Highlights
- Sports
- Bar games
- Live performances
- Great beer selection
oChef » Pomeroy – San Francisco
Pomeroy - San Francisco
Photo from Pomeroy
Pomeroy at a glance
San Francisco Civic Center
- 🍻 Bar & Grill
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 30 of the guests
#866 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#5 Bar & Grill out of 16 in San Francisco
Good
7.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
310
Reviews
82.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quality Food & Drinks
- Great Service
- Relaxed Bar Vibe
Frequently criticized
- Sketchy Location
- Pricey Drinks
- Service Inconsistencies
The restaurant Pomeroy, a lively Bar & Grill in San Francisco’s Civic Center, offers you a memorable experience. You can immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere, enjoying sports, bar games, and live performances.
Pomeroy Bar & Grill (Formerly Shovels) is renowned for its great beer selection and delicious food, all within a cozy and casual setting.
Overview: Introducting Pomeroy
Pomeroy offers a relaxed atmosphere, often described as a local Irish bar with comfortable vibes and entertainment like a pool table. Many appreciate the friendly staff and the overall casual setting, making it a good spot to unwind.
However, some find the surrounding area a bit concerning, and the atmosphere can feel a little off in the mornings. While the food generally receives praise, a few patrons noted that the drink prices can be a bit steep.
Good
7.8
out of 10
310
Reviews
82.3%
Satisfaction
36
negative
19
neutral
255
positive
Pomeroy generally leaves a positive impression, reflected in its solid Restaurant Score of 7.8 and strong Customer Satisfaction at 82.3%. These figures, drawn from 310 customer observations, indicate a largely favorable experience.
The Food (8.4) stands out as a particular strength, frequently praised for its quality and variety, while Service (7.5) also contributes significantly to positive visits. The Ambience (7.5) is another well-regarded aspect, often described as comfortable and inviting.
However, Value (6.9) is perceived as good, though it leans closer to average compared to other areas. While there are 255 positive remarks, 36 negative comments suggest some room for refinement, particularly concerning drink pricing and certain atmosphere elements.
What people like
- Excellent Food & Drinks
- Friendly, Attentive Service
- Relaxed Bar Atmosphere
What people don't like
- Sketchy Surrounding Area
- Expensive Drink Prices
- Inconsistent Service Experiences
Pomeroy, with a strong Recommendation Score of 8, is certainly worth considering if you’re seeking a casual spot with excellent food and a great selection of drinks. It’s a solid choice for unwinding after work or enjoying a relaxed evening with friends.
However, be mindful of the surrounding area and potential inconsistencies in drink pricing. If you prioritize a lively bar atmosphere and quality fare over a pristine location or budget drinks, Pomeroy could be a good fit for your next outing.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Pomeroy
Food (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 68% of the guests
When it comes to the food, youre in for a treat! With a great score of 8.4 and an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 90.2%, its clear most diners are thrilled. People rave about the delicious burgers, especially the smash burger and those with fresh ground beef.
Dont miss the fried pickles or the impressive beer selection and great cocktails, which are frequently highlighted among the 101 positive remarks. However, a small handful of 5 comments did mention some minor issues. A few found the general food presentation unappealing, and there were specific remarks about the cheese curds not being fresh or lacking enough gravy.
Some also felt there wasnt much variety, though this contrasts with the many positive comments on options.
Food
112
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
5
negative
6
neutral
101
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great burgers
- Excellent fried pickles
- Vast drink options
What people don't like
- Unfresh cheese curds
- Insufficient gravy
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a swanky little palace with an AMAZING whiskey selection and great food that caters to both meat-eaters and vegans. Our bartender, Jawaun, was incredibly friendly and made our visit even better.
- cocktailspoured some fantastic cocktails.
- burgerThe burger was flavourful and well cooked
- fried picklesopted for the fried pickles instead of fries and i couldn’t even finish them all
- drinksMy experience was defined by the great barman who provided good conversation and demonstrated plenty of local knowledge. The good drinks were also a highlight. It was worth the trip for a stop.
- beer listvery impressed with the beer list, creative and well considered
- friesThe fries for the Poutine were crispy and delicious
- Cobb saladtry the Cobb salad
- antelope burgerOur bartender, Jawaun, was incredibly friendly and made our visit even better. We enjoyed an antelope burger and a vegan hot dog with vegan chili. The Happy Hour was a sweet deal with $2 off the great draft selection and unique premium cocktails.
- beer selectionBeer selection better than a lot of pubs
Frequently criticized
- CosmoHow about a Cosmo please. He ran away to hide
- cheese curdsCheese curds weren’t fresh
- foodgood didn’t look appealing
- gravynot enough gravy
- varietydidn't see much variety 😕
If youre looking for a place with consistently good food and an excellent drink menu, this spot is definitely worth checking out. While a few minor points were raised, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests youll likely have a great culinary experience, especially if you enjoy burgers and a wide selection of beverages.
Service (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 66% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.5 and a customer satisfaction rate of 73.1%, its clear guests often leave happy. Out of 78 customer comments, 57 were glowing, praising the friendly and attentive staff, especially the bartenders like Eric and Jawaun, who are known for great conversation and recommendations.
The management and owner Kelly also receive high praise for their welcoming effort. However, its not always perfect. There were 19 less-than-stellar observations, with some guests noting slow service or feeling the bar was understaffed, sometimes with just one bartender for many people.
A few experiences mentioned issues with a disrespectful doorman or a new bartender still learning the ropes, leading to some inconsistencies.
Service
78
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
19
negative
2
neutral
57
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Knowledgeable bartenders
- Welcoming owner/management
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Disrespectful doorman
- Understaffed bar
Often praised
- bartenderthe bartender was filled with suggestions and was so friendly
- servicePhenomenal service, really friendly and quick
- staffThe staff is real chill nice and go above and beyond
- bartendersThe bartenders the customers we had a fantastic time
- ownerThe service was perfect, and we loved the vibes and atmosphere. We visited again on a Sunday, and even though the kitchen was already closed, we got some beers and had a nice chat with the owner who was extremely nice and helpful. We will definitely visit again when in the area.
- EricEric who made our first night in San Francisco one we will not forget
- Eric the BartenderI just adore Eric the Bartender
- JawaunJawaun was a great and super friendly bartender
- ManagerKelly the Manager for making me feel welcome and accomadating my requests
- MaxMax was fabulous.
Frequently criticized
- bartenderbartender ... it's a beer whiskey place. I know. I get it. How about a Cosmo please.
- serviceThe poor bartender was obviously brand new and still learning
- TonyThis place is a great bar & grill disguised as a hole in the wall. While Tony was a bit of an arse, he's no longer here. The memorabilia galore attests to the establishment's integrity.
- ask for foodhave to go to the front to ask for food
- barleave the bar unattended for 30 mins
- brand newThe bartender was clearly brand new and still learning
- bulliesI dislike bully's
- credit card readerthe credit card reader worked immediately after a heated debate
- disrespectfulHe was just being so disrespectful
- doormanthe doorman was trying to punk on people
If youre looking for a place with genuinely friendly and knowledgeable staff, especially at the bar, youll likely have a great time. Just be aware that on busier nights, service might be a little slower, and there have been isolated reports of less-than-stellar doorman interactions.
Ambience (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 76% of the guests
Overall, the ambience here is quite impressive! With a solid score of 7.5 and customer satisfaction at a strong 81%, its clear most folks love the atmosphere. Out of 105 comments, 85 rave about the neighborhood bar atmosphere, welcoming feeling, and comfy couches, making it a fantastic place to relax and hang out with a throwback vibe.
However, a few of the 9 negative remarks mention the area being a bit sketchy or the location feeling intimidating to some. There were also comments about the atmosphere feeling weird in the AM or the music' being too heavy for certain tastes.
Ambience
105
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
9
negative
11
neutral
85
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Neighborhood bar atmosphere
- Plenty of entertainment
- Welcoming and comfortable
What people don't like
- Sketchy surrounding area
- Intimidating appearance
- Loud music sometimes
Often praised
- barMy experience at this restaurant featured a very big bar with a lot of beers and liquor. They offer at least ten tap beers.
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was great for a chill and relax vibe. The atmosphere is comfortable, with amenities like couches and a pool table in the back. Everyone loves the fries.
- pool tableThe people were awesome, and they served great simple drinks. It's a cool place to relax after work, offering plenty of entertainment with 6 TVs, a jukebox, a pool table, and a dart board. They even have a pool league every Tuesday.
- ambianceAmbiance is your local laid back bar scene
- placeAwesome place I randomly found
- Irish barOutside of "Southie", in Boston, Harrington's is the best Irish bar I've found. It's a great place to kill an afternoon with a pint and a book.
- musicgreat music playing in the background
- vibesMy experience at the restaurant was mixed. While the drinks and vibes were cool, the food did not look appealing. It seems like a good place to get a beer and watch a game, but I would recommend eating elsewhere.
- TVsThe people were awesome, and they served great simple drinks. It's a cool place to relax after work, offering plenty of entertainment with 6 TVs, a jukebox, a pool table, and a dart board. They even have a pool league every Tuesday.
- bar & grillgreat bar & grill disguised as a hole in the wall
Frequently criticized
- areaarea is a bit sketchy
- area nearbyone block east on Turk street is a different story
- atmosphereplace had a gentrified feel that's probably too ambitious
- locationscary location for out of towners
- looked intimidatingLooks intimidating
- musicheavy metal hard banger rock playing
- red boothsred booths would not be ideal for eating
- weird in the AMMy experience at the restaurant featured friendly bartenders. However, the atmosphere felt kind of weird in the AM due to so much room. I'll definitely be back in the afternoon or evening 😊.
If you're seeking a casual, welcoming spot with a classic pub feel and plenty of entertainment, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that some find the surrounding area a bit sketchy, and the vibe can shift depending on the time of day.
Value (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 18% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 6.9 and a customer satisfaction rate of 80%, its clear that most folks find the pricing pretty good. Based on 12 positive remarks out of 15 total, many appreciate the "cheap drinks" and "Happy Hour" deals, often calling it a "cheap place" with "reasonable prices.
" However, its not entirely without its critics. A few of the 3 negative comments suggest that prices for drinks can sometimes feel a tad spendy for the neighborhood, with some finding them outrageously expensive. So, while generally good, there might be a few surprises depending on what you order.
Value
15
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
12
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cheap drinks
- Great Happy Hour
- Reasonable prices
What people don't like
- Expensive drinks
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was marked by great food and a good price. However, the location was a bit of a concern for out-of-towners, feeling somewhat scary.
- $2 off draftsHappy hour 3-5 with $2off Drafts
- Happy HourSweet Happy Hour with $2 off
- cheapsuper casual and cheap
- cheap drinksplace with cheap drinks
- cheap placeCheap place with cheap drinks
- drinksThe regulars and bartenders have a good rapport, creating a friendly atmosphere. The drinks aren't expensive, offering great value. Additionally, they are very open to folks bringing food in, which is a unique and accommodating feature.
- place to cash checka great place to cash your check
- pricesthe prices were reasonable
Frequently criticized
- drinksdrinks were outrageously expensive and not that great
- pricecharged me $20 for 2 drinks and he said he thinks it's $20
- pricesPrices for this neighborhood are a *tad* on the spendy side
If youre looking for a place with generally good value, especially for drinks during Happy Hour, this spot is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful that some specific drink prices might be higher than expected, so its best to stick to the known deals.
How are the prices at Pomeroy?
You’re looking at roughly 29 per person – reported by 30 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Bar & Grill, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what others have spent, most guests tend to stick to this mid-range, with a good number also opting for slightly lower prices, showing a clear clustering around the average.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 30 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Bar & Grill in San Francisco. It offers a solid mid-range option without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Pomeroy
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Fresh Food and Friendly Service
My experience at the restaurant was very positive. I enjoyed the food, which was both good and fresh. I specifically had the Cobb salad and chili cheese fries.
The service was also very good, with the bartender being particularly friendly. The atmosphere was rated a 5, and the food and service were also rated a 5.
- food9
- Cobb salad8
- chili cheese fries8
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
5
Good for drinks, not for food
My experience at the restaurant was mixed. While the drinks and vibes were cool, the food did not look appealing. It seems like a good place to get a beer and watch a game, but I would recommend eating elsewhere.
- drinks8
- vibes8
- place to get a beer7
- food2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
8
Great Burger, Slow Service
My experience at this restaurant was that of a nice little hole in the wall. The food was delicious, and I particularly enjoyed the double party smash burger & fries, which was an all around great burger. The drinks were pretty stiff, which could be good or bad.
However, the service was a little slow, likely due to there being only one bartender for about 20 people.
- food10
- double party smash burger & fries10
- great burger10
- service4
- bartender4
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
New Bartender Needs Support
My experience at the restaurant was impacted by the service. The bartender was clearly brand new and still learning, even offering to Google how to make a martini. It seemed unfair to leave her alone, which wasn't ideal for her or the patrons.
- service2
- brand new2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Great Food and Clean Bar
I had a great time at the restaurant on a Saturday early evening. Although there weren't many other customers, the food was great and the bar was very clean. I'll definitely return.
- food10
- bar10
- customers6
What Pomeroy offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Lunch
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Dancing
- Food at bar
- Vegan options
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Food
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Counter service
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and entertainment can you find at Pomeroy Bar & Grill?
You will discover a cozy and casual atmosphere, perfect for unwinding. Enjoy live performances and bar games, making it a lively spot for entertainment in San Francisco’s Civic Center.
What dining and service options are available at Pomeroy Bar & Grill?
Pomeroy Bar & Grill offers diverse dining options including lunch, dinner, and dessert with both counter and table service. You can also choose from dine-in, takeout, delivery, curbside pickup, and no-contact delivery.
How does Pomeroy generally rate among its patrons?
Pomeroy holds a good overall Restaurant Score of 7.8 and a strong Customer Satisfaction of 82.3%. Its Food (8.4) is particularly well-regarded, followed by good scores for Service (7.5), Ambience (7.5), and Value (6.9).
What kind of atmosphere and entertainment can I expect at Pomeroy?
Pomeroy offers a relaxed, local bar atmosphere, often described as an Irish bar with comfortable vibes. You can enjoy amenities like a pool table, jukebox, and multiple TVs, making it a good spot for casual entertainment.
Is Pomeroy a good value, especially for drinks?
While Pomeroy has a good Value score (6.9) and offers Happy Hour deals with $2 off drafts, some patrons have found regular drink prices to be on the higher side. It’s known for cheap drinks during specific times.