Brass Tacks

Brass Tracks was a disappointment. The service was aggrieved, making it hard to enjoy the experience. The overall atmosphere just wasn’t a vibe—lacking energy and warmth. Definitely not a place I’d recommend if you’re looking for good service and a lively ambiance. Espresso Martini was quite disappointing:( Great decoration though!

Cute, dark bar in Hayes Valley. Their craft drinks were good, the bartenders were friendly and attentive. The place was a little loud for me, so it made it hard to speak and hear my date. But could be a cool bar for a larger group of people- not the best for an intimate night with a partner or friend.

Went on a Friday night. The place was nice and chill when we first got there around 11 pm and started to get crowded and lively closer to midnight. The cocktail is a bit watery. Hence 4 stars instead of 5.

Finally getting around to writing about this chill cocktail lounge with it's own unique history. Pretty sure my mate told me it used to be a drag bar or something similar; evident by its glass condom lights haha. We started out our city drinks and food crawl here.

Love this neighborhood bar, really friendly service and amazing craft cocktails. This is a great place for a mid day drink or an evening out, the atmosphere is always perfect! P.S. the Birthday pony is soooooo good!

Not sure what happened to this place but my friends and I visited on 03/22 around 8:00 PM or so for a neighborly drink. We were greeted by a kind bouncer and were just looking to relax after a brutal week for the three of us (and celebrating one of my friends birthday.) There was a bartender that night who had a backwards cap on who harassed me immediately without me knowing who he is or without me exchanging ANY words to him besides ordering our drink and saying we are waiting for our friend. I was under the impression he was talking to someone else but he got visible aggressive towards me in a very in appropriate way. He then started exchanging words at me and my friend was visible uncomfortable and she did not want to stay. We thought to ourselves, "what is going on?" because we were so confused. I gave the bartender the benefit of the doubt and we stayed until my other friend came back from the restroom and he wanted a cocktail which I ordered for him. The same bartender came back and was aggressively exchanging words with me and told me I cant order the cocktail for him... again I have no idea who this guy is or what happened. I get that we are all working on our toxic masculinity but it was an embarrassing look to say the least. My friends decided to leave uncomfortably but I stayed to finish my cocktail...what an awful way to start the night. He then cheekily puts the check down to let me know 20 percent gratuity is automatically added. To the bartender who thinks he can come up to strangers and act like an obnoxious bully, bro you need therapy and your manager should not be enabling you at all. I am reporting this incident to the city of San Francisco. To anyone reading this, my scenario was very intense and was way out of hand (not to mention totally left field) with people around me witnessing what had happened.

Nice drinks, chill vibes. 2 unisex restrooms in the rear along with 2 couches.

On a Wednesday afternoon, my visiting girlfriend and I had a great time with the locals, including a sweet man and his pet cockatoo bird Ghost, who hung out at the open window when sunny. Very friendly bartender and people.

I loved the older dark night vibe at this Hayes valley bar was a great end to the night except... I love lychee and the lychee cocktail sounded interesting with gin however I knew to ask if it was going to be too sweet and the bartender misled me it was so sweet I had sugar coating my teeth all night and needed an ipa to cleanse my palette. He really said the gin cuts the sweetness of the lychee I would say it was straight lychee with an aftertaste of gin . I'd go back but definitely getting a beer

Really cute bar in Hayes Valley with amazing drinks. Came here late night and got some espresso martinis for girl's night. Super nice staff, good music and chill ambiance.

This is our favorite place of all time. Amazing and knowledgeable bar staff (big shoutout to Mitch!), juicy greyhounds (fresh-squeezed grapefruit) and bomb espresso martinis (perfect ratio of fluffy foam to bev), this is our neighborhood first stop on most Fridays. For every occasion - birthdays, break-ups, first dates, lamenting the work week, pre-party to our wedding day - our friend group has done it all here. We love the simplicity of this long bar, with gorgeous light accents, muted colored walls, the fresh breeze flowing through from the park, and all their shelf liquor displayed neatly from bar to ceiling, it's the perfect center of the city for folks to converge and share stories from their long day. We thank the staff for loving our dogs too. It's a no brainer to stop in to say hi and take a little break here.

This place is fun and vibe-y with rock music vocalizing itself in the background and the mini disco ball providing patterns on the walls. The service is great as they're super friendly and will check in whenever it looks like our drinks are low. I got the White Lotus and another elderflower drink and the White Lotus was definitely my favorite among the two. Also the prices here are so reasonable!

Food was good sitting at bar service was slow all around. As big as the place is should have more help. Servers were good. Great with all the tvs. But no one would change them?

A nice after dinner bar in Hayes Valley. Their drink selection is fairly robust, especially their beer selection compared to the surrounding bars. It has a more relaxed ambience than many of the other drinking establishments within walking distance. Stop by as you crawl through all of the other bars on a Friday night.

Great vibes. The people were all very nice and had a great time with my friends here. The beer tasted great and I liked the apps they had. Overall would come here again and it's on busy Hayes valley in the heart of all the action

I have 5 words for you. Fist of the white lotus (probably one of the best gin cocktail) This is the spot. Great bar tenders, great drinks, great ambiance, great vibe. It's one of those places you'll frequent because it's all around pretty awesome. The pros: no douchey vibe, super clean and hella welcoming. I want this is in my life forever. Doggo friendly! Just be careful because I might talk to your dog.

Pretty chill bar. Nothing about it that really stands out or makes it special but also not the worst place to end up. It's nice they're open until 2am - we originally were trying to go to Anina the bar next door but they closed at 1am. The bartenders were cool and drinks were strongggggg. Read the bill carefully though - they include 20% tip already in the total. I'm sure they catch a lot of drunk people with that and get double tips.

Kind of a post work type spot. Good beer selection and cocktails but probably a little pricier than I'd prefer. But I guess most things in Hayes Valley are a little pricier than I'd prefer.

I spent $16 a cocktail with an automatic 20% gratuity. Okay, I can mark that up as inflation and fair pay to bartenders... The cocktail was disgusting on top of there being only enough to get a few sips around a massive ice cube. Not worth it. Go spend your dollars somewhere else.

Wasn't super stoked on this place when they got here, the bartender wasn't super friendly at first, but it ended up working out. We stopped here after pizza for date night at Fig n thistle and I got the the Birthday Pony, which was surprisingly not sweet at all and a great balanced smooth tequila drink! My boyfriend got a beer. Good neighborhood joint that always seems to be open.

Went here on a Wednesday night, not too crowded! Ordered an old fashion and it was really good! Service was very good too! Very cool chill vibe! I really like this place and highly recommend if you're in the area!

Can't wait for the 20% to be off, bartender didn't deserve it; now they gonna have to work for it

Fancy cocktail place! Stopped in for a quick drink... great selection and quick service. Recommend!!

Brass Tacks is an underrated gem in Hayes Valley! I initially wanted to visit Anina next door, but it was packed at 8:30pm on a Wednesday so they ushered us to their sister bar Brass Tacks next door. I was very pleased by the experience. The waiters are relatively attentive and had good recommendations for drinks according to my taste (sweeter cocktails). The drinks aren't exceptionally fancy and frilly, while also having a classy look to them. More importantly, they taste quite fantastic. We sat outdoors and the heaters are strong enough to make it comfortable for nighttime in SF. The bar gets good business until closing and the surrounding area is quite lively as well!

Random pop-in to kill time before ballet but ended up really enjoying the vibes in this neighborhood gem. I had BQE, a Mezcal based cocktail, pretty decent.

Good drinks and good vibes in Hayes Valley! We came around 6/7pm on a Thursday and it was pretty busy but luckily we got a seat outside. The drinks are a little pricey but pretty normal for SF. They are however strong and well made, worth the price tag in my option. The service is also just phenomenal here, our waiter was super kind and attentive. Overall, I will definitely be back for another drink (or two) :)

Stumbled here by accident-- with ANINA at capacity, their bouncer suggested we take refuge next door until space allows. 2-3 drinks later, we never ended up going back to ANINA because we loved the environment at Brass Tacks LOL. This is more my scene. Maybe I'll get to ANINA another time For COVID safety purposes, vaccine cards are checked, and all staff and patrons must wear masks. Small bar, but busy as heck-- even with the rush, our drinks came out within 5 mins. Their bartenders have some serious skills. MOSQUITO COAST: Ok, fruity and strong are such a dangerous combo-- this is no exception. Lime + pineapple are always a win in my book. Who doesn't love feeling refreshed and inebriated at the same time? We made ourselves at home in the back lounge area-- more spacious. I loved the ambient lighting & moody atmosphere-- mysterious, yet intimate? Dark, but inviting... Couldn't read the menu for shit tho lmao

Very welcoming. Good energy. Awesome customer service. I came here to do some work after work but all the cafe were closed. I asked if I can setup shop and they kindly obliged if I was a customer. So I bought a drink and continued working. Would totally bring my friends next time.

I came here for a bit and ordered a cocktail (road to Sakura) and it was great! It tasted like sour cherries but had such a unique flavor. The vibe here is definitely unique, but I was a fan and it's great for large groups. Overall worth checking out if you're in Hayes!

Came on a Friday night with a friend and we found two open seats at the bar. Service was pretty good. I always feel awkward sitting at the bar and this is the first time it was comfortable and the vibes were not forced. I ordered a white lotus and it wasn't anything to write home about. 20% service charge but I guess that's just SF for ya

Brass Tacks is a chill spot to hang out in Hayes on a Friday afternoon. I imagine it gets pretty crowded later in the evening, but around 4 pm when I went it was super chill and mostly empty except for a handful of people. Their happy hour special is $1 off cocktails and lasts until 7. All cocktails are $12. Tried the Mosquito Coast and Fist of the White Lotus. Both were good but I liked the Mosquito Coast more. Very sweet drinks and you definitely start feeling a buzz. Liked that the drinks are served in chilled glasses.

I arranged a get together with a friend and coworker of mine who was working in the area. I asked her to suggest a location, because the last time I worked over in Hayes Valley - it was a whole different area. Brass Tacks is a really nice bar, it has that dark loungey vibe, but with large open window , lots of light and spaces for people to hang out. We found ourselves a seat in the back of the bar, so we could catch up. This is a nice classy bar and would be good for group get togethers. It was a nice spring day, so we both opted for wine which is served on draft. The rose was nice, a little dryer than sweet which is the way I like it. I also loved the bumper sticker on the register that said "Employees must carve Slayer into forearms before returning to work". Love their sense of humor and style. Great Bar!

Good beats and good drinks! The bartender was super dope and friendly, he provided a ton of knowledge on whisky (I'm totally new to Japanese whisky) without being pretentious about it. Yay for free education! I came here after brunch at Stacks and wasn't quite ready to head home so my friend and I ducked into this bar and definitely wasn't disappointed. No food options, no dancing, and no "bar activities" so if you are solely looking for drinks- this is the place to do it.

Great place. They seemed to have carved out a good niche in this new modernized Hayes Valley. Much props You don't notice the gentrification Grey on the exterior because you're generally going there at night anyway. Nice interior. Sexy. I like tipping. I've been in the service industry for a long time. I will say that being told that you're going to be charged a 20% gratuity before you get a hello or a nice welcome is a little off-putting. I also recognize that we live in a world where people are now opposed to tipping. You have to do what you have to do.

I came here with a couple friends before dinner. The drinks were pretty good and definitely on the stronger side (maybe because we hadn't eaten dinner yet), but also quite pricey. The service was quick, atmosphere and ambience what you would expect out of a typical bar.

OFFENSIVE from hello!!! On the sidewalk, as the doorman sized-us-up, while staring at our ID's far too long, he offensively stated that a 20% gratuity would be added to our bill. FOOLISHLY, we entered, ordered two absurdly overpriced, poorly mixed drinks from a bartender with a bad attitude that acted like we were bothering him. Restaurants, and moreover bars, that offensively demand 20% gratuity for HORRIBLE SERVICE, 5% health care tax and 8.625% tax GO OUT OF BUSINESS. Avoid this armpit of a bar and spend your money where it's appreciated!!!

Fourth and last stop on an impromptu Hayes Valley bar crawl. My girlfriend and I decided to yelp one final stop before heading home. We stopped by Brass Tacks on Wednesday, July 12th around 11pm. Right when we walked in, we saw two seats at the front of the bar, so we snagged them. *Dr No: appleton rum, apricot, lemon, amaro montenegro ($11) *Mr Majestyk: scotch, alessio chinato, benedictine, allspice ($11) My time here is a little hazy. I remember the ambiance being very dark and bustling. The bartender was nice and it felt very casual. I got the mr majestyk which I recall liking. My gf didn't like her dr no as much. But that may have been because she was mixing all kinds of alcohol that night. I stuck to the mainly the dark stuff, so whiskey / scotch / bourbon. We had a good time just talking and just catching up. I do remember talking to the bouncer for a bit who was really nice. (At least I believe it was at this bar.) Although I'm close to being over the hill, I guess I should appreciate being carded every once in a while. A fun final stop to end a whirlwind Wednesday night. Even though I was in pain the next day, I still enjoyed our time here. Great bar to just grab a cocktail and catch up with a friend.

The waiters were awesome here. Really attentive and quick. They do charge 20% on the bill so take that into account. The inside is small but the wait isn't long. It's quite loud so unless you're sitting next to someone you can't hear anything.

Solid service. Super Clean. Great park view. Bartenders are...personable, friendly, all very interesting to talk to real folk, which is what ya hope for in a bar. I love the tip included model because it keeps these folks paid (I hope) and less under pressure to just do their job. My preference of the few places around Patricia's Green park. Cheers.

As per other reviews, yes they do tell you upfront that they already include the 20% gratuity in the bill. If that's no biggie for you, then give this place a shot! I didn't try anything on the menu, but I love how our bartender gave us alternatives and suggestions to our usual bar staples (Amaretto Sours for me). The place tends to run a bit loud, and we were seated at the corner near the TV. Also can't forget - they're dog friendly!

This is a hayes valley classic. It teeters on a dive bar but a little more elevated than that. Drinks are decent and the decor is... interesting! Service is always quick. Perfect spot for a casual drink

Went on a Monday. Fairly busy. This spot is a neighborhood bar mixed with an after-work crowd. If you don't mind a cold bar ( meaning the windows being wide open while it's freezing cold outside) this is the place for you. I would have stayed longer and would have bought more drinks if it was warmer in there. Drinks were nice however the wait can be long at times. Bar tending staff was attentive. Try to get drinks at the far end of the bar - you will have better luck. There are couches to sit on to enjoy your beverage, but no servers ( sitting area only) - so prepare to go up to the bar and battle for a drink. Actually - get 2 drinks at a time. They are small servings.

20% tip included without consent. Was just talking to friends about this. Someone said " they aren't even that good bartenders are they?" I said "anyone who charges you 20% without consent is not a good person". This is a joke. People are more complex than the the systems they proliferate. That system is fuxxxed.

Lively but not insane. From the same folks that own Churchill so very similar in vibe. Probably better for later night lounging vs. happy hour catch-ups but overall a comfortable watering hole in the neighborhood. Good cocktails and nice selection of beers on tap. It can get crowded around the bar but getting the bartender's attention isn't to hard. Find space along the long bar and wall or the seats at the back. Dim but warm lighting helps makes the space feel cozy. Happy hour till 7pm.

I always thought this was somehow connected to the other bar next door just by swiftly passing through and not really looking inside. This place is really chill -- I went around mid/late-afternoon when it wasn't packed, but there were still a good amount of people inside. Its a small narrow bar that has bar seating, window seating overlooking Patricia's Green (good for people watching), wall bar seating, cushion seating in the back along with a TV that was playing sports games. The bartenders were attentive, the other people there were friendly, the atmosphere was bright (due to the lighting shining in from the outside), even though it was painted dark inside. The drink I had was great! I forgot the name of it though :/ It was definitely something with tequila or mezcal with a hint of heat! Super light and refreshing to enjoy - the name of it was unique which was cool too! Went here again (the same day), but at night where the place was far more packed with people, but I still managed to find a place to sit in the back. Its pretty easy to bar/lounge hop in the area -- this would be a good spot to check out!

Worst bar in the city. Order a drink and the bartender had to Google the recipe. They tax you drink. F--k That! Get real!

Not sure why reviews aren't higher. I had a great time here. The Propaganda Pilsner is one of the best beers I've had. Super friendly staff, comfortable patio out front. I dig it here!

I love this place, been coming here for years. Let the bartender try my jacket on and told him he looked better in it then me.......he left with my jacket and said "I know"

Local elevated neighborhood cocktail Spot. Neighborhood favorite. Great atmosphere no matter the day of the week!

Would be a lot better if the bartenders paid enough attention to the customers to not charge a party of two for five drinks (another table's) when they only ordered two. No wonder they precharge the gratuity - I'm guessing the bartenders didn't get a lot of tips otherwise.

I came in here for a cocktail with some friends on Friday night after dinner. I ordered a tequila cocktail from their cocktail menu and it was really unbalanced and so bitter that I couldn't even finish it because it wasn't good. My friends drinks were also not good. Bummer

I came to Brass Tacks on a Saturday night around 10pmish and it was poppppin. It was crowded and there was a little wait for drinks but well worth it! The cocktails were quite delicious and I was surprised as this bar looked like a dive from the outside. I recommend the Serpent and The Rainbow if you like tequila and spice! If you hung out in the back long enough, you'll be lucky enough to score seating for a small group. It was a fun spot to hang out but still felt like we were out being young :) +1 for having pork rind snack bags with hot sauce and lime. This combination is amazing and something I'm going to keep at. Definitely check out Brass Tacks if you're trying to get a little tipsy!

Fancy schmancy bar. Some of the clientele even came here in nice suits. They have a ton of Japanese whiskies. They make some nice cocktails. I guess you can say that this can be a classy-yet-hipster type of bar in the midst of some fun new businesses in the area. There is also a nice little lounge area towards the back of the bar. The restrooms are nice and clean. No worries there. Parking: Street. Honestly, anytime I make a review on a business in San Francisco, the parking is likely going to be a pain. FYI: - It's probably an animal-friendly place, as it allowed a parakeet.

Drinks are pretty good, same goes for the music and ambiance, but -4 stars for the automatic 20% gratuity. I will not be returning

fun neighborhood bar with decent drinks and nice crowd. Love the staff there, friendly and charming! Will come back!

A Moscow Mule and a craft beer under $15.00!? Am I really in San Francisco? It is true! The cocktails here are fairly priced and properly crafted. My MM was exactly the way it was meant to be, not too sweet at just the right strength. Strong that is! It can get crowded so be prepared. There are chairs at the bar as well as along the wall behind the bar. The atmosphere here is lively as can be expected, but the staff operate with a cool sense of 'hey, I got this.' No stress and everyone is served promptly with pleasure. The atmosphere was so nice on this 1st visit that after dinner with friends, I actually returned for another round.

I've been meaning to come to Brass Tacks for awhile now, and it did not disappoint! I rarely come to Hayes Valley now that I live by the Caltrain station, but it's nice to be in this neighborhood once in awhile. It always seem to bright, sunny, and full of energy. That's exactly the vibe I felt when Nina Y. and I sat down at the bar before our dinner reservations nearby at a Mano. The bartender was super friendly and greeted us with a smile. He was busy entertaining the many other customers at the bar. We came at the perfect time when the bar seating was practically full, but there weren't several people lined up to order drinks behind them. It seemed like a nice, chill pace. Whatever cocktail I ordered (can't remember now!) was fantastic. It was refreshing and well-crafted. I definitely want to come and try more of their cocktails in the future. Just from one visit, it's become one of my favorite places in Hayes Valley, and I don't know why I didn't come here earlier, but now I want to come here more often!