The Blue Light

415-501-9210

1979 Union St San Francisco, CA 94123

bluelight.citysearch.com

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Categories:

Bars & Pubs, Neighborhood Bars, Singles Bars, Sports Bars, Restaurants

Details:

Specialty Cocktails, Happy Hour

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Daily 4pm-2am Kitchen: Mon-Fri 5pm-10pm; Sat-Sun 12pm-10pm

Message from The Blue Light

The newly remodeled Blue Light combines an upscale cocktail lounge setting with classic bar fare. Daily food and drink specials and all major sporting events (Full NFL, NCAA and Major League Satellite Packages) have helped to make The Blue Light a favorite San Francisco location for over 12 years. Don't miss any of the daily specials including Taco Tuesday! Kitchen Hours: 5-10 pm Weekdays 5pm-12am Saturday 5-11pm Sunday Bar Hours: 4pm-2am Monday Thru Friday 11am-2am Weekends We Open Early For Special Events Open 9am during football season

Editorial by Citysearch

The Scene
As the work day ends, this narrow space fills up. A slightly elevated area near the entrance provides blue-upholstered seating in front of picture windows offering prime people-watching onto bustling Union Street. Walls are painted copper or baby blue and adorned with picture-framed mirrors (ideal for scoping 20- and 30-something hotties across the way). Track lighting runs above the lengthy mirror-backed bar, which features a dozen or so tap beers and Skyy vodka martini specials scrawled in cursive. In back, there are a few blue booths and a pool table.

The Draw

Each weeknight offers different deals. Tuesdays feature $1 tacos, $2 Coronas and $6 pints of sweet top-shelf margaritas. Thursdays, the early weekend crowd is privy to select menu items and beers for $3 each. Ten TVs showing satellite sports games are typically kept on mute, while the jukebox pipes out feel-good tunes--everything from Funkadelic to Blind Melon.

Key Points

  • Cocktail lounge atmosphere
  • 14 Hi-Def Flat Screen TV's
  • NEW Late Happy Hour 10-11pm

The Inside Scoop

  1. When to Go - To get a seat during the week, arrive before 7pm. Due to the daily specials, it gets crowded virtually every night.
  2. Parking - There's a pay garage on Union Street near Webster.
  3. Look Good - Dress to impress--this casual hangout is the quintessential singles bar.
  4. Know Before You Go - An American menu with offerings like burgers and salads is available (Monday, Wednesday-Friday 5pm-10pm; Saturday-Sunday 12pm-10pm). On Tuesdays, only tacos, fajitas and quesadillas are offered (5pm-10pm).

Editorial and merchant content by Citysearch

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Insider Pages Reviews for The Blue Light

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Welcome

by marty c. | insider_expert Insider Expert | Rank: 3,059

Good sports bar and sports bar fare. TV for major events viewing draws good but not rowdy crowds . Enjoy the ribs wings tacos and burgers.The staff is friendly and cheerful.

Posted 02/03/09 | Report Abuse

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Great sports bar

by Laura M. | insider_guru Insider Guru | Rank: 354

This is a great sports bar with a good menu. The staff is very friendly and the food is great. They have a full bar with plenty to offer and the prices are below $10 for most items.

Posted 11/15/08 | Report Abuse

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Latest reviews from Citysearch.

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Really cool bar!

by KirklandReviewer

This is a terrific after work joint. Crowded with lots of good looking people. I went there last night and had a blast. Check it out if you are in SF.

Pros: Good looking people, great drinks

Posted 09/01/09

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Cold beverages, tasty app's and good jukebox

by mark

We went to the Blue Light the other night with co-workers after work. Always a fun time. We sampled various app's all which were tasty and the Fat Tire's were ice cold. Also, the juke box has a large variety of tunes which is great. They've added a Wi game in the back which seemed very popular.

Posted 09/23/08

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Great Service, Great Fun and Very Client Focused

by careyonmyson

I have been here a few times and each time it is a very fun and very different experience. The one thing I do like as that even when the bartenders are slammed, they still make certain to take a look around and see if you are running low on your beverages.
They are so accommodating that one time, one of the bartenders- Lance knew I was driving some friends and offered me coffee since I wasn't drinking that night but he wanted to make sure I was having a good time.
Next time I go back I am making sure someone else drives so I can really enjoy myself.

Pros: Nice decor and very comfortable. Not a boring, nasty ordinary bar but one with charm

Cons: Gets pretty busy so make sure you are ready to get cozy with your neighbor (not always a bad thing)

Posted 09/03/08

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Favorite late night hang out

by DeBritton

I make the Blue Light a regular stop on my late night tour of the city. The bartenders and staff are always very friendly and concerned that you don't leave without having a good drink or story! It isn't trendy; it just has that neighborhood bar feel to it unlike many others on Union Street. The food is good, there's always great music playing and on the weekend you can dance in the back! This bar is a regular meeting place for me and my friends as it is comfortable and close to many other destinations we like to frequent!

Pros: Very friendly people

Cons: Parking - except for late night

Posted 04/15/08

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Neighborhood institution! Great place to meet friends!

by jillmattperry

Visiting San Francisco from New York for the first time in a few years,
I went to the neighborhood Blue Light, a staple in the Marina, which
welcomes everyone! The menu is simple but delicious....something for
everyone. The bartenders remain the best in the city. Drinks are strong.
Prices are reasonable and I don't feel like I get that yuppie attitude.
Friendly atmosphere will definitely have me back again.

Pros: No attitude. Menu has something for everyone. Great happy hour.

Cons: Can get crowded late night

Posted 01/06/08

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Hottest bartender on Tues

by macel

I met the most wonderful and hansom bartender Elliot. He is a perfect fit for the taco tuesday craze that happens every week. He will be a star in this town for years to come...

Pros: Elliot the bartender

Cons: the crowds

Posted 09/23/07

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Best Place to Chill

by bpax

I think blue light is one of the best bars in SF. The wait staff never seems to let me down. If I order a beer they usually ask me, "what kind?" Isn't that great? I met my wife at blue light in 05 so I always feel like I should drop a huge tip when I order there tacos on tuesdays. My wife orders SIX! She needs to cut back but they're so good! I always like to liven up the dance floor when I hear the dj play hits like 2pac and John Denver. That's where I met my wife by the way, she was on the dance floor dressed as a naughty nurse. But don't worry it was Halloween. I love Blue Light...see you there!

Pros: Cheap Drinks

Cons: It gets hot when it's hot

Posted 06/26/06

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The Blue Light

by rosylyn

Whether it is in the beginning of the night or the end, I always seems to have a great time here. I love Tuesdays and recently our group has started going in on weekends. There always seem to be attractive men around...which is good for us. I love the beers on tap-always cold-and actually the drinks are the cheapest in the area. It is a great deal for food & cocktails. Afternoons are great too & Super Bowl should be a blast. Hope to see you there!

Pros: Inexpensive, Great staff, attractive interior

Cons: parking

Posted 02/03/06

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Taco Tuesdays!

by ukgrad04

The chicken tacos are the best! Service is fast and friendly, even when it's packed! The only drawback, only one stall in the ladies restroom, but, the wait's not too bad.

Pros: Service, Staff

Cons: restroom

Posted 09/19/05

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centaurio

by justine

I love this place. Every time i come, Ican never seem to leave. The staff are all pretty nice and attentive.This has been and still is my favorite bar in this area. I actually met my present boyfriend here, and can name 4 other women who have done the same. I also love the Blue Light salad- check it out.

Pros: Inexpensive, Great staff, Good food

Cons: late nite crowds

Posted 07/28/04

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the bluelight rocks on...

by funloverinsf

After outgrowing many of the bars on/around Union St, the Bluelight still rocks. It's a great place to meet friends for a drink when you want to totally chill on Mondays & Wednesday and they have amazing drink specials. Those days you realize how nice the inside is (quite loungy). Tues, Thurs & Weekends are bit rowdier but still fun. The bartenders and some of the regulars there are great. There is a reason why this bar has been around for so many years and continues to do well!

Pros: great atmosphere, good drinks/specials, nice place to hang

Posted 03/03/04

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Cool place to hang and Tuesday...

by carmelsfo

is fantastic for Taco Tuesday. Bartenders are friendly and the overall bar is way cool. Great place to hang after work and the weekends. Good value to.

Pros: Lively Crowd, Taco Tuesdays, Great Martinis

Posted 07/02/03

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What Stamina!

by elliot72

After going to the Blue Light for the past 10 years, not much has changed. The bartenders are still sociable and a lot of fun, the drinks are still relatively cheap, and the mood is still that of a bacchanalia.

Pros: Relatively Cheap, Good Looking Crowd, Unpretentious

Cons: Sometimes Too crowded

Posted 12/08/02

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Blue Light Shines

by shakarian

Blue Light has the feel of great local tavern while displaying signs of modern elegance. The young, good looking crowd hangs here! It's the place to be.

Pros: Inexpensive, Happening

Posted 08/20/02

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Cool Place For All

by careyrutig

The Blue Light never disappoints when it comes to a fun, lively and curious crowd. I have been to the Blue Light numerous times and I find it one of the more refreshing places to hang out whether watching a sporting event, stopping off on my way home, or just hanging with friends and the staff. Speaking of the staff they are always helpful, friendly and attentive.

Pros: Fun Crowd, Great Staff, Great Location

Posted 07/25/02

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Afternoons of Fun!

by CatReview

Recommended for any afternoon of the week but Taco Tuesday is my favorite. Arrive before 5:30pm to secure a seat at the bar; leave before 8:00pm. I go for the fun bartenders and regulars; they always a fun story to tellask them about New Orleans.

Pros: regulars, bartenders, specials

Cons: late-night kids

Posted 07/24/02

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Biggety Blue Light!

by scroddum

Yes, it's young. Yes, it's trendy. Yes it's yuppie. But if you are too, or if you don't mind being around those who are, this is a great bar! Extra-shtiff drinks and great bartenders makes this a favorite for me. The barkeeps can be very generous with the regulars too! Try Taco Tuesday for cheap drinks and eats and a good crowd.

Pros: drinks, food

Posted 07/23/02

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