By Ellen Eason

New Businesses Call the Inner Sunset Home

Saint Frank Coffee celebrated the debut of its fourth location in early November. The new Saint Frank is described as “the evolving dream for the experience of coffee toward a simple joy in life, but also toward social connection and celebration of people, place and culture.”

It is owned by Inner Sunset residents Kevin and Lauren Bohlin. Kevin travels to coffee-producing lands and directly sources coffee from small-scale farmers. Visit the Ninth and Irving location and enjoy a brew and pastries in the light-filled space.

Tillage, an inviting membership-based co-working space, recently opened at 1410 Irving St. Founder Jamin Jantz created a variety of environments: a lounge with comfortable seating and an adjacent kitchen, a moody dark-hued library space with multiple desks and a conference area with a meeting room and privacy pods for Zoom meetings or calls. Events such as dinners, discussion groups and neighborhood walks are designed to build community among its members. Event space may be rented by the public for meetings and social events.

Welcome to The Backstory Above, a new space for writers to work, learn and gather that is perched in the mezzanine above Green Apple Books at 1231 Ninth Ave. The membership-based venue provides a sanctuary on the west side of the City. A silent workspace during the day, The Backstory Above offers opportunities for socializing, a soundproof booth for phone calls and a small conference room.

Experience a Taste of Ireland at The Temple Bar

Experience an authentic Dublin-style Irish pub at The Temple Bar where locals enjoy a pint, challenge each other to a game of darts, cheer on their teams and engage in lively conversation. It lives up to its tagline: “The heart of Ireland, the soul of San Francisco.”

Inspired by Dublin’s iconic Temple Bar, owners and siblings Martina and Brendan McGrath have created a warm and welcoming atmosphere that celebrates their Irish heritage. Their family story begins in a small village in Waterford, Ireland where the pub is the soul of the community.

They reimagined the former Blackthorn bar into the venue which opened in late 2024.

“Our goal was to create a neighborhood bar where Irish hospitality shines,” Martina said. “It’s a casual space for locals to connect over drinks, music and games.”

With its striking red exterior accented with gold details, The Temple Bar shines from its location at 834 Irving St. Brendan designed the dramatic indoor lighting effects of green, red or blue which can be varied for different holidays or celebrations.

Pull up a barstool and imbibe what’s been named “the best pint of Guiness in the City” and one of the top five pints in the U.S. given its unique blend. The bar also serves 21 beers on tap – from hoppy IPAs and crisp lagers to smooth pilsners. Or choose from a wide selection of whiskeys, cocktails, mocktails and wines by the glass and an array of holiday-themed cocktails, beers and non-alcoholic drinks. Customers are encouraged to bring food from the many neighboring restaurants and relax in the bar’s cozy booths.

Entertainment options abound, including live music, darts, pool, karaoke, trivia and bingo.

Grateful for the Blues band performs every Thursday night, while the Irish Music Social Club takes the stage on the last Wednesday of the month.

“We’re excited that this band features musicians from the neighborhood,” Martina said.

There is no cover for the live music.In addition, a dozen large-screen TVs are a draw for sports fans.

Looking for a venue for a private party or celebration? With a capacity of up to 150 guests, The Temple Bar offers a warm ambience, flexible catering options, entertainment choices and an excellent sound system.

See the event calendar at templebarsf.com/calendar.

Holiday Gatherings and Bar Crawls in the Neighborhood

Planning holiday meetups with friends and family? The Inner Sunset is home to a variety of popular watering holes, each offering its own unique ambiance and selection of beverages.

Fireside Bar, located at 603 Irving St., welcomes customers with a cozy fireplace, comfortable leather couches and a full bar. The Little Shamrock at 807 Lincoln Way is the second-oldest bar in the City, offering vintage charm, a full bar and a room for darts enthusiasts. Red Tail Beer & Wine Bar at 545 Irving St. specializes in boutique wine and beer selections. Sage and Drifter, located at 1368 Irving St., offers craft cocktails and flights of spirits such as mezcal and features high-end bar food every Wednesday. The Mucky Duck at 1315 Ninth Ave. is known for its extensive sports décor along with darts, pool and TVs.

Featured above, The Temple Bar at 834 Irving St. brings Irish-inspired charm, music and curated bar selections. At 734 Irving St., Yancy’s Saloon is a casual sports bar with more than 25 beers on tap, a full bar and numerous dart boards.

Several neighborhood restaurants also feature inviting bars offering cuisine in addition to drink selections. New Eritrea Restaurant & Bar, located at 907 Irving St., serves spicy Eritrean dishes complemented by a variety of libations. Foghorn Tap Room at 534 Irving St. specializes in beers and ciders on tap plus a variety of chicken wings, tenders and sandwiches. Pacific Catch, located at 1200 Ninth Ave., provides a tropical-themed experience where guests can enjoy sushi, seafood appetizers and other light bites. Underdogs Tres at 1224 Ninth Ave., features tasty Mexican food, margaritas, sangria, beers and agua fresca.

The Inner Sunset Merchants’ Association is the voice of our neighborhood’s business community. It is an all-volunteer, nonprofit association committed to supporting, promoting and advocating for the needs of our local business community. It welcomes new merchants into our neighborhood and works hard to drive new business to our growing community. Learn more at innersunsetmerchants.org.

Ellen Eason is a writer and Inner Sunset resident.