Highlights
- Sports
- Bar games
- Great beer selection
oChef » Ace’s – San Francisco
Ace's - San Francisco
Photo from Ace’s
Ace's at a glance
San Francisco Lower Nob Hill
- 🍻 Bar & Pub
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 8 of the guests
#1132 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#90 Bar & Pub out of 151 in San Francisco
Good
7.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
112
Reviews
80.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Great atmosphere
- Varied drinks
- Friendly staff
Frequently criticized
- No food
- Inconsistent service
- Overcrowding
The bar Ace’s Bar, nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Lower Nob Hill, offers you a truly authentic pub experience. You’ll discover a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for unwinding.
Known for its great beer selection, this spot invites you to enjoy a wide array of beverages, from craft beers to hard liquor and cocktails. It’s a welcoming space where you can relax, enjoy bar games, or simply soak in the friendly vibe.
Overview: Introducting Ace's
Ace’s offers a lively atmosphere, often described as an NYC-styled bar or a welcoming dive sports bar, making it a comfortable spot to unwind. Many patrons appreciate the friendly staff and the overall positive vibe, especially when watching a game.
However, potential visitors should note that while the drinks menu is solid, there’s no food served on-site. Some experiences also point to occasional issues with service attention, where guests felt a simple nod or acknowledgment was missing.
Good
7.5
out of 10
112
Reviews
80.4%
Satisfaction
18
negative
4
neutral
90
positive
Ace’s garners a respectable overall 7.5 score, reflecting a generally positive experience for many. Customer satisfaction stands at a solid 80.4%, indicating that most visitors leave content.
This assessment is drawn from 112 customer observations, with a strong lean towards positive feedback, tallying 90 positive remarks against 18 negative ones. Digging deeper, the Ambience (8.4) clearly stands out as a major draw, creating a vibrant setting.
The selection of Food (7.4), primarily drinks, also receives good marks. While Value (6.6) is considered fair, and Service (6.5) is generally acceptable, these areas show room for improvement compared to the strong atmosphere.
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Varied drink selection
- Friendly bartenders
What people don't like
- No food served
- Inconsistent service
- Can get overcrowded
Ace’s is a solid choice if you’re seeking a lively bar atmosphere with a good selection of drinks and a generally friendly crowd. With a recommendation score of 7.6, it’s certainly worth considering for a casual outing or to catch a game.
However, manage expectations regarding food, as it’s not served on-site, and be prepared for potentially inconsistent service during busy times. If you prioritize a vibrant setting over a full dining experience, Ace’s could be a good fit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Ace's
Food (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 51% of the guests
When it comes to drinks, this place truly shines! With a good score of 7.4 and a good customer satisfaction of 85%, its clear guests are happy. Many of the 17 positive remarks highlight the awesome selection of draft beers , liquor , and cocktails, with specific mentions of Aperol and a great Bloody Mary .
A unique perk is that they permit outside food, making it a perfect spot to enjoy your favorite beverages. However, its important to note that if youre looking for a meal, you might be out of luck. The primary drawback, mentioned in 3 remarks, is the complete absence of food on the menu.
While they do allow you to bring your own, its a key point to consider if you're planning to dine in.
Food
20
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
17
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great drink selection
- Permits outside food
What people don't like
- No food served
Often praised
- drinksenjoyed Aces for drinks
- AperolMy first experience at an American bar was super! I enjoyed a delicious Aperol made by a lovely lady. The people were nice and friendly.
- Bloody Marya great Bloody Mary
- Boneyard IPABoneyard IPA is great - more bitter and hoppy than fruity
- Frozen Irish coffeeenjoying their Frozen Irish coffee!
- Wire to Wire challengeIt's a great, intimate sports bar. I will be back one day in this life to complete the Wire to Wire challenge.
- beerBeer is cheap
- beersGood selection of beers
- beers and cocktailsFine beers and cocktails
- draft beersIt's the perfect spot to watch the game and grab a drink. The atmosphere was great, the bartenders were super friendly, and they had an awesome selection of draft beers. I had a great time here.
Frequently criticized
- foodThe staff were friendly, and the overall atmosphere was relaxed, which I appreciated. A unique aspect was that they don’t serve food, but the bar staff mentioned I could bring my own, which is unheard of back home in Sydney. The pace of life here, like in San Francisco, is slower than I'm used to, and I found this to be a positive.
So, if youre after a fantastic selection of drinks and a lively atmosphere, this spot is definitely worth checking out. Just remember to grab a bite beforehand or bring your own grub, as they dont serve any food on site.
Service (6.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 66% of the guests
When it comes to service, it seems like a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.5 indicating an average experience and customer satisfaction sitting at 62.2%, which is squarely in the mixed territory. Many guests raved about the super friendly bartenders and amazing staff, with specific shout-outs to individuals like Melinda and Todd for being informative and knowing the city scene. There were 23 positive remarks out of 37 total, highlighting great service and a welcoming atmosphere.
However, not everyone had such a smooth experience. Some found the service unwelcoming and unprofessional, with issues like long waiting times and a lack of attention from servers. There were 13 negative comments about the service and staff, including instances where customers felt disrespected or ignored, leading to frustration and even people leaving without ordering.
It seems there's room for improvement in consistency.
Service
37
Reviews
62%
Satisfaction
13
negative
1
neutral
23
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly bartenders
- Amazing staff
- Informative service
What people don't like
- Unwelcoming service
- Lack of attention
- Unprofessional staff
Often praised
- serviceIt was like finding an NYC-styled bar in SF, and I was ready for it! I had a great bar experience with good service and an even better atmosphere. I definitely recommend any east coast visitors in SF to check this bar out.
- staffthe staff were just what I needed
- bartenderthe bartender on Thursday night is super cool very friendly
- bartendersGreat bar and Bartenders specially on a game day
- ToddIf you are lucky we enough to get Todd as your BT, congrats. He knows the city scene inside out.
- areainformative about the area
- bartender Melindabartender Melinda was like a living Google
- city sceneIf you're lucky enough to get Todd as your bartender, congratulations! He knows the city scene inside out. Be sure to drop our names (Victor and Michael).
- friendsWe enjoyed our time at Aces for drinks with friends. We will definitely visit again the next time we're in town.
- lovely ladylovely lady who made a delicious Aperol
Frequently criticized
- cookinterjected her opinion. Rude the rest of the night.
- ID and vaccination certificatespor no acercarse a la mesa a verificar nuestros ID y certificado vacunación
- attentionI kept trying to catch the eye of the server
- bar staffResponsable del bar desagradable, grosera y mal educada!
- customersBeing asked to leave turned our fun night into a very sour one. I hope the staff acts more professionally in the future and treats customers with more respect.
- nodA simple nod my way ... would have been nice
- orderingA simple acknowledgment would have been appreciated. After 20 minutes, my friend inquired about ordering, only to be told we needed to come to the bar for drinks. At that point, I cancelled our order and left, having never walked out of a place like this in my 29 years in the bar scene.
- serverspent a LOT of time with his friends
- servicewe didn't find the service to be welcoming
- staffBeing asked to leave turned our fun night into a very sour one. I hope the staff acts more professionally in the future and treats customers with more respect.
If youre lucky, youll encounter some truly amazing and friendly staff who make your visit memorable. However, be prepared for the possibility of less attentive or even unwelcoming service, which could dampen your experience.
Ambience (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 86% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot truly shines! With a good score of 8.4 and an excellent customer satisfaction of 95.7%, its clear most folks adore the atmosphere. Based on 45 positive remarks, its often celebrated as a fun place and a lively sports bar with lots of TVs, making it a perfect neighborhood bar for good times and watching games.
However, out of 47 total comments, there was just one remark noting it could get overcrowded. So, while the energy is generally fantastic and welcoming, be prepared that it might feel a bit tight on busier occasions, especially if you prefer more space.
Ambience
47
Reviews
95%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
45
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great sports bar
- Lively atmosphere
- Plenty of TVs
What people don't like
- Can get crowded
Often praised
- atmosphereIt was like finding an NYC-styled bar in SF, and I was ready for it! I had a great bar experience with good service and an even better atmosphere. I definitely recommend any east coast visitors in SF to check this bar out.
- barAwesome bar up there with Zeitgeist and Benders on that level!
- sports barthis sports bar was centered around the atmosphere
- regularsthe regulars were just what I needed
- TVsLotta TVs with the game on
- bar onlythis is a bar only. I like it!!
- chill for a whilecome chill for a while & watch the Olympics
- close by cool placesclose by a lot of cool places
- crowdwhole crowd was very welcoming
- dive sports barMy experience at this small, excellent dive sports bar was great. It's a great place to watch a game, especially if you're a fan of the NY football Giants, and enjoy having some drinks.
Frequently criticized
- overcrowdedit was overcrowded
If youre looking for a lively sports bar with a great atmosphere' to catch a game or just chill, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful that its popularity means it can get a bit crowded at peak times.
Value (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 20% of the guests
The value here generally hits the mark, with a decent score of 6.6. Many folks appreciate the reasonably priced and never expensive drinks, especially for San Francisco. With 5 positive remarks out of 8 total, the happy hour deals and overall affordable drinks definitely stand out as a plus.
However, customer satisfaction is a bit mixed at 62.5%, suggesting theres some room for improvement. There was one specific concern regarding a "booth rental" experience, where expectations for value werent met. It seems some aspects might not always deliver the bang for your buck you'd hope for.
Value
8
Reviews
62%
Satisfaction
1
negative
2
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable drinks
- Happy hour deals
What people don't like
- Booth rental value
Often praised
- reasonably pricedI watched the SNF game there, and the atmosphere was great. They have a good selection of beers and they are reasonably priced. It's also convenient that they permit food being brought in from other places.
- drinksAffordable drinks
- happy hourhappy hour from 10pm on draft and shots
- never expensivebut it's never expensive
Frequently criticized
- booth rentalwith the purchase of a booth rental we'd get a stripper or two dancing on our table. But we didnt go even get that
If you're looking for a spot with generally reasonably priced drinks, especially during happy hour, this place could be a solid choice. Just be mindful that some specific offerings, like a booth rental, might not always live up to expectations, so manage those expectations accordingly.
How are the prices at Ace's?
On average, you’ll spend around 36 per person – from 8 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $31–$40 category. For a Bar & Pub, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Looking at what people actually spent, prices are quite spread out, from budget-friendly bites to a more premium experience, rather than clustering around this average. While the data is based on a limited 8 reviews, it gives us a good indication.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 8 reviews. While the data is limited, it gives a good indication of the spending patterns.
See how this spot stacks up against similar places in San Francisco when it comes to value for money.
Given the variety in reported spending, wed say the pricing feels fair for a Bar & Pub, offering options from casual to a more indulgent experience. Its good to know there’s something for different budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Ace's
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Great Times and Bar Rules
My experience at this place was filled with good times, including being bussed to my first New York Giants game years ago. The bar was also a highlight, especially with its early 6 am opening hours. I recall a specific instance where someone was asked to leave for not tipping, which is a reminder of how bars operate: a dollar a drink minimum is standard, regardless of service quality.
If the service isn't satisfactory, it's advised to tip appropriately on the first round and then find another establishment for subsequent drinks.
- good times9
- bar8
- dollar a drink minimum6
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Amazing Bartender, Welcoming Crowd
My experience at this establishment was primarily defined by the exceptional service from our bartender, Melinda. She was incredibly knowledgeable, like a 'living Google, ' and shared insights about local spots that only residents would know. The atmosphere was very welcoming, with the whole crowd being friendly.
However, there was no food available during our visit.
- bartender Melinda10
- area9
- crowd9
- food1
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great NYC-style bar in SF!
What was my experience at this restaurant? It was like finding an NYC-styled bar in SF, and I was ready for it! I had a great bar experience with good service and an even better atmosphere.
I definitely recommend any east coast visitors in SF to check this bar out. KNICKS IN 7!
- bar9
- service8
- atmosphere9
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing End to a Good Time
I've been to this bar a few times and have generally had a good time. My friends and I were here the other day watching the Warriors game, and we were told to leave towards the end for a poor tip. While we usually tip well, we didn't find the service to be welcoming and didn't warrant a bigger tip.
Being asked to leave turned our fun night into a very sour one. I hope the staff acts more professionally in the future and treats customers with more respect.
- service2
- staff2
- customers2
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Great IPA, Friendly Staff, Relaxed Vibe
My experience at this establishment was largely positive. I found the Boneyard IPA to be great, with a preference for its more bitter and hoppy profile over fruity notes. The staff were friendly, and the overall atmosphere was relaxed, which I appreciated.
A unique aspect was that they don’t serve food, but the bar staff mentioned I could bring my own, which is unheard of back home in Sydney. The pace of life here, like in San Francisco, is slower than I'm used to, and I found this to be a positive. 🤗😄
- Boneyard IPA9
- staff8
- pace8
- food4
What Ace's offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Dancing
- Hard liquor
- Food
- Wine
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Seating
Service Options
- Dine-in
Pets
- Dogs allowed
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere can you expect at Ace's Bar?
At Ace’s Bar, you can expect a cozy and casual atmosphere, perfect for relaxing and enjoying yourself. It’s a welcoming spot where you can unwind, play bar games, or simply enjoy the great beer selection, including a variety of beers, wines, and cocktails.
Is Ace's Bar accessible and pet-friendly?
Yes, Ace’s Bar is wheelchair accessible, including its entrance and restrooms, ensuring comfort for all guests. Additionally, if you’re bringing your furry friend along, dogs are allowed inside, making it a great spot for pet owners in Lower Nob Hill.
How does Ace's generally perform according to customer feedback?
Ace’s holds an overall score of 7.5. Its Ambience (8.4) is highly rated, followed by its Food (7.4), which primarily refers to its drink offerings. Value (6.6) and Service (6.5) are considered fair.
What are the main positive aspects customers highlight about Ace's?
Customers frequently praise Ace’s for its vibrant atmosphere, often described as an “NYC-styled bar” or a “dive sports bar.” The selection of drinks, including various beers and cocktails, and the generally friendly bartenders are also well-received.
Are there any common drawbacks or things to be aware of before visiting Ace's?
A key point to note is that Ace’s does not serve food, though some patrons mention bringing their own. There have also been instances of inconsistent service, with some customers reporting difficulty getting attention or encountering less welcoming staff, and it can occasionally get overcrowded.