Drink Like a Man (or an Awesome Woman)

The Broken Record is close to number one on my list of whiskey bars. Aside from a huge selection of whiskey and a bartender who is eager to give you some whiskey education, The Broken Record has one of the best burgers in San Francisco. So go for the drinks, stay for the food, go back to become a regular.

Mmmmmmmm. I love me some Bourbon & Branch. Seriously, what is better than a speakeasy establishment that requires a reservation? This is not a big place or a noisy place. This is a serious whiskey place with a small stock and amazing drinks. As long as you abide by the eight rules, you’ll have a new secret spot in SF. And by secret I definitely mean secret. I’ve given you the address, but you’ll have to take a leap of faith on entering this place.

So let’s say you really want to go to Bourbon & Branch, but they are booked up. No worries my fellow whiskey hound. Attached to Bourbon & Branch is a hidden bar that does not require reservations. It does however require you to knock on a secret door and give the correct password (I’m not making this up). The Library is a great throwback to prohibition and a great place to drop in without a reservation. So like its parent Bourbon & Branch, be prepared for a search and be sure you know the password.

Rickhouse is another fully stocked bar, but that includes a major selection of all things whiskey. This bar is not somewhere you’ll be able to have an intimate evening. This bar is somewhere that college boys will congregate to scout out cute girls in the packed floor. The decor is great, the drinks are great, the crowd… not so much.

Rye likes to compliment their great whiskey selection with an assortment of cocktails. This assortment includes absinthe. So for the adventurous drinkers, be sure to check out the Sazerac that combines rye whiskey and absinthe. I promise you won’t be disappointed. And if you are disappointed hopefully that drink will wipe all memory of this guide from your system.