12 of the best · San Francisco, California
Bars and Cocktail Lounges in San Francisco
A Beat-era bar beside City Lights, the Irish coffee at the end of the cable car line, the Top of the Mark, tiki, speakeasies and rooftops.
Our 12 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in San Francisco
Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love San Francisco.
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A Beat-era bar since 1948
Vesuvio Cafe
A bohemian bar on Columbus Avenue, open since 1948, beside City Lights.
255 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133Explore View on map
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The Irish coffee institution
The Buena Vista
The café-bar at the end of the Powell–Hyde cable car line, famous for its Irish coffee.
2765 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109Explore View on map
The full list: Bars, A–Z
Classic bars 3
With a story.
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The Irish coffee institution
The Buena Vista
The café-bar at the end of the Powell–Hyde cable car line, famous for its Irish coffee.
2765 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109Explore View on map
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Drinks at the top of Nob Hill
Top of the Mark
The lounge at the top of the Mark Hopkins hotel on Nob Hill, with views across the city.
999 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94108Explore View on map
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A Beat-era bar since 1948
Vesuvio Cafe
A bohemian bar on Columbus Avenue, open since 1948, beside City Lights.
255 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133Explore View on map
Cocktail bars 7
Tiki, speakeasies and saloons.
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A supper club in an alley
Bix
A supper club and bar on Gold Street, an alley in Jackson Square.
56 Gold Street, San Francisco, CA 94133Explore View on map
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A Prohibition-style speakeasy
Bourbon & Branch
A Prohibition-era-style speakeasy on Jones Street.
501 Jones St, San Francisco, CA 94102Explore View on map
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A North Beach saloon
Comstock Saloon
A saloon-style cocktail bar on Columbus Avenue in North Beach.
155 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133Explore View on map
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A Mission whiskey saloon
Elixir
A whiskey saloon at 16th and Guerrero in the Mission.
3200 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103Explore View on map
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Tiki in the Financial District
Pagan Idol
A tiki bar on Bush Street, between the Financial District and Union Square.
375 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA 94104Explore View on map
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Rum and tiki
Smuggler’s Cove
A rum and tiki bar on Gough Street in Hayes Valley.
650 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA 94102Explore View on map
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A Mission cocktail bar
Trick Dog
A cocktail bar on 20th Street in the Mission.
3010 20th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110Explore View on map
Rooftops & hotel bars 2
Views and murals.
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A rooftop above Market Street
Charmaine’s
The rooftop bar and lounge of the San Francisco Proper Hotel, above Market Street.
1100 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102Explore View on map
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Under the Maxfield Parrish mural
Pied Piper
The Palace Hotel’s bar, named for its Maxfield Parrish mural.
2 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94105Explore View on map
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