Experience

The San Francisco Martini Trail

398 Hayes Street

What to do before seeing a show in Civic Center? A martini at Absinthe is the only sensible option, really. Pony up to the handsome copper bar and order a martini your way. Broker’s London Dry Gin is their house, but you can opt for Marin Coastal Gin from Sausalito Liquor Co. for something more local.

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2310 Polk Street

There’s much to love about the cool cocktail den that is Bar Iris, especially bar manager Timofei’s take on a martini. It’s got sweet potato gin, a mix of shochu and sake instead of vermouth, sake lees brine to balance (a clever substitute), and gets garnished with a seasonally changing pickle (tsukemono) on the side. Start here and order some food; it comes from the same kitchen as chef David Yoshimura’s Michelin-starred Nisei next door.

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417 Stockton Street

The namesake martini at Bar Maritime, which is housed in the former Burritt Room + Tavern Burritt space in what is now the Palihotel in Union Square, comes with vodka and sake instead of vermouth. It’s relatively low in ABV, so you can have a couple of these and keep the night going without a hitch.

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56 Gold Street

When you walk into Bix, the first thing you see after your eyes adjust to the dimly lit dining room is a giant, ice-filled, metal bucket topped off with martini glasses in the middle of the long bar. You know exactly what to do. The only decisions you’ll have to make are gin or vodka, olive or twist. The gratis snack mix adds a nice touch, too.

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543 Divisadero Street

Club Waziema might be our favorite dive bar in The City. It used to be called Club Morocco when it originally opened in the 1950s, but it’s now run by Nebiat Tesfazgi–and let me tell you, she makes one mean martini. Be sure to ask for the food menu and go to town on some fiery Ethiopian fare. 

Visit Club Waziema

1 Sansome Street

Do you ever wish you could just flip a switch and a martini cart would magically appear? Holbrook House is making those dreams come true. Add a bump of caviar, because it’s the right thing to do. Their classic martini features Japanese gin and a dish of orange bitters.

Visit Holbrook House

1906 Van Ness Avenue

House of Prime Rib, or HOPR as it’s known amongst locals, is a San Francisco standby and institution. You come here to get your meat sweats on, as chefs in tall toques carve beef tableside from a shiny meat zeppelin. But starting your meal out with a martini is a must-—it comes with the shaker to keep your second pour even colder.

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1707 Powell Street

We used to be a late-night city, then COVID changed everything. Thank goodness for Nick Floulis, who is standing firm on a 1am last call, sometimes even later. Order his well-made martini, which uses locally made Gin. Bonus if you go after 10pm, where there’s a buy six get six oyster special. 

Visit Lillie Coit's

4 Valencia Street

Martuni’s is a vibe. Come for the martinis, which are served strong  sans vermouth by default. But stay for the piano bar in the back where you can sing along with fellow patrons (or grab the mic yourself and lead the way). This reliable San Francisco standby is open all year long, closing only on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

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1177 California Street

Before you see a show at The Masonic, pre-game next door with a martini at the bar at the Art Deco Osso Steakhouse. They use a savory olive leaf gin from Four Pillars and make their own brine with muddled olives, salt, black peppercorn and lemon peels. Go ahead and order it as dirty as you’d like.

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6101 California Street

Pearl 6101 is the definition of a good neighborhood restaurant. Grab a seat at the bar and order their Pearl Martini, which comes with seaweed infused gin and gets garnished with a briny pickled sea bean—it’s like taking a sip from the sea. And while you’re at it, order some of the stellar snacks—either oysters, the kanpachi crudo with pink peppercorn mignonette, the crab hush puppies, or all three.

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374 Bush Street

Step inside the historic Sam’s and you immediately want to order a martini—the place simply sets the tone. The white tablecloths. The wooden walls with coat hooks. It’s so old school. Opened in 1867, it feels like nothing has changed, even though the location has. Pair with oysters, of course. 

Visit Sam's Grill

450 Powell Street

Starlite is a glamourous good time. Housed on the 21st floor of the Beacon Grand Hotel, industry veteran Scott Baird makes a mean martini to match the view. Get the ‘Dirty 90’s Martini,’ which uses olive oil-washed Grey Goose Vodka that adds richness and comes with blue cheese stuffed olives and a lemon peel, so you get the best of both worlds. 

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895 Bush Street

Stookey’s is a fun one. Located in a former drugstore turned liquor store turned cocktail lounge, the Art Deco interior and retro vibe, with bartenders in white coats and red ties, feels transportive. Get the Gin Blossom; it’s a riff on a martini that adds apricot eau-de-vie for a gently sweet, fruity note that cuts through the booziness of the gin.

Visit Stookey's Club Moderne

3464 19th Street

Sometimes you want your martinis quick and cold. Wildhawk delivers on both fronts with their freezer martinis. They’ve got nine to choose from and come two to an order—because Martini #2 is always more delicious, as they note on their menu. Add blue cheese stuffed olives on the side to snack on between sips.

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