The Beehive
Cocktail bar · Mission Dolores
842 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Highlights
Retro-glam lounge with playful New American eats & cocktails
Retro-glam lounge with playful New American eats & cocktails
"This Mission spot has a hyper-60s aesthetic, from the mid-century furniture to a playlist full of Stevie Wonder and Rolling Stones songs—the only things missing are ashtrays on every table. From fondue to cocktails, there are plenty of reasons that this place should be on your shortlist of bars when you need a break from reality. There’s a bright bar up front with vintage glassware and wallpaper that look like they were taken from the set of Bewitched, and in the back there’s a more relaxed lounge space. It’s dark with low seats and it’s all arranged where you could seamlessly jump into the group next to you’s conversation without it being weird. The cocktails at The Beehive are excellent, and their namesake drink with gin and honey and the Thunderbird with tequila and grapefruit thyme jelly feel like what you should drink here. But if you really want to double down on the theme, you should order some fondue too. There are a few cheese options, but we like the Kaltbach version with saison. It’s good to split with a few people—partially because that’s what you’re supposed to do with fondue, but also because do you really want to say you ate a hot goblet of liquid cheese all by yourself? Probably not. The Swedish meatballs are also good, and the menu is full of other, less dinosauric options like barbecue spareribs and catfish sliders too." - Will Kamensky
"The best thing about this '60s-themed spot is the back room that feels like a private lounge where you can drink cocktails with vaguely retro names like the Thunderbird and the namesake Beehive with gin and honey. Or snag a seat at the bright bar up front with vintage glassware and wallpaper that look like they were taken from the set of Bewitched." - ricky rodriguez, julia chen 1, lani conway
"This cocktail bar in the Mission has a hyper-’60s aesthetic and is where to go when you want to channel your inner Mad Men—or go on a first date. They also happen to make amazing cocktails, which you should order alongside light bites like french fries, sandwiches, salads, or a cheese plate as you internally overanalyze your date's body language." - julia chen 1, lani conway
"On the first date you learned they like their job, hate IPAs, and prefer dogs (thankfully). Now you’re going on a second date and need a spot to really get to know this person - so head to Beehive. The back room feels like a ’60s lounge, and you’ll want to sit on the deep-cushioned benches for hours while you work through the cocktail list and talk over a pot of fondue. By the time you’re done, you’ll know if there’s going to be date number three." - will kamensky
"It’s fitting that one of the oldest, most traditional of December drinks finds a home at this mid-century throwback bar in the Mission District. The Beehive’s take on eggnog — the Reindeer Hooch — uses BACARDÍ Ocho Sherry Cask rum as a clever way to incorporate two of the drink’s traditional spirits. The tasting notes imparted by the sherry cask aging give the drink a little bit of citrus lightness to play against the mixed drink’s creamier elements." - Robert Spuhler
