Boston

Yellow Door South End

Events

Okay, so yes, summer officially ended this week.

10 Actually Fun Things to Do in Boston This Weekend

Austin

Easy Tiger

With one of the country’s biggest music festivals rapidly descending over the city (we see you ACL), it can be easy to forget that Austin is more than just a place for live tunes.

8 Actually Fun Things to Do in Austin This Weekend

Atlanta

Historic Oakland Cemetery

As we get deeper into the fall, we’ve already hit the final weekend of September, but before we fully get into the ghoulish and spooky vibes of October, let's make sure to close out this month in style.

7 Actually Fun Things You Can Do in Atlanta This Weekend

Nation

Amazon

Shopping

Shopping - Deals, New Products & Gift Ideas From Across the Web - Thrillist

If you’ve never felt the urge to purchase an air fryer, allow me to share this thrilling tidbit: There is simply no piece of technology under the sun better qualified to reheat leftover French fries or pizza (without destroying either in the process).

8 Great Air Fryers Worth Adding to Your Kitchen Appliance Arsenal

Dallas

Find the best spots daily to eat and drink in hipster neighborhoods. Hit the roof, drink a beer and eat delicious at top-tier restaurants. Plan your nightlife adventure with maps and reviews of unknown micro-brews, rooftop parties, and independent drink.

Best Restaurants & Bars - Places to Eat & Drink - Thrillist

With more than 7.5 million people, DFW is the fourth largest metro area in the country.

The 18 Best Restaurants in the Dallas Suburbs

Denver

DenverBazaar

8 Actually Fun Things to Do in Denver This Weekend

Photo by Marc Fiorito, courtesy of Red Window

United States

The Red Window

Eat Seeker highlights the absolute best restaurants in San Francisco right now. New or old. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner. We've got it all right here. 

San Francisco

ABACÁ

Here we go again—time for another ride on the pandemic rollercoaster. The Delta variant has thrown our hot girl summer for a loop, leading to a worrisome uptick of cases and a return to an indoor mask mandate in the city. But there is good news to be found. San Francisco remains one of the most vaccinated cities in the U.S., and those vaccines are proving to be remarkably successful in fending off infection and, most importantly, serious illness and hospitalization. But it remains an unimaginably challenging time to run a restaurant in San Francisco, with business owners coping with staff shortages while having to enforce their own policies about employee and customer vaccination requirements. 
 
But just as these restaurateurs persevere through seemingly endless challenges, we remain just as resolute in supporting them and making sure they’re still around when all of this is eventually over. Currently, San Francisco is allowing outdoor and indoor dining, with masks still required indoors whenever you are not eating and drinking. We’re not out of the woods yet, so continue following COVID best practices and be kind to restaurant owners and staff who, like the rest of us, have been through hell and back over the last year. 
 
These 20 restaurants, all of which opened in 2020 and 2021, continue to prove how essential this industry is to our city. So do yourself a favor and start booking those reservations ASAP.

Here we go again—time for another ride on the pandemic rollercoaster. The Delta variant has thrown our hot girl summer for a loop, leading to a worrisome uptick of cases and a return to an indoor mask mandate in the city. But there is good news to be found. San Francisco remains one of the most vaccinated cities in the U.S., and those vaccines are proving to be remarkably successful in fending off infection and, most importantly, serious illness and hospitalization. But it remains an unimaginably challenging time to run a restaurant in San Francisco, with business owners coping with staff shortages while having to enforce their own policies about employee and customer vaccination requirements.

But just as these restaurateurs persevere through seemingly endless challenges, we remain just as resolute in supporting them and making sure they’re still around when all of this is eventually over. Currently, San Francisco is allowing outdoor and indoor dining, with masks still required indoors whenever you are not eating and drinking. We’re not out of the woods yet, so continue following COVID best practices and be kind to restaurant owners and staff who, like the rest of us, have been through hell and back over the last year.

These 20 restaurants, all of which opened in 2020 and 2021, continue to prove how essential this industry is to our city. So do yourself a favor and start booking those reservations ASAP.

Here we go again—time for another ride on the pandemic rollercoaster. The Delta variant has thrown our hot girl summer for a loop, leading to a worrisome uptick of cases and a return to an indoor mask mandate in the city. But there is good news to be found. San Francisco remains one of the most vaccinated cities in the U.S., and those vaccines are proving to be remarkably successful in fending off infection and, most importantly, serious illness and hospitalization. But it remains an unimaginably challenging time to run a restaurant in San Francisco, with business owners coping with staff shortages while having to enforce their own policies about employee and customer vaccination requirements.But just as these restaurateurs persevere through seemingly endless challenges, we remain just as resolute in supporting them and making sure they’re still around when all of this is eventually over. Currently, San Francisco is allowing outdoor and indoor dining, with masks still required indoors whenever you are not eating and drinking. We’re not out of the woods yet, so continue following COVID best practices and be kind to restaurant owners and staff who, like the rest of us, have been through hell and back over the last year.These 20 restaurants, all of which opened in 2020 and 2021, continue to prove how essential this industry is to our city. So do yourself a favor and start booking those reservations ASAP.

The gist: Chef Francis Ang was born in San Francisco, but spent much of his early years in the Philippines. While earning accolades in fine dining kitchens, including Gary Danko and Fifth Floor, Ang became increasingly committed to exploring his culinary heritage, culminating in an award-winning pop-up, Pinoy Heritage, in partnership with his wife, Dian. Abacá, which opens in the Kimpton Alton Hotel on August 16, is the sister restaurant to that pop-up, showcasing an elevated, playful menu of Filipino-California cuisine and cocktails in a sleek, plant-filled space. The food: Feast on a wide array of shareable small plates, including a selection of barbecue skewers featuring house-made longganisa pork sausage and seasonal vegetables, scallop pancit centered around handmade noodles and seasoned with bagoong-laced XO sauce, and lumpias served with apple ketchup and fermented mango. Craving something more substantial? Don’t skip thy dry-aged rib eye, prepared bistek-style and topped with crispy alliums. The cost: Prices range from $7 summer vegetable skewers to the $42 ribeye.

Abacá

The gist: This long-awaited high-end Cantonese destination opened in June after a number of pandemic-related delays in the former Empress of China space. The historic Chinatown banquet hall, known for ornate interiors and striking city views, was built in the 1960s and closed in 2014. This iteration, helmed by Malaysian-born, Michelin-starred Chef Ho Chee Boon (formerly the international executive chef of Hakkasan) has preserved much of the original’s special occasion-worthy vibes spread across multiple distinctive spaces —intricate lattice work and a striking wooden pergola have been restored alongside modern touches, including brightly-hued leather booths, sleek tilework, and a marble-topped, horseshoe-shaped bar. The food: Empress by Boon is currently offering a prix-fixe menu only, with dishes including black truffle-topped zucchini and prawn steamed dumplings, curry-spiced crispy chicken, and grilled ribeye with tofu in spicy, numbing mala sauce. Look out for a la carte options moving forward. The cost: The prix fixe menu is $68 per person.

Empress by Boon

Empress By Boon

The gist: This Valencia Street space has sat empty since 2015, when longtime neighborhood staple Luna Park closed up shop. Now reborn as Luna, the modern American brasserie aims to be an all-day destination for the Mission, with a menu of comfort food classics, cocktails, and a simple, warm-yet-modern space featuring wood paneling, a communal table, and eye-popping wallpaper. The food: Creative, approachable fare from a Wayfare Tavern-alum is the name of the game here, with a menu anchored by mains like stuffed roast chicken, a marsala-style pork chop, and naturally, a chuck and short rib burger on a brioche bun. Expect a touch of whimsical decadence with starters like buttermilk fried burrata topped with a sunny egg, and oysters “Hellafeller,” loaded with creamed kale, corn, pickled mushrooms, and herbed cornbread crumbs. Brunch takes a similarly playful ethos, with healthy and hearty options including “vitality porridge,” topped with blueberries, avocado, and an acai gastrique, fried chicken and savory waffles topped with black truffle syrup, plus a serious menu of brunch-friendly drinks (including slushies, spritzes, and bottomless mimosas). The cost: Starters are $12 to $16, and mains are $19 to $34. Brunch starters are $12 to $16, and mains are $14 to $24.

Luna American Brasserie

Luna

The gist: Husband-and-wife team Nick Cobarruvias and Anna Sager Cobarruvias opened this follow-up to their acclaimed Mission restaurant, Son’s Addition, in May. Chef Nick, who did stints at Jardiniere and Marlowe, is channeling the comfort foods of his childhood in the form of thoughtfully sourced, carefully executed Mexican dishes and a tequila- and mezcal-centric drinks menu. The simple space is sparse but lively thanks to family photos on the wall, a tropical mural, and festive, blue papel picado adorning the ceiling. The food: House-made masa is the star of the show here, which Chef Nick nixtamalizes in house for freshly made tortillas, tostadas, and more. Sample it in the form of tacos loaded with slow-cooked beef and laced with guajillo chile or roasted sweet potato; a huarache topped with avocado and maitake mushrooms; or starters including fresh salsas and aguachile. Larger dishes include hamachi collar topped with tomatillo salsa and a pork tenderloin served with a pecan-based mole. Don’t skip the charred cabbage, seasoned with chile de arbol, pecan dukkah, and smoked bone marrow. The cost: Starters are $7-$15, tacos and tostadas are $11-$16 and mains are $20-$26

Otra

The gist: Chef Dennis Lee and his daughters began experimenting with making pizza in their Outer Sunset home in the early days of shelter-in-place. Their sourdough, “Detroit-ish”-style pizzas quickly took off on Instagram (orderable by DM), leading to a rabid following throughout the city. Now Lee, already a fixture in San Francisco food thanks to his beloved Namu restaurants, has made his entry in the pizza game permanent with an expansive restaurant, beer hall, and NFT gallery off Market Street, and a late-night slice shop on Divisadero in the former home of Namu Stonepot. The food: SSP Beer &amp; NFT Gallery features Lee’s delicious versions of square-shaped, crispy edged Detroit-style pizza, with toppings ranging from classic cheese and pepperoni to bulgogi and bonito flakes, not to mention the mind-blowingly good mapo tofu pie, plus round, “New England” style pies. Also on offer: chicken wings, and an entire separate menu of Filipino fare called Uncle Tito’s (with pork sisig and lechon porchetta sandwich, among other things), and a selection of Namu Stonepot favorites including Korean-style street dogs, bibimbap, and okonomiyaki. The slice shop focuses on pizza, available by the pie or by the slice. The cost: Whole pizzas are $22 to $37, slices are $4.50-$7.50. Namu fare is $7-$15, and Uncle Tito’s is $5-$21.

Sunset Squares Pizza

Sunset Squares

The gist: Holding court on Columbus, just off Washington Square Park, Red Window, the latest project from mixologist Elmer Mejicanos (Tony’s) and chef Adam Rosenblum (Causwells) is a bustling ode to Spanish tapas and Basque pintxos culture, complete with a menu of low-ABV cocktails. The food: Pintxos, available by the piece, mix classics like ham and cheese croquettes and gilda (anchovy, pickled pepper, and olive) skewers, with playful twists on tradition (see: a chicken and chorizo-laced “paella popper”). Round out a meal with shareable tapas classics (tortilla espanola, patatas bravas) and larger-format stunners including a seafood-filled brothy rice dish and pork shank with white beans and broken herb sauce. The cost: Pintxos are $3-$4, tapas are $6-$19, and mains are $29-$38.

The gist: Just in time for baseball season, Colorado-based New Belgium Brewing has opened a massive new brewpub in Mission Bay, complete with ample outdoor seating and a view of Oracle Park. In addition to their well-known beers, try a rotating selection of locally-inspired small batch releases. The food: Beer-friendly fare is the name of the game here, from chicken wings spiced with Calabrian chile and honey to globally-inspired tacos served on paratha. Don’t sleep on the cheese-stuffed Wagyu beef burger, or the San Francisco-inspired, bacon-wrapped Mission Dog, topped with beer onions and jalapeno slaw on a brioche bun. The cost: Appetizers are $5-$12, tacos and tartines are $8-$11, and salads and sandwiches are $13-$18.

Photo by Taylor Humby, courtesy of New Belgium Brewing

New Belgium Taproom & Restaurant

The gist: San Francisco-based nonprofit incubator La Cocina has long focused on supporting immigrant and women-of-color-led food businesses. Now, their long-awaited food hall has opened, with six standout food offerings, and a bar called La Paloma. The newest addition: Fluid Coffee Cooperative Cafe, a coffee pop-up from trans activists JoJo Ty, Santana Tapia, and Shannon Amitin. The food: Take yourself on a delicious world tour with Creole fare from Boug Cali, Salvadoran pupusas from Estrellita’s Snacks, halal North African classics from Kayma, standout Mexican fare from Los Cilantros and Mi Morena, and delicious Senegalese offerings from Teranga. The cost: Prices range depending on the vendor, but snacks and sides start around $4, with full meals topping out at $16.

Photo by Lorena Masso, courtesy of La Cocina

La Cocina Municipal Marketplace

The gist: The latest opening from Back of the House Inc. restaurant group, The Tailor’s Son showcases comforting, Northern Italian fare alongside classic cocktails in the former Elite Cafe space. The food: The menu leans heavy on the vegetables, with ample antipasti currently showcasing summer’s bounty, including a fritto misto featuring fennel and asparagus, and a spinach sformato rich with truffled pecorino. Other menu highlights include fresh pastas and a dedicated risotto section with four options on offer, including one made with squid ink and another with bone marrow. The cost: Starters and snacks are $12-$15, and pastas, risottos, and mains are $17-$26.

Photo by Molly DeCoudreaux, courtesy of The Tailor’s Son

The Tailor’s Son

The gist: Wood-fired pizza, wine, and coffee combine at this Outer Sunset spot, centered around a 5,000-pound wood-fired oven. Currently open for dinner, with a nice selection of cocktails and Italian wine to go with your pies, expect coffee and pastries in the coming weeks. The food: Three-day, cold-fermented dough forms the base for a selection of blistered wood-fired pizzas, with toppings ranging from simple cheese and pepperoni pies to more ambitious options like the Slow n’ Low, which comes topped with spicy tomato sauce, kale, slow-braised pork shoulder, Calabrian chiles, and housemade pickled onions. The cost: Salads are $14, and pizzas are $17-$24.

Damnfine

The gist:Chef Rob Lam opened Lily in the Inner Richmond as an homage to his Vietnamese heritage, but has upped the ante on classic dishes with top-notch ingredients and playful presentations in a subtly sumptuous space complete with leather banquettes and a carved wooden lattice ceiling.&nbsp; The food: From a French dip-style banh mi, served with a side of pho broth for dipping, to a heritage barbecue pork noodle bowl, loaded with grilled meatballs, belly, and shoulder, Lily’s cuisine is all about big, luxurious flavors (see: duck confit egg rolls) balanced with fresh herbs and zippy sauces. The cost: Appetizers are $12-$16, and mains are $16-$28.&nbsp;

Lily

The gist: This takeout and delivery-only restaurant has put together a menu of Chinese American classics, thoughtfully and flavorfully executed by Chef Eric Ehler. The food: Tuck into classics like General Tso’s chicken, wonton soup, pepper steak, and mapo tofu with vegan Impossible meat, all cooked to order and iterated to remain as texturally sound as possible through the takeout experience. Definitely try the house-made Umami Crunch on anything and everything. The cost: Appetizers and soups are $7.95-$8.95, and mains are $11.96-$14.95.

Photo by Joseph Weaver, courtesy of Lazy Susan

Lazy Susan

The gist: This long-awaited full-service restaurant from star pastry chef Belinda Leong has opened just down the block from her beloved B. Patisserie for in-person dining and takeout. The food: The menu boasts “French-ish” classics like seasonal pate and salmon rillettes, hearty mains of truffled pork tenderloin and braised beef short ribs, plus a lobster grand aioli, featuring cold, poached lobster with miso-laced aioli for dipping. Desserts, which include both dark chocolate and tropical fruit-laced mousses, are not to be missed. The cost: Starters and salads are $15-$18, with mains ranging from $26 (for pork shoulder confit) to $45 for lobster. A three-course menu is also available at $39 per person.

Routier

The gist: Housed in the former Jardiniere space, Baia, a collaboration between Chef Matthew Kenney and Kyle and Tracy Vogt, is now open for dinner and brunch in Hayes Valley, boasting a seasonal menu of cravable, entirely plant-based Italian fare. The food: The menus offer vegan versions of Italian-American classics including cacio e pepe pasta and pizza, eggplant parmesan, fried mozzarella sticks, and garlic knots, plus sandwiches and scrambles for brunch. Italian beer and wine, plus cocktails, are also available. The cost: Appetizers are $10-$17, pasta and pizzas are $17-$25, and mains are $22-$27.

Photo by Frank Lee, courtesy of Baia

Baia

The gist: The latest offering from the Absinthe group, Arbor has remade Arlequin Cafe, and its wonderful back garden, into a fast-casual restaurant with a low-key emphasis on plant-based offerings. The food: Find comforting classics, including chili cheese fries, mac and cheese, and a double cheeseburger, alongside equally satisfying vegan options, including a double patty bean burger loaded with garlic tahini sauce and a hearty slice of heirloom tomato. Wine is available on tap, and by the bottle from Arlequin Wine Merchant next door. The cost: Small plates are $6-$10, salads and sandwiches are $8-$16.

Photo courtesy of Arbor 

Arbor

The gist: The much-loved Mexican restaurant from the Nopa family has opened a small takeout window with additional outdoor seating on 18th Street in the Mission, serving a limited menu of Nopalito classics and a few new offerings. The food: Find Nopalito favorites, including a seasonal market salad and totopos tossed in salsa de arbol, plus a loaded rice and bean bowl with your choice of protein, and a plate of melt-in-your-mouth carnitas. The cost: Totopos are $9, meals are $12-$25, ice cream is $5-$8, the carnitas plate is $25.

NopalitoSF

Nopalito

The gist: Hi Neighbor Restaurant Group opened this 100-seat socially distanced outdoor restaurant in the plaza of 555 California Street, outside of The Vault restaurant. The food: Expect a menu of high-class comfort food, featuring everything from a double pattied burger with Fiscalini cheddar and special sauce to caramelized scallops served with ginger lobster sauce (plus caviar and oysters for good measure). Brunch offerings include sweet treats like beignets and a cinnamon roll with cream cheese icing, plus hearty fare like eggs Benedict and chicken fried steak served with country gravy. Whenever you dine, be sure to try the fresh-baked Parker House rolls. The cost: Dinner mains range from $20 to $48 for a dry-aged steak, brunch dishes are $16-$26.

Photo by Hardy Wilson, courtesy of The Vault Garden

The Vault Garden

The gist: Married couple Monica Wong and Dennis Cantwell, previously of staple SF restaurants Zuni, Nopa, and A16, opened this low-key neighborhood bottle shop and bar selling beer, natural wine, and stellar sandwiches that have quickly earned a following far beyond the outer avenues in a light-filled, welcoming space. The food: Palm City’s long-awaited opening has come with a menu of fresh, wine-friendly fare including hearty, seasonal salads, addictive spicy cheese dip, stone fruit paired with unctuous slices of speck, and salty-pungent anchovies. Never fear, though: the loaded hoagies that brought them city-wide acclaim, all served on custom-made sesame seed-topped rolls from Rosalind Bakery, are still on offer. Don’t miss the Italian American, a pile of thinly sliced mortadella and and finocchiona topped with arugula and cheese on an 'nduja mayo-slicked roll, or the roasted cauliflower hoagie, spiced with ginger lemongrass aioli and hot honey, and a favorite for vegetarians and carnivores alike. The cost: Starters and salads are $8-15, and hoagies are $15-16. How to book: Walk-ins welcome for dine-in and takeout (no advance orders).

@palmcitywines

Palm City

The gist: Reem Asil opened the San Francisco location of her Oakland-based bakery in the former Mission Pie space in March 2020, and suffered another setback in the form of a massive fire in December. But the bright, airy cafe that puts a modern twist on Arab baked goods is back, with a full menu of hot, prepared dishes, sweet and savory pastries, and beer and wine available. The food: Fresh-baked mana’eesh, or ten-inch flatbreads topped with everything from za’atar to sumac-spiced chicken and seasonal vegetables, are on offer, along with a selection of mezze, salads, and ka’ik, toasted sesame bread sandwiches loaded with slow-cooked lamb and Oaxacan cheese, falafel and house-made pickles, and more. Don’t sleep on the weekends-only Arab brunch menu, which features shakshuka, a sujuk scramble, and classic ful mudammas. The cost: Breads, pastries, and flatbreads are $3.50-$15, mezze are $8-$10, salads and topped ka’ik are $10-$15.

Photo by Angelina Hong, courtesy of Reem's

Reem's Mission

The gist: Chef Brandon Rice, former Chef de Cuisine of much-lauded Rich Table, had been gearing up to open his own restaurant, Ernest, when the pandemic hit. After offering Ernest at Home, a high-end takeout experience, through the ups and downs of 2020, the restaurant—now just Ernest—has finally opened for dinner. The food: Expect a lively, regularly changing menu of globally influenced shareable dishes, like beef tartare seasoned with nori and ikura, lo mein prepared carbonara-style with sea urchin, and pork tonkatsu served with heirloom tomatoes and green goddess. Want to avoid the painful process of decision making? Let the kitchen put together a feast for you and your table. The cost: Snacks and starters range from $9 to $21, mains are $23 to $39, or have the kitchen cook for you, for $95 per person.

Ernest San Francisco

Ernest

<a href="https://www.thrillist.com/authors/lauren-sloss" target="_blank">Lauren Sloss</a> is a San Francisco-based travel, food, and music writer who has done stints in Philadelphia, New York, London, Istanbul, and aboard a 32-foot sailboat. Follow her on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lsloss/" target="_blank">Instagram </a>and <a href="https://twitter.com/laurensloss" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.

Eat Seeker

Eat Seeker helps you find the best restaurants in your city. Check out our articles to help you find the best places to eat near you, now.

Eat Seeker: The Best Restaurants in Your City Right Now

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Everywhere You Need to Eat Right Now in San Francisco 

Best Restaurants in San Francisco: Coolest, Hottest, Newest Places to Eat

From Filipino-California cuisine to classic Cantonese, Detroit-style pizza, and more.

Here we go again—time for another ride on the pandemic rollercoaster.

We've rounded up the best bars in SF to visit. From cocktail bars to brew pubs, here are the best places to drink in the city right now. 

Photo by Marc Fiorito Photography, courtesy of Red Window

If there’s one thing we’re all in need of lately (and by lately, we mean since March 2020), it’s a drink. And if there’s one thing we’ve appreciated more than ever lately, it’s a bar where we can have someone far more qualified than ourselves concoct our favorite cocktail. From tried and true watering holes to newcomers on the SF drinking scene, consult this list the next time you want to give your home bar a break and clink glasses IRL. Here are 19 of our favorite bars in San Francisco right now:

If there’s one thing we’re all in need of lately (and by lately, we mean since March 2020), it’s a drink. And if there’s one thing we’ve appreciated more than ever lately, it’s a bar where we can have someone far more qualified than ourselves concoct our favorite cocktail. From tried and true watering holes to newcomers on the SF drinking scene, consult this list the next time you want to give your home bar a break and clink glasses IRL. Here are 19 of our favorite bars in San Francisco right now:

Editor’s note: Masks are required indoors again, which means you’ll have to mask up when you’re not seated. In addition, many bars and restaurants are starting to require proof of vaccination, so you’ll want to make sure you have a copy or a digital vaccine record to present along with your ID.

This sort-of-hidden (in that it’s up an easy-to-miss staircase and there’s not a sign—just a gold door with a black bat) lounge on the second floor of China Live is pure swank and sophistication. From the high-end scotch cocktails to the sleek decor, the luxurious experience you’ll find at Cold Drinks feels out of place in San Francisco (that’s a compliment, we promise). If you’re not a fan of scotch, don’t fret; many of the cocktails use it in a way that may change your mind, but you can also order your spirit of choice from the full bar. If you’re a whiskey fan, consider ordering one of the flights, an excellent way to explore whiskies you may not have tried before. How to enjoy: Cold Drinks is open for indoor seating only. You must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test taken in the last 72 hours. Reservations are encouraged and are available on <a href="https://resy.com/cities/sf/cold-drinks-bar" target="_blank">Resy</a>.

Photo by Patricia Chang, courtesy of Cold Drinks

Cold Drinks Bar

Like Sundays and brunch and Cheech and Chong, pizza and beer are just better when they’re together. Confirm that theory for yourself at SSP Beer Hall, a chill new spot from the guys behind <a href="https://www.namustonepot.com/" target="_blank">Namu Stonepot</a> and <a href="https://www.sunsetsquares.com/" target="_blank">Sunset Squares Pizza</a>. The word “hall” is appropriate because the space is huge and has a lounge, bar, and dining room with lots of communal seating, a thing we’re apparently doing again. There are ten beers on tap, plenty of cans, and food from a few restaurants, including those just mentioned. We’re especially excited about Sunset Squares Pizza—sourdough Detroit-style(ish) pies with weird and delicious toppings, like bulgogi beef and kimchi, and everything you’d find in a bowl of clam chowder—which, until recently had to be ordered via Instagram at specific times of day, something we were never able to get our act together and actually do. The restaurant is counter service, but you can snag a seat, order from your phone, and they’ll call your name when it’s ready. How to enjoy: Walk-ins only.

SSP Beer Hall

Like the meaning of life or a pile of Legos, 15 Romolo can be whatever you need it to be, whether that’s a cozy spot for a first date, a place to go with out-of-town friends, or just a neighborhood bar that serves impressive handcrafted cocktails. The Pimm’s Cup is a must, as is feeding dollar bills to one of the best jukeboxes in SF and staying much longer than intended. How to enjoy: Walk-ins only.

Photo by Balthazar Media, courtesy of 15 Romolo

15 Romolo

Right above Mister Jiu’s is a former banquet hall transformed into a stylish salon with mid-century modern flair, a retro color palette that was modern at the time, cushioned seating, and moon gates throughout. The space is, dare we say it, sexy (at least for SF), and almost makes you wish you’d worn something other than sneakers and a puffy jacket, a thought that will likely dissipate as soon as you start sipping the Chinese lunar calendar-inspired cocktails. The lounge also has a small list of organic and natural wines available by the glass. How to enjoy: Book via <a href="https://resy.com/cities/sf/moongate-lounge?date=2021-08-09&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwxo6IBhBKEiwAXSYBs8y-18R6eE3DOTLT-dTnczfwpVHISOI9_YaTVSs_fxVztZ3V5oHBlhoCz5MQAvD_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds&amp;seats=2" target="_blank">Resy</a>.

Photo by Patricia Chang, courtesy of Moonlight

Moongate Lounge

Moon Gate Lounge

Walking into Wildhawk is like being invited into the stylish sitting room of a fabulous friend with a flair for the dramatic. Think: floral wallpaper, mid-century modern furniture, low lights, and lots of patterns and textures. And while hanging out in a room that’s reminiscent of a living room may not sound like something you want to do after hanging out in your own for over a year, this living room doesn’t have crumbs in the couch, and you can cozy in a corner with other humans! Even better, you can do so while sipping on elevated vermouth-inspired cocktails, beer, wine, and munching on bar snacks. If you’re looking for a drink suggestion: the Cocoa Puffs-infused Breakfast Negroni is perfect for those of us whose taste is whatever keeps us from feeling like too much of an adult. How to enjoy: Walk-ins only.

Photo courtesy of Wildhawk

Wildhawk

We can’t drink at Pacific Cocktail Haven (P.C.H.) right now due to a fire that inspired a move to a new space that’s being built, but we can still get drinks from bartender extraordinaire Kevin Diedrich at Kona’s Street Market, a spacious street market-inspired lounge complete with booths, lanterns, and string lights. That alone should make you instantly fall in love, but in case you need a little more convincing, here it goes. The drinks at this spot are inspired by places around the world (as well as some great puns) with options like Hard to Say Dubai (Wyoming Bourbon, apple brandy, montenegro, prickly pear, citrus, absinthe, bitters) and Iran So Far Away (Calvados, Gin, quince, celery salted melon seed, pear, basil, bitters). Even better, even though the drinks are on the complicated side, you don’t have to wait a long time to get them thanks to a bar setup created specifically for speed. How to enjoy: Walk-ins only. Proof of vaccination is required to sit inside.

Kona's Street Market

There’s a time and a place for a super crafty cocktail, but the folks behind Propagation, a dog-friendly bar in Lower Nob Hill that opened earlier this year, know that more often there’s a time and a place for cocktails that are a little less fussy (but still delicious, of course). The bar is filled with lush green plants and bamboo walls that create a chill vibe, but the plants aren’t only for atmosphere; many of the cocktails are also plant-focused. How to enjoy: Walk-ins only.

@propagationsf

Propagation

It’s a little hectic to travel to Spain right now, but you can still experience a little taste of it at Red Window, a new low-proof cocktail bar and Spanish-inspired restaurant. The colorful spot serves cocktails that will rotate seasonally but are always low-proof (which we figured out means you can enjoy more of them without any next-morning regrets), as well as Spanish tapas and pintxos (the patatas bravas are the best we’ve ever had) that pair perfectly with the drinks. If you want to feel special (which … who doesn’t?) order a drink from the “Bar Cart” section of the menu and an affable bartender will roll a cart to your table and concoct your cocktail in front of you. How to enjoy: Reserve a table on <a href="https://www.exploretock.com/redwindow" target="_blank">Tock</a>.

Polk Street’s been stepping up its game in recent years and Macondray is definitely helping. Choose between the stylish, plant-filled indoor space and the perfect-for-Polk Street people-watching parklet, both excellent environments to enjoy very drinkable cocktails, like the Bunny Poison (gin, rhubarb, celery, cucumber, mint, blanc vermouth, lemon), as well as its seafood-focused menu, with highlights like a Maine-style lobster roll, crinkle-cut fries with malt vinegar powder, and rock crab-stuffed eggs. How to order: Walk-ins only.

Macondray

Whatever your feelings about this over-a-century-old Cow Hollow establishment and the patrons who frequent it, there’s no denying that there’s a reason there’s often a standing-room-only crowd in the bar during peak hours. Sure, a part of that is its reputation for attracting singles of all ages, but a bigger part of that is the professional bartenders in white coats who manage the crowds with a smile while making stellar martinis. The extensive wine list and outstanding kitchen that serves one of the best burgers in SF (because it’s on a baguette, not despite it), also contribute to this spot’s neighborhood allure. How to enjoy: Walk-ins only.

Balboa Cafe

Usually, it takes a warm day to get people to start lining up for a table at this rooftop bar that offers seats in the sun, views of the city that remind you why you pay so much in rent, and Latin American street food and cocktails, but now that people are looking to dine outside much more often, El Techo is thriving even when the fog rolls in and after the sun goes down. In fact, it’s even warmer than a lot of spots thanks to the heat lamps and windscreens. How to enjoy: Reservations are available for brunch via <a href="https://www.yelp.com/reservations/el-techo-san-francisco">Yelp</a>. All other times are walk-in only (with an in-person waitlist).

El Techo

When Absinthe opened in 1998, it immediately became the destination for serious cocktail drinkers and helped put Hayes Valley on the map. More than twenty years later and it’s still a fantastic place to get a drink, as well as a great date spot to enjoy French- and Mediterranean-inspired fare. Since this is about bars, skip the dining room and opt for a bistro table in the Parisian-esque front bar. It’s a much livelier spot to enjoy oysters, caviar, and a house cocktail (several of which, yes, include absinthe). How to enjoy: Walk-in seating is available, but <a href="https://www.opentable.com/restref/client/?restref=2542&amp;lang=en-US&amp;ot_source=Restaurant%20website&amp;corrid=1bd6b06d-9ef3-4e30-9004-472bb17c77e8" target="_blank">reservations</a> are recommended.

Absinthe Brasserie & Bar

The Mission has a ton of great bars, but since it opened in 2014, ABV has been one of the best thanks to quality cocktails (organized by spirit on the menu) and delicious “snacks” (yes, we are calling a burger a snack—that is who we are now). All of that is fantastic on its own, but add in the fact that the kitchen is open until midnight and the bar is open until 2 am every day of the week and, well, it’s no wonder it made the list. How to enjoy: Walk-ins only.

This trendsetting bar was hip to tinctures, shrubs, and house-made ingredients back in 2006, long before the craft cocktail revolution gained national steam. Fifteen years later, and this is still one of the best spots for a serious drink that feels playful going down. Alembic also has a great “bar bites” menu (including a fantastic Scotch egg, and a couple of heartier options, like fried chicken), all of which can be enjoyed indoors or out. How to enjoy: Walk-ins only. If you want to sit inside, you’ll need to provide proof of vaccination.

Alembic

The Alembic

A swanky outdoor bar and lounge with skyline views, fire pits, heat lamps, cocktails, and elevated bar food are appreciated in SF now more than ever. Charmaine’s has all of that, as well as a Euro-chic vibe you don’t often find in this town, as well as cocktails created by BV Hospitality (Bon Vivants, Trick Dog), and brunch. Favorites from the bar include the Proper Cup, a twist on a Pimm’s Cup; a frozen rum concoction with a Negroni float called Let Me Touch Your Mind; and Fifi the Flea, a tequila situation that is perfect on a sunny day. What’s not a small price to pay is the bill, which reflects hotel bar prices, but for the experience and service, it’s worth the splurge. How to enjoy: Make a reservation on <a href="https://www.opentable.com/restref/client/?rid=1080652&amp;restref=1080652&amp;r3uid=YxmK2Jpw4Y&amp;ot_source=Restaurant%20website&amp;corrid=7ea91bdc-4ead-4226-a102-c27e243d5cf8" target="_blank">OpenTable</a>.

Photo courtesy of San Francisco Proper Hotel

Charmaine's

The words “hidden gem” get thrown around a lot, but this delightful and just a tad bizarre bar/coffee shop/museum is genuinely hidden deep in the confines of Fort Mason. Once you do find it, you’ll also find one of the most well-curated and interesting cocktail lists in the city, including drinks from around the world and some of the earliest cocktails ever poured. All of which you can enjoy while taking in the many books and “mechanical wonders.” How to enjoy: Walk-ins only.

The Interval at Long Now

Located on Fillmore Street, which was previously short on bars with exceptional cocktails, quality beer, and tasty fare, The Snug was an instant success when it opened a few years ago and still remains popular. It’s even more popular right now since it has a spacious and heated outdoor seating situation with huge booths as well as the bi-level indoor space with seating areas for every mood. Tuck into a Wagyu double smash burger, a brisket sandwich, or a spicy fried chicken, while sipping the kind of cocktails you’d expect to find in Pac Heights (prickly pear, strawberry basil vodka, coconut daiquiri … you get it). How to enjoy: Walk-ins only.

The Snug SF

The Snug

Though the name includes the word restaurant, you’re not usually going to Tommy’s for the food, which plays a side role to the finest tequila lineup in the Bay Area, and what many consider the best margarita in the country. Of course, if you’re going to be drinking tequila, it can’t hurt to order a couple of tacos and some chips and guac. Try to snag a seat at the bar so you can talk and taste tequila with the super friendly and incredibly knowledgeable bartenders, but you’ll have to wait a while longer for that since they’re still operating with limited indoor seating. How to enjoy: Walk-ins only.

Flickr/Bill Bumgarner

Tommy's Mexican Restaurant

Though now SF is full of outdoor drinking destinations in SF, for many years, this biker-friendly/everyone-else-not-that-friendly dive was basically the only game in town for anyone who fancied having a beer (there are 64 on tap) outside on the rare occasion when the SF weather shed its fog jacket. It looks a little different today: the picnic tables have been transformed into “booths” with umbrellas and walls of glass between them. There’s also a menu with classic comfort foods and, once a week or so, live stand-up.&nbsp; How to enjoy: Zeitgeist is open every day of the week. First-come, first-served.

Zeitgeist SF

Zeitgeist

<a href="https://www.thrillist.com/authors/daisy-barringer" target="_blank">Daisy Barringer</a>&nbsp;is a freelance writer who has been going to the Balboa since she was six-year-old, and will always sing the bar and burger’s praises. Follow her on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/daisysf/">@daisysf</a> to see where else she’s drinking these days.

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