Local bar, new floors, beer on tap, small local bar and it doesn't smell moldy ?
Jenny Murphy
visiting san francisco for the weekend and we walked in this spot on a whim to grab a drink and had the best time! Gordon & the other bartender (didn't catch his name) were so friendly, funny, and hospitable. they took the time to give us SO MANY great recommendations for our weekend visit from restaurants and bars to museums and attractions. Genuinely some of the nicest bartenders i've met, definitely recommend a visit if you're in the neighborhood!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
C N.
Great neighborhood bar. Friendly staff. Had a great Negroni. Friend enjoyed her Cosmo. Will definitely go back.
Jeff H.
Under New Management First of all, Would You Believe? was closed for a couple of and have now reopened - sort of a soft reopening as they get the kinks worked out. Based on our visit, I would recommend you give then a shot (get it, give a bar a shot?) but go easy on them while they get into their groove. My summary: Would You Believe? is a good quality neighborhood bar with a friendly vibe offering good drinks at good prices. We will be back Now the details: Last weekend (before this weeks Pineapple Express) my SO and I zipped down Geary on the reliable 38 to pop into the Richmond Branch of the SFPL on 9th Ave. Books in hand we wandered back to Geary and being late on a Saturday afternoon I suggested we hang a right and get a tasty libation before heading home. We walked by Would You Believe? (WYB) and saw people inside setting up and I thought "it looks pretty nice in there" - but alas, they were not open yet. So we popped across the street to The Hearth, a local dive bar and had a couple 1 Plus 1's (a 1+1 is a basic cocktail like a G&T, vodka tonic, rum and coke, whisky highball, etc). Chatting up a couple folks there we asked about WYB and learned it was another neighborhood bar that had just reopened after being closed for a couple of months and there opened up around 6 pm. When we finished our drinks a little after 6 and headed out the door we saw that WYB was now open so we once again crossed Geary and stuck our heads in. It was pretty quiet and looked rather nice. Sitting at the bar we were met by a friendly bartender as we looked over the cocktail menu. Without going into the running commentary, I simply share what we learned. 1. WYB has new owners. The reason for being closed for 2 or 3 months was the long process of doing business with the city in SF - getting a new bar license for an existing business, getting set up with distributors, etc. 2. the interior is pretty much the same with some minor upgrades. That said, it looks pretty nice, has a quality pool table and a good sound system for the video jukebox and the several TVs they have for showing sports. Looking at the older photos on Yelp, it appears not too much has changed. 3. The new owners have put together a nice cocktail list with specialty cocktails named after parts of SF. While my SO had what we call her holiday cocktail (bourbon and soda with a cherry), I ordered the specialty Negroni of the list - it was pretty good. 4. And prices are quite reasonable for SF. The specialty cocktails are $12. A quality non-well cocktail (Negroni, Old Fashioned, Old Tom, etc) at most decent places in SF will set you back $15-$22. The prices are in line with a neighborhood bar bringing in the locals. 5. They have a nice selection of spirits, a decent selection of beer on draft and by the bottle/can, and a few good wines. If I remember correctly, they had at least 12 American whiskeys (bourbon, rye, and malt), ~6 Irish whiskys, and another ~6 good scotch whiskys, as well as 6 or 7 Japanese whiskeys. They offer plenty of variety in the other selects too (rum, tequila/mescal, vodka, gin, etc,). And finally, I personally would not call WYB a "dive bar" as it is labeled here on Yelp. To me it is a neighborhood bar - meaning it is inviting and friendly, they have good music playing (or pick your own), prices are very reasonable, and you and your friends can meet up for a few drinks, talk, play pool, and have a good night out. We will be back. PS: the official opening hours are 6 PM, but they open early for special sporting events. We were there the day before the 49ers played the Lions and they said they were opening at 3 for that game. PPS: I was wondering why the overall Yelp rating is low for a place I liked - only 3.2 stars. In looking at the reviews, it seems that a large number of reviews back in 2005-2010 that were 1-3 star reviews. So don't let the lower yelp rating fool you - things change in 20 years.
Alicia Joslin
So so bar. Was empty until our party got there.
Wendy C.
Jasmine is simply the best! Actually nice, REAL, a fantastic bar keep and beautiful to boot (inside and out) Coming back here just for her but also this bar is clean, has a rad pay by game poll table, nice seating, digital juke box and decent selection of booze. Cocktails with large maraschino cherries if that's your Jam #girlfrienddrinksFTW
Casey Whitmore
Would you believe has a clean atmosphere. The staff on hand was proper polite and educated responsible business she
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A H
That’s the spot! Linda is an awesome bartender and hostess. Cool music selection on the jukebox too.
Meayr M.
Came here first for a little pregame before a New Years eve event and my word, awesome place!!It wasn't that busy, but that just meant we got the full attention of the bartender. Got the LA water and stoplight shooters, both strong and good. Sorry can't remember your name miss bartender but you're super awesome!
Lexi L.
Wow... not open on Sunday?I recalled they were open everyday.Nevertheless, I recalled this is such a great bar! Great drinks, cheap tequila shot, and great bartenders!
Great place to play pool and hang out, love coming to this place. Must come when Amanda or Linda is working, makes it a great night.
Michael D.
I went to this bar with my girlfriend for date night last weekend. Linda was amazing and made us the best cocktails. I asked for her recommendations and she made me a lavender drink that was very refreshing. Will definitely be coming back.
Lisa X.
After putting my little pup to bed, I took my friend to one of my favorite Shabu places in the IR. Dinner was delicious and as our girl's day slowly coming to an end, our conversation turned from more serious to lighter topics. And with our bellies full and our bodies warmed, all she wanted was a nightcap. Since we were just steps away from a few bars, it was a bit hard to choose, but Would You Believe?? we came here.Lots of bottles lined the wall behind the bar, a pool table also occupied the space inside. Sometimes they have parties here, but on this night, it was quiet with just a few patrons. This place is managed by a pro who is known for her amazing cocktails, but my friend opted for the tried and true--classic Dirty Martini. Served in a beautiful tall martini glass with tiny olives. Perfect way to end our day fulfilling a fun day with some surprises, lots of good food (mostly), walks, conversations, and lots of drinks (somewhat). We bid farewell afterwards as a hired car pulled up to take her back to her hotel. Until next time.
Barbara Stephenson
this is a neighborhood bar with the nicest staff, clean bathrooms, solid drinks, and a pool table - probably packed during sporting events :)
Reece T.
We have no clue what the bartenders name is but we love her. Thank you for making it comfortable for a couple of new yorkers
Local bar, new floors, beer on tap, small local bar and it doesn't smell moldy ?
visiting san francisco for the weekend and we walked in this spot on a whim to grab a drink and had the best time! Gordon & the other bartender (didn't catch his name) were so friendly, funny, and hospitable. they took the time to give us SO MANY great recommendations for our weekend visit from restaurants and bars to museums and attractions. Genuinely some of the nicest bartenders i've met, definitely recommend a visit if you're in the neighborhood!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Great neighborhood bar. Friendly staff. Had a great Negroni. Friend enjoyed her Cosmo. Will definitely go back.
Under New Management First of all, Would You Believe? was closed for a couple of and have now reopened - sort of a soft reopening as they get the kinks worked out. Based on our visit, I would recommend you give then a shot (get it, give a bar a shot?) but go easy on them while they get into their groove. My summary: Would You Believe? is a good quality neighborhood bar with a friendly vibe offering good drinks at good prices. We will be back Now the details: Last weekend (before this weeks Pineapple Express) my SO and I zipped down Geary on the reliable 38 to pop into the Richmond Branch of the SFPL on 9th Ave. Books in hand we wandered back to Geary and being late on a Saturday afternoon I suggested we hang a right and get a tasty libation before heading home. We walked by Would You Believe? (WYB) and saw people inside setting up and I thought "it looks pretty nice in there" - but alas, they were not open yet. So we popped across the street to The Hearth, a local dive bar and had a couple 1 Plus 1's (a 1+1 is a basic cocktail like a G&T, vodka tonic, rum and coke, whisky highball, etc). Chatting up a couple folks there we asked about WYB and learned it was another neighborhood bar that had just reopened after being closed for a couple of months and there opened up around 6 pm. When we finished our drinks a little after 6 and headed out the door we saw that WYB was now open so we once again crossed Geary and stuck our heads in. It was pretty quiet and looked rather nice. Sitting at the bar we were met by a friendly bartender as we looked over the cocktail menu. Without going into the running commentary, I simply share what we learned. 1. WYB has new owners. The reason for being closed for 2 or 3 months was the long process of doing business with the city in SF - getting a new bar license for an existing business, getting set up with distributors, etc. 2. the interior is pretty much the same with some minor upgrades. That said, it looks pretty nice, has a quality pool table and a good sound system for the video jukebox and the several TVs they have for showing sports. Looking at the older photos on Yelp, it appears not too much has changed. 3. The new owners have put together a nice cocktail list with specialty cocktails named after parts of SF. While my SO had what we call her holiday cocktail (bourbon and soda with a cherry), I ordered the specialty Negroni of the list - it was pretty good. 4. And prices are quite reasonable for SF. The specialty cocktails are $12. A quality non-well cocktail (Negroni, Old Fashioned, Old Tom, etc) at most decent places in SF will set you back $15-$22. The prices are in line with a neighborhood bar bringing in the locals. 5. They have a nice selection of spirits, a decent selection of beer on draft and by the bottle/can, and a few good wines. If I remember correctly, they had at least 12 American whiskeys (bourbon, rye, and malt), ~6 Irish whiskys, and another ~6 good scotch whiskys, as well as 6 or 7 Japanese whiskeys. They offer plenty of variety in the other selects too (rum, tequila/mescal, vodka, gin, etc,). And finally, I personally would not call WYB a "dive bar" as it is labeled here on Yelp. To me it is a neighborhood bar - meaning it is inviting and friendly, they have good music playing (or pick your own), prices are very reasonable, and you and your friends can meet up for a few drinks, talk, play pool, and have a good night out. We will be back. PS: the official opening hours are 6 PM, but they open early for special sporting events. We were there the day before the 49ers played the Lions and they said they were opening at 3 for that game. PPS: I was wondering why the overall Yelp rating is low for a place I liked - only 3.2 stars. In looking at the reviews, it seems that a large number of reviews back in 2005-2010 that were 1-3 star reviews. So don't let the lower yelp rating fool you - things change in 20 years.
So so bar. Was empty until our party got there.
Jasmine is simply the best! Actually nice, REAL, a fantastic bar keep and beautiful to boot (inside and out) Coming back here just for her but also this bar is clean, has a rad pay by game poll table, nice seating, digital juke box and decent selection of booze. Cocktails with large maraschino cherries if that's your Jam #girlfrienddrinksFTW
Would you believe has a clean atmosphere. The staff on hand was proper polite and educated responsible business she
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
That’s the spot! Linda is an awesome bartender and hostess. Cool music selection on the jukebox too.
Came here first for a little pregame before a New Years eve event and my word, awesome place!!It wasn't that busy, but that just meant we got the full attention of the bartender. Got the LA water and stoplight shooters, both strong and good. Sorry can't remember your name miss bartender but you're super awesome!
Wow... not open on Sunday?I recalled they were open everyday.Nevertheless, I recalled this is such a great bar! Great drinks, cheap tequila shot, and great bartenders!
Restaurantji Recommends
Great place to play pool and hang out, love coming to this place. Must come when Amanda or Linda is working, makes it a great night.
I went to this bar with my girlfriend for date night last weekend. Linda was amazing and made us the best cocktails. I asked for her recommendations and she made me a lavender drink that was very refreshing. Will definitely be coming back.
After putting my little pup to bed, I took my friend to one of my favorite Shabu places in the IR. Dinner was delicious and as our girl's day slowly coming to an end, our conversation turned from more serious to lighter topics. And with our bellies full and our bodies warmed, all she wanted was a nightcap. Since we were just steps away from a few bars, it was a bit hard to choose, but Would You Believe?? we came here.Lots of bottles lined the wall behind the bar, a pool table also occupied the space inside. Sometimes they have parties here, but on this night, it was quiet with just a few patrons. This place is managed by a pro who is known for her amazing cocktails, but my friend opted for the tried and true--classic Dirty Martini. Served in a beautiful tall martini glass with tiny olives. Perfect way to end our day fulfilling a fun day with some surprises, lots of good food (mostly), walks, conversations, and lots of drinks (somewhat). We bid farewell afterwards as a hired car pulled up to take her back to her hotel. Until next time.
this is a neighborhood bar with the nicest staff, clean bathrooms, solid drinks, and a pool table - probably packed during sporting events :)
We have no clue what the bartenders name is but we love her. Thank you for making it comfortable for a couple of new yorkers