During the California Gold Rush of the 1840s, “mile houses” were constructed from San Jose to San Francisco to give weary stagecoach travelers somewhere to rest. Today, the only mile house left in the Bay is 7 Mile House in Brisbane. This unique piece of history has been rejuvenated as a restaurant, sports bar, and thriving Bay Area live music venue.
If walls could talk…
The venue’s swashbuckling past is something of a crash course in California history. Since its establishment as a mile house in 1858, it evolved into a popular neighborhood spot–and maybe even a brothel.
In the late 19th century, gamblers snuck into an illegal poolroom operated from behind the mile house pub. During Prohibition, the proprietor was arrested for possessing a whiskey mill.
Eventually, the old stagecoach station transformed into a rough-and-tumble burger joint crowded with truckers. Sports betting and other gambling activities continued in the back rooms through the 1980s. Then the FBI raided the place. The story goes that the owner at the time was a top California bagman for Ron “The Cigar” Sacco, the most infamous bookmaker of all time.
It’s safe to say that the House has earned its place in San Francisco legend.
Something for everyone
These days, 7 Mile House is recognizable by its cheerful yellow-striped awning and unmistakable rustic vibe. The family (and dog!) friendly restaurant includes special menus for kids and furry friends alike. Tasty fried classics coexist with California faves.
For the adult set, there are drinks, sports (via satellite) and some of the best live music in San Francisco. The nightly entertainment lineup is a whos-who of hot music acts in the Bay Area, and it comes with no cover charge.
The weekly calendar is as follows:
Monday– $1 oysters and $5 sangrias ALL DAY; 50% off kids’ menu (for kids 10 and under); live jazz
Tuesday– ALL DAY HAPPY HOUR with $5 apps, cocktails, beer, wine, and shots; live jazz
Wednesday– WHISKEY WEDNESDAY with $5 Jameson and Jack shots; $5 for 5 wings; ALL NEW live Latin Jam
Thursday– TEQUILA THURSDAY with $5 shots of El Jimador Repo and Silver, Herradura Silver; $16 pitchers featuring craft beer; live blues
Friday– $4 Angry Orchard Apple Cider; live R&B
Saturday– STELLA SATURDAYS Buy $8 Stella and keep the glass (while supplies last); $10 beer flights; live music (all genres)
Sunday– BRUNCH 10 AM-3 PM; BBQ 12-6; dinner 4-8; bottomless mimosas and sangrias and $1 oysters from 10-2; $7 Bloodys and $10 off wine bottles (expect house wine); live jazz
Jazzing up the Bay
Low key yet high energy, this venue is quickly climbing the ranks of San Francisco music venues. Jazz has become a 7 Mile specialty. On many a weeknight, jazz fans can be found munching on a juicy patty melt while enjoying the music of world-class jazz artists like Al Molina, Vince Lateano, and Andrew Speight in an intimate setting.
In March 2018, they threw the first annual 7 Mile House Jazz Festival, handing out awards to the Bay Area’s preeminent jazz artists and installing a “Jazz Wall of Fame” to honor local musicians.
The event promises to be even bigger in 2019. It’s a fun way to celebrate Bay Area live music and the vibrant community that surrounds it. And as one of the hottest San Francisco music venues, 7MH has the unique ability to be at the center of it all.
Giving back with a tasty twist
The restaurant/venue throws an annual Adobo Cook-Off in the summer. They donate all the proceeds to a local nonprofit. Customers will test their finest adobo recipes against each other and the 7MH house recipe. Tickets to the festival, which are $25, include all-you-can-drink San Miguel beer and all-you-can-eat jasmine rice, along with the chance to sample some amazing adobo. This year, the proceeds will benefit St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church. The cook-off takes place on July 14.
Free for all
It’s not always easy to find cheap things to do in the Bay, let alone fun local events that are free every night. 7MH provides evening after evening of awesome musical programming with local flavor and no cover charge. While the beginning of the week still belongs to jazz, they recently introduced a Latin jam for Wednesday evenings.
The Brisbane restaurant/bar/venue has won many awards from San Francisco Weekly. In 2018 alone it was voted Best Sports Bar, Best Dog-Friendly Restaurant, Best Pub Food, Best Happy Hour, and Best Music Venue, among others.
Jazz club, sports bar, family restaurant–7MH wears many hats. For both tourists and locals, it’s a hotspot for live music in San Francisco.
Summer vibez this Saturday as we bring @NativeElementSF to the stage! Make your reservations now! Shows from 8PM-12AM. NO COVER. 🌴🌊🍹
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Now playing every 1st Saturday of the month, San… https://t.co/pguSpecHmg— 7 Mile House (@7MileHouse) July 5, 2018
