Sophisticated Barbary Coast | Vintage Glamour | Live Jazz
The History
Located at the intersection of North Beach and Chinatown, Comstock Saloon is the last remaining bar from San Francisco’s legendary Barbary Coast era. The space has been a watering hole for over a century, serving everyone from boxers and sailors to the notorious “Baby Face” Nelson in the 1930s. In 2010, bar legends Jeff Hollinger and Jonny Raglin restored the space to its turn-of-the-century glory, preserving the 18-foot solid mahogany bar top (dating back to the 1890s) and the original tile floors.
The Vibe
Unlike the raw energy of its neighbor “The Saloon,” Comstock offers a more refined, “cocktail-forward” experience. It feels like a living museum where you can actually sit on the artifacts. The room is anchored by a massive “punkah” ceiling fan system—a series of wicker panels that move in unison via a belt and pulley—creating a rhythmic, old-world atmosphere. It is the perfect spot for a dark, moody date night or a sophisticated evening of drinks and live music.
Live Jazz & Cocktails
Comstock is a premier destination for Live Jazz, with music typically beginning at 8:00 PM nightly.
The Stage: The musicians often perform from a small, elevated balcony overlooking the bar, allowing the sound to float over the crowd without overwhelming conversation.
The Music: Expect world-class jazz ensembles (like Gaucho or Katy Stephan) performing everything from hot club swing to soulful bebop.
The Drinks: The cocktail program is widely considered one of the best in the city, focusing on pre-Prohibition classics. Signature drinks include the Sazerac, Pimm’s Cup, and the “Barkeep’s Whimsy”—where you let the bartender create a custom drink based on your spirit of choice.
The “Free Lunch” Tradition
Comstock has famously resurrected the 19th-century “Free Lunch” tradition. Every Friday from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, if you purchase two adult beverages, you receive a free, chef-prepared lunch. It is one of the most beloved “local secrets” in the city.
Know Before You Go
Reservations: Highly recommended for dinner or weekend evenings, though the bar is usually open for walk-ins.
The “Pee Trough”: Look for the brass-lined trough running along the base of the bar—a genuine relic from the 1900s designed so patrons wouldn’t have to leave their stools (note: it is for historical viewing only today!).
Dining: Come hungry. Their “elevated saloon fare” includes everything from fresh oysters and caviar to their famous Comstock Burger and Steak Frites.
Age Limit: 21+ only.
The Peninsula Project brings a high-energy, "jumpin’" jazz experience to the historic Comstock Saloon every Wednesday from 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM. Led by pianist and vocalist Eric Shifrin, this quartet specializes in a blend of swing, stride, and classic jazz that feels perfectly at home in one of the city’s oldest and most atmospheric...
Katy Stephan is a pianist, vocalist, and composer. She has composed and performed live original music for theatre (Porchlight Theatre, Word For Word, Upon These Boards, Azeotrope Theatre), dance (Project Agora, Copious Dance, Theatre, Counterpointe, and Requisite Dance), as well as burlesque and circus. A collection of original songs that Katy recorded at home for...
Katy Stephan is a pianist, vocalist, and composer. She has composed and performed live original music for theatre (Porchlight Theatre, Word For Word, Upon These Boards, Azeotrope Theatre), dance (Project Agora, Copious Dance, Theatre, Counterpointe, and Requisite Dance), as well as burlesque and circus. A collection of original songs that Katy recorded at home for...
Gaucho is a masterful Bay Area band that combines the influence of gypsy jazz of 1930’s Europe with the rhythmic drive and collective improvisation of New Orleans swing music, gutbucket blues and elements of ragtime. Their sound, a uniquely American concoction, blends instrumental acuity and lighthearted humor that keep their audience coming back for more....
Guitarist Stu Silverman fronts his band at the Comstock Saloon. Step into the storied halls of Comstock Saloon, where the mahogany bar and vintage belt-driven fans set the stage for one of San Francisco's most versatile guitarists. Stu Silverman brings a refined yet soulful energy to the room, blending technical jazz precision with a raw,...
Step back in time at Comstock Saloon, where the Hal Bigler Band holds court every Tuesday night from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Set in a meticulously restored 1907 building at the crossroads of North Beach and Chinatown, this residency perfectly matches the band's vintage sound with a setting of intricate carved wood, cozy booths,...
The Peninsula Project brings a high-energy, "jumpin’" jazz experience to the historic Comstock Saloon every Wednesday from 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM. Led by pianist and vocalist Eric Shifrin, this quartet specializes in a blend of swing, stride, and classic jazz that feels perfectly at home in one of the city’s oldest and most atmospheric...
Katy Stephan is a pianist, vocalist, and composer. She has composed and performed live original music for theatre (Porchlight Theatre, Word For Word, Upon These Boards, Azeotrope Theatre), dance (Project Agora, Copious Dance, Theatre, Counterpointe, and Requisite Dance), as well as burlesque and circus. A collection of original songs that Katy recorded at home for...
Katy Stephan is a pianist, vocalist, and composer. She has composed and performed live original music for theatre (Porchlight Theatre, Word For Word, Upon These Boards, Azeotrope Theatre), dance (Project Agora, Copious Dance, Theatre, Counterpointe, and Requisite Dance), as well as burlesque and circus. A collection of original songs that Katy recorded at home for...
Gaucho is a masterful Bay Area band that combines the influence of gypsy jazz of 1930’s Europe with the rhythmic drive and collective improvisation of New Orleans swing music, gutbucket blues and elements of ragtime. Their sound, a uniquely American concoction, blends instrumental acuity and lighthearted humor that keep their audience coming back for more....
Comstock Saloon continues its tradition of hosting the city’s most compelling musical "finds" with Cliff Meyers & Friends. A fixture of the Bay Area’s more experimental and groove-heavy jazz circles, Meyers brings a collective energy to the room that transforms the historic saloon into a vibrant, modern listening space. The Music: Cliff Meyers is known...
Step back in time at Comstock Saloon, where the Hal Bigler Band holds court every Tuesday night from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Set in a meticulously restored 1907 building at the crossroads of North Beach and Chinatown, this residency perfectly matches the band's vintage sound with a setting of intricate carved wood, cozy booths,...
