisco, CA 94103)
Folks gathering after work at the Tempest to “celebrate” another day.
Tempest is your quintessential SF dive bar tucked into a random alley, that attracts hipsters, sports fans, and your average Joe. Known for their beer and shot special and cheap drinks, Tempest also has a killer beer selection, ranging from $3 draft PBRs, to 12 microbrews on tap. While Tempest doesn’t serve any food, you can bring in food from Box Kitchen, the surprisingly gourmet to-go restaurant next door. If you’re leaving Tempest late at night, make sure to walk home with a friend or take a Lyft, as the alley can attract some sketchy folks after hours.
3. Rooftop 25 (25 Lusk St, San Francisco, CA 94107)
A sunny day on the upstairs deck at Rooftop 25 in SF.
Located above their sister restaurant Twenty Five Lusk, Rooftop 25 offers casual outdoor seating with upbeat music and city views. This is one of my favorite happy hour and sunny day places in SOMA. Come for the views, and come back for the frozen cocktails and small bites.
4. The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant (198 5th St, San Francisco, CA 94103)
The Chieftan Irish Pub & Restaurant in the SOMA of San Francisco.
If you’re a Guinness fan, you’re going to love the Chieftain. While not the typical bustling bar and restaurant in SOMA, the Chieftain is an easily overlooked Irish pub and restaurant with a relaxed environment. My favorite thing about the Chieftain is their Guinness combination beers, such as their “Hoppy Irishman”, which is 1/2 Guinness and 1/2 Lagunitas IPA. It might sound weird, but the IPA hops paired with the smoothness of a Guinness is truly amazing. And if you’re already ordering a Guinness, the Chieftain has pretty decent Irish food too.
5. TRADEMARK & COPYRIGHT (1123 Folsom Street San Francisco, CA 94103)
Trademark, and their next door partner bar Copyright are a good time any night of the week. Trademark and Copyright do a great job at engaging their customers and offering fun events. Whether you’re part of Trademark’s Skee-ball league, come in for Trivia Taco Tuesday, check out a free comedy show at Copyright on Wednesdays, or have a Sunday-funday with $20 bottomless mimosas, you're bound to have a good time. The Trademark half is a friendly sports bar with some arcade games and Skee-ball in the back. Copyright, on the other hand, features sleek green leather couches and craft cocktails, perfect for having an intimate conversation.
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