The Cinch

If you're looking for a vibrant and inclusive spot to hang out in San Francisco, look no further than The Cinch. Located on 1723 Polk St, this dive bar with a gay-friendly atmosphere offers a range of amenities to cater to its diverse clientele.

The Cinch is known for its welcoming ambiance, with outdoor seating, a pool table, and a jukebox to keep guests entertained. Whether you're looking for a casual night out with friends or a fun happy hour experience, The Cinch has you covered. The bartenders here are praised for their friendliness and attentive service, ensuring that you have a great time during your visit.

Happy customers rave about the drinks at The Cinch, with special mentions for their Guinness pour and lemon drops. The moderate noise level and good for groups setting make it an ideal place to gather with friends and enjoy a night out. Plus, the free Wi-Fi and TV add extra convenience for patrons looking to relax and unwind.

Despite changes in the city's landscape over the years, The Cinch has stood the test of time, preserving a piece of San Francisco's gay culture on Polk Street. So, whether you're a regular or a first-time visitor, The Cinch promises a memorable experience that will keep you coming back for more.

Next time you're in the neighborhood, make sure to swing by The Cinch for a taste of its warm hospitality and lively atmosphere. A visit here is sure to make you feel right at home and leave you eager to return for another round of drinks and good times.

The Cinch Menu

Location

Address: 1723 Polk St San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: (415) 776-4162

🕓 Work Hours
MON 10:00 AM - 2:00 AM (Next day)
TUE 10:00 AM - 2:00 AM (Next day)
WED 10:00 AM - 2:00 AM (Next day)
THU 10:00 AM - 2:00 AM (Next day)
FRI 10:00 AM - 2:00 AM (Next day)
SAT 10:00 AM - 2:00 AM (Next day)
SUN 10:00 AM - 2:00 AM (Next day)

Business info

  • Reservations
    No
  • Accepts Credit Cards
    Yes
  • Accepts Apple Pay
    No
  • Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Casual
    Yes
  • Moderate Noise
    Yes
  • Good for Groups
    Yes
  • Pool Table
    Yes
  • Street Parking
    Yes
  • Free Wi-Fi
    Yes
  • Juke Box
    Yes
  • Best nights on Thursday, Friday, Saturday
    Yes
  • Happy Hour Specials
    Yes
  • Full Bar
    Yes
  • Smoking Outside Only
    Yes
  • TV
    Yes
  • Not Good For Dancing
    No
  • Bike Parking
    Yes

Last Reviews

  • Author: Daniel A.

    28 March 2024

    Happy to see this place is still going strong! Tuesday happy hour was pretty packed! Haven't been in, in a very long time. Used to come here all the time back when I lived in the neighborhood. Now that my office is only a 15 min walk away, I plan to come back much more often. The bartenders were super nice and attentive. Very respectable pour and prices. Diverse crowd. Love it!

  • Author: Kevin G.

    25 December 2023

    Best place. Best guinness poor. Best lemon drops. :). Haven't had a bad time in 8 years

  • Author: Hastings P.

    26 November 2023

    I only recently discovered The Cinch this year, and omg, it's amazing. The decor, the vibes, the back patio, and the staff are all amazing. I went last night for my birthday with a group of friends, and the bartender who helped us, David, was unbelievably kind and thoughtful and made us all birthday shots. And then when we were leaving and I was thanking him, he told me how nice our group was and was just overall incredibly kind and welcoming. Trust me, my entire group could not have higher praise for this bar, we had such a great time and we'll definitely be back!! Thank you!!

  • Author: Ed U.

    13 July 2023

    You make me feel mighty real You make me feel mighty real Oh you make me feel mighty real You make me feel mighty real It's hard to envision nowadays, but Polk Street was the city's gay mecca back in the '70's. The Castro gradually took the title, and there's nothing left of the gay culture on Polk. Except this one bar which has miraculously survived and is now the city's second oldest gay bar (next to the glass coffin, Twin Peaks Tavern). I had not been in ages but stopped by to see if it changed. Nope, it looked pretty much the same. Still looked like a saloon decorated during the Watergate era with rainbow draperies slung over the ceiling. You still open the vintage fridge door to use the urinal trough. The back patio and pool tables were still here. Plenty of room at the long bar late in the afternoon as the regulars were all huddled close to the front door. No frozen drinks served here. This was no tiki bar. Never was. Not quite a dive though. Too much character and frankly too welcoming for that moniker. All cocktails were $10. Music to my ears. Also Tina Turner on the jukebox. She's simply the best. The Mai Tai was pretty good, too, not too tart (photo: https://bit.ly/44mWJjo). So was the Makers Mark & Ginger (photo: https://bit.ly/44o2rkS). For the good times DRINKS - 4...can't beat ten bucks, and their Mai Tai was pretty good AMBIANCE - 4 stars...vintage and kinda cliquish SERVICE - 3.5 stars...some bartenders were nicer than others TOTAL - 4 stars...needs to stick around to keep the Polk Street gay legacy alive RELATED - Exploring Nob Hill? Here's a collection of places I've visited reviewed: https://bit.ly/2IfTVOB

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