These SF Cocktail Bars Also Serve Fantastic Food

One of the best things about San Francisco is that you can always find exceptional food. Whether you’re dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant or walking the streets of the Mission in the middle of the night, you can find innovative and delicious cuisine everywhere—including at some of the city’s best bars. I’m talking about bars that are known for their cocktails, but also have chefs churning out tasty burgers, wings, and more. Here are the best cocktail bars where you’ll also find a sensational snack or meal.

15 Romolo

This North Beach watering hole has been an old standby for years. The bar, which is located down an alley and is adjacent to the Hotel Basque, has excellent cocktails, an impressive list of spirits (particularly it’s collection of Sherry), and a kitchen that’s open until 1:30 a.m. They aren’t serving your typical bar fare, but upscale tapas like grilled octopus with buttered potatoes and preserved lemon; fresh pasta with Maine lobster; and Duroc pork belly with carrot puree. Plus, it’s probably the only place in the city where you can order chicken and sausage paella with housemade linguica at 1 a.m.

Trick Dog

Trick Dog is known for its creative cocktail cocktail menus that change every six months. The current menu is inspired by children’s books and the classic television show, Mister Rogers. Previous menus have been inspired by the 2016 election, Chinatown, and Panetone. One thing that remains constant is Trick Dog’s sensational selection of eats. Menu items include a bologna sandwich with fried mortadella and dijonnaise; fried Brussel sprouts with pickled shiitake mushrooms; and crispy tacos with ground beef and shredded cheese.

The Douglas Room

Mixologists Brian Felley and Mo Hodges made a name for themselves first at a pop-up bar called Big, then at the beloved tiny bar called Benjamin Cooper. Earlier this year, they opened their biggest project yet, the Douglas Room at the Tilden Hotel. Here, you’ll find refreshing, well-balanced, and thoughtful beverages. Bar food isn’t traditionally elegant, but somehow chef Glen Schwartz manages to turn wings into a fine-dining experience—his are duck confit wings with orange glaze and calabrian chili. An amazing Philly cheesesteak is also on the menu and it’s made with ribeye, sauteed onion, and white American cheese.

Horsefeather

Over on Divisadero, Horsefeather quickly established itself as the hottest bar North of Market. The trendy spot is packed most nights with people sipping cocktails made with fresh ingredients, housemade syrups, and hard-to-find spirits. The food is new American and is served family style. From a tuna poke bowl to porcini mushroom and cheese agnolotti to pulled pork tacos, there’s something for everyone on the menu.

Comstock Saloon

With live music, a lively atmosphere, and private booths, Comstock Saloon has an old-fashioned vibe that channels the San Francisco of the past. The drinks are superb—the team makes the best Southside in SF and the bartender’s choice is always a fun way to experience something new. The food is also wonderful. I can’t help but order the barbecued chips with ranch dressing every time I’m at Comstock. There’s also oysters, falafel, fried calamari, and a burger with pimento cheese.

The Alembic

When The Alembic opened it swiftly became known nationally for it’s craft cocktails. Over the years it’s seen many bartenders and chefs and recently has launched a new menu from chef Rachel Aronow. She serves seasonal, vegetable-driven cuisine along with underutilized cuts of meat like beef heart. Aronow’s pigs in a blanket, with slow braised and panko fried boneless hog tail with peach, smoked blackberry, black garlic, frisee, and wild spinach, sound indulgent and scrumptious.