The Cinch

We were walking and my wife’s feet started hurting so we figured lets stop in to this rustic cowboy looking saloon and grab a quick drink.
At first it seems like a dive bar where people pass out at like 3pm… but then you sit down and order a drink from the bartender and all of a sudden you realize oh, this is a gay bar… then you look around and you see all the hard cocked pictures and you realize this a REALLY gay bar.
The bartenders are super sweet and the pours are as stiff as the cock pictures on the wall.
They had a sign for $ 1 wieners but that was probably a joke.
It was a fun place for a drink and I would for sure go again.

Great gay bar in San Francisco, it’s a good place to spend night with friends or couple. If you’re looking for a drink and nice people, well this is your spot.

In the midst of SantaCon, the Cinch came to the rescue. The wait was only 15 minutes, when other bars on Polk ranged from 30 minutes to an hour. The bartenders were quick and efficient seeing as it was packed from wall to wall. The music, decorations, and hundreds of Santa’s really spiced up the atmosphere and made for an already enjoyable SantaCon 10x better.

Friendly bartenders and people, good drinks and the right kind of raunchy atmosphere. It’s easy to hangout here alone or with friends. I appreciated the music, too. Everything from old school Beyoncé to newer pop. This place is comfortable and fun. Not an upscale lounge — more on the divey side.

Great place to chill and hangout! Please note that this review is solely based on the atmosphere itself rather than the bar experience, as my friends and I did not order any drinks. My friends and I stopped by late on a Friday night after coming from a club because we wanted to hang out somewhere more low key and wind down for the night. We decided on this place based on the Unilocal reviews. I was surprised to find that the bar was not so packed, especially a bit after midnight on a Friday night, but definitely did not complain coming from Mayes down the street. I liked that the bar offered a chill, divey experience rather than a lounge/​club. People looked like they were enjoying themselves, casually socializing, playing pool, and hanging out. I met a few cool folks visiting from out of town and played pool with them, which was so much fun. Overall, I think this is a nice, low key place to hang out if you’re a local or visitor. It’s truly a great break from the Castro «scene,» as this place is in fact a gay bar but really doesn’t seem like one.

It is a great local bar with a mix of people and they do have an outdoor spot to sit in, but there are one too many freaky people here. I am not a big bar person but this place does seem to have a regular crowd that enjoys each other and the space.

Good drinks however one of the staffs has problems with customer service skills. It’s like class in summer time… no class attitude.

Snotty bartender, Eric… can’t make a Manhattan!!! What good is a bartender who refuses to tend bar, just throw money on his direction and be content with whatever SWILL he decides to throw in your glass. I guess the «owners» must’ve thought they were lucky to get a pretentious peacock to preside over this pile. Sorry this is so long, but Unilocal wouldn’t let me say, simply, «don’t go here if you want a real drink.»

Fun place! Really great for Day Drinking, as the millennials call it. They open at 6am, I think. The modern jukebox is fabulous.

True dive bar. Got 2 beers and whisky for $ 14. Friendly staff, cool patrons. Awesome and friendly bar for all, however if you are homophobic… Not for you. Got a giant Seymour plant from little shop and f horrors in the back. Def suggest the bar any night of the week. Went on a Sunday and Monday

I have always loved The Cinch since I moved in SF in 1998. Unfortunately, they have hired a bar back who thinks it is ok to be rude to paying customers. He literally said tonight, «Every gay man in San Francisco is gross.» And didn’t bother to apologize when I pointed out that I was one of those gay SF men to whom he was referring.
I doubt I will ever step foot in the bar again. Very sad to know someone is running me off from someplace I have loved up until now.

Great environment. Nice bar with pool tables in the back. People are friendly and drinks are cheap.

Nice atmosphere and great drinks, except the crows it isn’t for everyone. To those, fashion trendy boys from NY city or Paris, the city of Fashion, this place isn’t for you. It’s mellow, and welcoming atmosphere here. Nice place to hang out with groups of friends or u can just be here to look for a nice meal. You’ll likely get it if u r young and cute because most people here at 40s or 50s, lots of 60s during week days. Lol… peace

Thank you Mikey, Eddie, Leslie, David, Eric, for making my life better one Jameson shot at a time. Love you boys! Been coming to this little gem for almost ten years and I’m so proud to call The Cinch my Cheers! Nostrovia Mutha Fxxxrs!!!

It was one of the dirtiest bars I have been in (and noticed) in years. Unfortunately this was AFTER we had already ordered a round of shots. The lemon wedge with it tasted nasty… like it was stewing in something rotting.
I love taking pictures. So I’m often looking up when we’re in new places «with character». The skylight was casting a gorgeous glow on the dive bar… and that’s when I noticed the Great Dust Bowl of SF! Floating in the air I was breathing. A nice breeze was coming through the open front door. The flags overhead we’re waving their soot-​covered-​selves tauntingly. It was all I could do not to vomit as we threw cash on the bar and practically RAN to the nearest exit
After the great food next-​door, super disappointing. And disgusting.
Mr.Taffer, I have your next Bar Rescue ready for invasion!!!

500^th review. And aptly so for the Cinch Saloon — my «local» if you will.
(Yes technically I cross over 2 neighborhoods and a hill but I’m still gonna call it thatl)
This is gay Cheers where truly everybody knows your name. The bartenders are lovely and I’ve met so many wonderful folks here over the years including many who have become dear old friends. Yes it has its fair share of crazies and it can be rough around the edges but the imperfections are endearing when you factor in the many wonderful (and colorful) characters that walk through those doors daily.
I guess all that is left to say is thank you Cinch. For the many, many, many pitchers of beer I’ve consumed. For the outdoor smoking patio. For free pool Wednesdays. For accepting credit cards. For the many potlucks we’ve shared. For hotdogs and beer bust Sundays. But thank you definitely for the people.

Here during the World Cup for the USA game. Lines out the door at every neighborhood (straight) bar. We asked to turn the sound on for the TV playing the game – which everyone in the bar was watching. (We also asked everyone in the area if they were supportive of sound. Unanimous.) Response? «We’re not doing that unless it’s the Super Bowl or the World Series. There’s always 2 ppl who don’t like it. We need the jukebox revenue.» Truly pathetic! Jukebox makes $ 20/​hr (their number) – we’d have been happy to pay that for some sound.
This bar must be benefitting from some grandfather effect with licensing. Won’t come back here.
Also, we ordered food from a menu of the Jewish deli that shares common ownership – they keep it behind the bar. When we tried to place an order: «This is a bar. Not a restaurant.»
Bottom line: I have been in SF’s 30+ different gay bars. This is hands down the bitchiest shithole of them all. I’m shocked it’s open. NEXT!

My first time here and I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Everyone one is so friendly. Great «dive bar» atmosphere. Gotta love all the artwork and pics on the walls. The drinks are nice and strong (to me anyway LOL). Eddie is the best bartender EVER! Such a sweedtheart. I will definitely be back!

I meannn I’m straight and I had a good time here! I really like the space in the back and the booths too.
Yes there are some older and younger gays, but I saw tons of girls here too.
I am a fruit fly though so I love these kind of places ;)

Friend 1: «hey this place is kind of dead
Friend 2: «did you notice that it’s all dudes here?»
Friend 3: «I think we have the only females in this bar from our group»
Friend 4: «so did you notice the flag outside?»
Friend 5: «ok im going over to Bigfoot»
me: «haha, you are all so confused, yet you live in SF?»

If you’re into divey spots this one won’t disappoint…
Crowd was a mix of younger and older people… loud music with a pool table…
The overall staff wasn’t particularly friendly and the vibe was a bit annoying so I didn’t think too highly of this place… too many people who don’t know how to control themselves when they have just a bit of alcohol.