Best A's Bar in S.F.

Thieves Tavern

3349 20th St. (at Shotwell), 401-8661

Whether it be the traffic on the Bay Bridge, a long day at the office, or the crippling phobia of getting shivved at Oakland's Coliseum, there are plenty of excuses for San Franciscans not to join the other couple dozen A's fans who show up to games. Though you can choose from a handful of green-friendly bars around town, none can top the dutiful reverence of Thieves Tavern. Aside from the disgusted grumbling of the team's loyalists, there are few things to distract viewers from game-day action. From the opening pitch, every bloodshot eye in the place focuses on the big-screen broadcast at the end of the bar, while the devotional sip drinks in hushed solidarity. The ambient clack of pool balls and a few cold beers soften the heartache when Dotel starts giving up homers in the bottom of the eighth. And unlike at the Coliseum, here A's buffs can hang around afterward to drown their sorrows.