Highlights
- Live performances
oChef » The Record Bar – San Francisco
The Record Bar - San Francisco
Photo from The Record Bar
The Record Bar at a glance
San Francisco South of Market
- 🍻 Bar & Pub
$$$
Price per Person $101+
mentioned by 3 of the guests
#2133 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#142 Bar & Pub out of 151 in San Francisco
Good
6.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
123
Reviews
61.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Themed rooms
- Karaoke atmosphere
- Cocktail variety
Frequently criticized
- Karaoke system issues
- Service quality
- Bouncer conduct
The bar & pub The Record Bar in San Francisco’s vibrant South of Market neighborhood offers you an unforgettable experience. This lively spot is renowned for its dynamic live performances, creating an energetic atmosphere where you can truly let loose.
Whether you’re looking to enjoy great music or simply soak in the local scene, this San Francisco bar & pub provides a fantastic setting for a night out.
Overview: Introducting The Record Bar
The Record Bar aims to be a lively spot, often praised for its distinct themed rooms and the fun karaoke experience it provides. Guests appreciate the energetic vibes and the creative decor that sets the mood for a night out.
Yet, some visits have been marred by concerns regarding the functionality of the karaoke system and, more seriously, reports of unwelcoming service from staff, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.
Good
6.1
out of 10
123
Reviews
61.8%
Satisfaction
46
negative
1
neutral
76
positive
The Record Bar registers an overall score of 6.1, placing it squarely in the average range, with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 61.8%. This assessment draws from 123 customer observations, with 76 leaning positive and 46 expressing concerns.
A closer look reveals that the Ambience (7.2) is a clear strength, often praised for its unique setting. However, the Food (6.1) is considered average, while both Service (4.2) and Value (4.4) are areas that consistently fall short, indicating room for considerable improvement.
What people like
- Unique themed rooms
- Lively karaoke atmosphere
- Creative cocktail menu
What people don't like
- Unreliable karaoke system
- Poor customer service
- Concerning bouncer behavior
With a recommendation score of 5.9, The Record Bar offers a mixed experience. If you prioritize a lively atmosphere with distinct themed rooms and the general idea of karaoke, you might find some enjoyment here.
However, be aware of potential frustrations with the karaoke system and inconsistent service. It’s a spot with clear strengths in ambiance, but its operational execution and customer care warrant caution.
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Verdict: Our expert take on The Record Bar
Food (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 17% of the guests
When it comes to the food and drink experience, theres a lot to like! Many folks raved about the excellent drink menu and fantastic cocktails, often noting they were reasonably priced. Guests also enjoyed the diverse food options, specifically calling out the delicious Kristin Krunchy chicken and the delightful savory or sweet crepes.
With 6 positive comments, the overall score for food sits at an 6.1, indicating an average performance. However, not all experiences were stellar. Some found the drinks to be quite disappointing, with one person even calling them the worst ever served.
The margaritas specifically received criticism, with issues like being served in plastic cups and unexpected charges. With 3 negative comments, customer satisfaction is at a 66.7%, suggesting theres definitely room for improvement in consistency.
Food
9
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great cocktails
- Unique food options
- Reasonably priced drinks
What people don't like
- Inconsistent drink quality
- Unexpected drink charges
Often praised
- Kristin Krunchy chickenKristin Krunchy chicken and savory or sweet crepes! YUM!!
- cocktailsThe djs were great, and I loved that there were so many different themed rooms to hang out with friends and have fun. The drink menu also had great cocktails. I highly recommend checking this place out!
- drink menudrink menu has great cocktails
- drinksthe drinks were reasonably priced
- food optionsMy favorite rooms were the goth room, for the vibes 😄, and the tiki room, the colors in there are so fun! The music is always great, and I love the food options they have here as well, like the Kristin Krunchy chicken and savory or sweet crepes! YUM!
- savory or sweet crepesand savory or sweet crepes! YUM!!
Frequently criticized
- drinkscharge us for the drinks that we had, when the “online package” said they were included
- margaritastwo margaritas - was handed two plastic cups
If you're looking for a place with creative food options like Kristin Krunchy chicken and crepes, plus a good cocktail menu, it might be worth a visit. However, be mindful that the overall drink quality can be inconsistent, especially for margaritas, so manage your expectations there.
Service (4.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 63% of the guests
When it comes to service, there are definitely some bright spots, with 13 positive remarks highlighting the friendly staff and great service from bartenders who are often described as super cool and helpful. While the overall score sits at an average 4.2, its clear some guests had genuinely positive interactions and appreciated the responsive customer service. However, the picture isnt entirely rosy, with 23 negative comments pointing to significant issues.
Many experienced unhelpful employees, rude service, and frustrating technical difficulties with equipment, leading to a poor 36.1% customer satisfaction. There are also serious concerns about bouncers and security personnel, with some very troubling accounts of aggressive behavior and non-existent customer service.
Service
36
Reviews
36%
Satisfaction
23
negative
0
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Helpful bartenders
- Responsive service
What people don't like
- Unhelpful employees
- Rude service
- Aggressive security
Often praised
- staffThe staff was super cool and walked us through the process
- servicealways good service
- Warriors gearstaff noticed we had some Warriors gear on and put us in a Warriors themed room
- bartendersThe bartenders were very friendly
- customer serviceappreciated how responsive the customer service was
- easy to useit’s was really easy to use
- great serviceThanks for the great service!!
- mics and tvhelpful when they got us set up with the mics and tv
- peoplethe people are always so nice
Frequently criticized
- entrancesecurity personnel attempted to refuse me entrance
- serviceThe service was not good, they were rude and unwelcoming
- aggressive guardsaggressive guards who beat up my friend
- bar accessthey wouldn't even let us go in the bar I guess because there was a private party... And they were incredibly rude about it
- bouncersMy experience at this restaurant was extremely negative and unsafe. I was jumped and assaulted by bouncers in the restroom. This establishment is not safe or queer friendly.
- customer servicecustomer service was just non-existent
- employeesthe employees just gave up trying to get it fixed
- humiliationdon't want to be humiliated
- karaoke experiencepaid $200/hr for the karaoke experience and the thing ended up was on YouTube
- managementmanagement wasn’t accommodating either
Service here is a real mixed bag; you might encounter genuinely friendly and helpful staff, but theres a significant chance of running into unhelpful employees, technical glitches, or even serious security issues. If youre looking for consistently smooth and attentive service, you might want to consider other options, as the experience can be quite unpredictable.
Ambience (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 93% of the guests
The ambience here generally hits a high note, with a solid score of 7.2 and customer satisfaction at a good 76.1%. Many of the 54 positive comments rave about the fantastic music, diverse themed rooms, and energetic DJs, creating an overall great vibe that keeps people coming back for more fun. However, it's not all smooth sailing.
Some of the 16 negative comments point to frustrating issues with the karaoke system, malfunctioning speakers and microphones, and even a surprisingly slippery floor. These technical glitches and safety concerns definitely put a damper on the experience for some.
Ambience
71
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
16
negative
1
neutral
54
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great music, DJs
- Unique themed rooms
- Lively, fun vibe
What people don't like
- Faulty karaoke system
- Broken speakers, mics
- Slippery, hazardous floor
Often praised
- themed roomsIt's the best new karaoke bar and underground club in San Francisco. The djs were great, and I loved that there were so many different themed rooms to hang out with friends and have fun. The drink menu also had great cocktails.
- karaokeI initially thought this was just a club, but it turned out to be a dope spot to do karaoke!
- musicThe music is always great
- vibesalways has the best vibes
- dance floorgo out onto the dance floor and watch the dj
- decorthe decor is so retro disco
- disco roomWe had the disco room and it was really cool.
- jungle roomMy favorite is the jungle room!!
- karaoke barMy experience at The Record Bar was fantastic! It's the best new karaoke bar and underground club in San Francisco. The djs were great, and I loved that there were so many different themed rooms to hang out with friends and have fun.
- karaoke roomsI've visited a couple of times before, and it's always been a good time. The vibes are fun, and the karaoke rooms are spacious.
Frequently criticized
- speakersThere was no legit system at all, just Sing King (seriously, they should pay Sing King for commercial use). The speakers broke 3 times in one hour, and they kept saying it was a “technical issue”… It would have been better money spent at Pandora, sincerely.
- entrancesentrances were all gated up
- equipmentUpon arrival, we couldn't find the entrance, and were told their doors weren't open yet, despite having a booked room for set times. Once inside, none of the equipment worked. After troubleshooting, we only had one microphone instead of two, and the sound quality was so poor we could barely hear ourselves singing, with the neighboring room being louder.
- floorsthe floors were so wet
- karaoke experienceMy experience at this restaurant was the worst karaoke experience ever. They handed us a Roku remote to pick songs via YouTube, complete with YouTube ads playing between songs, all for $120/hr.
- karaoke systemno legit system AT ALL just Sing King
- microphonesThe microphones kept cutting out
- micsmics weren’t even working
- placeplace was dead empty
- queer friendlyI was jumped and assaulted by bouncers in the restroom. This establishment is not safe or queer friendly.
If you're looking for a lively spot with unique themed rooms and great music, this place could be a blast. Just be aware that the karaoke tech can be a bit hit-or-miss, so manage your expectations if singing is your main goal.
Value (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 20% of the guests
When it comes to value, there are some silver linings. Guests appreciated the quick and full refunds when issues arose, highlighting a responsive approach to customer service. Plus, some found drinks to be reasonably priced.
This positive sentiment, drawn from 3 favorable comments, shows a willingness to address pricing concerns. However, the overall value experience is a bit of a mixed bag, reflected in an average 4.4 score and mixed 42.9% customer satisfaction. Many felt the hourly rates, sometimes reaching $200/hr, were steep for the quality of the experience, particularly for karaoke.
These concerns, noted in 4 critical remarks, point to a need for better alignment between price and offering.
Value
7
Reviews
42%
Satisfaction
4
negative
0
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Quick refunds
- Responsive service
- Drinks reasonably priced
What people don't like
- High hourly rates
- Poor karaoke value
- Disappointing experience
Often praised
- priceHowever, they immediately refunded the entire cost, so I appreciated their responsive customer service in that regard (which is why I didn't give 1 star). We ended up a few blocks down at Pandora, where it wasn't too busy for a weeknight, and we were able to get a room for 2 hours for about the price of 1 here.
- priceddrinks were reasonably priced
- refundrefunded me the whole cost immediately
Frequently criticized
- $200/hrMy experience with the karaoke system was extremely disappointing. We paid $200/hr for the karaoke experience, and the system ended up on YouTube 😅. There was no legit system at all, just Sing King (seriously, they should pay Sing King for commercial use).
- price$120/hr for this!
- refundowner stated that they could give me a refund then and there
- ticketsPaid for tix to support some cool local djs
Overall, the value here is a bit of a gamble. While theyre great about offering refunds if youre unhappy, be prepared for potentially high hourly rates, especially for certain activities. Its worth a try if youre okay with managing expectations on what you get for your money.
How are the prices at The Record Bar?
On average, you’ll spend around 105 per person – based on 3 guests. That places this spot in the $101+ category. For a Bar & Pub, that’s definitely a higher-end experience!
Looking at the recent reviews, we see prices are quite spread out, with one diner spending in the $41–$50 range, another in the $61–$70 range, and one opting for the $101+ premium experience. This suggests a mix of casual and more indulgent visits. While the data is limited with only 3 reviews, it still gives us a good peek into what to expect.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 3 reviews. While the data is limited, it gives a good indication of the price points.
How this Bar & Pub stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco when it comes to value for money.
Considering its a Bar & Pub in San Francisco, an average of 105 per person suggests a more premium experience. We think the pricing can be fair if youre looking for top-notch drinks, ambiance, or perhaps some gourmet bites. Just be prepared for a higher tab than your average pub visit!
Customer Reviews: what people think about The Record Bar
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Loud
9
Awesome place, great music and vibes!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The security and atmosphere were top-notch. I absolutely loved the decor and the DJs they book.
I have fun every time I go.
- security10
- atmosphere10
- decor10
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Terrible Karaoke and Rude Service
My experience at this restaurant was the worst karaoke experience ever. They handed us a Roku remote to pick songs via YouTube, complete with YouTube ads playing between songs, all for $120/hr. While the disco room looked cool, the floor was dangerously slippery.
The service was also poor; the staff were rude and unwelcoming. A waitress offered drinks once without a menu or prices and then disappeared. We were also prevented from entering the bar for a listed disco pop DJ dance party, supposedly due to a private party, which was confusing and handled rudely.
😠
- disco room7
- karaoke experience1
- slippery floor2
- service1
Price per Person
- $61–$70
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Worst Karaoke Service Experience
My experience at this karaoke bar was the worst. The service was exceptionally poor. We booked two hours and were told to use our room server for drinks instead of the bar.
Our server took our initial order but only reappeared an hour into our session to give us a 10-minute warning, interrupting our song. We didn't see her again until the second 10-minute warning. She then stopped us mid-song during our last track to take the microphone.
The setup was decent, with security at the front, multiple rooms, and a bar. However, songs were streamed from YouTube and included ads, and the microphones kept cutting out.
- setup7
- service1
- room server2
- songs3
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Terrible experience with aggressive guards
My experience at this restaurant was terrible. I encountered aggressive guards who beat up my friend. I would advise against visiting this place if you wish to avoid humiliation.
- aggressive guards1
- humiliation1
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Service and Vibe, Love the Jungle Room!
I've visited this restaurant a couple of times with my work friends and always had a good service and a good vibe. My favorite part is the jungle room!
- service10
- vibe9
- jungle room10
What The Record Bar offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Dancing
- Food at bar
- Hard liquor
- Food
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Seating
Service Options
- Dine-in
FAQs
What kind of entertainment can you find at The Record Bar?
At The Record Bar, you can enjoy vibrant live performances that set the mood for a memorable night. You can also hit the dance floor and move to the music, making it a lively spot in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood.
What food and drink options are available at The Record Bar?
The Record Bar offers a selection of food available at the bar, perfect for a casual bite. For drinks, you’ll find a full range including beer, cocktails, and hard liquor, ensuring you have plenty of choices to quench your thirst.
How does The Record Bar generally rate among visitors?
The Record Bar has an overall score of **6.1** and a mixed customer satisfaction of **61.8%**. While its **Ambience** (7.2) is well-regarded, **Food** (6.1) is average, and both **Service** (4.2) and **Value** (4.4) are areas needing improvement.
What makes The Record Bar's atmosphere unique?
Guests frequently praise The Record Bar for its distinct **themed rooms**, lively **music**, and overall fun **vibes**. Many enjoy the retro disco decor and specific rooms like the disco or jungle room.
What are some common concerns reported by customers at The Record Bar?
Recurring issues include an unreliable **karaoke system** with technical glitches and poor sound quality. Additionally, some customers have reported negative experiences with **service**, including rude staff and concerning bouncer behavior.