Opened in 1959 in the Bayview’s Third Street corridor by Sam Jordan, the Bar & Grill was originally a nightclub and later transformed into a bar and restaurant. The nightclub beginnings were fitting for Jordan who was a Navy veteran, business owner, activist, politician (in 1963, he was the first African American to run for mayor in SF) and boxing champion, known as “Singing Sam” for singing before and after his fights. The establishment was the first African American owned bar in San Francisco and today, remains the oldest of its kind.

Over the years, the bar hosted many musicians including Sammy Davis Jr. and Big Mama Thornton, and in 2013 it became an official San Francisco historic landmark. Today, the bar is run by Sam’s children – Allen and Ruth – and you can find out more about its history and offerings here.