Red’s Place

📍 Chinatown 💰 $

The Verdict

"A tiny holdout that calls itself Chinatown's oldest bar."

What you need to know

Update, October 26, 2026: Red’s Place is closing. Owner Jerry Chan told NBC Bay Area that his ideal last night is October 31 and the bar will be closed by mid-November at the latest. He said an insurance renewal letter in early October required plumbing and structural upgrades whose cost is “beyond our means,” on top of rising operating costs. Chan took over the bar from his mother and plans to keep its furniture and signage. The closing was also reported by the San Francisco Chronicle and Hoodline.

Red’s Place is a small bar that bills itself as the oldest bar in Chinatown. It was among the first in the neighborhood to serve draft beer.

The Drinks

The list is short and inexpensive: draft and bottled beer and well drinks. Cash only.

The Space

It is a small room with a few stools, low light, and a neon sign over the door.

The Story

Red’s has been part of Chinatown’s small bar scene for decades. Hours can be irregular, so check before a special trip.

Practical Info

Price: $. Cash only.

Reservations: None. Walk-in only.

Best time: Early evening. Hours vary.

Getting there: On Jackson between Grant and Kearny, near the Chinatown and North Beach edge. The 8 Bayshore and 30 Stockton stop nearby, and Montgomery Station is about a ten-minute walk south.