Hidden Bars of San Francisco

By Laura Kiniry

Think you know San Francisco nightlife? Think again. These bars are the best-kept secrets in the city.

From a rum-fueled escape in Nob Hill to a quirky Mission lounge with a Hammond pipe organ as its focal point, San Francisco has some truly unique bars. However, finding them can require a bit of finesse, since many of these spots are top secret by design. Some are tucked away atop stairwells. Others are concealed behind unassuming doors or within another bar. Whatever the case, each of these joints is packed with personality. Want to enjoy expertly crafted cocktails in some of the city’s most exclusive settings? Here are 10 hidden spots to find on your next visit.

1113 Polk Street

BlindPig

You can’t just walk into this Asian-inspired cocktail bar and lounge in Nob Hill; the BlindPig is password-protected. Still, it’s not that difficult to taste owner Derrick Li’s innovative creations, because a new secret word for entry appears each Monday on the bar’s Instagram page. Once you have it, entry into Li’s world of crispy rice chips, spicy latiao strips, and drinks inspired by the legendary Chinese tale “Journey to the West” is as easy as making your way through the BlindPig’s nondescript door. Li is also an award-winning mixologist, and his cocktails incorporate ingredients from his Chinese upbringing like lychee, oolong tea, and hot pot paste.

Visit BlindPig

501 Jones Street

Bourbon & Branch

Opened in 2006, Bourbon & Branch paved the way for San Francisco’s new era of speakeasy-style bars and lounges. In fact, an actual speakeasy operated illegally at this location from 1921 to 1933. To get in, a reservation is key. Then simply ring the buzzer next to B&B’s unmarked door, provide the password that comes with securing your spot, and enter into a Prohibition-era world where photographs and cell phone use go against house rules. Cocktails here run the gamut from standard classics to frequently changing specials, and Wilson & Wilson—the speakeasy “within” the speakeasy—serves up its own set of custom libations. Don’t worry if you didn’t plan ahead, because B&B’s standing-room only Library is open to everyone. Just use the password “books.”

Visit Bouron & Branch

644 Broadway

Cold Drinks Bar

Positioned above the bustling China Live culinary marketplace, up a stairwell and behind a bat-marked door, Cold Drinks Bar offers scotch-centric cocktails in a swanky and secluded space. Pair creative drinks made with mushroom, sesame paste, and chicken broth with delicious snacks like Peking duck fat popcorn and Indochine lobster imperial rolls, or go straight for a whiskey flight. A black and gold decor and bartenders dressed in tuxedos make the vibe here even classier. It’s an ideal place to unwind after a workday or an afternoon exploring the city.

Visit Cold Drinks Bar

256 Columbus Avenue

The Devil's Acre

This aptly named North Beach tavern pays homage to the city’s infamous Barbary Coast, a notorious red-light district born from the California gold rush. The centerpiece of the space is its mahogany bar, which dates back to the 1860s. The muted decor also features antique chemists’ canisters, wooden floors, and gaslamp-style light fixtures. Popular libations include The Golden Era—a mix of gin, applejack, and dry vermouth with a touch of orchard syrup, aromatic bitters, and lemon. For a more secluded experience, head downstairs to The Remedie Room, a subterranean speakeasy serving up an apothecary-style menu of tonics and tinctures.

Visit The Devil's Acre

3121 16th Street

The Hideout

Hidden away at the back of Dalva, a Mission District favorite in its own right, the low-lit Hideout offers a more intimate experience than its front-room counterpart. Decked in crimson-red walls and leather banquets, this windowless, split-level space is accessible simply by making your way through Dalva’s narrow halls. Classic cocktails such as negronis and Dark ‘n’ Stormies are the norm here. True to its speakeasy-style, there’s no official website. While Dalva is open every night save Monday, The Hideout keeps its hours limited to Thursday through Saturday evenings.

Visit The Hideout

1905 Union Street

Left Door

Located up a small set of stairs and behind an unmarked door to the left of The Bus Stop sports bar, Left Door is a decidedly posh speakeasy where classic cocktails, a multitude of martinis, and caviar service is the norm. Settle into a velvet chair, get cozy on a couch, or belly up to the bar in this dimly lit space, where Sunday brunches are boozy and feature a live DJ along with bites like lobster sandos and avo toast. Don’t miss the “Ride the 45,” a vodka cocktail made with makrut-lime leaf, lemongrass syrup and Thai red-chilli tincture. Walk-ins are welcome.

Visit Left Door

360 Jesse Street

Marianne's

Oozing with vintage rock 'n' roll vibes, this cozy SoMa cocktail bar is a secret spot that’s only open on weekends. It’s set within The Cavalier, a British-themed brasserie that itself is part of the Hotel Zetta. It gets its name from singer Marianne Faithful, a prominent muse for The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger in the ‘60s. Low lighting, royal purple walls, leather chairs and animal prints give the space an edgy aesthetic, and intimate tables for two make it an ideal place for date nights. Indulge in crafty cocktails and a curated wine selection, as well as snacks like housemade chicken nuggets and smoked deviled eggs. For entry, check in at The Cavalier and the host will point the way.

Visit Marianne's

993 Mission Street

The Pawn Shop

Occupying the space of what was once an actual pawn shop, this secret tapas restaurant and wine bar offers a unique and lively experience in the SoMa neighborhood. Bring something to trade—such as a keychain or a coaster—when you arrive at what looks deceivingly like a second-hand store, then dial the golden phone at the door and await the “pawn master.” After a brief exchange and a bit of fun heckling, they’ll lead you through a hidden entrance and into the Art Deco-style eatery. Once inside, savor small plates of patatas bravas with tomato sauce and marinated pork skewers, sip sangria, and bask in the fun of this interactive establishments. Pro tip: you can also enter through the neighboring Monarch nightclub.

Visit The Pawn Shop

3202 Mission Street

The Royal Cuckoo

Music and cocktails go hand-in-hand, especially at The Royal Cuckoo, a throwback-style organ lounge that’s brimming with character. We’re talking a huge vinyl record collection, a mismatched vibe of red-tinted lamps and church pew seating, as well as wall art that ranges from a taxidermied deer head to a poster portrait of actor Burt Reynolds. Still, what really makes this bar unique is its Hammond organ, an electric instrument that’s the focal point of the lounge’s nightly live music, which includes jazz, blues, and soul. There’s a back patio for open-air imbibing, but you’ll likely want to sip your craft cocktails indoors to soak up the full experience.

Visit The Royal Cuckoo

441 Jones Street

Zombie Village

Sip tropical beverages like Mai Tais, Disco Bananas, and sharable Scorpion Bowls (which serve up to four people) under a star-dazzled “sky” at this escape just off Union Square. With its reservable thatched-roof booths and hidden alcoves, Zombie Village is an ode to one of Oakland’s best known tiki establishments of the same name, which unfortunately burnt down in 1967. The bar combines elements of the South Pacific with Caribbean flair, so expect plenty of coconut and rum to match the incredibly immersive decor. After a cocktail or two, you’re likely to find yourself slipping away to the tropics.

Visit The Zombie Village

Laura Kiniry

Laura Kiniry is a full-time freelance journalist specializing in travel, food, culture, and the outdoors, as well as a 30-year San Francisco resident. She writes regularly for Smithsonian, Atlas Obscura, BBCTravel, and VIA magazine, among others, and is managing editor for both the 2025 Visit Oakland and Visit Petaluma inspiration guides. When she’s not exploring the Bay Area, she’s out traveling the world. Occasionally, you can find her harvesting olives in southern Italy.