Highlights
- Great beer selection
- Sports
oChef » Louie’s – San Francisco
Louie's - San Francisco
Photo from Louie’s
Louie's at a glance
San Francisco Transbay
- 🍻 Bar & Grill
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 66 of the guests
#1083 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#9 Bar & Grill out of 16 in San Francisco
Good
7.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
403
Reviews
76.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quality food
- Craft cocktails
- Welcoming staff
Frequently criticized
- Service issues
- Noisy atmosphere
- Hygiene concerns
The bar & grill Louie’s Bar in San Francisco’s vibrant Transbay neighborhood offers you a fantastic spot to unwind. You’ll discover a truly great beer selection here, perfect for any palate.
Whether you’re catching a game or just looking for a casual evening out, this cozy and trendy establishment provides a welcoming atmosphere. It’s an ideal destination for a quick bite or a relaxed dinner, ensuring a memorable experience in the city.
Overview: Introducting Louie's
Louie’s offers a lively spot where many appreciate the overall experience. Guests often praise the friendly staff and the quality of the food, especially the savory options.
The atmosphere is generally seen as inviting, making it a good place to unwind with a drink. However, some experiences with the service can be inconsistent, with occasional long waits or issues with being served.
The environment can also get quite loud, and a few found certain food items to be less impressive.
Good
7.6
out of 10
403
Reviews
76.9%
Satisfaction
68
negative
25
neutral
310
positive
Louie’s generally earns a solid reputation, reflected in its overall Restaurant Score of 7.6 and a Customer Satisfaction of 76.9%. These figures suggest a consistently good experience for most patrons.
The positive feedback, gathered from 310 positive remarks out of 403 total, often highlights the culinary offerings and the welcoming atmosphere. Diving deeper, the Food (7.9) stands out as a particular strength, frequently mentioned for its quality.
Service (7.2) also receives good marks, though some experiences vary. The Ambience (7.4) contributes positively to the visit, while Value (6.9) is considered fair, despite 68 negative comments.
What people like
- Quality bar food
- Great cocktails
- Friendly staff
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Loud, crowded space
- Kitchen cleanliness concerns
Louie’s presents itself as a solid choice for those seeking a lively spot with good food and drinks. With a Recommendation Score of 7.7, it’s generally well-regarded, especially if you appreciate a bustling atmosphere and well-crafted beverages.
However, be prepared for potential service delays and a potentially loud setting. If you prioritize a quiet, intimate dining experience or are sensitive to noise, it might not be your ideal destination.
Otherwise, it offers a dependable experience for casual outings.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Louie's
Food (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 84% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, diners are generally thrilled! With a solid score of 7.9 and a customer satisfaction rate of 83%, its clear the kitchen is doing something right. Out of 194 comments, 161 rave about the amazing food, delicious burgers, and great chicken sandwich, with many loving the tacos too.
However, not every dish hits the mark. A few of the 23 negative comments mention issues like dry chicken or an overcooked burger. Some also found the burger bun too thick, occasionally overshadowing the flavor.
While these are minor points, theyre worth noting for a consistently great experience.
Food
194
Reviews
83%
Satisfaction
23
negative
10
neutral
161
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Amazing food
- Delicious burgers
- Great chicken sandwich
What people don't like
- Dry chicken
- Overcooked burger
- Thick burger bun
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this wonderful "neighborhood" bar in the San Francisco financial district was great. I enjoyed the nice food and the good array of mixed drinks and beer. The friendly bartenders made it a great place to hang with friends.
- burgerIf you're after a legit burger and a classic old fashioned, do yourself a favor and find the one benign SF alley that leads you to Louie's. While other joints around town might flaunt their fancy tapas and tartares, bartenders like Dwight and Matt stick to the basics and serve what you crave, but better.
- beer selectionNice selection of beer... Not just all IPAs (thank goodness).
- burgersAs well as montana-kentucky hybrids you've never known but are willing to try. Overall, hard work pays off at this dive that delivers on cold drinks, savory burgers, and fun atmosphere.
- cocktailsThe staff was friendly and fun, contributing to a great atmosphere. They offer a full bar with great cocktails. The ambiance is nice, but the only downside is that the restrooms are in bad shape.
- drinksAs well as montana-kentucky hybrids you've never known but are willing to try. Overall, hard work pays off at this dive that delivers on cold drinks, savory burgers, and fun atmosphere.
- tacosMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. The people were lovely, and I particularly enjoyed the good burger and tacos. We liked it and would definitely come back again.
- potato skinsa simple light order of potato skins... crazy good
- Burger and FriesThe Burger and Fries
- bar foodbetter than average bar food
Frequently criticized
- foodThe food is not worth it
- chicken sandwichdry on the outside, those poor chicken also got really overcooked
- Diet Cokeit was the worst Diet Coke I ever had
- beergiven the wrong beer
- beer selectionthe beer selection ain't that great either
- burgerBurger was over cooked
- burger bunthe burger bun is quite thick and I think it sucks up a lot of the fantastic burger flavor
- burger toppingsorders incorrect for their burger toppings
- chickendas Hühnchen leider sehr trocken und teilweise verbrannt
- drinkdenied me a drink because I was having drumbeat a friend
If you're looking for a spot with genuinely good food, especially for burgers and chicken sandwiches, this place is definitely worth a visit. While there might be an occasional miss with chicken dryness, the overall culinary experience is highly praised and satisfying.
Service (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 70% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark with a 7.2 score, indicating a good experience for many. With a solid 71.4% customer satisfaction and 70 positive remarks out of 98, guests frequently praise the friendly staff, attentive service, and great bartenders who provide awesome service and drink suggestions. Many found the staff welcoming and engaging.
However, not everyone had a perfect experience, with 26 negative remarks pointing to some areas for improvement. A few encountered issues like a gross attitude from some staff, disrespectful behavior, or not great service. There were also complaints about long bar service waits and occasional rude bartenders.
Service
98
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
26
negative
2
neutral
70
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Great bartenders
- Welcoming service
What people don't like
- Rude staff attitude
- Slow bar service
- Disrespectful behavior
Often praised
- serviceService is good as long as you don't mind walking to the bar
- bartenderMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, largely due to the exceptional service provided by Eric, one of the best bartenders in town. He makes a mean Old Fashioned, perfect for those who appreciate classy drinks.
- staffThe other patrons and the bartender were so fun to talk to. The staff were welcoming and friendly, and they play the most ridiculous horror movies on the TVs. Llamaggedon?
- bartendersI enjoyed the nice food and the good array of mixed drinks and beer. The friendly bartenders made it a great place to hang with friends.
- ServiceWe got the chicken sandwich, and it was absolutely delicious. Service was great, and they had a really nice selection of drinks. We will definitely be back!
- ClaudiaEmilee Claudia & Maggie we're all amazing such great jobs & such positive attitude !!!
- EmileeEmilee Claudia & Maggie we're all amazing such great jobs & such positive attitude !!!
- JeremyJeremy has been the best bartender
- KekeKeke is the bestest and always makes our crew feel loved
- MaggieEmilee Claudia & Maggie we're all amazing such great jobs & such positive attitude !!!
Frequently criticized
- servicedenied me a drink because I was having drumbeat a friend and they thought I was drunk
- bartenderBartender refused to serve me because my license expired
- bartendersthe bartenders said they would a different playlist but never attempted.
- staffstaff were also disappointing
- accusationThey simply accused me of being too drunk before ever serving us.
- bar service waithaving really long bar service wait because there is just a huge queue of drinks to be made
- disrespectfulso strange and disrespectful
- entryThey wouldn't let me in
- female bartenderfemale bartender was swooning over my boyfriend
- food waiting timeFood took a really long time to come out
Overall, you can expect a generally good service experience, especially if you appreciate friendly and attentive staff. However, be prepared for the possibility of occasional slow bar service or less-than-stellar attitudes, particularly during busy times.
Ambience (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 69% of the guests
The ambience here generally hits the mark, with a 7.4 score indicating a good experience for most. Customers are quite happy, with a 73.2% satisfaction rate, reflecting the 71 positive comments out of 97 total. Many rave about the vibe , atmosphere , and music , often calling it a great spot or even a hidden gem for a comfortable and friendly time.
However, it's not always perfect, as 16 negative comments point out. Some found the place loud due to acoustics or being crowded , making conversation a challenge. A few also mentioned bar stools/seating arrangement could be cramped, and surprisingly, the restrooms sometimes fell short, detracting from the overall feel.
Ambience
97
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
16
negative
10
neutral
71
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great vibe, atmosphere
- Excellent music selection
- Friendly local spot
What people don't like
- Can be too loud
- Often crowded
- Restrooms need work
Often praised
- atmosphereOn a business trip, I was looking for a bar with good food and a nice atmosphere, and I found both at Louis's. The food was rated 4 out of 5, and the atmosphere received a perfect 5.
- barthe bar is situated I the heart of San Francisco's downtown district. Clean, tidy
- musicMy experience at the restaurant was largely positive. The atmosphere was cozy, though a little loud due to the acoustics, but the excellent music made up for it. For food, the pozole had good flavor and was perfect for a cold evening, although it was a bit light on the meat.
- vibeIt is a small, blink and you'll miss it place as you walk by, but it comes as advertised: great cocktails, good food, and a nice vibe.
- placeGreat place to meet up with folks
- ambienceDown to earth vibes and ambience
- locationthat's the benefit of the location
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambianceThey offer a full bar with great cocktails. The ambiance is nice, but the only downside is that the restrooms are in bad shape.
- bartenders type of bara bartenders type of bar
Frequently criticized
- loudIt was a little loud
- musicwe had to yell over “let it burn” by usher eating our meal.
- vibevibe were also disappointing
- acousticsMy experience at the restaurant was largely positive. The atmosphere was cozy, though a little loud due to the acoustics, but the excellent music made up for it. For food, the pozole had good flavor and was perfect for a cold evening, although it was a bit light on the meat.
- atmosphereAtmosphere:1
- barThe bar being as loud as it is even when there isn't a huge crowd
- bar stools/seating arrangementthe bar stools/seating arrangement can be a little cramped
- crowdthe crowd is loud and packed on your typical work night
- crowdedExtremely crowded
- kitchen cleanlinessthe kitchen is very dirty
If you're looking for a lively spot with good music and a strong vibe for a night out, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for potential noise and crowds, and perhaps manage your expectations for the seating and restrooms.
Value (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 14% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark, scoring a pretty good 6.9! Many customers rave about the affordable food and fantastic drink deals, especially the cheap PBR tall boys and happy-hour specials. With 8 positive remarks out of 14 total, patrons often find the prices, drinks, and overall value to be quite reasonable, making it a great place for a budget-friendly outing.
However, the customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 57.1%, indicating some areas for improvement. A few guests, accounting for 3 negative comments, have noted concerns about the whiskey of the week price not being honored and tabs quickly adding up. Some also felt that certain plates were on the pricier side, contrasting with the generally good drink value.
Value
14
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
3
negative
3
neutral
8
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cheap drink specials
- Affordable food options
- Good overall value
What people don't like
- Unhonored whiskey prices
- Tabs add up quickly
- Some plates expensive
Often praised
- drinksThe drinks including the cocktails are a fair price
- $4 PBR tall boyget a $4 PBR tall boy
- beer and a shot$11 for beer and a shot is still a good deal
- happy-hour specialsThis place pops! Some of the regular non-happy-hour specials are out of this world, especially the $10 pint of PBR and a full shot of Bullet whiskey. Totally unheard of in the especially expensive Bay Area!
- pricethe food was affordable
- pricesvery reasonable prices
- valueThe surprise of the meal was a simple, light order of potato skins and a salad. Both were crazy good and offered very good value. We wished we could have stayed all day.
Frequently criticized
- platesplates $20+
- tabs$100+ tabs all around you
- whiskey of the week pricesystem doesn’t seem to honor their advertised whiskey of the week price
If you're looking for great drink deals and affordable snacks, this place offers solid value. Just be mindful that while the happy hour and drink specials are fantastic, some food items and overall tabs can quickly climb, so choose wisely to avoid sticker shock.
How are the prices at Louie's?
You’re looking at roughly 35 per person – reported by 66 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Bar & Grill in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average is 35$, a good number of guests spend a bit less, often in the $21–$30 range, suggesting a nice mix of options for different budgets.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 66 most recent reviews.
Comparing value for money against similar restaurants in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Bar & Grill in San Francisco. It offers options for those looking for a more casual bite and also caters to those wanting to spend a bit more.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Louie's
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
3
Nice Atmosphere, Poor Food Quality
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The place itself is nice, and the bartender was very pleasant, even taking our food order. However, the food was ultimately not worth it.
I ordered a Diet Coke, which was surprisingly the worst Diet Coke I ever had 😂. The pork belly tacos were excessively salty, and the garlic cheese fries tasted like that artificial popcorn cheddar powder.
- bartender8
- place7
- food2
- Diet Coke1
- pork belly tacos3
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Loud
2
Kitchen closed, had to leave
My experience at the restaurant was disappointing. We arrived and found it was too loud, and unfortunately, the kitchen was closed because it was very busy. We had to leave without eating.
- kitchen1
- loud2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
2
Whiskey Deal Not Honored
My experience at the restaurant was disappointing due to a pricing discrepancy. Their system didn't seem to honor the advertised whiskey of the week price. While it was only a $2 difference, it made me question what else might be wrong with their operations.
- whiskey of the week price2
Price per Person
- $101+
Visit Type
- Solo Dining
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Loud
2
Horrible Experience: Food, Staff, Vibe
My experience at this restaurant was horrible on every level. The food was very okay, and the staff and vibe were also disappointing. The drinks were also just okay.
It felt like a dumb lecture rather than a dining experience.
- drinks5
- food2
- staff1
- vibe1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Immaculate Vibe, Great Food & Drinks
Don’t let the alleyway scare you off from going here! The vibe here is always immaculate, whether it’s slow or busy. It’s one of my favorite places to go for a drink or eat in SF!
- vibe10
- drink9
- eat9
What Louie's offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Offerings
- Food at bar
- Late-night food
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Food
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Paid parking garage
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of food and drinks can you expect at Louie's Bar?
At Louie’s Bar, you can enjoy a variety of offerings including food at the bar, quick bites, and small plates, perfect for a casual meal. They also boast a great beer selection, hard liquor, wine, and cocktails. Don’t miss their happy hour drinks and food for excellent deals.
What kind of atmosphere and amenities does Louie's Bar offer?
Louie’s Bar provides a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere, making it a comfortable place to relax. You’ll find a bar onsite, gender-neutral restrooms, and wheelchair accessible entrances, seating, and restrooms for your convenience. It’s a great spot to catch sports with friends.
What is the overall dining experience like at Louie's?
Louie’s generally provides a good experience, with an overall score of 7.6. Customers particularly appreciate the Food (7.9), Ambience (7.4), and Service (7.2), while Value (6.9) is considered fair.
What are the standout features of Louie's?
Guests frequently praise Louie’s for its quality bar food, including savory burgers and potato skins, alongside a good selection of mixed drinks and cocktails. The friendly staff and lively atmosphere are also often highlighted.
Are there any common issues to be aware of at Louie's?
Some patrons have noted occasional inconsistencies with service, including long waits or issues with being served. The atmosphere can also be quite loud and crowded, and there have been mentions of kitchen cleanliness concerns.