San Francisco's Best See and Be Seen 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

This signless, underground club is a throwback to the speakeasy-prohibition era, done up with ostentatious flair.

Reviews:

• “Beautiful Club”
• “Terrible”
• “SLIDE in SF…you gotta READ THIS!!”
• “Awful”
• “SLIDE – BEST LOUNGE IN THE CITY!!!”

Tips: Weekends can get pretty crowded. To ensure entrance, be sure to put your name on the guest list.

Slide

Singles on the make head to this Mission mainstay for mammoth martinis and prime patio seating.

Reviews:

• “Never fails to deliver”
• “saucy crowd, sensual music, smooth drinks”
• “I’m glad I didn’t pass Blondie’s”
• “Best Bar Experience”
• “Crowdy dancing”

Tips: Nab a table near the open storefront and get a first look at all who enter.

Blondie’s Bar & No Grill or email Blondie’s Bar & No Grill

A Miami-inspired hot spot offering New York City prices and L.A. eye candy.

Reviews:

• “hmmm no”
• “wow…..”
• “Craziest night ever”
• “Fun Club”
• “Great atmosphere”

Tips: A VIP table reservation means no waiting in line and no entry fee for up to four guests with each bottle purchase.

Suite one8one or email Suite one8one

Visiting celebs and locals who love them drop serious cash at the Clift’s showpiece bar.

Reviews:

• “the good and bad”
• “Good to be posh!”
• “Cliche’”
• “Great time”
• “Super Fabulous”

Tips: Score coveted couch space by making reservations: (415) 929-2344. Otherwise, the Family Room section of the hotel lobby allows drinks and provides ample, comfy seating (no reservations needed).

Redwood Room

Festive pub and sports bar spreads Irish cheer in the Marina.

Reviews:

• “Best Bar in the Marina!!”
• “Classy yet homey”
• “Great neighborhood bar and great staff”
• “Beware of warm beer”
• “Best place in the Marina!”

Tips: Call about comedy nights, DJs and live music events.

Kelley’s Tavern

A hip lounge-club pioneer in SoMa’s gentrified Sixth Street corridor.

Reviews:

• “IT WAS GOOD”
• “THE CLUBBBB!!!”
• “Best SF’s underground club!”
• “Best "
• “Best Nights at Six”

Tips: Despite several hip clubs, this block of Sixth Street remains one of the city’s seediest.

Club Six or email Club Six

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 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

A Pac Heights den slinging specialty cocktails spiked with freshly squeezed juice.

Reviews:

• “Dansbee1 you make me sick”
• “great mojitos”
• “Once a gay bar, now infected with straight people”
• “The Lion Pub is a Gift to San Francisco”
• “What happened to the Gay ’90’s?”

Tips: Under the TV (showing sports on “mute”), a complimentary plate of cheese, crackers and olives is set out nightly.

Lion Pub

Sleek minimalism sets the stage for a striking young crowd enjoying uncommonly good wines.

Reviews:

• “Chill atmosphere, tasty eats”
• “Got Wine?”
• “cool wine bar”
• “killer wine, amazing ambiance”
• “Worst Service and so-so wine selection”

Tips: This intimate wine bar can fill up fast. To ensure a seat, come early or gather friends for a reservation.

Nectar Wine Lounge or email Nectar Wine Lounge