I am going to go out on a limb here, I don't get the hype with this joint (brace for impact).
Local 510 has become synonymous with the word 'hip' but unfortunately I don't get 'hip' from Local 510, I get 'pedestrian'; it's missing something that sets it apart it from every other place like it.
The menu is inconsistent in flavor, the beer selection is strangely limited, the service varies widely from night to night and the patio entrance has a low-hanging awning you have to duck under and a high lip you have to step over. This means that on you're way out onto the patio, after squeezing through the mess of tables and crowd that block the entrance, you'll probably bump your head or trip or both. It's nice to have a patio, but it's not nice to make it hard for drunks to get to.
Local 510 has some of the right parts; the location makes it an easy meeting place, they have decent specials and it can be a nice to have a few pints with buddies in the afternoon here; but it's just missing that je ne sais quoi that makes me want to choose it over any other spot for drinks.
I'm gladly all ears if someone will show me the light at the end of Local 510's tunnel, but until then, it's an average place that doesn't serve my favorite beer.
T.