Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge

Awesome karaoke bar in Chinatown, SF! Definitely a Chinatown feel with the dim red lights & decor. There's a huge karaoke book to choose a song to sing. If the bar is full, they'd likely limit you to 1 song at a time so others get a chance. Space is small so it can get crowded. Loved the energy & atmosphere.

I recently visited this cozy bar and was pleasantly surprised by the overall experience. The atmosphere is vibrant and lively, thanks to the colorful lighting that gives the place a fun, almost neon-lit vibe. The ceiling is decked out with string lights, which adds a festive touch, making the space feel warm and welcoming. The décor is eclectic, with a mix of Tsingtao beer banners and traditional artwork that gives the bar a unique character. The bar area is well-stocked, and I appreciated the multiple screens showing different events, from sports to other entertainment, catering to a variety of interests. The crowd was friendly and sociable, contributing to the lively energy of the place. It’s a great spot for a casual night out with friends or even for meeting new people. Whether you’re there to catch a game or just enjoy a drink, this bar offers a versatile experience. Overall, this bar is a solid choice if you’re looking for a fun night out with a laid-back yet energetic atmosphere. I would definitely recommend checking it out!

Whenever I have the chance to visit SF I have to come back to bow bow, absolutely the sweetest person, Mama. Not sure if she’s there anymore but she has trained her staff equally as well. Great vibes always an amazing time.

This place is a hidden gem. Always sooooo much fun, the owners are so sweet and the crowd is always high energy and down for some FUN! Have never gone here and not made friends. This place is the best

My second time here and I am fascinated with this place. I don't know how to say it for you to understand, but it's something different. It is something unique you feel like you are outside the country in this case in China the people are very friendly and the bartender is a great lady.

Fun atmosphere with friends, small place but cool. Bow Bow cocktail was pretty good

I had such a blast at Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge, we were recommended this spot by a local and it did not disappoint. I recommend going later in the evening because when we first got there it was only the server and some locals playing cards at the bar, but honestly it added to the character of the place. As the night went on though, the place was packed. The bartender was so kind and very attentive. Highly recommend checking it out if you enjoy a casual fun karaoke bar.

Traveled to San Francisco for work and had the itch to sing Karaoke with coworkers. Looked at a few reviews and decided on Bow Bow so off we went. Did not disappoint. Nice little hole in the wall with Karaoke. People here are so friendly. Karaoke basically self-service with no host. There are plenty of songs to choose from and sound quality was good. Had a great time!

I love Ruggy J's review from 2012. 5 stars for Bow Bow because it's a no frills straight up drinkery karaoke spot in Chinatown SF. Drinks are reasonably priced and the karaoke system is great. I visited during this year's Chinese New Years and was jumping in and out of this bar to watch people pop off fireworks. Get that Bhudda beer just because the bottle is so cool!

If you actually want to karaoke. This is not the spot. Searched at least 10 songs by song name too, and they had zero. And then my drinks went from 16 for 2 to 26 for 2

Was headed back to my hotel late at night when I heard Whitney Houston playing loudly nearby. As I passed Bow Bow, I realized it was karaoke! I decided to go in, buy a beer, and queue up a song. After making some friends, one song turned in to four and I ended up staying until 2AM, it was that much fun. The boss and some of the regulars I met were very friendly. There's a large selection of Chinese and English songs. Every song I wanted to sing they ended up having, which is rare! Definitely recommend if you want to have a good time and perhaps socialize with some friendly strangers.

Last night was my first time at Bow Bow and had so much fun! It was recommended to me by some friends who wanted to get drinks and karaoke. It's a small bar, but very lively and a good system for non-private karaoke. I saw 3 karaoke books with the song selections and you write the number of the song on a piece of paper, hand it to the bar tender, and they queue up your song. There is 1 all-gender restroom, bar stools, and free street parking in the evening. Will definitely come back again.

Nice owner, passable drinks, and positive vibes. It also helped that our rendition of "dragostea din tei" was well received. This was one of the only non-private room karaoke spaces that I've felt comfortable singing at - I loved how intimate and supportive it was.

Omg how fun!! What a cool small little bar! Had the best time! Great location, love the bow bow cocktail, staff were super friendly, and was comfortable and welcoming.

Awesome place to have a drink and sing some tunes, friendly vibes with very tendful bar tenders.

Stumbled in on Jan. 1 after having dinner in North Beach. Super fun bar, hottie bartender, great crowd ready to karaoke and sing their hearts out!

Super fun karaoke spot in North beach! It's an Asian owned karaoke bar with a massive collection of songs and horribly bad cocktails! Very divey and relaxed even though they like to call themselves a cocktail lounge. The staff I believe are the owners themselves and they're awesome! Don't go here for cocktails but for music and fun vibes!

Went here after a night of drinking and had lots of fun singing and hanging out. The bartender, I forgot her name was AWESOME and friendly and really the best. She also has a beautiful singing voice. Will be back again!

Sorry for the late post. If you want a small hole in the wall with good karaoke in Chinatown; this is the place. No food; just drinks and a good time. Husband and Wife crew really gave good service as we brought of group of 30 people so the house filled up really quick. Thanks for having us and allowing me to be a back up dancer. :)

Stopped by on a whim on the week of Christmas, and was shocked at how cozy and lively this little dive bar was. The owner was warm but constantly asked if we ordered drinks before letting us choose songs to sing for karaoke. Still... it was a great crowd, average price shots ($12-15) and guaranteed fun time!

Omg i love it here! Such a staple! Vibes immaculate, cute ambiance, friendly staff. Always my to go in the city for a good time.

EXACTLY how I like my dive chinatown bars...a few quirky characters/regulars, a nice bartender (who gives you both a free round!) a pretty decent bathroom, and reasonable prices. We just stumbled upon this place, and it was a nice end to our date night.

SCAM ALERT! DO NOT GO HERE! This place just charged me additional $40 on my tap! I came in on Friday, I bought 2 drinks for $22 each.... Which she never even handed me. Just checked my phone now and I was charged $80s. One working bathroom for the entire bar so gross. The bartender was rude and clearly running some sus operations.

I absolutely LOVE this bar! It has more character than most of the bars I've ever visited in my life. For you regulars: Mama Candy has retired, and the excellent Jenny now has the helm! I imagine this would be as close to a Hong Kong dive bar by the docks as you could get outside of Hong Kong! Narrow, long, & dimly-lit, but with a very modern, clean restroom! The karaoke is a mix of American and Chinese hits, with "Piano Man" as the long-standing anthem sung here ... sometimes 5 times a night! But who cares? EVERYONE'S singing! And that leads to the clientele: Everyone from around the neighborhood, city, county, state, nation, & world comes here. No joke! Drink prices here are the most affordable I've seen on the West Coast, too. All-in-all, this is one of my Top Three Dive Bars on the planet!

Super fun night here! Tight little space but the karaoke is poppin' and the owners are super kind and amazing. Drinks were affordable enough, but make sure you have cash - it's a $15 minimum for card. Thank you Mama June!

Local karaoke dive with solid jams. Where Ma will take care of you. A must when in SF.

I came here after hearing about a bar with karaoke nearby in Chinatown. It is a long thin bar and can get busy and crowded on a Friday night. You should definitely check it out for a casual night out. The drinks here are to be expected of a dive bar. The bow bow special is probably the best one while the rest seem a little haphazardly made. Song selections are a little dated and comes from 80s to about 2010s which pulls in a different crowd of millennials and older. It can bring back a good amount of nostalgia whether if it's Chinese or American songs. Funny memorable moments were when Country Roads threw in a house remix at the end or when Dream a Little Dream of Me had a lengthy chinese segment thrown in it. Service is good and extremely friendly. When I went it was only one woman serving the whole bar which can be chaotic when twenty people are waiting but she handled it like a champ.

Love to stop at Bow Bow for a early evening Coctail and Song. I prefer to come here early. It's a small hole in the wall and you just never know if it will be quiete or crazy. Definitely not as Vibrant as when Candy was around. Miss seeing her . Karaoke is very Casual at the bar singing. big book no frills just have fun Chill vibe. no long waits like at other Karaoke bars. At times ita like the Patrons run the place. lol I like they have Tiger beer here. I see more older people here, not too many young people. they come in look around then leave. So I guess upu can say it's a favorite place for the locals who live close . Glad it's still around when I wanna sing and not be at the bigger Karaoke places.

This is the only karaoke place in North Beach worth seeking out. You'll always get a chance to sing a song here.

Favorite bar in Chinatown town, grab a drink, (I usually do a lemon drop, or tequila shot) let loose, and sing the night away! There's no food, but sometimes people get pizza nearby, and they might offer you a slice. The local uncles and aunties are always charming, and Jenny the bartender is an enigma. Come here if you want to experience the community that is Chinatown.

3 of us walked along China Town and stopped at 4 bars along the way. We were losing faith in finding a good one until we stopped at this little gem. This was our favorite and really the only one that we liked. The ladies behind the bar are super sweet and friendly and there's just a nice vibe in here. They have karaoke and the bartender has such a great voice! Very impressive. The restroom here is nice and clean. We don't make our way out to SF very often but the next time we do, we are definitely stopping by. Thank you for the great time and for holding onto my sweater that I left there! You ladies are fantastic!

Came here for a chill meet up with friends & was served by a very nice bartender! She seemed to know a lot of the regulars and made everyone feel like home. They also have a karaoke machine you can use, but the songs are quite old

Best karaoke. Such a fun whole in the wall bar. Our group had such a good time here!!

I am almost loathe to write this review because I don't want anyone else to learn about my absolute, hands down, favorite bar in SF. Do you like cheap drinks? Singing your heart out to a mediocre list of karaoke songs? Excellent service from someone who will also give you snack bags of chips? This is your spot. It is my spot. Take your bad vibes elsewhere. Bow bow forever.

If you want a cool divebar and bad karaoke this is your spot. Although every now and then you get some real dam good singers lol. Mama has since retired but the new owner is just as fun and friendly. Parking is limited to the garage or whatever street parking you can find. Best to carpool or uber/lyft. If you're near Chinatown, hit this joint up

Fun, karaoke place with solid drinks. Easy going. Have a beer, bring a friend. Small but cool to hang

We came to Chinatown for the lunar new year parade and of course the food. While my sister and I went shopping my bf and her fiancé went to this bar to chill while we walked around. Once we were finished we went back to the bar and the bartender Jenny immediately remembered my bf and sisters fiancé. She came to pour us shots and even offered us some bags of chips for snacks! Then proceeded to give us full packs of fireworks to set off in the streets loved Jenny she was amazing and so accommodating, even took a shot and picture with us. Definitely would come back next time we're in china town.

A very lovely place for quality beer, shot, and hangout. The services were quick and efficient - didn't wait more than 5 minutes to get our drinks even with a full room. The karaoke system has a decent amount of songs and the quality of its mic and speakers were good. They have a hike box which is a separate system from the karaoke machine, but I think when people are singing, the juke box remains muted. I was told that the juke box can be played if no one's singing - which makes sense. Will try it next time.

Went on a whim and had a blast. Only giving it 4 stars because I'm afraid more people will go there with all of these awesome reviews. If you are chill and appreciate a good dive bar, you will not be disappointed! Cheers!

Always have an amazing time here. The bartenders put up with a lot, so if they seem a little slow to respond cut them some slack. If you come in with some respect and a smile, it'll be returned to you tenfold.

If you're looking for a dive bar with a lot of cool people down to earth, you've come to the right place. This place is a small little place but I've had some of the best time here and most of the time, the crowd is awesome. It looks like Yelp doesn't recognize this as open but I went recently and was so happy to see that it was open again. Good old world charm of Chinatown, and a just an old fashioned good time with drinks and yes, karaoke!

At first the impression was to walk away fast, but curiosity and reviews made us stay. We are glad we did... it was only 2 patrons when we walked in, about 30 minutes later there was no room to stand ,.. I am talking 60 people with about 20 capacity .. Fun, fun, fun... mama Candy is amazing character, straight out of movies, drinks are excellent, price is reasonable...with plenty drinks on the house. No food, but who cares.. eat before you come with lots of choices of Italian restaurants around the corner . Come early , grab a seat..take a journey. Good times. Thank you Mama Candy Omg! The best way to end our trip in San Francisco. Unexpected, how so many people can get United with music. We met so many great people, had so much fun. This was by far the best night ever! Couldn't have asked for anything better. San Francisco, you will be missed. SG

Randomly walked into this bar with my girlfriend during the Chinese New Years parade. Random Karaoke songs and Tiger beer. I'll be back.

Let me caveat this review by saying that I'm not a karaoke aficionado even though I am asian. Singing in front of a large crowd scares the bajeezus out of me, which is why when I get invited to true karaoke spots like Pandora, that's a usual decline on my end. I took my friend to a nearby Chinatown bar and on our way there we noticed a group of people singing inside Bow Wow. We thought to ourselves, "wow those people actually look like they are having fun." instead of the typical SF bar scene where it's crowded like a tin can of sardines and full of tech bros and tech h... you get the point. Most SF bars I find are clones of one another -- nothing singular about, much like the people of SF -- all Patagucci athleisure-wear dwellers. I like Chinatown bars because the true locals come here and those who want to have a more diverse crowd of people. Bow Wow is a simple dive bar with karaoke near the back. It's unapologetic and doesn't try to be something it's not. The beers are also stinkin cheap. $10 for 2 beers. Mind you a majority of these patrons were white but I love that they were drinking Tsing Tao or Tiger! And gringos karaoke way harder than asians. When the song "Africa" came on, no one really knew that song it was until the chorus and then we all sang our hearts out. I've never had so much fun karaoking. Music really brings people together and is the glue of our social fabric. Definitely coming back here with my amigos!

I was walking down from another bar when I heard singing. The singing make me stop and drop in for a beer. Two beers and a shot of henney later, I was singing Aladdin. When I turned around, this crowd of people was behind me. Some Scottish guy came up and took a selfie with me (?) while I sang the chorus. I was a little taken aback, but it was fine. Everyone was a little drunk. My next song, this Vietnamese guy put his arms over my shoulders and tried to sing the NSync song with me. I nudged him away and he backed off, but a few moments later, decided to get touchy again. Aside from those two awkward experiences, I had a good time. Would I go back? Probably after a few drinks.

This place is always fun and a good place to drink in Chinatown. The crowd is about half neighborhood people and half tourists. I've been here on a few occasions, both packed and not, and the vibe varies depending on the crowd ratio and who is down to sing karaoke. The bartenders do their best in a very small (but full of charm) bar and can at least make a good margarita, so anything else is just bonus. This is one of my favorite low-key fun places in Chinatown.

Whoever labeled BowBow a "dive bar in Chinatown" got it right. It is. But, it is also a fun place to stop for a drink or two. PROS: Mama Candy; karaoke; festive place for a group CONS: cash only, and you pay when you order. Again, this place is a dive bar. Probably best as a stop on a pub crawl. Mama Candy is a hoot, but I'm guessing you don't want to see her bad side. That said, she bought our group a round of shots during our BDay celebration, so we're fans. Cheers! RS

How have I lived in SF almost a decade and not discovered this place? I had some friends in town from Germany, I figured they needed to experience karaoke to really experience the city. I found this whole in the wall bar - with a sassy, badass bartender who takes NO shit and also has an incredible singing voice. Drinks were strong, notes were off key and it had the "singing in my friend's basement at a middle school party" vibe. This is how karaoke SHOULD be.

Bartender is sweet but allows people to take over karaoke ownership and only allows their friends to sing. I don't recommend at all. Why would I stay all night to not sing??'

Possibly the greatest Karaoke Bar in the universe. Excellent cocktails, clientele and staff! All of that, plus a bag of chips!

They finally reopen after the pandemic! It used to be a small hang around corner for us whenever we stop by Chinatown. Same friendly bartender. Most importantly, they still keep the reasonable price for their drinks.

One of Chinatown's greatest dives. A perfect place to start or end a night of Chinatown/North Beach bar hopping. Bring an appetite for Tsing Tao, snack size bags of chips, and ambitious karaoke from a catalogue consisting entirely of pre-Y2K music. Ms. Jenny can barely see and can't hear too great either so write clearly. "You're gonna fucking love this place" is a phrase invented for Bow Bow.

Very disappointed in this place. I was looking forward to grabbing a few drinks with friends and singing some karaoke. We gave a card to open a tab and were told that there was a $20 minimum for card purchases. This was a little steep but we were planning on having several drinks anyway so we figured it wasn't a problem. The place was almost empty. This was in the middle of the afternoon on a Sunday and out of maybe 20 or 25 barstools, only 5 were occupied when we came in, all by the same group. Our group of 5 sat on the opposite side of the bar closest to the karaoke. Still plenty of empty seats. About midway through our first drinks, the bartender named Cindy made a snark remark to one of my friends for drinking water. We let Cindy know that she was our designated driver and that the rest of our group would drink plenty of drinks to make up for it. This didn't stop her. She proceeded to yell at our group in Cantonese then began talking about us to the other group that was there, all of whom were Chinese. That group then also proceeded to yell at us in Cantonese. One of the members of our group is Chinese and she understood everything they were saying. They called us all sorts of inappropriate names. It was an extremely uncomfortable experience. All of this because our designated driver refused to drink alcohol. I understand if there was a line out the door and we were wasting bar space for other paying patrons, but the place was literally empty besides us and that group of 5 people. There was no reason for Cindy to make any comments. Anyone with an ounce of business logic would know she'll make more money with our group there than with our group not there and those seats remaining empty. In addition, what would've been a nice and healthy tip became an average tip. I see all the reviews about this older Mamma Candy lady and they're all glowing and positive. I think they need to go back to her because Cindy is doing this business no favors.

This place is such a hidden gem. My friend and I are visiting San Francisco and stopped in on a Saturday night. This tiny little place was packed with people all really into karaoke. The owner, Mama, has been running this place since the 70s and knows everyone that comes through the door - she knew we'd never been there before, served us two types of bar nuts, gave us extra shots in our drinks, told us about her history. What an amazing woman. It's no frills and don't expect specialty cocktails, but if you want a place with charm, energy and authenticity, absolutely go see Mama.

Horrible service!! After having a drink, the old lady got up in my face pressuring me to buy another drink! Didn't make me feel welcome. She made me feel like someone to get used. Plus, I brought a large party in of about 15 friends for a birthday. I will never goto this place ever again! If you want to feel insulted and unwelcome by someone who is greedy for your money then go here.

Amo moi oo Another fun night with my friends Staff are very helpful Hospitality is highly great

Mama Candy knows what's up here. She made the most amazing "special cocktail" for me. I saw her make it and she must have poured a good 10 different things into it. It was made with true love and care and presented beautifully in a martini glass. Class, I tell you. Not to mention that my water glass was never empty throughout the evening. Both Mama Candy and the vocally talented bartender beside her - made sure that I was constantly hydrated throughout the evening. My favorite aspect of this intimate and quirky karaoke bar - is that people take their karaoke with a smile. There's none of the ego and edge that some of the other karaoke stops in the city have. Just pure fun and good times. Oh and though they don't carry Rich Girl here in their song selection - they have my close second favorite - karaoke number - Danny's Song by Kenny Loggins. So what's up. Trust.