Ten San Francisco bars built for Halloween night — costume-welcoming rooms, themed cocktails, no judgement at the door.
Halloween in San Francisco is when the bar map changes shape. The rooms that lean into it run themed menus, dim the lights an extra half-stop, and welcome a costume without raising an eyebrow. The rooms that ignore it stay polite and slightly off-tempo. The ten venues below are the San Francisco bars our editors send Halloween-night bookings to — the rooms that get the assignment.
Halloween-night picks, San Francisco
The first six picks below are the editors' default — the rooms we send a friend to first when they ask. Each is followed by a recommendation we have ordered ourselves at least three times. Click any bar name to read the full review, signature drink notes, neighbourhood guide and how to book.
In Mission, Trick Dog the room is what it should be — quiet without being precious, busy without being a queue. costume policy is liberal but they ask for 'no full face mask' — book early, the room sells out three weeks out. Editors' rating in our database: 4.8 of 5.
ABV (in Mission) the abv house manhattan is on the menu year-round for a reason, and the bartenders pour with intent. the lights drop another half-stop on October 31 and the floor staff lean into the night. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
At Pacific Cocktail Haven in Tenderloin, the room is what it should be — quiet without being precious, busy without being a queue. costume policy is liberal but they ask for 'no full face mask' — book early, the room sells out three weeks out. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
At 15 Romolo in North Beach, the romolo sour is on the menu year-round for a reason, and the bartenders pour with intent. costume policy is liberal but they ask for 'no full face mask' — book early, the room sells out three weeks out. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
At Bourbon & Branch in Tenderloin, the speakeasy manhattan is on the menu year-round for a reason, and the bartenders pour with intent. Halloween-night programming runs from late October — themed cocktails, costume welcome, full sound system. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
In Pacific Heights, The Fillmore the fillmore old fashioned arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. Halloween-night programming runs from late October — themed cocktails, costume welcome, full sound system. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
Order: Fillmore Old Fashioned
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These last four are the editors' deeper-cut picks. Smaller rooms, more specific energy. If the first six feel obvious to you — meaning you have already been — start here.
In Hayes Valley, Smuggler's Cove the room is what it should be — quiet without being precious, busy without being a queue. the lights drop another half-stop on October 31 and the floor staff lean into the night. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
True Laurel sits in Mission, and the laurel spritz arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. Halloween-night programming runs from late October — themed cocktails, costume welcome, full sound system. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
Anvil Bar & Refuge sits in Mission, and the door is unmarked enough to feel discovered and known enough to be reliable. Halloween-night programming runs from late October — themed cocktails, costume welcome, full sound system. Editors' rating in our database: 4.6 of 5.
Vesuvio Cafe (in North Beach) the beat cocktail is on the menu year-round for a reason, and the bartenders pour with intent. Halloween-night programming runs from late October — themed cocktails, costume welcome, full sound system. Editors' rating in our database: 4.6 of 5.
Order: Beat Cocktail
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Halloween bookings live or die on the door policy. Most rooms on this list welcome costumes; a small number ask for 'tasteful' (which usually means no full face mask). Call ahead and ask. And book early — Halloween Saturday in San Francisco books out three weeks before.
Other seasonal San Francisco guidesFrom New Year's Eve to Halloween - every annual San Francisco occasion our editors cover, cross-linked.
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