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11 San Francisco Beer Gardens To Visit on a Sunny Day

If you’re traveling to San Francisco soon, these beer gardens are worth checking out. San Francisco has beer gardens rich in history, and many of them have local and seasonal brews.

cold drinks at san francisco beer gardens

After a long day of sightseeing, you can cool off from the California heat by drinking a cold beer and ordering loaded nachos, Brazilian rice bowls, and German sausages.

Visit a beer garden in a former auto shop, a historic bar named after a famous novel, or try a food truck venue.

Check out my list of the best beer gardens in San Francisco below!


Southern Pacific Brewing

620 Treat Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: 415-341-0152
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Head to the Mission District and visit Southern Pacific Brewing, a warehouse restaurant with gastropub cuisine.

This casual beer garden has in-house ales and specialty cocktails, and it serves bar bites, burgers, and salads.

You can visit to grab a pint or rent one of the event spaces for a private party. I like to order a house beer like the California Blonde or the Hefeweizen wheat beer.

This joint has unique menu items like black bean tacos with cheddar cheese or coconut fried chicken wings with ginger.


Zeitgeist

199 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 415-255-7505
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Visit the Mission district for a German beer garden with a punk atmosphere. Zeitgeist is a historic location with outdoor seating and 64 different craft beer taps, and it serves German and American cuisine.

The beer garden has regular live music and happy hours that are perfect for a weekend night out. You can order draft beer by the pint, quart, or pitcher.

I recommend trying a pint of Allagash White, a wheat beer, but the Prohibition Ale is also a good choice. Order a bratwurst with sauerkraut to make an authentic German beer garden meal.


SPARK Social SF

601 Mission Bay Boulevard North, San Francisco, CA 94158
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Head down to Mission Bay to visit the local food trucks for an adventure you won’t forget. SPARK Social SF has a rotating lineup of food truck vendors, and you can sample San Francisco cuisine and beer in one spot. The venue is near Mission Bay Commons and has a trendy vibe.

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Frequent trucks include:

  • Virtual Teacup
  • Taqueria San Marcos
  • Bacon Bacon

The Watering Hole Bar offers some great local beers, and Firetrail Pizza is one of my favorite places to grab a slice. Expect to see a lot of Mexican fusion food trucks and order empanadas, tacos, and more.


Anchor Public Taps

495 De Haro St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 415-863-8350
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Go to Anchor Public Taps in Potrero Hill for a vintage vibe. You can order local and seasonal beers while enjoying a bite to eat at one of the many food trucks.

Anchor Public Taps is a great place to go for a beer tasting with friends. All beers at Anchor Public Taps are handcrafted and unique to San Francisco.

I recommend the Tropical Hazey IPA, a fruity beer with fresh flavors. Order a 6-pack to take home or enjoy a pint on the premises. Rotating food trucks include American, Mexican, and barbeque fare.


Biergarten

424 Octavia St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 628-276-3203
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Biergarten is one of the best beer gardens in San Francisco, complete with traditional German cuisine. It’s near Patricia’s Green In Hayes Valley, close to the Civic Center district.

It’s a great casual place to host an event or stop by for a draft beer.

Make sure to try the soft pretzel, a German beer garden classic. Biergarten also has other German foods, including bratwurst, currywurst, and beet salad with goat cheese.

If you want more typical American bar food, I recommend the hamburger with Alpine cheese, a classic burger with a twist. Pair it with a beer or dry cider for an unforgettable meal.


Black Hammer Brewing

544 Bryant St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 628-222-4664
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Black Hammer Brewing is a trendy beer garden in South Beach. It’s in a warehouse setting and has a German-American fusion menu.

The beer garden is near the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, and it features bold, artistic beer can designs and unique flavors.

It’s dog-friendly and has options for gluten-free and non-drinkers. Try a creatively named drink like the Barrel at the End of the Universe with aged barleywine.

On my trip to San Francisco, I visited Black Hammer Brewing and tried the gluten-free Cuddle Puddle with Hazy IPA beer. It was delicious!


Drake’s Dealership

2325 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: 510-568-2739
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Head over to Oakland to visit this relaxed one-time auto shop and enjoy New American cuisine and house beer.

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The beer garden has a rich history. It began in a former Dodge factory, and it’s now one of the premier brewing spots in California.

The Oakland location is across from the Oakland YMCA in the Northgate-Waverly area. Start with a house beer like the Flyway, Black Robusto, or Best Coast.

My favorite is the La Quack hard seltzer with cucumber lime. The Uptown pizza goes nicely with beer, and it has mozzarella, sausage, and bacon.


Finnegans Wake

937 Cole St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Phone: 415-731-6119
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This bar gets its name from a 1939 novel by James Joyce, and it prides itself on being a creative space where everyone is welcome.

This neighborhood-style beer garden is by Richard Gamble Memorial Park, and it’s famous for its Bloody Marys and light cuisine.

Find a spot on the patio, and you can order an award-winning Bloody Mary or try a wine or vodka. Finnegans Wake allows outside food, but you can sample a few bar bites like:

  • Cheese empanadas
  • Pretzels
  • Chips
  • Nuts

I love going here with my friends for the laidback vibe.


Harmonic Brewing

1050 26th St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 415-872-6817
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Harmonic in the Dogpatch district has a chic atmosphere and fresh cuisine. It’s near the Midway music venue. Enjoy the industrial decor and rotating food trucks while trying the beer on tap.

I like to try the funky drinks at Harmonic Brewing, and it’s easy to find a bold and robust beer if that’s what you enjoy.

I recommend ordering the Evil Goat Bock, a dark and malty lager with caramel undertones. The Electric Apricot Sour is another excellent choice.

You can also get a case of beer to go or visit the food trucks for a bite.


Westbrae Biergarten

1280 Gilman St, Berkeley, CA 94706
Phone: 510-647-9079
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Go to the Westbrae neighborhood in Berkeley for Brazilian cuisine and local California brews. Westbrae Biergarten is not far from Geneva’s Path.

It has a friendly vibe, and it has frequent events celebrating St Patrick’s Day, Oktoberfest, and more. Westbrae Biergarten has a well-stocked bar, and it offers everything from Brazilian cocktails to mulled wine.

Go for a traditional pint of beer, served in a German stein, or try a hard cider local to the area. My favorite drink is the hard kombucha, and I like to order it with the chipotle rice bowl.

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Seven Stills Outer Sunset Taproom

3645 Lawton St, San Francisco, CA 94122
Phone: 415-340-3654
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Seven Stills is a taproom in Outer Sunset, San Francisco. It features Mexican cuisine, and it has a funky vibe. Seven Stills is near the Sunset Church, and it’s a no-frills beer garden with a simple menu.

Relax in the colorfully decorated beer garden and beat the heat with a cold beer and a plate of tacos. Visit Taco Thursday for special deals, and order a loaded nacho tray to share with your group.

I love the taproom tostada with pinto beans, guacamole, and salsa. I recommend drinking a cold fresco called Juicy Jamaica.


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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Quora, Google Guide and Facebook.