Shanghai Kelly’s

I’ve never had a worse experience than at this bar. The bouncer quested my ID even though I am 26 and I have a legit California ID. The beer I received wasn’t cold and they didn’t offer me a new one once I brought up that the temperature wasn’t right. All the TVs are very outdated and super cramped inside there. The only reason this place is in business is because it has great location on Polk Street.

Probably the worst bar I’ve ever been to. And apparently they like to hire really douchy guys who are not bouncers to work the door. Because they can’t do their job these guys get upset and overreact when people aren’t out by 2:15 am. I wouldn’t go here and wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.

Such a terrible dive bar or sports bar or whatever you call it. Place literally can only fit 20 people but was packed with way way way more. I don’t know why people enjoy these kinds of situations but I like to walk out feeling just as clean and sane as I was before I entered thank you very much. Drinks weren’t that bad but I could hardly focus on my company because of how ratch the place was.

bottom line: unique name, unique vibe
came here to catch a warriors playoff game after stopping by a few other very-​full bars down the street. this place was great! we got drinks rather quickly and were able to snag a table for our group. a fair number of TVs and lots of local flavor and memorabilia on the walls. my main complaint is that some of the TVs were placed in awkward locations, causing some of us to crane our necks in order to watch the game.

Really nice bartenders, good drinks, great sports bar to watch games in! Was only visiting and felt right at home like a local.

It’s been awhile since I’ve been to this cool spot at the north peak of Polk, at Broadway. It’s a great starting point for what could be an epic bar crawl down Polk Street… if you ever leave, actually.
Great local crowd, kick ass bartender, and a nice touch of local flavor. When you’re situated that close to Van Ness, Broadway and Polk, the neighborhood mentally ill will generally find your door, offering varying bits of useful and/​or puzzling information. The staff is firm but friendly, and its a minor distraction for a generally fun and friendly crowd of locals.
The bar is eclectically appointed with a few interesting pieces of art (I’m not talking patrons!), with a dark bar top and a great glass front along Broadway. Comfortable is how I’d describe this bar. Stop on in, have a few, and get Shanghai’d.

This place sucks. Universal sign for «I want a drink» is to place money infront of you. Bar tender ignored me for a good 15 minutes. This was after I tipped him pretty well too. Not saying it entitles me to extras or free drinks, but come on, at least take a hint.

divey bar, but cool atmosphere. was here for a warriors game and had a great time. clientele is very enthusiastic for sure!

Great little bar on Polk Street. It’s small, so it can get crowded, but the bartenders are nice and the drinks are resonable. Win win in my book.

Thank you Cass for the awesome drink!!! Awesome atmosphere with friendly people and affordable drinks!!!

I came here all the time when I was a drunk idiot. I went in there half sober and almost threw up from the bathroom stinking up the whole bar.

If you don’t like this bar, I don’t like you. Favorite bar in the city. Possibly anywhere.

Casual, low key sports bar that’s easy to find. Chill customers and an awesome bartender makes for a great spot for a couple of drinks. There was still room at the bar and a couple of empty tables when I went. I loved that this place doesn’t get as crowded as others on Polk.

Awesome Steelers bar! This is the best Steelers bar I’ve ever been to! Everyone here is friendly and high five each other! And they’re open before 10am on Sundays NOT 1pm. Only downside is no food service. But don’t fret, you’re allowed to bring outside food here surprisingly. So I normally just grab a slice down the street and bring it back to eat during half time. Parking has never been an issue.

Our first stop and the check in for our brawl crawl. IT was really standing room only because it was the very first stop. I tried their special shot which I and all my friends agreed was totally watered down all sugar shot. Then I have a vodka lemonade. Which the bartender had a very heavy hand and was mostly vodka! He also like my friends cruella costume he hooked us up with free shot, WIN! All in all this bar was just a nice local sports bar with fast-​ish service

Shanghai Kelly was a mystery. why i came here. no doubt it was a change of pace from the much frequented chinatown bars. no doubt my friends introduced me to this place.
probably discovered cocktais here as chinatown bars wasn’t proficient in them.

Coming here is never on our initial agenda but it’s a chill spot that it easy to get to, easy to find, and thus an easy spot to meet up with friends after whatever it is that we were doing before.

Casual, low-​key place with nice people and an awesome bartender. Winner.

I thought this place was named after a feen named Kelly who had a thing for China. Word on the streets is Kelly was a red headed Irish man with a temper who basically «ruffied» sailors to get them to do work on ships sailing to far away lands. «King of the Crimps» he was. Dastardly antics but not illegal in the 1800s. Anywho…
A great neighborhood bar and I am lucky to have a friend who is a «neighbor» who took us here. Divey, laid back, sporty, and cheap drinks! It’s not huge but there were plenty of seats… magic I guess. Also, there were enough TV’s so that you can see and keep up with whatever is on at the time from any place in the bar.
I had the pleasure of meeting one of the bartenders, Dave. He served me the «Champagne of Beer». He asked if I wanted another at the perfect time, two sips before empty. I didn’t meet the other bartender but he was wearing a FC Barcelona jersey and jacket so he is fine by me!
Overall, this bar has a Cheers like feel and is a nice spot to have a drink day or night.

This bar is an easy go to bar for me. Maybe it is because I pretty much know at least one person in there whenever I walk in whether it is staff or people there drinking.
The place is pretty spacious for a bar on Polk st. and there is usually room up at the bar.
My only hate of this place is the restroom. I don’t know why but I seriously can’t stand it. I always seems to be dirty, it could just be that it is so old that it looks dirty even when its clean but I just get claustrophobic in there.