In the 1980s, San Francisco was vibrant with commerce, creativity, and colorful characters. Much of that energy flowed through a funky saloon called the Washington Square Bar & Grill in the City's most treasured neighborhood, North Beach. Under the PR genius of Ed Moose, WSB&G became a beloved hangout for national and local celebrities from politics, business, journalism, entertainment, art, music, and sports, as well as countless faithful from the City and Bay Area.

Now comes Judy Berkley, who worked at WSB&G for a decade, witnessed the ascent and decline of the renowned saloon, and went on to become a newspaper columnist and author. In her memoir, Berkley recalls a swashbuckling era when wit and humor were celebrated and talented people from all classes stood together at the City's bar rails. While Berkley aims her outspoken humor at the passing parade, she also recounts the struggle of her female coworkers, in a pre-Feminism period, to stand their ground in a male-centric workplace. And Berkley's clashes with her boss, Ed Moose, forced her to confront a traumatic childhood event.