27 Best Cocktail Bars near San Rafael

“California Gold Bar is A Gem for Drinks and Vibes

If you're looking for a spot with amazing drinks and a vibrant atmosphere, California Gold Bar is the place to be. Their cocktail menu is thoughtfully curated, offering everything from expertly crafted classics to innovative new mixes that are sure to impress.

Tonight, I was in the mood for some bubbly ?, and they did not disappoint. The sparkling cocktails were refreshing and perfectly balanced, adding just the right touch of celebration to the evening.

The ambiance is just as noteworthy. With its cozy, laid-back vibe, it's perfect for catching up with friends or unwinding after a long day. The warm lighting and relaxed seating make it feel welcoming, while the trendy decor adds a modern touch.

California Gold Bar strikes the perfect balance between great drinks and a comfortable atmosphere, making it one of the top spots in San Rafael for a casual night out. On weekends, the bar has just the right buzz, with a lively crowd but still plenty of room to enjoy the eve. Definitely a must-visit!

Cheers ? ?? ✌️ ?!“

“Stayed at the new AC hotel this weekend and went to Above Fifth the rooftop bar Saturday night for drinks. Contrary to all the bad reviews, we found the experience to be a great one. We counted three of us plus maybe three or four other tables, and about 10-12 staff members, who were all friendly and attentive. We were allowed to choose our booth seating, and they promptly rolled over a heater to keep us warm. We would definitely return to this hotel and bar“

“Really love the vibe here! Love the atmosphere in the lounge area and always hope to snag a booth. House wine is decent, rotating taco trio and some good fries (with side of aioli). Staff have always been friendly and nice. A nice go to spot!

*tuna rolls - ask for more side spices to add a bit more of a kick*

**recent visit - added pics of the pork belly (yum!), potstickers and calamari***“

“Food was really good and the wait staff was very friendly and helpful. Cute place. Good idea for decorations“

“My husband, myself and some neighbors walked over last night and celebrated a birthday with some drinks. One employee didn't seem stoked that it was busy but our waitress Christina was absolutely wonderful. Attentive, friendly and made me want to go back just to hang out with her! If you like gin the Crushed Velvet cocktail hit the spot.“

“While visiting Marin County on a Thursday, local bartenders recommended Mac’s in Fairfax. They’re open pretty late and have both indoor and outdoor seating. They also have a stage where it looks like they have live music. We came later on closer to midnight and it looked like many locals go there to hang out for a drink. They have a full bar and many cocktail menus. There’s street parking and people can bring their dogs inside!“

“Outstanding restaurant. My husband was in a wheelchair and they were extremely accommodating! The scallops were perfectly prepared and sat upon the best risotto I have ever had! The cocktails were refreshing and beautifully presented. They surprised us with a delicious complimentary crème brûlée for our Anniversary! Again...this is a MUST go to restaurant for foodies who want a gorgeous view of ocean on top of amazing food and drink!“

“We had friends coming to visit from Arizona and wanted to take them somewhere special for dinner. We heard about the newly reopened Paseo in Mill Valley and decided to try it. We were welcomed by the friendly manager Kevin as we entered. After giving us a tour we were seated in the main dining room by a cozy fireplace. We ordered cocktails along with a charcuterie board and roasted Brussels sprouts. At the recommendation of our knowledgeable waiter Will, my sister and I ordered the beet salad. One of our guests had the Market Green Salad and another raved about her Potato Leek Soup. Wanting to try different entrees we ordered California Halibut, Braised Osso Busco, Mary's Chicken Breast, Rib Eye Steak, and Roasted Duck Breast with orange glaze. The taste and presentation exceeded our expectations. As we were enjoying coffee along with Chocolate Indulgence, a (layered torte) and a Peanut Crunch Bar, Chef Branden approached our table to see how we enjoyed our meal. We all told him how much we enjoyed the food, his beautiful presentation, and the smiling staff. We had a great five star experience and will definitely be back!“

“Amazing food and cocktails. The staff is what makes this place special. Truly feel like a welcome guest.❤️“

“Amazing food amazing food did I mention amazing food Staff is also very nice and friendly… can’t wait to go back and bring family and friends“

“Good atmosphere Great food and service“

“Craving bars after the forced time in due to Covid, and wanting to boost their business after trying times, we decided to try Silver Peso/ It's a regular bar, the likes of which you'd find in midtown New York City, with pool tables and TV screens. The bartenders are efficient. They ask what type of tequila or gin you want in your drink, but give you a blank look when it comes to fancy cocktails; no lavender-infused martini with elderflower liqueur and a sliver of candied lime rind (I just made this one up, but if you've been to fancy cocktail places, you'll understand!). They know the classics, however. The prices are reasonable for Marin County (2 drinks usually cost about $22). As far as I can tell, no food is on offer, except small packages of chips!“

“An amazing restaurant with an interesting history and spectacular view of the Bay. Great service and food. And the Caprice is fully wheelchair accessible. Thanks for a great dining experience!“

“Love what they’ve done with the place ! The huevos rancheros is awesome“

“I always have a great time, great drinks and great food at Stillwater but today I got their pork chops and holy shit was this dish unreal. The 2 thinly sliced and perfectly bone-in grilled pork chops were accompanied by delicious mashed/pureed turnips (I think), broccolini and delicious grilled pears. Expertly done and super seasonal. I devoured it! Thanks, Chefs and Stillwater team. This was an excellent fall evening meal. Xoxo“

“A fantastic restaurant right in downtown. It is small and quaint. The service was very attentive and helpful.The food was good. Slightly better than I was expecting, but not quite worth five stars.I would definitely come back if I was in the area. It's a very solid choice for a good dinner.“

“Best food and drinks all weekend long. Marco was just an amazing individual. He made our anniversary even more special. My husband is a huge mezcal fan and asked if there was a drink the bartender could make and sure enough they made the most spectacular drink! We loved the food and drinks so much we stopped in after our long hike from Angel Island. I ordered the same mezcal drink as my husband did the night before. G was just an amazing bartender and helped us out with all the different types of mezcal and what characteristics they bring to the table. Marco even recognized us and said you guys are back. I have been telling everyone about your amazing restaurant and not just the quality of food but just the atmosphere and experience we had with the staff. They are all welcoming and make you feel like family.“

“We had a really nice time at Sula. The food was really good. We enjoyed two appetizers (Ahi Tuna Poke and & oysters) and our mains were great (Lamp chops, Grilled Salmon and Short-rib Tortellini. The lamb was excellent, the salmon swimming in sauce but ok. ] For desert, we had the chocolate pie which was delicious. We had lots of drinks but my favorite was the Runaway. yum! The noise level was fairly high. This was in part because there was a wedding upstairs which had thumping base going the whole time. We would definitely go back.“

“Made a lunch stop with good friends. We had the restaurant almost to ourselves. Great decor and great service. I’ll be sure to go back if I’m ever in Novato!!“

“Started with a pomegranate gimlet! Best Brussels sprouts ever! Beet salad, Dipsea pizza to die for. Yum. Great service-very personable-attentive-engaging. Food arrived in a timely manner and priced just right.“

“I loved it, the place and the service were very good, but as always, the final decision was in the menu and I was pleasantly surprised by the cooking times, the presentation, the flavor, the freshness and the variety. Excellent option for any time of the day“

“la comida es deliciosa, tienen muy buenos precios y el lugar es espectacular......los baños están súper limpios y decorados ..... la gente del servicio es muy amable, realmente lo recomiendo !!“

“A lovely place with great food. Went on Labor Day and sat outside, we ordered the daily special- the mango crab salad was delicious, and great for a warm day. A lovely spot in the middle of Larkspur's charming downtown. You're surrounded by the mountains which gives the area a rural, mountain-like feel.“

“Had lunch here last week. I thought the food was great! We both ordered a salad topped with salmon that was great. The salmon was seasoned nicely. After the main course we had bread pudding and coffee. The coffee (for 2) came in a French press and was really, really good! It's the first time for me that a restaurant came to the table with a French press!The service was excellent. I really didn't know what to expect going to lunch here but was very happy with our choice. You can also see the mountains out the window.“

“Great drinks and food. You will not be disappointed!“