The 19 Best Bars in San Francisco

"This century-old, back alley building has housed speakeasies, brothels, and most famously, The Basque Hotel—the hotel that inspired 15 Romolo’s candlelit aesthetic; it's local dining hall meets old-fashioned bar. It's made a name for itself among cocktail aficionados by balancing riffs on classics, like the Pimm’s Cup, alongside new standards such as the Sleepy Jean, a chamomile-infused bourbon mixture of nectarine compote, lemon juice, and Peychaud’s Bitters. For less cocktail-inclined patrons, wine, beer, and cider selections round out the menu. Bar fare like prosciutto-wrapped dates and lobster spaghettini come with suggested sherry pairings, while gourmet burgers like the grass-fed short rib Burger Royal (with white cheddar, garlic, romesco, pickled shallots, and fries) are certain to sponge up a bellyful of booze." - Jenna Scatena