I spent a summer living three doors down from the 500 Club (near the intersection of 17th and Guerrero), so I got to know it pretty well...
If you work your way down the checklist of dive bar requirements, this joint pretty much nails it: hip-but-still-slightly-seedy neighborhood (check); killer retro neon signage (check); fake-wood-panel walls and sodden carpet of indeterminate color (check); salty, 'whaddya-want (i could give a shit)' service (check); surprisingly well-stocked jukebox (check); cozy, ripped-vinyl booths (check); and finally, the obligatory, extremely nasty, never-been-cleaned restrooms (double check).
If you're anywhere near the Mission and need to wet your whistle without putting up with a lot of yuppie crap, run don't walk to the 500 Club - it's your kinda place.
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