Bus Stop is not just the nation’s top Fernet seller but also one of the oldest bars in San Francisco. The popular sports bar will celebrate its 125th anniversary this weekend, and it’s shutting down the whole block for the festivities. This Saturday, May 17, the bar is hosting a celebration from 12 to 8 p.m., including music, a petting zoo, food, and more.
The street between Laguna and Buchanan will be closed for the celebration, right outside Bus Stop at 1901 Union Street. The live music lineup includes Próxima Parada, The Good Bad, Vince Cimo, and IMVA. Bus Stop’s sister bar, a swanky speakeasy above the sports bar, will also participate in the fun, making drinks and food, complete with a performance from their resident DJ Max Heegard. The event will be family-friendly with a petting zoo and face painting. Local restaurants, Perry’s, The Italian Homemade, and MJ’s Smoked N Fried will have food available for partygoers.
Bus Stop was originally opened in 1900, and has since become a staple for many San Franciscans who love sports and fernet. The liquor has a long history in San Francisco, first coming as a medicinal remedy in pharmacies before eventually becoming a favorite drink of bartenders. Bus Stop is America’s top fernet seller, reportedly going through 5 bottles a day. Even if you’re not a fan of fernet, the bar is regularly packed with sports fans and people playing pool.
In 2023, bar owners opened Left Door, a chic cocktail bar, above Bus Stop, accessed through an unmarked door that looks like it leads to a second-floor apartment. Serving cocktails and caviar, the bar is regularly packed on weekends while a DJ spins away.
You can check out Bus Stop’s 125th anniversary celebration on Saturday, May 17, from 12 to 8 pm. The event is family-friendly, and you can sample from the local restaurants at the block party.