November 25, 2009
The great Toronado! And I don’t mean Zorro’s stallion. It is surely one of America’s finest beer bars and definitly one of the top ten in my visitation list. Having read the previous reveiws I knew one visit could not suffice. On my recent trip to the Bay Area (see other reveiws), I hit it my second night there; it was a Thursday; it was packed. However, the Beer God was looking down for, magically, a stool became available. Let the show begin with .... Russian River’s Blind Pig. Followed by a sweet Racer 5. Delish! Now the atmosphere - there really isn’t one. This is for drinkers. It is a small room with an average sized bar for about 20 folks. There are high tops behind you as you sit at the bar. Above it all, as you face the rear, is the Happy Board, upon which is written the names of the world’s finest beers - did I mention they had Blind Pig? I returned for lunch several days later on a Monday prior to an anticipated tour of Anchor Brewing. You can eat here; just step next door to Rosamunde’s Sausage Grill and bring it to the bar. Did I say delish? It was a quiet afternoon with about a half dozen regular quaffers enjoying some peace and quiet in the Haight. Following my tour at Anchor (Excellent BTW), I hopped onto the 22 bus and made my way back. (Incidentally, the 7 bus goes right past the front door.) It was busy, but not too ... I got a seat and spent several wonderful hours in beery bliss. The beer is great and for the most part cheap: $4.00 for most of them - this does not include the Belgians, of course. At Toronado’s Happy Hour, the beers are even cheaper ($3.00). Oh yes - it’s a short (20-minute) walk from the exceptional Magnolia (See Reveiw) My one gripe is that there is’nt one on the East Coast; another gripe is that I had to leave. [Sigh] While I can’t speak for Tony Bennet, I can say that I left MY heart at Toronado. (You knew that was coming, right?) And to quote the Governor: "I’ll be back." (You did at least know that one was coming?)

October 22, 2009
Their tap selection is generally beyond compare, and they are the first place in the area where I remember trying stellar brewers like Dogfish Head and Port. Impossible to complain about that! They also host some great events, including a stout festival a while back that was incredible. great events. The downside is generally lousy service and a crowd that can be UGLY DRUNK (including a guy who semi-works there). The happy hour prices are amazing, and the prices in general are fair. Despite the generally iffy service, when it’s not too crowded and you are able to talk beer with the bartenders, it can be very informative. They seem to have a great bottle selection, but I never really get past the taps, as they are so plentiful.

September 23, 2009
Now i know the service is a little sketchy and the rock on the jukie might put the less prepared on the back foot but I loved this place. The attitude is very much ’if yr here, you’d better know yr beer’ but its weirdly welcoming at the same time. Awesome selection of beer on tap all displayed on a massive board at right angles to the bar. Happy hour must have been there when I was visiting - $3 i think for domestic beers. Cider on tap too which Ms Snuffla was pleased with. Operates an fairly cool bring yr own food policy so you can go out at buy some takeway food and bring it in - recommend the sausages from next door. 4 nights in SF and here for 2. Regret that it wasn’t 4. Great bar

September 1, 2009
I loved the fact that you can take the local food in, and that they even collected my basket at the bar and returned it to the sausage shop next door (the sausage shop is amazing--I had a duck and fig sausage that was to die for). The beer selection is fabulous, too. Wow, so many great taps to choose from, from hand-pulled English-style ales from California to multiple Russian Rivers. I loved the prices. I loved the ambiance (beer paraphenalia in extremis). On the flip side, I hated the noise and the crowd, though we were fortunate to find seats at the end of the bar. Also, I hated the attitude--the tips I received being "know exactly what you’re going to order" and "don’t make any comments"--the bartenders HAVE thrown out people just because they don’t like you. I could do without that crap. But undoubtedly a beer mecca, deservedly so.

August 28, 2009
Visited last month (July 29th). Read about it here and in the GBG West Coast USA book. Wasn’t busy when we arrived, stared at the beer list for a while before trying my 1st Pliny (loved it). Barlady was terse, but in a humorous way (I was accused of being a spy, taking pics with my phone!), had a friendly chat with her in the end (about her wanting to visit the UK), she gave us some great samples and great advice on what to have next and we loved her! The bar is rammed with taps, all (as is the case in the states) beautifully decorated and even spotted a few hand drawn pumps at the end of the bar. The walls are covered in beer paraphernalia and tons of the decorated tap handles. The bogs are covered in graffiti and are awesome for it. I can’t remember how much it cost but what ever it was it was more than worth it. Wish I was a local. This is, hands down, my favourite pub experience of recent years! Its dark, its cluttered, its unapologetic, its awesome.

August 22, 2009
I wasn’t sure if this place was for me; I’ve heard soooo many stories of the bartenders being horrible and it didn’t seem to fit my temperament. Well, we walked in on a Friday afternoon so it wasn’t completely packed. Took a look at the beer list and ordered... no problems at all. Our bartender was friendly and efficient. I thought the tap list was good, but it wasn’t spectacular. The bottle list was off this day as well. No prob as it was still cool to visit and I did get a couple great beers.

August 10, 2009
The Pros: Great beers. Amazing beers. They know and love their beers here. The location is great, the ambiance casual and comfortable, and the beers! Did I mention the beers? The Cons: Did you ever see the Seinfeld ep about the Soup Nazi? Same thing applies here. The bartenders are downright MEAN. Try to order and if you don’t order in time, they move on. Catching the bartender’s attention is damn near impossible, and if you do expect some verbal abuse. I have a thick skin, and I’ve spent time in NYC - so I can put up with it. But the thin skinned may not like it.

August 6, 2009
Visited on July 31. It is a great place that at first is a bit intimidating, but then quickly becomes a comfortable home. Bartenders were very nice and helpful, even providing us a few tastings that others were not getting. Beer selection was fantastic as is expected and well-balanced between types. No food but you can easily pick something up from the multiple selections on the street. Highly recommended.

August 6, 2009 [ Updated August 7, 2009 ]
I cannot rave enough here to do this place justice - it is AWESOME!!! As a weary traveller on his way home to Oz I asked the barman for his hoppiest US IPA. I was refused - in the best possible way - by being advised that I should work my way up to #1. So, after a Racer 5 and a Blind Pig I was treated to a Pliny the Elder (at which point my good wife popped in from shopping to check on my welfare - responding to an invite to have a whiff of Pliny she replied "it smells like dope"). I’ve read some not so great comments on here about the service. All I can say is that I was hugely impressed with the dude’s friendliness, service and knowledge. At around 12 noon on Saturday the place was relatively quiet and hoppy hour meant my 3 awesome pints cost me US$3 each - now thats value!!!! Locals at the bar were real friendly too - offering me tastes of their brews - dark IPA included. I just wish I’d kept room in my luggage for more Plinys!!!! Do yourself a favour - catch a bus to Toronado and enjoy the best session you’re ever likely to have. If only it were my local!!!

July 18, 2009
To me, this is the ultimate American beer bar. This is the standard by which I judge all other beer pedlars. It’s the Tor-freakin-nado! This is the place to try some of the most delicious and distinctive beers from around the world, but especially from the West coast. Taps are well maintained, glasses are clean and everyone is enjoying beer - what else could you possibly want in a beer bar. It might be too unrefined for some - who? I’m not sure, but my mom likely wouldn’t like it. I’ve been going there for almost 20 years and the decor is unchanged or updated and has settled into a perfect west coast saloon. The only reason it doesn’t get a perfect 100 from me is because the service can dip from time to time and it takes some slippery moves and sharp elbows in order to not have to wait forever during busy moments.