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The Temple Bar - San Francisco

Bar & Pub The Temple Bar in San Francisco
Photo from The Temple Bar
How do the guests rate it?
The Temple Bar at a glance
San Francisco Inner Sunset
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 20 of the guests
#952 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#73 Bar & Pub out of 151 in San Francisco
Good
7.7 out of 10
8
Food
6.7
Service
8.1
Ambience
6.6
Value
171

Reviews

82.5%

Satisfaction

Often praised
  • Drink variety
  • Cozy ambiance
  • Friendly service
Frequently criticized
  • No food menu
  • Service inconsistency
  • Patio smoking

The bar & pub The Temple Bar in San Francisco’s Inner Sunset neighborhood is a vibrant spot where you can catch sports and enjoy a great beer selection. This cozy, casual, and trendy establishment offers a welcoming atmosphere for you to unwind.

You’ll find it’s a perfect place to gather with friends for happy hour drinks or to enjoy live performances.

Overview: Introducting The Temple Bar

The Temple Bar offers a genuinely inviting atmosphere, often described as cozy and comfortable, making it a pleasant spot for a relaxed visit. Patrons frequently commend the excellent Guinness and a solid beer selection, alongside enjoyable cocktails.

It’s a place where the drinks and setting often hit the mark for many. While the establishment doesn’t offer its own food menu, guests appreciate the flexibility to bring in food from elsewhere.

Service generally receives praise for its friendly staff and attentive bartenders, though a few isolated experiences suggest occasional inconsistencies in staff demeanor.

Good
7.7 out of 10
171

Reviews

82.5%

Satisfaction

23

negative

7

neutral

141

positive

Overall, The Temple Bar garners a solid 7.7 out of 10, reflecting a generally positive experience for many. Customer satisfaction stands at a strong 82.5%, indicating that most visitors leave content.

This positive sentiment is largely driven by its inviting Ambience (8.1) and the quality of its beverages, which contribute to a high Food (8) score, despite the lack of a kitchen. The Service (6.7) is generally well-regarded, though it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the atmosphere or drinks.

Similarly, Value (6.6) is seen as reasonable, but not a standout feature. These insights are drawn from 171 customer observations, with 141 positive remarks outweighing 23 negative ones, providing a clear picture of what patrons appreciate.

What people like
  • Excellent drink selection
  • Welcoming, cozy atmosphere
  • Friendly, attentive staff
What people don't like
  • No in-house food
  • Inconsistent staff experiences
  • Patio smoking allowed

With a solid 7.9 recommendation score, The Temple Bar is a strong contender for those seeking a vibrant pub experience. It particularly shines for its excellent beverage selection and welcoming atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for casual drinks and socializing with friends.

However, if you’re looking for a full dining experience, remember to plan for outside food. Despite some minor service inconsistencies, it’s generally a reliable choice for a good time, especially if you appreciate a lively bar scene and friendly faces.

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Verdict: Our expert take on The Temple Bar

Food (8 out of 10)

mentioned by 55% of the guests

When it comes to the drinks, this place really shines! With a solid score of 8 and a fantastic customer satisfaction of 83.3%, its clear guests are loving the sips. Based on 30 positive remarks out of 36 total, patrons rave about the "cocktails, " "Guinness, " "beer, " and "whiskeys, " often calling them stiff and top-notch.

Youre in for a treat with their impressive selection! However, if you're looking for a full meal, you might hit a snag. A few guests, specifically 3 negative opinions, pointed out the lack of a proper food menu or food options.

While you can bring your own, the absence of finger foods or a diverse mocktail selection was a minor disappointment for some.

8 Food

36

Reviews

83%

Satisfaction

3

negative

3

neutral

30

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Excellent drink selection
  • Great Guinness
  • Stiff cocktails
What people don't like
  • No food menu
  • Limited mocktails

Often praised

  • Guinness
  • beer selection
  • cocktails
  • Guinness on tap
  • Guinness taps
  • Martina’s Hot Toddies
  • beer
  • beers
  • bring in food
  • bring your own food

Frequently criticized

  • food
  • food menu
  • mocktail

If you're heading out primarily for an excellent drink selection, especially craft beers, Guinness, or strong cocktails, this spot is definitely worth a visit. Just remember to grab a bite beforehand or plan to bring your own food, as their menu is drink-focused.

Service (6.7 out of 10)

mentioned by 60% of the guests

When it comes to service, this spot has some real shining moments, scoring a decent 6.7 and showing a 64.9% customer satisfaction rate, which is a bit of a mixed bag but leans positive. Out of 37 total comments, 24 were positive, highlighting the fantastic work of the waitress, bartenders, and overall staff. Many rave about the attentive service and friendly faces.

However, it's not all smooth sailing, with 13 negative comments pointing to some bumps in the road. Some experiences mention issues with staff being rude or a particular bartender creating a bad mood. There are even anecdotes about poor treatment and inexperienced staff, suggesting inconsistency.

6.7 Service

37

Reviews

64%

Satisfaction

13

negative

0

neutral

24

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Friendly, attentive staff
  • Fantastic bartenders
  • No wait time
What people don't like
  • Rude bartender
  • Inconsistent staff
  • Poor treatment

Often praised

  • service
  • bartenders
  • Service
  • bar tenders
  • barkeep
  • bartender
  • bartenders and staff
  • friendly staff
  • nice bartenders
  • no wait time

Frequently criticized

  • staff
  • Johnson & Johnson vaccine
  • bartender
  • dog allowed
  • mood
  • new bartender
  • proof of vaccination
  • purse
  • regular
  • rude

If you catch them on a good day, the service here can be truly fantastic, especially with their friendly bartenders. But be aware theres a chance you might encounter some less-than-stellar interactions, particularly if you run into an off-mood staff member. Its a bit of a gamble, but often worth it for the good vibes.

Ambience (8.1 out of 10)

mentioned by 100% of the guests

The ambience here is definitely a highlight, scoring a good 8.1 and boasting an excellent 90.1% customer satisfaction. With 82 positive remarks out of 91 total, guests love the cozy, welcoming atmosphere, often mentioning the pool tables, back patio, and live music. Many appreciate the recent renovations, making it a clean, spacious, and dog-friendly spot with great pub vibes.

However, a few of the 91 comments did point out some areas for improvement. There were 5 negative remarks, with some guests noting smoking on patio as a concern. A couple of opinions also mentioned worse vibes or a soulless decor, suggesting that not everyone found the updated look to their taste.

8.1 Ambience

91

Reviews

90%

Satisfaction

5

negative

4

neutral

82

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Welcoming atmosphere
  • Spacious seating
  • Great for sports
What people don't like
  • Smoking on patio

Often praised

  • atmosphere
  • bar
  • back patio
  • trivia night
  • chill bar
  • live music
  • lots of TVs
  • pool table
  • pool tables
  • seating

Frequently criticized

  • San Francisco experience
  • decor
  • karaoke
  • smoking on patio
  • vibes

If you're looking for a lively, comfortable spot with plenty of entertainment and a great outdoor space, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be aware that smoking is permitted on the back patio, which might be a dealbreaker for some.

Value (6.6 out of 10)

mentioned by 17% of the guests

When it comes to value, this spot has some definite perks! Based on 7 customer remarks, with 5 positive ones, many folks appreciate the reasonable drink prices and the late-night happy hour, which is seen as a fantastic idea. Overall, customer satisfaction sits at a good 71.4%, showing that most people walk away feeling pretty good about their experience.

However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. With a score of 6.6, value here is a bit of a mixed bag. A couple of comments (2 negative out of 7) point out that the tables can feel overpriced, and the lack of a food menu means relying on delivery services, which adds extra cost.

It seems theres room for improvement in offering a more complete value package.

6.6 Value

7

Reviews

71%

Satisfaction

2

negative

0

neutral

5

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Reasonable drink prices
  • Great late-night happy hour
What people don't like
  • Overpriced tables
  • No food menu

Often praised

  • drink prices
  • drinks
  • late-night HH
  • tipping

Frequently criticized

  • delivery services
  • tables

If youre looking for a place with great drink deals, especially during their late-night happy hour, this spot is definitely worth checking out. Just be aware that the tables might feel a bit pricey, and youll need to plan for food elsewhere if you get hungry.

How are the prices at The Temple Bar?

Expect to pay about 21 per person, based on 20 reviews. That places it in the $21–$30 category. For a Bar & Pub, it’s fair – not the cheapest, but reasonable for quick bites.

While the average is 21, most guests actually spent in the $11–$20 range, with a good portion also in the $21–$30 bracket. This suggests a flexible menu, offering options for various budgets, though the average leans towards the mid-range.

This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 20 most recent reviews.

Here’s how this Bar & Pub’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.

Given it’s a Bar & Pub, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a good balance, allowing for both more casual and slightly more indulgent visits.

Customer Reviews: what people think about The Temple Bar

Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Casual Outing
Group Type
  • Friends
Group Size
  • Large Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
  • Moderate
Dave M.
Review date: 10/23/2025
9
Great Evolution, Friendly Staff, Sunny Patio
My experience at this restaurant was a fine evolution following its predecessors, Black Thorn. The comfy tables and sunny back patio (when the sun is out) provided a pleasant atmosphere. The staff were very friendly, and for sports fans, there are lots of TVs. It's suitable for all group sizes with no wait time and a moderate noise level.
  • comfy tables9
  • sunny back patio8
  • friendly staff10
Visit Type
  • Casual Outing
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Patrick K.
Review date: 10/09/2025
9
Great Guinness and Chill Atmosphere
My experience at this bar on a Monday evening was great. I came in for a Guinness and was not disappointed. The bar has a chill atmosphere with a smoking lounge in the back. It also offers a great TV view, perfect for watching MNF. The Guinness itself was an absolute creamer, truly exceptional.
  • Guinness10
  • chill bar9
  • smoking lounge8
Visit Type
  • Casual Outing
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Vartan A.
Review date: 07/06/2025
9
Fabulous Irish Bar with Great Service
My experience at this Irish bar was fantastic. The bartenders were fabulous, and the service was exceptional. We visited on a night with live music, and Ivor Collins was playing – he was great!
  • bartenders10
  • service10
  • live music9
Price per Person
  • $31–$40
Visit Type
  • Casual Outing
Group Type
  • Friends
Group Size
  • Small Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
  • Moderate
Zeny R.
Review date: 06/11/2025
10
Amazing Trivia Night with Great Music!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially during trivia night with Wil. The music was amazing, and I had lots of fun. I highly recommend this place.
  • trivia night9
  • music10
  • fun9
Visit Type
  • Regular Visit
Group Type
  • Friends
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Alicia D.
Review date: 04/23/2025
8
Enjoyable Trivia Night with Good Mocktails
I've been enjoying the trivia night on Tuesdays at this establishment. I particularly love the slightly different question format and the convenient timing, as it starts at 7 PM and ends by 9 PM. It's also a plus that you can bring in food from elsewhere; they even suggest Tres Underdogs around the corner. While I didn't love their one mocktail, the bartender made me a pretty good mock margarita one night.
  • trivia night8
  • question format8
  • bring in food7
  • mocktail4

What The Temple Bar offers

Highlights

  • Sports
  • Bar games
  • Live performances
  • Great beer selection

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible seating
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom

Crowd

  • Tourists
  • LGBTQ+ friendly
  • Groups

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments

Amenities

  • Restroom

Offerings

  • Hard liquor
  • Happy hour drinks
  • Wine
  • Beer
  • Cocktails
  • Alcohol

Dining options

  • Seating

Service Options

  • Outdoor seating
  • Dine-in
  • Onsite services

Parking

  • Free street parking
  • Paid street parking

Atmosphere

  • Cozy
  • Casual
  • Trendy

FAQs

What kind of atmosphere and entertainment can you expect at The Temple Bar?
At The Temple Bar, you’ll find a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere perfect for unwinding in San Francisco’s Inner Sunset. You can enjoy various highlights, including sports on screen, engaging bar games, and lively live performances, ensuring there’s always something to keep you entertained.
The Temple Bar boasts a great beer selection, alongside a full range of offerings including hard liquor, wine, and cocktails. You can also take advantage of happy hour drinks. For your convenience, outdoor seating, dine-in service, and onsite services are available, with wheelchair accessible options.
The Temple Bar holds a strong overall score of 7.7 out of 10, with customer satisfaction at 82.5%. Its Ambience (8.1) and Food (8) (referring to drinks and BYO policy) are highly rated, while Service (6.7) and Value (6.6) are considered good.
The Temple Bar does not have its own food menu. However, patrons are welcome to bring in food from other establishments, which is a popular option.
You can expect a cozy and comfortable atmosphere, often featuring live music, a back patio, and a pool table. They also host trivia night, contributing to a lively and engaging environment.
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Location
834 Irving St, 94122 San Francisco
Opening hours
Monday – Friday
2:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Saturday
10:00 AM – 2:00 AM
Sunday
9:30 AM – 2:00 AM