Party like An Undergraduate on a Graduate Budget

By Sarah Kornfeld, Fall 2010

As students, we are always looking for a cheaper way of doing things, right? Less money to pay back in the long run; and, since we all need an escape from school at some point, what better way to explore San Francisco than by café/pub crawling your way from neighborhood to neighborhood one happy hour at a time? Since most of us don’t venture beyond the Boudin and Biscoff’s of Pier 39, now is a chance to learn a little more about what goes on in the city that we never have time to explore.

So, beginning right around the corner from campus, check out Pier 23, (pier23cafe.com). It’s a great place for live music even if the beer is not particularly cheap. Or, if you head there during the day, the huge outdoor area in the back is a great place to chill and study on the few sunny days we get around here.

Moving further away from school, and heading the other direction toward the Marina, Jovino on Union Street (jovinosf.com) is a great place to post up and get some work done. Also, the “jo” isn’t bad, and the vino is pretty cheap—especially the sangria when ordered by the pitcher—so it is the perfect place to transition from studying to relaxing. They also have a Sunday meal-deal that usually includes a healthy, hearty entrée and a drink. Plus, they have WiFi.

Continuing on over the hill from the Marina, heading into Pacific Heights, my favorite place to get a drink is Lion Pub on Sacramento and Divisadero Streets. While they don’t have an actual happy hour, they always have a full spread of cheese and crackers for free. All the drinks are delicious and made with fresh fruit (getting your vitamins, right?). I recommend the strawberry mango mojito, and then stack your plate with snacks and get cozy by the fireplace.

If Pac Heights just is not your scene, continue on down Divisadero, and stop at any number of places along the corridor, including Tsunami (dajanigroup.net), where during happy hour they offer half-priced sake and rolls. Or, head across the street to Fly Bar (flybarandrestaurant.com) for their happy hour that lasts from noon to 6pm, for discounts on pizza, soju cocktails, beer, and sangria.

Otherwise keep heading through Nopa to Upper Haight and go to Hobson’s Choice (hobsonschoice.com) for $2.50 beer and cocktails Monday-Friday 5pm-7pm. Plus, if you miss your undergraduate days where the parties had punch, Hobson’s Choice is your choice to take you back. And after trying each flavor of punch, you won’t mind that it has been so long since the good old college days.

Crawling along to the next ‘hood, Pacific Catch in the inner sunset is a place you won’t want to miss for fresh Hawaiian-style fish. The bartenders are fun and friendly and they have an extensive happy hour menu with discounted appetizers and drinks, from 4pm-6pm. Plus, if you are a sports fan, there is always a game on at the bar.

If you have not been to Ocean Beach, you should definitely make the trip. Not only are there beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean, and a beautiful sandy beach to lie on (bundled up in a jacket and blanket, of course), there are some great places to people watch and study (Java beach Café - javabeachcafe.com), and hear music (Park Chalet - beachchalet.com).

Just beyond the fine dining establishment, the Cliff House, you will find the Sutro Baths and the Land’s End trail, a neat place to hike around when you need an escape from studying. Once you have discovered the edge of our city, head right back into the center. In the Mission, Parea Wine bar (pareawinebar.com) is a great little nook with half priced bottles, $5 wine glasses, and $3 beers during their happy hour. And finally, after a long day and night of studying, pub crawling, and exploring, the best place in the city for the next day’s brunch is Lime (lime-sf.com) in the Castro. Be sure to make a reservation ahead of time as the place gets packed. The food is not too expensive and they have bottomless pitchers of Mimosas.

There you have it: A packed day of studying, drinking (on the cheap), and exploring San Francisco.