The Little Shamrock is nestled on the edge of Golden Gate Park in the Inner Sunset and has been serving SF locals since the city’s early days of 1893. The bar was originally opened by Julia Herzo Quigley and her husband Antone Herzo, intended to serve the workers building the Midwinter Fair in Golden Gate Park.
The bar had remained a family-owned business for its entire 130-year run and was bought by Saeed Ghazi in 1974 and passed to his son Tavahn Ghazi in 2004.
The bar has remained a neighborhood favorite, with the heart of a relaxed dive bar and a sense of SF nostalgia that is hard to find. It has witnessed much of SF’s history, surviving the 1906 earthquake –a broken clock from the disaster still hangs in the bar today– and continuing operations through the prohibition era. The bar is filled with eclectic lamps adding to the cozy vibe that makes the bar perfect for a foggy day, and many patrons come to watch a game on one of the many TVs.
The Irish bar is celebrating its impressive anniversary on October 28th. Halloween costumes are welcomed-especially Victorian-era attire, which is encouraged to pay homage to the bar’s origins. Plus, free Victorian Split Pea Soup will be served for guests with live music from 1 pm to 2 am. Guests can participate in a costume contest and take advantage of beverage specials during the celebration.
The Little Shamrock is conveniently located near many Inner Sunset eateries, including the beloved bakery Tartine and Italian restaurant Fiorella on 9th Ave. Golden Gate Park’s Botanical Gardens are just across the street.
The Little Shamrock is located at 807 Lincoln Avenue and is open from 3 pm to 2 am Monday through Thursday, 2 pm to 2 am Friday, and 1 pm to 2 am Saturday and Sunday.