Bender’s Bar and Grill

This bar is a Mission institution. However, much like Zeitgeist, the staff is very unpleasant — I’ve been going for over 10 years and am always super nice but no one remembers me. The food just *barely* doesn’t give you the runs since the new kitchen started. That said, I always go every Wednesday cause the drink combos own and the crowd is remarkably entertaining. Sometimes a bad thing is good no matter what.

Benders is all you could ask for in a dive bar. Cheap (ish) drinks, extreme bar food, chill atmosphere, bike racks (!!). On a Tuesday night the place was perfect for our group of 10+ cyclists to relax and catch up over the holidays. Got a big table no problem. Staff was friendly as were the other patrons. Like I said, very mellow though the music was a little loud.
Got the «tot-​chos» — nacho toppings poured over tater tots. Couldn’t see so well in the dim bar but this was no gourmet stuff. Good but not gourmet. The only downside to this dish was that covering crispy tater tots seemed a waste since they just got soggy.
Also couldn’t pass up the deep-​fried oreos. Batter not so great but warm gooey oreos were excellent. I won’t be ordering those again any time soon but they were worth trying. Just a little too much to have very often. Probably best after you’ve had a few more to drink.

2 Pool tables, hanging bicycle racks, the menu looks good (I didn’t try any food), service was fast and friendly. Good beer list and selection of liquor. My bourbon & soda was in perfect proportion. A hidden gem in the mission!

Such a great dive bar. Off Mission, so not crowded with tourists. Plenty of great brews on tap, including Pliny the Elder and some good stouts. Pool, pinball… haven’t tried the food, but it looked great and I plan to on my next visit. Good people and good vibes.

Oh Benders, you are my soul sister (or brother) of a bar… mostly because we share the same name and mostly because you are amazing. The first time I went here the friendly bartender gave me some free Benders swag after seeing my last name was Bender (yay!)
I found this place when I was looking for a good spot in the mission thats not very «missioney.» Bender’s is everything you would expect from a great dive bar, its a bit dark, funky décor, pool tables and a great little outdoor patio to relax on a nice day. Benders always has a great selection of beer on draft (for a great price) with super friendly bartenders and a good crowd. Come Sundays and enjoy the «free BBQ» on the patio, from my experience this usually involves some staff member grilling up burgers in between drinking some beers. My only compliant is that I have never been able to eat here (despite hearing some great reviews about the grub) seems like the kitchen has odd hours/​another time I went the kitchen was closed for some reason.
Regardless, Benders is my go-​to spot in the mission when I am looking to relax, have great cheap beer and not have to deal with the typical crowd down in the mission. Cheers, Benders.

I have absolutely no memory of this place, but I did find some photo-​booth photos from here in my backpack the next morning, where I appear to be very happy indeed, so I guess this place was great!

These burgers will literally knock you d*ck off. The wings are killer. And shamelessly fried pickles. And tots.
Yes, Unilocal is full of hyperbole, by my statement stands.
The grill takes credit, bring cash for the beer because the bar is separate. Great divey joint, pool, music, space, the works.

When I asked my friends if they’d been to Benders, both responded by saying ‘nahhh that’s not my scene’. Ohhh okay. Because yeah, I roll up on my vintage purple harley, with chaps on all the time. My bad!
Yes, it is a classic biker bar in the city but do not be mislead, this joint is for everyone. If a glitzy gal from L.A. can roll up in some chucks and grab a pint, I’m pretty sure you could too. I don’t know about hipsters though. The bar maid might throw you some shade along with your pint.
Two pool tables, a little space for a small band to play and ample room for drinkers and revelers, make this corner spot a favorite of mine. The beer and liquor selection is sure to satisfy a range of preferences. They pretty much have it all! Not to mention the Counter Offer serves up delicious food! The new Bent Burger was finger licking good. It’s a messy one filled with jalapeños, American cheese, onions, some crazy delicious sauce called louie and crispy BACON!!! Tater tots on the side seal the deal. You must try it! Don’t worry veganites, they have a really nice selection for you folks too. Be sure to peruse all of the driving licenses screwed into the tables for a good laugh. I am so thankful I was not old enough to partake in the 80’s hair trends. Lord!
Everyone here is extremely friendly. The bouncer might look as though he’ll eat you if you look at him the wrong way, but hey thats his job. He’s really nice. Come check it out for yourself.

The bartender with all the tattoos, wearing the beater and beret was extremely racist. Out of nowhere, he told me to get the F out and said I wasn’t welcome there. Not sure if he was just drunk or always racist, but his behavior shocked the rest of my group. If you like white supremacist bars, this is the place for you.

Great dive bar with awesome food. I was told that the burgers were the best in the city, tried one, and can definitely say that it was one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. The staff were also very nice. My girlfriend wanted the gumbo but they ran out, so she ordered something different. They then realized that they had made a new batch, so they gave her a side of gumbo absolutely free for her to try. Dog friendly too which is a plus. I will surely come back.

Of course this bar requested to remove my review. Unilocal,you want a more detailed explanation of the incident? Here it is. PG-​13.
Me: Excuse me, this isn’t a Racer 5. Can I please get a replacement?
Bartender: *yelling* Honey, I poured you a Racer 5.
Me: Please don’t call me honey.
Bartender: *grunting and huffing/​puffing*
Me: Can you please take a taste? This is not even an IPA.
Bartender: *yelling* HONEY, I DON’T EVEN DRINK IPAs AND I KNOW THIS IS A RACER 5.
He takes a taste. Grunts. Pours a taste of Racer 5 from the tap. Slams it down in front of me.
Bartender: *yelling* DRINK THIS AND TELL ME IT’S NOT THE SAME BEER.
Me: *takes sip* It’s not the same beer.
At this point, the bartender SWINGS his arm across the bar at me, knocks another patron’s drink into his lap and yells, «B****, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PISS ME OFF.»
Me: You just knocked his drink over and you’re blaming me? All I did was ask for the beer I ordered.
Bartender: GET THE F*** OUT OF MY BAR.
Me: F*** you. All I did was ask for the beer I ordered and you flipped out. This is incredible.
Bartender: B**** DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THIS OUTSIDE?
So, after being threatened with violence — both with a fist coming across the bar and a threat to fight me, a woman, outside — I returned to my table. At my table, there were 2 people who had tried my beer and also confirmed, no. This is not an IPA. Those 2 people also tried to reason with the bartender at which point he said, «She told me to F off.» I said, «You tried to hit me from across the bar. I want my money back.» Of course, the bartender refused. And the worst part? The middle-​aged white men drinking by themselves at the bar said it was 1) my fault he swung at me and 2) told me I would never drink on 19^th again and if I did, I should be afraid.
So, 1 star for the funky ambiance. And 1 email to the ABC of San Francisco to report the bar for violence against patrons.

I love this place. Dogs can chill inside if they are on a leash, really nice bartenders, $ 2 PBR, and free BBQ on Sunday. People seem to be really laid-​back and non-​pretentious. I hit up one of the karaōke nights and it was a fun time, lots of people in good spirits and I heard an excellent cover of the Patrick Swayze classic «She’s Like The Wind». 5 stars!

Great atmosphere and friendly staff. The food is fresh (unexpected in most bars). Had a burger which was handmade, not frozen patty. The garlic tater tots were tasty. Music is offbeat classics by other people and enjoyable. One can hear it very week but not blaring. Happy I tried out this place.

Three stars mostly because the menu changed and I went there wanting specific items. The atmosphere was cool, but service was kind of slow.

Love Bender’s. Been coming here for as long as it’s been open. Awesome food, good drink prices, nice patio, good bands and even a loaner motorcycle helmet for when you get lucky. Johnny and the crew always do me right and it’s even got an epic jukebox and good pinball machines. Enough said. Cheers!

The best dive bar in the City. The best burger in the City. The best bartenders in the City. The end.

Worst service. Chef is rude and took a break right after I ordered just because I didn’t fit the grungy poser Independent skater/​tattoo artist/​Victory (not even Harley-​Davidson) rider/​noir hipster/​fixie riding/​greasy hair/​Converse Chucks wearing/​trucker hat wearing gentleman that they serve. My dude was wearing basketball shorts and a tank top like he has a league game at De Lores right after his shift.
Not sure if he was trying to fit the role of «IDGAF» new rockability hipster that’s overtaken and genetrified the Mission. But he’s doing that well.
Food — Sucked. I’m pretty sure the cheese wasn’t properly refrigerated because it tasted like how an old freezer from 1981 would smell like.

I usually hate hipster dive bars, but this one wasn’t so bad. Bartenders were on it!
Good margaritas and awesome tater tots.
Nothing else to see here except hella city lumberjacks with pointy beanies. :)

A classic, spacious dive bar on South Van Ness. Bring cash, as it’s cash only and you don’t want to waste $ 3.50 of your HEMs paying the ATM. The bartenders and bouncer are a little rough around the edges, but pretty nice and offer fast service.
Sometimes there’s live music, there’s a photo booth and a pool table to keep you entertained, and a small backyard area, mostly for smokers. The food from the kitchen is actually pretty dank, considering just how divey this place is. Tater Tots and Mac n Cheese always make me happy, and the Bent Burger is a keeper with plenty of jalapeños, bacon, and cheddar.

I tried Pliny the Elder for the first time yesterday. I had been hearing rave reviews about it, and they were right. Me gusta! I would definitely order this beer again.
The bartender was super nice and actually smiled a lot, which is a rare sight at most dive bars in the Mission. Most of the staff at other establishments seem kind of surly and snobby, especially to folks who don’t adhere to the hipster handbook. This girl was really sweet! Bosses of Bender’s, give her a raise.
From about six until seven, my friend Phil and I sat around, sipping our cold beverages, admiring the strange artwork on the walls and talking about pervy things. It was a great way to cheer me up, seeing as how my Wednesday had been particularly unpleasant.
Cheep beers + great tunes + cozy booths + cute dogs + vegan menu options makes me a really happy camper.
I need more Bender’s in my life.