Toad Hall Bar

This bar has amazing music. That was the draw. So fun. HOWEVER, my phone was stolen within 20 minutes of arrival. It was zipped within in my purse and I was dancing with the purse in front of me. When I mentioned to the staff that my phone had been stolen (I have never had my phone stolen in 7 years), they blamed me for not being aware. Also, I was not informed about the disclaimer… apparently, it happens to girls all the time here. If you go, do not bring any belongings. Just your dancing shoes and dagger eyes for that fool that stole my phone.

Perfectly average dance bar that, no matter the crowds, generally has enough room to spread out both inside and in the rear patio. If you ignore any weekend cover charges, the drinks aren’t terribly priced, and the crowd here is more mellow and less self-​absorbed than at other neighborhood establishments. The music is generally OK too.
Overall, there’s nothing terribly special about this place, but it might be worth a stop if you’re doing a crawl through the neighborhood.

Rude staff who have no idea how to connect with other human beings. The security man is a power tripping wanker who will not make you feel welcome, grab drinks from your hand and shout in your face like you’re in the army. A militant prick! Wish I hadn’t spent my money in that place and me and my friends definitely will never be going back.

Dark Latino bartender with the black curly pony tail purposefully ignored me and my friend when we tried to order drinks at the bar. It was not like the bar was slammed either… (It was a Sunday night at 10:30 pm and at most there were 2 – 3 people coming up to the bar for drinks). It got so awkward that we had to leave the bar as we couldn’t order any drinks. I come here all of the time with my girlfriends, but will go to Badlands instead from now on…
I hope the owner knows that he just lost some business because his bartender was having a «bad day».

I’ve been to the bar before last night but, when I tell you what I witnessed; you wouldn’t believe it!
1^st situation: a guy bumped an employee out in the back patio drunken and rather carelessly. I walked out and witnessed the employee very angry and yelling at the patrons. He literally wanted to fight. I wouldn’t have known he was even an employee had he not been in work attire. The customer’s friends were trying to calm him down and he was just yelling at them. I wanted to locate his manger. If you don’t have the patience to deal with people and liquor AND crowds then why even apply for the job.
2^nd situation: after witnessing the craziness outside, I figured I’d give the bar another shot before simply leaving. I walk up to the bar and these two women are ordering from a bartender. I’m not sure what was the issue between them and the bartender but to walk up and witness the bartender pour a full drink out and tell the customer «there’s your drink B!*CH» I was in shock. The girls asked me if I witnessed it and they even snapped a pic of him. I couldn’t respond; I just left and ordered at the other side of the bar.
Seriously what is up with the customer service at this place? It’s very very rare to get treated like crap where you spend your money.

Darren, Darren, Darren! There is an adage in the community, «is that drink Castro-​worthy?» Toad Hall IS!

Recently spent a Saturday night out here with a friend and we had a blast. $ 2 cover fee isn’t bad so no complaints there and we didn’t have to wait in the line to get it so that was nice!
We were drinking cocktails all night that were pretty averagely priced. But the best part of this place is the dance floor! They play the best music from all the best current pop hits to classics like Madonna and Whitney Houston. We were dancing for three straight hours I swear! Everyone is having a blast on the dance floor and you just feel comfortable to let loose! I came here on a friends suggestion and without a doubt I will be back next time I’m out in the Castro.

My first foray into The Castro district was awesome bc this place has good music and decent drinks! Loved it!

Their 2 for one are the best. It’s always a pleasure coming here when visiting SF. It just has a good vibe. It was an outside patio so you can chill out there if you don’t mind chillen with the smokers lol.
There’s just one that really REALLY bugs me about this place and that’s not having any mirrors in their bathroom!!! Haha I know it’s lame but damn, how you not have a mirror? Mothafuckas do wanna check themselves out here and there. Geeez! But whatever, it’s not much of a deal breaker for me. It’s coo, I guess. :)
Oh and bring cash, that’s all they take. They do have an ATM machine in there though.
Other than that, enjoy their HH — two for one drinks. Come here when ya thirsty! Lol

I heard of Toad Hall for the first time because my friend told me they were having viewing parties of RuPaul’s Drag Race. I have not been to one BUT my friends brought me here after we got bored of the music at Badlands one Friday night. Toad Hall is much more laid back and chill. The music is not too crazy, and if you find yourself wanting to tone it down even more, there’s the outdoor patio at the back of Toad Hall. Similar to Badlands, the drink specials are very inexpensive. It’s just less crowded, which translates to… I like this place!

Apparently this is not a very friendly place! My daughter has a hip problem and had to sit down to rest after walking a distance, which may be a block or more. The MANAGER, of all people pushed her violently to move her away. How can this happen, this should not be allowed to happen! This is a public place of service after all.
I’m very upset about this kind of behavior! Especially coming from a «professional» bar keep.
I would appreciate a response from any employee, owner, or MANAGER!

I have been coming to this place since I’ve been of age to drink and I have had more good times then I can count but, It’s never occurred to me to write a review until today… When I got the worst service I’ve ever gotten at a bar. ESPECiALLY at a gay bar. In the midst of Sunday drinking with friends we wondered over to Toad Hall around 4pm because we all remembered having these amazing Baileys jello pudding shots. To our disappointment they weren’t available so we had to come up with some other options to continue tying on a tight one. I approached the bar and noticed some signage for a bottle of champagne for $ 15 and thought it would be nice just to buy a bottle for my friends and myself. So, (because it was ridiculously cheap and I knew it was not likely to be a #1 option I asked the bartender what kind of champagne) he immediately snapped back with «I don’t know it’s cheap. There’s a line» ummm excuse the fuck out of me but you are in the service industry dude! And I did not say any of the following: «is that $ 15 champagne as cheap as the Tijuana facelift you evidently had. Because they missed you’re turkey gobble» «Is that $ 15 champagne as aged as you are» «which is a bigger joke that $ 15 champagne or the fact that you’re 60 and in a muscle tee?» Immaterial superficialities aside. I knew that I was not getting a bottle of Krug or Tattinger or fucking Cristal but this is San Francisco. Sue me because I ambitiously and evidently very stupidly hoped to pay a 400% markup for possible bottle of trader joes featured cremant. I was elated at the prospect actually. And my
elation turned to intrigue And God forbid my intrigue turn into an inquiry. I am a bartender as well and I would be told to leave immediately if my boss heard me speak to a guest that way and as well I should. In conclusion I surmise that the amazing times had at this bar were due to the company I kept. Maybe the service was good before and maybe not so good but it fell to the background and allowed me to enjoy the experience I was having with my friends where as this experience in particular, drew all of my attention to the fact that I was being spoken to an unthinkable manner in the context of «service» I hope the bartender puts the 50 cent tip I left him towards a shirt with sleeves.

It’s a good place to start off the night when out with friends for a night of drinking. I generally try to stay inside because the back patio is full of smokers. Be ready to inhale endless smoke from cigarettes smokers. The dance floor is tiny but it works. Like I said, it’s a good place to start off before heading somewhere else to dance or finish off the night.

After getting out of Rifftrax Live, my friend who lives in the Castro said walk to Toad Hall. Sure, and thank you Google Maps.
First thing I noticed was there was no bouncer carding. Maybe the Castro is more laid back like that? But ran into my friend and some of his friends in the main bar area — typical layout with bar on one side, a counter by the windows, some booths on the far wall from the bar, and a large open area for dancing in between, with TVs playing music videos everywhere.
Not sure if it’s like this every night, but they had $ 3 well drinks. My friend joked how it was like cheap drinking in college again. It definitely tasted cheap and mistake-​y, just like college. The drink was vile, but you get what you pay for. Seriously, pay the extra $ 3 for Jack or just power through.
There is also an outdoor patio with its own bar, but that bar closes a bit early. Plenty of heat lamps outside. In either area it wasn’t cramped.
Some observations
–everyone knows everyone else
–casual, positive vibe in both rooms. Considering the view from just walking past the Badlands, I’m glad my friend picked here.
–I didn’t realize how hardcore the drag queen scene is. I know, Castro, Duh! But it’s another thing to have an Empress hopeful come in with fliers, fans, and stickers. To Deena Cartier, Imperial Crown Princess to the 22^nd reign, Imperial Star Empire of Alameda — you have my vote.
–Trying to explain Rifftrax and Mystery Science Theater 3000 was more difficult than powering through the cheap drink.

Watered down drinks and the music isn’t that great either. The only reason I would come back is for the hot bartenders!

Another fun-​filled Friday night in San Francisco with my co-​workers, who have quickly morphed into my drinking buddies.
We got to Toad Hall at around 11:30, and the place was hoppin’. There was a $ 2 cover charge, which was kind of a bummer, but the drinks were pretty cheap, so I can’t complain too much. A DJ was spinning some awesome dance music, and there were TVs playing the accompanying music video of whichever song was playing.
I met some lovely people. There are so many friendly folks. Granted, bars in the Castro tend to have some of the sweetest, most genuine human beings.
I did not felt weird or creeped out here, except maybe when I went in the bathroom and some guy was peeing with the door wide open. I get it, unisex toilets are the best option, but I really wish people would lock the door behind them.
Be warned: the bouncer may check the inside of your purse or backpack, so make sure you leave your assorted party favors at home.

This was the first gay bar we stopped at in San Fran and we all had a blast. The place isn’t huge, but definitely big enough to boogie with your friends. The music was great (mainstream pop) to dance to and the people were very friendly. Drinks weren’t expensive either. I think I may have paid less than $ 6 for a long island! We went on a Wednesday night so it wasn’t overly crowded and it was just a perfect amount of people. No cover!
FYI — They only accept cash.

I got my phone stolen here. Its super shady, and they crowd is rough.
Other than that, the drinks are CHEAP ($ 5 for a Long Island). The music was great, (stereotypical gay bar music aka Britney and Ke$ha). And the atmosphere was pretty fun in the front area.
The back porch area though, thats some real talk creepy crowd of seedy looking individuals who may or may not steal your phone.

im giving this place 4 stars b/​c I had an amazingly great time!
Despite of the weather, it was our first night in SF, so might as well go ALL out!
It was me and my «mean girl crew» (four of us total)
One of my friend’s, he’s originally from the bay and always partied in the castro. So he took us here.
From what I remembered, it was packed and drinks were stiff. It didn’t matter to me, I was already intoxicated, haha!
I met 2 cool new instagram friends!
I guess everywhere in the castro is CASH ONLY! which kind of sucks!
Friday night was a blast!

Came here with some gay friends for some drinks and to see what the queer scene is all about here. (disclaimer: I’m straight)
Parking is available on the street.
Cover is only $ 2.
Even though this place is a gay bar, I’d say easily 20−30% of the people were straight couples.
There is a patio area in the back that is covered, but is technically outdoors.
The music volume was quite good, as was the music mix. The dance area is decent sized but it was pretty full. We ended up sitting on the side, where it is less cramped. There are plenty of mirrors lining the walls, which make the place look a bit larger.
The Long Island iced tea I had was $ 5.50, which is decent for a nightclub.