Vesuvio

If you get out to SF and enjoy the bar scene, Vesuvio is a must-visit. It's got character and a half, and lots of history - being the preferred drinking well of beat poets, Jack Kerouac and Charles Bukowski. I like the upstairs seating; the two tops by the windown overlooking Columbus and the alley. Note that if you've seen the beginning of So I Married An Axe Murderer, you've seen Mike Myers in here commenting on the massive cappucino. "Excuse me miss, there seems to be a mistake. I believe I ordered the large cappuccino. HELLO!!!!".

A gaslit candle chandelier hangs above a mirror-backed bar, where a black cat statue is startled stiff. Jazzy art posters fill nearly every square inch of the walls, while couples spanning several generations buzz over a Van Morrison soundtrack. Next to the bookshelf littered with Cuban literature, a wood staircase winds toward the balcony. Upstairs, tons of tables and a couple of coveted booths overlook the first-floor action, while windows rising from the floor offer views of the North Beach strip. This spot is steeped in Beat history and emits a bohemian vibe. It's a prerequisite on any classic SF bar crawl, yet manages to eschew tourist trappings. Pitchers of the 10 tap beers are available (including Chimay), making Vesuvio an ideal place to commune with friends. No wonder it was a Jack Kerouac hangout, and hasn't lost much popularity since it opened in 1949. And hey, early birds: it opens at 6am.

You can almost hear "Hey Jack Kerouac"... when you grab a seat by the upstairs windows.  Enjoy the excellent food, vintage wine. Soak in all the atmosphere of city as you sip your fav cocktail and be at your most bohemian best. Relax, enjoy, take a deep breath, and be thankful you live in San Francisco :)

I'm not a big bar fly, but Vesuvio is cool. Located in North Beach, the bar has a neighborhood feel, yet isn't dated or filled with people w...

Vesuvio is one of the best bars in Sf. It caters to a wide array of different people. It's full of history, great social scene, and very awesome drinks. They don't skimp on the quality of their alcohol. Try and go up stairs to the "John Wilkes Booth" its got waitresses who are highly attentive evenm if the bar is full to the brim with people. If you're in North Beach you absolutely must go!

I love this place. Every dusty, dirty corner of it. Wonderful. And full of charm. Remember to bring your own food, though--all they've got is alcohol. So if you're hungry, bring in a couple of sandwiches from Molinari's Deli down the street.

Vesuvio is an old haunt of the beats. Jack Kerouac drank there, and you can still feel the bohemian spirit living strong there to this day. ...

Vesuvio is cool - it's a little claustrophobic for my taste - tons of people and low ceilings, but it has tons of personality. If you are in North Beach, it's definitely worth having a drink in here for the historic reasons that Skizero mentions.

touristy? sure. being across Jack Kerouac Alley from City Lights, this joint is going to attract a fair number of aging hispters, old hippies, and younger folk already ingrained in the so-called alternative literature. still, the bar is a good time. inside it looks like a relic from the Summer of Love, lots of orange and yellow hues and tye-died stained glass. pictures are all over the place: images of counter-culture characters and Beat Writers. I should say the bar has an interesting shape, almost oval, with a second floor that looks down on the first. i spent nearly every evening of my trip to Frisco having a few anchor steams in this joint, sitting almost parallel to their John Wilkes Boothe on the second floor. was a pleasure drinking beer surrounded by the visages of my favorite literary heroes. even more, i couldn't contain my joy at being in the bar where Jack Kerouac went and tied one on instead of traveling to meet Henry Miller. plus Vesuvio opens at 6am. you can't beat havin... Read more

This is the former haunt of beat generation icons such as Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady, Vesuvio is a gritty, eclectic little bar with a lot...

The Scene A gaslit candle chandelier hangs above a mirror-backed bar, where a black cat statue is startled stiff. Jazzy art posters fill nearly every square inch of the walls, while couples spanning several generations buzz over a Van Morrison soundtrack. Next to the bookshelf littered with Cuban literature, a wood staircase winds toward the balcony. Upstairs, tons of tables and a couple of coveted booths overlook the first-floor action, while windows rising from the floor offer views of the North Beach strip. The Draw This spot is steeped in Beat history and emits a bohemian vibe. It's a prerequisite on any classic SF bar crawl, yet manages to eschew tourist trappings. Pitchers of the 10 tap beers are available (including Chimay), making Vesuvio an ideal place to commune with friends. It's this welcoming art-house allure that has made the destination a city favorite since 1949.

Great ambience, service, and drinks (website, too). All in all, a great place to hang out. And if you get a chance, stop by the neighbouring "City Lights" bookstore as well.

This place stills rules the Beach! The staff is great but the place itself IS San Francisco. Ask the waitress to run the slide show for ya and you won't be disappointed. They also pour a fine Guinness.

Situated next to City Lights Bookstore, this bar has been a literary scene for decades. Read Beat literature and you are more than likely to stumble across a reference to this watering hole. Take the chance and climb the spiral stairs, and enjoy a drink upstairs. The bartenders are wealths of knowledge -- just make sure you rub them the right way. If you run into a bartender named Mike, it is always good to open up with talk of the Giants or Paul Westerberg. That works better than 'hey, hey, hey, you behind the bar -- over here.'