Authentic Maritime Dive | “Museum of Oddities” | Radical/Literary Haven
The History
Tucked into a narrow alleyway directly across from City Lights Bookstore, Specs’ (formally Specs’ Twelve Adler Museum Cafe) is a North Beach institution that defies the march of modernization. Opened in 1968 by Richard “Specs” Simmons—a merchant marine, union activist, and legendary neighborhood character—the bar has occupied a space with a colorful lineage. Before Specs, the building served as a Chinese Joss House, a mid-century fisherman’s social club, and “Tommy’s Place,” one of the city’s first lesbian bars. Specs designed the bar to be a “home for misfits,” and it remains a bastion of San Francisco’s fading bohemian and labor-centric soul.
The Vibe
Walking into Specs’ is like entering the hold of a vintage sailing vessel that has been decorated by an eccentric socialist explorer. It is dark, moody, and crammed with hundreds of artifacts that Richard Simmons collected or received from merchant sailors.
The Museum: The walls and curio cabinets are filled with everything from Northwest Coast indigenous art and maritime pennants to a stuffed mongoose fighting a cobra and the bar’s most famous resident: a petrified walrus penis bone.
The Spirit: It is a “no-nonsense” bar where conversation is the primary currency. There are no TVs and no Wi-Fi. It remains a union-run shop (Unite Here Local 2), reflecting the founder’s lifelong commitment to labor rights.
The “Big Table” & Nightly Sounds
Specs’ is as much a community center as it is a bar, maintaining traditions that have lasted over half a century.
The Wednesday “Big Table”: For over 40 years, every Wednesday night (approx. 6:30 PM), writers, poets, and artists gather around the massive central table for an open, informal session of storytelling and discussion. It was famously the haunt of the late Revolutionary Poet Laureate Jack Hirschman.
Nightly Live Music: While the music is often spontaneous or unamplified, you can catch nightly performances ranging from bossa nova and acoustic blues to intimate jazz trios. The sound is designed to complement the atmosphere, not drown out the regulars’ debates.
The “Only” Food
True to its roots as a classic dive, Specs’ does not have a kitchen. However, they have a singular, legendary food offering: The Cheese Plate. It consists of a hefty wedge of Edam cheese (cut from a giant wheel kept behind the bar), a pile of saltine crackers, and sometimes a few pepperoni slices. It is the quintessential North Beach “dinner” for many a starving artist.
Know Before You Go
Cash is King: Specs’ is cash preferred (there is an ATM inside/nearby).
The Address: The alley was renamed William Saroyan Place in honor of the famed author, but locals still look for the orange brick and the fire escape draped in flowers.
The Crowd: You will find an all-ages mix here—crusty locals who have had the same stool for 40 years sitting next to young poets and curious travelers.
Heritage Status: It is an officially designated San Francisco Legacy Business, now run by Specs’ daughter, Elly, and granddaughter, Maralisa.
An open gathering of writers, poets, artists and more around the Big Table at Specs every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30pm! This more than 40 year tradition began with writers Jack Hirschman and Agneta Falk, and continues on with hosts Agneta and writers Byron Spooner and Judith Bernhard. Join us for drinks, laughs, good conversation and become...
Monthly jazz jam session led by multi-instrumentalist Smith Dobson and his quartet. Every first Tuesday 8-11pm at Specs! All musicians welcome, bring your instruments!
An open gathering of writers, poets, artists and more around the Big Table at Specs every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30pm! This more than 40 year tradition began with writers Jack Hirschman and Agneta Falk, and continues on with hosts Agneta and writers Byron Spooner and Judith Bernhard. Join us for drinks, laughs, good conversation and become...
Sip n’ Sketch drawing class hosted by Pixar’s animation art director Deanna Marsigliese! All levels welcome BYO materials | $5-10 suggested donation Deanna Marsigliese is a Canadian born Animation Art Director & Illustrator living in San Francisco, CA. Specializing in storytelling through character design, Deanna has worked at Pixar Animation Studios since 2012. Her credits...
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An open gathering of writers, poets, artists and more around the Big Table at Specs every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30pm! This more than 40 year tradition began with writers Jack Hirschman and Agneta Falk, and continues on with hosts Agneta and writers Byron Spooner and Judith Bernhard. Join us for drinks, laughs, good conversation and become...
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Levin grew up in Philly, but studied music and creative writing on the west coast at the University of Oregon. He took private lessons with a former Philadelphia Orchestra saxophonist, Michael Guera, and embarked on further research with the great jazz pianist, Cecil Taylor, in whose groups Levin has also performed. Claire Polin is Levin's...
An open gathering of writers, poets, artists and more around the Big Table at Specs every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30pm! This more than 40 year tradition began with writers Jack Hirschman and Agneta Falk, and continues on with hosts Agneta and writers Byron Spooner and Judith Bernhard. Join us for drinks, laughs, good conversation and become...
Nathan (piano/keyboards) crafts sensitive, playful, deeply-felt music, tonight with trusted collaborator Keith Waters (electric bass). Nathan's compositions and improvisations navigate the inner spaces between jazz, folk, and soul musics, melting together discarded records and old baseball cards and browning Bay leaves to create a heartening night of tunes, good for dancing or lounging or lingering in...
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An open gathering of writers, poets, artists and more around the Big Table at Specs every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30pm! This more than 40 year tradition began with writers Jack Hirschman and Agneta Falk, and continues on with hosts Agneta and writers Byron Spooner and Judith Bernhard. Join us for drinks, laughs, good conversation and become...
