Schroeder's: Cold Beers, Free Hot Snacks, and Frolicking Fräuleins

Linda C./Yelp

Das boot: 80 ounces of adult refreshment.

​The place: Schroeder's, 240 Front (at California), 421-4778

The hours: Weds.-Fri., 4-6 p.m.

The deals: Free hot snack items

The digs: This venerable old rathskeller has been serving up the suds and sauerbraten since 1893 (in the same location since 1959), and like Sam's and the Tadich and other remnants of S.F.'s pre-quake glory days, Schroeder's has vintage atmo to burn, with its century-old rosewood bar, mounted stags' heads, massive beer steins, Bavarian-inn lanterns, the gleam of amber light on polished mahogany, and Herman Richter's glorious Alpine murals of frolicking fräuleins and their lederhosen-clad liebenden. It's a fun and friendly place to quaff a Franziskaner, especially during one of the joint's regularly scheduled polka parties.

The verdict: Schroeder's is one of the few watering holes to carry on the grand old Financial District tradition of free noshes and nibbles at cocktail time. You never know what might be on the steam table ― meatballs, garlic fries, drumsticks, chicken tenders ― but they're generally hot and tasty and juicy, and a nice foil for one of a dozen draft beers. (You can enjoy them by the mug, the pitcher, or ― best of all ― the 80-ounce boot.) Excellent location, too, with ferryboats and streetcars within a few blocks.

Overall grade: B