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If there’s one thing that I’ve learned since I’ve moved to the Bay Area, it’s this: San Francisco is a city of unbelievable cocktails. This is not the land of your average gin and tonic, folks. This is the place to seek out drinks designed to make you think differently about what goes in a cocktail glass.
Here are six places that ought to leave you highly satisfied. Most of them are within walking distance of the St. Regis, but I’ve included two of my very favorites that will require a little more of a trek. And here’s a bit of a bonus: Four of the six also serve up incredible food, so bring your appetite along with your thirst.
The Slanted Door offers a variety of interesting cocktails designed to complement their food. The Ginger Limeade is a refreshing choice, and the Whiskey Smash, served over a hand-cut ice cube, is a guaranteed hit if you’re a whiskey kind of person. Plus, this is the spot for some of the best Vietnamese food in the city. Check out Eileen and Sue’s review on Just the 2 of Us for some tasty photos of what’s in store. You can order food at the bar or bar tables, so if you can’t score a dinner or lunch reservation, you can still eat while you drink.
Turn right out the front door of the St. Regis and walk up 3rd Street to Market Street. Take a right on Market Street and follow it all the way down to the Ferry Building, which is right at the waterfront. The Slanted Door will be in the back left corner of the building as you enter from The Embarcadero.
The Slanted Door
1 Ferry Building #3
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-861-8032
Lunch: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday
Dinner: 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. every day
If you’re a fan of Pisco Sours and ceviche, add La Mar Cebicheria Peruana to your list. Though almost all the cocktails there are Pisco-based, they are delicious and very interesting. If you’re a fan of Bloody Marys, and also a bit adventurous, order up a Bloody Lorcho, which features Pisco quebranta, house-made Bloody Mary mix, and a baby octopus as a garnish. Iy of RawFishionado offers up a good review of a variety of the ceviches offered at La Mar, which come in a range of flavors and varieties. If you’re with a group, it’s easy to share a few.
Turn right out the front door of the St. Regis and walk up 3rd Street to Market Street. Take a right on Market Street and follow it all the way down to the Ferry Building. Turn left at the Ferry Building and walk to Pier 1.5. La Mar will be on your right.
La Mar Cebicheria Peruana
Pier 1.5
The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-397-8880
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; Noon-2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Dinner: 5:30-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5:30-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 5:30-9 p.m. Sunday
Bar Drake is a highlight for anyone seeking Prohibition-era cocktails in an elegant environment. Housed in the lobby of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, Bar Drake has seating for about 36 people and features a classic list of cocktails that include their version of a Manhattan, and a Chamomile Bliss, which is a soothing combination of Skyy 90, Chamomile tea, orange bitters, lemon juice and organic agave nectar. According to Jen Maiser’s review on Bay Area Bites, there are snacks and entrees available from Scala’s, which is next door, so you won’t go hungry if you’re in the mood for a bite. A note about Jen’s review: Bar Crudo, which I recommend as highly as she does, has actually relocated, and is no longer close enough to pair with Bar Drake.
Turn right out the front door of the St. Regis and walk up 3rd Street to Market Street. Cross Market and continue on Kearny Street for another block and a half. Turn left on Post Street, then, in three blocks, turn right on Powell Street, just past Union Square on your left. The Sir Francis Drake will be on your right.
Bar Drake
450 Powell Street at Sutter
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-392-7755
2 p.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-midnight Friday-Sunday; and a Bloody Mary Bar is available every Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Absinthe Brasserie & Bar offers incredible cocktails in a comfortably swank environment. The bartenders mix a long list of signature drinks, including the Daedalus, which features Jameson Whiskey, ginger syrup
