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Chess in San Francisco
Find the best chess venues in San Francisco, United States. Browse 16 chess clubs, cafés, and parks where you can play over-the-board chess.
All 16 chess venues in San Francisco, United States
List last updated: 2026-11-01
- Barebottle Brewing Company — bar, 1525 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA · chess boards available, drinks
- Bay Area Chess Club — club, San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA · chess boards available, hosts tournaments
- Chess Tables at Golden Gate Park — park venue, John F. Kennedy Promenade, Inner Richmond, Richmond District, 94118 · chess boards available
- Chess Tables at Yerba Buena Gardens (north) — park venue, Moscone North + South, Financial District, South of Market, 94104 · chess boards available
- Church of 8 Wheels Chess Nights — venue, 554 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA · chess boards available, drinks
- Mechanics’ Institute Chess Room — club, 57 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94104, USA · chess boards available, hosts tournaments
- Mr. Mahjong's — bar, 260 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA · chess boards available, drinks
- Orbit Room — bar, 1900 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States · chess boards available, drinks
- Progressive Grounds — café, 400 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA · chess boards available, drinks
- Rick & Roxy's — bar, 2131 Lombard St, San Francisco, CA 94123, USA · chess boards available, drinks
- Teeth Bar — venue, 2323 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110 · chess boards available
- The Detour — bar, 2200A Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA · chess boards available, drinks
- The Game Parlour — café, 1342 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122, USA · chess boards available, drinks
- The Grove Restaurant & Bar — bar, 690 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105, United States · chess boards available, drinks
- Union Square Chess — park venue, Union Square, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA · chess boards available
- Yerba Buena Gardens Chess — park venue, Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA · chess boards available
More chess cities in United States
New York (149) · Chicago (36) · Los Angeles (29) · Austin (25) · Portland (22) · Seattle (22) · Philadelphia (18) · San Diego (17)
Explore the world chess venue map · Chess city guides
Questions about chess in San Francisco
Where can I play chess in San Francisco?
Checkmate IRL maps 16 places to play chess in San Francisco: 2 chess clubs, 2 cafés, 6 bars, 4 outdoor spots and 2 other venues. They include Mechanics’ Institute Chess Room, The Game Parlour and Orbit Room.
Is there a chess club in San Francisco?
Yes. 2 chess clubs in San Francisco are on the map: Mechanics’ Institute Chess Room and Bay Area Chess Club.
Is there a chess café or chess bar in San Francisco?
Yes. 2 cafés and 6 bars in San Francisco are listed as places to play chess, including Orbit Room, The Grove Restaurant & Bar and Barebottle Brewing Company.
Where can I play chess outdoors in San Francisco?
4 outdoor spots are listed, including Chess Tables at Golden Gate Park, Chess Tables at Yerba Buena Gardens (north) and Union Square Chess.
Are there chess tournaments or events in San Francisco?
2 venues in San Francisco host tournaments: Mechanics’ Institute Chess Room and Bay Area Chess Club. Upcoming casual chess events in San Francisco are listed on the Checkmate IRL events page. Chess events in San Francisco
New to playing in person? How to use a chess clock · Joining a chess club · Your first chess tournament