50 Best Cocktail Bars in San Francisco

“The food in this restaurant is delicious, I hope you have time to try it.“

“Amazing food and wine, great view“

“We had a great experience at Aziza. We came here for late brunch at 1pm on a Saturday.

The atmosphere in the main dining room is spacious and airy but a little plain. But the separate bar is simply stunning in decor. This space looks like an amazing place to grab a drink after work.

We ordered the following Moroccan inspired / flavored dishes:
- French toast - a beautiful thick egg coated piece of bread laden with excellent tangy blueberry sauce. Delicious.
- Avocado toast - a tasty and satisfying sprout laden avocado toast
- scrambled eggs - made with a dash of sumac and optionally, a very mild chili sauce. Well executed but not particularly memorable. It was only scrambled eggs.
- grilled prawns on a bed of polenta - perfectly done.
- date cake with a caramel sauce and toasted pecans. - simply delicious, but bring your sweet tooth!
- moroccan tea - very delicately flavored; perfect way to end the meal

The wine pairings available by the glass were good but not great.

Frankly the food was ALL delicious and high quality. And the service staff was gracious and excellent. We definitely will return.

If I had to change anything, it would be the following. Perhaps add one or two more vegan or vegetarian options, especially for mains.

Other than that, it was a great experience and one worth repeating.“

“We walked in on NYE without a reservation and they graciously found us a spot in the bar area. Service was on point and staff were festively dressed! I love a crafty cocktail but most are too sweet. I had the Smokey mezcal cocktail 🍹. Perfection. Appetizers were delish as well. Perfect way to start our NYE celebrations.“

“Fun experience here. We sat at the bar, and I overheard many customers asking who’s working or customers greeting the staff. Definitely felt like the staff is well known in this neighborhood and has a lot of regular customers. Great to see.

The menu is awesome. Very cool and caught me by surprise as I grew up as a wrestling fan. It felt nostalgic and made it fun to choose a drink.

It seemed like a seasonal or rotating menu since I heard the bartender say this was our new menu. The Andre the Giant drink was the best of the three we ordered (Roddy Rowdy Piper and Rey Mysterio).

The charred cabbage was great. Never thought I would order a cabbage dish, but the description made it appetizing.

They also played great classic hip hop music.“

“The seafood here is absolutely superb in both flavour and service, with exceptionally fresh ingredients. It ranks among the finest seafood I've ever tasted😃😋“

“Absolutely love this place! We recently had a pre-wedding family dinner here for about 50 people, and we ordered party platters. The planning process with them was easy, and they were great about making sure I didn’t over order.

Everything was delicious! I’m especially obsessed with the blue cheese they had on the cheese platter, and hands down their fish and chips are the thing that keeps me coming into this place.

In addition to how tasty everything is, the staff is what seals the deal on this special place. The hospitality is genuine - feels like you’re hanging out in Auntie’s back yard. They even have a photo booth which always is a plus! The inside of the bar is gorgeous, and as someone that’s been coming here for years now, I can attest to how incredible the glow up of the back patio space is - BRAVO!

TLDR; if you’re considering having a larger party/event here - DO IT! I truly love this place.“

“This is a classic Italian restaurant with a lively atmosphere and excellent service. The portions are generous and the food is delicious. We ordered the classic pepperoni pizza, the classic cheese and bacon pizza, as well as the lasagna and carbonara. The pizzas were cooked to perfection, with a crispy and delicious crust. The pasta was cheesy and filling.“

“Great environment, lively, and tasty food!“

“Food and drinks were amazing. We had oysters, calamari, Caesar salad, lobster lasagna and hanger steak. For dessert we had the sorbet and tiramisu. The star of the show: the staff but specifically our server Maggie was also sooo amazing. We were celebrating a birthday and a farewell dinner and she made sure we had the best time! As a F&B manager, I love a good dining experience and this was it!“

“Had a lovely time both times I went. The speakeasy has very chill vibes and the board game room is really nice. Drinks were immaculate. Can't wait to try the escape room.“

“Beautiful and intimately small location to hear some great jazz music! The musicians were all very into the music, bumping along with each other and having a great time making some great music. The food was great as well, definitely recommend the bao! The cocktails were all very diverse, something really for anyone's taste, and were really quite tasty. There is a 90 min limit at a table before they move you to a bar, which makes sense. I also loved how the smaller location and unique entrance made the location feel welcoming but secluded. Would definitely visit again!“

“Lavay Smith sings there on Sunday evenings“

“I have been twice and so far everything has been delicious. I need to go back a few more times to try everything on the menu. Don't forget to save room for dessert. The cocktails are fantastic.“

“We applaud all those who help PCH become Miracle @ PCH, it’s amazing!“

“Really good pizzas! Loved the crusts and the sauce.“

“Nice bar and really like the roof fan“

“Bring on the funny 😁 happy anniversary Lisa good times great atmosphere!!!“

“I just walked in during a busy time. The waiters were great and the atmosphere was hoping. I was able to make my order, half bacon&half pepperoni Detroit style. The pizza did not disappoint. I live in Chicago and very picky and this pizza met my expectations. Even good the next morning cold(yes cold).“

“Really cool local bar…..the first time I ever tried Flor de Caña was from here…..all the proofs! Nice crowd, service, atmosphere, good drinks, vibe & bar bites! 👍🏿“

“I would recommend.

We caught Happy Hour at Persona. HH consists of $3 off house cocktails, beer, wine.

We had 2 drinks each, shared popcorn ($7). The bartender was friendly and knowledgeable about the cocktails.

Things to know:
- Some cocktails are batched and poured on draft (I am not a fan of this method, when yiure paying $15+ for a cocktail I want it hand crafted not on draft)
- Popcorn was a smidge too salty so we didnt have much
- No live music on Tuesdays
- By the stairs they have post cards which is a nice touch“

“I absolutely love this place. I read some of the low reviews because I couldn’t believe there were some. Yes, the price is high but that’s most bars in the city. And yes, it can take a while to order but that’s because every drink is crafted and presented with care. This place has some of the most unique drinks I’ve ever had. They are always changing up the menu and doing some fun pop up’s and themes. Customer service is exceptional, especially Leo. I love that it is not easy to find and that you have to know the password.“

“As a New Yorker I was excited to try the SF bar scene and this cocktail bar did not disappoint. Timmy was an incredible bartender and lived up to any expectations. Would recommend this Tiki bar and patrons are lucky to have Timmy as their bartender during this endeavor.“

“Outstanding. Very compact, yet thoughtful menu, paired with flawless execution. Every dish was a hit. Service was very attentive and seamless you almost don’t notice it. Big thank you to the team at The Morris, I would absolutely come back.“

“Fantastic concept, fantastic cocktails“

“My fiancé and I found your restaurant Saturday afternoon while sightseeing the city. We were so impressed with the atmosphere and hospitality. This place is the best for nice afternoon seafood lunch! Thank you so much for the delicious meal.“

“Best dining experience I’ve had since I moved here. Great food, great service, great atmosphere. My new favorite restaurant 💚💚💚“

“My visit to Novela was such a great experience! The layout is warm, inviting, and sexy. The sofas, library books, chopped wood, and comfortable chairs create such a unique atmosphere.

The staff was very friendly, and the punch flight was delicious. I really enjoyed the Caesar salad, although the crispy chicken sliders were a little too crispy for my taste. I would have preferred the chicken to be softer and more moist.

The live jazz band was the perfect touch and created a relaxed, laid-back mood. Overall, Novela has a great vibe, good drinks, and a beautiful atmosphere. I’d definitely visit again!“

“Ottimo cibo, servizio veloce, locale molto carino.“

“🌟 NOPA San Francisco: A Bucket List Culinary Triumph! 🌟 Review by: The Bucket List Coach Webshow. I recently had the distinct pleasure of crossing a major culinary destination off my bucket list: NOPA San Francisco. My dining experience on December 12, 2025, was not just a meal; it was an absolute masterclass in hospitality and farm-to-table excellence. Exceptional Service: A Shoutout to Zach! From the moment we sat down, the experience was elevated by our server, Zach. He truly went above and beyond, anticipating needs and offering spot-on recommendations, making the dining experience feel incredibly special and seamless. A massive shoutout to Zach, as well as the entire Culinary team, Management team, and staff—the level of coordination and passion was palpable. Appetizers and Beverages: Instant Classics The meal kicked off with the Date and Pear appetizer, which was absolutely fantastic—a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and texture. And for the beer lovers out there, you must try the Honey Beer 🍺. I'm officially adding this to my personal "Beer Bucket List!" I will absolutely be recommending it to all my followers on my podcast and through my travel agency. Thanks to Woods Beer and Wine Company! The Entrée: Perfection on a Plate For the main course, I opted for the Duck, and it was cooked to perfection. Seriously, melt in the mouth- tender meat was phenomenal. The plate presentation was stunning, far exceeding my expectations—it was a true work of art. The side of Grapefruit and Vinaigrette Salad was the perfect accompaniment. It was one of the best salads I have ever had in San Francisco; the brightness of the grapefruit cut through the richness of the duck beautifully. Desserts: Celebrating National Cocoa Day! To celebrate National Cocoa Day Dec. 13th-I couldn't resist. I highly suggest partaking in the Hot Chocolate for a decadent dessert item—it was rich, velvety, and a perfect holiday treat. And if you still have room, the Cheesecake with Brown Sugar is another truly fantastic dessert that offers a wonderful, comforting finish to the meal. NOPA is more than just a restaurant; it's a destination. The ambiance, the incredible staff like Zach, and the impeccable, thoughtful food quality solidify NOPA as a must-visit spot in San Francisco. It earns its place on any serious foodie's bucket list Cindy Lee Podcast Host at Bucket List Coach Web Show & Founder of Bucket List Coach Travel Tours“

“Great bar with a killer Hi-fi system.“

“I recommend the “Tinga” tacos or sopes 👍🏼“

“they took such good care of me on my birthday - Javier, Jesse and the team were a total delight! the food is truly next level and the patio is on such a quaint little street. i’m obsessed with this place and cant wait to be back <3“

“Great local spot for Bernal Heights area! A creative fusion of pub food with an Asian American flair! The fish and chips are fabulous. The smashburger is amazing. We love the fries and the gochujang ketchup. For pickled kimchi is amazing. I like the popcorn chicken and spare ribs as well! The owner's super nice. It's a great place to meet locals. Got to check it out!“

“Tiki Bar with a definite 50’s vibe. Love the rum selection!“

“Historical significance with Jack Kerouac and very cool looking. Great location.“

“Holy moly, this place was great! The food is tasty & beautifully served. The service was great & Hannah made terrific suggestions. Really well done!“

“June 2026:
Stopped by for drinks to watch the world cup. Sat at the end of the bar and had a good time.

Just ordered a beer 🍺. But this place has an extensive list of liquor. Great place for cocktails 😃.

Next time when I am in the area.“

“Très bon accueil, produits de qualité, à recommander.“

“We booked Dragon Horse's private room for a company dinner with 18 people, and everything was wonderful from start to finish. Booking the large private room was very easy—the private event coordinator was responsive and great to communicate with. We ordered a lot of sushi rolls and nigiri, and everything was high quality and noticeably fresh. The veggie tempura and chicken karaage were also perfectly crispy, and you could tell the oil was fresh. The private room also includes free karaoke, which was such a fun bonus. My coworkers and I had a great time singing a few songs together after dinner. Dragon Horse is an excellent choice for larger groups. We will definitely be back!“

“The Korner Store is a private event space now. I sent an inquiry in for a Saturday night booking, and received prompt response with a quote and some options. There's a minimum food and drink amount. I coordinated a walk through of the space and made a deposit!

The hosts and owners (Ina and Nick) are incredibly helpful throughout the booking and night of the event. My ~40 guests enjoyed the Korean food and full bar. We had a fantastic time in the private space. The venue has tv screens, music inputs, DJ and dance area, karaoke, and an optional photobooth. I highly recommend considering The Korner Store for your next event.“

“We've been here ~6-7 times in the last year. They make fantastic cocktails & the food is surprisingly good, but service is often very slow.

The drink menu is fun & tropical leaning but with some drinks that pack a serious punch. If you don't like what you see, they'll make anything you want & they'll do a great job!

I wish the menu would shift a little bit - I don't think it's changed since the first time we visisted.

It can be hard to get your order in & even if standing waiting for awhile, it'll often to awhile to get the attention of the bartender. This hasn't been isolated to a single bartender, it's just kind of the general experience.

If you're not bothered by slow service and want great drinks, go here!“

“Delicious drinks with amazing service. Michael was able to create a fantastic cocktail for my spouse. Between Michael and the cocktails, there is no reason to go anywhere else.“

“Great food with awesome service! Definitely a San Francisco go to restaurant.“

“This is my favorite cocktail bar on SF! It's always moderate not ever really busy so you're guaranteed a seat and a drink. The menu has a ton of option and they can make their own signature cocktails. They have great live jazz nextdoor and the interior brings you into a world of the artdeco 1920s. Highly recommend this place.“

“Overall a great spot to chill w/ friends or on your own!! 👍 My BF & I have visited quite a number of times, and we love this place!“

“Awesome karaoke bar in Chinatown, SF! Definitely a Chinatown feel with the dim red lights & decor. There's a huge karaoke book to choose a song to sing. If the bar is full, they'd likely limit you to 1 song at a time so others get a chance. Space is small so it can get crowded. Loved the energy & atmosphere.“

“My friend and I were visiting CA from Tunisia and stopped here for a taste of home. The chef's dishes are delicious and showcase his unique personal touch on classic recipes. We enjoyed everything we ate, and especially recommend the spicy cauliflower and deviled eggs. The meat in the tagines was incredibly tender and flavorful. As we say in Tunisia, Saha w bishfe! Enjoy!“

“Two thumbs up . Best Steak EVER“

“A must stop when in the area. Nothing fancy, dive bar feel, but always a good time.“