Lost Marbles brewpub

By Deno Gellepes

When Pizza Orgasmica closed its Clement Street doors in 2018, I was devastated. Over the years, I had been a loyal patron, drawn by their lunch specials and cozy vibes. Whether it was a cold beer by the crackling fire, or up at the bar with a couple of regulars chatting about the latest Giants game while one of them read the paper (yes, an actual newspaper), it didn’t matter, I was hooked. 

I’m not sure they vacuumed or mopped the floors all that much, but I didn’t care. It wasn’t so much for the food – although the pie was decent – as much as it was for the friendly and warm atmosphere it provided that kept me coming back. 

With that said, it’s always going to be an uphill battle for anyone stepping into the shoes of Pizza Orgasmica to win my business. 

Enter Lost Marbles Brewpub, the brainchild of the team from Barrel Head Brewhouse (BHB) on Fulton Street. While the transition wasn’t as turn-key as they might have hoped, the team was looking for a comprehensive renovation. However, their plans faced the formidable combination of a global pandemic and the typical permitting challenges that seem to be a rite of passage for all San Francisco businesses.

From 2019 to 2021, an ambitious wave of renovations unfolded, breathing new life into the establishment. Flooring, a fresh bar top, beautiful chandeliers and ceiling tile installations were all orchestrated as part of the space’s full-blown transformation. 

Documented via the bar’s Instagram, the restoration of some timeless pieces, like the fireplace and the awe-inspiring stained glass above the shuffleboard table, showcased their commitment to honoring the bar’s past. This of course meant a lot to old patrons like me. Following years of hard work and navigating the trials posed by the pandemic, the doors of Lost Marbles Brewpub finally swung open in 2022, inviting the Richmond District and the city at large in to experience the updated space. 

Interestingly enough, over the last year and a half, Lost Marbles stands as a bar defying a singular identity – but this is undoubtedly by design. Despite the presence of televisions at every conceivable angle, which draws big crowds on football Sundays (Go Niners!), the bar also has a quirky nautical theme, a picture booth, board games, arcade games, shuffleboard, trivia night (Wednesdays), silent disco nights (Sundays), a massive projection screen playing classic movies and drinks named after the Spice Girls! It literally has something that appeals to everybody and that, in itself, is unique. 

The menu showcases an array of time-honored bar classics, while also intertwining some international flair. From the Panuchos and Churros to the tried-and-true staples like the classic burger and French dip sandwich, the menu is pretty diverse. On that note, they even offer pasta dishes, like pesto and or shrimp linguini, if that’s what you’re feeling. 

For the main event, the drinks flow generously as Lost Marbles offers a medley of house-crafted brews as well as a solid rotation of guest taps. They have a full bar, but it’s the meticulously curated cocktail menu that really stands out. The cocktail names deserve applause, most notably The Spice Girls concoctions that mirror each member’s personality, and the “Heroes Get Remembered, but Legends Never Die” collection, a tribute to enduring spirits. Additionally, clever names such as “In-Clement Weather,” (white rum, ginger beer, lime, Kraken float), and the “Debbie Harry” (Nespresso, vodka, Kahlua) go just far enough to still be clever but not over-the-top and annoying like some of those sandwich shops that have 112 different options with “funny” names. This does not cross that line. 

A special callout goes to the team for the inclusion of Boilermakers on the menu. The classic beer and shot combos are well thought out here as it’s not your run-of-the-mill PBR and Jamison beer/shot combo (although there is a time and place for that … O’Keeffe’s!). Rather, a Woodinville Rye shot and a pint of BHB Rye of the Hawk for $14 or a Camarena Reposado shot and a pint of BHB Scotch Ale for the same price. 

I recently swung by the bar on a beautiful 66-degree Saturday afternoon with a French Dip and a Greyhound on my mind. I arrived just after the lunch rush, and it was quiet – just the way I like it. I sat up at the main bar and marveled at the sheer size of the space. I could really see how thoughtful and spectacular the renovations were. 

The massive projection screen on the back wall was playing the movie, “Almost Famous”, one of my favorites. It was muted, but I knew every word. The bar had emptied out and I could hear the faint sound of passersby on Clement Street shuffling through their Saturday errands. 

I took the last bite of my sandwich, chewed carefully, swallowed, and took a hearty swig of my second Greyhound. It was the “Tiny Dancer” scene. The one where a tired and fractured band was able to stitch up their torn and frayed relationship by finding harmony in the Elton John classic as their bus trudged onwards. 

With spirits high, I turned my gaze to the summer sun pouring through the original, timeless stained glass. I exhaled like one does when they realize they don’t have work the next day, and through the muted movie, I hummed the familiar high-pitched tune, “Hold me closer…”, and at that moment, as the sun showered me with its golden spotlight, I found myself enamored by Lost Marbles Brewpub, a place that not only has great food and drink, but has perfectly walked the tightrope of a meshing past and present. 

I can’t wait to see what movie is playing next time. 

Lost Marbles Brewpub, 823 Clement St.

Open Daily noon-1 a.m. Food available noon-midnight. 

Happy hour, Monday – Friday, noon – 6 p.m.: $2 off draft beers. 

Learn more at https://www.lostmarblesbrewpub.com

Deno Gellepes is a 13-year San Franciscan originally hailing from Chico, CA. He’s a sales professional at a leading tech company and has a passion for music, writing, and sports – especially as they pertain to the history of San Francisco. He spends his weekdays sounding like Rick Steves and his weekends like Mick Jagger. He can be reached at denogellwriting@gmail.com.