The Beer Bucket List: Toronado Pub
The Toronado Pub is a tiny beer bar that sits in the historic Haight Distrct of San Francisco, California. Without mincing words – it’s a total dive. No hard alcohol. No food. No plastic. They only take cash. Which is probably a good thing since the sticker covered cash register came from the 1960’s. “No frills” is an understatement, but when you walk through the half-door (there’s no air conditioning) of this fabled tavern you feel like you’re walking on Holy Ground. So how can a place that looks like it hasn’t been cleaned since it opened in 1987 survive? It’s all about the outta sight brew, man.
During my recent visit the draught board was lit up with over 60 different beers from around the world. Taps lined the walls in several spots, including inside the cooler. A plethora of bottled beer is available too. Don’t ask for a nifty menu because they don’t have one (the beers change too much), and don’t bother checking for a list on their website either — it hasn’t been updated since 2000.
Just ask the bartender. Johnny, who has worked there for “only” 14 years, was manning the packed place solo the night I was there, but he’s such a whirling dervish of activity you’d think there were more. So if you’re dazed and confused by the bewildering assortment, just ask Johnny… or any of the other barkeeps. All of them have been there longer then Johnny, and they’re all just as knowledgeable.
Although they don’t serve food, you can bring it in with you. I suggest something from the Rosemunde Sausage Grill or Mythic Pizza, which border the bar. Be sure to clean up after yourself, or else you might get hurt. While I wouldn’t call the environment hostile, it’s certainly not a place you’d enter if you just stumbled onto it.
But none of that matters! This is a groovy, once in a lifetime experience. If you’re a true lover of the brew the Toronado is a place you must visit before you kick the bucket.
* On May 24th, 2008, a second location opened in Southern California — Toronado San Diego. They serve food and their website is up to date! At some point I’ll have to see if this new location is up to snuff.
Submitted by: Eli - The Mad Beer Man
Nice writing style. I will come back to read more posts from you.
Susan Kishner
I love beer. I’ve been writing about beer for 20 years. It is one of the true joys in my life. Having heard about Toronado, the beer shrine, for so many years, I went to visit in 2006. What a joke. Yes, excellent beers. The place stank, the patrons brought animals inside and were rude, and the bartender – contrary to your statement about them all being knowledgeable – was a moron, incapable of speech and unwilling to assist. First visit, last visit.
Hey Jack… I totally understand where you’re coming from. I can’t much argue against anything you said, and I alluded to the environment in a round about way. ;) But like all things in life - different strokes for different folks. There was a guy sitting next to us at the bar who said all of two words while he was there, and I know he was a a beer geek because he had a Delirium T-shirt on. In my vast experience as a “Professional Drinker” and devout Bar Fly, people who don’t want to socialize or talk shouldn’t be at the bar. They’re going to get a different experience than the folks who like to yammer it up with the barkeep or fellow imbibers. In my humble opinion bars are made for talking… like boots are made for walking. Given all that… I wouldn’t hang out at Toronado on a regular basis either, I will give you that. But I’m very glad I got the chance to go there and experience it. You can’t say it wasn’t an experience, right?! The Beer Bucket list is comprised of places that I believe all true beer lovers must got to at least once (and sometimes ONLY once) in their lifetime. Based on the fact that you too called it a “beer shrine” tells me you know where I’m coming from. Cheers! ;)
Susan… thanks very much for the kind words. Glad you like my writing style. I do hope you’ll come back, I have many more places to ramble about! ;)
Dive? Maybe. Disneyland? Definitely not. Local watering hole for loads of Lower Haight residents? Absolutely. It’s a bar. Not a playground. And after a while, you get used to the smell…
[…] is something not many other beer bars offer. Providing food is not a requirement to get on the BBL (see the Toronado), but this place has exceptional cuisine and features “gourmet” takes on classic pub […]
There’s no need for artificial air conditioning, that’s what the Pacific Ocean is for.
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