Vesuvio Cafe

Amazing and unique and hums with the beatnik vibe. Loved sitting on the second floor with the windows flung open, people watching (both tourists outside and some rowdy characters inside!)

Grab a Dark&Stormy (rum&ginger beer - quite refreshing!) and grab a seat upstairs by the window for prime people watching on Columbus! Also, this place doesn't serve food but you CAN bring your own in!

Really neat place to sit and watch the tourists go by. Table service is something you don't usually see at a dive. Cool decorations, like an authentic version of what TGI Fridays wants to be.

Hip place to get drunk. Interesting bartenders with great stories. A great place to write, talk and live. Poets of all walks drink here. Rock stars, yuppies, beatnik . Cool jukebox

Jack Kerouac 's old hangout and right next to City Lights. In the center of the Barbary Coast and SF's. Definitely feels old school and doesn't feel touristy .

Try the Charlie sheen - shot and two beers (2.5 men) or the Tom Selleck - shot with three beers (3 men and a baby).

The balcony is a great spot if you can get a table. People-watching is always good! And you can see the ancient gas light chandelier from up there.

SF Weekly’s Best Of 2012 Winner – Editorial Pick – Best Place to Hang Out with Strippers without Going to a Strip Club . Vesuvio is a great spot to get a drink or three at any hour, and if the... Read more

Probably the best place I've been in Frisco. And it feels sooo beat, if you know what I mean :) come here and enjoy ginger beer and dark rum in one cocktail !

Vesuvio is a classic. They're friendly , the ambiance is great. Not all cocktails are great, go for the classics, they know.

Atmosphere is always great here. Crowded yet cozy place to get away from the tourist traps of North Beach and enjoy a beer .

Old Beatnick hangout next to City Lights Bookstore in North Beach . Have a drink where Jack Kerouac , Allen Ginsberg and Neal Cassidy used to spend their evenings.

Drinks are nothing special, but the atmosphere is very unique. Great for reading and having a drink solo in the afternoon, before it gets busy.

Grab an espresso , a classic beat read and people watch from the second floor of one of Jack Kerouac 's old haunts.

You can really sense the history walking into the bar . I would recommend sitting upstairs and hang out. Cool view of the entire restaurant .

Great bar with a lot of history. One of my favorite places to get a Pimm’s cup

one of the last authentically perfect bars in san francisco

Grab a book next door at City Lights and read (and drink) yourself silly.

Cozy beatnik bar with Christmas lights and cheap beers . Bring friends and cash.

Do the beat poetry detour and start here to immerse yourself in that literary era.

Great spot with an awesome beer selection . Second floor is perfect for small groups or date night !

Nice and cozy arty space. Nice staff .

A definite dive bar . I didnt see much of an art , bohemian crowd when I was there but I guess they were there in spirit.

Congratulations, you've found one of Esquire's Best Bars in America. No matter how many tourists drop in for a pint, it still feels as though it's full of locals. We recommend an Anchor Steam .

Open since 1948, it's where the Beats convened to quench their thirst. The upstairs nook might be the most perfect people-watching in North Beach .

Good ol’ Vesuvio. Classic North Beach bar . Sit upstairs for good people watching !

Try the Jack Keroac - The Jack Keroac special drink. Very tasty and a great vibe at this place! #bar #drinks

If you're in North Beach you should grab a drink at Vesuvio Cafe. The drinks are strong and the Halloween decorations are fantastic. Order from the cocktail waitress when you sit upstairs .

Lurk from Jack Kerouac 's old seat upstairs or join the mostly locals sitting at a bar stool

Great stop on a SF visit from MPLS. Weird mix of crust punks, bohemians , and popped collar kids. If cabbing it, leave a bit before bar close or else have to compete with the strip clubs kitty corner.

Great atmosphere, good music and at a good price

Joanna is awesone. Loved the Sazerac cocktail !

Best bartenders and most interesting crowd (in a good way)

A MUST do in SF. So much history and no matter how many tourists pop in it still feels like our favorite local bar . Mmmmm, Anchor Steam .

It's like stepping back in time every time I come here. Love this place!

A legacy North Beach bar that has a lot of character and history.

The seat in the upstairs back corner overlooking Columbus is one of the best views in all SF

Drink where Kerouac drank. Teetotallers welcome too: decent selection of tea , plus espresso drinks .

Must do if you're in SF. Get the "Jack Kerouac " and their Anchor Steam IPA .

Grab a table upstairs . Great views of busy North Beach tourist traffic and pervert men going into nudie bars .

Must have a beer here, after all Kerouac was drinking here too!

Vesuvio is just dripping with history, and local characters can often be found holding court at the bar . Read more

Great beer and atmosphere!

Great bartenders and great people watching

Cozy balcony for drinks and conversation with friends.

Great atmosphere, great drinks. Doesn't at all feel touristy .

The place you must visit while in SF

Great antiquated vintage atmosphere, good drinks.

Nothing to do with the beats. Don't be a douche and you'll love it. Use a card for two beers and you'll rightly suffer.

Authentic old school dive bar atmosphere.