Tunnel Top

I didn't have the famous mojitos. But you can bet I will be back to try it out now that I've read the reviews. Loved this place. Not nuts to butts crowded, but crowded enough where it was standing room only. But at the same time, there was never a wait for a drink. The bartenders either were perfectly staffed, or are super good at their jobs and always ready to get me more drunk than I already was. Downstairs is a loungey type bar atmosphere, maybe slightly nicer than most dives but nothing too upscale or fancy. Upstairs there are a few loungey type areas, and then a long skinny balcony where you can stand and look down below, and then a row of table for 2 where you can sit and look down below or look out the window onto Bush Street. There is also a DJ. The music here on Friday is awesome to me. Poppy, hip hop stuff. Stuff where you would have to come from a different planet not to recognize the music and songs, even if your preference in music is totally different. Crowd- mid 20s to mid 30s. Fun, everyone was having a great time. If you are single in this bar, you can get laid, guaranteed, it is that kind of bar: HOOK UP CENTRAL. In my brief 2 hours, I saw about 6 couples meet, do the obligatory what are you about exchange and then leave together. NICE. Oh, if I was single. But I'm not so I can just sit back, watch and enjoy the show and my drink. TOTALLY FUN PLACE! more

Awww? what a shame. An old favorite of mine, but the management must have changed. A whole bunch of us went for a few after work drinks and a good chin-wag (chat). Only problem is that you just cant talk here due to the blaring speakers! We were upstairs) I asked the bar lady to turn the speaker next to us down, and with a sulky schoolchild roll of the eyes, she did. Seconds later she turned it back up again and we were just looking at each other trying to lip read again! I asked the other bar maid: ?this is a loud bar, I could start the DJ if you like, he?s even louder? errr ok, so after a few hours of screaming at each other we decided to get out and take our business elsewhere. Will try again in six months as it used to be a good bar. Pros: Great little spot for after work drinks. Cons: Rude bar staff (new), Music too loud to hear friends (unless they shout in your ear). more

If you need a pick-me-up drop in and get a vodka Redbull; they serve it in a pint glass and, for SF, it's pretty cheap. more

Great little joint in middle of nowhere. Only the locals know about this place so keep it quiet, perfect for a web review. DJ's during certain nights makes it even more chill. Pros: Great Hole in da wall Cons: Too packed more

After moving closer to downtown (Union Square), I was disappointed in my choices for places to eat and drink in walking distance. Everything down here is so "touristy", you are really limited. I passed by this place a few times before eventually stopping in. Finally, my drinking problem has been solved!!! (Not sure I like how that came out...) Tunnel Top looks a little sketchy from the outside and sits above the Stockton Tunnel, so... but don't let that deter you. If you are in the area for whatever reason, definately stop in and check it out. Great atmosphere, decent Happy Hour. The upstairs balcony is a great place to get cozy with a date. It's also perfect for a bigger group if you can score the sofa area. I just met some friends there for a few drinks and they were projecting Barbarella onto one wall (into a picture frame). How cool is that! Pros: Good Atmosphere, Downtown Location, Decent Happy Hour Cons: Cash Only more

I used to frequent this place w/ coworkers at the end of the day, and we always made the happy hour time period to have some fun. The upstairs balcony area is rather unique, and a cool experience if you can handle heights, and a nice view of the attendees below. The music is very eclectic but gives a hip atmosphere to the place. I recommend the Chimay beers, which are poured in a nice glass of their own. cheers... Pros: unique set-up, happy hour Cons: crowded at times more

I tripped across the Tunnel Top while dining next door at Crepuscule! Look for my review in the restaurant section. The Tunnel Top is atop the Stockton Street tunnel and from the street looks like any other dive. If you're brave enough to wander through the front door, you're stunned by what I would call a postmodern adaptation of a bar in Paris' Mont Marc district. An exposed wood roof, burnt-orange walls, modern French artwork, and steps leading to a exposed half second floor add to the allure of this relatively unknown hot spot. A six foot chandlier made out of wine bottles and a shrine upstairs dating from an eighteenth-century Paris Catholic cathedral are both cool conversation pieces. With good seating, good djs, and a mixed and hip crowd, this makes SF one of those cities you love rediscovering over and over. Pros: mixed crowd, excellent atmosphere, unique design more

Depending on the DJ, can be fun can put you off, depends on what type of music you're into. But the staff here are friendly. And the crowd is pretty cool/nice -- not a Marina hangout! Pros: staff more

The Tunnel Top is a cool, low key bar with an underground hipster feel to it. It usually draws in a mixed crowd. Pros: Cool Bartenders, Great Atmosphere Cons: Crowded on Weekends more

Been by it many times and finally went in for a Friday happy hour. Diverse, interesting crowd, shtiff drinks, music made for a good time at this unexpected dive gem. Pros: shtiff drinks more