The Best Whiskey Bars in San Francisco

Step into Elixir—San Francisco’s second-oldest saloon, a living museum of Victorian mahogany and history. Sip from an epic whiskey list, play darts by dim light, and feel the Mission’s soul in every nook.

Tucked above China Live in San Francisco’s Chinatown, Cold Drinks Bar offers slick, speakeasy vibes with tuxedo-clad bartenders, 300-plus whiskies and inventive cocktails served in a modern Shanghai-meets-SF setting.

Bernal Heights’ cozy “cathedral of cocktails and craft beer,” where warm lights, religious-themed decor and rotating taps turn every visit into a near-spiritual drinking experience.