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Open since 1908, House of Shields is a historic San Francisco landmark and one of the city's oldest bars. We maintain and refurbish the bar's original features, and to honor tradition, it doesn't have a clock or TV on premises. The bar has a long and mythical history spanning through Prohibition, past U.S. presidents, and secret passageways. - Image 1

Where time stands still..

Name: San Francisco Historic Bar
Address: 39 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA, 94105, US
Telephone: (415) 769 8109
Price range: $
Rating: 5

Open since 1908, House of Shields is a historic San Francisco landmark and one of the city's oldest bars. We maintain and refurbish the bar's original features, and to honor tradition, it doesn't have a clock or TV on premises. The bar has a long and mythical history spanning through Prohibition, past U.S. presidents, and secret passageways.

About House of Shields

Opened in 1908, The House of Shields is one of San Francisco's oldest bars and has been called the place "where time stands still." It has never had a clock on premises, and in keeping with tradition, it still doesn't.The House of Shields has a rich history and a few mysteries to its name. It was a speakeasy during the Prohibition era, and is rumored to have a secret passageway where patrons of the Palace Hotel could sneak across the street for a forbidden beverage (we won't confirm or deny).

The House of Shields was also a favorite spot of President Warren G. Harding (you'll spot his picture on the wall). While President Harding is reported to have died at The Palace Hotel, local lore suggests he died at The House of Shields, with a woman who was not his wife at his side.

In 2010, The House of Shields came up for sale and Chef/Entrepreneur Dennis Leary took over the space. He embarked on an ambitious project to refurbish the bar's many iconic features, including the cigar signs you'll see in the window, ornate chandeliers, grand back bar, and original tiles. To this day, stepping in House of Shields is in fact like losing track of time.