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Terry's Lodge.
Terry's Lodge.
Photo: thomashawk/Flickr

SF Bartenders' Favorite Spots to Drink

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Terry's Lodge.
| Photo: thomashawk/Flickr

Even bartenders like to go have a drink sometimes, and for Cocktail Week, we asked a group of SF's best craft bartenders about their favorite places to drink in the off-hours. Some preferred a nice glass of wine, others got excited about extensive selections of whiskey and mezcal, and a couple just wanted a fun dive for a relaxing hangout session. Herein, check out day-off bar picks from the cocktail mavens of Rye, Bourbon & Branch, 15 Romolo, Rickhouse, Bar Agricole, and more.


—Noelle Chun

Tend bar for a living? Tell us about your favorite hangouts in the comments.

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Bimbo's 365 Club

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Craig Lane, Bar Agricole: “There is this one mustachioed barman who, I swear, has been behind the stick every single time I've ever been to a show for the past 15 years. Even though it's mostly a beer-and-shot crowd that attends rock 'n' roll shows, there is no doubt in my mind that this guy is a pro jock. I've only ever seen him mix a handful of drinks—mostly Manhattans, Martinis and Old Fashioneds—but even if he's just popping crown caps on Budweisers and pouring shots of Fernet, you can just tell by his movements that he knows every inch of that bar as if it were an extension of himself.”

Dogpatch Saloon

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Jen Ackrill, Rye: “The remodel has updated the neighborhood spot while keeping the integrity of the old space. Beautiful bar, great spirits selection and a thoughtful cocktail list. Not sure why I’m letting people in on my local!”

Hotel Biron

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Sarah Barron, free agent: "Not a rotating trend spot, this tiny hole-in-the-alley-wall spot has more than proven itself over the years. It's where us industry folks go for killer wines, healthy pours, and an advanced beer selection to help wash away our shifts. The owner serves compassion with no pretense and overwhelming knowledge in a dark cozy spot to make us all feel rosy.”

Broken Record

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Isaac Shumway, Tosca: “For great bar food, great beer, and an amazing whiskey collection.”

Padrecito

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Christina Cabrera, Novela: “David Ruiz heads up the bar program, and it has amazing mezcal cocktails. For me, mezcal is the nectar of the gods. I just love it because it's walking distance from my place, and the boys behind the stick are humble and easy going. It's a chill place to drink, get tipsy and hang with good people. As a bar manager, that's all I seek out on my time off.”

The Social Study

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Kate Bolton, Maven: “It always has a mellow vibe, and there are games. I’m partial to Uno and the San Francisco trivia cards. It’s beer-and-wine-only, but the list is pretty good, and the Fillmore Shandy is where it’s at. The only thing I wish is that they would give their poor betta fish more water in his bowl!"

Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe

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Tony Devencenzi, Bourbon and Branch: “Properly poured Guinness and cheese and crackers. It’s filled with random North Beach residents playing the piano or chess. I just feel comfortable here, forget my worries, and it's a great place to catch up with old friends.”

Terry's Lodge

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Timothy Zohn, AQ and TBD: “It’s a dive bar, but a total grumpy old man’s bar. It’s a local spot, and some of the people there have been going to the bar for 20 years.”

Zeitgeist

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John Codd, 15 Romolo and Hard Water: “It has an amazing selection of beer, with over 40 beers on tap, and the back patio is just so fun. It’s the best part of the whole place.”

Zeki's Bar - Türk Mutfağı

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Victoria George, Rickhouse and Novela: “I like the atmosphere, with a wood-burning fireplace and multiple bar games readily available for people to use while they're there. They show the Bay Area football games with the sound on! The bartenders understand the need for a balance between classic drinks, craft cocktails, and beer-and-shot pairings.”

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Bimbo's 365 Club

Craig Lane, Bar Agricole: “There is this one mustachioed barman who, I swear, has been behind the stick every single time I've ever been to a show for the past 15 years. Even though it's mostly a beer-and-shot crowd that attends rock 'n' roll shows, there is no doubt in my mind that this guy is a pro jock. I've only ever seen him mix a handful of drinks—mostly Manhattans, Martinis and Old Fashioneds—but even if he's just popping crown caps on Budweisers and pouring shots of Fernet, you can just tell by his movements that he knows every inch of that bar as if it were an extension of himself.”

Dogpatch Saloon

Jen Ackrill, Rye: “The remodel has updated the neighborhood spot while keeping the integrity of the old space. Beautiful bar, great spirits selection and a thoughtful cocktail list. Not sure why I’m letting people in on my local!”

Hotel Biron

Sarah Barron, free agent: "Not a rotating trend spot, this tiny hole-in-the-alley-wall spot has more than proven itself over the years. It's where us industry folks go for killer wines, healthy pours, and an advanced beer selection to help wash away our shifts. The owner serves compassion with no pretense and overwhelming knowledge in a dark cozy spot to make us all feel rosy.”

Broken Record

Isaac Shumway, Tosca: “For great bar food, great beer, and an amazing whiskey collection.”

Padrecito

Christina Cabrera, Novela: “David Ruiz heads up the bar program, and it has amazing mezcal cocktails. For me, mezcal is the nectar of the gods. I just love it because it's walking distance from my place, and the boys behind the stick are humble and easy going. It's a chill place to drink, get tipsy and hang with good people. As a bar manager, that's all I seek out on my time off.”

The Social Study

Kate Bolton, Maven: “It always has a mellow vibe, and there are games. I’m partial to Uno and the San Francisco trivia cards. It’s beer-and-wine-only, but the list is pretty good, and the Fillmore Shandy is where it’s at. The only thing I wish is that they would give their poor betta fish more water in his bowl!"

Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe

Tony Devencenzi, Bourbon and Branch: “Properly poured Guinness and cheese and crackers. It’s filled with random North Beach residents playing the piano or chess. I just feel comfortable here, forget my worries, and it's a great place to catch up with old friends.”

Terry's Lodge

Timothy Zohn, AQ and TBD: “It’s a dive bar, but a total grumpy old man’s bar. It’s a local spot, and some of the people there have been going to the bar for 20 years.”

Zeitgeist

John Codd, 15 Romolo and Hard Water: “It has an amazing selection of beer, with over 40 beers on tap, and the back patio is just so fun. It’s the best part of the whole place.”

Zeki's Bar - Türk Mutfağı

Victoria George, Rickhouse and Novela: “I like the atmosphere, with a wood-burning fireplace and multiple bar games readily available for people to use while they're there. They show the Bay Area football games with the sound on! The bartenders understand the need for a balance between classic drinks, craft cocktails, and beer-and-shot pairings.”

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