The 19 Best Bars in San Francisco
What San Francisco's nightlife scene lacks in clubs and dance floors, it makes up for in cocktails that are as innovative as the city itself. From new age classics to transportive tiki bars, reinvented Barbary Coast tipples, even healthy(ish) cocktails, there's a spot here for every kind of drinker to imbibe. And it's not just the drinks, but the feel of these best bars in San Francisco that make them so different. In some, you can drink a world class cocktail in a t-shirt and sandals; in others, you wouldn't be out of place in tails. Here are our picks for the best bars in San Francisco, from the Mission District to Chinatown.
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Every bar on this list has been selected independently by Condé Nast Traveler editors and reviewed by a local contributor who has visited that restaurant. Our editors consider both high-end and affordable eateries, and weigh stand-out dishes, location, and service—as well as inclusivity and sustainability credentials. We update this list as new restaurants open and existing ones evolve.
Hannah Chamberlain/@spiritedlabarAnina
$$Stepping into this island-inspired bar is transportive. Soothing murals of palm trees and a heated outdoor patio with picnic tables—perfect for the punch bowls—make this one of San Francisco's few warm-weather bars. It’s tropical without stepping full-on into tiki territory. The drinks strike those same notes, like the Avila, with tequila, Aperol, grapefruit, lime, and Prosecco ($70 for a group-sized drink), or the seafoam spritz ($13), with elderflower, lime, Prosecco, and lemongrass.
Inertia Unlimited,LLC/Dawn ClubbarDawn Club
Stepping into the Dawn Club feels like tumbling through time right into the heart of a roaring jazz era soirée. Located in a snug alley off Market Street, it’s been reopened with a flair that pays homage to its speakeasy roots. Doing its part to resurrect San Francisco’s 1930s jazz scene, you’ll immediately feel the sultry ambiance combined with a modern energy that brings the bar into a world of its own. While it’s more than just a cocktail bar, the cocktails certainly do stand out; with over 20 to choose from, mixology meets artistry with a combination of both tried and tested and new twists on old classics. Whiskies, once the secret of Prohibition's speakeasy culture, are now the celebrated heroes here, so try the Hot Seven with a rye base.
True LaurelbarTrue Laurel
Created by the masterminds behind Lazy Bear, this Mission District joint is a perfect combination of refined gastropub meets upscale cocktail bar. The atmosphere is relaxed enough, yet the classy, seasonal food and innovative cocktail list takes things up a notch. Despite its understated size, it's no surprise that True Laurel has become a popular destination for both regular locals and fly-in visitors. The drinks lean heavily into the first-rate cocktail scene, displaying a range of innovative touches like house-made tinctures, rare bitters, or infused spirits that keep the connoisseurs coming back. The Mai o Mai stands out with its complex fusion of flavors; blended rum and lime provide the foundational citrus kick, while pistachio orgeat introduces a nutty sweetness.
Alanna Hale/Bar GeminibarBar Gemini
It’s obvious you're in the hands of wine industry pros as soon as you step through the door. This neighborhood natural wine bar in the Mission strikes a perfect balance of chic and cozy-the kind of place where the buzz of conversation blends effortlessly with the soft clink of glasses. The lighting is just right, the walls are adorned with local art, and the bar is a magnificent stretch of polished wood waiting for patrons to begin their journey through local wines. The obvious highlight is the stellar selection of varietals, from crisp, fresh options, to a bubbly orange number. You can also try the all-local wines on tap, designed to promote small-scale vineyards in the area. Not a wine fan? Local craft beer is also on tap, plus a selection of top-shelf spirits, so no one’s without a drink. It’s also an ideal spot for an afternoon of grazing, from a decadent grilled cheese sandwich to olives, pickled veggies, and curated dips.
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barMagnolia Gastropub & Brewery
$$Over its 20-year history in the Haight, Magnolia has produced nearly 2,500 batches and dozens of ales—many of which can only be purchased onsite and its sister location, Smokestack. The Haight Street vibe, and the result keeps the crowds rolling in on the regular. Out-of-towners drink alongside the locals at this neighborhood pub; the storefront windows also make for great people-watching. Being that it's the Haight, there’s no need to get fancy—and while lines can be long and, well, eccentric, the trained staff is always personable and fastidious, minimizing what could otherwise be an agonizing wait for a cold beer and homey food pairings.
barTrick Dog
$$Drinks are taken seriously at this bar, which has earned a bulletproof reputation as one of the leading cocktail joints, not just in the city, but in the world. To shake things up, the menu revolves around a theme that rotates every few months. Both the tipples and the themes vary widely, some lending themselves to literal interpretations, some more metaphorical: think horoscopes, records, and Pantone colors. And the exceedingly creative drink menus didn't come at the expense of the food. Dishes would stand on their own here even if this weren't such a cocktail hotspot.
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Pete LeebarMoongate Lounge
$$Since opening in 2016, Mister Jiu’s has been one of San Francisco’s most interesting restaurants. Now, in the space above it, the same team has opened Moongate Lounge, one of the city’s most interesting bars. The drinks here take their cues from the Chinese lunar calendar. Seasonal ingredients features in the 12 house cocktails; for instance, the Arial (vodka, li hing mui—a dried, salty plum—almond milk, pomelo, and osmanthus) and the Deimos (bourbon, oolong, green walnut, and brined black sesame, and honey). The wines are all natural—and relatively reasonably priced.
Albert Law/BuddybarBuddy
Don’t be fooled by the nonchalance of this friendly neighborhood wine bar: it’s run by a team of bar industry veterans, and takes natural wine seriously. The interior, full of earthy tones and tufted leather booths, complements the essence of the carefully selected wines: grounded, organic, and full of character. The carefully curated anthology of natural vintages is the star of the show, and real aficionados will appreciate that the wines are served at appropriate temperatures. The rotating list showcases small-batch producers, rarities, and biodynamic reds. But don't overlook the palette cleansing cocktails, like the Celery Man—a refreshing concoction of Meyer lemon aperitif, crisp celery, dry vermouth, and tonic; a perfect interlude between wine tastings.
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Andrew HobarTrademark & Copyright
$$This sports bar (Trademark) meets craft cocktail kitchen (Copyright) makes it work by featuring big screen TVs and basketball toss games alongside classic novels used as decorative accents, and pictures of famous authors alongside sports cards of famous athletes. Technically the two are sister bars, but the outside patio is where they commingle. If you're looking to watch the Warriors game and enjoy an eruditely named cocktail, this might be the only place you can do it.
Dzu NguyenbarHorsefeather
$$This modern, wood-paneled tavern has quickly become the signature watering hole of Divisadero Street. The laid back atmosphere though belies the complexity of the cocktails that utilize ingredients like celery juice, horseradish and various lesser-known fruit liqueurs. Just don't come here in a hurry, as cocktails this complicated take a bit of time to make.
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Courtesy Proper HospitalitybarCharmaine's Rooftop Bar & Lounge
$$Maybe it’s because of San Francisco’s infamously foggy weather, but it’s always been hard to find anyone talking up the rooftop bars here—that is, until Charmaine’s opened at the top of Proper Hotel. Now this swank rooftop bar, with plush outdoor lounge seating, plants, fire pits, and skyline views, is the talk of the town. Sophisticated and stiff cocktails by the local mixology agency The Bon Vivants dominate a menu ideal for kicking off the weekend: The Unsinkable Sam (Jack Daniel’s, Campari, grapefruit, lemon, ginger beer, and lager) and Mr. Jinks (mezcal, lillet rose, shrub, guava, lime, and bitters) are instant crowd pleasers. Private parties for birthdays, meetings, and engagements dominate the terrace at sunset.
Ghost MediabarLaszlo
$This entryway bar inside the Foreign Cinema keeps the Bohemian spirit alive with movie posters celebrating Eastern European film and Cinema Verite, along with vinyl DJs performing most nights, and mezzanine-level booths give imbibers a bird’s-eye view of this cultured cocktail bar. The cocktails come with cinematic names (Sunset Boulevard, All About Eve, Pink Flamingoes) and a plentiful spirits menu keeps partygoers going while $4 Tecates remind us we’re still in the Mission. Laszlo shares Foreign Cinema’s dinner menu, along with oysters on the half shell. International fare like Iberico pork chicharrones with harissa and lime make for the perfect finger food.
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Valter Fabianobar15 Romolo
$$This century-old, back alley building has housed speakeasies, brothels, and most famously, The Basque Hotel—the hotel that inspired 15 Romolo’s candlelit aesthetic; it's local dining hall meets old-fashioned bar. It's made a name for itself among cocktail aficionados by balancing riffs on classics, like the Pimm’s Cup, alongside new standards such as the Sleepy Jean, a chamomile-infused bourbon mixture of nectarine compote, lemon juice, and Peychaud’s Bitters. For less cocktail-inclined patrons, wine, beer, and cider selections round out the menu. Bar fare like prosciutto-wrapped dates and lobster spaghettini come with suggested sherry pairings, while gourmet burgers like the grass-fed short rib Burger Royal (with white cheddar, garlic, romesco, pickled shallots, and fries) are certain to sponge up a bellyful of booze.
Mark Mediana/StarlitebarStarlite
The legendary Starlite, a jewel atop the Beacon Grand Hotel in San Francisco, has been reborn. This treasured institution has long been a sanctuary for celebrities, socialites, and storytellers since the Prohibition era. And although it recently got a facelift, its core is still intact—think Art Deco decor, glass chandeliers, a solid playlist, and a cocktail menu inspired by the city’s iconic features; take the Cable Car Redux, which blends rum, blood orange, Chinese five spice, with a cinnamon and sugar rim, and arrives at the table in a coastal-scented fog. The extensive cocktail list might outshine the food, but the understated menu is was put together by Michelin-starred D.C. chef Johnny Spero, and with something for every stage of a night out—from nibbles to comfort food.
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Peter Prato/Courtesy PeacekeeperbarPeacekeeper
$$Peacekeeper, a trendy new bi-level bar, boasts design elements as notable as the cocktails, both with a dash of Oaxacan flair. Located in Lower Nob Hill, the bar has a design trifecta of gray concrete, blonde wood, and dangling plants, which blend in perfectly with the natural light that floods the space. Tequila-focused cocktails anchor the ever-evolving menu. Flavor profiles are consistently bright, fresh, and balanced, thanks to ingredients like shrubs, berries, and spices. Cases in point: The Goddaughter, with tequila, berry shrub, citrus, and eggwhite.
barCavaña
On the 17th floor of the Luma Hotel in dynamic Mission Bay, the stylish Cavaña rooftop bar has become a new gem in the city's social crown. The decor along with the menu is thoughtfully influenced by the rich cultures of Latin America, drawing from the culinary artistry of Peru, Venezuela, and Mexico. And, the panoramic views that stretch from the Bay Bridge to Sutro Tower don’t hurt either. Cavaña's cocktail offerings are a tribute to South American spirits, with each tipple a celebration of the region's flavors and rich heritage. A couple of standouts include the Kiwi Hoja cocktail, balancing Bolivian brandy and mezcal with the tartness of kiwi and aroma of hoja santa, and the Papaya Uva, blending Peruvian pisco with papaya and grapefruit, with hints of elderflower and a twist of lemon.
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Kona's Street Market
The crowd at Kona's is an eclectic mix, mirroring the city's social mosaic. There's a strong contingent of regulars, who mix effortlessly with the stream of newcomers seeking more than just a drink—a place to dive into uncharted flavors from around the world. It's a scene that has switched up the conventional after-work ritual in San Francisco, infusing it with a zest for taste exploration. Kona’s distinguishes itself with a global market-inspired cocktail menu made with passion, earning a reputation as one of the best bars in the city. Ingredients like date molasses and ube coconut cream pique a curiosity for the unconventional. Each worldly cocktail, from the Blushing Dragon of Asia to the Cheese Tax of Europe, showcases the bar's commitment to bringing global drinking cultures to one place.
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Left Door
With tufted velvet couches, mood lighting, and retro wallpaper, this is an ode to a past century of San Francisco. On the second floor of one of Cow Hollow’s most iconic buildings, Left Door is not just a bar—it oozes a local-hangout vibe, and yet serves top-shelf cocktails and encourages late-night dancing with live DJs. Martinis steal the spotlight here, especially the dirty martini, with a savory depth of brine from the mineral-rich character of Hog Island sea salt. But don’t overlook other up-leveled classics, like their take on the Manhattan featuring Redwood Empire rye whiskey with Sonoma Portworks port, Brucato Woodlands, and a touch of local TCHO chocolate bitters. The food menu ranges from aged Wagyu bites to a charcuterie board, or splurge on the caviar service with blinis, onion crème fraîche, egg yolk emulsion, and potato chips.
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Christian Andrade/Courtesy Elements at One65barElements at One65
$$San Francisco has dive bars and casual-chic bars in spades. But true highbrow mixology? Not so much. Enter Elements at One65, a flashy new fourth-floor bar and bistro headed by a Michelin-starred chef. You'll find cocktail ingredients like carrot beer, hazelnut oil, and thyme liqueur. The menu is sectioned into elements—air, fire, water, earth—and drinks like the Guns & Roses (Hendricks gin, amaro, rose hip, and clarified milk) are served in hand-blown-glasses and delivered on tree branches.
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