United Nations of Beer

Amnesia, San Francisco

by Luke Terlaak Poot
(CA, USA)

Amnesia
San Francisco, CA, USA

Located on Valencia in the Mission, Amnesia is among the best beer bars in the neighborhood, and perhaps the city as well.

Their draught selection isn't particularly jaw-dropping (represented by some popular local micro-brews, as well as your standard belgians: Chimay, Leffe etc).

More enticing is their selection of bottled Belgians (and Belgian styles). A healthy showing of fine Unibroue beers makes up the cheaper tier; from there the bottled menu ramps up into bigger, bolder (and more expensive) Belgians.

The atmosphere is relaxed, more so here than in most beer bars in the city. Glowing red bulbs cloaked in ragged red drapes cast major vibe rays down from a high ceiling.

It's a small, narrow place, but there's fairly ample bar space, all things considered.

At night when the band is playing it can be loud as shit (depending on what kind of band they have at the time), so if you're just looking to take a glass I recommend showing up on the early side.

The service, in my experience, is spectacular. Despite the location and clientele (hipsterific), the men and women behind the bar display absolutely none of the snarky smirkiness I usually associate with the cooler-than-thou crowd.

Always smiley, helpful, and generally well-informed about what they're serving, these guys are all alright.

A quick example: some friends of mine and I stopped into Amnesia San Francisco upon a Friday evening to take a glass or two after work.

After about two sips of her Prohibition Ale (a local beer from Speakeasy), my friend reached across the table and accidentally tipped her glass over, spilling the better part of her beer on the table.

When she went to ask for a towel to wipe up the spill, the bartender asked her what she was drinking, and then poured her another full pint, free of charge.

Just a classy gesture from a bar that obviously appreciates beer and beer-loving customers.

Amnesia San Francisco is well worth a visit.