Polk Street partiers have another fun spot in which to revel, as Jackalope has arrived to show the Tenderloin a good time. The new bar (1092 Post, on the corner with Polk) comes from Cory Hunt, a co-owner of nearby Soda Popinski's, and Javier Ortiz, who worked there for many years. They met in law school at UC Davis, but have long since ditched the art of justice in favor of life behind bars. (The duo have worked extensively with Duncan Ley and Ben Bleiman, the Bullitt/Tonic/Dr. Teeth empire builders, but they're not directly involved in the project.) It's pretty much immediately recognizable thanks to a giant sculpture of the eponymous creature, which is suspended over the bar.
Jackalope comes packed with plenty of enticements for drinkers, including a $10 "drunk Plinko" board that allows players to take their chances with an alcoholic prize ranging from the outstanding (a shot of Patrón and another go at the board) to the OK (two shots of Branca Menta) to the horrific (a Motor Oil shot). The upstairs has been dubbed the "Duck Hunt Loft," and features a Nintendo (complete with Zapper and all the games designed for it, including the aforementioned Duck Hunt) and a Sega with Sonic the Hedgehog. Private parties of 15-20 people can reserve the loft, free of charge, by e-mailing the bar.
If you'd rather not let Plinko determine the fate of your imbibing, there's a selection of $10 cocktails like the Two-Toed Tom (gin, agave nectar, lime, jalapeño) and the signature Jackalope (rye, Cherry Heering, Benedictine, bitters, lemon peel). There's also a number of $9 shot and beer combos, from Dewar's and Racer 5 to Fernet-Branca and Anchor California Lager. Here's the full menu. There's no food, but takeout is welcome.
Jackalope is currently open from 5 pm-2 am daily, though Hunt and Ortiz hope to open at 3 on Friday and Saturday after they settle in. They'll also debut trivia and charity guest bartending down the line. Tonight is their grand opening party, so drop by and say hi.
