House of Shields
The Verdict
"Old fixtures, no clocks, a long mahogany bar. A classic downtown saloon."
What you need to know
House of Shields opened on New Montgomery Street in 1908 as a working-class saloon for the printing-trade workers and journalists in the surrounding buildings. The room has barely changed since: dark wood, a long bar that runs the length of the space, no clocks. Warren Harding reportedly drank his last cocktail here in 1923, hours before he died across the street at the Palace Hotel.
The Drinks
Classic cocktails. The bar pours about 80 percent whiskey and the bartenders know every bottle. Beer and wine lists are focused. Happy hour is on the menu.
The Space
Two-story room with a mezzanine. Stained-glass skylights, original fixtures, mahogany bar. The crowd mixes after-work Financial District professionals and visitors interested in the historic room.
Practical Info
Price: Cocktails $14 to $18
Reservations: Walk-in only
Hours: Mon-Fri afternoon and evening, Sat evening only. Closed Sun.
Filmed here
Productions the city recorded shooting at or beside House of Shields.
- Pine St. between Market and Montgomery3m awayTerminator – Genisys 2015
- Nina M. Designs61m awayThe Bachelor 1999
- 2 New Montgomery Street, Palace Hotel75m awaySurface 2022
- Sheraton Palace Hotel89m awayThe Game 1997/Patch Adams 1998/Jade 1995/Herbie Rides Again 1974/Experiment in Terror 1962
From the San Francisco Film Commission permit record.
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