Here are the best cocktail lounges in San Francisco, no matter what type of drink suits your mood.
Bar Iris
This nautical-themed pub is not only a San Francisco classic, but one of the finest rum and exotic cocktail destinations in the world. Smuggler’s Cove boasts over 1,300 different rums—the largest selection in the country—along with cocktails inspired by three centuries of rum history.
Keep it classy at 15 Romolo. This sexy back-alley hideout expertly combines comfort and refinement, making it the perfect place to unwind for locals and drifters alike. Jam out to an in-house jukebox with a glass of sparkling bubbly or a specialty cocktail in hand—we recommend a vodka-based Pixie accented with lemon, mint and elderflower or a frozen daiquiri for optimal deliciousness.
Head to Bar Iris in Russian Hill for decadent sips inspired by Japanese flavors and cocktail traditions. Through attached to Nisei next door, this space is decidedly its own, boasting extensive whisky, sake, beer, wine and shochu menus. Our fave is the Seaweed & Tonic, crafted with local seaweed, Roku gin, Q tonic, Kiuchi yuzu wine, tomato nama sake and Manzanilla En Rama.
There’s no arguing Comstock Saloon’s place in SF history—the lounge is housed in a historic space that dates all the way back to 1907. Sip expertly crafted vintage cocktails among antiques that narrate the saloon’s storied past, including an 18-foot mahogany bar from 1890 and vibrant blue-and-white barbershop tile flooring.
Innovative cooking techniques, from leather-aging spirits to low-temp infusions that turn fresh herbs and produce into bitters, tinctures and liqueurs, are the name of the game at Linden Room. Try the Thai-Ice-Tini, crafted with vodka, Thai tea and coconut, or opt for the Inner Fire made with tequila, mezcal Montenegro, sweet vermouth and flamed orange.
This bar and lounge in Union Square serves creative, balanced cocktails inspired by Asian Pacific ingredients. With multiple award wins under its belt—including Best American Cocktail Bar and Best American Bartender (Kevin Diedrich)—the extensive menu, delineated by spirits, leaves little to be desired.
Located on the 21st floor of the Beacon Grand Hotel, expect a side of refined ambiance and expansive city views with your cocktail. The decor is inspired by our city’s rich history—think gold, fog and cable cars—and DJ Nina Tarr spins seriously groovy tunes all night long. Whet your whistle with the Cable Car Redux, a cheeky play on the classic Sidecar, paired with a side of Osetra caviar to nibble.
Sip bespoke beverages—the Decanted Mother-In-Law is a fan fave, while the Paxton’s Arrow serves up serious spice—among myriad books and mechanical wonders. St. George Spirits in Alameda has created three spirits for The Interval, of which you can own your own liter for a $1,500 donation to The Long Now Foundation, a cutting-edge nonprofit that shares a home with the chic lounge.
One of SF’s most famous cocktail bars, critically-acclaimed Trick Dog is no stranger to Best Of lists. The trendy Mission District staple is housed in a converted warehouse transformed with a distinctly artistic aesthetic and eclectic decor, serving up a vast array of delectable craft cocktails.
The fact that you can find some of the tastiest and most dangerously easy-drinking cocktails in town means a night at True Laurel can be a good night indeed. Try the Laurel Martini, made with London Dry and Islay gins with a vermouth marriage and California Bay tincture, or craft your own concoction from the extensive spirits list.
Photography by: COURTESY OF BRAND
