San Francisco's Best After-Work Bar

This Nob Hill coffee bar by day turns into a sexy bar and lounge by night.

Reviews:

• “good drinks”
• “the best fresh food in San Francisco”
• “Sugar Cafe…Perfect place for an event/party!”
• “Great Ambiance, coffee and dessert, slow service”
• “Great, cool loungey bar & great customer service…”

Tips: Try the Espresso Butterscotch Martini, a blend of Stoli Vanilla, Kahlua and butterscotch liqueur.

Sugar Cafe

Young professionals pack this renovated SoMa warehouse for a little food, wine and conversation.

Reviews:

• “Great fun buzz, fabulous food, killer wine list and just a hot place to be in the city.”
• “You don’t have to go all the way to Napa for a good wine tasting…”
• “Awesome place for wine and snacks”
• “Great wine tasting menu!”
• “Great Wine and Food”

Tips: In effort to create a meeting-place, neighborhood appeal, reservations are not accepted.

District

Posh lounge with an Old Vegas aesthetic brings an L.A. vibe to the mean streets of the Tenderloin.

Reviews:

• “OVERCHARGED VIP experience”
• “Great after work, pre- or post-theatre place”
• “Chandelier’s and Champagne”
• “Rude Management/Poor Bottle Service”
• “No AC and Rude Staff”

Tips: The upstairs lounge is available for private parties and events.

The Ambassador or email The Ambassador

Award-winning cocktails, a neighborhood vibe and eco-sensibility—it’s the only green-certified bar in the city—at this Mission bar.

Reviews:

• “great during the day; loud and crowded at night and during sports events”
• “Best Damn Boody Mary I’ve ever tasted”
• “Very friendly staff, but Elixir is dead most nights”
• “Great Classic San Francisco Bar”
• “Great beers on tap”

Tips: Debit cards are accepted, but there’s a $20 minimum purchase. An ATM machine is located inside the bar.

ELIXIR or email ELIXIR

An edgy SoMa art gallery by day; uber-hip club by night.

Reviews:

• “This is an awesome venue! And no, the bartenders are NOT rude!”
• “cool place with one exception”
• “Best place on a Wednesday”
• “Classic SF!!!!”
• “This place oozes style”

Tips: Many nights feature a cover charge. On Wednesday and Saturday, expect to pay $5-$10 cover.

111 Minna Street Gallery or email 111 Minna Street Gallery

An old-school Financial District bar and grill with strong drinks, gigantic burgers and fine brews.

Reviews:

• “Best Burger Around”
• “Sardine City”
• “best pub experience”
• “Huge Selection Of Beer”
• “Classic Happy Hour Spot!”

Tips: Royal Exchange is open Mon-Fri, and reserved for private parties on weekends.

Royal Exchange or email Royal Exchange

A soothing three-tiered lounge for the well-heeled Hayes Valley crowd.

Reviews:

• “Cool ambiance, relaxed atmosphere, fab happy hour”
• “Hot spot in Hayes Valley”
• “Cute and Cozy!”
• “Easy/Trendy Hayes Valley Bar”
• “GREAT ambiance and GREAT service…”

Tips: Jade serves a small-plate menu (5pm-1am) of Asian-fusion appetizers like the Ahi Tuna on Four Spoons.

Jade Bar

This pint-sized wine bar and art gallery brings a touch of Paris to a San Francisco backstreet.

Reviews:

• “Service Lacking”
• “Overrated, cooked wine”
• “Great Little Wine Bar”
• “Parisian Perfection”
• “What a wonderful place!”

Tips: Biron is available for private parties—anything from book launches to birthdays.

Hotel Biron

A hip, affordable vodka lounge nestled among European restaurants in the Financial District.

Reviews:

• “Very disappointing!”
• “the most remarkable infused vodka and on a grandioso street!”
• “this place bites…”
• “Yummy Vodka drinks”
• “Not Worth It”

Tips: The selection may be daunting, but the menu (alphabetized and split into sections like “Dry & Elegant” and “Full Bodied”) lists each vodka’s place of origin and quirky qualities.

Voda

Happy hour specials, live tunes and posh decor draws 30-somethings to this Financial District bar.

Reviews:

• “Good Food/Drinks, nice ambiance”
• “yummmo”
• “Horseflies Martini!”
• “Very nice, very classy, didn’t seem pretentious at all…”
• “Fabulous Food, Service, & Ambiance”

Tips: The restaurant’s menu is available at the bar, as is a special bar menu. Highlights include delicate ahi sashimi with carrot-daikon salad ($6) and thin-crust pizzas ($8).

The Cosmopolitan Cafe

A downtown watering hole fusing contemporary flavor and historic charm.

Reviews:

• “Beer”
• “good times, good times…”
• “Cool As Hell!”
• “Awesome!”
• “1st Saturday’s are great”

Tips: Happy hour (daily 7pm-10pm) features $2 PBRs, $4 wine and $5 well drinks.

House of Shields or email House of Shields