I honestly believe that Spec’s might be the best bar in the world.  I know it’s pretty heavy thing to say, but I’ve been drunk in a lot of places, and if Spec’s isn’t the best bar in the world, it certainly is in the running.  I got drunk there with my buddy Ken last night and I really wanted to write a whole thing today about why it’s the best bar in the world, but I’m too hung over, so instead I’m just gonna cut and paste the write up I did about it in my SF book and show you this picture:

Specs Twelve Adler Museum Café (Specs): 12 Adler St. (Right next to 250 Columbus) @ Broadway

As evidenced by the news clippings next to the entrance, much has been written about Specs.  From what I gather, Specs Simmons (named for his spectacles) bought the bar with the money he made from the 60’s folk single “Ridin’ the MTA” and decorated the bar with things he gathered during his travels as a merchant marine.  How much of this is true, I don’t know.  There are as many rumors about Specs as there are articles written about it.  Simply put, Specs feels like a Tom Waits song.  There’s crazy shit all over the walls, like photos of post fire/earthquake S.F., 500 year old Hindu art, and a an actual dead cobra and groundhog posed to look like they are fighting each other.  The drinks are strong, the well vodka is bad…what else could you possibly want from a dive bar?

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