The Next Generation of Oakland Ethiopian Restaurant Asmara Is Opening Cocktail Bar 51 & Tel | Eater SF

"Located at 5018 Telegraph Avenue in the Temescal neighborhood, 51 & Tel is a new cocktail bar opened by brothers Benyam and Yonathan Yohannes as a spin-off of their family’s long-running restaurant. I found that the space leans into a younger, neighborhood-friendly vibe while keeping its ties to the community: it features two large murals by Natty Rebel, neon signage that reads “We met at 51 & Tel,” and a backyard patio (with planned heaters) for comfortable outdoor seating. The cocktail program, developed with consultant Rachelle Merlo, sticks to classic cocktails but “a little more complex,” with highlights like the Temescal Punch (rum, kiwi, bergamot, lime, lemon, seltzer, and mint), the Mistadobalina (tequila or mezcal with Aperol, mango, lime, and lava salt), and a house espresso martini that blends vodka, espresso, vanilla, and Luxardo espresso liqueur; there are also several beers, wine by the glass/carafe/bottle, and a specialty nonalcoholic Never Too Much (tamarind, pineapple, lime, thyme, and ginger). Drinks generally stay under about $14 and a happy hour runs 5–7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The brothers plan to expand into bar-appropriate bites—like an “injera-rrito,” a rolled-up injera with lentils—host food pop-ups, and welcome local vendors on the patio, while keeping late hours (open 5–11 p.m. Tue–Thu and 5 p.m.–1 a.m. Fri–Sat)." - Dianne de Guzman