Trader Sam's
13 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF, r/Tiki25 comments cited below
What people say, in short
Many people recommend Trad'r Sam, a divey tiki bar in the Richmond. A few praise its atmosphere or old-school character, and a couple of people call it among the first or oldest tiki bars. A couple say it is very affordable for a night of drinking. Several find the drinks poor or unremarkable, though one still calls them great. Some say a renovation took away some of its old charm, and one likes the reworked version.
Address
Trad'r Sam, 6150 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94121
At a glance
- Price
- Budget
- Best for
- Budget
- Opinions divided
- Yes
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/based-bread-bowls in r/sanfrancisco · Jan 2024
Surprised it isn't mentioned more; believes it is the oldest, possibly third-ever, tiki bar, though a bit remote.
- Recommendsu/fuzzythoughtz in r/AskSF · Dec 2024ambience
Calls Trad'r Sam spectacular, though sees it more as a tiki dive with its own vibe than a cocktail bar.
- Recommendsu/glittertits09 in r/AskSF · Dec 2023price
Says it's very affordable for a heavy-drinking night.
- Caveatu/jesstus in r/AskSF · Dec 2024hygiene
Calls Trad'r Sam nasty.
- Caveatu/LaCroixIsntThatBad in r/AskSF · Dec 2024
Jokes that Trad'r Sam leaves them hungover and that they were lucky to get through their twenties there.
- Recommendsu/joshuaxls in r/sanfrancisco · Jan 2026
Calls a night there right before lockdown unforgettable.
- Mixedu/Vortigaunt11 in r/sanfrancisco · Jan 2024taste
Calls it the first tiki bar but with the most disgusting drinks and a dive bar feel.
- Recommendsu/rootacos in r/AskSF · Feb 2025
Recommends its banana cow as a stop on the route.
Show all 25 cited comments
- Recommendsu/WMDisrupt in r/sanfrancisco · May 2025ambience
Had good random chats and made friends there.
- Mixedu/Frogfren9000 in r/sanfrancisco · Jan 2024
Agrees it falls short on most measures, but calls it an occasional nostalgia stop for locals with authentic SF character.
- Mixedu/jasno- in r/sanfrancisco · Jan 2024taste
Calls its cocktails poor.
- Recommendsu/bigdaddybodiddly in r/Tiki · Aug 2026
Wishes someone would praise Trad'r Sam like the earlier comment praised Tonga Room's old-school appeal.
- Mixedu/_methodman in r/sanfrancisco · Jan 2024ambience
Says the renovation changed the floor and removed booths, so some charm is gone, though drinks remain great.
- Mixedu/perfectdayinthebay in r/sanfrancisco · Jan 2024value
Finds it cool for value, though says its drinks are not especially notable.
- Recommendsu/djs808 in r/Tiki · Aug 2026
Suggests it as a wildcard pick.
- Recommendsu/imeanwhyarewehere in r/Tiki · Apr 2025ambience
Praises its old-school character and local feel.
- Recommendsu/triplec787 in r/Tiki · Apr 2025
Says it is iconic and should be added to any visitor's list.
- Mixedu/smallhandfoods in r/Tiki · Feb 2024ambience
Appealing for atmosphere and history, with weaker cocktails.
- Recommendsu/binkadinkadoo in r/sanfrancisco · Jan 2024
Says they were always a big fan.
- Caveatu/FormerBath in r/AskSF · Feb 2025
Says the place was changed for the worse and no longer seems the same.
- Mixedu/Abalovely in r/Tiki · Aug 2026
Calls itself a fan, but thinks it suits a different taste than most sub members.
- Recommendsu/sheepsies in r/AskSF · Feb 2025
Lists Trader Sam's among recommended spots.
- Mixedu/coccopuffs606 in r/sanfrancisco · Jan 2024ambience
Lost divey charm in refurbishment but still good for cheap drinking.
- Recommendsu/Imaginary_Doughnut27 in r/AskSF · Mar 2026
Describes it as a divey tiki bar worth including.
- Mixedu/SciGuy013 in r/Tiki · Mar 2026taste
Advises against expecting a true mai tai; says its drinks are pre-tiki tropical and it's divey.
More maps in San Francisco, United States
Did this page answer your question?
Freshness
Details last checked 14 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.