I really want to love Trick Dog. The rotating menu every six months and the commitment to a full theme is genuinely cool and surprisingly not gimmicky. They do it well. San Francisco needs bars like this places that are creative, ambitious, and willing to take risks. I’ve followed Trick Dog across the last three menus and have tried a majority of the drinks, which is why it’s disappointing to say that, after giving it real thought, the cocktails just don’t land for me.
Yes, the techniques are flashy, and yes, the flavor combinations are unexpected. But more often than not, the end result simply isn’t very good. The drinks tend to prioritize shock value over balance or depth, leaning heavily on “look what we put in this” ingredients rather than crafting something truly delicious. Clever doesn’t always equal satisfying, and here it often feels like the concept outweighs the cocktail.
On top of that, the service has consistently felt a bit pretentious. I get that staff probably hear questions like “what do people order the most?” all the time, but when drinks are this expensive, a little patience goes a long way. An eye-roll or attitude doesn’t make the experience better, especially when guests are just trying to navigate a complicated menu.
It genuinely bums me out to write this, because I like the idea of Trick Dog and root for them every time a new menu drops. I keep hoping the next iteration will be the one that clicks but so far, it hasn’t. I’ll probably still stop by in the future out of curiosity, but if you’re choosing where to spend your money, you’re better off rounding the corner to True Laurel for a more consistently great cocktail experience.
JZ
3.5/4 A dark ambiance bar known for creative, themed, and seasonal menus. The cocktails were fun and playful but taste wise, they were just ok. The decor leans casual and relaxed - good for both friend groups and dates. Honestly I don't remember too much bc I was busy canoodling so safe to say it was dark enough, vibey enough and I had great company:'). A fun place, not too packed on Sat past midnight, would recommend.
Lei X
Very good cocktail. The menu was well designed and has a lot of unique cocktails options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Samuel Buchanan
To be honest it was a bit overwhelming. There shouldn't be pork rinds, mustard, nor miso in a cocktail. The specialty drink my friend got was just a mojito. Also a bit expensive. Spent $70+ on 3 drinks. 🔥💸
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Alexander Nordin
Kinda lame. Asked the hostess to see a menu and was told I had to go inside to the bar, and I was like ok cool. Then she informed me I had to show id first, which I didn’t have on me. This was just before 5pm and the place was not even remotely busy. Feels like either letting me in to look or grabbing one for me would’ve been nice but instead I was turned away.
Carmen Augusto
Trick Dog is such a fun and creative spot! It’s a themed bar that switches things up every six months — last time I went, it was a poetry theme, and yesterday they had a space theme. The menu is always super inventive, with cocktail names that match the theme perfectly. Drinks are delicious, the vibe is lively, and the music adds to the energy without being too loud. Definitely one of those places that keeps things fresh and makes you want to come back just to see what they’ll dream up next.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
S W
Most expensive and most disgusting drinks I've ever had! I bought four signature cocktails (Sigma, Tau, Omicron, and Adhara) for ~$100 for my group and none of us finished even one of them because they were simply not drinkable. I feel like I got completely ripped off.
Seriously recommend going back to bartending school or have taste buds checked by medical professionals.
Never coming back again.
Cooter Walpole
Be prepared to read a lot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pedro Vicente
Nice, solid cocktail bar. Small in a good way, but it can get packed. It's hard to get a drink then given that they only have two bartenders. Found it randomly while walking after visiting San Ho Won.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 3
syd
really friendly staff and tasty drinks; however, the drinks are INSANELY weak and overpriced - our cocktails were over $20 each (there are no prices on the menu) and we left the bar -after two drinks each- more sober than when we arrived.
One of my favorite spots for cocktails in the city. I appreciate how they're willing to take risks with their cocktail specs (often delicious, always interesting), and accompany them with delightfully creative themed menu designs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Arundhati Eidinger
That kale salad was awesome Cool drinks with cool cups
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Omar Muakkassa
How had I not been here?? Amazing cocktails and great service.
Sy W
There’s something magical about this bar and I just kept going back to it in the 2 months I stayed in SF. Def my fav bar in the area. They have such creative menu of cocktails and update the menu every 6 months. Super busy on Friday and weekend nights but bartenders make sure you’re taken care of. Just need a little time for them to get to you. Fun vibe and just so good drinks. Outdoor seating is pretty nice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sameera Pant
Evolving menu of cocktails and cute physical menu to match. They also have decent food, though the cocktails are the main sell. Nice location, though it can get crowded.
I really want to love Trick Dog. The rotating menu every six months and the commitment to a full theme is genuinely cool and surprisingly not gimmicky. They do it well. San Francisco needs bars like this places that are creative, ambitious, and willing to take risks. I’ve followed Trick Dog across the last three menus and have tried a majority of the drinks, which is why it’s disappointing to say that, after giving it real thought, the cocktails just don’t land for me.
Yes, the techniques are flashy, and yes, the flavor combinations are unexpected. But more often than not, the end result simply isn’t very good. The drinks tend to prioritize shock value over balance or depth, leaning heavily on “look what we put in this” ingredients rather than crafting something truly delicious. Clever doesn’t always equal satisfying, and here it often feels like the concept outweighs the cocktail.
On top of that, the service has consistently felt a bit pretentious. I get that staff probably hear questions like “what do people order the most?” all the time, but when drinks are this expensive, a little patience goes a long way. An eye-roll or attitude doesn’t make the experience better, especially when guests are just trying to navigate a complicated menu.
It genuinely bums me out to write this, because I like the idea of Trick Dog and root for them every time a new menu drops. I keep hoping the next iteration will be the one that clicks but so far, it hasn’t. I’ll probably still stop by in the future out of curiosity, but if you’re choosing where to spend your money, you’re better off rounding the corner to True Laurel for a more consistently great cocktail experience.
3.5/4 A dark ambiance bar known for creative, themed, and seasonal menus. The cocktails were fun and playful but taste wise, they were just ok. The decor leans casual and relaxed - good for both friend groups and dates. Honestly I don't remember too much bc I was busy canoodling so safe to say it was dark enough, vibey enough and I had great company:'). A fun place, not too packed on Sat past midnight, would recommend.
Very good cocktail. The menu was well designed and has a lot of unique cocktails options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
To be honest it was a bit overwhelming. There shouldn't be pork rinds, mustard, nor miso in a cocktail. The specialty drink my friend got was just a mojito. Also a bit expensive. Spent $70+ on 3 drinks. 🔥💸
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Kinda lame. Asked the hostess to see a menu and was told I had to go inside to the bar, and I was like ok cool. Then she informed me I had to show id first, which I didn’t have on me. This was just before 5pm and the place was not even remotely busy. Feels like either letting me in to look or grabbing one for me would’ve been nice but instead I was turned away.
Trick Dog is such a fun and creative spot! It’s a themed bar that switches things up every six months — last time I went, it was a poetry theme, and yesterday they had a space theme. The menu is always super inventive, with cocktail names that match the theme perfectly. Drinks are delicious, the vibe is lively, and the music adds to the energy without being too loud. Definitely one of those places that keeps things fresh and makes you want to come back just to see what they’ll dream up next.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Most expensive and most disgusting drinks I've ever had! I bought four signature cocktails (Sigma, Tau, Omicron, and Adhara) for ~$100 for my group and none of us finished even one of them because they were simply not drinkable. I feel like I got completely ripped off.
Seriously recommend going back to bartending school or have taste buds checked by medical professionals.
Never coming back again.
Be prepared to read a lot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice, solid cocktail bar. Small in a good way, but it can get packed. It's hard to get a drink then given that they only have two bartenders. Found it randomly while walking after visiting San Ho Won.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 3
really friendly staff and tasty drinks; however, the drinks are INSANELY weak and overpriced - our cocktails were over $20 each (there are no prices on the menu) and we left the bar -after two drinks each- more sober than when we arrived.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
One of my favorite spots for cocktails in the city. I appreciate how they're willing to take risks with their cocktail specs (often delicious, always interesting), and accompany them with delightfully creative themed menu designs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
That kale salad was awesome
Cool drinks with cool cups
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
How had I not been here?? Amazing cocktails and great service.
There’s something magical about this bar and I just kept going back to it in the 2 months I stayed in SF. Def my fav bar in the area. They have such creative menu of cocktails and update the menu every 6 months. Super busy on Friday and weekend nights but bartenders make sure you’re taken care of. Just need a little time for them to get to you. Fun vibe and just so good drinks. Outdoor seating is pretty nice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Evolving menu of cocktails and cute physical menu to match. They also have decent food, though the cocktails are the main sell. Nice location, though it can get crowded.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
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