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The 32 Essential Cocktail Bars in San Francisco

SF's most influential cocktail bars, right this way

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Thanks to talented bartenders around town, high-quality spirits, and innovative ingredients, there's no better time than the present to be a drinker in San Francisco. And if you're craving some of the very best libations in town, look no further than these cocktail bars (and a few restaurants with excellent bar programs) for boozy concoctions that are creative, thoughtful, and incredibly drinkable.

If it’s the hottest, newest cocktail dens in town that are calling your name, then head on over to this map. If you’re looking for strictly tiki, wine bars, or dives, we have those too.

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. The Interval at Long Now

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2 Marina Blvd, Fort Mason Building A
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 561-6582
Visit Website

By far one of the most interesting cocktail bars in San Francisco, the Interval is part museum, part cafe, part (best part!) cocktail bar. The menu is extensive, but thoughtful and unique. While you're sipping, check out prototypes of the 10,000 Year Clock and the floor-to-ceiling library that houses thousands of books.

2. Tony Nik's

Copy Link
1534 Stockton St
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 693-0990
Visit Website

A true, 87-year-old North Beach classic, where the neighborhood gathers over Fernet and whiskey cocktails. The fading neon sign will guide you inside, where each table has an actual, flickering candle on it. Settle in at the long bar for a beer and a shot or drink a very good old fashioned.

3. 15 Romolo

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15 Romolo Pl
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 398-1359
Visit Website

A North Beach hideaway, 15 Romolo is located down an alley off Broadway's neon row of strip clubs. Excellently curated cocktails and an extensive sherry list make it a bright spot in a neighborhood filled with vodka sodas and thongs. Try the Pimm’s cup, laced with ginger syrup and loaded with cucumber and mint, by the glass or pitcher.

Eater Archives

4. Comstock Saloon

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155 Columbus Ave
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 617-0073
Visit Website

You'll feel like you went back in time when you walk into Comstock Saloon. The historic space dates back to 1907 and the tile floors and mahogany bar are all original. Still, while that's cool and all, what you're really there for are the the classic cocktails: daiquiri, pisco punch, and Sazerac all make the list. Or ask for the Barkeep's Whimsy and let the person behind the bar decide your fancy. You won't be lead astray.

5. Li Po Cocktail Lounge

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916 Grant Ave
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 982-0072
Visit Website

Li Po is one of, if not the, oldest bars in Chinatown (1937) and on any given night there will be a healthy mix of tourists and locals. Order the Chinese mai tai (dark rum, light rum, 151 rum, "Chinese liquor," pineapple juice) because its a thing thanks to the late Anthony Bourdain, but stick to just one unless you have absolutely nothing to accomplish the next day.

6. Cafe Terminus

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16 California St
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 960-8405
Visit Website

Yes, it’s small, and it’s largely a stop for afterwork commuters in need of a day-ending cocktail. But it’s the actual perfect bar, a to-the-point oasis full of regulars and skilled bartenders who can just as easily pour a well-made gimlet as a beer and a shot. Stand at the bar with your drink and your thoughts, or grab a seat at one of the very few tables inside or on the sidewalk. (It’s also a cafe with breakfast and lunch available to-go.)

Patricia Chang

7. Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar

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950 Mason St
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 772-5278
Visit Website

An SF institution, every resident needs to go to the Tonga Room at least once to experience the tropical decor, live entertainment, intermittent rain storms, and famous mai tai that's been served since 1945.

Patricia Chang

8. The Snug

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2301 Fillmore St
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 562-5092
Visit Website

Pac Heights got lucky when a team of industry pros opened this cozy neighborhood bar in 2017. It’s named after the little nooks and crannies in an Irish pub, and it does have a snug, if you want a secluded corner to make out, either with your date or the popcorn chicken. It’s also into boozy brunch.

9. Pacific Cocktail Haven

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580 Sutter St
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 398-0195
Visit Website

Barman Kevin Diedrich has been a force in the SF cocktail scene for years. PCH is his solo venture, bringing supremely creative cocktails to a narrow but lively space inUnion Square. Drinks like the Leeward Negroni combine gin, coconut-washed Campari, and pandan, while the miso old fashioned combines miso-butter rum, pommeau, and bitters for a new take on a classic.

10. House of Shields

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39 New Montgomery St
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 975-8651
Visit Website

This old, old school bar has been continuously operating since 1908 in SoMa, across from the Palace Hotel. It got a deep clean in 2011 when owner Dennis Leary restored it to its former glory. There are no televisions, no clocks — just dark wood, little light, and classic drinks.

Cocktail at House of Shields House of Shields

11. Local Edition

Copy Link
691 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 795-1375
Visit Website

Newcomers to Local Edition may have trouble spotting the unmarked door on Market Street, but look for the clock face, wind down the stairs, and discover a cavernous lounge filled with strong cocktails and vintage typewriters. The daily headlines are always whiskey, bourbon, and rye. The place gets slammed when the tech and finance crowds converge after work, but it is possible to reserve a table.

William J. Adams

12. Benjamin Cooper

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398 Geary St
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 654-5061
Visit Website

Brian Felley and Mo Hodges were the guys who were behind the bar at (now closed) Big, before heading up SF's hardest to find cocktail and oyster bar, Benjamin Cooper. It might be difficult find a seat right when you walk in (14 bar seats and a few more off to the side), but it's worth waiting it out for the creative cocktails that are based on both seasonality and whimsy.

Patricia Chang

13. Trou Normand

Copy Link
140 New Montgomery St
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 975-0876
Visit Website

Trou Normand shares an owner with Bar Agricole, so it's no surprise the cocktails are out of this world. They're all based on classic turn-of-the-century recipes with a focus on Calvados, Armagnac, and Cognac. Almost everything on the list is $16. Order the House Old Fashioned (single cask cognac, two bitters); just don't be surprised when it goes down a lot faster than you planned.

14. Bourbon & Branch

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501 Jones St
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 346-1735
Visit Website

You can't just walk into Bourbon & Branch; no, you'll need to buzz an intercom and provide a password (which can be easily gotten by making a reservation). Once you're in, you'll be whisked to your seat, which may be in one of several rooms behind secret bookcases and walls that open up. The bartender's goal is to pour you a drink you've never had, so go with an open (and patient) mind. Just don't expect to Instagram it; photography and cell phones are strictly forbidden.

15. Whitechapel

Copy Link
600 Polk St
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 292-5800
Visit Website

It's the steampunk, gin-soaked fever dream of Jack the Ripper, and it's located right here in San Francisco. From drink master Martin Cate (Smuggler's Cove), this bar has a hilariously long list of cocktails, starting with classics from the early 1900s, and incorporating creations of notable cocktailers around the country. The food is also killer, including the curry chips and proper pies filled with braised beef and ale and mushrooms.

16. Tommy's Mexican Restaurant

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5929 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 387-4747
Visit Website

You're going to this Outer Richmond Mexican joint for two reasons: the best tequila selection in San Francisco and pitchers of Tommy's Margaritas. Still, while you're there, you might as well get an enchilada and taco combination plate. You'll need it if the margaritas do their job properly.

17. Smuggler's Cove

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650 Gough St
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 869-1900
Visit Website

Thanks to Smuggler's Cove's shipwreck/pirate-theme decor, line out the door (no one is allowed in when the bar is at its 49 person capacity), and selection of 400+ rums, this tiki bar that's so much more than just a tiki bar is a favorite among San Franciscans and tourists. The cocktail menu is extensive and they take a long time to make, so ask a bartender to steer you in the right direction.

18. Absinthe Brasserie & Bar

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398 Hayes St
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 551-1590
Visit Website

Absinthe has been doing creative cocktails since before creative cocktails were a San Francisco staple. And not only have they been doing them, they've been doing them well. The bar scene is always lively at this Hayes Valley restaurant, thanks to its proximity to the opera and symphony, and because it's a great place to get a perfectly executed drink.

19. Linden Room

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292 Linden St
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 829-7565
Visit Website

This cozy, carpeted, and teeny tiny bar is hidden behind chef Kim Alter’s tasting menu restaurant Nightbird. The cocktails are based off American classics, with drinks like the Kentucky 75

(bourbon, cucumber, ginger, Pimms, anise hyssop, lemon) served in vintage glassware collected by the chef. (Note: Due to its diminutive size, save this for an intimate occasion, rather than a large group outing.)

Linden Room
Linden Room
Patricia Chang

20. Bar Agricole

Copy Link
355 11th St
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 355-9400
Visit Website

Bar Agricole's cocktails are undoubtedly some of the most spectacular libations you'll find in San Francisco. Most of the cocktails remain true to the classics, but the techniques and ingredients bring them into this century thanks to house-made tinctures and herbs grown in the courtyard garden.

21. Aub Zam Zam

Copy Link
1633 Haight St
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 861-2545

Talk about essential: Aub Zam Zam has been serving cocktails in the Haight since 1941. Though owner Bruno Mooshei passed away 20 years ago, the bar continues to offer up solid, simple cocktails in a vintage atmosphere. Originally called "Persian Aub Zam Zam," the interior still summons up an exotic feel, with a semi-circular bar, dim lighting and geometric details. Stop by for a martini, and mingle with your neighbors for a classic SF experience.

22. Nihon Whisky Lounge

Copy Link
1779 Folsom St
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 552-4400
Visit Website

For whisky obsessives, Nihon is single-mindedly focused on single malt, pouring a selection of more than 600 bottles of Japanese whisky and scotch. Guests can try them straight up or mixed into tempting cocktails. Izakaya snacks round out the food menu.

23. Blackbird Bar

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2124 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 503-0630
Visit Website

Blackbird is one of those neighborhood watering holes that's worth going to even if the Castro/Duboce Triangle isn't your particular neighborhood. The super friendly bartenders serve up fun cocktails with themed menus like "Game of Thrones" and hip hop-inspired "B-Sides." (The menus change with the season.) Head there between 5 and 8 p.m. on weekdays for happy hour, but know you'll likely still be there long after it's over.

24. ABV

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3174 16th St
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 400-4748
Visit Website

ABV owners Ryan Fitzgerald, Todd Smith, and Erik Reichborn-Kjennerd, are all longtime veterans of the SF bar scene, so it only makes sense that the cocktails at their Mission bar are some of the best you can currently get in the city. The menu is divided by spirit, a move that makes so much sense it's a wonder more bars haven't adopted it. You can't go wrong with the Whiskey in Church and the burger. Because, yes, ABV also serves up delicious food from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m.

25. Blondies' Bar

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540 Valencia St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 864-2419
Visit Website

A Valencia classic, Blondie’s has been serving dangerously delicious and tall martinis since the ‘90s, served with an extra shaker on the side, so you can keep topping up. It’s a fun spot to take a date, soak in the live music, and try to stay on a barstool.

Martini at Blondie’s Blondie’s Bar

26. Third Rail

Copy Link
628 20th St
San Francisco, CA 94107

This bar from the team behind Range — former bar manager Jeff Lyon and owner-chef Phil West — has a subtle railway theme and cocktails that feature seasonal ingredients and hand-cut and hand-crushed ice. The drinks are categorized by "lighter side," 'high proof," "citrus," and "seasonal" and all range from $10 to $11. The best deal though might be the Rail Shot. Ten bucks gets you a little beer, a little shot, and a little of the house-made jerky.

Patricia Chang

27. True Laurel

Copy Link
753 Alabama St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 341-0020
Visit Website

Cocktails and food are equally matched at this creative Lazy Bear spinoff. Bar manager and partner Nicolas Torres is behind the creative list, which incorporates a variety of non-traditional cocktail ingredients like the Fungus Among Us, made with truffle vodka, candy cap mushroom, oxidized wines, lemon, and pet-nat. The menu changes often, so stop in often for a drink in the mid-century inspired bar.

28. Trick Dog

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3010 20th St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 471-2999
Visit Website

Trick Dog is a creative cocktail powerhouse, known for a menu that changes every sixth months. Past iterations include a record album, Zodiac wheel, and SF tourist map, as well as a children's book called "Rhymes with Trick Dog." Drinks were titled with things that rhyme with Trick Dog (e.g. seasick hedgehog), and are laid out as a Dr. Seuss-style book with illustrations from local artists.

29. El Techo

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2516 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 550-6970
Visit Website

Up above Lolinda, the Argentinian steakhouse, El Techo is a chill rooftop hangout, serving big pitchers of margaritas and sangria, ceviche, chicharrones, and chips and guac. When you’re lining up on Mission, it’s easy to wonder if it’s worth the wait, but this bar is a breath of fresh air, with heat lamps to beat the fog.

El Techo
El Techo
El Techo

30. Lone Palm

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3394 22nd St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 648-0109

A candlelit dive bar with white tablecloths in the heart of the Mission sounds like a dream. And Lone Palm is dreamy, offering up classic cocktails like martinis and old fashioneds in what feels like a 1950s Miami bar.

Lone Palm/Facebook

31. White Cap

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3608 Taraval St
San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 682-4215
Visit Website

A cocktail pro and a surfer teamed up to open White Cap, which is succeeding in warming up the Outer Sunset, a neighborhood in need of more watering holes. Filled with driftwood and a fireplace, drinkers can get cozy with a strong drink after a beach walk.

32. Holy Water

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309 Cortland Ave
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 555-5555
Visit Website

For the folks in Bernal, Holy Water was the answer to their prayers for a legit cocktail bar. But this neighborhood bar from the people behind Churchill is worth the Uber ride if you don't live nearby. The cocktail list changes frequently, but includes a mix of the bartenders' experiments as well as twists on the classics.

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1. The Interval at Long Now

2 Marina Blvd, Fort Mason Building A, San Francisco, CA 94123

By far one of the most interesting cocktail bars in San Francisco, the Interval is part museum, part cafe, part (best part!) cocktail bar. The menu is extensive, but thoughtful and unique. While you're sipping, check out prototypes of the 10,000 Year Clock and the floor-to-ceiling library that houses thousands of books.

2 Marina Blvd, Fort Mason Building A
San Francisco, CA 94123

2. Tony Nik's

1534 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94133

A true, 87-year-old North Beach classic, where the neighborhood gathers over Fernet and whiskey cocktails. The fading neon sign will guide you inside, where each table has an actual, flickering candle on it. Settle in at the long bar for a beer and a shot or drink a very good old fashioned.

1534 Stockton St
San Francisco, CA 94133

3. 15 Romolo

15 Romolo Pl, San Francisco, CA 94133
Eater Archives

A North Beach hideaway, 15 Romolo is located down an alley off Broadway's neon row of strip clubs. Excellently curated cocktails and an extensive sherry list make it a bright spot in a neighborhood filled with vodka sodas and thongs. Try the Pimm’s cup, laced with ginger syrup and loaded with cucumber and mint, by the glass or pitcher.

15 Romolo Pl
San Francisco, CA 94133

4. Comstock Saloon

155 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

You'll feel like you went back in time when you walk into Comstock Saloon. The historic space dates back to 1907 and the tile floors and mahogany bar are all original. Still, while that's cool and all, what you're really there for are the the classic cocktails: daiquiri, pisco punch, and Sazerac all make the list. Or ask for the Barkeep's Whimsy and let the person behind the bar decide your fancy. You won't be lead astray.

155 Columbus Ave
San Francisco, CA 94133

5. Li Po Cocktail Lounge

916 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108

Li Po is one of, if not the, oldest bars in Chinatown (1937) and on any given night there will be a healthy mix of tourists and locals. Order the Chinese mai tai (dark rum, light rum, 151 rum, "Chinese liquor," pineapple juice) because its a thing thanks to the late Anthony Bourdain, but stick to just one unless you have absolutely nothing to accomplish the next day.

916 Grant Ave
San Francisco, CA 94108

6. Cafe Terminus

16 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111
Patricia Chang

Yes, it’s small, and it’s largely a stop for afterwork commuters in need of a day-ending cocktail. But it’s the actual perfect bar, a to-the-point oasis full of regulars and skilled bartenders who can just as easily pour a well-made gimlet as a beer and a shot. Stand at the bar with your drink and your thoughts, or grab a seat at one of the very few tables inside or on the sidewalk. (It’s also a cafe with breakfast and lunch available to-go.)

16 California St
San Francisco, CA 94111

7. Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar

950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Patricia Chang

An SF institution, every resident needs to go to the Tonga Room at least once to experience the tropical decor, live entertainment, intermittent rain storms, and famous mai tai that's been served since 1945.

950 Mason St
San Francisco, CA 94108

8. The Snug

2301 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115

Pac Heights got lucky when a team of industry pros opened this cozy neighborhood bar in 2017. It’s named after the little nooks and crannies in an Irish pub, and it does have a snug, if you want a secluded corner to make out, either with your date or the popcorn chicken. It’s also into boozy brunch.

2301 Fillmore St
San Francisco, CA 94115

9. Pacific Cocktail Haven

580 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94108

Barman Kevin Diedrich has been a force in the SF cocktail scene for years. PCH is his solo venture, bringing supremely creative cocktails to a narrow but lively space inUnion Square. Drinks like the Leeward Negroni combine gin, coconut-washed Campari, and pandan, while the miso old fashioned combines miso-butter rum, pommeau, and bitters for a new take on a classic.

580 Sutter St
San Francisco, CA 94108

10. House of Shields

39 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105
Cocktail at House of Shields House of Shields

This old, old school bar has been continuously operating since 1908 in SoMa, across from the Palace Hotel. It got a deep clean in 2011 when owner Dennis Leary restored it to its former glory. There are no televisions, no clocks — just dark wood, little light, and classic drinks.

39 New Montgomery St
San Francisco, CA 94105

11. Local Edition

691 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94105
William J. Adams

Newcomers to Local Edition may have trouble spotting the unmarked door on Market Street, but look for the clock face, wind down the stairs, and discover a cavernous lounge filled with strong cocktails and vintage typewriters. The daily headlines are always whiskey, bourbon, and rye. The place gets slammed when the tech and finance crowds converge after work, but it is possible to reserve a table.

691 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94105

12. Benjamin Cooper

398 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Patricia Chang

Brian Felley and Mo Hodges were the guys who were behind the bar at (now closed) Big, before heading up SF's hardest to find cocktail and oyster bar, Benjamin Cooper. It might be difficult find a seat right when you walk in (14 bar seats and a few more off to the side), but it's worth waiting it out for the creative cocktails that are based on both seasonality and whimsy.

398 Geary St
San Francisco, CA 94102

13. Trou Normand

140 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Trou Normand shares an owner with Bar Agricole, so it's no surprise the cocktails are out of this world. They're all based on classic turn-of-the-century recipes with a focus on Calvados, Armagnac, and Cognac. Almost everything on the list is $16. Order the House Old Fashioned (single cask cognac, two bitters); just don't be surprised when it goes down a lot faster than you planned.

140 New Montgomery St
San Francisco, CA 94105

14. Bourbon & Branch

501 Jones St, San Francisco, CA 94102

You can't just walk into Bourbon & Branch; no, you'll need to buzz an intercom and provide a password (which can be easily gotten by making a reservation). Once you're in, you'll be whisked to your seat, which may be in one of several rooms behind secret bookcases and walls that open up. The bartender's goal is to pour you a drink you've never had, so go with an open (and patient) mind. Just don't expect to Instagram it; photography and cell phones are strictly forbidden.

501 Jones St
San Francisco, CA 94102

15. Whitechapel

600 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94102

It's the steampunk, gin-soaked fever dream of Jack the Ripper, and it's located right here in San Francisco. From drink master Martin Cate (Smuggler's Cove), this bar has a hilariously long list of cocktails, starting with classics from the early 1900s, and incorporating creations of notable cocktailers around the country. The food is also killer, including the curry chips and proper pies filled with braised beef and ale and mushrooms.

600 Polk St
San Francisco, CA 94102

Related Maps

16. Tommy's Mexican Restaurant

5929 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94121

You're going to this Outer Richmond Mexican joint for two reasons: the best tequila selection in San Francisco and pitchers of Tommy's Margaritas. Still, while you're there, you might as well get an enchilada and taco combination plate. You'll need it if the margaritas do their job properly.

5929 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94121

17. Smuggler's Cove

650 Gough St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Thanks to Smuggler's Cove's shipwreck/pirate-theme decor, line out the door (no one is allowed in when the bar is at its 49 person capacity), and selection of 400+ rums, this tiki bar that's so much more than just a tiki bar is a favorite among San Franciscans and tourists. The cocktail menu is extensive and they take a long time to make, so ask a bartender to steer you in the right direction.

650 Gough St
San Francisco, CA 94102

18. Absinthe Brasserie & Bar

398 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Absinthe has been doing creative cocktails since before creative cocktails were a San Francisco staple. And not only have they been doing them, they've been doing them well. The bar scene is always lively at this Hayes Valley restaurant, thanks to its proximity to the opera and symphony, and because it's a great place to get a perfectly executed drink.

398 Hayes St
San Francisco, CA 94102

19. Linden Room

292 Linden St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Linden Room
Linden Room
Patricia Chang

This cozy, carpeted, and teeny tiny bar is hidden behind chef Kim Alter’s tasting menu restaurant Nightbird. The cocktails are based off American classics, with drinks like the Kentucky 75

(bourbon, cucumber, ginger, Pimms, anise hyssop, lemon) served in vintage glassware collected by the chef. (Note: Due to its diminutive size, save this for an intimate occasion, rather than a large group outing.)

292 Linden St
San Francisco, CA 94102

20. Bar Agricole

355 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Bar Agricole's cocktails are undoubtedly some of the most spectacular libations you'll find in San Francisco. Most of the cocktails remain true to the classics, but the techniques and ingredients bring them into this century thanks to house-made tinctures and herbs grown in the courtyard garden.

355 11th St
San Francisco, CA 94103

21. Aub Zam Zam

1633 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Talk about essential: Aub Zam Zam has been serving cocktails in the Haight since 1941. Though owner Bruno Mooshei passed away 20 years ago, the bar continues to offer up solid, simple cocktails in a vintage atmosphere. Originally called "Persian Aub Zam Zam," the interior still summons up an exotic feel, with a semi-circular bar, dim lighting and geometric details. Stop by for a martini, and mingle with your neighbors for a classic SF experience.

1633 Haight St
San Francisco, CA 94117

22. Nihon Whisky Lounge

1779 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94103

For whisky obsessives, Nihon is single-mindedly focused on single malt, pouring a selection of more than 600 bottles of Japanese whisky and scotch. Guests can try them straight up or mixed into tempting cocktails. Izakaya snacks round out the food menu.

1779 Folsom St
San Francisco, CA 94103

23. Blackbird Bar

2124 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114

Blackbird is one of those neighborhood watering holes that's worth going to even if the Castro/Duboce Triangle isn't your particular neighborhood. The super friendly bartenders serve up fun cocktails with themed menus like "Game of Thrones" and hip hop-inspired "B-Sides." (The menus change with the season.) Head there between 5 and 8 p.m. on weekdays for happy hour, but know you'll likely still be there long after it's over.

2124 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94114

24. ABV

3174 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

ABV owners Ryan Fitzgerald, Todd Smith, and Erik Reichborn-Kjennerd, are all longtime veterans of the SF bar scene, so it only makes sense that the cocktails at their Mission bar are some of the best you can currently get in the city. The menu is divided by spirit, a move that makes so much sense it's a wonder more bars haven't adopted it. You can't go wrong with the Whiskey in Church and the burger. Because, yes, ABV also serves up delicious food from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m.

3174 16th St
San Francisco, CA 94103

25. Blondies' Bar

540 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Martini at Blondie’s Blondie’s Bar

A Valencia classic, Blondie’s has been serving dangerously delicious and tall martinis since the ‘90s, served with an extra shaker on the side, so you can keep topping up. It’s a fun spot to take a date, soak in the live music, and try to stay on a barstool.

540 Valencia St
San Francisco, CA 94110

26. Third Rail

628 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Patricia Chang

This bar from the team behind Range — former bar manager Jeff Lyon and owner-chef Phil West — has a subtle railway theme and cocktails that feature seasonal ingredients and hand-cut and hand-crushed ice. The drinks are categorized by "lighter side," 'high proof," "citrus," and "seasonal" and all range from $10 to $11. The best deal though might be the Rail Shot. Ten bucks gets you a little beer, a little shot, and a little of the house-made jerky.

628 20th St
San Francisco, CA 94107

27. True Laurel

753 Alabama St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Cocktails and food are equally matched at this creative Lazy Bear spinoff. Bar manager and partner Nicolas Torres is behind the creative list, which incorporates a variety of non-traditional cocktail ingredients like the Fungus Among Us, made with truffle vodka, candy cap mushroom, oxidized wines, lemon, and pet-nat. The menu changes often, so stop in often for a drink in the mid-century inspired bar.

753 Alabama St
San Francisco, CA 94110

28. Trick Dog

3010 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Trick Dog is a creative cocktail powerhouse, known for a menu that changes every sixth months. Past iterations include a record album, Zodiac wheel, and SF tourist map, as well as a children's book called "Rhymes with Trick Dog." Drinks were titled with things that rhyme with Trick Dog (e.g. seasick hedgehog), and are laid out as a Dr. Seuss-style book with illustrations from local artists.

3010 20th St
San Francisco, CA 94110

29. El Techo

2516 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
El Techo
El Techo
El Techo

Up above Lolinda, the Argentinian steakhouse, El Techo is a chill rooftop hangout, serving big pitchers of margaritas and sangria, ceviche, chicharrones, and chips and guac. When you’re lining up on Mission, it’s easy to wonder if it’s worth the wait, but this bar is a breath of fresh air, with heat lamps to beat the fog.

2516 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94110

30. Lone Palm

3394 22nd St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Lone Palm/Facebook

A candlelit dive bar with white tablecloths in the heart of the Mission sounds like a dream. And Lone Palm is dreamy, offering up classic cocktails like martinis and old fashioneds in what feels like a 1950s Miami bar.

3394 22nd St
San Francisco, CA 94110

31. White Cap

3608 Taraval St, San Francisco, CA 94116

A cocktail pro and a surfer teamed up to open White Cap, which is succeeding in warming up the Outer Sunset, a neighborhood in need of more watering holes. Filled with driftwood and a fireplace, drinkers can get cozy with a strong drink after a beach walk.

3608 Taraval St
San Francisco, CA 94116

32. Holy Water

309 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110

For the folks in Bernal, Holy Water was the answer to their prayers for a legit cocktail bar. But this neighborhood bar from the people behind Churchill is worth the Uber ride if you don't live nearby. The cocktail list changes frequently, but includes a mix of the bartenders' experiments as well as twists on the classics.

309 Cortland Ave
San Francisco, CA 94110

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