The Marina’s new retro cocktail destination grooved into the neighborhood with wood paneled walls, glittering disco balls, and a menu of drinks inspired by songs from the late 1960s through the mid ‘80s. Former Liholiho Yacht Club and Good Good Culture Club bar director Janice Bailon channeled the free wheeling energy of Marlena Shaw’s California Soul into a layered drink made with vodka, Lillet Blanc, honey, bubbles, and Campari. Food comes from chef Frank Hua (Unco Frank’s) with options like smoked trout roe-topped deviled eggs and fish sliders.  

After a long pandemic hiatus, Union Square Mexican restaurant Colibri has relocated to a new space: this time in the historic Presidio Officers Club. Much of the food menu remains the same as ever, but the cocktail selection is coming back stronger than before with options like a smoked Gruñon drink, which floats on wisps of smoke unfurling from a glass-encased box. The drink menu is, understandably, tequila and mezcal-centric, meant to be enjoyed alongside luscious moles and fresh tortillas. 

The team behind Bodega in North Beach has taken the natural wine party to Lower Nob Hill with the brick-walled Key Klub, which celebrated its grand opening in December. There’s a deep wine list with some 25 options by the glass, plus a selection of beers that’s focused on tapping only the freshest of kegs. 

Members Only is the new bi-level bar and restaurant taking over the former Saratoga spot, but with a fun bonus: a sister bar called Finders Keepers located in the basement, with its own distinct drink menu. Finders Keepers found inspiration from Haight’s now-closed Loved to Death, so expect some fun quirk alongside your cocktail.

The latest venture from the Future Bars team rolled into the former Olympic Cafe space on Geary in mid-March. Bottle Club Pub is a throwback to the heyday of American whiskey, with a world-class collection of vintage ceramic decanters and a one-of-a-kind backbar made so rotating shelves showcase an impressive selection of brown spirits. Enjoy one of general manager Jayson Wilde’s cocktails — categorized as either “reviving and refreshing” or “bold will hold” — along with a plate of fish and chips, smashburger, or wedge salad. 

La Bande, that gorgeous green triangular space at the tip of the Proper Hotel, reopened as a gin-soaked tapas bar in September. Pull up a barstool for grilled squid, tomato toast, and gin and tonics.

Ascend to the roof of the Hyatt Place hotel in SoMa for Nikkei cocktails and stunning views that stretch from downtown San Francisco all the way to Alameda. Kaiyo Rooftop brings vacation vibes to the neighborhood around Oracle Park with a cocktail list that includes umbrella-topped, tiki-like concoctions and a food menu that marries vibrant Peruvian flavors with Japanese culinary techniques. 

The Madrigal shimmered open in early December, debuting a new cocktail bar for symphony and opera goers. It’s the latest project from the Hi Neighbor group (the Vault, Trestle, Mama), replacing their own former restaurant Corridor. There are still sweeping windows at the front and a mezzanine up above, but there’s also now a walnut bar, serving cocktails, steak tartare, and duck smash burgers.

The chief of staff for the Saison group opened a passion project at the end of September. Copas is a new all-day cafe in the Castro, now serving cappuccinos and avocado toast in the morning and sparkling copas cocktails and grilled octopus at night.

After drinking hard for a couple of decades and going dark for a couple of years, Dalva reopened at the beginning of January, with a whole new look for the storied Mission bar. Longtime owner Erik Reichborn-Kjennerud (Dalva, ABV) and new partner Eric Ochoa (Elda) added warmth and style while preserving the Art Deco bar back, along with other details. The new drinks list includes all new cocktails, lots of agave spirits, craft beer, natural wine, and vermouth on tap, as well as snacks from chef friends (think spicy peanuts from Mister Jiu’s).

A trio of industry veterans including Seth Murray, Will Konevich, and Kevin Behrens have flipped the Corner Spot, a bar on Irving Street in the Sunset, into the Sage & Drifter. Coming with experience at top San Francisco bars including ABV, Dalva, and Hockey Haven, the team hopes to make the watering hole a true neighborhood haunt with everything from $3 Tecate to respectable craft cocktails. 

Buddy is a friendly new neighborhood bar that opened in the Mission in November. It’s from a crew of industry veterans Alvaro Rojas (Elda), Nicolas Torres (True Laurel), Nora Furst (Uma Casa), and Claire Sprouse (Hunky Dory in Brooklyn), and the cocktails are expertly crafted, featuring wine, vermouth, and sherry. Plus, the natural wine list is popping off with bubbles, pinks, and oranges. Chef Sean Thomas (Blue Plate) also debuted a fun menu, starring a serious looking fried mortadella “sammy.”  

Chef Anya El-Wattar’s Noe Valley restaurant is primarily a destination for modern Russian cuisine, but the Birch & Rye team didn’t stop with elegant food; there’s also a selection of house-infused vodkas to be enjoyed by the shot or carafe, or you can dive into the cocktail list for something more complex. Every drink is built on an infused vodka base.