Highlights
- Great beer selection
- Sports
oChef » Nickie’s – San Francisco
Nickie's - San Francisco
Photo from Nickie’s
Nickie's at a glance
San Francisco Lower Haight
- 🍻 Bar & Pub
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 15 of the guests
#1174 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#91 Bar & Pub out of 151 in San Francisco
Good
7.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
145
Reviews
82.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Friendly service
- Lively atmosphere
- Varied food
Frequently criticized
- Billing issues
- Food safety
- Quality inconsistency
The bar & pub in San Francisco’s vibrant Lower Haight neighborhood offers a truly authentic experience. At Nickie’s, you’ll discover a fantastic spot to catch a game and enjoy a great beer selection.
This cozy, casual establishment is perfect for unwinding, whether you’re looking for happy hour drinks or a full meal. It’s a welcoming local favorite where you can relax and feel right at home.
Overview: Introducting Nickie's
Nickie’s offers a vibrant spot with a generally positive vibe, where guests often praise the welcoming staff and the lively atmosphere. It’s a place where you can enjoy a good time, often accompanied by 90s hip-hop, making it a pleasant visit for many.
However, some experiences suggest potential issues with value, including concerns about billing accuracy. While many find the food enjoyable, there are occasional reports of dishes not meeting expectations, indicating some inconsistency in the kitchen.
Good
7.5
out of 10
145
Reviews
82.1%
Satisfaction
22
negative
4
neutral
119
positive
Nickie’s generally performs well, earning a solid 7.5 out of 10, with customer satisfaction also quite strong at 82.1%. This positive sentiment is drawn from 119 positive comments against 22 negative ones, reflecting a largely favorable experience for many patrons.
Digging deeper, the Service (7.9) stands out, often described as friendly and efficient, while the Ambience (7.7) also receives high marks for its lively and clean setting. The Food (7.4) is generally well-regarded, though some specific dishes have drawn criticism.
The primary area for improvement appears to be Value (4.3), which falls into the average range due to some concerns about pricing and billing.
What people like
- Friendly, welcoming service
- Lively, clean atmosphere
- Varied pub fare
What people don't like
- Billing discrepancies
- Food safety concerns
- Inconsistent food quality
With a recommendation score of 7.8, Nickie’s appears to be a good choice for those seeking a lively spot with attentive service and a generally enjoyable menu. It’s a place where you can expect a good time, especially if you appreciate a vibrant atmosphere and diverse pub offerings.
However, be mindful of potential billing issues and occasional inconsistencies in food quality. If you prioritize a friendly environment and strong drinks over absolute culinary perfection or budget strictness, Nickie’s could be a worthwhile visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Nickie's
Food (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 89% of the guests
When it comes to food, this spot generally hits the mark with a good score of 7.4 and a solid 85.2% customer satisfaction. Based on 46 positive remarks, patrons rave about the delicious food, traditional pub food, and unique Yucatán fusion options. Many also appreciate the good beers and drink selection that complement the meals, making for a satisfying experience.
However, not every dish is a winner, as indicated by 7 negative comments. Some found the appetizers to be soggy or described certain burgers as mushy and barely edible. While these instances are fewer, they suggest that consistency might occasionally be an issue, with a few experiences falling short of expectations.
Food
54
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
7
negative
1
neutral
46
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious pub food
- Unique Yucatán fusion
- Great drink selection
What people don't like
- Soggy appetizers
- Mushy burgers
- Inconsistent food quality
Often praised
- foodmusic and food were also excellent
- drinksWe were visiting from out of town and stumbled upon this spot while wandering around the neighborhood. Although parts of the restaurant are apparently under construction, it didn't detract from the great service and strong drinks. We'll definitely be a spot we check out again when in SF.
- Fish & ChipsBest Fish & Chips I've ever had!
- onion ringseven the onion rings were extremely flavorful!
- pub foodI enjoyed the ample outdoor seating, which is part of shared spaces and great to sit in. They offer a nice selection of beers on tap and a mix of pub food, with the interesting addition of some Yucatán food from another kitchen. I have never had a bad experience here.
- BurgerRecommended dishes:Burger
- Yucatan fusionThe Yucatan fusion is definitely something to go for
- Yucatán foodI enjoyed the ample outdoor seating, which is part of shared spaces and great to sit in. They offer a nice selection of beers on tap and a mix of pub food, with the interesting addition of some Yucatán food from another kitchen. I have never had a bad experience here.
- anchor on tapthey have anchor on tap
- bar bitesMy experience was at a very cozy, wooden paneled bar in the Lower Haight. They offer excellent bar bites and the best trivia in the city on Tuesday nights. I'm a huge fan of Ashley's trivia format.
Frequently criticized
- foodMy experience was centered around the beers and the numerous screens available for watching games. There was no food served, but the option to bring your own food was a definite plus.
- appetizerReally soggy appetizer
- burgersburgers and they were mushy and wet and honestly just barely edible
- food poisoninggot a very severe case of food poisoning
- wings and friesWe ordered wings horrible and fries.
Overall, if youre looking for a place with generally good food, especially their pub fare and unique Yucatán options, its worth a visit. Just be aware that a few dishes might not always live up to the high standard set by others, so choose wisely.
Service (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 81% of the guests
The service here generally hits the mark, with a solid score of 7.9 and a customer satisfaction rate of 83.3%, showing a largely positive experience. Out of 48 comments, a whopping 40 praised the staff, especially the bartenders and crew. Guests frequently highlighted the welcoming staff and amazing bartender for their friendly demeanor and great conversations.
However, 8 remarks pointed to some areas for improvement. Some guests experienced horrible service from bartender, noting instances of a bartender texting or seeming annoyed. There were also concerns about not being served appropriately and longer waiting time for food, suggesting occasional lapses in attentiveness.
Service
48
Reviews
83%
Satisfaction
8
negative
0
neutral
40
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, welcoming staff
- Amazing bartenders
- Efficient service
What people don't like
- Unattentive bartenders
- Poor service
- Long food waits
Often praised
- staffThe food was good too! Overall, a great vibe and great staff.
- serviceWe were visiting from out of town and stumbled upon this spot while wandering around the neighborhood. Although parts of the restaurant are apparently under construction, it didn't detract from the great service and strong drinks. We'll definitely be a spot we check out again when in SF.
- bartendergetting everyone food and drinks when it was crazy hectic
- peoplethe people were gun aswell
- Bartender'sBartender's So Friendly!
- MigoI passively came to this bar to kill some time and ended up loving it! Migo was awesome and very cool to talk to. The food was good too!
- ServiceService:5
- StefaniStefani was our amazing server who made sure we had the best service!
- Wait timeWait time:No wait
- amazing bartenderamazing bartender working this last Sunday morning
Frequently criticized
- bartenderThe bartender seemed annoyed when we walked in
- bartender textingshe was busy texting in an argument
- responsehis response was unsatisfactory
- served appropriatelyThe bar was okay, but the food was terrible. I would advise others to stay away unless they are willing to shell out on overpriced items and not be served appropriately.
- serviceHorrible Horrible service.
- service from bartenderHORRIBLE service from bartender
- waiting timeIt took a long time for them to come out with the food
- waitress and bartenderThe waitress and bar tender treated us horrible.
Overall, the service at this spot is a definite highlight, with most guests raving about the friendly and efficient staff. While a few isolated incidents suggest occasional hiccups, you can generally expect a welcoming and pleasant experience. It's worth checking out for the good vibes and attentive crew.
Ambience (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 70% of the guests
The ambience here is definitely a crowd-pleaser, scoring a solid 7.7 and boasting a fantastic customer satisfaction of 81.1%. Guests frequently rave about the great vibe, sports bar vibes, and neighborhood feel, often enjoying the outdoor seating and 90s hip-hop and rap music. With 30 positive remarks, its clear many find it a pleasant place to visit and a fun atmosphere.
However, its not entirely without its quirks. Out of 37 total opinions, 4 did touch on some minor points. A few found the Bar area a bit chilly, and there were isolated comments about unwelcoming staff at the counter.
While some mentioned the San Francisco air could be cool, these are small notes in an otherwise well-received atmosphere.
Ambience
37
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
4
negative
3
neutral
30
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great vibe
- Outdoor seating
- Sports bar atmosphere
What people don't like
- Chilly bar area
Often praised
- atmosphereit has a great atmosphere
- placea pleasant place to visit
- 90s hip-hop and rap musica lot of 90s hip-hop and rap music
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- Dog friendlyDog friendly.
- PlacePlace You can watch the Game
- barGreat bar
- clean bathroomsI loved the welcoming staff and the great conversations. The clean bathrooms were a pleasant surprise, and the delicious food was a highlight. Tom has clearly put a lot of effort into making this place great, and it truly shows on the happy faces of the patrons.
- clean restroomI enjoyed the good food and the many choices of drinks. The restroom was clean, and the area felt safe.
- dance floorenough of a dance floor to get lit
Frequently criticized
- BarBar is a bit chilly
- San Francisco airwhere the San Francisco air is like a cold snap from Boston
- counterUpon asking where the waitress was, she was pointed out at the end of the bar. The two women working last night were horrible and did not want us sitting at their counter.
- tourist barsleave the bustle of the tourist bars
If youre looking for a lively, friendly spot with a great vibe for watching games or just hanging out, this place is a solid bet. Expect a good time with music and a neighborhood feel, though be prepared for a potentially cool bar area if youre sensitive to drafts.
Value (4.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 11% of the guests
When it comes to value, it seems there's a bit of a mixed bag, with a 4.3 score indicating an average experience and customer satisfaction sitting at a 50% mixed level. Based on 3 positive comments out of 6 total, many guests found the drinks to be quite cheap and appreciated the reasonable prices overall, often noting the price per person was quite fair, typically in the $10–20 range. However, the other 3 comments raised concerns about overpriced items , particularly food, and some serious bill issues.
Guests reported significant discrepancy between the provided bill and the actual charge, which is definitely something to watch out for. This suggests that while some aspects might be affordable, others could leave you feeling short-changed.
Value
6
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cheap drinks
- Reasonable prices
- Fair per-person cost
What people don't like
- Overpriced food
- Bill discrepancies
Often praised
- drinkscheap drinks
- price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- pricesreasonable prices
Frequently criticized
- billprovided a bill for $54 but ultimately charged me $84
- discrepancyonly became aware of this discrepancy
- overpriced itemsThe bar was okay, but the food was terrible. I would advise others to stay away unless they are willing to shell out on overpriced items and not be served appropriately.
If you're just looking for cheap drinks and a reasonable price per person for that, this spot might work for you. However, be very cautious about the food prices and always double-check your bill to avoid any discrepancy .
How are the prices at Nickie's?
You’re looking at roughly 26 per person – reported by 15 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Bar & Pub, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average sits in the $21–$30 range, most of the recent reviews actually show prices clustering a bit lower, around the $11–$20 mark, with a few higher-end options pulling that average up.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 15 reviews.
See how this spot’s value for money stacks up against similar places in San Francisco.
For a Bar & Pub, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. It offers a nice range, so you can likely find something that fits your budget, whether you’re after a quick drink or a more substantial meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Nickie's
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Onion Rings and Ranch are the Bomb!
My experience at this restaurant was great! The onion rings and ranch were the bomb, yo! We will definitely be back.
Thanks to Paulina for the excellent service.
- onion rings10
- ranch10
- service9
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Fun Atmosphere and Welcoming Owner
My experience at the restaurant was great! The atmosphere was fun and exciting. The owner, Nikki, was very welcoming and gorgeous.
The service was excellent, rated 5/5, and there was no wait time. The atmosphere also received a perfect score of 5/5, with a moderate noise level.
- atmosphere10
- bartender9
- owner Nikki10
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
1
Horrible Service and Food
My friend and I visited Nickies last night hoping to get into the holiday spirit, but it felt like we were transported back to the 1950s. We were clearly not welcomed at all. The waitress and bartender treated us horribly, making it evident we were not wanted in this establishment.
The service was horrible. We ordered wings and fries, which were also horrible. When the food arrived, the waitress never returned.
When it was time to leave, I had to stand at the bar to get checked out. Upon asking where the waitress was, she was pointed out at the end of the bar. The two women working last night were horrible and did not want us sitting at their counter.
- waitress and bartender1
- service1
- wings and fries1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Cozy Local Sports Bar with Great Service
My experience at this local sports bar was very positive. It has a welcoming neighborhood feel, where it seems like everyone knows each other, reminiscent of 'Cheers'. 😊 The food selection is large, offering typical pub fare along with at least one healthier option like salad.
The bar area can be a bit chilly, so a jacket might be a good idea if you plan to stay a while. They have TVs tuned to different sports channels, and if they aren't showing the game you want, they're happy to change it upon request. It's also dog friendly.
- neighborhood feel9
- food selection8
- healthier option7
- Bar4
Price per Person
- $61–$70
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Billing Discrepancies and Unsatisfactory Service
My experience at this restaurant was marred by significant billing issues. Initially, I was presented with a bill for $54, but was ultimately charged $84. The staff's response to this discrepancy was unsatisfactory, as they seemed to imply that alcohol was complimentary.
I only discovered this issue when, on a separate occasion, I was charged $64 for a meal that should have cost $54. This pattern of incorrect billing is concerning.
- bill1
- response2
- discrepancy1
What Nickie's offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Restroom
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
- Takeout
Pets
- Dogs allowed
Parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
Is Nickie's accessible and what amenities does it offer?
Yes, Nickie’s in Lower Haight is wheelchair accessible, including its entrance, seating, and restroom. You’ll also find free Wi-Fi available, along with gender-neutral restrooms, ensuring a comfortable and convenient visit for everyone.
Can I bring my kids or pets to Nickie's, and what can I expect to order?
Absolutely! Nickie’s is good for kids and even allows dogs, making it a great family-friendly spot. You can enjoy a wide range of offerings, from happy hour drinks and food to hard liquor, wine, and a great beer selection, all served in a casual setting.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Nickie's?
Nickie’s enjoys a good overall score of 7.5 out of 10, with customer satisfaction at 82.1%. Service (7.9) and Ambience (7.7) are particularly strong, while Food (7.4) is also well-received. Value (4.3) is noted as an area for improvement.
Are there any specific food items that stand out at Nickie's?
Customers have positively mentioned items like Fish & Chips, Burgers, and the unique Yucatán fusion dishes. The bar bites are also a popular choice among patrons.
What should I be aware of regarding pricing or service at Nickie's?
While service is generally praised for being friendly and efficient, some customers have reported issues with billing discrepancies. The value aspect has received mixed feedback, with some finding prices reasonable and others noting overpriced items.