The best places to grab a drink in San Francisco

Within the cavernous China Live emporium, Cold Drinks hides away as a secluded cocktail bar on the second story. It urges lingering thanks to leather booths, black and gold accents, and a view of the Broadway tunnel. Given the speakeasy vibes, perhaps not surprisingly, the name of the drinks game here is Scotch, whether washed in luxurious duck fat or mixed with tropical flavors such as coconut and pineapple.

Low Bar opened quietly in 2021, but the vibe here is anything but hushed. Longtime buddies Matt Meyer and Daniel Paez (founders of Oakland-based burrito and tamale pop-up, Chancho’s) serve cocktails and snacks that showcase their Mexican American heritage. The menu includes mushroom toast with poblano pepper relish, quesabirria tacos for dunking in consommé, and a burger dolloped with salsa verde. But it’s worth swinging by even just for a drink, thanks to standout creations such as the Pineapple Express—vodka and tequila kissed with spicy and smoky tincture.

Boulevard is a San Francisco classic at the foot of the Bay Bridge. The restaurant was treated to a full renovation in 2021, courtesy of acclaimed designer Ken Fulk, who expanded the bar area and amplified the Belle Epoque ambience with velvet bar stools and twisted lead lamps. Local cocktail legend Greg Lindgren (of 15 Romolo fame) consulted on the drinks menu, putting playful twists on cocktails such as martinis and manhattans and, of course, the boulevardier with bourbon, rye, Campari, and Italian vermouth.

This chic and intimate music venue also comes through with elegant cocktails and snacks. Kick off your evening with a chocolatey Oaxacan-spiced old fashioned at the large horseshoe bar. Then descend to the belly of the beast, where there’s an intimate stage surrounded by velvet couches and low tables. Take in the smooth tunes while grazing on Jamaican curry-spiced popcorn and crab and caviar deviled eggs, and you’ll see why it’s easy to become a regular at this swanky lounge and bistro.

Perry’s is an old-school bar and grill where people have sipped martinis at blue-and-white checkered tables since 1969. Though not technically a sports bar, it’s still a prime spot to catch a game. The standbys are the manhattans and old fashioneds, which pair well with an excellent burger—although some prefer to up the ante with a filet mignon and wedge salad.

Noe Valley residents were without a cocktail bar for a long time, but that’s no longer the case: Wife-and-husband Kristen and Mike McCaffery knew what the neighborhood needed. Mr. Digby’s opened in the spring of 2021 as a handsome black-and-white tavern, named after Mike’s childhood sheepdog. Spicy mezcal margaritas or dirty martinis come with fully loaded deviled eggs and spinach dip, slathered into sourdough cut hasselback-style. Bonus points for the monthly supper clubs, which you can check out via OpenTable experiences.

The Mins Group (also behind Sushi Hon in the Mission) opened their most ambitious project yet, debuting a triple-restaurant space in the Tenderloin in the fall of 2021. Sushi Sato boasts a full cocktail bar at its center, showcasing over 80 types of whisky, plus cocktails infused with East Asian flavors such as oolong, shiso, lychee, and more. Revelers can snack on smaller sushi tasting sets and kick back in Sato’s modern and minimalist space.

Even after over a century in business, Balboa is still a buzzy brunch scene. Regulars order consecutive rounds of nitro smooth espresso martinis—so popular they’re on tap—along with sweet and spicy bloody Marys. The food is clubby but top-notch and includes the fan favorite: a house burger on a baguette, accompanied by shoestring fries.

Palmetto is a tropically inspired steakhouse by the team behind Kon-Tiki in Oakland. Retro Palm Springs accents—black-and-white checkered floors, powder blue booths, a hot pink neon sign, and an abundance of greenery—abound here. The drinks have tiki undertones so expect strong rum cocktails, such as a house punch washed in milk and spritzed with absinthe. They all pair well with meaty plates including grilled steak with roasted sunchokes and blue cheese chile butter. Bonus points for the restaurant’s special experiences (bookable via OpenTable), which include Sunday suppers.