Would You Believe

We checked out Would You Believe since it was close to where we had dinner and I'm so glad we found this gem. This bar is clean and spacious with bar and table seating, a pool table, and an AMI jukebox. Drinks are very affordable for SF standards ($12 cocktails!). Everyone we talked to in the bar was so fun and it was easy to make some new friends here. Our bartender Amanda was super cool, she created such a welcoming vibe. I even played a game of pool with the owner Gordon and I'll definitely be back for a rematch. Great vibes, service, and people here - Would You Believe is not a place to be missed!

"What high school did you go to?"Ifykyk.That's when you know a bar is hella SF. In early 2024, Would You Believe? changed ownership and had a facelift so I would ignore all the prior reviews (I would have given 3 stars back then). They're def more of a low-key cocktail bar than dive bar now. (Note: former owner, Shirley still owns Bottom's Up in The Excelsior).Signature cocktails are only $12 and during HH on Monday - Friday, 6 pm - 8 pm, they're $2 off ($1 off draft beer + $3 off well shots).I can't speak for their cocktails as I stick with sipping tequila neat or chilled. FREE freshly popped popcorn for the drunchies. All the staff (Randy, Gordon, Nick, and Robert) are super kind and customer oriented.Mix of high tops and bar seating with TVs for watching the game.Trivia Tuesdays and there's a pool league on Thursdays. 90s R&B playlist (digital jukebox). Overall, love the new and improved Would You Believe? for a low-key night. If you find yourself in Inner Richmond, hit them up!

If I lived in this neighborhood, believe me, I'd be here more often. Would you believe me? You should. I just happened to be walking out of the Rose Garden in Golden Gate Park and found myself on Geary looking at the sign. Because I'm, ahem, a bit older than your average Yelper, my immediate reference for the name was the catchphrase on the beloved 1960's old sitcom, "Get Smart".Agent Maxwell Smart would start a line to his put-upon Chief with "Would you believe...?" Well, I don't think this neighborhood bar pays tribute to the show, but there's a nice friendly vibe here where I could picture myself as a grizzled barfly going on about my favorite episodes of "Get Smart" to absolutely nobody listening. Fortunately I was in a more sober and congenial mood in an empty bar just as they opened at 6PM.What helped was that Randy was such a nice, patient bartender. I perused their signature cocktail list and immediately pounced on the $12 Marina Espresso Martini, which mixes Ketel One vodka, coffee liqueur, chocolate bitters, and Philz cold brew (photo: https://yelp.to/3MvDZD8TzH). Randy honestly confessed he had never made one before, but he did a fine job. Would you believe I got a second one to buoy his confidence? OK, would you believe...COCKTAILS - 4 stars...a fine espresso martini for a rookieAMBIANCE - 4 stars...comfortable neighborhood spot, more polished than a standard diveSERVICE - 4 stars...Randy did just fineTOTAL - 4 stars...a friendly watering hole that could open a bit earlierRELATED - Exploring the Richmond? Here's my collection of places I've patronized and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2HvkBu7

We were wandering the Richmond and found this cute cocktail spot! Not divy as you would anticipate. Pool tables (always fun) and amazing cocktails. Warm lighting and just bright enough to be a great date spot.The bartender was super sweet and she can make any drink! Very much enjoyed our stop in!

Under New ManagementFirst of all, Would You Believe? was closed for a couple of and have now reopened - sort of a soft reopening as they get the kinks worked out. Based on our visit, I would recommend you give then a shot (get it, give a bar a shot?) but go easy on them while they get into their groove.My summary: Would You Believe? is a good quality neighborhood bar with a friendly vibe offering good drinks at good prices. We will be backNow the details:Last weekend (before this weeks Pineapple Express) my SO and I zipped down Geary on the reliable 38 to pop into the Richmond Branch of the SFPL on 9th Ave. Books in hand we wandered back to Geary and being late on a Saturday afternoon I suggested we hang a right and get a tasty libation before heading home. We walked by Would You Believe? (WYB) and saw people inside setting up and I thought "it looks pretty nice in there" - but alas, they were not open yet. So we popped across the street to The Hearth, a local dive bar and had a couple 1 Plus 1's (a 1+1 is a basic cocktail like a G&T, vodka tonic, rum and coke, whisky highball, etc). Chatting up a couple folks there we asked about WYB and learned it was another neighborhood bar that had just reopened after being closed for a couple of months and there opened up around 6 pm.When we finished our drinks a little after 6 and headed out the door we saw that WYB was now open so we once again crossed Geary and stuck our heads in. It was pretty quiet and looked rather nice. Sitting at the bar we were met by a friendly bartender as we looked over the cocktail menu. Without going into the running commentary, I simply share what we learned.1. WYB has new owners. The reason for being closed for 2 or 3 months was the long process of doing business with the city in SF - getting a new bar license for an existing business, getting set up with distributors, etc.2. the interior is pretty much the same with some minor upgrades. That said, it looks pretty nice, has a quality pool table and a good sound system for the video jukebox and the several TVs they have for showing sports. Looking at the older photos on Yelp, it appears not too much has changed.3. The new owners have put together a nice cocktail list with specialty cocktails named after parts of SF. While my SO had what we call her holiday cocktail (bourbon and soda with a cherry), I ordered the specialty Negroni of the list - it was pretty good. 4. And prices are quite reasonable for SF. The specialty cocktails are $12. A quality non-well cocktail (Negroni, Old Fashioned, Old Tom, etc) at most decent places in SF will set you back $15-$22. The prices are in line with a neighborhood bar bringing in the locals.5. They have a nice selection of spirits, a decent selection of beer on draft and by the bottle/can, and a few good wines. If I remember correctly, they had at least 12 American whiskeys (bourbon, rye, and malt), ~6 Irish whiskys, and another ~6 good scotch whiskys, as well as 6 or 7 Japanese whiskeys. They offer plenty of variety in the other selects too (rum, tequila/mescal, vodka, gin, etc,).And finally, I personally would not call WYB a "dive bar" as it is labeled here on Yelp. To me it is a neighborhood bar - meaning it is inviting and friendly, they have good music playing (or pick your own), prices are very reasonable, and you and your friends can meet up for a few drinks, talk, play pool, and have a good night out. We will be back.PS: the official opening hours are 6 PM, but they open early for special sporting events. We were there the day before the 49ers played the Lions and they said they were opening at 3 for that game.PPS: I was wondering why the overall Yelp rating is low for a place I liked - only 3.2 stars. In looking at the reviews, it seems that a large number of reviews back in 2005-2010 that were 1-3 star reviews. So don't let the lower yelp rating fool you - things change in 20 years.

After putting my little pup to bed, I took my friend to one of my favorite Shabu places in the IR. Dinner was delicious and as our girl's day slowly coming to an end, our conversation turned from more serious to lighter topics. And with our bellies full and our bodies warmed, all she wanted was a nightcap. Since we were just steps away from a few bars, it was a bit hard to choose, but Would You Believe?? we came here.Lots of bottles lined the wall behind the bar, a pool table also occupied the space inside. Sometimes they have parties here, but on this night, it was quiet with just a few patrons. This place is managed by a pro who is known for her amazing cocktails, but my friend opted for the tried and true--classic Dirty Martini. Served in a beautiful tall martini glass with tiny olives. Perfect way to end our day fulfilling a fun day with some surprises, lots of good food (mostly), walks, conversations, and lots of drinks (somewhat). We bid farewell afterwards as a hired car pulled up to take her back to her hotel. Until next time.

Went here recently with some friends and it's always a chill time at Would you Believe! A solid go to spot and the music is always good. A special shoutout to Gordon for the great service and hospitality!

Stumbled in here, always on the hunt for a good cocktail in the Richmond! I can throw down as much beer at a dive as the next gal but sometimes you just want a cocktail. Would You Believe doesn't have fancy signage (does anywhere on Geary?) but is such a chill spot. There's high tops and a pool table plus the bar. My dude and I had some excellent cocktails here - an amazing Earl Grey old fashioned, the house take on an espresso martini, and an especially good Paloma. Sitting at the bar, it seems like a real local spot and everyone is friendly. Had a great experience with Amanda and Nick here on different nights. I see on Yelp that they are under new management and it shows...don't be deterred by old bad reviews. We'll be back for sure!

Jasmine is simply the best!Actually nice, REAL, a fantastic bar keep and beautiful to boot (inside and out) Coming back here just for her but also this bar is clean, has a rad pay by game poll table, nice seating, digital juke box and decent selection of booze. Cocktails with large maraschino cherries if that's your Jam #girlfrienddrinksFTW

One of the best "Dive" Bars in San Francisco! God rest John Fracchia, the original owner of Would You Believe!