Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
San Francisco's Bars
San Francisco has been a drinkers' town ever since the heady
days of the Gold Rush (see pp26-7) , when there was a saloon
for every 50 residents. The bawdy public houses of the mid-
19th century no longer exist. Instead, today, you can drink
with a view; grab a local brew; sip an elegant, sweet cocktail
in a chic lounge; sample a fine local country vintage wine;
mingle with cheering local fans at a sports bar; see satellite-
broadcast matches from Europe and soak up charm and an
occasional concert at an Irish Bar. Alternatively, you can
observe how a notable segment of San Francisco's
population parties at a gay bar.
Wine Bars
With the proximity to Northern
California Wine Country, the
Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant Bar ,
surrounded by artisan
cheesemakers, bakers, and
other gourmet outlets, is a fine
spot to sample wines.
Champagne and candlelight
create the atmosphere of the
Bubble Lounge . Not far from
Union Square is Press Club , a
wine-tasting bar and lounge
serving wines from six of
Northern California's most
prestigious wineries. At Hidden
Vine , also in Union Square,
patrons can share and taste
delectable California wines, as
well as rare offe rings from other
regions. In the vibrant Marina
District, BIN38 entices with a
great selection of small-
production wines, while Amelie
is a quaint place to enjoy fine
wines and cheese.
Rooftop Bars
Those with a head for heights
and a craving to be above the
hills can visit the bars at the top
of the towers in the city center.
Grand Hyatt's Grand View
Lounge , the View Lounge at
Marriott Hotel, and Top of the
Mark at the Mark Hopkins (see
p104) all offer splendid views
and evening jazz along with
dance music. The quaint
rooftop patio at Jones is
more low-key and relaxing.
Cocktail Bars
Traditional cocktail bars, with a
chatty bartender holding court
in front of rows of gleaming
bottles, are great fun in San
Francisco, and there are plenty
of venues to choose from.
Singles often drink at Harry
Denton's Starlight Room , and
those in the need-to-be-seen
crowd are in the Clift Hotel
Redwood Room , with a backlit
bar and upper tier cocktail
prices. A lively bohemian
crowd can be found along
Columbus Avenue at Specs' ,
Tosca , and Vesuvio - a one-
time beatnik hangout where a
poular house drink is the Jack
Kerouac (rum, tequila, orange/
cranberry juice, and lime).
Banquettes, potent cocktails,
and Rat Pack-era decor mix
with a relaxed North Beach
crowd at Tony Niks .
Across town in the Mission
District, Elixir is a neighbor-
hood bar with darts, and a
wooden back-bar in a Victorian
building that once had a
bootblack on the premises.
Also in the Mission, Nihon
Whiskey Lounge has the
largest single-malt selection on
the West Coast, plus innovative
whiskey and champagne
cocktails, and a delectable
menu of Japanese food. Buena
Vista Café is the 1952
birthplace of Irish coffee and
serves 2,000 glasses per day.
The wood-paneled Rickhouse
provides a cozy, intimate space.
Other bars, such as Café du
Nord , in a former Prohibition
speakeasy, and the award-
winning Biscuits and Blues ,
have live jazz.
Themed Bars
One of the best spots to
connect with local passion is
Knuckles Sports Bar , with more
than 24 televisions for live
broadcasts. Bring your own food
or snacks to the drinks-only
Greens Sports Bar . Buckshot
Restaurant, Bar & Gameroom
offers food and drinks, music, a
pool table, old-school video-
games, and skee ball. Irish cheer
and Guinness are quaffed at The
Irish Bank and The Chieftain .
Beer Bars
For a more down-to-earth
experience, visit one of the city's
many beer bars, popular
gathering places for the after-
work crowd and weekend
revelers. The best of these
specialize in beers brewed by
West Coast breweries, including
San Francisco's fine Anchor
Steam and Liberty Ale.
One of the best, the English
Mad Dog in the Fog , is situated
on Haight Street. Magnolia Pub
& Brewery , in a 1903 Haight
Victorian, retains its original
wooden bar and name from
ex-dancer Magnolia
Thunderpussy. The Thirsty Bear
is known for its tapas, while the
hip Monk's Kettle draws the
crowds with its craft beers and
excellent food pairings. In North
Beach, The Church Key is a
charming dive bar with a huge
beer list. This popular hangout is
easy to miss - its entrance is
marked simply by a sign
featuring a key. At the Pacific
Ocean edge of Golden Gate
Park, Beach Chalet 's brews
combine with fine views.
Gay Bars
Watering holes popular with the
gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgendered range from
leather, biker, latex, and fetish-
specialized to bars favored
simply because the clientele is
predominantly of one type. The
Castro, SoMa, and Mission
Districts are magnet areas. The
Twin Peaks Tavern has a relaxed,
warm atmosphere; The Stud and
Endup keep drinks flowing with
the dancing; The Last Call Bar
offers a cozy, friendly, pub-like
atmosphere; while Divas is a
well-known spot serving the
transgender community.
 
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