Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe

One of the a few places in north beach with an eclectic crowd of locals and maybe some tourist . Definitely a great little dive with a big soul.

Right next to Tosca, this is truly opposite to that experience. A very low-frills, cash-only bar with an equally low-key atmosphere for getting away from the daily grind. Divey. Beaty. Grimy. Lovey.

There is some pretty amazing taxidermy in this place as well as board games and newspapers in the back.

One of the legacy bars in North Beach that has a charm all its own. Also a good place if you want to have a conversation with your friends or other people in the bar .

Get the cheese and crackers basket for $6. The cheese is absolutely huge and they do cracker refills for free.

Check out the expansive post card collection at the front bar to see world wide love letters to this North Beach hideaway.

Possibly the best dive bar in San Francisco . Great for reading. Tons of historical paraphernalia on the walls.

SF Chronicle columnist Herb Caen coined the term “Beatnik ” in print , but it it is said that this is where he overhead the words “Beat” and “Sputnik” used in close succession.

Lowkey, chill , and not too crowded . All the things needed to be a great dive.

one of the most authentic , diehard hideaways left in San Francisco. it feels like home.

Nice atmosphere with friendly people. Cheap drinks too!

Cheap drinks , great towny bar . Read all the stuff on the walls, some interesting artifacts there.

Easy for passerby's to miss this place. But it's truly a microculture-defining bar of north beach !

Such a weird place, on a good way. People and decoration there are worth the stop.

Eclectic interior that's not too loud or too quiet . Good spot to sit and chat.

Try the cheese plate !!

One of the original beatnik bars You may see someone who is sitting in their same seat from the 50's

You'll get the full "dive bar " experience. Insanely crowded so prepare to wait for drinks.

An institution. This dive bar is one of the best

The best no-frills cheese plate experience in the world.

Ask what a "ooisk" is..... Heh! :) and have the tender show it to you... It's on the wall behind the bar .

In a very small alley. Very easy to miss but has art on the walls and a very interesting crowd (2 of 4 petals via Fondu) Read more

Great taxidermy and eclectic nonsense. Great dive bar .

The Greatest little Dive bar and curio in North Beach .

Cash only but totally worth it.

Not crowded . A good place to read. Cash only , but there's an ATM .

A piano man plays regularly, and there's often complimentary cheese and crackers lying around.

My experiences here mainly involve heavy-drinking (or sober) seasonal Alaskan fishermen

When Vesuvio's is too loud and crowded , come over here in the alley across the street. Its rad.

The best bar in North Beach....Bar none.

Must try the Vanilla Lemon Drop !

Without a doubt one I my favorite bars in the world.

Anchor steam and a block of cheese , good to go! Lucy the bartender is great too!

Very SF. Cash only but there's an ATM next door.

Slow service. Simple bar . Fun knickknacks inside. Very much a dive amongst fancy north beach bars , but the prices are high for a dive

One of Herb Caen 's old haunts. Order the "martinus (singular)" as Caen would say. Read more

Lots of local character. Get a drink and observe.

Dive bar awesomeness happening here.

OH: are you sure you want to get red wine at a place like... This?

Order a fernet and ginger ale

Irish coffee . Bartender Laura.

Beers on tap

Uhh I'll second the "interesting crowd" comment!

The difference between New York and San Francisco is this bar .

Note the Mongoose and Cobra over the piano... among other oddities.

Meet Chocolate the parrot, and let him perch on your shoulder.

Drink with locals.

You need to do this at least once in your life.

Old school drinking

They open at 5 PM.