Royal Cuckoo Market Sneakily Opens a Tiny Bar Inside

Turns out there’s hope yet for quirky SF, as evidenced by the newly-opened Horsies Saloon inside of Royal Cuckoo Market in the Mission. Owner Paul Miller thought, “Why not?” to adding a bar to his liquor store, and Horsies Saloon is the delightful result. It has just eight seats at the bar, with a few more outside, but it’s serving up wine and beer cocktails and some food from the market kitchen.

The name comes from the market’s LLC, which is Horsens, and Miller’s Scandinavian family name. “Our LLC is Horsens, but Horsens or Horse's sounded dry,” Miller told Eater SF. “But Horsies sounded ridiculous or silly enough, like how a five year old would say it.” That playful spirit carries through to the horse theme, which is a mix of Western saloon and Scandinavian inspiration. “Horses are not exclusive to anyone,” Miller pointed out.

Miller created the drinks himself, which are in the $6 to $10 range, and include things like Horsies Mary, or a take on a bloody mary with spicy tomato juice, beet juice, and two shots of Underberg, as well as other vermouth and sherry cocktails, plus beer and wine. (“It's hard to call them cocktails without whiskey or tequila, but they're really good,” Miller said.) Food includes breakfast sandwiches, soup, paninis, and charcuterie boards. You can see the full food and drink menus below.

Of particular note, Horsies Saloon is open when the market is, so starting at 8 a.m. Monday through Thursday, until 10 p.m., as well as Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Mini bar: Horsies Saloon opens inside Mission market [Capp Street Crap]
• Royal Cuckoo Market [Official Site]