Toronado - San Francisco

bigbelcher

Arizona

3.06/5  rDev -28.2%
vibe: 2 | quality: 4 | service: 1 | selection: 4.5

The reputation of this bar is good, however I was very turned off by the place. The list of beers on the wall wasn't current. The tables were dirty and when I asked a bartender to clean it off they gave me a bar towel. When I took the dirty glasses and stuff and moved them to a spot near where the bouncer was standing he told me to take them to the back. I told him I am there to spend money and drink, not do their work for them. Very dissapointed.

07-10-2003 08:55:40 | More by bigbelcher

SamuraiJack

Oregon

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5

Perhaps my favorite US beer bar.
If you're a beer fan - and especially if you're a Belgian beer fan - this is a must visit. The selection is excellent. I've been to places with larger lists -- but none with a better list. Not only does Toronado not serve Budweiser or Coors - they don't even serve Sierra Nevada or Anchor Steam. There were beers on the list I didn't like - but there were literally no Bad beers on there. Period.
Of particular note are the hand-pumps (three as far as I could tell), the correct glassware (even for the Lambics) and the incredibly knowledgable bartender.
The bar is in the lower Haight (grunge and dirt) and the bar itself is definately low on ammenities. Does it matter? Not in the least.
They don't serve food but there is a good sausage place right next door and the best BBQ in the Bay Area is right across the street at Memphis Minnies.
Prices ain't cheap - but they're fair.
Thank god I live 5.5 hours away is all I have to say. I'd look like Mario Battali otherwise.

06-13-2003 15:31:35 | More by SamuraiJack

mzwolinski

California

5/5  rDev +17.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5

This is a terrific bar. I was really excited to go once I looked at their web site -- 46 beers on tap, 3 of them cask-conditioned, and all of them exceptionally well-chosen. There's also a substantial list of bottled beer, including a few collectable (and expensive) selections. I envy the SF residents who get to attend the many beer-related events at the bar. Just this month I see a tasting with Allagash and a wonderful looking Belgian beer dinner. The atmosphere was surprising -- about half the crowd has lots of body piercings and tattoos, and the other half are very obviously beer geeks. Not much in between. The barkeep was friendly and knew alot about the beer. Great happy hour prices in the afternoon. There's really not much to complain about here! An absolute must-visit should you find yourself in the city by the bay.

04-07-2003 10:31:20 | More by mzwolinski