Highlights
- Live music
- Sports
- Live performances
- Great beer selection
oChef » The Sea Star – San Francisco
The Sea Star - San Francisco
Photo from The Sea Star
The Sea Star at a glance
San Francisco Dogpatch
- 🍻 Bar & Pub
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 18 of the guests
#314 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#18 Bar & Pub out of 151 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
227
Reviews
92.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Craft cocktails
- Friendly staff
- Unique atmosphere
- Pizza value
Frequently criticized
- Service inconsistency
- Parking difficulties
- Unwelcoming vibe
The restaurant The Sea Star is a vibrant Bar & Pub located in San Francisco’s eclectic Dogpatch neighborhood. You can immerse yourself in an energetic atmosphere where live music sets the perfect backdrop for your evening.
With a great beer selection and a cozy, casual, yet trendy vibe, it’s an ideal spot to unwind and enjoy some fantastic entertainment.
Overview: Introducting The Sea Star
The Sea Star offers a distinctive experience, blending a fun atmosphere with a focus on well-crafted drinks. Many patrons appreciate the friendly staff and unique, laid-back vibe, often highlighting the creative cocktail offerings.
However, some experiences have pointed to an occasionally unwelcoming atmosphere and instances of inconsistent service. Despite these occasional concerns, the establishment generally provides a comfortable setting where customers enjoy the overall experience.
The decor contributes to its nautical theme, and the presence of a pool table adds to the entertainment, making it a spot with character.
Excellent
8.4
out of 10
227
Reviews
92.1%
Satisfaction
11
negative
7
neutral
209
positive
The Sea Star earns a strong overall score of 8.4, indicating a good dining and drinking experience, complemented by an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 92.1%. This positive sentiment is built on a solid foundation, with 209 positive remarks against only 11 negative ones, out of 227 total customer observations.
Customers particularly praise the Food (8.5), largely referring to the impressive drink selection and the convenient pizza option, and the overall Value (8.5). The Service (8.4) is also highly regarded for its knowledgeable and personable staff, while the Ambience (8.3) rounds out the experience with its distinctive and relaxed feel.
What people like
- Creative craft cocktails
- Personable, knowledgeable staff
- Unique, laid-back atmosphere
- Good value pizza
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service experiences
- Location and parking issues
- Occasional unwelcoming vibe
The Sea Star presents itself as a solid choice for those seeking a relaxed bar experience with a strong focus on quality beverages and a unique atmosphere. Its high recommendation score of 8.6 suggests that most visitors leave satisfied, particularly if they appreciate creative cocktails and a casual setting.
If you’re looking for a spot with character, skilled bartenders, and a generally positive vibe, The Sea Star is worth considering. Be mindful of potential parking challenges and the rare report of inconsistent service, but overall, it delivers a dependable and enjoyable outing.
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Verdict: Our expert take on The Sea Star
Food (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 89% of the guests
When it comes to the Food here – which truly shines in its beverage offerings and a tasty pizza partnership – youre in for a treat! With a fantastic score of 8.5 and an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 92.8%, its clear guests are loving whats on offer. Out of 83 total remarks, a whopping 77 were positive, highlighting everything from creative cocktails and great beer options to delicious Detroit-style pizza and thoughtful non-alcoholic mocktails.
However, its not entirely without a tiny hiccup. Just one comment out of 83 mentioned a specific drink tasting like a lemonhead. While this single negative opinion about a drink is noted, its an isolated incident and doesnt overshadow the overwhelmingly positive feedback on the extensive and well-crafted beverage and pizza selections.
Food
83
Reviews
92%
Satisfaction
1
negative
5
neutral
77
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Creative cocktails
- Great beer selection
- Delicious pizza
What people don't like
Often praised
- cocktailsbest cocktails I've tried with mezcal
- drinksMy experience at Sea Star was really great. They have a nice pool table and the bartenders were friendly and super knowledgeable on the drinks they were serving. Mostly, the atmosphere is the best part; it is simply a nice place to drop in, have a couple beers and a conversation with a good friend.
- pizzaorder a slice of pizza that they get from Longbridge 🍕
- cocktail menuserving an extensive and and sophisticated cocktail menu
- beersthey have a good selection of beers, including sours
- creative cocktailsalongside creative cocktails
- drink menudrink menu has every spirit from Gin to Mezcal
- drink optionsLots of options for drinks
- great beernice hipster place with great beer
- Detroit-style pizzathe $5 Detriot style pizza is clutch
Frequently criticized
- drinksOne of the drinks I got tasted like a lemonhead
If youre looking for a spot with an impressive array of creative cocktails, excellent beer choices, and satisfying pizza, this place is definitely worth a visit. The overwhelming positive feedback suggests youll likely have a fantastic experience, with any minor drink missteps being rare exceptions.
Service (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 76% of the guests
It sounds like the service here is generally a hit! With a solid score of 8.4 and customer satisfaction at 88.1%, its clear that most folks have a great experience. Patrons consistently praise the "staff, " "bartenders, " and the "owner" for their "hospitality, " often describing them as friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive, making for a truly welcoming vibe.
However, its not entirely without its hiccups. Out of 59 total remarks, there were 6 negative comments, with some mentioning issues like a security guard being among the rudest people or a specific incident involving a female bar tender and hygiene. A few also noted feeling disrespected or experiencing long waits for drinks.
Service
59
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
6
negative
1
neutral
52
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, skilled staff
- Caring owner presence
- Great hospitality
What people don't like
- Rude security
- Hygiene lapse
- Felt disrespected
Often praised
- bartendersIt's the best bar in the city, in my opinion. They offer a wide variety of drink options and have talented bartenders. Additionally, you can purchase a slice of pizza after 9 pm.
- staffReally amazing by staff who bother to know your name and be personable
- serviceMy experience at this spot was spectacular. I consistently enjoyed amazing cocktails and received stellar service. The owner is often present and genuinely seems to care about the customer experience.
- bartenderEvery bartender there is super knowledgeable and friendly
- AliciaAlicia is a genius when it comes to craft cocktails
- ownerThis is one of my favorite bars in SF, hands down. The owner is the sweetest, coolest boss ever, and the vibe is super laid back. Everyone is extremely nice and friendly, and it’s a very safe atmosphere.
- peoplethe people and vibes were great
- Alicia and RyanAlicia and Ryan are awesome
- customer serviceThe happy hour menu was also a highlight. The staff were witty, provided strong customer service, and had genuine personalities. I highly recommend coming here after working in Dogpatch; it's truly a gem of a spot.
- energetic and personable staffEnergetic and personable staff
Frequently criticized
- Mounstable rent a cop guard named Mo
- female bar tenderFemale bar tender rubbed and played with customers dogs and didn't wash her hands after--continued to server patrons
- respect and friendlinessThe first time I went with a small group, and one person in the group is a regular. The second time I met a friend there and we weren’t treated with the same respect and friendliness as the first time. I felt like I do in many establishments in the “new” City, folks wonder why my Brown face is in their space.
- rudest peopleone of the rudest people I have encountered
- security guardTerrible security guard
- wait for a drinkcouldn’t get a drink for 35 minutes
Overall, if you're looking for a spot with genuinely friendly and skilled staff, especially the bartenders, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be aware that there might be an occasional off-note with security or a specific staff member, but the overwhelming positive feedback suggests those are rare exceptions.
Ambience (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 82% of the guests
The ambiance here is definitely a highlight, scoring a fantastic 8.3 and boasting an excellent 94% customer satisfaction! With 78 positive remarks out of 83 total, guests consistently praise the great vibe, the fun nautical theme, and the welcoming, dog-friendly atmosphere. Many also love the pool table and jukebox, adding to the lively yet comfortable feel.
However, a few of the 83 opinions noted some drawbacks. While generally positive, 4 mentions highlighted concerns about the atmosphere not always being welcoming, and some mentioned issues with the location, parking, and occasional marijuana smoke. These are minor points, but worth considering if you're sensitive to such details.
Ambience
83
Reviews
94%
Satisfaction
4
negative
1
neutral
78
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Lively, fun atmosphere
- Unique nautical decor
- Dog-friendly spot
What people don't like
- Location/parking challenges
- Occasional marijuana smoke
Often praised
- atmosphereThey also have great N/A options. I really enjoyed the pool table and jukebox, which added to the fun atmosphere.
- pool tablePool table in the back of the joint is a nice touch
- decorThe decor helps set the funky, nautical theme
- ambianceMy experience at the restaurant was very positive. I enjoyed the very nice cocktails and the good laid back ambiance. I also really liked the dogs the customers bring in.
- vibeThis is one of my favorite bars in SF, hands down. The owner is the sweetest, coolest boss ever, and the vibe is super laid back. Everyone is extremely nice and friendly, and it’s a very safe atmosphere.
- vibesthe people and vibes were great
- barmostly just a quaint little bar to enjoy without distractions
- dog friendlyLGBTQ+ and dog friendly!
- dogsreally like the dogs the customers bring in
- placeMy happy place! Love this place
Frequently criticized
- atmospherethe atmosphere was not welcoming
- location and parkingLocation & parking, not ideal
- marijuana smokeinundated with Marijuana smoke
- traffic and crowdsThis is the sneaker spot to park and prepare before a game at Oracle Park or an event at Chase Center. You can have a great cocktail or beer, then jump on the T line to get down to Oracle or Chase without dealing with SOMA traffic and crowds. This bar is cooler than anything down there as well.
If you're seeking a lively, dog-friendly spot with a unique nautical vibe, pool, and good music, this place is a strong contender. Just be mindful of the location and potential for crowds or smoke, which might not suit everyone.
Value (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 4% of the guests
When it comes to value, this place truly shines! Customers consistently praise the good value they receive, with many highlighting how the Price is just right, especially for that clutch Detroit-style pizza. With a fantastic score of 8.5, indicating a good performance, and an excellent 100% customer satisfaction, its clear people feel theyre getting a great deal.
Based on the 2 customer comments, there were absolutely no negative remarks about the value. This means guests are overwhelmingly pleased with what they pay versus what they receive, leaving no room for constructive criticism in this area.
Value
2
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good value
- Affordable pizza
What people don't like
Often praised
- Price$5 Detriot style pizza is clutch
- good valuegood value
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If youre seeking a spot where your money goes a long way, especially for delicious and affordable options, this place is definitely worth a visit. You can expect to feel like youve found a real bargain, making it a smart choice for budget-conscious diners.
How are the prices at The Sea Star?
You’re looking at roughly 28 per person – reported by 18 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.
Looking at the spread, most guests spend between $11–$20 and $21–$30, showing a good mix of options. While the average sits at 28, there are also some higher-end choices for those looking to splurge a bit.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 18 reviews.
Comparing the value for money of this spot against similar Bar & Pubs in San Francisco.
Considering it’s a Bar & Pub, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a good balance, letting you enjoy a casual outing or opt for something a little more special.
Customer Reviews: what people think about The Sea Star
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Fun Bar with Great Vibes!
My experience at this bar was incredibly fun! The hospitality was outstanding, a perfect 10/10. We enjoyed the pool tables and the overall vibes.
We came after a Warriors game and it was highly recommended.
- hospitality10
- pool tables9
- vibes9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Amazing Bar with Creative Drinks!
I would give 10 stars if I could! This is one of my favorite bars in SF, hands down. The owner is the sweetest, coolest boss ever, and the vibe is super laid back.
Everyone is extremely nice and friendly, and it’s a very safe atmosphere. Oh, and the drinks are super creative!
- owner10
- vibe9
- everyone9
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Vibes and Cocktails!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The people and vibes were great, creating a wonderful atmosphere. I highly recommend not missing out on the cocktails.
They also have a pool table, which adds to the fun. I would definitely come again.
- people10
- vibes10
- cocktails10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Loud
9
Best Old Fashioned & Pizza in SF!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had the best Old Fashioned I've ever tasted in San Francisco. The decor was cool, and the bartenders were great.
Additionally, the $5 Detroit-style pizza was an absolute win and a great value.
- Old Fashioned10
- decor8
- bartenders9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Drinks and Service
My experience at the restaurant was excellent, primarily due to the nice selection of draft beers and the really nice non-alcoholic mocktails. The service was also a highlight, with great staff serving us.
- draft beers8
- non-alcoholic mocktails8
- staff9
What The Sea Star offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Restroom
Offerings
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Pets
- Dogs allowed
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and entertainment can you expect at The Sea Star?
At The Sea Star in San Francisco’s Dogpatch, you can enjoy a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere. The venue regularly features live music and live performances, making it a dynamic spot for entertainment. You can also catch sports events while you relax.
What payment options and amenities does The Sea Star offer?
For your convenience, The Sea Star accepts credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments. You can also benefit from free Wi-Fi, and the establishment provides gender-neutral restrooms. Reservations are accepted, making your visit easy to plan.
What is the overall customer sentiment for The Sea Star?
The Sea Star has a strong overall score of 8.4 and an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 92.1%. Customers particularly appreciate the Food (8.5), Value (8.5), Service (8.4), and Ambience (8.3).
What kind of drinks can I expect at The Sea Star?
The Sea Star is known for its extensive and sophisticated cocktail menu, featuring creative options with various spirits like mezcal. They also offer a good selection of beers, including sours.
Are there any common issues or downsides mentioned by visitors?
Some visitors have noted an occasionally unwelcoming atmosphere, inconsistent service experiences, and challenges with the location and parking. However, these are less frequent compared to the positive feedback.