27 Aug Cocktail Tour: San Francisco

San Francisco is filled with great cocktail bars and talented bartenders. As work takes me to San Francisco on a regular basis, I get to try new places, and re-visit others, all the time.  But, on one particular weekend, we went on a “bar tour” and here is what we managed to cover in 2 days! The Buena Vista 2765 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109 Located at the end of Fisherman’s Wharf, this bar has a menu that will please anyone looking for a refreshing cocktail or a boost of caffeine. With a number of specialty drinks ranging from Irish Coffee to Bull Shots, you are sure to get your fix of liquid courage. The Buena Vista also has a full beer menu, including their very own Buena Vista Café Pilsner. This bar has sought to recreate a classic Irish Coffee menu in addition to other spirited cocktail offerings.      Absinthe Brasserie & Bar  398 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102 You might not see any green fairies here, but don’t let the name fool you-their cocktails and food are as unique as it gets. Located in Hayes Valley, Absinthe has the location and environment for a night well spent. This upscale brasserie and bar has even been awarded for having the “best restaurant cocktails.” They are also known for their garlic pretzels and tapas that go great with a handful of cocktails. The romantic interior makes this place a cozy date spot and the servers are great at offering suggestions for pairings of food and drinks. Smuggler’s Cove 650 Gough St, San Francisco, CA 94102 At Smuggler’s Cove, you can find a combination of traditional Caribbean drinks and exotic cocktails from legendary Tiki Bars. Here, they have taken Rum to the next level with their twisted approach on historical cocktails. Smuggler’s Cove celebrates those pirates and locals alike who have a love for rum. With over 200 rums from around the globe, this is definitely not your average pit stop.       Tradition Bar 441 Jones St, San Francisco, CA 94102 A distinguished name among top tradition American bars, Tradition says it all in their name. This bar seeks to embody the melting like pot atmosphere of America through its hand crafted spirits menu. Visitors say this bar has captured a timeless, speakeasy feel, and has also mastered their extensive bar menu. Dim lighting and a warm environment make this a fun spot for groups and couples. Bourbon and Branch  501 Jones St, San Francisco, CA 94102 Taking you way back to the 1920s, this bar serves up an experience as exciting as their drinks. The ambiance takes you back to a time of prohibition, and introduces guests to a nostalgic era of San Francisco. At Bourbon and Branch, there is a set of house rules that everyone is expected to follow, the “speakeasy.” Their bourbon and scotch collection includes hand numbered bottles that are as rare as this joint. In addition to a main bar, this branch has an old library that was inspired by the 1920s, where friends can sit down and enjoy drinks as they would have decades ago. Be sure to make a reservation through the website as you will need a password to get in the door. Trick Dog 3010 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94110 If you’re looking for value at an awesome price then Trick Dog is a great bar to check out. This bar is located in the Mission and gives off a young hip vibe. Trick Dog has both an upstairs and downstairs section and a delicious food menu for those who like a bite with their brew. Their hip vibe is carried all the way through to their drink menu, which is featured on records and named after songs. Time to start prepping the list for the next Bar Crawl!