Latin American Club
3286 22nd Street
(between Bartlett St & Valencia St)
San Francisco, CA 94110 (415) 647-2732
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 6:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Fri-Sat 5:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Sun 6:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Street
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Best Nights: Wed, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour: Yes
- Alcohol: Full Bar
- Smoking: No
- Coat Check: No
426 reviews
Neighborhood: SOMA
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161 Reviews for Latin American Club
Three people warned me about the drinks here and said to drink slowly. I didn't listen and now I'm at work and hung over and my heads hurts.... I think I need to hang out here more often.
Bartender service was a bit chilly but at least she's got a good pour!
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Pinatas hang from the ceiling. A giant chihuahua that is 7 feet tall stares at you from the wall. A sign telling you that any drug use will not be tolerated.
Strong drinks, a cold bartender with an icy stare, and a bar tab that came to what! You've got to be kidding me. That's it? You mean I've been overpaying for Ketel and crans everywhere else in the city. C'mon...you're pulling my leg. Inexpensive drinks all around.
Ended up leaving this place pretty close to DOMA. In case you didn't know, "drunk off my ass." A good feeling.
You can bet your box of twinkies that I'll be back.
I've always had a strong drink served to me here, which is something i find exceptionally charming.
This is the kind of place where people who went to Europe and really like to talk about it come to drink and listen to Regina Spektor. Those two weeks became a really defining aspect of their character.
Also the decor is super 'precious and quirky'
This place is my new fav in the hood! The drinks are super duper strong.. the crowd is eclectic.. and the bartenders are great..
Total dive! but awesome!
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This is my favorite bar in the Mission. I love the weird decor (faded pinatas, cuckoo clocks, etc).
Was there on Saturday afternoon and a motorized trolley with tourists stopped in front and everyone piled out onto the pavement. Actors then proceeded to recreate some sort of obscure argument that happened many years ago. The entire tour group went inside for a drink and left the actors out front throwing shoes at eachother in front of my husband and I. It was very strange and only added to the oddity of the place.
I like this place. Great bloody mary's, friendly bartenders, cool decor, fairly mixed crowds. Well, relatively mixed. I always think it's a little funny that it's one of the whitest crowds I've seen in a bar in the Mission, but varies in age and scene enough to not turn me off to it.
Me (after ordering a drink): Hey, can I please have a straw?
Bartender: Um. We actually don't have straws here.
Just then the cutest black-white speckled mutt named Zero trotted by me to make his way through the crowd.
I love this place(!)
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Do you know what a large gerbil sign has to do with Latin America?
I don't. But I do know that it's pretty much the coolest bar decoration ever. I mean, who DOESN'T want to get trashed and stare at a gerbil? Well, unless it gives you flashbacks to some 90's frat hazing incident that's still costing you mucho bucks in therapy.
The gerbil sign was probably the reason we came here. Of course, the fact that I'm laying low from the Elbo Room after a "barfed on the bar, isn't she on Yelp?!" incident awhile back, didn't hurt either.
Reasonable* prices and a trendy** crowd.
Nice place to chug a pint of anchor steam or sip your whiskey soda. Unsure if you should keep drinking or switch to water? Just look above the door: the red lighted letters spell "S I N." If you can read them, then you are too sober.
I highly suggest bringing a very cute boy to Latin American Club, not only to get wasted with while staring at the gerbil, but also to keep other vermin at bay.
*as in "5ish dollars for a drink"
**as in "surprisingly high chance of bumping into a lawyer dbag who led you on months ago and never called you back." *cough*
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Another awesome gem of a bar in one of the coolest neighborhoods I've been to anywhere. From the cool vibe, to excellent microbrews, to the chihuahua art on the wall, this is a great night spot with personality.
$5.50 will get you cocktail that will knock you on your ass served by a bartender with a bad attitude. Pick your poison...
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Aside from the awesome decorations and of course the prime location, which in and of themselves would be enough to hang out here regularly, the drinks are also inexpensive and well made. They have a monstrous margarita that will knock your sox off. But its also just a great spot to hang with friends, before, after or even during a meal (they never complain when I bring a quesadilla suiza over from farolito to enjoy with my massive margarita). Its no wonder I'm there so often!
Why am I always the only Latin American here at the Latin American Club... something is wrong with that.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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04/06/2008
I have been here once. But I liked that one time a lot. I was asked by two complete strangers to be… Read more »
Easily missed when ambling through the mission. High ceilings are dotted with hanging pinatas of all shapes. A bit understaffed with just two bartenders on a Saturday night. Fair drink prices, greyhound + vodka martini = $9, though the cooler glass for my drink was a bit on the anorexic side. Took awhile to figure out where to pee, no signage above either bathroom door. Apparently taggers have attacked nearly every square inch of both.
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Two biggest realizations after a night spent at the Latin American Club:
1. I should probably have a BUI.
2. I am a ninja-gangster.
These two epiphanies, which struck me at the exact same moment, were themselves the direct result of 3 moments earlier when I struck a car wheel with my bike pedal on Valencia, after numerous beers at the L.A. Club.
Reason for realization #1:
I had been shouting some inebriated garble at my friend who was 10 yards back, when all of the sudden I hear "BRANDON LOOKOUT!!!" I looked up just in time to keep myself from doing a face plant into the hood of this stupid car (which was rather inconveniently parked where I was trying to bike... sheesh, the nerve of some people). I was not, however, quick enough to keep my foot from knocking into the tire, and sending myself soaring over the handlebars.
Reason for realization #2:
Without missing a beat, my ninja-gangster skills kicked into awe-inspiring action as I stretched my arms out in front of me super man style, tucked and rolled into a little ball of ninja-gangster-like fury, and popped back up onto my feet like it wasn't no thang but a chicken wang.
p.s. Don't try this at home, kids, that was the work of a ninja-gangster professional. So always wear a helmet, and remember, only YOU can prevent forest fires.
p.p.s. No cars were harmed in the making of this Yelp review.
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I'm reluctant to write this review because I would like to keep this bar a local secret. The female bartendar with the short curly hair makes the best (aka strongest) drinks. They are famous for their margaritas. I go for the cosmos. Just make sure you don't have more than two on an empty stomach!
The decor is electic. The clientle is just casual. Great place to just hang out and chill.
BEST STOUT I HAVE EVER HAD.
PERIOD.
Seriously - - it was full of chocolate and coffee flavor, but it was beer - meaning it also had alcohol.
Latin Club has a big bar and a really retro feel to it, bordering on being divey - but still has a lot of character. I rather liked it, and the music was also good. We happened upon it because we'd had dinner at Esperpento (all of us), and Latin Bar was right across the street.
Twenty of my friends and I came in, and we lined up almost all of the tables and chairs to make ourselves comfortable. A few got up to buy drinks for most and all commented on how strong their drinks were.
Excellent.
I noticed they had at least 5 or 6 beers on tap.
Excellent again.
Of the tap beers, I chose the stout.
Don't know the name, and don't know the price, but I know it was THE GREATEST STOUT THAT HAS EVER TOUCHED THESE LIPS.
After a weekend of nonstop wine drinking in Napa, I cannot begin to tell you how good this tasted!
Edited to add: Found out the name by going back: Old #38 Stout! Yummmmm!!!
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Where in the hell is the siding from my church house? Oh, it's dangling from the ceiling of Latin America along with the pickup truck piñatas.
Between the gerbil on acid, the random dog paintings on the walls and that they don't have straws makes this place pretty cool. It doesn't strike me as a "party my balls off" type of bar. Most people there were muscling down cocktails and having good conversations. I like that they don't serve wine in wine glasses. Nice touch.
Don't half step. Don't ask for a straw with your cocktail.
Latin American Club, huh? Don't lump this place in with the Italian American Club or the Irish Cultural Center; you might be a little surprised when you arrive. This is the neighborhood bar with the neon horseshoe sign outside. Why not just name it "The Horseshoe?" Oh yeah, the Marina got to it first. Whatever.
The crowd is fun and energetic; definitely a different hipster crowd than say...Casanova. I get the feeling the crowd here wouldn't judge me for going to Fluid (see next review). Or for liking Justin Timberlake. Or for not voting for Nader. No one here is trying to hard, and I love that. While were on the subject of first impressions, try not to make a sad face when you fork over 6 bucks for a small-ass cocktail. The bartenders at heavy-handed and the drinks pack some punch!
The decor is festive with the ceiling full of pinatas and the Dio de Los Muertos feel. Also, I become an instant fan of places that offer outdoor seating. LAC is not the kind of bar I would trek across the city for, but definitely hit it up when barhopping in the Mish.
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Latin American Club is a place that you probably have walked past a thousand times and not ever known it. It's closed during the day, but at night becomes a mecca for hipstery drinkers. The interior is funky - pinatas with x's over the eyes, funky (huge) Chihuahua portrait art, a science poster on how to prevent alcoholism. There are tables and a bar and the ambiance is steps above Casanova, as are the drinks. I had a very refreshing lemonade with vodka.
The name has nothing to do with this place at all (that I could discern). There was probably no one in there from Latin America, but it was pretty boisterous - people yelling and singing and tripping and dancing...the atmosphere is chaotic, relaxed, and fun...
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This is what the mission used to be all about. Cheap drinks that are strong, friendly, efficient service (though new york like in attitude). Large selection of drinks. Excellent place. Music is not loud most nights so you can hear yourself talk. Great spot for just hanging with friends.
I can't believe that I've lived so close to this bar for so long and had never been there until a few days ago... but I made up for it by going two nights in a row!
When you're not in the mood to walk down to 16th, go to the Lone Palm for the 800th time, or deal with the Marina spillover at Medjool/Laszlo, this is a very good alternative. The crowd was chill, unpretentious, and the drinks were ridiculously strong.
The owners should really get an easier to see sign, though.
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"My Dad Comes Into Town For Business With Some Friends and then Proceeds to Drink Me Under the Table" Part 3
I have a love-hate relationship with hanging out in the Mission. And by "love-hate" I mean "pretty much hate, but I have to go there so often because that's where everything/everyone is so I convince myself there is some love there just so I don't have to hate myself too terribly but it can be hard to sleep at night sometimes I won't lie to you." The Latin American Club, however, fits more into the category of "bar I hate to love" as opposed to "bar I love to hate." It can get horribly crowded so sometimes the idea of going here makes me cringe, but as far as the Mission goes (which is ALWAYS too crowded on weekends) I've actually had decent luck here. And especially if you're able to grab a table, you're set. The decor is a ridiculous hodgepodge of hanging things, the crowd is diverse, but mostly young and hip, you almost always overhear some hilarious conversation in line for the bathroom, drinks are decently priced and they aren't stingy with the booze. I HATE TO ADMIT IT, but I think this is actually one of the few places in the City that I've been to a bunch and still managed to never have a bad time which is REALLY hard for me as I can be hard to please and like to make things difficult for myself - just ask any of my exes! (please don't.)
So when my dad was in town with his friends and the new boy had just met up with us at Kezar's and my dad's friend Andre is all "SHOW US WHERE THE ACTION AT" and I'm all "BITCHES CAN YOU HANDLE THE ACTION????" because I am pretty drunk at this point, what with company picnic plus baseball game plus two rounds of drinks and two rounds of shots with my DAD (don't forget that part) and all, not that I need an excuse to talk like a sailor in front of my dad, though he'd probably prefer that I "watch [my] fucking mouth" (GOD WE think we're SO FUNNY (SHIT I lost track of where this sentence needs to end!))
ANYWAY so there is a resounding "yes" to the question of being able to handle it, so we get in the boy's car (he's a trooper/keeper let me tell you!) and go to the Latin American. This is where things get a little fuzzy for me, but I remember we got a table, got some good drinks, my dad and the boy tried to sing a Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash duet except the boy couldn't remember the words but that was fine my dad was too busy doing his terrible/fantastic Bob Dylan impersonation to probably notice anyone else, Andre made some more friends most likely, Geoff by this point was just laughing, I might have been asleep on the table - GOOD TIMES. As per usual.
ANYWAY, in addition to just being solid, I have to thank the Latin American for really saving my ass in the eyes of my father and his friends who after the Alembic debacle and the mediocre bar experience of Kezar's might have been starting to think that I am uncool. The Latin American redeemed my image in the eyes of my father AND pushed me just over that edge of drunkenness for the evening such that I was able to trip on the sidewalk and end up with a bloody knee - my life and family are awesome!
Woohoo! As good as it gets!
For the Mission.
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After not so great experience at Amnesia and Beauty Bar, this was a really good turn around. The place wasn't so packed and definitely chill, though we couldn't find place to sit. No biggie.
One downer, they didn't have SoCo! I ended up getting Jack and Coke, which was STRONG! They ain't joking. I felt like I got my money worth though.
I kept wanting to beat the shit out of the pinatas and imagining if they're filled with alcohol. Oh dear heaven!
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Pinatas = hangover symptoms
Directly proportional, mathematical.
Proved, at least three experiments.
I don't remember clearly the first two.
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After escaping from the SoCal scene that is Medjool was totally refreshed by this place. Nice, random Bay Area crowd and decor. People were mingling and having good times. Ordered 2 rounds of drinks with friends, bartender number one was kinda cranky because I asked for water after she poured up the drinks which was kinda baffling...her tap was right there :( (Otherwise this place would have 5 stars). The second round, the other bartender was really nice and poured us generously stiff drinks. I shall return...
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One manhattan, down the hatch!
Two manhattan, down the hatch!
Bathroom break. Nice blurrry people in line.
Another manhattan? Did I make it a batch?
Smear of city lights out of the cab window.
Wake up with a trail of clothes from the front door to the bed.
...
Yup, I like this place.
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Strong-ass margaritas with salty rim. Check.
Cool-ass bartenders with salty tongue. Check.
Spotting Matt Gonzalez here hitting on young girls...Um, check?
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If the margaritas were any stiffer here they'd be in a drawer at the morgue. There's a thin line between a refreshing adult beverage and a pint glass of poison. I vaguely recall a pinata mocking me. Beware.
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Alright, first things first. I liked this place and I will be coming back and while I am potentially risking spit in my drink for this, I can't not comment on this one retarded aspect of this place and that is....straws.
Apparently, LAC is too cool for the straw carrying school which honestly amuses me to no end. I happen to like straws for more than just their mixing value. I like to pick them up, bite them, twirl them and most of all, I like to wrap my lips around them and not have to touch the glass at a bar.. Why? Because, I don't know how well their glasses have been cleaned. I don't know who's hands have been on what, but gimme a straw and I don't care about any of that. Maybe it's stupid, maybe it's dumb, but it can't be any dumber than the attitude I got when I asked if I could have a straw....
"Um, we don't have straws."
Whatever chief.
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Three words: giant hamster cutout. The giant hamster is crucial to understanding the overall Latin America Club experience. While it might be random, it is surely awesome. I love sipping on a drink, gazing at the hamster and wondering why? I suppose it doesn't matter why... What matters is it's there.
I'd hit that again.
Had a fun time at Latin American despite it being Wednesday night - though to be honest I don't remember if there were other groups there. Unlike Stephy S. I really don't need straws with my whisky ginger's, and given how strong those drinks were (seriously...seriously), there are compelling reasons to return. I imagine that window seat would be a lot of fun on a weekend night.
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I imagine I'm not much of a "Mission" guy, but as it's one of the "cool" neighborhoods in SF, I tend to find myself here on many a night during my visits here. I came with a few members of Team CM who weren't ready to call it a night after dinner. I'll echo Nish on the strong drinks - many points there. But I don't know - yeah, there's pinatas and a giant hamster cut out, but other than that, I found this place rather unremarkable. I did get into a big, rather heated debate about the importance of voting, and perhaps freaked out a few of my co-workers (what can I say, I'm a passionate guy). I'm sure on the right night, this could be fun, but the random Tuesday we went did not impress.
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Latin American Club, your bartender is SO SURLY.
But he pours strong drinks, even if he gives me a dirty look when I order them. (Come on, a gin fizz doesn't deserve that evil of a stare!!!)
You will have this place to yourself on weekend nights before like 9pm, and it will be great. It's fairly wretched when it is crowded, though.
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This is an almost perfect neighborhood bar. Strong drinks, very heavy shoot pours and I mean very heavy. In fact I would recommend shying away from doing shoots there at all unless you have a strong desire to fall down or vomit outside as I have been a witness to these occurrences there. The only downside is there wine selection sucks and that is usually my poison of choice. Love the decor. I do however have secret fantasies of ripping apart all of the pinatas. shh... don't tell anyone.
Whoa! They pour a strong drink at this place! The night went something like this:
Round #1:
"Hi. Could I get a Grey Goose and tonic and a Sapphire and tonic, please?"
Round #2:
"Hi. Could I get a Grey Goo an ton and a Sapphire and ton, peez?"
Round #3:
"Hi. Cuh getta Grgoo n ton un a Sapph n ton?"
Round #4:
"TAXI!"
Oy! Who knew you could get so much vodka into such a little glass!?!?!?!
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Again people, why go to dive bars if you are lookin' for something like AsiaSF? Just don't do it! The one review below, about the surly dude, is probably the owner who also bartends at the latin - and word the the wise, don't request vodka redbulls, they don't have it, won't serve it and find it offending to be asked for it.
My review: I love the dodgy places, the place is a dope watering hole, you can stand outside, they have prosecco and I heart Pinatas. Oh, one more thing shouties to Jill & Dan - you R to the OCK.
Okay so I am totally not a hipster by any stretch of the imagination. But I felt totally relaxed and had a great time at this place! The decor is off the wall with the giant pictures of chihuahuas and the pinatas all over the place! If you are in this area you should definitely check out this bar!
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Awesome decor, and really friendly bartenders. It seems like a place I would like to drink at, but good luck hanging out there on the weekend. We stayed for one very, very cramped drink, then fought our way through the crowd to the fresh air outside. I will have to revisit this place on a weekday trip.
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Let the lilly-livered be forewarned "Lead-Hands" lives here! There's no room for humor with him, only business. He could be considered more of an undertaker than a bartender...but who's complaining? Quietly I think his cousin is the bandana-neck chef at Tu Lan. After your fifth stiffy don't be scared by his pinata minions. Keep it cool and remember they really are just inanimate objects.
Arrre!
Epiphany number two. There's a simple truth to the Mission for a boy, we're a tyranny of cads. To regress momentarily whilst I give light to this theory, in this world there exists two types of boy - the dad, that of paternal behavior and burgeoning resources. His shirt beckons a broad belt, and never one to shy away from an elaborate crotch adjustment - as though to imply the weight of adulthood is his to know alone. Then we have the cads, we lack staying power, ambition and smarts - but we gots the razzle dazzle. Evolution stymies serendipity - girl goes for her dad.
There's an end to be reached, but not yet.
Pre-conclusive-copulation this girl wanders into the Latin American Club. She permeates the need for a zipless fuck, bitingly put as "a sexual consummation, presumably with a cad, so quick, so spontaneous, and so "in the moment" that unzipping isn't even called for." And we reach our purpose. The platonic ideal.
"A perfect encounter in which zippers fell away like rose petals, underwear blew off in one breath like dandelion fluff."
This is modern love.
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