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Where to Drink Cocktails in SF Right Now, Fall 2013

by Allie Pape
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by Allie Pape

To kick off Cocktail Week 2013, it's time for a refresh of the Eater Cocktail Heatmap, and so here we are, bringing you the very best of new bars and restaurant bar programs that have debuted in the late summer and fall (including a pop-up and a couple of major revamps at existing places). Consider it your back-pocket guide to the coolest new cocktail programs all over the city. As always, this list is in no particular order; state your proposed additions and subtractions in the comments, or send us a good old-fashioned e-mail.

Additions:

· October 28, 2013: added 1760, Tosca Cafe, Gitane, Cafe Terminus, The Cavalier, Emperor Norton's Boozeland, The Love Boat, La Urbana, Brass Tacks, Bergerac, Range, Holy Water
· July 31, 2013: added Ziryab, Roka Akor, Swig, Dogpatch Saloon, Novela, Driftwood
· April 22, 2013: added The Alchemist, Trick Dog, Tribune Tavern, Hard Water, Coqueta, Kronnerburger
· September 12, 2012: added Tradition, Mission Bowling Club, Big, Jasper's Corner Tap
· April 20, 2012: added Raven, Local Edition

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1760

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For those who can be pulled away from the extensive wine list, Aziza's Christopher Longoria heads up an inventive program at this modern Polk Street spot, expertly crafting unusual combos like mezcal-cumin-mint and gin-shiso-yuzu. Over in the kitchen, the fried duck sandwich is already acquiring legendary status as a hangover helper (or preventer).

1760 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 359-1212
(415) 359-1212

Also featured in:

Tosca Cafe

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The house cappuccinos are still frothing at April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman's revamp of the North Beach landmark, but with Bourbon & Branch alum Isaac Shumway behind the stick, they now boast Armagnac and Dandelion Chocolate ganache. The list focuses on revamped classics, from Negronis to flaming after-dinner drinks, and the bartenders remain recognizable by their white coats.

242 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 986-9651
(415) 986-9651

Also featured in:

Gitane

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Bar star Carlos Yturria recently came onboard with Franck LeClerc's restaurant group, and he's already put his own spin on the cocktail offerings at this FiDi Spanish perennial (which has turned out scores of top local talents). Expect a watermelon-balsamic shrub, mezcal-centric takes on classics like Negronis, and hearty doses of Yturria's own gypsy bitters.

6 Claude Ln, San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 788-6686
(415) 788-6686

Also featured in:

Cafe Terminus

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Dennis Leary's second bar project is a bit more ambitious cocktail-wise than House of Shields, with a menu featuring whispers of absinthe and pastis in many of its drinks. It's an all-day affair, with house-roasted coffee and pastries and Leary's famous sandwiches leading into the 3 pm-2 am drink service, where ceviche and other bar snacks can be scored.

16 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94111

Also featured in:

The Cavalier

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Drink like a Brit in the uber-chic Blue Bar, which makes up a third of the newest spot from the Marlowe and Park Tavern team. Pimm's Cups, G&Ts, and Brambles are some of the across-the-pond offerings, and there are plenty of other spaces besides the Blue Bar to drink, including the neighboring S&R Lounge at the Hotel Zetta and secret speakeasy Marianne's (inquire within for access).

55 5th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 321-6000
(415) 321-6000

Also featured in:

Emperor Norton's Boozeland

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The easy winner for best name of 2013, the second bar from the Benders team is an approachable dive in the TL's former Deco Lounge. There's no official cocktail menu, but the back bar is solid and the team has no problem mixing up the classics.

510 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 926-8118
(415) 926-8118

Also featured in:

Love Boat

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Brian Felley and Mo Hodges, the cocktail minds behind dearly departed Big, are doing occasional pop-ups around town as The Love Boat, with different weekly drink themes paired with bites from Tango & Stache. (They're still in the process of securing a brick-and-mortar.) Muka and the Burritt Room's Berlinetta lounge have been recent locales; follow their Facebook page for the latest.

370 Grove, San Francisco, CA

La Urbana

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Mezcal, mezcal, and more mezcal is what's on offer at this upscale Mexican complex on Divis, which boasts around 40 different labels and offers concoctions ranging from a mezcal-sake martini to a take on a White Russian with mezcal and horchata. Next door, El Garaje Urbano offers an honor bar with pilsner and sangria, plus full cocktail service from the main bar.

661 Divisadero, San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 440-4500
(415) 440-4500

Also featured in:

Brass Tacks

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Absinthe and Churchill alums are behind this stunning new Hayes Valley watering hole, which has transformed former gay bar Marlena's into a sultry locale for sipping root-beer old-fashioneds and smoky mezcal-Averna numbers, all of them named for classic films.

488 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Bergerac

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Ferns, comfy couches, and old trunks give Bergerac a lived-in vibe, but Russell Davis' cocktails are anything but traditional. Whether it's a homegrown take on a kalimotxo, bourbon aged in Manhattan barrels, or green Chartreuse shots with a butterscotch root beer back, this is a party bar for the mixology-minded (though they won't hesitate to make you a vodka soda).

316 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 255-9440
(415) 255-9440

Also featured in:

Range

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Aperitif cocktails are all the rage, and Range's bar program, a longtime SF great, has concocted winning formulas for their new Aperitif Hour, which inverts the proportions to create vermouth-forward Manhattans and sherry-centric Brambles, with small bites to pair.

842 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 282-8283
(415) 282-8283

Also featured in:

Holy Water

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The Bloodhound and Churchill team have replicated their winning formula in Bernal's former Stray Bar, with elegant classic drinks, cool decor (check out those decanter light fixtures), a wide selection of craft beer, and an approachable neighborhood vibe. Dogs are still welcome, too.

309 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110

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1760

1760 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109

For those who can be pulled away from the extensive wine list, Aziza's Christopher Longoria heads up an inventive program at this modern Polk Street spot, expertly crafting unusual combos like mezcal-cumin-mint and gin-shiso-yuzu. Over in the kitchen, the fried duck sandwich is already acquiring legendary status as a hangover helper (or preventer).

1760 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 359-1212
(415) 359-1212

Tosca Cafe

242 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

The house cappuccinos are still frothing at April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman's revamp of the North Beach landmark, but with Bourbon & Branch alum Isaac Shumway behind the stick, they now boast Armagnac and Dandelion Chocolate ganache. The list focuses on revamped classics, from Negronis to flaming after-dinner drinks, and the bartenders remain recognizable by their white coats.

242 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 986-9651
(415) 986-9651

Gitane

6 Claude Ln, San Francisco, CA 94108

Bar star Carlos Yturria recently came onboard with Franck LeClerc's restaurant group, and he's already put his own spin on the cocktail offerings at this FiDi Spanish perennial (which has turned out scores of top local talents). Expect a watermelon-balsamic shrub, mezcal-centric takes on classics like Negronis, and hearty doses of Yturria's own gypsy bitters.

6 Claude Ln, San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 788-6686
(415) 788-6686

Cafe Terminus

16 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94111

Dennis Leary's second bar project is a bit more ambitious cocktail-wise than House of Shields, with a menu featuring whispers of absinthe and pastis in many of its drinks. It's an all-day affair, with house-roasted coffee and pastries and Leary's famous sandwiches leading into the 3 pm-2 am drink service, where ceviche and other bar snacks can be scored.

16 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94111

The Cavalier

55 5th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Drink like a Brit in the uber-chic Blue Bar, which makes up a third of the newest spot from the Marlowe and Park Tavern team. Pimm's Cups, G&Ts, and Brambles are some of the across-the-pond offerings, and there are plenty of other spaces besides the Blue Bar to drink, including the neighboring S&R Lounge at the Hotel Zetta and secret speakeasy Marianne's (inquire within for access).

55 5th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 321-6000
(415) 321-6000

Emperor Norton's Boozeland

510 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94102

The easy winner for best name of 2013, the second bar from the Benders team is an approachable dive in the TL's former Deco Lounge. There's no official cocktail menu, but the back bar is solid and the team has no problem mixing up the classics.

510 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 926-8118
(415) 926-8118

Love Boat

370 Grove, San Francisco, CA

Brian Felley and Mo Hodges, the cocktail minds behind dearly departed Big, are doing occasional pop-ups around town as The Love Boat, with different weekly drink themes paired with bites from Tango & Stache. (They're still in the process of securing a brick-and-mortar.) Muka and the Burritt Room's Berlinetta lounge have been recent locales; follow their Facebook page for the latest.

370 Grove, San Francisco, CA

La Urbana

661 Divisadero, San Francisco, CA 94115

Mezcal, mezcal, and more mezcal is what's on offer at this upscale Mexican complex on Divis, which boasts around 40 different labels and offers concoctions ranging from a mezcal-sake martini to a take on a White Russian with mezcal and horchata. Next door, El Garaje Urbano offers an honor bar with pilsner and sangria, plus full cocktail service from the main bar.

661 Divisadero, San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 440-4500
(415) 440-4500

Brass Tacks

488 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Absinthe and Churchill alums are behind this stunning new Hayes Valley watering hole, which has transformed former gay bar Marlena's into a sultry locale for sipping root-beer old-fashioneds and smoky mezcal-Averna numbers, all of them named for classic films.

488 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Bergerac

316 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Ferns, comfy couches, and old trunks give Bergerac a lived-in vibe, but Russell Davis' cocktails are anything but traditional. Whether it's a homegrown take on a kalimotxo, bourbon aged in Manhattan barrels, or green Chartreuse shots with a butterscotch root beer back, this is a party bar for the mixology-minded (though they won't hesitate to make you a vodka soda).

316 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 255-9440
(415) 255-9440

Range

842 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Aperitif cocktails are all the rage, and Range's bar program, a longtime SF great, has concocted winning formulas for their new Aperitif Hour, which inverts the proportions to create vermouth-forward Manhattans and sherry-centric Brambles, with small bites to pair.

842 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 282-8283
(415) 282-8283

Holy Water

309 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110

The Bloodhound and Churchill team have replicated their winning formula in Bernal's former Stray Bar, with elegant classic drinks, cool decor (check out those decanter light fixtures), a wide selection of craft beer, and an approachable neighborhood vibe. Dogs are still welcome, too.

309 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110

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