The Halfway Club

We went here for the triva but the food atmosphere and people is what's going to keep us coming back. The fries are some of the best plane fries I have had. Their skin is crispy and chewy with a light inside and they are nicely salted. The picked appraiser was an assortment of picked vegetables that were each different enough to mix it up and each had a great texture and tangyness. (I'm sure their drinks are great too but we just got some soda for dry January). The trivia was well put on with an energetic and upbeat host. It brought in enough to be filled but not overcrowded and the prices were pretty good. The atmosphere was perfect with great lighting, seating and music that wasn't too load. They have darts and a back patio area as well as another dining area for overflow. The waiter (or owner) was going around to make sure everyone was good and was quick with anything we needed. Overall a great spot!

I miss The Broken Record but I'm super excited to have a new restaurant in their space. Cocktails were super tasty and reasonably priced. I love that they have a relatively big set of non-alcoholic options. Food was also delicious but I missed having some cheaper menu options to snack on while having a drink. Like, a big basket of fries for $7 or $8, or a cheaper hot dog. The pickles were really outstanding but felt like a small portion for $7. The salad we got was fantastic and the quality matched the price point. I get that there's a quality / price trade-off and having 1-2 menu options at a more accessible price would make it easy to come back either for a drink and snack, or for a full meal.

Fantastic spot! The food was amazing! The burger was one of the best I had in a while, and to top it all, it's kids friendly. I'm so glad a spot like this one opened in Excelsior. Can't wait to be back and try more dishes. Update Sun 7/28: I went back with another set of friends after raving to them about how the great the food is and was really disappointed 😞 at how the food came out. Ordered the same exact food. Fries came out overcooked. The pork sandwich was also overcooked and had TOO much vinegar. I was hoping they can stay consistent. We need good places in the neighborhood

I don't drink so this review will reflect the food and atmosphere. Spoiler...both were fantastic. I was greeted with smiles and shown to one of the best tables in the spot. Lucky me. Food: -I do not like liver. I REPEAT. I DO NOT LIKE LIVER....but I freaking love this chicken liver on toast. This chef is a wizard. -The burger was awesome. The sauce and caramelized onions were quite pleasant -The fries were fries. -Meyer lemon dessert was the perfect end to a rich meal. Is there rosemary in there? Tasted liked rosemary. Service: -Got a great table. -Water was constantly refilled. Important to stay hydrated. Big plus. -Staff checked on me the RIGHT amount. Not too often and not too infrequently -Staff dealt calmly and professionally with a random drug-addicted psycho toting a bible. They pointed this street Jehovah in a different direction without much fuss. I like that. Prices: -Incredibly reasonable for SF! Overall great experience. Imagine if you drink too. Looking forward to going back and trying the other food items.

Excellent food and cocktails, friendly vibe and superior service. The blended boozy slushies were so refreshing and well balanced. Great selection of top shelf liquor for the classics. The chicken liver pate is outstanding. Wish I lived closer.

This is a great spot for drinks & food. It's been spruced up from the old iteration as Broken Record, but kept the fun, local, comfortable feel. Came in on a late Sunday afternoon for refreshing beer and very tasty food. Had the Enterprise Lager & Pilsner, Chicago dog (a real Vienna Beef version!), Deviled Eggs, and chicken liver toast. All yummy! Very friendly & hospitable bartender, Ethan. Will definitely be back.

underwhelmed by our experience here but we might’ve just been there at an odd hour. roses: the interior decorating is wonderful to stare at when walking in and around and drinking drinks. def has unique seating options and cool vibes. would recommend being here for cazh drinks or an event, esp for a big group! however, i would not recommend eating a full meal there, which brings me to thorns: servers gave mixed attention to us even though there was barely anyone there, the food was okay, and the prices were way expensive relative to quality. i will say that the brussel bravas was actuallyyy rlly good, but the burger and chicken sandwich and fries were just okay. the $7 mixed pickles was a nice touch but only added to the pocket pain. not much can be accommodated for a dairy allergy which is also a small personal bummer. will try it again soon when they have another menu change maybe🙂‍↕️

The owners have done an awesome job bringing an upmarket vibe to excelsior. Consider it’s only a week old I’m impressed by what they’ve delivered in such a short time. This space feels high-end, but not pretentious. The cocktail, wine and beer list is A+. The food is solid. The prices aren’t prohibitive. A great spot for a cheeky mid-week stop or even a casual date-night. Can’t wait to see how this spot evolves. Highly recommend the chicken, the broccolini and the roasted squash. And the Tempranillo was 👌🏻

We went here for the triva but the food atmosphere and people is what's going to keep us coming back. The fries are some of the best plane fries I have had. Their skin is crispy and chewy with a light inside and they are nicely salted. The picked appraiser was an assortment of picked vegetables that were each different enough to mix it up and each had a great texture and tangyness. (I'm sure their drinks are great too but we just got some soda for dry January). The trivia was well put on with an energetic and upbeat host. It brought in enough to be filled but not overcrowded and the prices were pretty good. The atmosphere was perfect with great lighting, seating and music that wasn't too load. They have darts and a back patio area as well as another dining area for overflow. The waiter (or owner) was going around to make sure everyone was good and was quick with anything we needed. Overall a great spot!

I'd advise to NEVER host a private event here! Such a horrible experience!!! I was super excited when this place moved into the neighborhood. It's got a cool vibe when you walk in with a back room and patio for events. I inquired about hosing a birthday party here for about 40 individuals and the back area looked perfect for it. When dealing with one of the owners that handles events, he was usually very dismissive and just flat out rude at times. Definitely not accommodating AT ALL! But because my finance wanted to support this establishment, I decided to continue, although there are sooo many other places in SF that would be happy to host parties - I know because I have planned and hosted my fair share for friends and family. I went in person to order food for everyone about 2 weeks prior in order to give them ample time to plan. I picked from their very limited catering menu and asked numerous times if it would be enough for 40 people because I did not know what the portions would look like. He assured me it would be more than enough and not to worry. Unfortunately, over $1200 later and it was not enough food. I was so embarrassed that many people left the party hungry and felt completely ripped off for the portion sizes. For example, I was given a small bowl of fries for $40!!! And to top it off, there was an automatic gratuity charge. I guess for putting the food out on the counter. 24% gratuity on top of that...WOW!!! The owner had also told me that I would be able to start decorating at 4pm. WRONG!!! He placed a small party in the back and I had to wait until the Niner game concluded in order to begin. Those individuals were not eating and did not order food, but they were allowed to stay back there because the owner allowed it even though he knew I was coming in for a planned birthday party. The party started at 5pm and guests had already shown up while we were waiting for him to get the area cleared so I was very behind. We even asked if we could just start a little while they were there or just share the space and he was so dismissive and rude and said "you'll have to wait. It's not like you paid for the back room or anything". WTF?!? This man should NOT be the events planner for this establishment or have any customer facing responsibilities. Also, if you look on the website, there is NO room fee since I already prepaid for plenty of food and gave him gratuity he clearly did not deserve! Guess that's the great service you receive when you try to secure the back room. Throughout the party, he did not once check in with me to see if I needed anything. The food came out slow and late, even though I said the party starts at 5pm and I'd like the food out shortly after. I even had to track him down to get the cakes, which took quite a while and people were already leaving. At the end of the night we mentioned something about the lack of service given because we thought after frequenting the bar numerous times and spending over $3000 on a Sunday night, we should have been treated much better. So his idea to smooth things over was to bring shots to my friends and I. Well, those shots ended up on my bill!!! Couldn't believe how slimey that was. And mind you, my bar tab was also charged another automatic 24% gratuity. I was completely disappointed with the service the entire evening. My family owns plenty of restaurants in SF and in the east bay and I have worked in a few and I can't imagine treating any customer the way I was treated. I would NEVER go back here. It was a complete waste of money and such a horrible experience!!! Good luck guys

I really wish this was a better review. We'd heard good things and it's super close to our place. Alas. The food was ok. Fish wasn't too greasy which was nice. Horseradish tarter wasn't very horseradish-y and was very salty. Fries weren't bad weren't great. Burger was, according to spouse, about the same, fine but small and not wow flavor. Maybe I'm spoiled but most restaurants like this in the neighborhood give much more flavor and quantity for your buck. $25 for ok fish and chips, I had higher expectations. Server was friendly. Server Tip (which would've increased our tip, as a server long ago I almost always tip over 20% even if the food is not my fave): if someone asks for help deciding ask questions don't just ask "how hungry are you?" and then state 3 of the 4 main courses. "What were you considering?" could be an alternative? That would've given info and ruled out the burger and pork which I don't eat. I might've enjoyed the tomato salad and appreciated another side. $18 for corn was curious to me but nothing they said made me think it was worth trying. We'll be back, because that's how we roll, always give a place a second chance especially when it's spitting distance from your house and another friend in the neighborhood wants to try it and there's trivia Tuesday. But for my money there are other similarly priced places within walking, if not spitting, distance.

Tonight was my second visit and I came for the semi-regular drag bingo. There were plenty of seats available about 30 minutes before the event started and I grabbed a seat at the bar, where I got great service. The pip up was open tonight but unfortunately, nothing on the menu resonated with me so I stuck with chips, guac and salsa, which were a-ok. Had a couple of drinks which were all great. This IS my neighborhood bar and it really feels like it. Great crowd, friendly staff, and good vibes all around. Happy that it's here

Although we miss Broken Record, we are ecstatic to have this new spot. They have a projector in the brightly painted back room and are happy to put on a kid's movie whenever requested (no sound, though). The menu has proven very good after a couple of visits, but there aren't too many kid's options. My kids will eat the Chicago Dog with just ketchup and the fries (they charge $12 for this 'Kids' dog' instead of the $16 for the adult dish), but the ravioli (being crisped and fried) is too 'different' for them. You can call ahead for them to set aside seats for you, but I've never actually needed a reservation on a Friday night around 5:30pm. There's plenty of space in that back room and the back patio. * Chicken Liver Mousse on Toast ($18 for 2) - 4 stars. I enjoyed this, but you do have to generally enjoy liver! The bread was fresh and great, the contrast with the apple butter and pecans was lovely. * Toasted Cheese Ravioli ($16) - 4 stars. I like this crispy ravioli - note it's a small dish, you only get 5 pieces of pasta, but they are pretty big. The sauce has the perfect amount of thick texture. * Charred Sugar Snap Peas ($16) - 4.5 stars. Extremely fresh and crunchy peas! Not super filling but very delicious for a light dinner or a starter. * Spicy Blue Cheese Wedge Salad ($18) - 3.5 stars. The chicken skin was very intense, spicy, and tangy - a bit too much for me, but maybe others who like spicy chicken wings would really enjoy this combination of flavors. * (Mid) Western Burger ($22) - 4 stars. From my partner: generous pickles, tasty patty, onion ring adds nice texture. Bun is soft, but holds together. Could have more complexity in the taste department. A bit greasy feeling. The fries are thick and tasty, 4 stars.

My visit to The Halfway Club was superb! I was a frequenter of the previous bar that was at its location, Broken Record, and while it was very cool, the space and lighting was not the best. The Halfway Club is near perfect in how they rearranged everything and replaced all the seats with new upholstery and improved the lighting so it doesn't feel like you are in a spotlight. The bartender was top-notch, extremely friendly but not intrusive. My buddy ordered a smashburger and fries, and it arrived in less than 5 minutes. He had a couple of good Hazy IPAs while I drank their Irish Whiskey brand, Slane, and I was pleased. Pricing was good too. I also noticed there were doing support for events in the district, which needs more representation. Bravo to them! I'm really happy there is a great joint in my neighborhood and I will be going back there regularly.

We've been waiting anxiously for the halfway club to open after the broken record shut down. The new owners have done a really nice job sprucing up the place. The vibe is chill, casual, relaxed and somehow family friendly. The owners previously worked at Comstock saloon in North Beach so the drinks are really good. The food menu is limited but portions, quality and quantity were good. What might have been a coincidence is the number of parents and kids that were able to chill at a place that has a full bar. There's a real dearth of baby and adult friendly combinations in the city. Excited about being able to support this place!

I don't drink so this review will reflect the food and atmosphere. Spoiler...both were fantastic. I was greeted with smiles and shown to one of the best tables in the spot. Lucky me. Food: -I do not like liver. I REPEAT. I DO NOT LIKE LIVER....but I freaking love this chicken liver on toast. This chef is a wizard. -The burger was awesome. The sauce and caramelized onions were quite pleasant -The fries were fries. -Meyer lemon dessert was the perfect end to a rich meal. Is there rosemary in there? Tasted liked rosemary. Service: -Got a great table. -Water was constantly refilled. Important to stay hydrated. Big plus. -Staff checked on me the RIGHT amount. Not too often and not too infrequently -Staff dealt calmly and professionally with a random drug-addicted psycho toting a bible. They pointed this street Jehovah in a different direction without much fuss. I like that. Prices: -Incredibly reasonable for SF! Overall great experience. Imagine if you drink too. Looking forward to going back and trying the other food items.

The Halfway Club is a welcome addition to the Excelsior. While we were bummed when Broken Record closed we are thrilled for the Halfway Club! Came in on a Friday night as a group of 4 for drinks. We were originally planning to get the $13 cocktails but couldn't refuse the $23 pitcher of hazy IPA.... And then took the recommendation of the Mezcal Paloma which was refreshing with great flavor. Service was amazing with great recs, perfect balance of checking in and letting us hang, and sharing offerings. Also, great music at a volume where you can talk but still enjoy. If you live in the Excelsior or are in the area (e.g. soccer games in Crocker Amazon) you need to drop by and support this place. Will be coming to Tuesday trivia and Wednesday movie night ASAP and getting food (which we hear is great!). https://www.instagram.com/thehalfwayclub?igsh=ZWI2YzEzYmMxYg==

Fried Chicken Wings (Spicy Chili Garlic Oil, Scallion Ranch) were DELICIOUS!! Highly recommend. I tried to order an espresso martini but they don't have espresso. The alternative I got was not something I would order again so I stuck with beer after that. We stopped here before going to a show at Cow Palace and it was the perfect little pregame spot. Be aware only street parking and can be difficult

The folks that work here are very warm and kind. They have created a beautiful bar that is fun to hang out in. I can't wait for a warm (ish) evening to enjoy the patio. The food is very good and the cocktails are delicious. Everything was thoroughly enjoyed by people at our table. I love that they are family friendly but still def. a cocktail bar. We will keep coming back and trying new stuff!

Hi. Wings. Best. Ever. Come here, eat them!!!!!!!!! Why does a review need 85 characters? Jesus. Eat these wings.

The service was great. They would make sure we had our drink orders in when we were sitting at the bar. The food was not good. I order the fish and chips and ended up having a stomach ache after eating that dish. I think it was the tartar sauce that was probably left out and not refrigerate. I would go back for drinks, but not the food.

A new and very welcome neighborhood bar. The menu is still growing but what is already on there is very, very well prepared. They seem dedicated to adding only items they feel good about serving. The hamburger is terrific. The chicory salad is, too - and I am not a big salad eater. The fish that comes with the fish and chips is the best I have had. Those are all the things I have tried and have had each of them twice. Ethan, partner in the business, also is a super knowledgeable specialist in spirits, cocktails, and wines. He is a veteran in the hospitality business and simply knows his stuff. May even more importantly for a neighborhood pub, he knows how to make all kinds of people welcome while leaving just as much space as each seems to want. Full disclosure: I have no financial interest in the business and I had not met the owners or staff before going there for the first time. I do hope that it will be successful because of their dedication to quality in food and drink ... and because I want to go there regularly. Good luck to Ethan and Gary!

Since my last review, The Halfway Club has been open a little longer, and everything has gotten better. Food we've had before is elevated with lemon zest and other nice touches. Beer has moved from cans to draft+cans, and they've added the holy grail of NorCal draft beer: Old Rasputin correctly served on nitrogen tap. The service is still great, and this is now becoming the fully-formed neighborhood bar that it aspires to be. Well done

Such a fun menu. We tried a bunch of the dishes. Fish and chips were amazing. Brussel sprouts with the chicken were fantastic. Ordered som fried raviolis, broccolini, and squash as starters and they were also great. Great beer menu as well. Servers all were attentive and fun. The big screen in the back was playing old movies into the night.

the wings were crispy and really good, we also ordered a pitcher of beer which was so big we couldn't even finish. definitely recommend!

Formerly Broken Record and now re-energized as The Halfway Club. It's nice to have new business coming into the neighborhood. My co-workers arrived shortly after opening and we were impressed by the new look and friendliness of the staff. One of the owners was present and friendly. He approached me and said that they would broadcast the Warriors game soon. I was wearing Warriors gear by the way. It's just the first week, but overall we were happy. We originally sat by the entrance, but immediately moved to their dining area in the back as our group grew. The staff had no problem accommodating us. We enjoyed the fresh vibe and delicious food. I had their ravioli appetizer to go with my drink. The food menu was a bit short, but I'm hopeful that the variety will increase. For instance, I just wanted some simple appetizers like french fries, but it wasn't available on the menu...unless you purchased a burger. I didn't get to fully explore the new spot and see if the "backyard" was available, but I left happy with what I experienced at The Halfway Club.

Love this place. Favorite new spot to grab a great drink, get some amazing food and unwind with incredible hospitality.

Absolutely love this gem! The "formerly known as" Broken Record restaurant and bar got a revamp and its all good! The bar is welcoming and unpretentious and the food is mouthwateringly delicious. I still get excited about their roasted chicken and brussels sprouts, a sure thing! The food is delicious. Lord have mercy soooooo good! Love supporting local businesses and have brought all my friends! You cannot go wrong. Stop by and check it out and you'll be happy you did!!! Cozy bar, back room and YES, patio!!! Kid and dog friendly. Friendly, accommodating and fun, the whole package. Can't wait to spend some summer nights out on the patio. What more could you possibly ask for?!?

It was kinda quiet the night we went in. But the food was beyond standard bar fare and the drinks were great and had some flair.

Outrageous prices for this little place that's located in the Excelsior. The audacity of moving in where the Broken Record left off, thinking they could do better but not even having a new idea. I don't see them lasting long. 2 entrees, 1 app and 1 dessert and 2 drinks= $100 not including tip. Pretentious and the food was just "eh".

It's Ethan Terry's bar. It is going to be one of the most fantastic and fun bars in San Francisco. Sad to see the Broken Record go by the wayside, but rarely do you ever see such an obvious and amazing new space emerge from what was once a gem. Will they see some growing pains? Of course, but these guys know, live, and love service!

Good drinks and great service. But there are no vegetarian entrees. I ordered the toasted ravioli, an appetizer, and was disappointed. It was 5 ravioli for $16!! I'll go back for drinks, but definitely not to eat

I love the Halfway Club! It is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. Every time that my husband and I go in, we are warmly greeted. We love sitting at the bar and shooting the breeze with owners Ethan and Greg, and we know that we will inevitably have a great conversation with our neighbors. The cocktails are delicious, and the food is delish. I highly recommend the toasted raviolis (or t-ravs for short).

Great drinks, awesome food, good vibes. New neighborhood spot looking good, cheers to the opening!

Good places friendly meet with friends for a warm drinks ask for any drinks even if it's not on the menu and they're willing to make it for you

Very excited to see The Halfway Club open! It's bright, lively, warm and welcoming. We live in the neighborhood and really missed Broken Record. Tonight we had beer and wine, and tried a couple of the new menu items: Toasted Cheese Ravioli, and Charred Broccolini with Pecorino. Loved them both, particularly the Charred Broccolini as I've never had it prepared this way before. Very light and lemony. It's great to see couples, singles, and families back in our local spot.

Great bar and restaurant. I went for Tuesday trivia night hosted by Matt with some friends, it was a fun night and the food and drinks were so good I decided to have my birthday there. Greg and his team were super helpful getting everything set up and had the perfect space for my group on a Saturday night. The wings, veggie platter, shishito tostadas, and everything else were so good my friends are still telling me how good the food was weeks later. I will for sure have another event there in the future.

A gem of the neighborhood. A well designed interior with a variety of places to sit and eat, or drink with friends. The food is excellent, with seasonal and locally sourced ingredients - the Fish and Chips melted in my mouth. Fantastic charred sugar snap salad, and amazing dessert. Highly recommend.

Such a great neighborhood bar and restaurant. The high-end bar food is delicious and the cocktails are innovative and tasty. And there's a nice variety of non-alcoholic beers and mocktails for when you are not wanting booze. Tuesday night trivia is a blast AND you can win great prizes! And don't miss the beautiful outdoor patio - such a nice space to hang with your crew.

A friend hosted a party there, and mentioned I have sensitivities to alliums. Everything that was served was amazing without alliums--it wasn't missed! Everything was amazing! The drinks and service were amazing as well. I'm still craving the chicken wings, pimento cheese, pepito dip with crudite, shishito pepper tostadas, and the popcorn sprinkled with pixie dust! The service was exceptional as well!

The food is wonderful and legit. Service is friendly and efficient. This place is nice, inviting, welcoming, clean, with beautiful decor.

Great burger and cocktail menu. The staff are friendly and this is a great neighborhood place after work or for watching a game.

Great cocktails and beer selection. Tasty food and family friendly. It will beat your initial expectations.

A wonderful neighborhood bar and restaurant. We have tried a few things on the food menu- the burger, salad, fish and chips. All well prepared and delicious. Full bar with a good selection of wine and beer. Friendly staff. All adds up to a great place in the outer, outer Mission.

Food is great, limited menu but it is opening night. The mezcal Paloma is delicious!

Where the Broken Record used to be. 10,000% less grimy. Had a projector set up in the back room and watched the Niner game there. Food is great and once they get their taps in, should be an even better place to meet friends and have a fresh, frothy pint.

In SF, you can never count on anything being around for long. It's a city that breaks your heart by taking away establishments that gave the it character and charm. When I walked into The Halfway Club the other night, I felt like I had been there before -- it reminded me of Broken Record -- and turns out, I was right. It was Broken Record, but it had been reborn and this is one of the few times where the sequel was better than the original. I loved the revamped space, the selection of cocktails and beers, and the cuisine was simple, but spectacular. Exactly what I needed with my family on a rainy Bay Area night. Not only that, but our server and the owner absolutely went out of our way to make sure feel like we were at home. The server, Jasmine, gave us a run down of how The Halfway Club came to be, pointing out personal touches and giving us a sense of what was yet to come. You don't get this kind of personal and personable interaction many places these days, especially in SF. Loved everything about The Halfway Club and will go out of my way to return the next time I'm in San Francisco.

A big upgrade from its predecessor the Broken Record (RIP), this spot has fun interiors that are easy on the eye, cool music, delicious food, and super friendly and fast service. We went here for the first time on a rainy weeknight and had a great time. We intend to make the Halfway Club a new habit.

Incredible food (especially the burger) and solid drink menu with great service! A very inviting neighborhood bar with plenty of space for groups.

This spot is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. I've been at least five times, and I've been meaning to write a review. The service is fast and friendly even when it's crowded. They seem to change the menu fairly frequently. The first time I went, I got the sour cream dip with chips and the roasted chicken. The chips and dip are still there, but the chicken is gone. Good choice. The chips and dip are amazing, and the chicken was not as interesting as items from subsequent visits. If you're a fish and chips lover, order that. It features perfectly done cod and fries. The burger is also good. It's sort of smash burger style. Crispy pork loin sandwich? Yummy fried perfection. Which brings me to my only complaint: Everything is on the decadent side of elevated bar food. I'd probably go more often (it's very close to my house) if they added some lighter mains, like a healthy-ish salad with chicken or shrimp or grilled fish tacos. I suppose that would depart from the midwestern guy vibe. But a nod to California gal eating would be welcome.

I had the pleasure of taking in this place on opening day today. The drinks were fantastic. They have a solid mix of cocktails and beer (faction ipa, a favorite and many others). The vibe is awesome with a cool bar area that will be great for niners and warriors games. I did not have the food but the restaurant space in the back is great. Incredibly friendly staff. An amazing destination in the neighborhood. Cannot wait to come back