Highlights
- Live music
- Live performances
- Great beer selection
oChef » The Hotel Utah Saloon – San Francisco
The Hotel Utah Saloon - San Francisco
Photo from The Hotel Utah Saloon
The Hotel Utah Saloon at a glance
San Francisco South Beach
- 🍻 Bar & Pub
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 35 of the guests
#1160 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#92 Bar & Pub out of 151 in San Francisco
Good
7.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
274
Reviews
78.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Live music
- Friendly staff
- Strong drinks
Frequently criticized
- Billing issues
- Food inconsistency
- Loud atmosphere
The restaurant The Hotel Utah Saloon in San Francisco’s vibrant South Beach neighborhood is a classic Bar & Pub experience you won’t want to miss. You’ll find yourself immersed in a lively atmosphere, often accompanied by fantastic live music that sets the perfect backdrop for your evening.
It’s a local favorite where you can unwind, enjoy great company, and discover an impressive beer selection. This iconic spot offers a truly authentic San Francisco vibe.
Overview: Introducting The Hotel Utah Saloon
The Hotel Utah Saloon presents a vibrant scene, often praised for its live music and the generally friendly staff who create a welcoming atmosphere. Many patrons enjoy the strong drinks and the overall energetic vibe.
Yet, some visits reveal inconsistencies, particularly with certain food items described as bland. Concerns have also surfaced regarding additional gratuity practices and the occasionally noisy environment, which can impact the overall experience.
Good
7.5
out of 10
274
Reviews
78.1%
Satisfaction
52
negative
8
neutral
214
positive
Overall, The Hotel Utah Saloon earns a solid 7.5 out of 10, with Customer Satisfaction standing at a respectable 78.1%. This indicates a generally positive experience for most visitors, based on 274 customer observations, with 214 positive and 52 negative.
Digging deeper, the Food (8) and Ambience (8) clearly stand out as strong points, receiving high marks. However, Service (6.6) and especially Value (5.3) hover in the average range, suggesting areas where experiences can be a bit more mixed.
What people like
- Live music venue
- Friendly bar staff
- Strong drinks
What people don't like
- Billing/tip issues
- Inconsistent food quality
- Loud atmosphere
With a 7.6 recommendation score, The Hotel Utah Saloon is a solid choice if you’re seeking a lively spot with live entertainment and a friendly bar. It’s particularly appealing for those who prioritize a vibrant atmosphere and strong drinks over a quiet meal.
However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in food quality and check your bill carefully for gratuity. If you’re prepared for a potentially loud environment and the challenge of parking, it could be a worthwhile visit for its unique character.
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Verdict: Our expert take on The Hotel Utah Saloon
Food (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 67% of the guests
When it comes to the food, youre looking at a pretty solid experience! With a good score of 8 and customer satisfaction sitting at a good 88%, its clear most folks leave happy. Out of 83 opinions, a whopping 73 were positive, often praising the delicious tots, tacos, wings, and the impressive craft beer selection.
Many found the fried chicken sandwich and Impossible Burger to be standout choices. However, its not entirely without its minor hiccups, with 9 negative opinions noted. Some found certain wings bland, a mocktail overly sweet, or experienced issues with food quality and slow service for items like fries.
A few also wished for better bleu cheese dressing, suggesting theres a little room for improvement in these specific areas.
Food
83
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
9
negative
1
neutral
73
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious tots
- Great craft beer
- Excellent wings
What people don't like
- Bland wings
- Poor food quality
- Watery bleu cheese
Often praised
- foodWithout a doubt, it's one of the best in San Francisco. The food was tasty and the drinks were strong. They also have a stage where you can see a show, and the people there are extremely friendly.
- drinksWithout a doubt, it's one of the best in San Francisco. The food was tasty and the drinks were strong. They also have a stage where you can see a show, and the people there are extremely friendly.
- wingsI've only had the wings and burger from the kitchen, and both were good
- FoodFood:5
- appetizerstwo items from the appetizer menu, both super carefully prepared
- beerThe beer is cold
- fried chicken sandwichAbsolutely the best fried chicken sandwich EVER!
- full barBeer and a full bar do the trick
- great foodPatrons were dancing or swaying to a rockin' beat. The beautiful bar, great food, and excellent service made for a fantastic experience. I will definitely return with friends in tow.
- totsthey also have tots
Frequently criticized
- Adobe & Lemon Pepper wingsThe Adobe & Lemon Pepper wings were bland
- bleu cheese dressingThe bleu cheese dressing was terrible and watery
- foodfood mediocre
- food qualityI was shocked by the $25 price for a beer and fries. The food quality was very poor, and the service was also unsatisfactory.
- friesordered fries that didn’t appear for half an hour
- mocktailit was so sweet I could only drink about fifth of it
- pint$12 for a pint? No thanks.
- quality bleu cheese dressingPlease get some quality bleu cheese dressing
- wingsbuy the wings in bunches of 6
If youre looking for a spot with generally great food and a fantastic drink selection, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful of specific wing flavors or dressing expectations, but overall, youre likely to have a tasty time.
Service (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 69% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot has some real shining moments! Many guests rave about the friendly and attentive bartender and staff , often highlighting excellent service and a truly supportive crew . With 41 positive remarks among 65 total comments, its clear that when theyre on, they're really on, making for a great experience.
However, the experience can be a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.6 and customer satisfaction at 63.1%. There are 22 critical observations, pointing to issues like additional gratuity being added, inattentive staff , and particularly the Sunday afternoon bartender being less than stellar. Some also noted miscommunication and slow service, suggesting inconsistency.
Service
65
Reviews
63%
Satisfaction
22
negative
2
neutral
41
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Excellent service
- Supportive crew
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Tip issues
- Inattentive staff
Often praised
- bartenderWill definitely visit again to meet the bartender!!!
- serviceservice, and atmosphere were all top-notch
- staffVery friendly staff
- ServiceService:5
- bartendersbest bartenders, they are super friendly
- peoplepeople are extremely friendly
- Tees and autographsShout out to peeboo for the Tees and autographs
- band memberThe sound guy, Vince, was skilled, fun, and supportive. The bartender was gruff but friendly, and a helpful Space Monkees band member at the door made for a truly supportive crew. The venue has a quaint old day saloon vibe with upstairs-downstairs seating options, and a screen in the bar for alternate band viewing.
- barThere is a full bar and they are very on keeping the youngins away from the bar
- bar serviceAnd the BEST bar service of all the bars I've been to
Frequently criticized
- serviceI was shocked by the $25 price for a beer and fries. The food quality was very poor, and the service was also unsatisfactory.
- No days off MattNo days off Matt but he was MIA :(
- PA systembar manager about setting up for the PA system and he knew nothing
- Sunday afternoon bartenderthe Sunday afternoon bartender will completely ignore you
- additional gratuityMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The receipt will be refused so bartenders can add additional gratuity, which felt like a tactic to increase the bill. I was shocked by the $25 price for a beer and fries.
- bandstreat bands like this really irritated me
- bartenderI ordered three shots and closed my tab immediately, as we were just popping in. I tipped on each shot, yet the bartender had the audacity to loudly complain about the tip I left her to the entire bar. When the transaction finalized on my credit card, there was an additional $5 tip added.
- bouncerMy experience at this restaurant was marked by a mean bouncer and inattentive staff. If you are an LGBTQ+ person, I would advise you to stay away.
- dishonestywhat is called dishonesty and tricking people
- drink selectionwhy was I told that I only have the option of buying a mocktail
Overall, service here is a bit of a mixed bag. You might encounter truly friendly and excellent staff, but be prepared for potential inconsistencies. It's worth a try, but manage your expectations regarding attentiveness and billing.
Ambience (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 77% of the guests
The ambience here truly shines, earning a good score of 8 and leaving 86.5% of customers satisfied. With 90 positive remarks out of 104 total, guests frequently praise its unique historic character, vibrant live music, and great atmosphere, creating a classic dive bar vibe that many adore. However, its not without its quirks, with 11 negative comments noting that it can be quite noisy and loud at the bar.
Finding parking' might also present a challenge, so be prepared for a lively, bustling environment.
Ambience
104
Reviews
86%
Satisfaction
11
negative
3
neutral
90
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Historic character
- Live music venue
- Great dive bar vibe
What people don't like
- Can be noisy
- Parking challenges
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was cozy and comfy
- live musicMy experience at this characteristic bar in San Francisco was positive. I enjoyed the good beer and the live music. The atmosphere was enhanced by the old furniture, which seemed to be a remnant from a past activity.
- musicthe music is all the up and coming
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- open micMy experience at this new place was interesting. It's a historical building and offers open mic nights. However, it was a bit too loud at the bar.
- placeLove this place
- bandsThis is a great dive bar in SF. You can see bands before they are famous! Google it, it's a thing :)
- barAs for the bar itself, it’s historic, Well kept, and overall a (somewhat aged) class act
- dive barGreat dive bar for a low key night
- local bandsMy experience at this bar was great! It's a cool bar that hires local bands, which is becoming more rare these days. They also have an awesome open mic on Mondays!
Frequently criticized
- parkingParking can be a challenge
- atmosphereAtmosphere:1
- bar downstairsthere's a bar downstairs, and individuals staying there can get quite loud
- bathroommake sure there is soap in their bathroom
- city noiseBe prepared for city noise
- dumpWhat a dump
- liquid soap bottlenot mostly water in a liquid soap bottle
- loud at the bartoo loud at the bar
- noisyKind of noisy
- parking spaceParking space:Somewhat difficult to find parking
If you're looking for a lively spot with rich history and great live music, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be ready for a bustling, potentially noisy atmosphere and plan your parking ahead of time.
Value (5.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 27% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot has an average score of 5.3, with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 45.5%. Many patrons rave about the overall value and cheap prices, especially for economical drinks. Great deals like Wing Wednesdays are frequently mentioned among the 10 positive opinions out of 22 total.
However, 10 negative opinions highlight some tricky situations. Some felt promotions were misleading, leading to unexpected costs like an additional tip or high price for certain items. Always checking your receipt total is a common piece of advice.
Value
22
Reviews
45%
Satisfaction
10
negative
2
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great value overall
- Affordable drinks
- Daily deals available
What people don't like
- Misleading promotions
- Hidden fees
- Overpriced certain items
Often praised
- pricesGood prices for cocktails
- Price per personPrice per person:$20–30
- Wing WednesdaysThey do Wing Wednesdays for just $1 per wing, which is such a great deal.
- beer and a shotyou can get a beer and a shot for only $10.
- cheapit's cheap and good location
- drinksAffordable drinks
- economicaland (in my opinion) economical
- tabthe tab was reasonable
- valueBEST VALUE in SoMa. Seriously, your dollar goes super far here
Frequently criticized
- additional tipthere was an additional $5 tip added
- bar salesthey offered artists 10% of the bar sales
- beer and fries$25 for a beer and fries
- cocktailrequired to buy a cocktail and the cheapest one is $7
- divey pricesexpect to be there be divey prices
- dollar wing wednesdaymisleading "dollar wing wednesday" promotion
- merch salesrely on tips and merch sales
- pricedon't squeeze out $20 out of me when I arrive
- receipt totalgot to always check your receipt total before leaving
- tipsrely on tips and merch sales
If youre savvy about deals and check your bill carefully, you can find some real steals here. However, be wary of promotions that might not be as straightforward as they seem, and watch out for unexpected charges. Its a mixed bag, so go in with your eyes open!
How are the prices at The Hotel Utah Saloon?
On average, you’ll spend around 24 per person – from 35 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $21–$30 category. For a Bar & Pub, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Looking at the spending habits, most guests tend to cluster around the $11–$20 and $21–$30 ranges, indicating a good mix of options with a clear mid-range focus.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 35 reviews.
How this spot’s value compares to similar places in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Bar & Pub in San Francisco, offering a good balance for different budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about The Hotel Utah Saloon
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Amazing Experience with Peeboo and Katz!
My friend and I took our four teenage daughters to a show at this location, driving all the way from Santa Cruz to San Francisco. The whole experience was amazing. Peeboo and the Katz played, giving the girls an experience to remember for the rest of their lives.
A special shout-out to Peeboo for the tees and autographs. The venue is quite small, but it was worth it. There is a full bar, and they are very diligent about keeping the young ones away from it.
The door person, whose name I can't recall, was hella cool.
- Peeboo and the Katz10
- venue8
- bar9
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Fantastic Bar with Great Food and Drinks
My experience at this bar was outstanding! Without a doubt, it's one of the best in San Francisco. The food was tasty and the drinks were strong.
They also have a stage where you can see a show, and the people there are extremely friendly. Overall, it's a great place.
- food10
- drinks10
- stage9
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
3
Drinks good, food and service disappointing
My experience at this restaurant was mixed. The drinks were good, but the food was mediocre. The service was awful; we ordered fries that took half an hour to arrive, and we were repeatedly told they would be ready "soon.
" While this might have been a fluke, it was still a bummer.
- drinks8
- food4
- service2
- fries2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Awesome Bands and Food!
I got to film some cool bands during my visit. The chef was off the hook, and the food was good. The bands were crazy good too!
San Fran baby all day.
- food9
- chef10
- bands10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Mixed Feelings on Wings and Dressing
My experience at the restaurant was mixed. The staff were very friendly, and the mixed drinks were good. I enjoyed the buffalo sauce wings.
However, the Adobe & Lemon Pepper wings were bland, and the bleu cheese dressing was terrible and watery. I strongly suggest getting some quality bleu cheese dressing.
- staff9
- mixed drinks8
- buffalo sauce wings8
- Adobe & Lemon Pepper wings3
- bleu cheese dressing2
- quality bleu cheese dressing2
What The Hotel Utah Saloon offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Food at bar
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Food
- Wine
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of entertainment and drinks can you enjoy at The Hotel Utah Saloon?
You can expect a lively experience at The Hotel Utah Saloon, featuring regular live music and engaging live performances. They offer a great beer selection, hard liquor, wine, and cocktails. Be sure to check out their happy hour drinks for special deals. Food is also available at the bar to complement your visit.
What is the atmosphere like and what practical amenities are available at The Hotel Utah Saloon?
The Hotel Utah Saloon offers a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere for your enjoyment. You can choose between dine-in or takeout service. Parking options include paid and free lots, alongside paid and free street parking. The venue is also fully wheelchair accessible, with an accessible entrance, seating, and restrooms for your convenience.
What is the overall rating for The Hotel Utah Saloon?
The Hotel Utah Saloon scores 7.5 overall. Food (8) and Ambience (8) are strong points, while Service (6.6) and Value (5.3) are rated as average.
What are the main draws of The Hotel Utah Saloon?
Patrons often highlight the vibrant live music scene and the friendly staff. The strong drinks are also a consistent positive, contributing to its energetic atmosphere.
What should I be aware of before visiting The Hotel Utah Saloon?
Be mindful of potential inconsistent food quality and check your bill for additional gratuity. The atmosphere can be loud, and parking might be difficult to find.