The Cordial

Totally awesome spot around happy hours most days with a nice retro vibe. Bartender Benjamin is the coolest and mixes both fabulous drinks and fascinating conversations. He truly enhanced our experience well we just had a ton of fun overall the quaint little alley downtown bar.

I've walked by this place several times and finally decided to stop in for a drink. They mostly have classic cocktils on the menu. I ordered the Paloma, which tasted great, but overall not memorable.

This used to be my favorite spot and I’m so glad they’ve reopened. The hours are odd so it’s hard to be consistent with dropping in but I still love this corner spot. Great for an after work drink or if you’re a solo adventurer. Good selection of wine too!

Excellent new bar and addition to the neighborhood. Cocktails are great, staff is friendly and the setting is fantastic. Nestled in one of the city’s smaller alley ways, it’s an unassuming but solid gem. The design concept is simple but significant (a convergence of clean industrial style with some nice wood fixtures and brass at the bar). And you can enjoy a drink or conversation against a nice backdrop of cool surrounding architecture as well. Music was fitting to the scene and space, and not kept overly loud so you don’t have to yell to chat with the person next to you. Also ,very reasonably priced for SF. I will frequent The Cordial.

Solid bar, great service, and very fair pricing compared to others in the area. Great post work drink/ pre-dinner drink spot. Closes on the earlier side.

This was a fun and upbeat place. It's in a little alley way and looks cool from the outside with its little red light above the door. The acoustics are a bit tough if you're trying to have a conversation, but it's a lot of fun and who needs to hear when we all just need a drink?!

I’ve loved this place for years! I like places that are slightly off the beaten path like this (but just steps away from Market) and are on a corner. It makes it feel so open yet cozy. Their specials are slightly unusual and their bartenders are always good at coming up with the perfect drink if you describe what you’re in the mood for. It’s run by the same crew that own 15 Romolo so you know they’re going to make sure they have experienced people behind the bar.

Nice little cocktail bar with a great atmosphere. The bartenders were knowledgable and kind!

I've walked by this place several times and finally decided to stop in for a drink. They mostly have classic cocktils on the menu. I ordered the Paloma, which tasted great, but overall not memorable.

Finally had a chance to try out The Cordial. Their hours are quite short, it's like that after work drink but not late enough for a nightcap since they close at 9. The menu doesn't have a big selection and they're mostly classic cocktails. I would say the cocktails we ordered were good but because they're classic cocktails, they weren't particularly memorable

This place has been such a mystery in the neighborhood with hours of operation, so some friends and I post-work went in to check it out. SO happy we did, great cocktails, a good variety of liquors and liqueurs, and great lighting/music that many other bars lack. Alex had a ton of knowledge on drinks and offered a few suggestions that were solid. Can't wait to go back.

One of my preferred cocktail spots to catch up with friends bc of music/sound control, ambiance, natural/warm dim light depending on time of day, and classic cocktails.

Nice to see the Cordial still open. Discreet little haunt of a cocktail bar, perfect for a quiet conversation and some moody music. Gin gimlet is on point.

A few of us decided to meet up at The Cordial for happy hour on Friday, October 5th. One in our party arrived first and found a seat at the bar. I arrived a little later around 5pm and joined him. It was busy, so no more seats, but we ended up finding a table by the window shortly after we got our drinks. Perfect for our eventual party of four. My friend texted me a pic of the menu beforehand. They didn't have a huge selection of cocktails, so I picked the Friar Buck: whiskey, frangelico, ginger, lemon, mint ($11). I wanted something light, so this fit the bill. Easy to sip on. I believe our other drink was a Rye Old Fashioned. My friend said it was okay. This spot is actually a really cool space. Big open windows, so you kinda feeling like you're sitting outside. Not sure if they were understaffed that day, but getting a drink took forever! I think there was one person behind the bar making cocktails and another pouring beer and wine. The two friends who joined us didn't want to wait for a drink, so we decided to head to another bar. Unfortunately, paying our tab took forever as well. Nice space, but it takes forever to get a drink on a busy night. Don't come here thirsty. You'll have to wait a while to quench it.

[Pre-Covid Review...I had a lot of drafts before everything shut down. Hoping many of these businesses will be back open again soon!] I found this spot walking down Annie St from Market to Mission to get to Novela to meet a friend for a drink. After a drink at Novela, we wanted to move to another place that was quieter so we can actually hear each other's conversations. I mentioned that I noticed this bar around the corner on the way here. We walked in and enjoyed how it was much quieter and open. Stools lined the bar, but a few tables against the windows made it the perfect place to catch up with a friend. This place heavily features cocktails featuring aperitifs, bitters, and spritz. I ordered a whiskey-based cocktail that I have now forgotten the name and ingredients, but I really enjoyed the taste which featured a fresh rosemary sprig and orange. Not sure how crowded it gets on weekends, but if you're looking for a quaint bar with a relaxed environment and a good cocktail list, check this place out!

Great drink selection. The bartenders worked fast even tough most drinks were hand crafted beverages. My friends and I went on a Tuesday. Not too crowded. A good mix of male to female ration. Professional down town SF crowd from all ages 20s to 50s. The venue is a bit hard to find, but didn't mind as it gave me a bit of a speak easy feel. Ladies, wear comfy shoes - they have very limited seats available. This is an upscale bar where it's all about standing. Parking: finding a street spot is extremely difficult. You are better off taking an Uber / Taxi or park in a garage. And this is coming from a person who doesn't mind looking for parking for 30 min. Will come back!

What a wonderful place! It's non-descript in the heart of FiDi at the intersection of Jessie and Annie. I met a friend here after work, and while they don't have happy hour specials, they don't need to. I appreciate their focused menu, and it seems like they create their menu seasonally. The space is industrial but still intimate. It is mainly candlelit, and there is seating for about 25 people total. I had a red and white wine my first time here, but I loved the vibe of the place and employees so much that I want to return for their cocktails. This is definitely a safe first-date place where if your date isn't going great, you'll still be a in great space and drinking good drinks without breaking the bank. It gets somewhat crowded and very loud around happy hour, but the crowd breaks up around dinner time.

I went to this bar for a happy hour on a Friday evening. I noticed something off when I placed my order. The bartenders were heavily multitasking, but didn't seem to be doing a great job at it. They were simultaneously working on multiple orders, and checking ids while mixing drinks. The result was a sloppy bar top and a 20 minute wait for a round of drinks. Then we noticed that one of the bartenders was pouring shots for the other two - we watched the three of them do at least 3 shots while we were there. Not necessarily the biggest deal for me if the service had been good, but then there was the pièce de résistance. I asked to close my tab - After a long wait to get their attention, the guy who was pouring the shots swiped my card and gave me the iPad to sign, and he had PRE-ADDED $18.75 as a tip. I tried to return the iPad for them to reset the transaction, and they asked me to just do it myself and re-swipe my card. On their iPad! Ridiculous! So I did, and needless to say I didn't leave a tip after that. Unprofessional service and drunk bartenders. Do not recommend and will not return.

Just amazing! I know they have been here about a year and I've been meaning to stop by for a while. The first thing I saw was a familiar face which is a Bartender I've known for a while. Jessica, thank you for the hospitality, the generous pours, the amazing atmosphere, and for introducing me to the rest of the amazing bartenders. Josh also made me delicious zen-like drinks... I think it was called the Jeffrey. This place is definitely for the adventurous types that enjoy good authentic and delicious drinks. Apparently you can book this for private parties and guess what? I might just wanna book it for my birthday. So far I've had the Jeffrey, 3 types of Rosé, and smiles from all the staff. Thank you guys for making my time here amazing.

This bar is a vibe! Makes me feel like I'm in New York. The drinks are reasonably priced for how good they are. If you're truly looking for a craft cocktail, definitely come here. I got a fall-themed cocktail that was amazing! They didn't skimp on the alcohol at all. Great place to come after work with some friends.

Hidden gem for after-work cocktails. If you are looking for a trendy spot, that you can actually find a place to sit - this is your spot! Went Friday after work around 4pm, got a table right away. The bar has amazing natural light from the floor to ceiling windows. Tons of tables and bar space. They don't have an extensive food menu, just tiny bites. So don't come here starving. Opted for the dirty martini and was not disappointed. Can't wait to go back!

Hidden hip gem of a bar. Think the Irish Bank for modern times. Lots of space to hang out after work and meet friends before dinner. Great bar menu of creative but not bizarre cocktails and a bartender crew that has a seemingly very deep off-the-cuff repertoire. It's loud with tile and cement and mirrors and no nothin' to dampen the ricochet of chatter. But, if you want quiet, go to a library. If you want lively, The Cordial will hook you up.

Bartenders are creative and drinks are all reasonably priced (especially for downtown)--come with your favorite people only (seating is limited)! DRINKS: Drinks excepting beers are $11 across the board, which is an astounding find in this part of town :). "Off-the-cuff" is no myth! Many of the drinks were whiskey-based, which was not to my tastes. I shouted some words toward the bartender (it's noisy in there), which produced one of my favorite gimlets in the city :). Generous pour on wines (though selection is limited) SERVICE: These are talented bartenders who are squeezed at capacity--while it would be great to hire another (the bartender never had an idle moment), I would not want to tradeoff dilution in quality for speed :). For cocktails, make your way to the middle of the bar where the bartender is parked. For beer and wine, someone can help at the end of the counter. AMBIANCE: Chic art nouveau-ish interior that showcases the extensive liquor collection beautifully. Fits ~35 comfortably (eyeballed) in a stand/sit combo. Could fit a group of ~10 comfortably with a reservation. If you don't manage to nab a table (we didn't as a group of 3 even at 5:30pm) , tables are spaced well enough that you can stand comfortably without rubbing elbows with adjacent groups.

This cute little bar is a new addition to the FiDi area. Located directly in the corner of Annie Street and Jessie, it can easily be missed. But definitely worth a stop in. The building looks very industrial and has that vibe. I like it. Saying that, there's limited seating inside. So on a high volume time, say... 5:15pm on a Thursday, it was starting to get crowded. My group of 5 got the last 4 chairs. By the time we left, like at 6:30, the place was packed. The good thing is that they have a lot of standing room. That just shows that this place is a hot commodity. The bartenders were really nice and menus were brought to us upon seating. I ordered the Friar Buck. Very tasty and refreshing! I like this place for an after work drink spot. I think it's still underrated.

Really solid bar in a very unassuming location. I initially tried to meet a friend at Novella but it was closed for a holiday party. The helpful gentleman at the front told me to head down the alley to check out The Cordial. It was a bit odd to walk down a dark alley to find this place, but I am glad I did. It has a very intimate atmosphere and cool lighting. The drinks are reasonably priced for their quality. I am more of a beer drinker but I decided to go with a cocktail since I wasn't a huge fan of the limited beer selection, and The Cordial holds itself out as a cocktail bar first and foremost.I ordered the Hotel Local and was very impressed. It is strong and tastes great. Will definitely return.

Quite a cute spot, but a little hidden. Came here to have a catch up with a girlfriend, and it wasn't too loud or rowdy, so it was perfect. Had the Sorrizzo (meaning Smile in Italiano) and it was a pleasant surprise - even came with a cute little yellow daisy flower. On the secret menu, or courtesy of the bartender that night. You're welcome!

Loved loved loved this place. Thankful we walked by it and found it. Unique drinking experience for sure. Not your typical bar by any means. The bartenders were great and when we left they gave us some chocolate. That's just how nice they are. Normal San Fran high drink prices. Would go back because I feel like they are the type that would remember our names.

What a hidden gem in FiDi! A coworker brought me here for some after work drinks and I will now add this to a regular happy hour rotation spot (although they don't really have a "happy hour"). However their drinks definitely made me happy! Go for all the SPRITZES. They're generous in size with unique flavors. I forget the name of it but there's one that has roasted banana flavor that was so delicious! Or you can stick with a classic one that had a bit of a peachy flavor. Regular cocktails were also tasty, and sometimes they'll make up some cocktails on the spot. My go-to will be the spritzes though!

What a fantastic club. Great music, great atmosphere and most of all, great drink. Very fun place, friendly staff. This is a definitely a go to bar. Have fun and enjoy.

I stumbled upon this place the old fashioned, analog way; walking by it randomly. Normally that isn't really a very interesting detail, but this place happens to be on the intersection of two alleys whose names I still don't know. The location is a huge part of the reason this place is so great. It feels like a slice out of soho in New York. You have to look at the right buildings at the right angle, but it totally works! That's the reason I even walked down those alleys anyway, I miss NYC and it's nice to have a small little corner that feels like it. The inside still holds that same vibe, I'm not sure how intentional that was, but I'm all about it. Something about the hexagon tiles, pipes running up and down the walls, style of the windows with the view of the narrow streets, it doesn't feel like SF. I guess I also have some great timing since it only opened a day ago after sitting dormant for 7 years. They don't have a full menu yet, but I had a pretty fantastic Manhattan, so it's off to a solid start.

Awesome bar scene with focused drink menu. After work scene. They will make non alcohol drinks off menu. Bartenders are pros, get the menu and order at the bar. Get there early if you want a seat

This place is amazing! Went to the barback, James, and asked for a paper plane, which was amazing! James's personality was eccentric and the drinks made by him and Josh (the bartender) were amazing! Thank you for the interesting mescal/paper plane twist, Josh and James!!

Awesome woodwork in the Bar and big, beautiful vintage-feeling steel windows that make it one of the best naturally lit bars I've been to in SF. Awesome spritzes, cocktails, bartenders and owners. The location is super on-point too in a part of downtown not oversaturated with cocktail bars. Get in while it's still low-key! This place is going to be a 10/10 hit.

Cool, clean decor. Amazing and friendly service, the Barman was on point and super knowledgeable. Came in on a Monday afternoon with my girlfriend and we're both glad we did. My girl got the bartenders choice (which she loved). Great spot! Will definitely be back next time I'm in San Francisco!!

This was the last spot I think for my daytime solo birthday venture and lucky it was, otherwise I would've been in some deep doodoo. This bar is tucked away between Mission and Market somehow and fits in such a perfectly low key way. I got here early, few people were around, and the bartenders were chill and accommodating. I watched them make my cocktail (something whiskey based, I suspect) and it was really a lovely drink. Almost too lovely because I downed that quicker than I would've imagined. I will be back and take some friends here after work very soon.

The Cordial is a great place with great cocktails at reasonable prices. I'm particularly a fan of the caffe shakerato. Pro tip: swap out the rum for whiskey instead! Pay attention to when you come here though - right after work, it can get super packed since there are so many large companies nearby. Other than that (and the fact that there's no food), this place is fab. It has a nice vibe and it's easy to get to since it's just a short walk from Market St.

This cocktail bar is in a very random place on the edge of the financial and SOMA. The ally that the bar is in is usually ridden with homeless people so I was a bit suspect about the location. It's a cool spot inside and usually has a small crowd but not overly crowded. The bartenders are talented and the cocktails are great. The inside feels like the opened it without really thinking of the set up. It feels half finished (and definitely could be half finished). Definitely worth a visit for a quick happy hour spot.

Trendy and somewhat a hidden gem. The Cordial has a very laid back vibe with tasty cocktails. After speaking with one of the bartenders (What's up, Joshua!), they're actually more known for their spritzes, which I didn't have any of since I was on my 4th cocktail (rough day). I went after work on a Wednesday, and the bar was not at all crowded and the bartenders were friendly and attentive. My favorite cocktail was the Gold Clover. It was a well rounded drink reminiscent of a pisco sour, served with egg foam and bee pollen. So yum! I also ordered the Jeffrey, which was a pear apple old fashioned, served with charred star anise. Amazing. Cocktails were $12, which is reasonable for the quality and the effort into making each drinking. I absolutely can not wait to go back to this place and try their other cocktails and spritzes!

Awesome bar tucked away on Jessie St. I really enjoy the ambiance of the bar. Very high ceilings, with tall windows all around. Tiled floor with clean, wooden tables, bar and shelf. The simple ~20 item menu prevented option paralysis. Forget the name, but I had the whiskey sour esque drink multiple times and so did my friends. Great spot and will keep coming back!

Received this from Ben, which I appreciate: Subject: Sorry about your experience. "I would like to apologize. I was the bartender working that night and I remember the two of you. It was near opening time and the bar was mostly empty. We don't provide table service, so when I saw you sit down I assumed you were chatting, or waiting for another friend. If you had approached the bar I would have been happy to give you a menu or take your order. I am so sorry you thought we were ignoring you and it negatively affected your experience. I was trying to give you space until you were ready to order. Please come back and let me buy you a drink. Reviews like this really hurt a small business so I hope my apology and explanation can motivate you to change your rating. We strive to provide the best service at all times, so next time you come to the bar let us know, that way we can do our best to remedy the situation. Cheers." I appreciate the response and kind offer. I will give The Cordial another try next time I'm in the neighborhood.

We came to The Cordial on Monday evening around 5 after work for a cocktail. We immediately fell in love with this place when we walked in. It had a great atmosphere and was not too crowded yet. We easily got a seat and a drink. The place filled up a bit as it got a little later but it still wasn't too crowded where you couldn't hold a conversation. We will definitely be back again soon!

This place is awesome. A bit secluded which makes for an excellent place to meet without the cacophony that can be your typical bar in SF. Greg and the staff at The Cordial are welcoming and fun. Their drink-fu is as badass as any place backed by charm and personality. Definitely coming back again!

This is was our first time in San Francisco, we were walking around downtown and we came across the Cordial. Daniel and Ben were our bartenders and we honestly didn't tip them as much as we should have!(we were a little buzzed) The cocktails were A+. We loved the vibe, and the atmosphere was exactly what we were looking for. Highly recommend!!!

For sure one of my favorite after work spots! The bar is small, and limited on seating, but has a great vibe. The staff is incredibly nice, and now knows my order by heart. The drinks are also super reasonably priced, especially for FiDi; though they do measure each drink precisely.

One of my clients wanted to host a client event and we selected The Cordial as our venue. The space has a cool vibe, is open, with lots of light and located close to FiDi for easy access after work. It is down an alley, which makes it feel a little more secluded and quiet, which is perfect for one-on-one meet ups and for our event. The Cordial staff was fantastic, they accommodated our request to do something a little unique, and they helped us bring our idea to reality. Special thanks to Greg, Jessica and James who provided great service and were very flexible, friendly and engaging with our clients. Overall: Great service/staff, Unique cocktails, cool vibe, great location (close to downtown), reasonable pricing for a buyout event, good for client events and meeting up with friends.

I love Cordial - we had the privilege of hosting a work even there and I was impressed by the wonderful staff and ownership. The scotch selection is very respectable, which is a personal plus for me, and the environment was simultaneously intimate and lively.

Definitely going back for more Friday Happy Hour drinks... Like the location, the playlist and the cocktails!

Came in on a Friday evening and it was quite busy, but we were able to grab a chair. Corner bar with lots of windows and lighting. Cool place to hang out with a few friends after work. It's a cool casual bar that I'll be going back to if I'm in the area.

After realizing we were a day early for the parol fest we said eff it and hit the first bar we came across. Way younger crowd than us (51+) but great drinks! Vibrant and crowded. Thanks for a great start to our weekend!

The team at The Cordial is everything you want from a cocktail establishment. Greg and Jon, owners and operators, have a couple of other spots in town and their newest spot lives up to the legacy of Rye and 15 Romolo. Tucked into a fairly quiet spot just off Market, the cozy atmosphere lends itself nicely to drinks you want to sip and enjoy. In particular, I like the Italian and European influence in the drink menu. Open your mind a little and let them teach you about the spritz drinks you'd find if you were in Italy. Really enjoyed the place, the drinks and the team. A must stop if you're downtown or about and just want a well made cocktail.

First of all the service here was amazing. We came here on New Years eve for a quick drink and the cocktails here are some of the best I've had in a long time. Will definitely be coming back when in town!!

We hosted a large company meeting at Cordial a few weeks ago and were blown away by the space, the hospitality, and the drinks. Check out this space ASAP - you won't regret it. :)

This is a great spot for a date or to grab a drink with a friend. The bartenders are great. It's a small space and can be hard to snag a seat.

Popped in for a quick drink on a Wednesday. Great sazerac and old fashioned. Predict that it will be even better once they get the last few details ironed out :)

It is what it is with this place... engaged bartenders, great drink menu... especially coming from a guy that drinks vodka straight... the atmosphere is great... from the stools to the lighting... it just feels like a place that any and everyone could go and fit right in... a lot of the professionals from the area seem to frequent it... it's a great place to be... not one bad vibe could be felt...

I like this place. It's a beautiful, open layout, smart staff... The negative is that at times the bartenders can be a bit of frustrating experience if you catch them right at open (they don't always seem to be ready to take orders right at open) or if the place is empty and near closing (feels like sometimes they want you out)... But, in the overall, a good place.