Shaken, Not Stirred: Sipping Through San Francisco's Top 5 Cocktail Bars
Shaken, Not Stirred: Sipping Through San Francisco's Top 5 Cocktail Bars - The Classics Never Go Out of Style
No matter how many new-fangled cocktail creations come along, the classics never go out of style in San Francisco. While molecular mixology and exotic ingredients have their place, sometimes you just can't beat the taste of an expertly-made old fashioned, Manhattan, or martini. Some bars stake their reputation on perfectly executing the classics.
Top of the list is Bar Agricole in SoMa, whose focus is doing the classics right with highly quality ingredients. Their martini is clean and bracing, with either gin or vodka paired with house-made vermouth, served up or on the rocks. The Manhattan here is made with excellent rye and stirred to silky perfection.
The team at Comstock Saloon in North Beach also obsesses over cocktail precision. This vintage saloon channels the Barbary Coast era with punches and fizzes made according to original recipes. Their martini is served in a traditional coupe with your choice of gin or vodka and dry vermouth. The Manhattan comes in a nicely weighted rocks glass, with rye, sweet vermouth and bitters.
Bourbon & Branch in the Tenderloin recreates the clandestine speakeasy vibe, complete with a secret entrance and Prohibition-era cocktails. Their martini has London dry gin and Noilly Prat dry vermouth, garnished with olives or a lemon twist. Try the Boulevardier, a sophisticated twist on the Negroni with bourbon subbing for the gin.
The historic Redwood Room in the Clift Hotel off Union Square also nails the classics. Under chandeliers and red leather, you can sip a martini made with your choice of gin, vodka or Plymouth sloe gin. The Manhattan is made with premium bourbon and Carpano Antica vermouth. Both are perfectly balanced, befitting of the elegant surroundings.
Michael Mina's Bourbon Pub in Union Square likewise specializes in perfect execution of time-honored recipes. Their martini offering includes choices like the Espresso Martini, made with vodka, Kahlúa and fresh espresso. The Manhattan is made with Maker's Mark bourbon, Carpano Antica, Angostura bitters and Luxardo cherries.
Shaken, Not Stirred: Sipping Through San Francisco's Top 5 Cocktail Bars - Speakeasies Transport You Back in Time
Step through the unmarked door, give the password, and be transported back in time. San Francisco's speakeasies recreate the mystery and intrigue of Prohibition-era drinking dens. Dim lighting, sumptuous leather booths and vintage cocktails set the scene for a uniquely retro night out.
Bourbon & Branch in the Tenderloin pioneered the modern speakeasy trend in San Francisco. To gain entry, you'll need to make a reservation online to get the password for the unmarked door. Inside, the space is intimate and moody, with bordello-red upholstery and low lighting. Cocktails like the Improved Holland Gin Cocktail and Corpse Reviver #2 are prepared according to original recipes and tasted best while listening to live ragtime piano performances. As one recent visitor put it, "I felt like I was walking back in time to the roaring 20s!"
Another atmospheric retro speakeasy is Wilson & Wilson Detective Agency in the Tenderloin. After getting the password, ascend in a vintage-style elevator to enter a dimly lit space fashioned after a detective's office. Settle into a leather chair amid old books and curios to sip clever Prohibition-era cocktails like the informal, served in a teacup to resemble an illicit sip. A reviewer described their experience: "The secret entrance and elaborate backstory brings the speakeasy concept to life."
Local Edition in the Financial District takes a more refined approach to the speakeasy theme. Look for an understated brass plaque next to the elevator in the lobby to access this hip subterranean space. The vibe is more Great Gatsby than back-alley gin joint, with art deco touches and dapper barkeeps. Historic punches and fizzes are the cocktails of choice, like the Arrack Punch with its warm spices. A recent guest noted, "While thoroughly modern, there are just enough subtle touches to give it an old-timey, speakeasy feel."
ABV in the Mission also requires a password for entry into its intimate barrel-vaulted space. The decor features vintage saloon details like pressed tin ceilings and taxidermy. Their cocktails range from updated classics like the Penicillin with blended Scotch to seriously researched originals like the Dr. Beebe made with mezcal, eucalyptus and lime. As one blogger put it, "ABV's secret entrance and dim lighting sets the mood; their cocktails enhance the experience."
Shaken, Not Stirred: Sipping Through San Francisco's Top 5 Cocktail Bars - Tiki Cocktails to Channel Your Inner Beachcomber
Trade frigid fog for tropical escapism with expertly crafted tiki cocktails. While tiki bars may conjure kitschy images of fruity drinks served in tacky mugs, several San Francisco establishments are redefining the genre with serious mixology and authentic atmosphere. Prepare to be transported from the urban jungle to an island oasis.
Leading the pack is Smuggler's Cove in Hayes Valley, widely considered one of the world's best tiki bars. "With nearly zero natural light, it's incredibly easy to get lost in the escapism," shares one reviewer. The decor impressively captures the South Seas setting with touches like rattan, bamboo, and nautical artifacts. An immense rum selection fuels exotic concoctions like the flaming Scorpion Bowl packed with rum and tropical juices to share. The off-menu Surfliner gets you in vacation mode with five different rums. As a frequent guest raves, "No other tiki bar comes close to the quality, authenticity, and sheer joy you’ll experience at Smuggler's Cove."
Also producing top-notch tiki tipples is Zombie Village in Soma, famed for its namesake drink. A flaming volcano bowl overflows with five rums, three juices, and a zombies head emerging from the fog. Share this monster of a cocktail with friends for a riveting tableside spectacle. Beyond the theatrics, "Zombie Village uses quality rums and fresh-squeezed juices to create balanced drinks with depth," observes a tiki connoisseur. The 70-item menu spans classics like the Mai Tai and modern inventions like the gin-based Island Bird.
The historic Tonga Room inside the Fairmont Hotel transports you to a literal tropical oasis, with seating around the hotel's indoor pool. Storms roll in every 30 minutes, with thunder, lightening, and rain pouring down around the thatched huts. The drinks match the theatrical surroundings, like the rum-packed Aku Aku Lapu served in a moai (Easter Island statue) mug. A recent visitor raved, "Between the rainstorms, floating bandstand, and stellar drinks, the Tonga Room is an all-encompassing tiki experience."
Shaken, Not Stirred: Sipping Through San Francisco's Top 5 Cocktail Bars - The Best Views Come with a Twist
San Francisco is renowned for its stunning vistas - the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay, and the city skyline are postcard-perfect backdrops. Some of the city's top bars take full advantage of the incredible views, pairing panoramas with creative cocktails for an unforgettable experience.
Of course, no San Francisco view tops the sweeping panorama from Top of the Mark on the 19th floor of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins. Since 1939, this sky-high lounge has awed guests with 360-degree scenes encompassing the Bay, Alcatraz, Twin Peaks and beyond through floor-to-ceiling windows. Cocktails are classics like the martini or Manhattan, sourced with care to match the refined surroundings. As one recent visitor described, “Sipping a perfectly balanced drink while soaking in the breathtaking views makes you feel on top of the world.”
The Starlight Room at the top of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in Union Square also combines stellar views with serious mixology. The lounge's floor-to-ceiling windows showcase the twinkling cityscape, framed by swanky decor including tufted leather booths and crystal chandeliers. House originals like the Starlight Mule with gin, ginger, and hibiscus are thoughtfully constructed with quality spirits. “The views are spectacular,” says a reviewer. “Pair that with fantastic live music and craft cocktails, and you have an amazing night out.”
For a more casual take, seq bar overlooking Mission Bay provides laid-back imbibing with front-row waterfront views. The restaurant’s expansive deck offers an ideal vantage point for admiring sailboats, kayakers and the Bay Bridge, while sipping well-made classics like mojitos, negronis, and margaritas. Says a recent patron, “Fantastic spot for catching the sunset while enjoying tasty cocktails and the cool breeze off the water.”
21st Amendment Brewery & Taproom by the ballpark keeps it fun and lively with excellent brews and a knockout view of the bay from their 2,000 square foot outdoor beer garden. Quaff the Hell or High Watermelon wheat beer while watching kayakers paddling by, cargo ships sailing under the bridge, and boats cruising on the water. “The atmosphere is chill and the views are amazing,” says a reviewer. “Good spot to grab a beer with nice scenery.”
For a trendy South Beach vibe without leaving town, The Rooftop at Requited overlooking the SoMa skyline aims to please. Lounge on daybeds while sipping tropical drinks like the Tiki Gimlet, crafted with care by award-winning “Bar Chef” Jennifer Colliau. Panoramic city views spread out before you, accented by playful decor including a pink Vespa. Says a recent guest, “A hip rooftop space with delicious, innovative drinks and Instagram-worthy backdrops.”
Shaken, Not Stirred: Sipping Through San Francisco's Top 5 Cocktail Bars - Cocktails Worth Their Weight in Gold
San Francisco is home to some of the world's most expensive and exclusive cocktails. We're not talking about your average $15 martini - these liquor libations contain ultra-premium spirits and rare ingredients that drive the cost up to hundreds of dollars per glass. The city's luxury bars spare no expense to create one-of-a-kind flavor experiences for their wealthy clientele. Just be prepared for some serious sticker shock.
At the top of the price chart is the martini at Bar 355 inside the Kensington Park Hotel. This exclusive bar pours a martini with whopping $10,000 price tag. So what exactly justifies the cost of a small car? The ultra-luxe concoction contains a few drops of Louis XIII de Remy Martin cognac, which normally retails for around $3,000 a bottle. Add to that an ounce of rare Pearls of Loch Ryan caviar infused Beluga vodka, which goes for nearly $700 a bottle. The whole thing is stirred with a diamond-encrusted gold caviar spoon because why not? As one wide-eyed patron put it, "It was the most luxurious martini imaginable - like drinking liquefied riches."
Over at the Burritt Room speakeasy and lounge in the Mystic Hotel, expect to shell out a cool $100 for their prized Black Pearl cocktail. So what makes it worth its lofty tab? This smoky libation contains ultra-precious Black Pearl Louis XIII cognac, one of the world's most exclusive spirits that sells for around $165 an ounce. Plus it's served in a custom-designed unicode black pearl glass - yours to keep as a unique souvenir. Says one recent drinker, "The Black Pearl tasted incredibly refined, almost otherworldly. The cognac aroma and flavor was layered and intense but still smooth."
Meanwhile XYZ bar at the W San Francisco Hotel offers a Golden Boy martini that incorporates 23-year-old Glen Moray single malt scotch. At $86 a flute, it's not cheap - but devotees say the quality of the aged spirit gives it complexity well beyond your typical martini profile. "You can really savor the depth of flavors from the scotch," shares one guest. "It elevates a martini into something subtle and sublime."
Over at Mister Jiu's chic Chinese eatery in Chinatown, their upscale Peking Duck cocktail will set you back $88 thanks to an ounce of Macallan 25, widely considered one of the best single malt scotches in the world. As one customer reports, “The Macallan lent deep, slightly smoky flavors that blended harmoniously with the Chinese herbs and spices. A truly elite drinking experience.”
Shaken, Not Stirred: Sipping Through San Francisco's Top 5 Cocktail Bars - Molecular Mixology - Drinks Meet Science
San Francisco is a hotbed for molecular mixology, where classically-trained bartenders draw upon technical skills to transform drinks into multimedia experiences. By borrowing techniques from the science lab, these cocktail innovators are able to alter the form, texture, appearance and aroma of drinks in provocative ways. For the adventurous imbiber, it adds an element of surprise and entertainment to the bar experience.
At Trick Dog in the Mission, the wizards behind the bar employ all sorts of culinary and scientific methods to conjure up their outlandish concoctions. Many cocktails utilize original techniques like clarification to produce crystal clear drinks without dilution. This process uses agar as a gelling agent to remove cloudy particulates. Other drinks play with texture using gels and foams to recreate flavors in unexpected formats. The Hedonist's Lament layers gin with a jiggly caper-lime gel topped by an ethereal juniper foam. "It's so cool how they're able to capture flavors in unusual, multi-textural ways," says one guest.
Over at Bar Agricole, scientific principles also inspire their innovative drink recipes. For example, the Diamondback utilizes a rotary evaporator to distill and intensify chamomile into a clear, concentrated liqueur. Other drinks employ liquid nitrogen to chill and add a dramatic smoky effect as vapor pours over the glass. Their Vieux Carré Flash Frozen cocktail gets this cryogenic treatment - Cognac and whiskey poured over an ice ball frozen with liquid nitrogen right at the table. "Mixing science into the art of cocktail creation takes talent and technique," notes one reviewer, "But the showmanship makes for a fun experience."
The cocktail wizards at Aaxis Café whip up wildly unconventional concoctions by isolating key botanical essences. Their Clarified Gimlet features house-made rosewater and lime extracts carefully clarified into a see-through, intensified spirit. Drinks like The Kaffir utilize rotary evaporation to capture the essence of kaffir lime leaves into a Southeast Asian inspired quaff. "They've really perfected the clarification technique," observes one patron. "It allows you to experience familiar flavors in a brand new way."
Down at Ratio, they take classic recipes and give them an imaginative molecular makeover. For example, their Marmalade Flip cocktail gets turned into an intermezzo-style dessert. Seville orange marmalade is clarified and shaped into a transparent quenelle that mimics an egg yolk, nestled in a frothy tangerine aquafaba meringue flavored like egg whites. The visual effect elevates the flavors into a conceptual experience. "They blur the lines between bar science and edible art," notes one visitor.
Shaken, Not Stirred: Sipping Through San Francisco's Top 5 Cocktail Bars - Local Ingredients Shaken Up Right
San Francisco is blessed with an abundance of incredible local ingredients, from produce bounty reaped from the surrounding valleys to seafood plucked fresh from the bay. Resourceful bartenders have seized upon these hyper-local offerings to craft uniquely regional cocktails that capture the essence of Northern California. Nothing beats sipping a drink made with ingredients sourced just down the road.
Case in point is the cocktails at Comstock Saloon, which utilize herbs from the restaurant’s own garden right outside. The Oaxacan Rustica mixes mezcal with epazote, an intense medicinal herb used in Mexican cooking. As one reviewer noted, “You could really taste the bright, almost menthol-like flavor of the epazote - so cool knowing it was grown a few feet from the bar.” TheirNORTH BEACH restoration lets the vegetal flavor of local Fernet Branca shine through when paired with foraged bay laurel and sage. “The fresh herbs balanced the bitterness perfectly,” commented one visitor. “It tasted like a woodsy hike through SF’s backyard."
Over at Local Kitchen and Wine Merchant, the aptly named Is It Local Cocktail brilliantly showcases the area’s bounty in one glass. It pairs San Mateo's acclaimed Harden’s Creek vodka with limoncello from Napa's Sanguis, cherry liqueur from Sonoma, and lemons from Sebastopol. As one guest remarked, “From first sip to last, you feel like you’re on a boozy tour of Northern California.” Even the garnish is locally sourced edible flowers from Saison restaurant’s garden. Now that's farm-to-glass.
Bar Agricole also keeps it hyperlocal with signature cocktails like the Nu Um, starring the restaurant’s house-made ginger beer. This spicy, fruity quaff mixes the homemade ginger brew with brandy from Germain-Robin distillery located up the road in Mendocino county. According to a reviewer, “The quality of the locally sourced ingredients like the brandy and the ginger beer really elevated the drink.”
Over at modern izakaya Robin, they play up Japanese flavors using seasonal market produce. Their Chadote Highball mixes shochu with Chadote squash puree, elevated by a hit of yuzu juice and soda water. A guest noted, “The sweet winter squash flavor with a zip of citrus made it taste quintessentially Californian - so cool and unique.” Other drinks like the Humboldt Fog feature cheese from local artisans, literally shaking up the area's bounty.
Shaken, Not Stirred: Sipping Through San Francisco's Top 5 Cocktail Bars - martini Glass Not Included
San Francisco's sophisticated cocktail scene is known for bespoke libations crafted with top-shelf spirits and house-made ingredients. But a backlash has emerged against the pretentious trappings and prohibitive prices at some of the city’s acclaimed bars. A growing contingent of dyed-in-the-wool imbibers are calling out illusions of exclusivity and standing up for unfussy places where the focus stays on flavorful, well-made drinks without the pomp. As one blogger put it, “Who needs a crystal coupe when that perfectly balanced martini tastes just as divine in a rocks glass?”
Chief among the old-school, no-frills cocktail havens is Martuni’s piano bar in the Castro. Since 1941, its quintessential dive decor of vinyl booths and neon beer signs has beckoned revelers seeking strong, inexpensive pours and convivial atmosphere. The classic martini comes simply garnished with an olive or twist - no caviar spoons or smoked ice cubes to be found. Says one regular, “Martuni’s is a throwback to when cocktails were about taste first and aesthetics second.” Another longtime patron raves, “Their martinis and Manhattans taste consistently great in a plastic cup or a martini glass.”
Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe also defiantly rejects highfalutin gimmickry in favor of good ol' fashioned flavor. Located in the same North Beach spot since 1968, taxidermied wildlife adorns wood-paneled walls while white jackets sling drinks named after regulars. Their martini even comes with an ice pick, cheekily mocking bougie bars that hand-chisel 2” cubes. “The vibe here is the total opposite of pretense” notes one reviewer, who proclaimed Specs’ martini “bracingly cold, clear, and smooth.” Another customer echoes, “I’ll take their perfect martini or Manhattan served up in whatever cup they've got.”
At cocktail institution Bix in Jackson Square, gold-flecked murals and white-jacketed bartenders nod to old-world refinement. But snobbery is checked at the mahogany door in favor of sport coats and cocktail banter (and a great jukebox). Their martini is always stirred crisp and served straight up. One regular enthuses, “No fancy frills needed for Bix’s martini - the flavor and balance speak for themselves.” Another reviewer concurs, “I don’t need a fancy coupe when Bix delivers a martini this deliciously crisp in a simple stemless glass.”
Dive bar staple The Homestead, occupying a former sailors’ boardinghouse in the Mission since 1902, flaunts its irreverence via an epithet-laden cocktail menu. Behind the patchwork wood bar, tattooed bartenders deftly shake and stir classics like properly dry martinis to slop into chilling coupes or rocks glasses. “You come here for the history and the strong, unfussy drinks” shares one regular. A self-described dive bar defender adds, “Their martini and Manhattan game is as strong as any fancy cocktail spot.”