If you walk down Clement Street on a foggy Tuesday night, you might hear the fiddle before you see the door. That’s just how it is. Since 1975, The Plough and the Stars SF has served as the unofficial living room for San Francisco’s Irish community, and honestly, it’s one of the last places in the city that feels completely immune to the tech-fueled gloss of the last decade. It’s gritty. It’s loud. It smells exactly like a pub should.
Most people call it "The Plough."
You won't find $18 craft cocktails here. You’ll find Guinness poured with the kind of patience that borders on a religious ritual. You'll find a carpet that has seen better days and a ceiling covered in Gaelic football jerseys and old photos that look like they haven’t been moved since the Ford administration. It’s a dive, sure, but it’s a dive with a soul—a place where the "trad" (traditional Irish music) isn't just background noise; it's the entire point of the evening.
The Music at The Plough and the Stars SF Isn't a Performance
People get this wrong about Irish pubs in America. They think it's about a guy in the corner with an acoustic guitar singing "Wonderwall." At The Plough and the Stars SF, the music is a communal event. It’s about the Sunday night sessions.
Imagine six or seven musicians sitting in a tight circle near the front window. They aren't on a stage. They aren't even really looking at the audience. They’re looking at each other. They’re playing jigs, reels, and hornpipes on tin whistles, uilleann pipes, and fiddles. If you try to talk loudly over them during a particularly soulful slow air, you might get a "look" from one of the regulars.
The pub has hosted some serious heavyweights over the years. We’re talking about members of The Chieftains, Altan, and De Dannan dropping in when they’re in town. It’s the kind of place where a world-class flute player might be sitting next to a guy who just finished a shift on a construction site. That’s the magic of it. It’s a leveling ground.
Why the Richmond District?
San Francisco’s Irish history is usually associated with the Mission or SOMA, but the Richmond became the heart of the community later on. The Plough and the Stars SF sits right in the middle of it at 116 Clement St. It survived the 1989 quake, the dot-com bust, and a global pandemic.
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Why does it stay? Because it’s authentic.
Authenticity is a word that gets thrown around way too much in travel blogs, but here, it actually applies. The owners and the staff don't try to "rebrand" to attract a younger, wealthier crowd. They know their lane. If you want a place where the bartender knows your name—or at least your drink—this is it.
What to Expect When You Step Inside
It’s dark. Like, "take a second for your eyes to adjust" dark.
The walls are a curated mess of Irish history. There are posters for the 1916 Easter Rising (the pub is named after the flag of the Irish Citizen Army, after all), old maps of County Cork and Galway, and flyers for local GAA matches. It feels like a museum where you’re allowed to drink the exhibits.
- The Guinness: It is widely considered the best pour in San Francisco. Don't rush it.
- The Crowd: A mix of old-timers who have been coming since the 70s and 20-somethings looking for a shot of Jameson and a bit of "craic."
- The "Craic": That’s the Irish word for fun, gossip, and entertainment. You'll find plenty of it.
- The Dance Floor: On weekend nights, the place transforms. The traditional music might make way for a Celtic rock band, and suddenly that small space in front of the "stage" is packed with people dancing.
Sometimes the bar gets so crowded you have to turn sideways just to reach the bathroom. It’s part of the charm. Honestly, if you’re claustrophobic, Friday night at 10 PM might not be your vibe. But if you want to feel the energy of a room where everyone is actually present—no one is staring at their phones—there is nowhere better.
A Legacy of Resistance and Culture
The name "The Plough and the Stars" comes from the Sean O'Casey play. It’s a heavy name. It represents the working class and the struggle for Irish independence. That spirit of grit and independence is baked into the floorboards.
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In the 1970s and 80s, the pub was a hub for Irish expats who were often fleeing "The Troubles" back home. It was a place to find work, find a room to rent, and find a piece of home in a city that felt very far away. While the political intensity has cooled over the decades, the sense of community hasn't. It’s still a place where people look out for one another.
The Session Culture
If you're a musician, you don't just walk in and start playing. There’s an etiquette to the sessions at The Plough and the Stars SF.
Usually, there is a "lead" musician who sets the tone. It’s an invitational environment. If you’re good enough, you might get asked to join the inner circle. If you’re a beginner, you listen. You learn. You absorb the rhythm. This gatekeeping isn't about being mean; it's about preserving the quality of the music. It ensures that the tunes stay true to their roots.
The Reality of Running a Pub in 2026
Let’s be real. It’s not easy keeping a place like this open in San Francisco. Commercial rents are astronomical. Many of the old Irish families have moved out to the avenues or down to the Peninsula.
But the Plough persists.
It persists because it serves a function that a modern "gastropub" simply cannot. It provides a sense of continuity. In a city that is constantly reinventing itself—sometimes to the point of losing its identity—the Plough remains a fixed point. It’s the North Star of Clement Street.
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Whether you’re there for the dart board, the live music, or just a quiet pint on a rainy Monday afternoon, you’re participating in a tradition that is decades old. It’s a reminder that San Francisco is still a city of neighborhoods, a city of immigrants, and a city that knows how to throw a damn good party.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
If you’re planning to head down there, keep a few things in mind.
- Bring Cash: They do take cards now, but cash is still king for tipping the band or getting a quick round at the bar.
- Check the Calendar: Their website usually lists who is playing. If you want "trad," go for the sessions. If you want loud and sweaty, go for the weekend bands.
- Respect the Music: If it’s a quiet session night, keep the volume of your conversation down.
- Don't Order a "Car Bomb": Just... don't. It’s offensive and marks you as a tourist immediately.
- Eat Beforehand: They don't have a kitchen. Luckily, Clement Street is one of the best food corridors in the world. Grab some dim sum or a sandwich at Palm City nearby, then head to the Plough for drinks.
Staying Rooted in a Changing City
The Plough and the Stars SF isn't just a bar; it's a cultural landmark. It represents a version of San Francisco that refuses to fade away. It’s the sound of a fiddle cutting through the fog. It’s the taste of a perfect stout. It’s the feeling of being home, even if you’ve never set foot in Ireland.
As long as there are people who value a good story and a well-played tune, the lights at 116 Clement will stay on. Go there. Order a pint. Listen to the music. You’ll see why it matters.
Your Next Steps to Experience The Plough
If you've never been, make it a point to visit on a Sunday evening for the traditional session. It is the most authentic way to experience the pub's atmosphere. Arrive around 8:00 PM to snag a seat near the musicians. Check their official website or social media for the current lineup of touring Irish bands, as they often host international acts that you won't find anywhere else in the Bay Area. Finally, take a moment to look at the photos on the back wall—they tell the story of the families who built the San Francisco Irish community.