San Francisco’s streets are dotted with bars on every corner, but choosing a bar for your date night can be tricky. If the music is blaring in your ears, you’re packed like sardines, or the bar smells like whisky and vomit, it’s not going to create the romantic atmosphere you hoped for. The Ambiance Matchmaking team crafted this list to make sure you get off on the right foot, so all you have to worry about is getting to know your date.
FORT MASON
THE INTERVAL AT LONG NOW
The Interval is a bar, coffee shop, event space, museum, and the home of The Long Now Foundation all bundled up into one pretty, little package. Its library-like vibe is due to its floor-to-ceiling books available for reading while you sip on one of their artisan cocktails.
Address: Landmark Building A, 2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94123
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RUSSIAN HILL
LEOPOLD’S
If you want to feel like you’re dining in a traditional village Gasthaus in the middle of Alpine Austria, munching on Austrian fare while you sip on European beer, this is exactly the place you want to be. They feature eight old-world classic tap beers and numerous beers by the bottle.
Address: 2400 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
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FINANCIAL DISTRICT
TUNNEL TOP LOUNGE & BAR
This ultra funky corner bar offers an intimate two-story bar atop the Stockton tunnel. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights they have a DJ, and on other nights music plays from their jukebox.
Address: 601 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94108
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BAMBOO HUT
We couldn’t help it, we had to add a tiki bar to the list. Bamboo Hut serves huge fruity cocktails over its full palapa bar equipped with a tiki god-adorned waterfall while DJ-spun tunes play in the background.
Address: 479 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133
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HAYES VALLEY
BRASS TACKS
This bar may have a laid-back vibe, but it takes its drinks seriously. While you can find many craft beers along with wine on tap, we recommend trying one of their snazzy cocktails. Our favorite? The Brass Smash with Venezuelan rum, cynar, mint, and lemon. YUM.
Address: 488A Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102
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COLE VALLEY
PADRECITA
The tequila, mezcal, and bar program match the thoughtfulness and seasonality of the culinary offering at Padrecita. They search out hand-crafted and boutique distilleries in order to offer over 80 in-house tequilas and mezcals. These agave-based spirits create the base of our cocktail menu while bourbon, rum, and other spirits make a tasteful appearance.
Address: 901 Cole St, San Francisco, CA 94117
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