El Rio is a queer classic known for its patio and chill vibes. Staff is generally friendly and the weekend parties are some of the best gay events the city has to offer. Come early, but don't plan on staying until the wee hours, more than a few times in the past few months they've called "last call" hours before their posted closing time. Chalk it up to pandemic related not quite back to normal weirdness, but it sure would be nice to rely on this queer staple to honor their posted hours because when it's open it's truly one of the best spots in the city.

Like the dude, El Rio abides even as fellow dive bars bite the dust. Maybe it's the protective shrine in the back. The bar shuffleboard is great.

A fun club with a hip LGBTQ crowd

The bartender ignored one end of the bar. Seriously bad service. Was at the bar for over 30 mins then left it was funny after a while since it was so ridiculous. The couple to the right of me stayed they are going to text me when they get served it is now 50 mins no text. It wasn't as if it was not clear as to who arrived at the bar 1st or that the ones who just walked in and got served were regulars. Just pure incompetence and laziness by bartender. Went across street got a beer in 30 seconds on this wonderful Friday evening.

I can't believe how little it's changed in the nearly 30 years I've been going there. Service is slow. Drinks are strong. Shows start late. The clientele are beautiful! Bathrooms are broken. Backyard is one of the best in SF! Go while you're young and vivacious!!

Large back patio is still festive during the pandemic. Drinks are cheap with a mix of cocktails, beer and wine. One of my favorite places to hang out after a good dinner.

I love that they never got rid of the “Your dive” sign. Used to come here 30 yrs ago with my roommate Katie. Free oysters on Friday evenings. Pure joy.

Completely amazing vibe. The music will get you pumped up and the crowd is lovely. Try to go during Daytime Realness!

My absolute favorite bar in the city. really nice folks, frequently not very crowded, live music sometimes. bring your own food. great stuff.

Best queer hangout and dance spot in the city. Chill dive bar venue with outdoor patio, variety of indoor/outdoor events from comedy, live shows, DJs, drag performances, community fundraisers, etc. Tons of wonderful memories with friends throughout the years. - Bartenders are quick and do great service, tip them! - 4 single bathrooms (2 in back, 2 in front with 1 a urinal) but expect long wait times and good conversations when there's a big packed party like Mango - outdoor patio with ramp and stairs to ground level. On normal day, there's lots of seating with tables and chairs. If there's a day event, theres less tables/chairs available. Heat lamps around. - Inside has a shuffle board/pool table

The bathroom is a disaster. Real health Hazard. Bartenders are average. They'll treat you right if they're in a good mood or if you overtip them. Woman at the door was rude and bossy. There are way better lgbt places to spend your money, for real.

The best kind of dive bar. Come as you are - great bartenders who know how to manage a busy bar top, and the best patrons in the Mission. We stumbled upon it on our trip to San Francisco, and it was the best accidental discovery of my week. Don't listen to the bad reviews, I can't say anything bad about the place and I'd like to think I have an eye for good bars with good people. Bring in outside food, as they don't have a kitchen (but be kind and clean up after yourself), and oh, it's one of the stalwart gay bars in town. It's the place where anyone can come in and be themself, regardless of how you roll. I'll be back.

Been to lots of events here, they never have enough bar tenders working. They do put on great events though. Worth signing up for their calendar.

FREE karaoke, fun crowd, good vibes, insanely large back area where there was also a doom metal band playing??

Good place for karaoke and drinks with friends. Their music venue is terribly small and not much in-house support for performing musicians. However the entire package works.

Love this institution and its outdoor casual patio. Drinks are just fine for a hipster dive bar.

Great vibes, friendly people, the bar takes card, can't really ask for more 💖

Went here for an event and thought it was a great place. Th bartenders were great! Drinks tasted good and venue was perfect for our event. I will definitely be going back.

Only the best queer dive bar in all of San Francisco. My ride or die, my booze muse, my number one crush.

It’s a big crowd and big space with terrible absolutely terrible music. Honestly if they just put on top hits from 2000-2010s, it would be much better.

Day Time Realness at El Rio is one of my favorite monthly parties. Sunday afternoons here are always a blast!! Given the opportunity definitely check it out!

The perfect queer bar in town. Felt extremely welcoming. The drinks are very strong and the outdoor patio is perfect

An old favorite of mine that now my daughter hangs out at. It was great, and i dont mind spending $25 for live entertainment but steep for a dj.

If you are a cis male then you shouldn’t even worry about hanging out here.

Always fun, bar tenders friendly, love the street food.