More Than a Café. A Piece of San Francisco History.
From Boarding House to Landmark
Located at the corner of Hyde and Beach Streets, the building originally served as a boarding house before becoming a saloon in 1916. Its location at the end of the cable car line made it an essential gathering spot for the neighborhood.
Serving the Waterfront Community
In its early decades, The Buena Vista provided cold beers, warm food, and camaraderie to local fishermen, sardine cannery workers, and waterfront laborers coming off long shifts on the bay.
Birth of an American Tradition
In 1952, owner Jack Koeppler and Pulitzer Prize-winning travel columnist Stanton Delaplane brought Irish Coffee to America right here at our bar. This marked the turning point that transformed a local saloon into a worldwide destination.
The Buena Vista Today
Today, The Buena Vista remains an enduring sanctuary of classic San Francisco hospitality. Millions of visitors from every corner of the globe continue to pull up a stool, share stories, and celebrate tradition.
Historical Gallery
Herb Caen San Francisco Chronicle Era
World Record Giant Irish Coffee Celebration
San Francisco Cultural Memorabilia