Planning
- Accepts reservations
oChef » Pied Piper – San Francisco
Pied Piper - San Francisco
Photo from Pied Piper
Pied Piper at a glance
San Francisco Union Square
- 🍻 Bar & Pub
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 48 of the guests
#1338 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#103 Bar & Pub out of 151 in San Francisco
Good
7.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
316
Reviews
71.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Historic ambiance
- Attentive service
- Quality drinks
Frequently criticized
- High prices
- Slow service
- No reservations
The bar Pied Piper in San Francisco’s vibrant Union Square neighborhood offers you a truly distinctive Bar & Pub experience. You’ll discover an upscale yet cozy atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after a long day or catching up with friends.
With its trendy vibe and a focus on quality, this spot invites you to enjoy a memorable outing. Whether you’re looking for happy hour drinks or a full meal at the bar, Pied Piper has you covered.
Overview: Introducting Pied Piper
Pied Piper offers a truly distinctive experience, largely thanks to its captivating ambience and the attentive staff. Many guests appreciate the well-crafted drinks and overall quality of the food, making for an enjoyable visit.
The historic setting contributes significantly to its charm, creating a memorable backdrop for your meal or cocktail. However, some visitors have noted concerns regarding the overall value, finding certain items to be quite pricey.
While the service often shines, there are occasional reports of slow food delivery or issues with drink orders. It seems the Pied Piper has some areas where consistency could be improved.
Good
7.3
out of 10
316
Reviews
71.5%
Satisfaction
69
negative
21
neutral
226
positive
Overall, Pied Piper earns a solid 7.3 out of 10, indicating a generally positive dining experience. This is supported by a 71.5% customer satisfaction rate, suggesting most patrons leave content.
Based on 316 customer observations, with 226 positive and 69 negative remarks, the feedback leans favorably. The Ambience (8.5) stands out as a particular strength, often described as elegant and stylish, making it a key draw for many.
The Service (7.3) also performs well, with many praising the friendly and efficient staff. Food (7.0) receives a good score, though some specific items occasionally miss the mark.
However, the Value (3.7) is a notable area for improvement. Guests frequently mention high prices for drinks and starters, which can detract from an otherwise pleasant experience.
What people like
- Historic, elegant ambiance
- Friendly, attentive service
- Quality drinks
What people don't like
- High prices
- Slow food service
- No reservations
With a 7.3 recommendation score, Pied Piper is certainly worth considering if you appreciate a stunning setting and quality beverages. It excels in creating a memorable atmosphere and providing generally good service.
If you prioritize a beautiful environment for drinks and conversation, you’ll likely find it a rewarding visit. However, be prepared for potentially higher prices, especially for drinks, and understand that food service can sometimes be slow.
If budget is a primary concern or you’re seeking a quick meal, you might find aspects disappointing. It’s best suited for those looking to savor the experience rather than rush through it.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Pied Piper
Food (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
When it comes to the food, its a bit of a mixed bag, but generally leaning positive! With a solid score of 7, indicating a good experience, and customer satisfaction at 66.5%, which is a mixed result, theres certainly a lot to discuss. Based on 103 positive remarks out of 155 total mentions, many guests loved the tasty burgers, well-crafted cocktails, and quality snacks like homemade potato chips, often praising the overall food quality and presentation.
However, not everyone was completely won over, with 36 negative comments highlighting some areas for improvement. Some found dishes like the burger and cod to be too salty, while others mentioned greasy food, limited main options, or subpar food quality. There were also concerns about kitchen hours, suggesting that late-night snack options might be hard to come by.
Food
155
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
36
negative
16
neutral
103
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Tasty burgers
- Great cocktails
- Quality snacks
What people don't like
- Salty dishes
- Greasy food
- Limited menu
Often praised
- foodI was impressed by the great IPA selections. The atmosphere was so nice, the service was excellent, and the food was fantastic. I ended up eating so much because of how enjoyable the entire experience was.
- drinksThe lounge itself has interesting history associated with the hotel, and the Pied Piper painting is the focal point of the room. The service was excellent, and the drinks were well prepared and generous. We were treated to "Homemade Potato Chips" and assorted olives, both of which were soooo good!
- cocktailsThe atmosphere has a cool Beaux Arts-ish vibe. I enjoyed the good cocktails and the vast beer and wine selection. They offer a small selection of upmarket bar food, and the service was good.
- burgerthis burger is definitely going to be one of your best burgers
- great foodIt was THE place to be in the 90s. The Happy Hour on Friday was amazing, with great food and a $3 martini. They also had live music, and it was a popular spot for single workers.
- oystersThe old school atmosphere truly gives the place charm and makes up for some of the food inconsistencies. While the oysters were delicious, the grilled cheese and tomato sandwich was not so great. On the other hand, I had the best "Old Fashion" I've had in a long time, and I'm not even a big whiskey drinker.
- snacksMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic! We enjoyed delish cocktails and tasty snacks. Our server, Nikki, was the best and provided such a wonderful partnership to our evening.
- wine listmore than adequate wine list
- Bar FoodExcellent Bar Food
- CocktailThe atmosphere is intimate with an all-wood bar and paneling, and low lights. It's a great place for a relaxing cocktail with friends or even when dining solo.
Frequently criticized
- foodThe food was lacking flavor
- Old FashionedI ordered an Old Fashioned at 10: 15 PM, which cost $22. It was hastily assembled, and the liquor was not chilled, despite the large ice cube. I found a more carefully crafted version for $14 at a nearby bar.
- Wagyu burgerWagyu burger was burnt and had NO flavor
- Sole and shrimp and chipsSole and shrimp and chips was a bit too oily
- braised beefThe braised beef and the cacio w Pepe were not good.
- breadThe bread was dry and not even toasted
- bread choiceHowever, the prices were a significant drawback, seeming expensive even for an SF hotel, especially for starters and cocktails which ranged from $21-25 plus tax and tip. The crab appetizer was decent, but the accompanying bread choice was poor and overpowered the other flavors. The main course options were surprisingly limited, and the lemon tart was not very tart, leaning too sweet.
- burgerrather eat a burger from McDonald’s
- cacio e pepeThe braised beef and the cacio w Pepe were not good.
- charcuteriethe chaucerterie was just meat, pickles and mustard
If youre looking for a spot with good cocktails and satisfying bar food like burgers and snacks, youll likely enjoy your visit. Just be mindful that some dishes might be on the saltier or greasier side, and the main menu options can be limited, especially later in the evening.
Service (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 66% of the guests
Overall, the service at this establishment is quite good, boasting a solid score of 7.3 and a customer satisfaction rate of 73.1%. Many guests, with 49 positive remarks out of 67 total, consistently praised the attentive wait staff, friendly servers, and responsive bar team. Specific mentions highlight excellent staff like Nikki, Joel, and Malia for their outstanding care and professionalism.
However, there are some areas where the service could improve. Around 16 comments pointed to issues with servers, including instances of initial waiters being rude or lazy, and the service of food being quite slow. Some guests also noted difficulties with communication and customer service, suggesting an occasional inconsistency in the team's performance.
Service
67
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
16
negative
2
neutral
49
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive staff
- Friendly service
- Responsive bar team
What people don't like
- Slow food service
- Rude initial waiters
- Communication issues
Often praised
- serviceThe food quality is good, though some portions, particularly the mac and cheese balls, could be a bit bigger. The drinks are good, and the staff are very friendly, providing good service. It's important to note that there is inside only seating, with no outside seating available.
- staffMy experience at this restaurant, located within the Palace Hotel, was in a classic elegant and stylish venue. The service was excellent, with super friendly staff. I also enjoyed the great tasting delicious food.
- bartendersbartenders at the Pier Piper KNOW how to make proper drinks
- wait staffWe ate in the front of the space, and it was very comfortable. The wait staff were pleasant and provided great staff! It's a really nice place to enjoy good food and conversation!
- DoormanNorman, the Doorman, who was extremly courteous and helpful.
- JoelJoel is an institution and one of the best bartenders
- MaliaPS. Malia was fantastic, pretty sure she's the gold standard there.
- NikkiNikki was the best and SUCH a wonderful partner
- bar staffGreat bar staff
- bar teamrapid and dignified response from the bar team
Frequently criticized
- servicethe service experience was quite negative
- barmanthe Barman prepared what he wanted... whatever we said did not matter
- customer serviceNot the way the deal with customer service
- do not accept reservationsThey don’t accept reservations
- drink menusMy experience at this restaurant was largely negative due to significant issues with service and food quality. Initially, we were seated at the bar for five minutes without even receiving drink menus or water, and our first waiter was rude and lazy. We moved to a table where the second waiter was better, but the service of food was still quite slow.
- drink rulerule of one drink per 30 minutes.
- hostess standNo hostess stand to check people
- serverthe server ran after me demanding that I given a credit card
- serversWhat a shame for such a historic hotel. The servers hardly spoke English, which was difficult, but after spending over $2, 000 there, I definitely won't be going back. PS.
- service of foodthe service of food was still quite slow
If youre seeking a dining experience with generally attentive and friendly staff, youll likely find the service here to be a strong point. While there might be occasional reports of slower food delivery or communication issues, the overwhelmingly positive feedback suggests it's well worth a visit for reliable care.
Ambience (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 72% of the guests
The ambience here is truly a highlight, scoring a good 8.5 and boasting an excellent 92.2% customer satisfaction. Guests consistently praise the atmosphere, vibe, and decor, often mentioning the historic space and the Pied Piper painting. With 71 positive comments out of 77 total, it's clear many find it a beautiful room with a grand San Francisco ambiance.
However, a few guests noted that the place can get busy and crowded at times, with 3 negative comments mentioning this. There were also some questions about the presence of TV screens. These minor points suggest that while the overall vibe is fantastic, it might not always be the quietest spot.
Ambience
77
Reviews
92%
Satisfaction
3
negative
3
neutral
71
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Historic, grand ambiance
- Iconic Pied Piper painting
- Cozy, elegant vibe
What people don't like
- Can get crowded
- TV screens present
Often praised
- atmosphereI was impressed by the great IPA selections. The atmosphere was so nice, the service was excellent, and the food was fantastic. I ended up eating so much because of how enjoyable the entire experience was.
- vibeCool Beaux Arts-ish vibe
- Pied Piper paintingThe original Pied Piper painting by Maxfield Parrish is stunning
- ambianceService, ambiance and food were all better than expected
- placeThis place is so pretty
- barFantastic bar / restaurant in a historic hotel
- decorAmazing decor
- paintingsit at the bar and have a drink with the $3-5 million dollar painting
- restaurantMy experience at this historic bar and restaurant, located inside the Palace hotel, was visually appealing. The restaurant itself is quite beautiful. They don't take reservations, but luckily the line moves fast.
- venueMy experience at this restaurant, located within the Palace Hotel, was in a classic elegant and stylish venue. The service was excellent, with super friendly staff.
Frequently criticized
- TV screenswhy the huge TV screens with sports?
- busyThey also served awesome drinks. The only negative aspect is that it can get very busy. I highly recommend it.
- crowdedit’s crowded most of the time
If you're looking for a place with a rich history and a stunning, elegant atmosphere, this spot is definitely worth a visit. Just be prepared that it can get a bit lively and crowded, especially during peak times, so plan accordingly if you prefer a quieter experience.
Value (3.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 21% of the guests
A few patrons did find some silver linings regarding value, with 3 positive remarks highlighting that it was worth every penny and worth the effort to visit. Theres even a fond, nostalgic memory of a fantastic Happy Hour from the past that offered great food and drinks. However, the majority of the 17 opinions, specifically 14 negative ones, paint a different picture.
Many found things like drinks, price, and starters to be overpriced and pricey, with parking' also adding to the cost. This leads to a rather poor customer satisfaction of just 17.6%, especially given the overall score of 3.7, indicating significant room for improvement.
Value
17
Reviews
17%
Satisfaction
14
negative
0
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Worth every penny
- Worth the effort
What people don't like
- Drinks are pricey
- Food is overpriced
- Parking is expensive
Often praised
- Happy HourIt was THE place to be in the 90s. The Happy Hour on Friday was amazing, with great food and a $3 martini. They also had live music, and it was a popular spot for single workers.
- effort to visitTotally worth the effort to visit
- worth every pennyIt's definitely worth every penny.
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was marked by ambiance that was just okay, but the service was the worst I've encountered in my 3 decades in the Bay Area. It was also horribly overpriced. I am not planning to ever return.
- drinksMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing, primarily due to the overpriced drinks. I ordered an Old Fashioned at 10: 15 PM, which cost $22.
- priceyThe atmosphere was nice and the staff were very attentive and accommodating, making me feel welcome. The food was good, but I found it to be very pricey.
- cocktails pricelatter at $21-25 + tax + tip? OUCH!
- overpricedOverpriced
- parkingparking in the area is, like much of San Francisco, bloody expensive
- pricesMan those prices, seemingly expensive
- startersparticularly re starters
If youre looking for a great deal, this might not be your first stop, as many find it quite expensive. While there are a few positive mentions, the overwhelming sentiment points to a place where you might feel youre paying too much for what you get.
How are the prices at Pied Piper?
You’re looking at roughly 42 per person – reported by 48 diners. That puts it in the $41–$50 category. For a Bar & Pub, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Whats cool is that while the average is 42, a good number of folks actually spend less, often in the $21–$30 range. But hey, there are also some pricier options if youre feeling fancy, so it’s a nice mix!
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 48 reviews.
Comparing value for money at this spot against similar places in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Bar & Pub in San Francisco, especially considering the variety of price points available to guests.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Pied Piper
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Nice Venue, Decent Service with Rules
My experience at this restaurant was pleasant. The venue itself was nice, and the atmosphere was great, scoring a 5 out of 5. The food was also good, receiving a score of 4 out of 5.
However, the service was a bit of a letdown, rated at 3 out of 5. This was primarily due to a peculiar rule of one drink per 30 minutes, with a maximum of four drinks. While we weren't planning on having more, the interaction felt a bit strange.
- venue9
- service5
- atmosphere10
- drink rule3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
8
Beautiful Room, Pricey Drinks, Eager to Return
What a beautiful room to have a pre-dinner glass of Champagne. The drinks were pricey, but I look forward to returning for a dinner. Happy Birthday Palace Hotel!
- beautiful room9
- drinks4
- pricey4
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Charming Atmosphere, Mixed Food Experience
My experience at this restaurant was a blend of the old and the new. The old school atmosphere truly gives the place charm and makes up for some of the food inconsistencies. While the oysters were delicious, the grilled cheese and tomato sandwich was not so great.
On the other hand, I had the best "Old Fashion" I've had in a long time, and I'm not even a big whiskey drinker. The service was great and attentive. The bar area is a highlight, with amazing art and a decorative bar.
Don't miss the historical items in the hallway and the glass atrium.
- oysters9
- Old Fashion10
- old school atmosphere9
- grilled cheese and tomato3
Price per Person
- $71–$80
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Cozy Atmosphere, Friendly Service, Good Food
My experience at this restaurant was quite pleasant. The atmosphere is described as a cozy, enclosed bar/restaurant vibe, with no windows to look outside. They offer comfortable padded seats and high chairs at high tables, creating a nice, small, cozy feel.
There's also a bar with a TV. The food quality is good, though some portions, particularly the mac and cheese balls, could be a bit bigger. The drinks are good, and the staff are very friendly, providing good service.
It's important to note that there is inside only seating, with no outside seating available.
- atmosphere9
- food quality8
- portions6
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Delish Cocktails and Wonderful Service!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! We enjoyed delish cocktails and tasty snacks. Our server, Nikki, was the best and provided such a wonderful partnership to our evening.
We would come back just for her!
- cocktails9
- snacks8
- Nikki10
What Pied Piper offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Food at bar
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Food
- Wine
- Beer
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Seating
Service Options
- Dine-in
Atmosphere
- Upscale
- Cozy
- Trendy
FAQs
Is Pied Piper accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes, you’ll find that Pied Piper offers a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible restroom, ensuring comfort for all guests.
What kind of atmosphere does Pied Piper offer?
When you visit Pied Piper, you can expect an atmosphere that is both upscale and cozy, with a trendy vibe that makes it a great spot for any occasion.
How does Pied Piper generally perform?
Pied Piper holds a good overall score of **7.3** out of 10. Its **Ambience** (8.5) and **Service** (7.3) are particularly strong, while **Food** (7.0) is also well-regarded. However, **Value** (3.7) is an area where it struggles, with many finding prices to be high.
What kind of atmosphere can I expect at Pied Piper?
You can expect a classic, elegant, and stylish **ambience**, often described as having a cool Beaux Arts-ish vibe. The historic setting, including the famous Pied Piper painting, is a significant draw, making it a visually appealing venue for drinks and conversation.
Is Pied Piper considered good value for money?
While many find the experience worthwhile, **Value** (3.7) is a common concern. Guests frequently mention that drinks and starters can be quite pricey, and some feel it is overpriced, particularly for a hotel setting.