House of Shields

This is the best place out there to have fun and have a great night with lots of friends. This is one of a kind of a place. They have amazing bars in here as well .

Really can't go wrong with any cocktails . Coming in here makes you feel like you're in Mad Men. So order yourself a strong mix of old fashioned , because it's one of the best in town .

This is just a wonderful place for fun. I took my friends in here last week and we had a great time. The drinks just kept on flowing and the music was so appealing.

This place is just right with a large group! They have so many great drinks and the music that they play is as amazing as you would imagine, easy to dance to.

Grab a drink after work and a seat if you can find one. The upstairs area is tiny but the spot has super cute decor with good drinks.

Very good old fashioneds . Relaxed atmosphere . Gets pretty crowded in here, though.

One of the oldest bars in SF (read: has character on a good way). They have a house cocktail with bourbon and honey which is outstanding.

I got a blood and sand and it was delicious! Would order again.

Top notch cocktails stirred by the nicest bartenders in the City . No mixology attitude here. Eric is world class !

I love a dive bar . I've been going to House of Shields whenever I'm in SF for over a decade. It never disappoints.

It’s often either packed or empty. If you have a slightly larger group or need a bit of privacy the upstairs area is my favorite. But don’t tell anyone.

Perfect for after work. However no happy hour . Always crowded . Beer selection is ok, better to take a cocktail .

Great spot for a cocktail when you’re close to South of Market .

Beautiful ambiance . The mezcal habanero cocktail is amazing. A bit less crowded over weekends

Reportedly, there's a tunnel that runs from the basement of this bar (est. 1908) to the plush Palace Hotel across the street. It is rumored that when President Warren Harding died in 1923, he did not

$12 cocktails and nice vibes on a Friday night, not too crowded . Upstairs area has additional seating

All cocktails are good, strong, and relatively inexpensive . Get a seat as far from the door as you can.

They always have a fresh new selection of cocktails . Everyone on that list is worth a try

SF Weekly’s Best Of 2011 Winner – Editorial Pick – BEST OLD-SCHOOL BARThis comfy , classy rendezvous is even more welcoming since last year's careful, loving six-month restoration… Read more

Turns out you can get a decent Sazerac outside of N’awlins!

If you are looking for a good bite and some good drinks kind of away from the tourists walk down to this hidden treasure (4 of 4 petals via Fondu) Read more

They have Pappy, and they make killer classic cocktails in an unpretentious environment.

Decent atmosphere, but felt a bit cramped / crowded and was very loud . Bathrooms are also too small and not well maintained. Drinks were good though, and good service too!

love sitting at the very old bar or being a fly on the wall upstairs. really good music , people watching and cheap drinks to boot. buybacks are common place (which is not all that common in SF)

Go up stairs. There are some nice wicker chairs and big tables to hang out at with a group.

Proper old school bar concocting one of the best Pisco sours in SF. Ask Eric about the spaces history

Ask for the tour of the basement and try to find the tunnel that leads to the Palace Hotel . Only VIPs will be allowed down stairs.

Small but if you're lucky to grab a two person booth you'll lounge comfortably.

Smoking Sombrero is a nice cocktail featuring mezcal , cynar, citrus , and chartreuse .

Cocktails are fantastic, vibe is excellent

ask the bartender to lay down the James Brown soundtrack. they'll totally do it. and you'll be totally funky as a result.

The upstairs seating is dope

A small slice of New York City in San Francisco. That's a very good thing. Enjoy!

Miller High Life in 2021 still $3/bottle. Wooooow!

Small but good vibes and cool private ish tables by the window

Paying the deposit for the Moscow Mule copper glasses is well worth it.

Great cocktails , friendly bar staff and awesome decor.

They somehow achieved a dark and smokey atmosphere despite the fact that we couldn't smoke inside. That's awesome!

Made new friends, drinks were awesome and i would come again

Supposedly until 1976 the place was a gentlemen's club where women were not allowed (unless they were prostitutes). <aclass="entity url"rel="nofollow" href="http://sanfrancisco.grubstreet.com/2010/01/financial_district_saloon_the.html"target="_blank" data-sig="PQBKejmuNxyvxISz6d+fedB2VAo=" onmousedown="fourSq.ui.OutgoingLink.mousedown($(this), event)" data-source="tip-text">http://sanfrancisco.grubstreet.com/2010/01/financial_district_saloon_the.html</a>

"Tell everyone we're open from 2pm - six days a week" - Eric 'elderflower special' the barman

Great service! Will be back!

Good cocktails , great classic downtown atmosphere.

Try the The Aviator - Plymouth Gin base Cocktail from the 1940s. #foodie #SFfoodie

They make a correct Hemingway Daiquiri .

Small place but solid booze selection and is open till 2am.

It's a smaller spot, but the drinks are very tasty.

Ask the bartenders the about whiskey vs bourbon . Full of info!

This old saloon serves a pretty good ale .

Nice place to chill