Westwood — Restaurant in San Francisco

In the heart of San Francisco, a twang of southern charm and a boot-stomping good time await at Westwood, the quintessential country music haven. As you step through its swinging doors, you're instantly transported to the sun-soaked plains of Nashville, where the notes of country classics serenade you like an old friend.

Westwood, a country music-themed bar that's as authentic as a well-worn pair of cowboy boots, strikes a harmonious balance between urban flair and rustic allure. The interiors, a fusion of reclaimed wood, barn-inspired accents, and a touch of urban grit, evoke the feeling of a true honky-tonk. The low hum of laughter and the clinking of glasses compose a lively soundtrack that's the heartbeat of the establishment.

But the crown jewel of Westwood is its mechanical bull, a wild ride that promises thrills and memories in equal measure. As you saddle up, anticipation courses through your veins, and with the tug of a lever, the bull roars to life. It's a dance between rider and machine, a test of skill and tenacity, as you grip the reins and strive to outlast the bucking and spinning.

Country music enthusiasts will find solace in the diverse lineup of live performances. From up-and-coming local talents to seasoned crooners, the stage becomes a portal to the soulful heart of Nashville. The melodies of heartache, love, and the open road echo through the space, drawing patrons to the dance floor like a magnet.

The libations here are a celebration of southern spirit, with a menu of craft beers, whiskey flights, and signature cocktails that pay homage to country legends. The bartenders, more like storytellers, whip up concoctions that are a fusion of flavors as diverse as the genre itself.

Westwood is more than a bar; it's a destination where urbanites and country souls converge. A retreat into a world where denim meets diamonds, where the mechanical bull's roar harmonizes with the melodies of the stage, and where the vibrant spirit of country music weaves its magic into the heart...

We had an awful experience at this place.

We bought a ticket for the St. Patrick’s Day event, which was supposed to give us free entry to all the bars on the list, plus access to discounted drinks. Westwood was one of those bars.

The event was from 2 PM to 10 PM, but when we tried to get into Westwood around 7:45 PM, they were charging everyone a $10 cover—even though they were supposed to follow the event rules. They made people wait in a long line, with everyone assuming they’d get in for free, and only told us about the cover charge once we got to the door. They also didn’t have the discounted drinks that were listed on the event’s website, which we were supposed to have access to until 10 PM. At other bars, even when certain drinks ran out due to high demand, they replaced them with other options instead of completely taking away the benefit included in our ticket.

On top of that, the staff was incredibly rude for no reason. I get that it was a busy night, but even when we asked simple questions politely, they responded rude.

Overall, it was a terrible experience, and I really hope they take this bar off the event list next year. It’s not just about the $10 cover—it’s about having the basic professionalism to treat people with respect and actually follow the rules of an event they agreed to be part of.

Wouldn’t recommend this...

It would have been nice to know that the mechanical bull closed at 11 PM on a Thursday evening. There was no sign or direction anywhere to let us know that. A group of us were at Westwood for a friend’s birthday and she had really wanted to ride the bull as she never did it before. We missed it by a minute and we asked repeatedly if the birthday girl can just have one ride before they closed. It was 11:01. The bartenders and/or managers were not kind nor supportive at all in any way.

If it was a very packed night on a Friday or Saturday where the crowd is chaotic and rowdy, I would understand. But it was a Thursday evening with a decent but manageable crowd. There was no reason why they couldn’t let one girl ride the bull for like a mere 5 minutes max before they all closed it down for good. The attitude was so nonchalant and dismissive. We even asked if we can pay them to open it as we wanted her to celebrate. But they said no.

It is a missed opportunity to be friendly and supportive. We all live in the city and Westwood SF has been an iconic setting to celebrate for big events. This kind of treatment left a very bad taste and impression. It absolutely tainted what would have otherwise been a great night celebrating our friend’s birthday.

Very...