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“World-renowned San Francisco saloon”
This world-renowned San Francisco saloon located in North Beach just across from the infamous City Lights Bookstore, was first established in 1948 and remains an historical monument to jazz, poetry, art and the good life of the Beat Generation. Vesuvio attracts a diverse clientele: artists, chess players, cab drivers, seamen and business people, European visitors, off-duty exotic dancers and bon vivants from all walks of life. On October 17, 1955, Neal Cassady, the real life Dean Moriarty of the quintessential Beat classic On the Road, stopped at Vesuvio on the way to the now legendary Six Gallery for a poetry reading, and the place has never been the same. It became a regular hangout of Jack Kerouac and other famous Beat poets and has become ground zero for pilgrims on the Beat trail ever since. It was here that Jack Kerouac once spent a long night in 1960 when he should have been on his way to Big Sur to meet with Henry Miller. Miller had written Kerouac that he enjoyed reading The Dharma Bums and would enjoy a visit from the emerging writer. Kerouac, however, had other plans. He continued to hoist drinks and called Miller every hour telling him that he was just a bit delayed in leaving the city. The two would never meet that night.
Lit dirty martinis. Always gotta come here for my dirty martinis. Did I mention the dirty martinis are great? Read more
Vesuvio is probably my favorite casual bar in North Beach that I've been to so far. The retro, vintage-y theme inside is so cool and the vibes are a perfect balance of casual and fun. Great place... Read more
Snarky bartenders, hit or miss cocktails, and you might leave with a disease by the way the hygiene is kept around here, but that's the whole attraction about this place! Do they deserve five... Read more
Vesuvio Cafe
Hours
- Sun - Thu: 11:00 am - 1:00 am
- Fri, Sat: 11:00 am - 2:00 am
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
- Reservations
- Does not take
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Bar
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Drinks
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Breakfast
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Outdoor Seating
Parking, Dining
Nearby Hotels
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