With a huge variety of innovative cocktail creations, stunning rooftop views, and tempting food options – San Francisco bars will never let you down. The vibrant city simply has too much to offer!
Whether you’re looking for a sophisticated wine bar, a friendly neighborhood pub, or a tiki-inspired cocktail bar, SF has the best of the best. So, let us introduce you to the 8 most incredible bars in San Francisco!
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The 8 Best Bars In San Francisco, California
Smuggler’s Cove
As one of the best cocktail bars in San Francisco, Smuggler’s Cove offers an array of innovative cocktail creations and the largest rum selection in the USA. Since it opened its doors in 2009, it’s been providing a cozy escape from bustling San Francisco. The interior was designed by Ignacio “Notch” Gonzalez and features tiki items and old nautical décor.
Relish classic cocktails from colonial taverns, the tiki era, and the Caribbean. The cocktails are always freshly crafted and never batched. Furthermore, Smuggler’s Cove has over 550 different rums, so you can also try modern rum drinks.
The crowd’s favorites are Kona Cocktail with fresh muddled pineapple and rum, Puka Punch with passion fruit, falernum, and rums, Smuggler’s Rum Barrel with Caribbean spices, and more!
Address: 650 Gough St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States
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Kaiyo Rooftop
With stunning views of downtown San Francisco, Kaiyo Rooftop invites guests to discover Japanese cuisine with a Peruvian influence. Nevertheless, their cocktail bar offers a wide range of beverages including unique cocktail creations, beers, wines, sake, and nonalcoholic. There’s something for everyone here, from the Prince of the Sun cocktail with Barsol Pisco and Hitachino Nest Red Rice beer to Tahuan Malbec wine and Sword of the Sun Bottle sake.
To compliment your drinks, taste the incredible Lima Roll which consists of shrimp tempura, yellowtail, and unagi sauce. The mouthwatering Scallop Ceviche with wild Japanese scallops and dark squid ink is also on the food menu as well as the Papas Fritas. Delicious!
Address: 701 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107, United States
Buddy
This friendly neighborhood bar serves fantastic natural wines, cocktails, and tempting food options. Cocktails are usually mixed with vermouth, wine, or sherry – some are by the glass and some are by the bottle. Once you’re ready to order something from the food menu, try the perfectly fried mortadella sandwich, blue cheese cheesecake, or tuna confit. Overall, Buddy is the best bar for catching up with your friends in SF!
Address: 3115 22nd St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States
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Linden & Laguna
Linden & Laguna is a wine bar situated in the historic Hayes Valley. It opened in 2021 and has been focused on fine wines and beer on draught. The wine list highlights wines like Vidaubenaise Rose’ of Provence (2020), Cune Imperial Reserva Tinto (2016), and Chateau St. George Grand Cru Bordeaux. When it comes to beers, Linden & Laguna offers Guinness Stout, Fort Point IPA, Trumer Pils, and Anchor Steam Lager.
Don’t miss the opportunity to try the delicious Josey Baker sourdough bread with olive oil, apricots stuffed with goat cheese, Point Reyes oysters, or the charcuterie with homemade tapenade.
Address: 528 Laguna St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States
Pacific Cocktail Haven
Located near Union Square, Pacific Cocktail Haven is known as one of the top cocktail destinations in the USA. Its owner, Kevin Diedrich, has been nominated for the Best American Bartender award several times. In 2020, he won the award and in 2022 he received another nomination from the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation for the best US Bar Mentor. Without a doubt, this bar reflects his extensive knowledge and skills.
The creative cocktail menu focuses on gin, agave, rum, whiskey, brandy, sherry-sake-shochu, vodka, and punch. Guests absolutely adore the Eggplant Wizard with Highland Park 12yr Scotch and the Chimpan-Chiote with Monkey Shoulder Scotch.
Address: 550 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States
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Cold Drinks Bar
Where to get a taste of contemporary Shanghai in San Francisco? At Cold Drinks Bar! It’s found at China Live and mostly offers exquisite Scotch-based creative drinks.
The Unplugged house cocktail with Paul John Nirvana single malt whisky is simply marvelous. There’s also Wild Honey Pie infused with Fernet Branca, Montenegro with allspice, Waltz with Cocchi Americano, and the list continues!
While you’re enjoying a drink of your choice, snack on chicken wings, popcorn, shrimp chips, or fried shishito peppers. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?
Address: 644 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States
The Snug
Set in a warm and cozy area in San Francisco, The Snug serves local beer, wines from small producers, special cocktails, and delightful comfort food. If you’re a beer lover, you’ll love the beers produced in Oakland, Santa Rosa, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, and Somerset. For those looking to have a cocktail, Prickly Pear with Amaro and habanero is a great choice.
Moreover, don’t hesitate to explore different flavors on the food menu. The spicy fried chicken sandwich is incredible, but you can get Wagyu double smash cheeseburger, popcorn chicken, and Impossible burger.
Address: 2301 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115, United States
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Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar
Tonga Room is famous for its inviting tiki-like style with a converted swimming pool as the center of attention. It’s also a venue for live band performances and dancing!
You must taste the classic Mai Tai, Zombie, or Jungle Bird. Furthermore, relish Tonga’s originals like The Expat, Tonga Kong, or Bootlegger’s Barrel. Most of them have rum, coffee liqueur, vodka, and lemon. Take it a step further and sip your cocktail from a freshly cored pineapple or top it off with a 1 oz pour of 151 rum.
To satisfy your hunger you can have grilled miso salmon, mushroom fried rice, spicy basil chicken, tuna poke salad, and mango panna cotta.
Address: 950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States
FAQ
What are the best bars in San Francisco?
The best bars in San Francisco:
Smuggler’s Cove
Kaiyo Rooftop Bar
Buddy
Linden & Laguna
Pacific Cocktail Haven
Cold Drinks Bar
The Snug
Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar
What are the best rooftop bars in San Francisco?
The best rooftop bars in San Francisco:
Kaiyo Rooftop Bar
Charmaine’s Rooftop Bar & Lounge
ROOFTOP 25
El Techo
Dirty Habit
The View Lounge
Cityscape
What are the best gay clubs in San Francisco?
The best gay clubs in San Francisco:
Oasis
The Mix
El Rio
SF Eagle
Aunt Charlie’s Lounge
Last Call Bar
What are other great bars in San Francisco?
Trick Dog
Bar Agricole
Bourbon & Branch
Charmaine’s Rooftop Bar & Lounge
Novela
Alchemist Bar & Lounge
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