Kilowatt

Kilowatt is a local favorite. It’s always full of Mission locals during the week and it’s a popular destination for locals all over the city. It’s a typical dive bar, no frills… which is probably why a lot of people like it. There are also a bunch of other dive bars and amazing restaurants on this street so it’s a perfect destination for some bar hopping.
On the weekends they open the back room and they have dancing and a DJ and it’s really fun. People go all out and get down. Good spot to take a date.
Overall, great dive bar option.

I LOVE this bar! I just recently discovered it but I’ve already been twice and I’ll probably keep coming back here. This bar is conveniently located on 16^th St. pretty close to 16^th St. Bart in the midst of lots of other bars and clubs. This bar has a more divey feel: there’s darts, pool, arcade games and plenty of seating. The first time I came here for darts on a Tuesday evening and it wasn’t hard to get a dart board. The second time, I came here to watch the warriors game because all the other bars in the mission were too crowded and this ended up being a great spot to watch! We easily got seats and the drinks were so cheap — $ 5 for gin and tonics! Yes please! They were playing the game on 4 screens and there was a great vibe! I’ll definitely be back again :)
Tip: Cash only! But they have an ATM inside so don’t fret if you forget.

nice local atmosphere. Lots of beer option and everyone was pretty laid back.

I’m from Washington state. They wouldn’t let me in because they are ignorant of what licenses in other states look like and think if it doesn’t look like a California license that it’s fake. Please train your staff better.

One of my favorite things to do is just go across 16^th Street between Kilowatt and Gestalt until I get drunk enough to need to grab a burrito off MIssion Street before going home.
Seriously, it’s one of my very favorite things in this world.
I don’t know if i’ll ever get sick of it.
Even if you’re not making a night out of Kilowatt, it’s the single best bar to start your night in the Mission. The single best.
It’s a dive bar without any pretenses. It’s cash only because duh, you’re in the mission. Hence the sign above the bar.
Getting a table with your friends really isn’t too difficult and there’s pool and pin ball if the people your friends brought along bore you. I can’t think of anything not to love about this place.

I’ve never had a good time here. I asked a bartender if it was cash only and he was all «YOURE IN THE MISSION ARENT YOU!!!» Uhhhhhh it was just a question no need to get all cray. And I ended up withdrawing my life savings to buy shots for everyone so it’s not like I wasn’t going to spend my money here. Whack whack whack. So many better dive bars in the Mission. I don’t even like Casanova but I would go there any day to avoid Kilowatt.

Cheap beers (for SF at least), good vibe, most Portland, Oregon esque bar I’ve been able to find. A good place to spend your hard earned cash (only)

I have never seen such bigotry, misogyny, xenophobia, and hatred at an otherwise «chill» place. The bouncer Mike made sneering remarks that I should teach my fiancé «how to be American.» I calmly said he needs to be more polite to us, but it got worse.
He then led people standing outside the door to heckle our group, saying «this is America,» «go home,» etc. One person threated a member of our group, saying «you don’t know what I can do to you. I have a lawyer… I can kill you.» Several peole tried to grab belongings from a member of our group. Another person standing next to the bouncer said «take your bitch before I take her instead» to a female member of our group. People followed us down the street telling us to «go home.»
The bouncer did nothing to control the group harrassment. It is the bouncer’s job to keep order at the door, not harass and encourage intimidation of patrons. I’m incredibly disappointed by this hateful, xenophobic behavior tolerated by this business. I hope people will avoid going here while Mike is there.

This place was absolutely terrible. Walked in to watch the hockey game with my wife and immediately was taken back. It was evident that we weren’t welcome and we sat right in front of the bartender and got not even an acknowledgement. There was a table of jerks really being nasty. Went to Giordano Bros and had an excellent time. We were the only two Lightning fans with roughly 20 Hawks fans but everyone had a great time. I’ll spend my money where it’s wanted. Hope your bar goes bankrupt.

The people at the door made racist comments and were extremely rude just because I forgot to leave my bear bottle inside. You just can’t have a person with zero manner at such a place.

For my 350^th Four Star Review, I wanted to share a cool bar in SF. We were on a mission to party, meet some chicks, and finish at La Taqueria El Cumbre in the Mission. After walking around a bit, we decided to drop by Kilowatt located on 16^th near Valencia in SF. BTW, this bar is cash only.
Everything about this bar is chill. The customers are cool, and engaging. No one tries to slide by you at the bar, order drinks and stay to crowd you out, a la Tasting Kitchen in Venice. In addition, the bartenders are cool. They let you have a taste of beer, know their handles, and pour stiff drinks. Lastly, the ambiance is cool. There are a couple of pool tables, and darts in rear. The women are friendly too. I met Christine from SF, who was a very nice person, that could carry on an intelligent convo.
All I can say is «Mission» accomplished! We warmed up here, took Christine and her friend to Elbo Room & Asia SF, and got a late lite snack. I can’t wait to return and complete another mission! LMAO!!!

One of the stalwarts of the Mission ‘Dive Bar’ scene the Kilowatt has watched as their neighbors have changed names, and styles, over the years. Their formula is simple Beer, Pool, Sports… I like all 3 so this place is a winner!
I’ll be back soon!

I love this place for its raised darts area in the back — darts are available from the bar with an ID and a $ 10 deposit.
This bar also features my favorite pinball machine of all time — themed after one of the best video games of all time: Rollercoaster Tycoon.

Typical dive bar in the mission
With it’s eye-​catching sign, it’s hard to miss this place when walking down one of the busiest streets in the mission!
The inside is pretty divey, as expected. Packed with people on a saturday night, mostly because of it’s location. The booths and chairs feel slimy, and the cups they use to serve the beer look a little disgusting, with a weird «moldy» smell.
The clientele looks like they’re ready to party, though. The atmosphere is pretty good – everyone’s chatting, and you can feel the energy in the air.
Overall, a good place to go if you’re looking for a divey bar

Great bar!
My first time here I went to visit with an old friend and it was a fun laid back atmosphere.

Definitely a solid Mission bar. So glad that we decided to stop by Kilowatt.
Kilowatt is definitely a large bar, with room for pool tables, pinball machines, darts, tables and stools all around. And on NYE, definitely accommodated a good number of people. The vibe is very diverse here — you’ll get people from different walks of life enjoying themselves on VERY well priced drinks (always a huge plus). From what I remember, our beers (of which they have a very nice selection) and gin & tonics came out to about $ 5 each, which really surprised our group. And the bartenders are super nice! Will definitely be making it back to Kilowatt.

Sweet spot mellow vibes. just not really anything special. grab a drink and go place.

I was initially going to giordano’s to watch the giants play game 6 of the world series, but since my friends and I came late, we couldn’t get a table. We were standing in line for a while when this guy told us there’s some place down the street letting people in.
I went to scope it out and sure enough, everyone was free to come and go in Kilowatt. Their beer selection was pretty good and the prices could not be beat (I got three beers and it came out to $ 12).
I was also a fan of the chill atmosphere. There were people who were bringing in pizza (from next door?) and just eating it and watching the game. The bartenders were super nice and attentive. I felt like I was served in a short amount of time even though it was a mad house in there.
The other customers also seemed to be very friendly people. Perhaps it was the mood of the city celebrating Giants in the world series again, but some random stranger bought me a drink (and not in a weird creepy way, but in a friendly way).
Will definitely come back when it’s not so packed.

Dive bar with open dog policy! All the random nights I’ve come here, I’ve always managed to see 1 – 2 dogs lurking about~ which is the BEST. I also love that they have a wall FULL of dog portraits.
Decent prices for drinks, pool tables, and pac man machine in the back. Only wish that there’s more seating when it gets too crowded.
TLDR: such doge, much dive.

So many great memories here, this place is a gem, I’ve been here a hundred times in the past decade+.
Like the quintessential Mission dive bar, it’s unpretentious, has a few canines at times, serves strong drinks and good beer, and is distinctly lacking in décor. Bartenders are no nonsense but friendly enough, just be ready to order end don’t ask for something fancy or stupid and you’ll be alright.
I love Kilowatt.