San Francisco has a special place in my heart. I grew up in the Central Valley but was born in the nearby town of Palo Alto, so visits to the SF Bay Area were common. Since I was a kid, I dreamed of living in San Francisco, drawn in by the large buildings and the energy of Market Street.
Many dreams, once achieved, tend to lose its luster. Not this one. Every day I walk around my home base of San Francisco with wide eyes and a spirit of adventure. This city has so much to offer, and even with its large array of problems, it has a lot to be proud of too. San Francisco’s selection of specialized spirit bars is no exception.
Hard Water: Whiskey [icon name=’google-maps’ size=’small’]
Hard Water is an American whiskey bar with a whiskey selection numbering in the hundreds. When you walk into the bar, you will be overwhelmed by the wall of whiskey bottles that will bring any whiskey lover to their knees. Whether you are a casual drinker or a whiskey connoisseur, you will find something here to quench your thirst.
Hard Water is conveniently located on Pier 3 off the Embarcadero, just a brisk walk from the Embarcadero BART and MUNI station. Its location makes it a popular spot for after work drinks, so be prepared to face the crowds if you are going around 5 PM on a weekday. Oh, and make sure to fill up on the delicious appetizers so you don’t have to drink on an empty stomach.
Tres: Tequila [icon name=’google-maps’ size=’small’]
Now I have to be honest, I am not a tequila fan. I’ve already been berated by my Mexican family about this, so please, no hate mail haha. Don’t fret, I have a lot of friends and sources to pick up the slack in this category. After tireless research and a blistering amount of typing, I have decided to recommend one of my Boss’ favorite Tequila spot, Tres.
Finding its roots in tradition, Tres specializes in cuisine coming out of Jalisco, Mexico. While you enjoy delicious food, you can sip one of their many tequilas imported from Mexico. Tres will teach you the world beyond Patron, with their slogan “Rocks – no salt”. If you aren’t a fan of straight tequila, they also have a large selection of margaritas and tequila cocktails.
Located near AT&T Park, it’s accessible from the 2nd and King MUNI stop. It can get pretty busy during Giant’s games, so be aware of the game schedule and make a reservation if you can.
Smuggler’s Cove: Rum [icon name=’google-maps’ size=’small’]
Hidden on the outskirts of the Hayes Valley neighborhood, you will find this Carribean-themed pirate bar, only marked by a single red light and a line waiting to enter. Smuggler’s Cove describes themselves as specialists in “Traditional drinks of the Caribbean islands, Classic libations of Prohibition-era Havana, and Exotic cocktails from legendary Tiki bars” and they absolutely deliver on that statement.
For those here for the rum, you will want to ask about the “The Rumbustion Society”. With over 400 different rums offered, this “society” is based on trying several different rums and learning about the different flavors and profiles. There are different levels of the society to climb, but don’t expect to reach even the first level with the requirement of trying 20 different rums.
Make sure to arrive early to avoid the line. This place is small and only allows 49 people at a time, so large groups aren’t recommended. You can reach this bar via Van Ness MUNI station or Civic Center BART/MUNI Station.
Whitechapel: Gin [icon name=’google-maps’ size=’small’]
Whitechapel isn’t just any gin bar, it has the bragging rights to say it has the largest gin selection in North America. With numerous awards and owners from other successful bars (including Smuggler’s Cove), this isn’t just a stop for gin lovers, but for anyone who loves a good drink.
From gin and tonics to martinis, this bar has a wide breadth of cocktails to go along with the gin selection. The menu is huge and can be a bit overwhelming with over 120 different cocktails. If you aren’t sure what to get, just ask the bartenders and they would be happy to help. Personally, I’m a fan of the Cucumber Lavender Sour and Spanish Gin and Tonic. As always, I encourage you to try at least one drink that has you questioning whether those ingredients could possibly make a good drink. This is one of the places I feel you will be wonderfully surprised.
This bar is located on Polk Street, just north of Civic Center Plaza. It is relatively new, so I am not sure what their peak hours are. Whitechapel also has food and accepts reservations for parties of 8 or more.
That wraps up this edition of City Spirit! San Francisco has a lot more bars specializing in different spirits; think of this as just the tip of the iceberg. Being my home base, expect more editions of City Spirit: SF in the future. Until then, have fun exploring these world-class bars.
Cheers
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