Despite unexpected accolades, most people don't give Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe a second glance when walking past the little alley way it hides in off of Columbus Avenue in North Beach. But if you know, you go, to this heavily-decorated, no-bullshit bar where the priciest drink rings in at $10. According to the eccentric, but fiercely loyal locals (who go every day, some since it opened in 1968), the decor is virtually unchanged, which makes sense of the completely-covered walls and ceilings that seem to subscribe to the "put it up wherever there's space" model of design.
Owner Richard Simmons (nicknamed Specs for his glasses) created a space where unionized bartenders receive benefits and retirement, can refuse to make a drink they don't want to, kick anyone out for any reason they deem worthy and hand out business cards letting men or women know to back off someone they're chatting up. The scene on a Monday at 8 p.m. skewed regular-heavy, though it tends to be more crowded with people of all ages later in the week. Take a look around.
