Browse all 20 bars in the Outside Eats dining guide to the San Francisco Peninsula. Select any restaurant for photos, hours, directions, reviews, and the full profile.
See our picks: The Best Bars on the SF Peninsula →
- ACAN BurlingamePolished cocktail lounge featuring rare whiskeys and balanced craft drinks.
- Bar Loretta Menlo ParkSleek cocktail bar and lounge extension of Bistro Vida on Santa Cruz Avenue with craft cocktails, a curated wine list, small plates, and a sophisticated evening atmosphere.
- Barrelhouse BurlingameOne of Peninsula's largest beer, wine and spirits selections available.
- Flights View Lounge BurlingameWatch planes take off and land with waterfront bay views.
- Fogbird San MateoNamed Best Bar two years running with creative cocktails.
- Hidden Tap And Barrel Redwood CitySports bar featuring over 400 spirits, 20 rotating Northern California craft beers, and fusion cocktails with free pool play.
- Hidden Tap And Barrel Palo Alto Palo AltoCraft beer and cocktail bar with a rotating tap list and a kitchen serving elevated pub food and weekend brunch.
- Hidden Tap and Barrel South San Francisco South San FranciscoFeatures 20 rotating taps emphasizing Northern California craft beers and one of the biggest whiskey collections.
- Longboard Bar and Venue PacificaPacifica's premier live music venue in Eureka Square with a real stage, pool table, darts, and fresh-lime margaritas.
- Nick & Nora Daly CityCocktail bar and late-night lounge in Daly City with craft drinks, small bites, and a relaxed atmosphere open until 2 AM.
- Sports Page Mountain ViewClassic sports bar and pub in Mountain View with big screens, cold beer, and simple bar food open through last call seven nights a week.
- Surf Lounge PacificaPacifica's proudest dive bar — cash only, no bands, no pool, just a bar.
- The Emerald Hour Mountain ViewThe Emerald Hour is a Bar restaurant in Mountain View, California.
- The Grotto Los AltosIntimate speakeasy with custom cocktails inspired by Matisse Jazz prints and smooth jazz ambiance.
- The Library & Bar Menlo ParkElegant bar and lounge inside Rosewood Sand Hill at 2825 Sand Hill Road with bespoke seasonal cocktails, fine wines, light bites, wood-burning fireplaces, and a sprawling outdoor terrace open daily for lunch and dinner.
- The Rose & Crown Palo AltoPalo Alto's oldest bar, the first in the area to serve craft beer, with award-winning fish and chips, darts, and a welcoming unpretentious pub atmosphere since 1982.
- The Swell Lounge @ Jettywave Distillery Half Moon BayOutdoor cocktail garden at Jettywave Distillery with farm-to-table coastal food, house-distilled spirits, and fire pits.
- Wunderbar San MateoUnderground speakeasy featuring classic cocktails and creative riffs on them.
- WXYZ Lounge MillbraeStylish hotel bar featuring live music, signature cocktails, and tasty small plates near SFO.
- Zac’s Bar & Grill San CarlosAmerican bar and grill serving burgers, steaks, seafood and wings, with a full bar and outdoor patio.
About Bars on the SF Peninsula
Bars on the San Francisco Peninsula run the gamut from cocktail-focused rooms and cozy neighborhood taverns to lively sports bars and gastropubs with kitchens worth visiting on their own. The guide's bar category is about places where the drink leads and the food follows, though many pour serious effort into both.
At the craft end you will find bartenders building balanced cocktails from fresh juice, house syrups, and a well-stocked back bar, the kind of place to sip something considered rather than rushed. Neighborhood bars offer the opposite comfort, a familiar stool, cold beer, and an easy welcome. In between sit gastropubs that pair a strong drink list with elevated bar food, from burgers and wings to shareable plates that make a full meal.
The Peninsula's downtowns keep the best concentrations, and a good bar often anchors a night out, whether as a pre-dinner stop, a post-dinner nightcap, or the main event with friends. Sports fans have plenty of options with screens and a game-day crowd, while quieter spots trade energy for conversation.
Because atmosphere is the point, reading individual profiles helps you match the vibe to your night, from date-worthy cocktail rooms to casual hangs. Happy hours are common and a good value, especially on weekdays.
Use the list below to browse bars by city, then open a profile for hours, photos, and directions. Whether you want a carefully made cocktail, a cold pint in a comfortable room, or a lively spot to watch the game, the Peninsula has a bar to suit the evening.
