Danny Coyle's

The Vibe

Danny Coyle's sits at the corner of Haight and Pierce Streets in the heart of San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury, and it radiates the kind of unpretentious soccer energy that is increasingly hard to find. Owner Brian Coyle opened the bar on June 9, 2006, the first day of the FIFA World Cup in Germany, and named it after his father, a "living legend" from Ireland. The large, airy ceilings are draped with soccer scarves, 19 at last count, and the walls display serious memorabilia including a signed Pele jersey and a 1996 Manchester United FA Cup winner's jersey autographed by Eric Cantona. The pub feels like your soccer family's living room, and Coyle treats it that way.

The Setup

Nine large HD LCD TVs and an HD projector cover every major fixture. The layout balances the screens well so there are good sightlines from the bar, the tables, and the standing areas near the front. Sound goes to the main match, and the projector comes alive for the biggest games. The space is neither cramped nor cavernous, which gives it an intimate but not claustrophobic feel during packed matches.

Match Day Experience

Danny Coyle's is home to five official supporter clubs: SF Spurs (the first official west coast Tottenham Hotspur supporters club), SF Red Army (Manchester United), Mia San Francisco (Bayern Munich), Borussia Von Bay (Borussia Dortmund), and Fog City Faithful (Seattle Sounders). For certain early morning overseas matches, Coyle opens the bar at 4 a.m. On weekends, doors open at 6 a.m. for Premier League kickoffs. The atmosphere is described as epic, particularly for Manchester United and Tottenham matches. Rival supporters coexist cheerfully, united by the early-morning commitment to watching football and the knowledge that Coyle makes everyone feel at home.

Food and Drink

Danny Coyle's does not serve food, but Brian Coyle has built relationships with the surrounding Haight Street restaurants and actively recommends them. Palmyra, Rosamunde Sausage Grill, Memphis Minnies, and The Grind Cafe are all nearby and have become unofficial extensions of the match-day experience. At the bar, the drink selection covers Carlsberg, Stella, Modelo, Guinness, Lagunitas IPA, Anchor Steam, Fort Point, Golden State Cider, Jameson, Green Spot Irish whiskey, and various tequilas. As Coyle puts it: "Beer is not just beer. It is important for the soccer fan to be happy."

Who Goes There

The crowd is a genuine blend of international expats, local soccer obsessives, and Haight-Ashbury neighborhood regulars. Coyle's deep investment in local soccer goes beyond the bar: he sponsors the San Francisco Hibernian and Innisfree teams, displays SF City FC scarves, and his own son played for SF Glens youth academy. The 1994 World Cup holds special significance here since Coyle witnessed Ireland's famous victory over Italy in the stands in New Jersey. That history bleeds into the pub's DNA.

Insider Tips

For Tottenham and Manchester United matches, arrive early since the supporter clubs fill the bar fast. The 4 a.m. openings for early Champions League and international fixtures are real, and the dedicated fans who show up at that hour create a uniquely intense atmosphere. Since there is no food kitchen, eat before you arrive or plan to pop out to one of the nearby restaurants between matches. Street parking on Haight Street can be challenging, so MUNI is your best bet. The bar is a no-nonsense football pub, so come for the soccer and the community, not for a quiet drink.