Hockey Haven — Restaurant in San Francisco

Positive: Neighborhood bar with a great backyard that is dog friendly that could have easily hit four or five stars due to it's hidden gem type of appeal.

Negative: A bartender with a completely unnecessary and over-the-top attitude. Wife asked for a cocktail and bartender said they don't serve cocktails and "it's not that kind of a place". Asked for an amaretto sour instead thinking it could be simpler to make and bartender again said they don't have it and "it's not that kind of a place" and then asked the owner(?) if they had amaretto and sure enough they didn't. I finally asked if they had rum (she said yes) and if she could make a simple rum punch and she said "well we have rum and we have some pineapple juice and mixers" and then after looking around at the patrons seated at the bar, said for the third time "it's really not that kind of a place".

Now the patrons didn't seem to give two hoots about all this which was cool but she kept making an unnecessary big deal out of repeating that line "it's not that kind of a place".

Ok I get it, you are a cool divey place and have a reputation to uphold but maybe an easier and friendlier way to respond could have been... no we don't have those cocktails but what if I made you drink Blah or drink BlahBlahbittyBlah instead which could be close to that taste...

I haven't been here for awhile, decided to give it a second chance..... unfortunately, nothing has changed. Nice place, attentive staff, and good service...but the crowd here is just too insular. I go to A LOT of bars by myself, and I've gotta say that this place is WAY too heavy on locals that know each other AND guys who would rather screw around on their phones rather than converse. TV's are located at the end of the bar rather than at the center, further inhibiting good chitchat during sporting events. Weird layout....weird clientele...there's a half-pint in front of me, and when it's gone I probably won't return. If you live in the 'hood, it's probably worth edging into if you're looking for a neighborhood pub....but if you're from somewhere else? .... (Scratches head, finishes pint, heads...

I never would have gone here if I wasn’t recommended it. To be honest, it is not pretty to look at from the outside! However, looks don’t matter at this place. Hockey haven is a true locals bar. It has such a fun mix of surfers, hipsters, people who read at the bar, old hippies, Richmond families etc - and everyone seems to get along here. They sometimes do specialty drinks like big alcoholic Capri sun style pouches. But I like it for the affordable beer and friendly patrons. There’s a back patio where you can smoke if that’s your thing. I can’t wait until...