The Rumpus Room

This dive bar is peak San Francisco. One night it’s German house, the next it’s funk, then suddenly it’s Britney. Total chaos—in a good way. There’s karaoke, an upstairs bar with some seating, but I recommend grabbing a stool at the ground floor bar. Great people-watching and a wildly mixed crowd. It’s not polished, not trying to be, and perfect for a late-night drink in the Tenderloin. You’ll either stay for one or accidentally shut the place down. No two visits are ever the same.

Hey, it's a Dive Bar on 6th St. Just off Market St. keep that in mind. In other words it's a Great place for what it is and has always been. Don't expect to be awed by decor or drink menu. Do expect reasonably priced drinks served in a friendly an hospitable manner, without pretense or pressure. Joey (door guy) and Heather (Bartender) were both affable and attentive without feeling overbearing. They were great. Saying anything good about the environment just outside the door would be contrived. But, somehow once inside the Bar the depressing outside circumstances are for a time miles away. So... If you find yourself in the neighborhood and want a good drink. Pop on in and Enjoy.

This place is exactly what the other reviews say it is. A simple little dive bar with good customers and good staff. It's location is not great but that's what makes the drinks affordable. Managed to go on a Tues. night and it was Karaoke night. It was a blast.

Don't let the rough exterior fool you - it's all part of the charm of this gorgeous dive (said with the most love and meant as the highest compliment) bar. The owner Roxanne slings drinks behind the bar that many brings many of the locals in. Their happy hour is nothing to scoff at either, where else can you find a $3 draft? It's a beloved place where people come in and know each other by name. The drinks are stiff and the interior is gorgeous art deco. The Warfield is right across the street, a prime music/concert venue. Roxanne can give you the history of the place - the building itself is from the 1900s - and has a strong claim to be one of the oldest gay bars in SF (but don't take my word for it). The neon was commissioned (not to give it away) to look authentic and it does. They have bands and DJs, and karaokes on Tuesday nights. Take a deep breath, think of how thirsty you are, and lean into it: the rumpus room awaits.

I can’t say, that the bar is bad. We tried to get there and gone through the Taylor St. As we stand in front of the door, there was a lot of creepy people. We felt very unsafe and the entrance was very dark and dirty. A lot of police and crime around the door. It’s possible that the bar is more than ok. We won’t visit this side of the city again.

This place has a great atmosphere, most delish and affordable drinks IN SF, great DJ, and Bri is a great bartender!

I love the cozy vibe inside. The bartenders were very personable. The drinks are reasonably priced.

The bartenders are cool people. The drinks are affordable. This is a good spot to swing by after work.

This is a cute little spot, with a really cool winding staircase to the second floor. Also check out their Moscow mules on tap!

So who knew you could have a drink in relative comfort on 6th Street? Well, 'relative' is a relative term. I'm sure I won't be able to convince everybody to come to the sketchy block between Market and Mission to patronize this watering hole. At the same time, I can tell you I wasn't hassled when I entered this unassuming bar with the provocative neon sign above (photo: https://bit.ly/3OO5aiq). It was late afternoon, and the bar was pretty empty. I just asked the bartender if she had any Makers Mark. She didn't, but she offered Barrell. I went for it with ginger ale, and it cost me $11 (photo: https://bit.ly/3OLJN0T). Not a bad price and the drink went down smoothly even as I saw a trio of hipster colleagues come in with their outdoor voices intact. Oh well, I can think of worse things spilling in from 6th Street. DRINKS - 4 stars...a smooth libation before facing 6th Street again AMBIANCE - 4 stars...more relaxing than I expected SERVICE - 3.5 stars...pretty professional (she's probably seen it all) TOTAL - 4 stars...good to know there's one escape route on 6th Street RELATED - Exploring 6th Street? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2NNz312

Don't let the rough exterior fool you - it's all part of the charm of this gorgeous dive (said with the most love and meant as the highest compliment) bar. The owner Roxanne slings drinks behind the bar that many brings many of the locals in. Their happy hour is nothing to scoff at either, where else can you find a $3 draft? It's a beloved place where people come in and know each other by name. The drinks are stiff and the interior is gorgeous art deco. The Warfield is right across the street, a prime music/concert venue. Roxanne can give you the history of the place - the building itself is from the 1900s - and has a strong claim to be one of the oldest gay bars in SF (but don't take my word for it). The neon was commissioned (not to give it away) to look authentic and it does. They have bands and DJs, and karaokes on Tuesday nights. Take a deep breath, think of how thirsty you are, and lean into it: the rumpus room awaits.

Been meaning to check out this place for the longest time and finally got the chance to do so. It's close to the theatres, which makes it a convenient spot to stop by before or after a show and BART accessible. Plus, karaoke nights on Tuesdays wit KJ Lauren Yellow! Not in the best of areas, but there is a bouncer at the door. Drinks are reasonably-priced, especially compared to other bars in the area. I had their Moscow Mule, which was definitely one of the best Moscow Mules I've ever had. Not sure why, but it tasted different from any other Moscow Mule I had. Definitely will keep in mind next time I'm in the area!

I stopped by here for a drink with a friend. The place itself is a dive bar, and it's not in the best location of town (a lot of homeless/transient), but once you're inside, you see the charm this place has to offer. I ordered their moscow mule and enjoyed every sip, especially on a hot summer day! I noticed they had a second floor and I loved it! It had a cool lounge area with signage and great photo ops. Speaking of photo ops, they also have a photobooth there! It's $5.50 and we got 4 poses in the black and white. Makes for a fun and special souvenir. The bartender was attentive and helpful. Would definitely come back!

Sketchy neighborhood but surprisingly solid back bar for a local dive. Friendly bartenders with high professional standards willing to make a real cocktail and do it right. I might have to make time for this place before more shows at the golden gate and orpheum. There's a relatively hidden upstairs with one table/chairs and another couch accessible via a circular stairwell in the back if you're looking for a quiet place to sit with friends.

They mailed my credit card back to me when I left it at the bar. Thank you! Good drinks at cheap prices as well

All the bartenders are super friendly. They are happy to make you a really good drink, even if it's not on the menu. The vibe is cool/divey but not pretentious or dirty. They even have karaoke, which got pretty busy, but it was not impossible to get your turn. Overall great experience. 100% should go if you're in the area but also can be the destination for a night out.

I can appreciate a good dive bar and prefer them, but this one just didn't do it for me. The service was a tad moody and it was still early (perhaps the end of that shift, idk) but we didn't feel too welcome. The restroom of course was on par for a dive bar so is a 1/5. Our drinks were okay. I tried a cosmo here and it was a run of the mill cosmo, nothing special. My partner had the special that was a Cucumber Spritzer and it was pretty good, but neither tasted like they had much actual alcohol. The reviews I read ahead of coming made me excited to try this place, but our experience wasn't the same, unfortunately. (We chose this place bc of the proximity to our dinner reservation at The Pawn Shop and knew we'd have time for a drink post show at The Orpheum and pre- dinner).

I love a dive bar. Was looking for a place to have a cocktail with a friend before a show at the Golden Gate theatre. GG Theatre is only about 500 feet away - but on the seedier (opposite) side of Market street, so there was zero pre-theatre crowds. (We might have been the only pre-theatre people in there) The service is a bit gruff, but the prices were not too bad (for SF) Surprising a fairly good selection of nice spirits. They DO have under bar purse hooks, but the stools do not have backs and are pretty uncomfortable. (and there is a weird gap in the bar, so spills are inevitable.)

This may be the best dive bar in all of San Francisco. Roxzy kicks fucking ass all over mid market. If you are faint of heart, toughen up and settle in for a great time.

Now THIS place is dope. They have a guy at the door who IDs you before you go on in. The lights are dim and just gives off a low key vibe for real. Appears they do some mixologists drinks here too if you want to be fancy. The place is relatively quaint but nothing like I've seen back in my hometown of STL. I plan to come back more for the chill vives it gives. Only thing this place is missing is Stag beer.

One evening on a recent trip I felt like going out for a drink and was sad to discover just how much of the nightlife of this area of San Francisco didn't make it through the pandemic. Entire blocks have nothing; stores, restaurants, and bars all closed. Thankfully this one popped up on Yelp and it was open. The Rumpus Room isn't anything risque so don't let the name or logo fool it. It's a clean, cool, and unique dive bar. They had a bouncer checking IDs who was welcoming, and a single bartender who was attentive and friendly as well. I had the feeling that the building was an old bank or pharmacy ages ago. The bar sits along the one wall, with a photo booth and restrooms at the rear. There's space for live music, which they have on occasion. One of the coolest parts is the narrow winding staircase up to the loft. They have a number of small tables up there, both secluded in the back and ones at the railing overlooking the bar. They have a full selection of hard liquor, but I was only interested in trying a San Francisco staple beer: Death & Taxes Dark Lager from Moonlight Brewing. They also had a delicious IPA on from Ghost Town Brewing. Prices were reasonable, glasses clean. If you're in the area and need a nightcap at a welcoming place, look no further.

A pleasing dive bar. It's narrow, dark, and while the block outside is not super chill, it's pretty close to the corner. Sadly, even at dive bars now the beers in SF are like $8. But that's 2023 I guess and I want bars like this to stick around even if they have to up their prices some.

A good nearby bar for early happy hour (starts at 2pm) and holds govt hours (nice if those are your hours--or if you happen to work on east coast time). Suitably dark with good background music, a small stage, a full bar and decently priced drinks on tap (I had cider) for less than $10/pint. Will be back to see what that upstairs is all about :3

I love this place. It's a half door entrance so it lets a little light in. There is an unexpected spiral staircase that takes you to the 2nd floor. The service was great. There is a red glow that makes it feel extra divey.

This bar is dirty, the bartender last night was extremely rude, and the area is not the safest. Definitely watch drinks here and be in buddy system. It

Are we talking or drinking? Thank god this place is here. If you are waiting out an abysmal Warfield opening act, slip in for a drink like Harris and O'Toole between acts, and then go back across the street when the headliners show up. Prices are right. Bartenders are pros. And it's generally devoid of guys with thick rimmed glasses and beards channeling 2010. San Francisco is sprouting new growth, and it's coming from old stock. Love this place.

Great no-nonsense dive bar with a decent ambiance and the cheapest drinks you'll get this close to Market Street! You're on 6th Street but get over it, you'll survive. Bar can get a little understaffed, but $7 for a beer and a shot? Just wait it out and don't forget to tip. Fun photo booth downstairs with a surprisingly Instagram friendly upstairs if you're sober enough to get up the oddly beautiful spiral staircase in back. Friendly faces here and honestly just a great place for a drink with some friends. Feels like how San Francisco used to be pre-tech money in all the best ways.

True dive bar with reasonable prices. Great for a quick drink or to hang out. And don't forget the Jell-O shots

Rumperia with her top hat and thick thigs keeps kicking in oscillating motions to entice my salivary glands to be washed with Dark Rum, Absinthe Dirty Martinis, Bailey's on ice so that hell's fire can't scorch me, and an economical selection of bubbly beers which embrace the Moscow Mule. The ladies are the hottest bartenders that are worthy of T-Pain's song. Hotty Totty's with Rockstar status awaits my shivering hands to then be soothed with numerous songs that invoke my adolescent spirits while entertaining that many shelved spirits. I truly salute you!

Higher quality dive bar in the tenderloin. Great atmosphere and good service. The house mixed Moscow Mule on tap mix is amazing. Perfect spot for a drink before a show at the Warfield or meet up with friends.

Peter L and I decided to do a bar crawl of sorts after work. I didn't have any spots in particular in mind, so I just let him pick all the bars. We decided to started at Rumpus Room last Friday, May 18th. We both arrived around 5:45pm. The bar was full, but we managed to find a spot in the corner of the bar to stand until a seat opened up. We both got the Beer & Shot Special: Fire Crotch Red Bush Whiskey & a High Life ($9). I wasn't sure if I was in a liquor or beer mood, so this was a good way to ease into our night of drinking. Both were easy to drink. I only realized this when Peter mentioned it, but I've been to this bar before when it was Showdown. The layout and look are pretty much the same. Though it wasn't as crowded when I went to Showdown. I did go on a Wednesday night though so that could have been why. In my old age, I like spots that are more chill, where I can sit down and just have a good conversation. Even though it wasn't super busy, I didn't like that the bar was so crowded. Not a bad place to start our evening. The bartender was sweet and the beer & shot special was a pretty good deal.

Great vibe. Great Manhattan. Highly recommend. Love the music, disco ball, and will come back for upstairs lounge and photo booth.

First time for me last Friday night, but definitely not my last. Funny door guy checking ID's, so off to a good start. Met my friend there and we sat at the table near the spiral staircase at the rear. Cool female bartenders and I was greeted straight away. I ordered a Moscow Mule which was nice and strong. The restrooms were usable. My friend had some draft IPAs, and they had a good selection of draft beers. The bar had a good friendly vibe and we had a great time. Close to Market street, so perfect for a Muni pub crawl. We will be back soon.

Small place with a big bar. Prices were a little much considering what the atmosphere was like which was none. Bartender was ok. Not nice but not unpleasant. Not a great area to be in so be aware of that if you go

Went in on a Saturday night around 12 and it was dead. Plan was to dip n find a better spot so I ordered a vodka cranberry and closed out. After I finished my drink and while i went to the bathroom, the female bartender decided to go up to the 3 girls I was with and said "We're closing here soon and since ur fuckin friend didn't wanna tip what are you guys gonna do????" lol I've never been to a bar where a bartender expects a tip from one $8 drink. Especially never been to a bar where the bartender was so unprofessional and had the nerve to say that to my friends. She didn't say a word to me about it but didn't have a problem running her mouth when I was in the bathroom. never ever will be coming back

If this bar survived covid... I need to get there again stat. This is one of the most underrated dives bars in SF. Interesting people, great vibe, great bartenders. I was super bummed I discovered it right before lock down. Their matchbook is AMAZING.

SCAM ALERT: Bouncer tells women the first drink is free. After ordering at the bar the bartender says drinks are free with tickets. Walked outside to grab ticket from bouncer and the bouncer said you have to pay 10 for a ticket and that he NEVER said anything was free.

This is a great location. If you're waiting for a show or event nearby and need something to eat or drink, this is a great corner of the city... sketchy, but great. Rumpus Room used to be Showdown, but I like this iteration better. My friend and I found seats at the bar. The bartender could sense our energy and eagerness to have a fun night, so she mixed us some pretty strong drinks. Can't recall what it was, but she remembered my order two hours later after we returned post-dinner. So impressive. There's not much else to say about this bar except it's a chill, dive-y spot. They always have some sort of drink special, usually involving shots. There's bar snacks and cute matchbooks, too. I can't wait to come back!

This place is awesome! Dive-ish bar with an upscale, Art Deco twist. Roxanne and the entire staff are all beyond amazing. You have to try one of their Hanger One Moscow Mules! They're on tap and ridiculously tasty! They also have an awesome sign outside that update with the funniest little quotes :) Dog friendly!

This one was a surprise, nice laid back dive bar with cheap beers and a full bar. I really like the good music they were playing and that the lighting was really dark, a real dive bar!

Good Tenderloin dive bar. I love the new neon sign! Good drink deals. Nice and dark inside. Convenient to the Warfield.

Very relaxed atmosphere for a neighborhood bar..very close to the Warfield and the Golden Gate Theatre..in case you have a long of a wait time and you wanna chill in a place with a bar. great list of selections. Newly (re)opened. The former #showdown. 1st impression: i wanna come back again..& bring friends along too. Tip: They have special..with quirky names deal. They got sexy matches for those who don't vape..what!!

Thank god this bar is back and better than ever! While it still has the some of the same feels as its predecessor, the slick new furnishings, paint and most importantly wider selection of beers has made this my favorite happy hour spot. The bar staff are incredibly friendly and Roxanne always has some killer tunes playing. It opens at 12pm if you really need that midday drink and the happy hour benefits are fantastic. Pro tip, if you need to charge your phone there are USB chargers at every bar stool! But hey, it's a bar, you shouldn't be on your phone.

Stoked to find the old Charleston, which became Arrow Bar in the early to mid 90's (lighted red arrow still prominently displayed over the door) and then a host of other well-intentioned watering institutions of yesteryear, is now alive and alluring under the tutelage of it's new owner Roxy! #awesome Best discovery was the Classic Paloma drink special = Tequila + (Mexican) Squirt. Great place to bring out-of-towners that want a taste of that old school SF dive bar experience. It's the kind of place I'd expect to see Broke-Ass Stuart hanging out in. Looking forward to ducking in here as frequently as possible.

Fun little dive in the Tenderloin. We stopped by for a few drinks while waiting for another bar to open. I love the old style of the bar, felt nostalgic inside. The bartender was very friendly and gave us some coasters for my boyfriend to put in his bar back at home.

Best pre-theater bar WITH booze. Everything in the area is wine and beer. Friendly bartender. Superb Manhattan. Perfect space.

Silver and Roxanne are pretty dope but on Tuesday the kj you are a must need for other Kaoroke spots especially on a week night but remembrance be formless like water!

What a great dive bar! This is a great place in the wilds of Sixth St. Friendly bartenders reliable drinks and lively clientele. It makes for an enjoyable afternoon or evening. Another plus is they usually open early. I'm a big fan of their black lager. A few of those and I'm a happy camper.

great dive bar. strong drinks. nice vibe. a real classic.

After 20 minutes waiting tried to get bartender's attention. She said, I see you honey. After another 10 minutes we had to leave. It's ridiculous to wait for 30 minutes for a beer.

Favorite dive bar in the city so far. They have Moscow Mules on tap; they were delicious. We were there at a really slow time, but I can imagine it being quite the anti-scene later in the evening.

This location has been a bar for many decades and is a pretty legendary spot. I am so happy that this new iteration brings SF the Rumpus Room. I love a spot where I can get a shot and a cheap beer or an expertly made cocktail. I love a spot that has good music playing. I love a spot that has friendly bartenders and social patrons. I love a spot that looks pleasing and awesome. The Rumpus Room checks ALL of these boxes! I've been frequenting this establishment more and more often. They seem to always have something going on or a cool event. Please do yourself a favor a check them out.

Kitty was awesome and super welcoming ! Cool place to have a drink in a crazy neighborhood...

This place is the worst, definitely don't come here for happy hour or to catch up with friends. You certainly don't want their very-reasonably priced drinks or their friendly staff or their not-too-divey-but-still-kind-of-divey vibe in there. Just stay away! But in all seriousness, this place used to be Showdown, my favorite dive bar in the vicinity, and Rumpus Room took over. So far, such a big fan. Unlike Showdown, they *do* have a happy hour, and ALL the bartenders are lovely. Good place for a small group to chat, but don't expect to be able to cram eighty people in here from your office. It's not gonna happen. Let's keep this place open and give them all the business. The good: all those things. ^ The bad: the clientele outside the bar is still the clientele you would expect at 6th and Market, so just be aware.

I was in the bay for a work conference and had some extra time to explore! We were originally trying to go to another location but didn't want to pay a cover. We found this place was located close by. The plus side of this dive bar is they allowed the ability to bring in outside food, which is clutch to drinking late at night. The alcohol choices was decent, just not sure if this would be my number one place to visit again if I were in the bay again, which is why I'm giving it three stars.

They had my last Yelp review removed for lack of specificity. So I will explain exactly the heartless way they treated my trans friends and I during SF Pride. Keep in mind, this bar is located in the newly coined "Transgender Cultural District," designated to honor an area where trans people have been historically welcomed. This bar looks historical, but the Rumpus Room is actually new (opened 2018) and clearly not honoring the history of the neighborhood... I was with 2 trans Latina friends. It was the middle of the day at the Pride march. We all had to pee. So we went into the Rumpus Room and asked if we could use their restroom. The bar was nearly empty. The bartender had a cold, indifferent attitude from the beginning. He asked for our IDs and said we had to buy something. So we obliged, showing him our IDs and buying pretzels. But he still refused to let my friend Charlene use the restroom. He said her ID wasn't good enough.* *SIDENOTE: My friends are trans women asylum-seekers and both recently got out of ICE detention. ICE confiscates all official identity documents (passport, birth certificate, national ID card) and they do not give them back. Instead, detainees are released with an I-94, which is an ID document issued by Homeland Security. So Charlene had an I-94. Charlene is well in her 40s and does not look underage. But apparently at this bar you need a specific type of ID just to use the restroom. The bartender gave us the bulls*** line "if I do this for you, I have to do it for everyone." And you know, I just don't buy that crap. He could look at the situation: here are two trans women, who likely experience all sorts of discrimination in bathroom situations, and his bar is located in the TRANSGENDER CULTURAL DISTRICT, and it's Pride and difficult to find public restrooms, and he could have just been an understanding and kind human being. But instead he was an a**hole in the way he acted towards us. This experience made an impression on us, clearly as I'm bothering to write a review months later. The bartender was just such a jerk on a day when it was supposed to be about love, pride, and LGBTQ fabulousness. I think he should read a thing or two about the history of trans people in this neighborhood if he is going to operate a bar there. We were here first, dude.

Oh damn, how does this place still exist? I am not going to question it any further and simply accept the fact that SF can still hide a few good dives in the middle of gnarly neighborhood. Tucked under a giant, neon arrow, the Rumpus Room is a dark, unassuming bar that only has one good intention: to get its patrons drunk at a very affordable price. Champagne of beers + a well whiskey? That'll be $8, sir or madame. Now, that is something I can get behind. While it's almost always pitch black in here (live DJ or not), the bartenders will make sure you're taken care of, and you'll never really feel like you're in a shadier part of the city. They've got a photobooth for the lovers and a few other places to sit besides the bar, but pull up a stool, and hang for a bit at one of the last remaining true dives in this city.