Jockey Box & Keg Pump Rental in San Francisco
Mike's rents jockey boxes and keg pumps in San Francisco — a single jockey box is $50, a double is $150, and a keg pump (tap) rents for $25. Rent the equipment on its own, or have it delivered with your keg. We've been the neighborhood keg shop at 5084 Mission St since 1959, and every rental comes back to us on a 4-day return window.
At a glance
| Single jockey box | $50 rental — one tap, pours one keg cold |
| Double jockey box | $150 rental — two taps, pour two kegs at once |
| Keg pump (party tap) | $25 rental — D-system (most US beer), S-system (Euro), A-system (German) |
| Return window | 4 days on rented equipment |
| Delivery | Delivered with your keg across San Francisco and the Bay Area, or pick it up free in store |
What is a jockey box, and do I need one?
A jockey box is a cooler with chilled beer lines running through it. You push beer from the keg, through the ice-cold coils, and out a proper tap — so the pour is cold and settled even if the keg itself has been sitting in the sun. It's what you want for an outdoor party, a wedding, a street fair, or any event where you can't keep the keg in a fridge.
If your keg is going to stay cold — in a fridge, a kegerator, or a tub of ice indoors — you don't need a jockey box. A keg pump is enough, and it's $25.
Single or double jockey box?
A single jockey box ($50) has one tap and serves one keg — right for most parties. A double jockey box ($150) has two taps, so you can pour two different kegs side by side, or serve a bigger crowd twice as fast without a queue at the tap.
Which keg pump do I need?
The pump has to match the keg's coupler, and the coupler depends on the brewery, not the beer style:
- D-system — most American beer: Budweiser, Coors, Sierra Nevada, and the majority of US craft.
- S-system — many European imports.
- A-system (German slider) — German brands like Warsteiner and Paulaner.
Not sure? Tell us the beer and we'll match the coupler for you — or read the keg coupler guide. If you'd rather own one outright, we sell keg pumps too.
Rent equipment with a keg
Most people rent the box or the pump along with the beer. Browse all kegs — beer, wine, cider, cold brew coffee and kombucha — add the rental to your cart, and we'll bring it all together. See keg delivery in San Francisco for how the drop works, or the keg calculator if you're not sure how much beer you need.
Deposits, returns, and delivery
Rented equipment comes back to us within 4 days. Kegs carry a refundable $50 deposit, returned when the empty comes back. Gas tanks carry a refundable deposit as well. Our drivers can manage one flight of stairs (up to 12 steps) with a keg — tell us in advance if your venue needs more and we'll plan for it.
Delivery days, zones and minimums are on the delivery information page, and free in-store pickup at 5084 Mission St is always available. Don't want to haul empties back? Add our pick-up service and we'll come get them.
Running taps for an office or a venue?
We also service draft systems — beer-line replacement, troubleshooting calls, and CO₂ and nitrogen refills. For a standing tap program, see our office beverage program or corporate keg delivery.
Questions? Call the shop on (415) 587-5000 — we'll tell you exactly what you need for your setup.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a jockey box rental in San Francisco?
A single jockey box rents for $50 and a double for $150. A keg pump, if that is all you need, rents for $25. Rented equipment comes back to us on a 4-day return window.
Do I need a jockey box or just a keg pump?
If the keg cannot stay cold - an outdoor party, a wedding, a street fair - you want a jockey box, which runs the beer through ice-cold coils so the pour stays cold. If the keg will sit in a fridge or a tub of ice indoors, a $25 keg pump is enough.
What is the difference between a single and a double jockey box?
A single has one tap and serves one keg, which suits most parties. A double has two taps, so you can pour two different kegs at once or serve a large crowd twice as fast without a queue at the tap.
Which keg pump do I need?
The coupler depends on the brewery, not the beer style. D-system covers most American beer including Budweiser, Coors and most US craft. S-system covers many European imports. A-system is for German brands. Tell us the beer and we will match it.
Can you deliver the jockey box with the keg?
Yes. Add the keg and the rental to the same order and we deliver them together across San Francisco and the Bay Area. Free in-store pickup at 5084 Mission St is also available. Our drivers can manage one flight of stairs, up to 12 steps.
Is there a deposit on a keg?
Yes - a refundable $50 deposit per keg, added at checkout and returned to you when the empty keg comes back. Gas tanks carry a refundable deposit as well.