Watch CBS News

Best Bars With Jukeboxes In The Bay Area

(credit: Thinkstock)

While an increasing number of bars throughout the Bay Area are converting to Internet jukeboxes, you can still find some establishments who offer the "older" versions which are not digitally connected (primarily in San Francisco or the East Bay). Even though the newer boxes offer a basically unlimited supply of streamed music, there is something fun and exciting about flipping through 45 rpm records or CDs to find the perfect tune for the occasion. One of the Bay Area's most famous disc-playing jukeboxes, housed in San Francisco's Tosca Café, is currently out of commission. But there are still other "old style" jukeboxes to be found, ready to accept your money and memories.

The Legionnaire Saloon
2272 Telegraph Ave.
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 891-8660
legionnairesaloon.com

Zack Turner opened this family-owned business in 2013 and The Legionnaire Saloon has quickly acquired a reputation for its fun atmosphere, offering whiskey, pinball and a steady stream of live music events featuring rock and Irish bands. This is probably the only Bay Area saloon that gives a jukebox its own page on their website, with good reason. The Legionnaire owns a 1973 Rockola that plays actual 45 rpm records, and the best part is it's free! The wide selection includes everything from James Brown to Merle Haggard, along with Public Enemy and J Dilla.

Heart & Dagger Saloon
504 Lake Park Ave.
Oakland, CA 94610
(510) 444-7300
www.heartanddaggersaloon.com

Their slogan is "Good Spirits For Bad People" and there is plenty of time to check out the atmosphere because they are open every day of the year, including holidays, until 2 a.m. There's a pool table, pinball games, an outdoor patio, and classic arcade machines in this cash-only bar. The "Dagger's" popular jukebox plays a wide range of selections, including classic rock 'n' roll and new releases. One recent visitor enjoyed an oldie from the English musical duo Wham! before he had to go-go.

The Phone Booth
1398 S. Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 648-4683
www.facebook.com/Phone-Booth

Opened in the 1980s, The Phone Booth reportedly got its name from a nearby Pacific Bell phone company office in this San Francisco location. This is one of the "hipper" bars in the city, with a chandelier made out of Barbies and a reputation for cheap, stiff drinks. Their jukebox is the star attraction with an eclectic mix of music, ranging from punk to post-punk, country to new wave. The bar doesn't open any earlier than 1 p.m. but you can still enjoy the music until the wee hours of the morning.

Benders Bar & Grill
806 S. Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 824-1800
www.bendersbar.com

This Mission area bar is the scene of more events during one week than many establishments host in a year. Their live music tilts offer a steady diet of everything from punk to psychedelic garage rock, and don't miss the monthly meetings of the Stinky Cheese Club. This bar may have the only jukebox that offers Mac Dre next to Dolly Parton, and you can also call up soul, post-punk or Hendrix for your listening pleasure. In addition to daily (and nightly) drink specials, Benders also offers free burgers on their patio every Sunday.

15 Romolo
15 Romolo Place
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 398-1359
www.15romolo.com

Located in an alley off North Beach's Broadway strip, 15 Romolo was once the site of speakeasies, brothels, and other remnants of San Francisco's colorful past. It is part of the Basque Hotel which was a boarding house for shepherds. If you venture in during the week, you will probably hear their CD-style jukebox playing jazzy tunes from Aretha Franklin or Miles Davis, and on the weekends the sound often shifts to hip-hop or Journey. They also offer a fun weekend "Punch Drunk Brunch" that features a waffle shot of adults-only fruit juice.

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.