Highlights
- Live music
- Great wine list
- Live performances
- Great beer selection
oChef » Comstock Saloon – San Francisco
Comstock Saloon - San Francisco
Photo from Comstock Saloon
Comstock Saloon at a glance
San Francisco Chinatown
- 🍻 Bar & Pub
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 42 of the guests
#559 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#37 Bar & Pub out of 151 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
500
Reviews
86%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Historic charm
- Expert drinks
Frequently criticized
- Service inconsistency
- Food quality
The bar and pub Comstock Saloon in San Francisco’s vibrant Chinatown neighborhood offers a truly unique experience. You’ll find yourself immersed in a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere, perfect for unwinding.
This establishment is renowned for its live music, setting the stage for memorable evenings. Whether you’re seeking a great wine list or an impressive beer selection, this spot has you covered.
Overview: Introducting Comstock Saloon
Comstock Saloon offers a distinctive experience, largely praised for its captivating ambience and well-crafted drinks. Guests often highlight the unique atmosphere, enhanced by live music, making it a comfortable spot for extended visits and conversations.
However, the experience isn’t uniformly stellar. While specific food items and cocktails receive high marks, some find the general food offerings to be less memorable.
There are also notable concerns regarding service consistency and occasional issues with value perception.
Excellent
8.1
out of 10
500
Reviews
86%
Satisfaction
54
negative
16
neutral
430
positive
Comstock Saloon earns a solid overall score of 8.1, reflecting a generally positive customer experience. This is further supported by a strong 86% customer satisfaction rate, indicating that most patrons leave content with their visit.
These figures are drawn from a substantial 500 customer opinions, with 430 positive remarks outweighing 54 negative ones. Delving into specifics, the Ambience (8.5) and Food (8.4) stand out as particular strengths, frequently mentioned for their quality.
While Service (7.2) is rated as good, some feedback points to inconsistencies. Value (6.6) is perceived as average, with some guests finding prices reasonable and others noting them as a bit steep.
What people like
- Historic, engaging ambiance
- Expertly crafted cocktails
- Specific delicious small bites
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service quality
- Some forgettable food
- Value concerns
If you’re seeking a place with a strong sense of character, excellent cocktails, and a lively yet conversational atmosphere, Comstock Saloon is certainly worth considering. The ambiance and the skill of the bartenders are clear draws, promising a memorable evening.
However, approach the food menu with some discernment, as not all dishes resonate equally. With a recommendation score of 8.2, it’s a place that generally delivers, especially if your priorities lean towards drinks and a unique setting over a consistently outstanding culinary journey.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Comstock Saloon
Food (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 82% of the guests
When it comes to the grub and sips, this spot really shines! With a score of 8.4 and an impressive 90.4% customer satisfaction, its clear most folks are loving whats on offer. Out of 208 comments, a whopping 188 rave about the delicious cocktails, fantastic food, and tasty bites, often praising the great menu.
However, not every sip or bite hits the mark for everyone. A small number of 12 comments noted some issues, like a disappointing cocktail on draft with a limp drink texture, or some finding the house burger to be a bit forgettable. It seems a few items could use a little extra love.
Food
208
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
12
negative
8
neutral
188
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious craft cocktails
- Fantastic food options
- Great menu variety
What people don't like
- Weak draft cocktails
- Forgettable burgers
- Unimpressive sandwiches
Often praised
- foodIt's easily one of the best spots in a neighborhood brimming with great bars and restaurants. I enjoyed the great happy hour, great food, and the great staff. The great atmosphere, often enhanced by live music, made for a memorable visit.
- cocktailsLots of drinks going around and every one complimented the tasty cocktails.
- drinksBetween 6 and 8 pm, it was busy with young people, which naturally made it loud. However, after they left and the jazz started, it transformed into a great place for listening to music and having conversations, complemented by great food and good drinks. We tried the Sazerac and beer.
- oystersdelicious Kaviar and oysters. Fresh and breathtaking!
- caviar biteThe caviar bite is totally out of this world
- chicken liver moussethe chicken liver mousse and stuffed dates are favourites
- Cherry Bouncepopular Cherry Bounce and it was a well-balanced creation
- FoodFood:5
- Manhattanoff menu classics like a Manhattan
- MartinezThe Martinez is a fantastic gin cocktail
Frequently criticized
- foodHowever, their Blood & Sand was a bit weak and didn't come together well. Overall, I'd pass on this place because while the cocktails are good, the food is mediocre at best.
- Blood & SandBlood & Sand I tasted was a bit weak
- Pimm's cupThe Pimm’s cup was too light
- backyard BBQ burgerTastedlike a backyard BBQ burger put on a nice plate
- cocktail on draftThe atmosphere was a strong point, rated a 5. I tried a classic off their menu, but was bummed to get a cocktail on draft. Although lovely in flavor and aroma, I ended up with a drink that was limp and disappointing in texture.
- drink textureI tried a classic off their menu, but was bummed to get a cocktail on draft. Although lovely in flavor and aroma, I ended up with a drink that was limp and disappointing in texture. I will say, just watching the bartenders, you can tell they have a decade or two of experience.
- house burgerhouse burger and it was completely forgettable
- ordered drinksHowever, the service was relatively slow. I'm sure it's usually faster, but we waited 45 minutes for ordered drinks.
- sandwichsandwich that I didn't like
- waterone of us just orders a water. Throws a menu down
If youre looking for a place with consistently great drinks and food, this spot is definitely worth a visit. While a few minor misses were noted, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests youll likely have a delicious experience, especially with their fantastic cocktails and diverse menu.
Service (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 76% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.2 and customer satisfaction at 70.2%, its clear that many guests have a good experience. Out of 121 comments, 85 were positive, frequently praising the servers , bartenders , and attentive staff for their great service and friendly demeanor.
However, not everyone leaves with a smile. There were 32 negative remarks, with some patrons encountering a rude manager or grumpy staff . Concerns about slow service and unfriendly interactions also popped up, suggesting theres a bit of inconsistency in the overall service delivery.
Service
121
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
32
negative
4
neutral
85
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive, friendly staff
- Knowledgeable bartenders
- Excellent service
What people don't like
- Rude manager
- Slow service
- Unwelcoming staff
Often praised
- serviceThe ambiance, music, service is all excellent.
- staffIt's easily one of the best spots in a neighborhood brimming with great bars and restaurants. I enjoyed the great happy hour, great food, and the great staff. The great atmosphere, often enhanced by live music, made for a memorable visit.
- bartendersthe real pieces of art the bartenders make when you ask them.
- ServiceService:5
- bartenderBartender was incredible. Super nice. Very helpful and sincere.
- serversFelix is one the wonderful servers here
- bar staffIt's my favorite in the city, thanks to the wonderful servers like Felix and Mr. Happy, and the entire bar staff. The live music nearly every night adds to the fantastic atmosphere.
- great serviceand great service
- knowledgeable bartendersMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially due to the amazingly knowledgeable bartenders and its very storied history. I was a local visiting for the first time and I will definitely return.
- mixologistMy experience at this restaurant was truly special. I enjoyed a delicious and perfectly balanced Vieux Carre, expertly crafted by an incredibly skilled mixologist. The ambiance and vibe of the place were unique.
Frequently criticized
- serviceI wish the service was a little better
- staffThe cocktails were very nice. However, the staff wasn't really welcoming, which was disappointing. Additionally, despite the 'happy hour' sign outside, everything was charged at full price, which felt misleading.
- bartendersHorrible bartenders Cannot recollect being treated worse in a bar
- James Comstockconsidering james comstock you need to do better
- James at the barJames at the bar is very rude
- barmanimmediately turned their back on me
- bartenderthe bartender sigh under his breath
- basic necessitiesdoesn’t want to be bothered about basic necessities outside of alcohol
- cold shoulderedclear I was being cold shouldered
- customer service0 stars customer service
If youre looking for a place with generally good service and often excellent bartenders, its worth a visit. Just be aware that some guests have reported less-than-stellar interactions, so your experience might vary.
Ambience (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 76% of the guests
The ambience here truly shines, earning a good 8.5 score and an excellent 94.9% customer satisfaction. With 149 positive remarks out of 157 total, guests consistently praise the vintage vibe, speakeasy charm, and historic look. Many love the live music and the classy vibe that transports them back in time, making it a fantastic space to unwind.
However, a few of the 6 negative comments mention that the crowd can get loud, especially with young people making noise. Some also noted that while theres "live music, " its not the best venue for seeing the band, as they are often on a balcony, making them hard to hear or see.
Ambience
157
Reviews
94%
Satisfaction
6
negative
2
neutral
149
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Historic, vintage vibe
- Great live music
- Cozy, inviting space
What people don't like
- Loud crowd
- Music visibility issues
Often praised
- atmosphereThey offer live music every day, but it's at a perfect volume that allows for conversation, making it easy to talk to friends without being overwhelmed by noise. We initially planned for just one beer but ended up staying for almost 5 hours because of the great atmosphere and overall enjoyment.
- live musicMy experience at this restaurant was defined by its nice space and speak-easy decor. It's spacious enough to chat with a group, yet also allows you to hear live music. The jazz band plays upstairs, and seating is downstairs, which makes it a bit difficult to see and hear the band, but it serves as nice background music.
- ambiancethe ambiance brings you back to the early 1900’s
- placeThe drinks are delicious, and the staff is friendly. The place itself is pretty clean and beautiful inside. I also appreciated that they have tables outside.
- vibeThe vibe of the restaurant feels good
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- musicThe ambiance, music, service is all excellent.
- barWould definitely recommend a spot at the bar and a chat at the bar.
- historyworth reading the history of this old Jewish barbershop that was preserved
- spaceoffers ample space for group conversations
Frequently criticized
- cocktail barNot a good cocktail bar at all
- crowdI love to see the band Gaocho on Friday nights. While it's not the best venue for live music as they are up on a balcony, making them almost impossible to see, and the crowd is loud, the band is still killer. They usually play killer jazz acoustic guitar with a 3-4 piece band, and they get played several times a week in more band-centric locations.
- live musiclive music was really soft and hard to hear
- venue for live musicI love to see the band Gaocho on Friday nights. While it's not the best venue for live music as they are up on a balcony, making them almost impossible to see, and the crowd is loud, the band is still killer. They usually play killer jazz acoustic guitar with a 3-4 piece band, and they get played several times a week in more band-centric locations.
- young peopleit was busy with young people which always have to be loud
- young person crowdedMore of a young person crowded
If you're seeking a place with a rich, historic atmosphere and great live jazz, this spot is definitely worth a visit. Just be prepared that it can get lively and the band might be a bit out of sight, but the overall vibe is a winner.
Value (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 13% of the guests
Many guests find good value here, with 8 positive comments out of 14 total. Customers frequently praise the drinks for being well-priced and are thrilled about the free lunch on Fridays, often calling them great prices and reasonably priced. The value score is an average 6.6, though customer satisfaction is a mixed 57.1%.
However, not everyone is convinced, with 4 negative remarks pointing to some concerns. Some patrons found the prices to be a bit steep or even overpriced. There were also specific complaints about happy hour pricing, with some feeling there were deceptive practices regarding advertised deals.
Value
14
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
4
negative
2
neutral
8
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Well-priced drinks
- Free Friday lunch
- Good overall prices
What people don't like
- Prices feel steep
- Happy hour confusion
Often praised
- free lunchthey do free lunch on Fridays with the purchase of 2 beverages
- pricesThe prices are good, too!
- Price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- drinksdrinks well-priced
- great pricesGreat prices
- reasonably pricedfeel reasonably priced
Frequently criticized
- happy hourdespite the cartel of happy our outside on the check was everything full price
- happy hour pricesMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to what I perceived as deceptive practices regarding happy hour pricing. If the intention is not to offer happy hour prices, the page should be removed from the menu entirely.
- overpriceda bit overpriced
- pricesprices are a bit steep in my opinion
If youre looking for good deals on drinks or can make it for the free Friday lunch, youll likely find good value. However, be wary of general pricing and double-check any happy hour promotions to avoid disappointment.
How are the prices at Comstock Saloon?
You’re looking at roughly 36 per person – reported by 42 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Bar & Pub, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at the spread, prices are quite varied! While the average sits at 36$, we see a good number of guests spending less, particularly in the $11–$20 range, but also a fair few opting for more premium experiences, which pulls the average up. So, there’s a nice mix of options for different budgets.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 42 reviews.
How this Bar & Pub compares in value to similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels fair for a Bar & Pub in San Francisco. The diverse price points mean there’s likely something for everyone, offering good flexibility for guests.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Comstock Saloon
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Unbelievable Vintage Cocktail Joint!
My experience at this cocktail joint was unbelievable. The vintage vibe was fantastic, and the staff were excellent. I particularly enjoyed the oysters, which were served with either a delicious mignonette or an awesome, house-made smoky hot sauce.
I make it a point to stop in here every time I'm in San Francisco if I can find an excuse!
- cocktail joint9
- vintage vibe9
- excellent staff10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
10
Amazing Food, Service, and Vibes!
I had a great time here❤️ The service was too good. It was super crowded when we went, but still their service was spot on. Couldn’t have asked for better.
The food was also very yum! The vibes of the place will carry you to the 1900’s. Thank you for this beautiful experience✨
- service10
- food9
- vibes of the place10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Exceptional Cocktail Bar Experience
This is an essential cocktail bar experience in SF. I highly recommend going with the bartender’s whimsy and giving them your preferences; you will not be disappointed. I had a Toronto, which is an incredibly hard drink to get the balance right, and it was fantastic.
- bartender’s whimsy9
- preferences9
- Toronto10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Unique History & Amazing Craft Cocktails
My experience at this restaurant was truly unique. It's a place steeped in history, and they serve some of the best craft cocktails I've ever had. The bartender was meticulous, taking his time with each drink to ensure perfection.
On Fridays, they offer a complimentary light lunch with two drinks, which on our visit was a phenomenal corn chowder. While delicious, it wasn't quite hearty enough to balance the two strong drinks, so we added fries and bacon-wrapped dates for a more substantial bite. It's fascinating to read about the history of this preserved old Jewish barbershop, now a destination in itself.
The thought of everything these walls have witnessed is quite something – if only they could talk!
- craft cocktails10
- bartender9
- light lunch8
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Great Neighborhood Hangout with Live Music
I stopped in for a beverage and a light bite. The service was great, and the place has an interesting history. They have live music several nights a week.
It's mostly a local crowd, giving it a typical old SF bar vibe. It's a great neighborhood hangout.
- service9
- interesting history8
- live music8
What Comstock Saloon offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Offerings
- Food at bar
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Food
- Wine
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Seating
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Onsite services
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and offerings can you expect at Comstock Saloon?
At Comstock Saloon, you’ll discover a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere perfect for a night out in San Francisco’s Chinatown. You can enjoy a wide range of offerings including food at the bar, hard liquor, wine, beer, and cocktails, with happy hour drinks available.
Does Comstock Saloon offer live entertainment and accessible options?
Yes, Comstock Saloon is known for its live music and other live performances, ensuring an engaging experience. For your convenience, the venue provides a wheelchair accessible entrance and restroom, along with gender-neutral restrooms, making it welcoming for all guests.
How does Comstock Saloon rate overall?
Comstock Saloon holds a good overall score of 8.1 out of 10, with a customer satisfaction rate of 86%. Its strengths lie in Ambience (8.5) and Food (8.4), while Service (7.2) is good and Value (6.6) is considered average.
What is the atmosphere like at Comstock Saloon?
The atmosphere at Comstock Saloon is highly praised for its historic ambiance and live music, which is often at a volume that allows for conversation. While some find the crowd can be loud or the live music hard to see, the overall vibe is engaging and unique.
Are the drinks and service reliable at Comstock Saloon?
Comstock Saloon is known for its expertly crafted cocktails and knowledgeable bartenders. However, service can be inconsistent, with some guests reporting slow drink orders or unwelcoming staff experiences.