Portal’s Tavern

Good place to get a stiff drink and watch a sports game!
Came here for game one of the World Series and the vibe was good. There were locals but they stayed primarily at the bar area or in the back.
The bartenders are friendly which makes ordering drinks fairly easy.
There is a dart board here which is a nice attraction. There were not a lot of people playing on this particular evening but entertaining nonetheless.
The bathrooms are… hmmmm…it is hard to put into words but just come here and see for YOURSELF!!!
They do havea pinball machine here, classic. If you remember the movie, «The Shadow» then you will like this machine. I’m actually surprised that they don’t play the movie on their televisions when there is not a sporting event on!
The beers here are decently priced. You pay roughly $ 5 bucks a beer which is to be expected.
There is a jukebox here as well. Unfortunately, no one wanted to listen to music while the game was on but that was understandable.
Biggest plus, most people overlook this particular bar which makes for an enjoyable evening and less congestion. A lot of people prefer some of the other bars in the area which makes coming here a more relaxing choice.
Good people, good vibes, a few flies, but makes for a good night!
#enjoyedmyself

This place is definitely a divey regulars bar. We found it on a whim and decided to check it out for a beer. We had a great time with lots of laughs. It was just us three, a regular, and the bartender. He was drinking along with us and was quite fun. The old style atmosphere was neat.
This place could use a good clean up as the bathrooms hadn’t been cleaned in months or years. Now, the toilets and sink may have had a wipe down, but the floors, walls, and ceilings were full of dust, debris, cobwebs, etc. It had been there for quite some time to accumulate like that. The main area of the bar seemed to be a bit cleaner.

Accidentally discovered this place when looking for a bar to play the Blackhawks — Ducks playoff game. Went to a «fanat​ics​.com» Blackhawks bar but they only play the game when a certain bartender is working… which wasn’t tonight. So, we saunter into this place, get high 5s from some gentlemen at the bar and ask the bartender about showing the game. He was SO accommodating. Sat us square down in front of a tv and put the game on pronto, even bought us a drink. I wish I lived here so I could frequent this place on a regular basis.

Hidden gem on west portal. Old school dive bar full of regulars and the older crowd. The bartenders are friendly and it had an overall low key vibe.

A true neighborhood bar. Good spirited people. Karioke, great drinks, staff who really cares.

Friendly bartender and nice atmosphere. Older crowd. As my friend (35 years-​old) and I (50 years-​old) were leaving, the bartender said «See ya, kids.»

First time going to a bar and I really enjoyed the service that was given. Such a friendly atmosphere and the bartender, Don, really takes care of you. My friend and I weren’t too sure of what to get but Don was really helpful and informative. It was an awesome experience for my friend and I!

Oh what a night, indeed.
I stopped by Portal’s Tavern after being disappointed by the not-​so-​recent overhaul of Joxer Daly’s (Read: I was already two beers in.)
I was greeted by a friendly bartender, and I ordered yet another beer. I was (supposedly) just trying to have a quiet night with a book and a brew. Five minutes later, some dude sits at the bar and proceeds to talk about the hefty bowel movement he just had. He was 86’ed promptly. I probably should have taken that as a cue to leave, but…
Some other dude came and sat next to me at the bar. He proceeds to tell me he’s a registered nurse etc., and then the bartender gets in on the conversation. The bartender completely called him out — said he’s not a registered nurse and that he lives with his mom off of her monthly disability payments (!) This is the kind of random BS that I find very amusing. I excused myself and went to the bathroom, where I waited 5 minutes before I made a hasty Irish exit (I physically ran out of that place). Also, big ups to the bartender for getting my back on that one!
So fun.

Steps from the 14^th Avenue stop for the K and M, an art-​deco façade emblazoned with the words «Portal’s Tavern» beckons. Inside lies a dark interior, christmas lights hanging from the ceiling, and a pinball machine (featuring THE SHADOW!) calling out its siren song of high scores and point multipliers.
Semi-​grouchy bartenders who have seen better days minister to patrons possibly carved from the original basalt of San Francisco, long since pulverized into sand. A classic Wurlitzer jukebox sits Buddha-​like the corner, beaming its neon benevolence into the darkest corners of a mans soul, the hits of my father’s generation on CDs reminding its acolytes of better days and better lyrics. Its easy to step in and age 50 years, time and tides coming to apotheosis in a place untouched by hipsters, where the increasing gentrification of San Francisco is just a malicious rumor, washed away by doo-​wop and Mel Torme, the low burble of conversations and raucous roar of arguments going on their second decade of existence filling in when these two panaceas fail. Some days, a crock pot filled with pasta or hot dogs will beckon, offering free wares for those who come in looking for succor during daytime.
Martinis and Manhattans are served like a Denny’s shake, amply sized and with a double old fashioned glass alongside holding enough extra booze for seconds. On a good day, (if the bartender likes you), you’ll be out four dollars. On a bad day, you might be out six. Requests for Fernet will earn you the stink-​eye, requests for boilermakers will earn you begrudging respect. Well drinks will come strongly poured, with surprisingly good liquor (Old Crow Bourbon, for example). Doubles are to be ordered at considerable risk to life and limb, and only in the case of a bad breakup or by those wouldn’t mind the phrase «Cirrhosis of the Liver» on their death certificate down at the County Coroner’s Office. Four beers are offered, and two flavors of wine: cheap-​shit red and cheap-​shit white. Don’t try to order something with more than three ingredients.
There is a back patio near the Men’s room (where the urinal is oft filled with ice). Hard-​tack concrete is adorned with six wrought-​iron chairs to hold the frames of smokers or graduate students on sunny days. Ivy climbs the walls, trying to escape.
There are no sublime truths to be found here, no life-​changing cocktails. This is no place to have a Facebook profile picture taken, it will never sponsor a Unilocal Elite Event. All that exists is a steady flow of alcohol, mingling with the remnants of good times long gone, combining to form one of the last bars in San Francisco that doesn’t care who you are, doesn’t care how you dress, and doesn’t care what you order. If you enter this place a humble pilgrim in search of a good drink, as generations of San Franciscans have done, you may walk out understanding a neighborhood drinking culture that has become extinct in many parts of our changing city. On the other hand, you may not. Don’t worry about the outcome, you’ll be welcome here regardless.

Best bar in the West Portal neighborhood! Always a friendly face there. Once you walk in the door it’s hard to leave.

Pros:
–Chatty Bartender
–Cheap drinks
–Outdated Almanacs
–Would have gotten a slim jim for free but I insisted I pay.
Cons:
–It’s in the City.
Give me a good glass of rye for $ 5 and a good quiet atmosphere to enjoy myself, and you automatically have 4 stars. If you want a nice place to have a drink, this is it.

Don’t be scared, they don’t bite. (A few girls popped their heads in and decided, no.) Stopped in to catch the end of the Giants game today. We won in Ten! Everyone knew each other (except me) on a first name basis. Even as a stranger the bar was quite cozy – and the music was killer – Joe Jackson?
After a few drinks the owner filled me up without asking, gratis. Can’t beat that.
I don’t want to say any more, as you’d likely show up if you found yourself in the neighborhood – any influx here would upset the balance. Or not, it seems like it would take a bomb to throw this place off.
Come if you’re comfortable drinking alone, watching the giants win among people who’ve known each other for decades.

Went to karaōke night. Best karaōke night ever. Everyone’s friendly, everyone’s encouraging. No one had a bad song, just a sing-​along fest all night long. My friends and I will definitely be back.

I was a little apprehensive about coming here for a party because I felt like I was going to the other end of the earth, however the location isn’t as remote as I thought! And the bar is great! While our group consumed most of the bar, I can’t judge what crowds are normally like. Definitely a locals scene. The bartender is extremely personable and very attentive to the patrons. Drinks are reasonably priced. Downer that they don’t take plastic, but it’s not a deal breaker and I look forward to returning VERY SOON!
P. S. I love the jukebox despite my friend Jim’s strong influence. His taste in music is a bit questionable. I think it might be my favorite jukebox of all time. A little bit of music from every era, questionable or not, and surely contains something that will conjure up a lovely memory for most everyone. Including me!

when you look up «friendly, down home, neighborhood bar» in the dictionary, you will find a picture of portals tavern. The night my friend (who actually lives in the ‘hood) decided we should check it out, we were in luck. A very lively crowd was celebrating the birthday of one of their regulars. There was some rockin’ karaōke going down, and steveo was king! One of my favorite things was a set of vingtage postcards with photos of the 1906 earthquake devistation that were framed and hanging on one of the walls. I felt the history of this bar as a san francisco and west portal instution was alive and well as soon as I walked through the doors.
you rock, portals tavern!

Stopped here last night on St Paddy evening — it was a great time w/​all of the locals. Everyone is cool in this place — especially the bartenders.
You have to be able to take a joke going in here if you give it — this guy Randy is a riot, just so damned funny and his eyes sparkle wide open like a kid. Weird thing to say but I mean it in a good way. hehe.
Stop by here anytime — these are some of the funniest bartenders in the city.

Sometimes, all you want is a drink. Popped in here briefly after work for a quick one last night and realized that this is a great place to escape and unwind. As most of my good friends know, I love upscale places, but am also know the value of a good dive or neighborhood tavern.
In life, it’s all about expectations. For obvious reasons, you won’t meet your next supermodel girlfriend (or boyfriend) in here (West Portal is full of them) and you certainly won’t come for the trendy décor or the see and be scene crowd. However, if you are looking for a nice, reliable neighborhood bar where you can hang and enjoy a nice peaceful drink in comfortable surroundings, Portal’s Tavern is a great place. The fact that it seems a little hidden adds to the experience.
Randy the bartender is a great guy (works weeknights) and always makes you feel at home. Whether you live at the bar or come once in a blue moon, he remembers you and is always welcoming… that is the true hallmark of a good neighborhood bar.
My only true beef with this place is that with all that space it cries out for a pool table, but none exists. If they had one, I’m sure the place would make a lot more $ as a lot more people would come in.
Regardless, I’m up’ing it a star.

It’s like a classy dive bar, if that makes sense. Came upon this place after hoisting a few at the Philosopher’s Club, and really enjoyed the vibe. It’s dark, it’s pretty big, and the regulars are a lot of laughs.
Sat next to a guy that looked like William S. Burroughs in «Drugstore Cowboy.» Bartender has an awesome Tom Waits growl to his voice. The drinks were strong, and cheaper than the Philly, so we stayed a while.
They have a Dirty Harry pinball machine and a Centipide cocktail table arcade game. How can you go wrong with that?
Great place, will def. be back.

Wow, what a find.
I was in West Portal with a buddy and decided to give this place a shot. Best idea ever.
The bar is dark, cavernous even. A lot of old brick. Dirty Harry Pinball machine. Vintage sit-​down Centipede arcade game. We were greeted by a crazy old dude sporting curious jewelry who looked like he was straight out of a David Lynch film.
This place is not for everyone, but dive bar enthusiasts will recognize the simple beauty of Portal’s.

I have nothing but kind words to say about this place and its hospitality. After a botched night out (see my review for Voiz Music Studio), my friends and I came back to this bar, which had a friendly and welcoming vibe. A divey, yet homey place, with cheap drinks. It was nice to get away from the typical crowded Mission bars and have a night out where you could actually talk to people without having to shout.
Plus a star for the friendly bartender who made me a new Long Island after my first one got knocked out of my hand (or did I spill it?) And another one for the sweet couple who gave us $ 2 to spend on jukebox tunes, so we could sing out loud to all the tunes that we couldn’t sing on our failed attempt to the karaōke studio.