Philosophers Club

If not my favorite bar in SF, certainly the neighborhood bar for WP. Justin, George and crew are simply the best and they draw a fun crowd. We go to watch Cal football or the Niners and it's always a fantastic time. See if you can look UP and identify all the philosophers. Just a gem.

This is the best bar in West Portal! Debra has done a fantastic job decorating this place. If you want to know who "The Philosophers" are, just ask! Great 80s music, and a sports bar to boot! All the bartenders are great! Friendly neighborhood place.

This place has been here forever! Back in the early 80's I used to walk by here on my way to Hoover Jr High when they were open at 6am and I would sometimes see the crossing guard for the nearby elementary school going in or coming out. Now that I'm an adult the Philosopher's Club is the best dive bar on West Portal for cheap and strong drinks

Philosopher’s Club is the kind of neighborhood bar that reminds you why people fall in love with West Portal. It serves as a true hub for the community. The owners clearly care about both their establishment and the neighborhood. They regularly host fundraisers for the local elementary school and run a holiday toy drive in conjunction with SFFD, which says a lot about where their priorities sit. As for the bar itself, the spirit selection is excellent and the prices are refreshingly reasonable. Adena and Brett are two of the best bartenders in the city. They pour with skill, remember people, and set the tone that makes the place feel welcoming. There’s also a charming little patio out back that many people miss. It’s worth seeking out if you want a quieter spot to enjoy your drink. A standout of a neighborhood bar and an easy place to become a regular.

Super friendly bartenders, old school spot. And much nicer overall than most neighborhood bars I’ve been to

Neighborhood bar punching way above its weight - bartenders are somehow doing serious service in a not serious place in a not serious way in the best way possible, if that makes any sense at all. Already top 5 San Francisco bar in a very crowded field.

In today’s world you come to a local bar expecting the worst right? Not here. I am 29 and came with about 15 of my friends for a birthday party night. The owners treated me and my friends like we were PEOPLE. In a busy service they stopped to hear our story and where we were from. It was refreshing and REAL. Coming from bars in Santa Cruz and the East Bay where you are treated like a number (I was in the service industry for 7 years, never acted like a dive bar bartender) these guys blew my mind in how they CARED for US, their customers. I thanked them before I left and again thanked them on the receipt. SPEND YOUR MONEY HERE IF EVER IN WEST PORTAL!!!

Jordan Faires

Neighborhood bar punching way above its weight - bartenders are somehow doing serious service in a not serious place in a not serious way in the best way possible, if that makes any sense at all. Already top 5 San Francisco bar in a very crowded field.

Joshua Willis

Philosopher’s Club is the kind of neighborhood bar that reminds you why people fall in love with West Portal. It serves as a true hub for the community. The owners clearly care about both their establishment and the neighborhood. They regularly host fundraisers for the local elementary school and run a holiday toy drive in conjunction with SFFD, which says a lot about where their priorities sit. As for the bar itself, the spirit selection is excellent and the prices are refreshingly reasonable. Adena and Brett are two of the best bartenders in the city. They pour with skill, remember people, and set the tone that makes the place feel welcoming. There’s also a charming little patio out back that many people miss. It’s worth seeking out if you want a quieter spot to enjoy your drink. A standout of a neighborhood bar and an easy place to become a regular.

Kaeleb Hanrahan

In today’s world you come to a local bar expecting the worst right? Not here. I am 29 and came with about 15 of my friends for a birthday party night. The owners treated me and my friends like we were PEOPLE. In a busy service they stopped to hear our story and where we were from. It was refreshing and REAL. Coming from bars in Santa Cruz and the East Bay where you are treated like a number (I was in the service industry for 7 years, never acted like a dive bar bartender) these guys blew my mind in how they CARED for US, their customers. I thanked them before I left and again thanked them on the receipt. SPEND YOUR MONEY HERE IF EVER IN WEST PORTAL!!!

Buck Aroo

If not my favorite bar in SF, certainly the neighborhood bar for WP. Justin, George and crew are simply the best and they draw a fun crowd. We go to watch Cal football or the Niners and it's always a fantastic time. See if you can look UP and identify all the philosophers. Just a gem.

greg bailey

Love this place, George McCarthy is a great bartender. Super friendly and make everyone feel welcome. The crowd is very friendly, Great place to stop by for a couple of drinks.

Sean C

This place has been here forever! Back in the early 80's I used to walk by here on my way to Hoover Jr High when they were open at 6am and I would sometimes see the crossing guard for the nearby elementary school going in or coming out. Now that I'm an adult the Philosopher's Club is the best dive bar on West Portal for cheap and strong drinks

Christine Dong

I love the painting on the ceiling and the bartenders and customers are great. A wonderful hidden gem of a neighborhood bar. I hope to become a semi-regular.Hard to be a regular since I left the city for Berkeley ....

Ray Kuryla

This is the best bar in West Portal! Debra has done a fantastic job decorating this place. If you want to know who "The Philosophers" are, just ask! Great 80s music, and a sports bar to boot! All the bartenders are great! Friendly neighborhood place.

G Salih

The neighborhood 'go to' bar. GREAT bartenders, chill atmosphere, pool table, garden patio allows cigarette smoking. Also a good spot for sporting events on the tube, if you can handle rival fans. -trash talking dealt with a smile. Never a bad time and always find a friendly new face worth talking to.

Kenneth Hong

It's a nice little dive bar with a coin operated pool table in the back. Be sure to bring cash as credit cards are not accepted. You always have the option to get cash from the ATM if you forget. It is definitely a neighborhood bar.

Great ceiling. So-so tap selection. Nice TV screens.

Glenn Mar

Great ceiling. So-so tap selection. Nice TV screens.

Cozy, well decorated, friendly staff. I'm a little particular about my beer so while their selection was limited it was adequate. But the bartender was skilled and mixed some great drinks for our group.

Used to go all the time when I lived in SF. The burger spot next door is solid.

Great low key bar. Least when we went. Back room has pool table which is coin operated. The bar tender had a great nature. Mostly regulars come here I think. The location is great, right next to the west portal Muni station. Lot of great places to eat around as well. The bartender was great and let few friends bring in food they got from the burger joint across the street. The downside is that the place is cash only. There is ATM in the bar, but none the less cash only sucks in this digital age.

Great little bar in West portal that I've always wanted to go to. Well, I finally did. It does not disappoint. Nice people and good service. What more can you ask for?

Shawn Keene (Elskipador)

Used to go all the time when I lived in SF. The burger spot next door is solid.

Antonio Mankini

Great little bar in West portal that I've always wanted to go to. Well, I finally did. It does not disappoint. Nice people and good service. What more can you ask for?

James Carey

The bar feels like it's been around for ages. Fun place.

Chirag Shah

Great low key bar. Least when we went. Back room has pool table which is coin operated. The bar tender had a great nature. Mostly regulars come here I think. The location is great, right next to the west portal Muni station. Lot of great places to eat around as well. The bartender was great and let few friends bring in food they got from the burger joint across the street. The downside is that the place is cash only. There is ATM in the bar, but none the less cash only sucks in this digital age.

Don Pape

Cozy, well decorated, friendly staff. I'm a little particular about my beer so while their selection was limited it was adequate. But the bartender was skilled and mixed some great drinks for our group.

2 Cadillac margaritas with low end alcohol + $10 tip. The twins add to the bill. Just pay cash or pay each time.

Cal HappyCamper

2 Cadillac margaritas with low end alcohol + $10 tip. The twins add to the bill. Just pay cash or pay each time.