Vesuvio Cafe — Restaurant in San Francisco

People of color and real allies, do not support this bar and the disgrace it has become.

One star for the history. One star for the decor. This used to be my favorite bar in San Francisco. Any trip to North Beach would require a stop in for a least one drink. When my first book of poetry was published, friends surprised me here to celebrate.

Things have changed. At a talk as part of the City Arts & Lecture series, Barry Jenkins was recently talking about making his first film, Medicine for Melancholy, and articulated something I've felt since being here. He said that when you're Black, "being in love with San Francisco is like being in love with someone who doesn't love you back."

I joined two friends and my girlfriend at Vesuvio this past Saturday (10/13/2018) after performing poetry in ILS Lane as a part of a fundraiser. Those three had gone about 15 minutes ahead of five other friends/performers and myself because they needed to use the restroom.

When I arrived, they were sitting at the bar and had just been served two drinks. I came in and spent about 4-5 minutes trying to catch the attention of the bartender to buy a round of drinks for the other five friends and myself because we had just wrapped up the event. I couldn't get his attention, I assumed, because it was busy and decided to wait until he came closer to respect his hustle.

At this point, two white women approach our little group at the bar. I note that they are white because with the exception of one, everyone else in our group was either Black, Latina, Egyptian, or Afro-Latino. The two women strong armed though the group and say that they were sitting here and point to two drinks covered with napkins. One of the women in our group, asked why they were gone for so long, and they respond that they'd gone to smoke but that we need to move because they've had a long day.

I asked why they thought they were entitled to the space after having been away for nearly 20 minutes and they again referred to the napkins over the drinks. I asked about couple next to us to confirm how long they'd been gone, and they responded, "definitely over ten minutes." So then another woman in our group said that she was comfortable in the seat and asked them to find another space. The two women then push through and take one of the seats from a woman in our group who was sitting.

We asked the bartender, who finally came over, and he decided that because they had left drinks before leaving that they were indeed entitled to these spots and shooed us all away.

Now, I get that the two women had probably been drinking and that explains why they were so rude, but the bartender was sober and the majority of our group hadn't even gotten the chance to get drinks yet. I was disgusted. Because it wasn't the type of atmosphere that this place is historically known for. What that bartender did was suggest that drinks for two white women was better than serving drinks to eight people of color. I told them that if that's what they were seriously choosing then I wasn't even angry at them, but I would never drink there again.

And I won't. I hope other people of color, creatives, and allies will join me and take your business to Specs across the street...

Every time I visit San Francisco and turn the corner onto Columbus for the first time, yes, the Transamerica Pyramid and Sentinel Building/Columbus Tower (and now the Salesforce Tower) grab your attention, but it’s the two story beat bar that I seek. The building that makes me feel at home in North Beach.

We had already eaten omelette at Mama’s and got our caffeine hit at Trieste.

It’s 17 years since I last bought a drink at the bar. Will it have changed? Will I still love it? Will I have a story to take back to the UK?

It did not disappoint. Why would it? It’s the Vesuvio! Joanna greeted us from behind the bar as we perched on the tall stools and leaned on the thick wooden bar top.

The only things that had changed apart from the driver-less cars passing the street side window was Jack behind the bar and the rotating artwork on the back wall. Beautiful impressions of San Francisco street scenes.

We got chatting to Joanne and discovered a lot of personal things in common. Other people joined us as the bar and starting up great conversations.

We paid on plastic, tipped in cash. There’s something about throwing a few dollars on the bar after each round that makes me feel safe. Grounds me in the past. After 3 (or 4) rounds it was time to move on to the building on the other side of JK Alley. As we get up, I am handed a yellow book from behind the bar with ‘At Vesuvio’ on the front. Don’t think much of it. Thought it was a promotional item for the bar. Something to read on the Virgin Atlantic flight home and then discard in a Heathrow bin (trash can, sorry).

I walk into City Lights who are celebrating their 70th. The same yellow book is head height. Prime retail space. ‘Look at me’, it says. I look on the back. It’s a picture of Joanna. I rush back into Vesuvio, tap the book vertically on the bar and shout ‘who’s this?’. ‘Errr, it’s me’ says Joanna. ‘Well you better sign it then!’ I said. She did, happily.

I now own a wonderful signed souvenir from Vesuvio, from San Francisco, from the West Coast, from the US and a great memory to last until next time I visit. I hope it will be less than 17 years this time!

P.S. Buy the...

Hi, Their email is not working so i had to post here to get attention ofc ! My friend left her card. Becauae she doesnt speak good english and they wont give it to her !!! I’m a restaurant owner in North Beach, and I’ve been to Vesuvio many times over the years. It’s always been a place I’ve cherished—full of history and character, a spot I’ve proudly recommended to both locals and visitors.

That’s why what happened recently left me feeling so disappointed and honestly, heartbroken. I brought some friends who were visiting San Francisco for the first time. I told them this was a legendary bar, a must-visit. But what we experienced was far from welcoming. We spent 50 or more dollars per person.

My friends—Latino hospitality workers who’ve spent their evening being warm and gracious to their own guests—were met with visible rudeness and disregard. It felt like they were being ignored, even judged, for no reason other than the color of their skin. It was deeply saddening to witness.

This isn’t the San Francisco I know and love. This city has always been a beacon of inclusivity, a place where all cultures are embraced and celebrated. And Vesuvio has always felt like part of that spirit.

Adding to the confusion, we were sold drinks just minutes before the bar closed at 12:25 AM, though your website says closing time is 1:00 AM. It left us feeling even more unwelcome.

I’m writing this not out of anger, but out of genuine sadness. I love your bar. And I hope it can continue to be a place that welcomes everyone equally, with warmth and respect.

I felt I had to speak up.

(Bartender with glasses )



Address not found

Your message wasn't delivered to vesuvio@vesuvio.com because the address couldn't be found, or is unable to receive mail.The response from the remote server was:

550 Mail to vesuvio@vesuvio.com has...