The Devil's Acre
North Beach, San Francisco
Bar in San Francisco, United States
Book with PearlWhy go
The Devil's Acre is a practical North Beach pick for a drinks-first stop, especially when convenience matters more than a formal wine or dining plan. Go earlier if conversation is the goal; later works better for a livelier bar night.
About The Devil's Acre
The Devil's Acre is a San Francisco venue with evening and late-night hours on most operating days. It is closed on Monday, opens at 4:30 PM Tuesday through Saturday, opens at 4 PM on Sunday. The longest hours are Friday and Saturday, when it runs until 2 AM; Tuesday through Thursday run until 1 AM, Sunday closes at 10 PM.
Plan around evening and late-night hours
The practical case for The Devil's Acre is direct: it gives planners a San Francisco option with casual dress and late hours on several nights of the week. It can work as one part of an evening plan when the timing lines up with its posted schedule.
The safest way to plan is around the basics: city, dress code, hours. Choose it when those details fit your night, check any specifics directly before building a plan around them.
Where it fits in a San Francisco night out
For another San Francisco comparison, 15 Romolo, Mr Bing's, Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe, Vesuvio Cafe are other names to consider depending on the rest of the evening. The Devil's Acre is easiest to evaluate on practical terms: it is casual, closed Monday, open late Tuesday through Saturday.
For planning beyond this stop, use Pearl's San Francisco restaurants guide and hotels guide to build the rest of the night. If a specific menu, booking policy, or service detail matters, check directly before you go.
Planning details
- Location
- 256 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
- Website
- thedevilsacre.com
- Phone
- +1 415 766 4363
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Devil's Acre reads like a quietly proud neighborhood bar that leans on provenance instead of showmanship. Its exterior and signage feel earned, and the interior program doubles down on historical character rather than chasing contemporary trends. The bar's identity is anchored in atmosphere and drink traditions that predate the modern craft-cocktail era, so the room settles into a measured, cultivated mood. Rather than shouting for attention, it rewards people who appreciate texture: an established North Beach address where the design and the beverage focus are in conversation with the city’s drinking history.
Best For
This is a spot for people who appreciate a well-curated, historically minded cocktail program and a quietly local atmosphere. It suits couples seeking an intimate date night and neighbors stopping in after work, as well as solo patrons who want knowledgeable bartenders and thoughtful pours. The locale on Columbus Avenue places it among long-standing cafes, bookshops, and bars, so it attracts visitors who value continuity and subtlety over spectacle. If you prefer an evening built around conversation and classic drinking formats, this is the kind of bar you’ll return to.
Ordering Tips
Menus here tilt toward spirits categories and formats that reference pre-Prohibition American drinking culture rather than the syrup-and-precision aesthetic of the early 2010s cocktail wave. Ask the bartender about lesser-known spirits or pre-modern formats if you’re curious: the program explicitly engages with the historical and obscure. Expect recommendations that highlight age, provenance, or traditional service styles instead of novelty gimmicks; bartenders are likely to steer you toward drinks that illustrate the bar’s thematic focus rather than toward heavily reimagined craft-contemporary cocktails.
Venue details
Ambiance
Vintage-inspired Victorian saloon with mahogany and leather bars, low ceilings, blue wallpaper, balanced lighting—not too dark or bright—and classic feel.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Cocktail Bar
- Late Night
- Open Until 2am
- Music
- Live Music
- Live Music
- Yes
Signature Pours
devil's margarita
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe, Notable alternative
- Vesuvio Cafe, Notable alternative
- Osmanthus Dim Sum Lounge, Notable alternative
- 15 Romolo, Notable alternative
- Mr Bing's, Notable alternative
Bar context
How It Compares
Against Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe and Vesuvio Cafe, The Devil's Acre is the cleaner recommendation for a planned drinks stop rather than a purely historic North Beach hang. Specs and Vesuvio are better for readers who want the older neighborhood feel; The Devil's Acre is easier to position as the group's main bar choice when the night needs a bit more structure.
15 Romolo is the stronger cross-shop for cocktail intent, especially if drink quality is more important than being on Columbus Avenue. Osmanthus Dim Sum Lounge makes more sense when food is part of the plan, while The Devil's Acre is better kept as a bar-first stop before or after dinner.
For value and booking ease, Mr Bing's is the low-commitment alternative when the group wants a simpler night. Choose The Devil's Acre when ambiance and location matter more; choose Mr Bing's when the goal is minimal planning and a less curated feel.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Devil's Acre guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Devil's Acre
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| The Devil's Acre | San Francisco | No published awards |
| Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe | San Francisco | No published awards |
| Vesuvio Cafe | San Francisco | No published awards |
| Osmanthus Dim Sum Lounge | San Francisco | No published awards |
| 15 Romolo | San Francisco | No published awards |
| Mr Bing's | San Francisco | No published awards |
How The Devil's Acre San Francisco compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best time to go to The Devil's Acre?
The best time depends on your schedule. The Devil's Acre opens at 4:30 PM Tuesday through Saturday and at 4 PM on Sunday. It closes at 1 AM Tuesday through Thursday, 2 AM Friday and Saturday, 10 PM Sunday; it is closed Monday.
What's the crowd like at The Devil's Acre?
The Devil's Acre is a casual San Francisco venue with evening to late-night hours on its operating days.
Is The Devil's Acre open late?
Yes. The Devil's Acre stays open until 1 AM Tuesday through Thursday and until 2 AM Friday and Saturday. Sunday hours are 4–10 PM, Monday is closed.
What is The Devil's Acre known for?
The Devil's Acre is a casual San Francisco venue with evening and late-night hours on most operating days.
