Gold Dust Lounge

You know when you're watching old western movies and the cowboy romps into a saloon, walks past a piano, sits on a swivel stool, and orders himself a cold brew from the old guy behind the counter. Well that's this place, except it's in Union Square and not in the wild wild west. OK, I guess technically we are in the west and it is pretty wild here, but you know what I mean! I love the style of this place, the people, and the great jazz band that played at the end of the night. Plus, you can't beat $3 draft beers and $3 glasses of champagne! This is a great after work spot to enjoy a great atmosphere with with some great (cheap) drinks. Pros: cheap drinks Cons: a bit small more

THE WAITER WAS VERY RUDE AND INTRUDING. IRISH COFFE IS MADE WITH COFFE NOT WITH WATER. THE WAITER STOOD WAITING FOR A TIP AND WE DIDENT GIVE HER TIP BECAUSE A DOG COULD DO HER JOB BETTER. MUSIC WAS GOOD AND DECORATION WAS VERY WELL DONE. Pros: DECORATION Cons: SERVICE & IRISH COFFE more

This place is one of the worst experience I have had in SF and I've lived here for over 16 years. I was there with a few friends after shopping in union square. I've been here before for the cheap drinks. We were having a great time when they had a shift change and this one dark haired bartender (who says his name is Jason after I inquired about his name 5 times, but I doubt it) started serving drinks. He was ok at first, neither friendly nor rude, but at one point referred to us as 'horny girls" because we were dancing to the band that was playing that night. When I confronted him about that, he claims to said that since i was kissing my bf then I must be horny! He was so rude that I asked to speak with the manager and he said that he was the manager. When I asked for his name, he blantantly refused to give me his name. We had just dropped a lot of money in this place and the guy didn't even bother to give us a name? He was definitely rude and somewhat misogynistic. I would definitely stay away from this place unless you have a thing for rude, obnoxious, misogynistic bartenders. There are plently of places in this city where you can get a margarita or glass of champagne for $3.50. Aside from the rude bartender, this place is full of tourists and riffraffs. There were several people there with missing teeth! Go to the mission for dive bars and elsewhere for cheap drinks. Pros: Cheap drinks Cons: They don't care about customer service more

After reading so many reviews slamming the old bartender and bad service, I had to add my experience. I have only seen the guy a few times - and yes, he does ignore people. It is definitely a tourist bar with people from everywhere - which is fun for me to chat with others from Austrailia, Europe, etc. However, the really cute (and much younger than Chuck) bartender, Denny, is oh so worth it. He is super sweet to the ladies and doesn't ignore anyone. It's not in his nature for him to be rude. The cocktail waitresses are great. Just talk to them, be friendly and they are more than friendly back. They love to find out where people are from. It is definitely a tourist magnet - which is why I love it. We have even made life-long friends in there! Its a great bar with all walks of life! Mid-week at 4pm is great to watch the happyhour corporate crowd rock the place until about 7pm. I keep track of how many drinks I have by Go have a drink! When you can get a margarita or glass of champagne for $2.95 --- you can't afford NOT to drink it! They'd get 5 starts if there was food.... Pros: Denny, the Bartender Cons: the bathroom... more

... I could swear the beer got more expensive by the hour. I was only drinking whatever they had on tap (Guiness, Anchor Steam) more

I went here on a busy Saturday and loved their $2.95 margaritas. The bartenders and wait staff was excellent and very attentive. It looks kind of like a hole in the wall place, but the drinks are too good to miss. Be prepared for a huge crowd. more

With a friend in San Francisco, first time for both of us. We had breakfast at Sears and tried to catch a cable car outside the restaurant. After 4 full cars blew past us, we started to walk down to the turnaround but decided we needed a cocktail before catching a car. We had a great time at the Gold Dust with Jake the bartender who was very friendly and attentive. We had a wonderful conversation about Colorado (our home state). We were only sorry that we couldn't go back the next day as we were leaving. Can't wait to go back and hope Jake is still there! more

I've been here before but have never sat at the bar. The waitresses are generally okay. But this time me and a friend sat at the bar and got "served" by the old guy with glasses and grey facial hair. What a complete waste this guy was. He pretended not to see us for the entire 2 hours we sat there. At one point I am trying to get his attention because he is talking to the older couple next to us for about 5 mins. So I say, "Can I get two margaritas?" And he sneers at me and says he's busy. Me and my friend just look at each other, dumbfounded, and move over to a table. Then a waitress tries telling us that we have to leave if more people come in because the table is for four people - not two. Whatever. Then she says she saw us getting ignored by the old guy. We get the story from her that he's been there for 30 years and is rude to lots of people - even her. Supposedly he get's ticked off at tourists. Problem is, I live in the neighborhood. Gold Dust Lounge = Garbage tourist trap. Not for locals. Pros: Cheap margaritas Cons: Soul-crushingly rude service more

My wife and I visited the Gold Dust on half a dozen occasions on our holiday in SF. I agree with the reviewer who slammed the afternoon bartender - the younger fellow (relatively speaking) with the short beard and dark rimmed glasses. On our first visit we sat at the bar next to a young lady who knew the bartender. He ignored us and concentrated on conversing with the attractive girl and her date. I guess we stood out as tourists. With this being said, we were still very happy with our time in this bar. The waitresses were very attentive and the atmosphere should be experienced by anyone who remembers what older bars were like. The band will bring a smile to anyones face. The prices are the best in town according to several locals we spoke with. Overall, a memorable experience and highly recommended. more

prices are great, but the daytime bartender kept messing up orders, and was mean all around. was rude and arrogant, although he seemed to be extra attentive and nice to an attractive young lady at the bar, while ignoring other customers. not sure what his problem was, but it made the experience regretable. ive gone back during the weekend, and the staff was incredibly delightful during the day. more

We have been here three times and wow! Its always just chillin! Great people ,good music and GREAT conversatiions! Great bartending Chuck!! Pros: All Good! Cons: zero more

The best kept secret in SF. A fun crowd great drinks and real bar keeps all at a great fair price. The decor is great as the location. We spent our engaement evening in there in 1992 and never stopped coming back Chuck is the best bartender West of the Mississippi and maybe even East of it as well! Just plain fun with great attitudes. Pros: Location, price, cocktails more

It may be cheesiest place in sf, but lets face it, it has great, lovely, friendly and diversed crowd, mostly tourists anyway. The bartenders are all great...especially Chuck with over 30 yrs bartender experiences. They can mixed, & mixed drinks very well... It an old bar, so with this, they dont accept credit card. They have cheap drinks too. I keep coming back whenever i have the chance.. Pros: cheap drinks, fun,, friendly, diversed, crowd. Cons: can get crowded bar more

This place has got to be the cheesiest place in San Francisco. Red velvet, leather, random gold awnings and an interesting cover band playing old tunes your grandparents would hum along to. But that's it's charm.. Everyone seems to enjoy this place, from the 300 year old mummified corpses hanging out at the bar to the dazed and confused tourists who want in to get a taste of San Francisco. The best thing about this place is that they seem to care about your comfort. During New Year's, when every other venue was crowded and hot, they made sure only to let enough people in so that everyone had at least a seat at the bar or a comfortable place to stand. They could have made twice as much money but wanted everyone to have a decent time. Things like that make this a truly remarkable place. Pros: Quality, Diverse Crowd more

On vacation in San Fran from NYC and this place was great. Very good 3 piece rock band, We sat right next to them. They talked and joked with us and played "New York, New York" for us. The drinks were not too pricey and the people in the bar were cool. Had a nice talk with a life long San Franciscan and Vietnam Vet named Bobby. If your in the area check it out! Pros: Music, People, Drinks Cons: none more

A fantastic watering hole if you are downtown and doing some leisurely browsing or shopping. The drinks are inexpensive and strong, and, the bartenders are friendly. more