50 Best Cocktail Bars near South San Francisco

“Very impressed and Edgar was awesome and super friendly.“

“I saw this place pop up near my house and went to give it a try. I got the chicharonnes and the birria pupusas and they were both beyond my expectations. The guy running the store seemed pretty cool too. Hope to be back as long as they're still here. Parking situation is great too.“

“Super cute rooftop. Pizza one is one of the best pizza I've ever ate. The rooftop smash cocktail is now my favorite drink. I took a picture of the ingredients and made it at home ‍ that's how good it was. Definitely coming back. The customer service was outstanding. I will for sure come back with all my girls so we can day drink haha“

“Love The Hangar and so happy it opened as I’m lucky enough to work next door. Everything I’ve ordered so far has been high quality and tasty. I’ve tried the salad bar, tuna melt and japchae noodles. I find the prices reasonable for the area and quality. The entire space is very well decorated and designed. Can’t wait for the bar to open upstairs, check out the upstairs patio too. Oh also the coffee bar is really good too, thanks Eugene!“

“A perfect site for relax a have a good time with your friends or just drinks!!!“

“We came here looking for a nice, quaint local restaurant. Stumbled on this gem and was not disappointed. Came in for a late lunch and had the place to ourselves. The owner was there and made us feel very welcome. Had great suggestions for meal choices and definitely hit the mark. Food was outstanding! Pricing was pretty much in line with what was expected for the quality and the location. Would definitely consider going back if the opportunity presents itself.“

“The best Shabu in San Jose and located in the perfect part of San Jose in Japantown, we love coming here to eat Shabu, it is so delicious. I highly recommend it *****five stars the owner Richard treat’s us great with so much hospitality, we just feel so welcomed and will continue to frequent his establishment.“

“We stopped in here while in the area and were pleasantly surprised we had never made the stop before! I'm a dog person so anything with a Dog theme and I'm in, but this place didn't stop there. They have an impressive drink menu with a few things I'd never seen, and they also have these delicious NA waters (?) that I wish I could remember the name of.

They also have a great food menu and the service was very good. I'll be back and you should stop by too!“

“Amazing food and wine, great view“

“Great environment, lively, and tasty food!“

“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.“

“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!“

“Arrived solo while waiting for a mate and was instantly looked after by the lovely bartender & manager—genuinely great chat and brilliant drink recs. The “punch special” is chaos in a glass (a mix of whatever’s going—but cheap and fun if you’re brave). Music was random, the pool table was lively, and people were even sending drinks to strangers, which gave the whole place a buzzy, friendly feel. It’s the perfect mix of dive bar energy with proper service and solid drinks. Not polished, not trying to be—just effortlessly cool. Definitely worth a visit, and I’d happily go back.“

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

“Lavay Smith sings there on Sunday evenings“

“Nice bar and really like the roof fan“

“The cocktails on the menu are like a culinary experience. It’s very experimental. I’m not one to love savory drinks usually but I’ll say that bar iris executed its savory drinks well. The Ninjin Sour’s coriander taste is quite on the tongue, and it feels like I’m drinking a dinner. That said, I find it a very balanced drink. The menu also has less experimental and culinary flavors. I also got the Third Wheel (pictured), which is a matcha based drink and was super refreshing. It came in with a tea cup and that made it a bit more special.“

“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! 👍🏿“

“Great atmosphere! Bartenders were great and able to make a variety of unique drinks. The back patio was arranged to accommodate 2-4 at a small table, and benches or high tops for groups. There was also an option to sit under the covered or outside part of the patio.“

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

“Love this spot! Great cocktails, cool vibes, and the patty melt is amazing. Also really love the mushroom tempura dish. I've been coming here for years and while a lot of other places have gone downhill over time this place is consistently solid. Make a reservation if you can to avoid the wait!“

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

“So I was lucky enough to give this place a try during a closed event hosted by the Seoul sisters and the Hoo Lee Gans. Pretty cool vibe and atmosphere when you walk in. Extensive drink list and pretty skilled bartenders tend to your thirsty soul while the home cooked Korean style street food dishes caress your belly. As it was a closed event , the food was a buffet style, help yourself and gubble it up style. Regardless the food was spot on. I really enjoyed the onion pancake. This dish is as simple as it looks it is actually rather tricky to make. The popcorn chicken was tender, the kimchi zesty yet firm and tender.
I suggest you give it a try and work yourself through their menu.“

“I can’t speak highly enough of my experience at Holbrook House. It definitely lived up to the anticipation. The deviled eggs with caviar were unreal and the martini cart service was excellent with the best blue cheese stuffed olives.

Kat was fabulous, friendly, attentive, and made my experience above and beyond. You’ll be lucky to get her table!

Thomas was wonderful and answered my touristy questions about the building and surrounding area of town.

Will be recommending to my local friends and visiting again next time I’m in town.

Dietary restrictions: They were extremely cautious with my shellfish allergy. Much appreciated!“

“The food was delicious, especially the veggie dumplings and the vegetable dragon roll. And our server was incredibly nice! Also, the cute fish cup they served us in was for sale, so of course I had to buy it. Overall a great gem in the city.“

“Stumbled into this pub after a show in the theatre district and experienced a rush akin to what the first prospector must have felt finding golden nuggets in the Sacramento Valley - EUREKA! We have struck gold!!

Bottle Club Pub really IS gold — killer cocktails, mouthwatering food, suave atmosphere, and reasonable prices. It’s almost too good to be true.

The rotating liquor shelf is the star feature of this lounge, and it’s incredibly mesmerizing to watch it spin around as the red lighting dances on the bottles. It was fun to watch each new group notice it the first time it moved for them — it seems a pretty ubiquitous experience that everyone enjoys watching it.

The decor is kitschy Americana but in a classic, timeless way — very Norman Rockwell-esque. It gives off a masculine atmosphere with a warm, sensual vibe.

The cocktails were excellent and sit around $15 (affordable by SF standards, for sure). The TL crush was bright and fruity, while the Plum Daisy was surprisingly robust. Plenty of options for cocktails as well as draft beer and a small selection of wine.

The real standout however was the food — the fish and chips were PHENOMENAL. They were incredibly crispy and dusted with a type of chicken salt that added a unique layer of umami. The fries were lightly battered (which I loved) and the tartar sauce had fresh dill in it.

The Nashville Chicken sandwich was about as authentic as you can find in the Bay — it was dripping in that classic Nashville sauce and had just the right amount of spice.

The service was excellent and friendly. They initially mistook my fish and chips order for a burger, but when they brought out the wrong dish they quickly made it right and we didn’t have to wait long at all for the right order.

Can’t wait to come back and try more things on their menu. We’ll be showing this hidden gem to all our friends for as long as they keep that cool rotating liquor shelf maintained!“

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

“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.“

“The vibes are solid. Can get a lil crowded between 930-12a but it eventually dies down around 12. Not sure why when there's a DJ and it closes at 2. It seems like this is more of a first stop for most people.

The drinks are solid but I've had better. But I could have gotten unlucky with a rotating menu.

Wouldn't mind coming back if I was in the area but prob wouldn't make a detour.“

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

“Great cocktails and service, not a massive venue so would be perfect to have a cocktail party“

“One great cocktail, one not as much. Can't remember the name but collins glass was very refreshing while the smaller one (smoked mezcal) was very smoky to the point where it was harsh. Went there around midnight, it was pretty damn hot in the bar.“

“Great views, great staff, great food, and great drinks. Loved the decor and atmosphere. Would recommend and will return. Enjoyed the DJ, my favorite drinks were the Love Cats and Mr. Jinks. We shared several plates and the pork belly skewers, the pretzels (the mustard and pimento stuff was delish) and the asparagus salad were all amazing.“

“Hidden in an alley way, this is a great coffee shop with attentive service. It’s a coffee shop in the morning and turns into a bar at night. You can get booze in your coffee as well. Part of the proceeds go towards Ukrainians affected by the recent events. Coffee was delicious- espresso was smooth. Highly recommend the lavender latte!“

“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!“

“We tried the brunch buffet which is $36/person and thought that the food and service were great. The staff was hospitable, professional, and courteous, especially our server Lloyd. The food stations were neat and clean, and had a variety of breakfast foods to choose from including hot foods, salads, pastries, breads, fruit, and cereals.

We were seated by the windows looking out onto Market Street so we could see the bustling city streets that morning.

Definitely a nice place to check-out if you're staying at the hotel and want to enjoy a restful breakfast.“

“Great cocktails and intimate atmosphere!
Ordered the Hemingway Haut Tottie, and it was delicious. My party also liked their drinks.
Place was clean, seating was in good condition, and the decor was very unified. Great for after work drinks or meeting a date for a quick drink. Good combination of booth, bar, and high top seating.
Staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the menu.“

“The chicken tangine was superb...very tasty, moist,tender. Mourad can lay claim to the best chicken in San Francisco! The basteeya was so delicious with all the Moroccan spices and light flakey phyllo pastry. The plates came out looking like pieces of art.“

“This is Nob Hill’s best kept secret! A wonderful 1930s style cocktail bar! The ambience is wonderful. We always come here for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. My favorite cocktail is the French 75, but honestly? Choose anything! You won’t be disappointed. I like sitting at the bar and watching the drinks being made! 🍸“

“The Food is good the service was great and the entrainment was awesome“

“ZOE is hands down one of my favorite spots in the city. From the moment you walk in, the vibe is just right — warm, inviting, and full of good energy. The food (chicken quesadilla tacos, and sliders are my favorites) and drinks are consistently delicious, and the staff couldn’t be friendlier or more accommodating.

I’ve hosted events here and each time the space proved to be absolutely perfect — stylish, comfortable, and effortlessly versatile.

I recently spent an evening catching up with friends in a relaxed setting, then came back later that night to dance the night away with a down-to-earth DJ spinning great tracks. It's that kind of place where you can ease into the night and then turn it up when the music starts flowing.

I’ve also heard amazing things about their Thursday Karaoke nights, and it’s been on my list — definitely making that happen soon!

If you’re looking for a place with great food, top-notch drinks, and an unbeatable atmosphere, ZOE is it. Can’t wait to be back again soon!“

“Why wouldn’t you kick it here????“

“I recently visited this cozy bar and was pleasantly surprised by the overall experience. The atmosphere is vibrant and lively, thanks to the colorful lighting that gives the place a fun, almost neon-lit vibe. The ceiling is decked out with string lights, which adds a festive touch, making the space feel warm and welcoming.

The décor is eclectic, with a mix of Tsingtao beer banners and traditional artwork that gives the bar a unique character. The bar area is well-stocked, and I appreciated the multiple screens showing different events, from sports to other entertainment, catering to a variety of interests.

The crowd was friendly and sociable, contributing to the lively energy of the place. It’s a great spot for a casual night out with friends or even for meeting new people. Whether you’re there to catch a game or just enjoy a drink, this bar offers a versatile experience.

Overall, this bar is a solid choice if you’re looking for a fun night out with a laid-back yet energetic atmosphere. I would definitely recommend checking it out!“

“Wonderful restaurant with terrific food and service. We share the seasonal salad and the stuffed calamari to start. Both were excellent. My wife had a wonderful pasta stuffed with pea puree and in a pea sauce. I had a stuffed pasta with cheese. Both were exceptional. The olive oil cake finished the night. Fine wine list with many affordable offerings. We had a bottle of Arnie's and it was just right. The service is very attentive from the reception to the goodby.“

“Very unique atmosphere! Great food and drinks!“

“Great watering hole in the TL, especially if you're early for a show at GAMH. If you go between 2-8pm, there is a lovely Korean bartender who will teach you Korean while you drink. Solid jukebox, clean restroom, and entertaining regulars.“

“One of the bartenders, Kundan, is awesome: she saw a very drunk lady taking someone's drink when they weren't looking and read her the riot act. I already loved this bar, but it made me feel far more safe, knowing bartenders are looking out for their customers.“

“We had our last night at #Dreamforce Last night, and it was a great venue to relax and chill after a busy week at Dreamforce. Loved the staff, who made everything run smooth. They even had a coat/bag check, which was great to drop off those heavy backpacks that we’d all been carrying around all week. Highly recommend this venue for your corporate events!“

“Terrene in San Francisco feels like one of the city's hidden gems, definitely underrated. We originally came for breakfast (which ends at 11am) and had just missed it, so we stayed for lunch and were not disappointed

The space is located within a hotel and has more of a causal service process where you order first, seat yourself and the food is brought out to your table via a number tag.

We ordered the Harissa chicken bowl, a matcha latte with coconut milk, and an açaí smoothie. The chicken bowl was fantastic, super fresh, vibrant ingredients, perfectly grilled chicken, sweet onions and veggies, fluffy grains, and a flavorful sauce that brought everything together beautifully

The matcha latte tasted like it was made with ceremonial grade matcha: smooth, rich, and not too sweet. The coconut milk complemented it perfectly without overpowering. The açaí smoothie was also a hit: fresh and refreshing

The vibe of the place is stunning, it reminds me of the Public Hotel in NYC meets The LINE in LA. Minimal, modern, and thoughtfully designed. It's right by the Embarcadero, which makes it a great spot to start a walk along the waterfront (just be prepared for SF parking chaos)

The prices are a bit on the higher end, but the quality and experience make it well worth it. 100/10 would come back, and finally try the breakfast!“

“The pork chops are above world-class!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️ I'll be back.“