The Devil's Acre, Oakland Travel Guide

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Experience a taste of San Francisco's Barbary Coast era with apothecary-inspired cocktails in a historic North Beach setting.

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The Devil's Acre

The Devil's Acre is a popular cocktail bar in San Francisco's North Beach, paying homage to the Barbary Coast era with its apothecary-themed drinks and ambiance. It revives the spirit of the 1850s-1900s, when the line between medicine and mixology blurred.

A brief summary to The Devil's Acre

256 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, North Beach, California, 94133, US
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Tuesday 4:30 pm-1 am
Wednesday 4:30 pm-1 am
Thursday 4:30 pm-1 am
Friday 4:30 pm-2 am
Saturday 4:30 pm-2 am
Sunday 12 pm-8 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring The Devil's Acre.

Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, as the bar can get quite busy.
Explore the cocktail menu for unique and historically inspired drinks.
Check out the bar's interior, including the antique mahogany backbar.

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Explore The Devil's Acre on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near The Devil's Acre, mapped for you.

Getting There

Walking

The Devil's Acre is located in the North Beach neighborhood, easily accessible on foot from many nearby attractions. From Washington Square Park, walk two blocks north on Columbus Avenue. The bar will be on your right. From City Lights Bookstore, walk one block south on Columbus Avenue. The bar will be on your left.
Public Transport

The Muni 8, 30, 45, and 91 lines stop near The Devil's Acre. A single ride on Muni costs $3.00 cash, or $2.85 with a Clipper card or the MuniMobile app. A day pass, good for unlimited rides on Muni buses, trains, and streetcars, is $5.70 when purchased through the MuniMobile app.
Taxi/Ride-Share

Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in San Francisco. A short taxi ride from Union Square to The Devil's Acre will cost approximately $15-$20, depending on traffic. Ride-sharing services may have variable pricing depending on demand. The taxi fare includes a $4.15 flag rate, $0.65 for each additional 1/5 mile, and $0.65 for each minute of waiting time. Bridge tolls are extra.
Parking

Street parking in North Beach can be challenging to find, especially during peak hours. Several parking garages are located near The Devil's Acre. Parking rates at nearby garages typically range from $15 to $30 for a few hours. Some garages, like the one at 955 Sansome St, offer cheaper rates if booked in advance. Be aware that parking availability may be limited, especially on weekends.

Discover more about The Devil's Acre

The Devil's Acre, located in the heart of North Beach at 256 Columbus Ave, is a cocktail bar that harkens back to San Francisco's Barbary Coast era. During the mid-19th to early 20th centuries, the Barbary Coast was a notorious district known for its lawlessness, gambling dens, and bordellos. The original "Devil's Acre" was a particularly infamous stretch of Kearny Street, notorious as the city's den of vice.The modern-day Devil's Acre pays tribute to this history by recreating the atmosphere of a time when apothecaries by day transformed into boisterous bars by night. The bar's interior features a mahogany backbar dating back to 1868, adding to the historical ambiance. The cocktail menu includes a variety of alcohol-based mixtures intended to "cure what ails you," reminiscent of the remedies prescribed by pharmacists and saloon keepers of the era.Stepping into The Devil's Acre is like stepping back in time to a period when San Francisco was a wild and untamed city. It serves as a reminder that fun and trouble often go hand in hand, offering a glimpse into a captivating and somewhat dangerous chapter of San Francisco's history.