When purchasing a near-century-old, no-frills San Francisco sports bar from owners who had operated the place for nearly half its life, making drastic changes can be risky. Patrons have fallen in love with the character of the place, from the sports memorabilia adorning the walls to the beloved bartenders. And in a city evolving at a rapid pace, change can be hard for many San Franciscans, especially those who have been here for decades.
So when Joe Wallace and Robert Lemons took over the Final Final in July 2024, they knew their revamp of the beloved bar had to keep the vibe that everyone loved — a sports bar that welcomes neighbors as much as it has local sports heroes over the years, like Tim Lincecum, Klay Thompson and even Joe DiMaggio.
Finally, 19 months into their proprietorship, Wallace and Lemons, who also own Bus Stop Saloon and Left Door, have put the finishing touches on their remodel of the cherished institution at 2990 Baker St. in Cow Hollow. They moved the bar 6 feet back to allow for more standing room; they added house cocktails such as prebatched martinis that stay ice cold; most impressively, they accomplished their goal of creating an unfussy hangout that stays true to the memories of yesteryear.
But there is one major difference that has never existed at the corner of Lombard and Baker streets — a fully equipped kitchen churning out classic bar food, like Buffalo wings, curly fries and a killer smashburger with help from a veteran SF fine-dining chef, Paul Toxqui…