Highlights
- Live performances
- Great beer selection
oChef » Mayes Oyster House – San Francisco
Mayes Oyster House - San Francisco
Photo from Mayes Oyster House
Mayes Oyster House at a glance
San Francisco Polk Gulch
- 🍻 Bar & Pub
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 26 of the guests
#2303 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#149 Bar & Pub out of 151 in San Francisco
Average
5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
242
Reviews
44.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Lively atmosphere
- Good food
Frequently criticized
- Misleading events
- Poor value
The restaurant Mayes Oyster House, a vibrant Bar & Pub in San Francisco’s lively Polk Gulch neighborhood, invites you to experience its unique atmosphere. You’ll find a fantastic spot for an evening out, complete with live performances that set the perfect mood.
This casual yet trendy establishment offers a memorable time, whether you’re looking to dance, enjoy a great beer selection, or simply unwind with friends. It’s an ideal destination for entertainment and good company in the heart of the city.
Overview: Introducting Mayes Oyster House
Mayes Oyster House offers a lively experience, often praised for its vibrant atmosphere and energetic music, especially with a good DJ setting the mood. Many find it a fun spot for a night out, enjoying the overall vibe and the sense of a good time.
However, some patrons have noted that advertised events, particularly comedy shows, can be misleading, and the venue itself has been described as feeling a bit run down. This creates a contrast between the lively energy and some practical shortcomings.
Average
5
out of 10
242
Reviews
44.2%
Satisfaction
122
negative
13
neutral
107
positive
Mayes Oyster House receives an overall score of 5 out of 10, placing it squarely in the average category. Customer satisfaction stands at 44.2%, indicating a mixed reception where nearly half of the patrons leave less than fully content.
This suggests a restaurant with both appealing qualities and significant areas needing attention. Delving into specifics, the Food (6.2) is a relative strong point, with positive remarks about oysters and drinks.
The Ambience (5.5) also contributes positively, often described as vibrant. However, Service (4.4) appears to be a weaker area, and Value (3.2) is a clear concern, with many expressing issues regarding pricing and billing.
These insights are drawn from 242 customer observations, comprising 107 positive and 122 negative remarks.
What people like
- Vibrant club atmosphere
- Good food and drinks
- Attentive staff
What people don't like
- Misleading event advertising
- Poor value for money
- Charging discrepancies
Mayes Oyster House presents a mixed experience. If you’re seeking a lively night out with good music and a vibrant atmosphere, particularly for dancing, it might be worth a visit.
The food and drinks generally receive positive remarks, making it a decent spot for casual enjoyment. However, be mindful of potential discrepancies in event advertising and pricing, as the 5.2 recommendation score reflects a cautious endorsement.
It’s a place that delivers on certain aspects but has notable areas for improvement, especially concerning value.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Mayes Oyster House
Food (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 39% of the guests
When it comes to the food and drink scene here, its a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.2 indicating an average performance. Many customers rave about the delicious pop-ups, superb snacks, and famous oysters, alongside excellent bar menu options and strong drinks. Based on 26 positive comments, theres definitely potential for a great experience.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 59.1%, and 15 negative opinions highlight some significant issues. Guests have been disappointed by a lack of food availability, low-quality drinks, and a cocktail menu that isn't always followed. There have also been complaints about the taste of tap beer, suggesting some inconsistencies in their offerings.
Food
44
Reviews
59%
Satisfaction
15
negative
3
neutral
26
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious pop-ups
- Famous oysters
- Excellent bar menu
What people don't like
- No food availability
- Low quality drinks
- Cocktail menu ignored
Often praised
- drinksThe event itself was a great success. I also want to give honorary mentions to the great customer service on the day of the event, the well-prepared event space, and the great drinks provided. The support we received was excellent.
- foodThe food is great
- oystersMy experience at this restaurant was quite varied. They are famous for their oysters, and also offer a wing option and steak. The menu sounds very delectable.
- French toastFrench toast with lots of flavor
- New Year's day recovery brunchThis was a great New Year's day recovery brunch
- baconeggs, bacon and salmon
- bar menuMayes boasts an excellent bar menu
- burgers and saladsthere are options like burgers and salads that are equally enjoyable.
- eggseggs, bacon and salmon
- get drunkMy experience was that this is a great place to get drunk and have your ears ringing afterwards from the awesome dj, if that's what you're into. 👍
Frequently criticized
- drinksnever would think to spend 100 on simple drinks
- foodthere is no food!
- Margaritathe Margarita wasn't the greatest
- beer tapsAll the beer taps were down.
- cocktail menuthey don’t follow the cocktail menu
- drinktrash my drink
- food availabilityMy experience at this restaurant was quite misleading. The website suggested a broader food availability, but food is only available during brunch. Additionally, they don’t follow the cocktail menu.
- low quality drinksWe arrived ready to eat oysters and fancy dishes, but there was no food in sight. They only had a bar with low quality drinks and low shelf bourbon/whiskey options. We also paid for VIP seats for the show, and our seats were given away.
- low shelf bourbon/whiskey optionsWe arrived ready to eat oysters and fancy dishes, but there was no food in sight. They only had a bar with low quality drinks and low shelf bourbon/whiskey options. We also paid for VIP seats for the show, and our seats were given away.
- mixed drinksWe got mixed drinks and instantly felt sick
If you're looking for a spot with great oysters, tasty snacks, and strong drinks, especially during a pop-up event, it could be worth a visit. However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in food availability and drink quality, as the experience can be quite varied.
Service (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 66% of the guests
When it comes to service, many guests have sung praises for the dedicated owner and staff, highlighting their awesome service and accommodating nature. Specific shout-outs often go to individuals like Matt, Tim, and Larry for their flexibility and great customer service. The hospitable staff and attentive team contribute to many positive experiences, making guests feel welcomed and well-cared for, based on 31 positive remarks.
However, the service experience isn't always smooth sailing, with 49 negative observations out of 81 total. Patrons encountered unfriendly staff, a rude host, and unresponsive management regarding serious issues. Concerns about biased bouncers and gender discrimination also surface, contributing to a customer satisfaction of only 38.3%, which is quite poor, despite an average score of 4.4.
Service
81
Reviews
38%
Satisfaction
49
negative
1
neutral
31
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Accommodating, flexible staff
- Hospitable owner
- Great customer service
What people don't like
- Unresponsive management
- Unfriendly, rude staff
- Biased bouncer actions
Often praised
- serviceservice, which were both outstanding
- staffThe staff are friendly and attentive, even during busy hours.
- Best securityBest security ever
- Matt, Tim, and LarryMatt (the owner), Tim and Larry were amazing
- accommodatingvery accommodating and extremely considerate
- accommodationsApparently new ownership, the owner and bartender tonight were awesome! It's a fun place with strong drinks and accommodations. Disregard former reviews.
- actual friendsa few actual via the staff
- awesome serviceAwesome service
- bartenderApparently new ownership, the owner and bartender tonight were awesome! It's a fun place with strong drinks and accommodations.
- bartender TimThe bartender Tim is excellent
Frequently criticized
- comediansWe booked tickets for ‘Laugh GPT: SF’s First AI-Powered Stand-up Comedy Show’, expecting something unique and innovative as advertised. Instead, we walked into an almost empty bar with a handful of local comedians delivering unfunny, low-effort sets. There was nothing AI-powered about the show…just some guys and the same tired jokes.
- stafftold by staff and we spoke to him
- hostthe host was terrible had no jokes
- ownerTold the owner of the bar right after and he didn't seem to care
- DJthe #dj is brusco al poner las #canciones
- VIP seatsThey only had a bar with low quality drinks and low shelf bourbon/whiskey options. We also paid for VIP seats for the show, and our seats were given away. The place is definitely a lower level than what their website advertises, not up to the par we anticipated.
- anger towards customersoutrageously angry towards customers for no reason
- attendeesAdditionally, seating was advertised, but not enough chairs were set up. More than half the attendees ended up standing by the bar, making it difficult to hear.
- bar managerA female visitor was behaving inappropriately and got into an aggressive fight. The bar manager blatantly sided with her and asked the guy to leave. This experience made it clear that this is a ghetto institution.
- bar tabsThe bar likes to get shwasted. Close out your tabs right away.
Service here is a mixed bag, leaning towards disappointing for many. While some staff are genuinely great and accommodating, significant issues with management responsiveness and staff demeanor are frequent. You might encounter excellent hospitality, but be prepared for potential frustrations, especially given the low 38.3% customer satisfaction.
Ambience (5.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 78% of the guests
The ambience here is a real mixed bag, scoring an average 5.5 with customer satisfaction at a mixed 50.5%. Many of the 47 positive remarks highlight a fun, lively vibe with great music and awesome DJs, perfect for dancing or enjoying a comedy show. People appreciate the clean environment and historic charm, making it a great place to hang out.
However, 40 negative comments paint a different picture, describing the venue as run-down and feeling unsafe, with serious theft concerns. Guests also mentioned misleading advertisements, overly loud music, crowded spaces, and even an unpleasant stench of urine, which definitely detracts from the overall experience.
Ambience
93
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
40
negative
6
neutral
47
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great music/DJ
- Fun, lively vibe
- Comedy performances
What people don't like
- Theft concerns
- Unsafe feeling
- Run-down venue
Often praised
- atmosphereThe vibe is casual yet vibrant, with a mix of locals and visitors.
- musicthe music/club vibes were everythinggg
- dancingMy experience at this restaurant was a good time for Saturday night dancing, music, and drinks. The owner and staff were hospitable.
- funThere's not a lot of space to dance, and there's a cover fee. But it's still fun for what it is.
- DJMy experience at this restaurant was primarily about the atmosphere and service, which were both outstanding. The place was off the hook till 2 in the morning, and the DJ was killing it. Everybody was grooving, creating a fantastic vibe.
- placeplace was off the hook till 2 in the morning
- amazing placeAmazing place!!!!!
- awesome djMy experience was that this is a great place to get drunk and have your ears ringing afterwards from the awesome dj, if that's what you're into. 👍
- cleanIt's also clean
- club vibesthe music/club vibes were everythinggg
Frequently criticized
- comedy showComedy show was not as advertised, nor very good.
- venueI spent the first 20 minutes thinking I had come to the wrong place. The photos are different from what's advertised, and the venue is pretty run down. I'd advise paying a bit more to go to a better show.
- AI-powered shownothing AI-powered about the show
- Laugh GPTI attended Laugh GPT. (Or atleast I think I did)
- advertisementThe comedians were awful, and most of them were staff from the club, which was not at all as advertised. The place itself is very run down and nothing like the pictures on the website, which is again false advertisement. To top it off, there is no food available!
- bar cleaningthe bar could use some more consistent cleaning
- belongingshad their belonging stolen tonight
- comediansadvertised that some bigger name comedians would perform, but it was all very local, very amateur folks
- comedySUPER BORING comedy
- crowdedIt can get quite crowded during peak hours
If youre looking for a lively night out with good music and comedy, and dont mind a potentially crowded, loud, and somewhat run-down setting, this spot could be fun. However, be extremely vigilant about your belongings, as safety and theft are significant concerns that might make you think twice.
Value (3.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
When it comes to value, a few guests have found some bright spots, particularly praising the price of drinks and the appealing happy hour specials. With only 3 positive remarks out of 24 total comments, some found the drinks to be cheap and good, making those happy hour deals a popular draw. However, the overall sentiment paints a different picture, with a score of 3.2 indicating poor value and customer satisfaction at a low 12.5%.
Many of the 18 negative comments highlight significant concerns about being overcharged, charging discrepancies, and a lack of pricing transparency. Issues like fraudulent sale claims, unexpected cover fees, and high cocktail prices left many feeling misled.
Value
24
Reviews
12%
Satisfaction
18
negative
3
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cheap happy hour
- Good drink prices
What people don't like
- Overcharging issues
- Hidden fees
- Fraudulent transactions
Often praised
- priceThe third comedian was so boring that we walked out. It's super cheap and SUPER BORING comedy. Save your money and watch some videos on YouTube instead.
- happy hour specialsTheir happy hour specials are particularly popular and a great way to enjoy
Frequently criticized
- alcoholoversell you on the alcohol, with bottle services costing upwards to 300 dollars
- bank accountBe aware guys with your stuff, this happens here all the time! And also they got $1000 from my bank account, be aware.
- billmissing extra 15 so when I checked the transaction again they charged me 100
- chargeAt first, I wasn’t upset, but now that I’m looking at my statement, it went up to $80! Why am I getting an additional $15 charge? On top of that, I asked for a pineapple chaser and it was RANCID.
- charging discrepanciesexperiencing some charging discrepancies
- cocktail pricea cocktail was at $10, they made me pass the card for that amount, 30 days later the statement showed me $16
- comedy ticketsPurchased expensive “VIP” comedy tickets for a night of disappointment
- cover feethere's a cover fee
- donationshost further asked for donations
- drinkscharged 45 dollars for 2 drinks
If youre strictly looking for cheap happy hour drinks, you might find a deal. However, be extremely cautious with your bill and check for hidden charges, as many customers reported significant overcharging and pricing discrepancies. This spot seems to be a gamble when it comes to getting your moneys worth.
How are the prices at Mayes Oyster House?
On average, you’ll spend around 28 per person – from 26 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $21–$30 category. For a Bar & Pub, that’s comfortably mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Most guests find themselves in this price bracket, though a few reviews show folks enjoying some pricier options too.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 26 reviews.
How this spot stacks up against similar places in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Bar & Pub, especially for San Francisco. It offers a good middle-ground for a casual outing.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Mayes Oyster House
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
9
Crawloween 10/10 Experience!
My best friend and I had a 10/10 experience during Crawloween. The drinks were cheap and good, and the music and club vibes were absolutely everything we wanted.
- drinks9
- music10
- club vibes10
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Comedy Show's Beer Was a Joke
My experience was quite disappointing. The only thing funny about the comedy show was the taste of the tap beer. To add to the frustration, after paying for a ticket online, the host further asked for donations.
- tap beer2
- donations3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Misleading AI Comedy Show
I strongly advise staying away from this place. We booked tickets for ‘Laugh GPT: SF’s First AI-Powered Stand-up Comedy Show’, expecting something unique and innovative as advertised. Instead, we walked into an almost empty bar with a handful of local comedians delivering unfunny, low-effort sets.
There was nothing AI-powered about the show…just some guys and the same tired jokes. It felt misleading. Definitely not worth the time or money.
- AI-powered show2
- comedians2
- tired jokes2
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Hit or Miss Fun Experience
My experience at this restaurant was a bit hit or miss. I believe they sometimes get overwhelmed when they are busy, but overall, it's usually a fun time. The service and atmosphere were both rated a 4 out of 5.
- service7
- atmosphere7
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Loud
7
Lively Nightlife, Food Uncertain
My experience at this bar was centered around its nightlife, which was incredibly lively. I'm not sure about the food, but the atmosphere for a night out was great.
- nightlife8
- food5
What Mayes Oyster House offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Dancing
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Food
- Wine
- Beer
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and service options can you expect at Mayes Oyster House?
At Mayes Oyster House, you’ll discover a casual and trendy atmosphere perfect for a relaxed outing. For your convenience, the establishment offers dine-in, takeout, and delivery services. You can also enjoy traditional table service during your visit.
What entertainment and beverage options are available at Mayes Oyster House?
At Mayes Oyster House, you can enjoy lively live performances and a great beer selection. They also offer hard liquor, wine, and cocktails, alongside happy hour drinks and food. It’s a fantastic spot for entertainment and a wide range of beverage choices.
What kind of atmosphere can I expect at Mayes Oyster House?
Mayes Oyster House offers a casual yet vibrant atmosphere, often described as having “club vibes” with good “music” and a “DJ” that keeps people grooving, especially on a Saturday night.
What are the main strengths and weaknesses of Mayes Oyster House?
The restaurant scores an overall **5** out of 10, with customer satisfaction at **44.2%**. Strengths include **Food** (6.2) and **Ambience** (5.5), often praised for oysters and lively atmosphere. Weaknesses are **Service** (4.4) and particularly **Value** (3.2), with concerns about pricing and billing issues.
Is Mayes Oyster House a good value for money?
Customer feedback indicates that “Value” (3.2) is a significant concern. While happy hour specials are popular, many opinions point to high prices for drinks and issues with “charging discrepancies,” suggesting it may not always offer good value.