Paul Kushner
San Francisco is one of Northern California’s largest and most exciting cities.
People flock from all over the world to see the Golden Gate Bridge, tour Alcatraz, and experience everything the city’s culture offers.
Dozens of great cocktail bars in the Bay Area are perfect for a night out on the town or when you just want to sip on something chic.
Check out my list of the best cocktail bars in San Francisco below!
Trick Dog
3010 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: (415) 471-2999
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Trick Dog is one of the best cocktail bars in the heart of the Mission District in San Francisco.
The bar is in a beautifully recreated warehouse with trendy art and a great atmosphere.
The cocktail menu here features a little bit of everything and some of their own creations.
Some cocktails you must try here are their Trick Dog Aperitif, Espolón Blanco, and Trick Dog Sangrita.
Be sure to check out their menu of small plates if you get hungry!
ABV
3174 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415) 294-1871
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ABV is in Mission Dolores, across the street from the Roxie Theater.
I love this upscale and trendy cocktail bar for a nightcap or before heading out on the town.
ABV’s menu is broken down by type of cocktail and even those with lower ABV.
Some of my favorites on their menu are the Lolo which is pineapple sherry and tonic, and the atomic bomb, which they make with pineapple rum, mint, lime, sherry, and pineapple.
The Interval at Long Now
Center Building A, 2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94123
Phone: (415) 561-6582
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The Interval at Long Now is a beautiful cocktail bar on the water near the Golden Gate National Parks Conservatory.
It’s a modern coffee shop and bar with a laid-back atmosphere, perfect for sipping your favorite cocktails with friends.
All the cocktails at this bar are elegant and beautifully crafted.
I recommend trying their international orange drink, which includes aged gin, bitter aperitif, bitters, and Italian vermouth.
I love their black sand cocktail, too, and they have several unique mocktails on the menu, too, for those who don’t drink.
True Laurel
753 Alabama St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: (415) 341-0020
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True Laurel is in the Mission District, right behind Trick Dog. The aesthetic of this cocktail bar is the perfect combination of modern and rustic.
I love how welcoming everyone is here and how easy it is to get a delicious drink.
Their menu boasts excellent cocktails, beer, wine, and bar bites you can’t miss.
They update their menu daily, but some of the cocktails they regularly have that are must-tries are their Laurel martini and the Barbie Girl.
Smuggler’s Cove
650 Gough St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 869-1900
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Right between the Fillmore District and the Civic Center is Smuggler’s Cove.
Thanks to all the nautical decor, the cocktail bar will almost make you forget you’re in San Francisco and not a tropical beach bar in the Caribbean.
While you can order whatever type of cocktail you like, their rum ones are my favorites because they have over 700 different rums.
I highly recommend trying the Port au Prince and Kona cocktail. Whatever you order, you’ll more than likely get it in a fun tropical cup.
White Cap
3608 Taraval St, San Francisco, CA 94116
Phone: (415) 682-4215
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White Cap is just a short walk to some of the most beautiful beaches in the city, but I wouldn’t call it a beach bar by any means.
This elegant bar with rotating cocktails is the perfect place to enjoy the sunset with friends.
The cocktail menu here features all your favorite kinds of alcohol.
If I had to choose a few for you to try, I’d go with the surfer on acid, the World’s Fair slushie cocktail, and the hillbilly handshake.
Bar Agricole
1540 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415) 341-0101
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Bar Agricole is it if you’re looking for a cocktail bar to enjoy a drink or two with fantastic food.
It’s in the Civic Center on Mission Street, so it’s a great location to stop at before going about the rest of your night.
Something unique about Bar Agricole is that they have their own line of spirits that they use in their cocktails and that you can purchase.
I love the brown derby cocktail. It has bourbon, grapefruit, bitters, and honey.
Bar Shiru
1611 Telegraph Ave #100, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 920-0299
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Just across the bridge in Oakland is Bar Shiru. It’s a little further away, but 100% worth it.
It’s the Bay Area’s first vinyl-listening bar, so you know the vibe is sophisticated yet cozy.
If you love jazz and soul, then you’ll love it here.
They have a small list of cocktails to choose from, as well as wine.
I’ve only been here one time, but it’s the type of place where ordering something classic like an old-fashioned Manhattan or vodka martini is common.
Prizefighter
6702 Hollis St, Emeryville, CA 94608
Phone: (510) 428-1470
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Prizefighter is another cocktail bar across the bridge on Hollis Street.
It’s one of the most casual cocktail bars with a patio and games like shuffleboard.
They have a full menu with cocktails, beer, wine, and food to munch on.
Some of my favorite drinks here are their martini de Chambery, Jack Rose, and the Bee’s Knees.
Pacific Cocktail Haven
550 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94108
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Pacific Cocktail Haven is in Union Square.
The bar is stylish, but it also feels very comfortable and welcoming rather than pretentious.
They have a bar area, a patio, and a courtyard to hang out on, but the patio is my favorite.
All their cocktails draw on inspiration from Pacific Asian ingredients.
If you’re visiting with friends, ordering a punch bowl for you all to share is an excellent idea because it serves five to eight people.
Horsefeather
528 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Phone: (415) 817-1939
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Horsefeather is one of the closest cocktail bars near the Painted Ladies and Alamo Square.
This bar is stunning, with wooden features complemented by black leather seating.
They have 11 cocktails they regularly make, but they also can do mixed drinks, beer, and wine.
If you like rum, the ramblin’ mandarin with rum, hojicha, lime leaf, barley, and mandarin is one you need to try.
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