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- Bar Power Rankings: Rising Stars
In a city known for its vibrant bar scene, you’re never short on new and exciting spots to try out. Union Square and the Financial District in general have been undergoing somewhat of a restaurant renaissance, and new places from familiar faces are testing the waters with fresh ideas and upgraded vibes.
So if you’re looking to shake things up and maybe find a new favorite, look no further. SF’s future is bright from a stool at any of these new(ish) bars. Bottoms up:
🌸 Bar Iris / bar-iris.com
Nominee for the coolest bar award // image credit: me
Polk Street is Fillmore’s younger brother who never missed a Warped Tour - a little grungy, but mostly the same upper middle class suburban kid on the inside. Bar Iris represents a shift in that baseline offering and offers an undeniably cool setting for excellent cocktails from an amicable team.
This place has been stress tested with discerning friends and first dates and passed with flying colors. Everyone gets a seat, the atmosphere is buzzy without being obnoxious. Don’t sleep on the small plates menu either.
Order This ⬇️
Paper crane
Linda linda
Empty orchestra
Karaage
Stuffed shishitos
Drink Here 🔗 Reservations: N/A | Order online: N/A | Map
💿️ For The Record / fortherecordsf.com
Groovy // credit: Alexandra on Google Maps
For The Record is an oasis in the abyss of frat bars and wannabe nightclubs that is the Marina. The live vinyl DJ on Thursday is giving us a reason to kick the weekend off a little early, and if you’re turned off by the long lines at Balboa on a Friday night odds are good you can slide into a solid drink and a place to sit here.
All that said, a couple drinks at For The Record and the espresso martinis across the street might start calling your name. Your call.
Order This ⬇️
They have a menu that rotates pretty frequently, try something new or stick with what you know
Drink Here 🔗 Reservations: N/A | Order online: N/A | Map
🏛️ Stoa / stoabar.com
The relaxed yet polished love child of SF and NYC // image credit: me
Stoa is one of the most exciting new bars of 2023. The space used to house Black Sands Brewery, where I spent some formative nights as a newcomer to SF and it’s been looking for its next hit ever since.
Enter the team behind Nopalito, who are taking a left turn from dressed-up (some might say gentrified) Mexican food to channel a cocktail-driven menu and what promises to be some thoughtful small plates. If you’re planning a dinner on Divis you should make this your first stop of the night.
Order This ⬇️
Blanco rojo
Ricky ricardo
Mezcal paloma
Drink Here 🔗 Reservations: N/A | Order online: N/A | Map
🍸️ Movida / movidalounge.com
The calm before the storm // image credit: me
Movida’s arrival in the South Park neighborhood brought a huge dose of flair and fun to a part of the city whose best restaurant is Blue Bottle, where you’re more likely to see an overworked VC elbowing to sit next to an AI founder than anyone looking for a good time.
Although the Arabic-Mexican fusion menu is still finding its footing, the drinks are solid, the tunes are bumping, and the crowd is loving it.
Order This ⬇️
León y sol
Chilosa
Alma del sol
Chips & dips - the roasted eggplant dip is a winner
Drink Here 🔗 Reservations | Order online: N/A | Map
🍣 Chotto Matte / chotto-matte.com
The bathroom alone is worth a visit // image credit: me
Say what you will about the neighborhood but Chotto Matte is hands down the sexiest (and largest) rooftop bar in the city. Bars like this are why people voluntarily live in Miami and luckily we can get a taste without the humidity.
So if you’re looking to impress someone who likes to trash talk SF, give this one a shot. If you’re not trying to impress anyone but still want an insane view in a fancy spot, this’ll probably be ok too.
Order This ⬇️
La Chakana
Nothing against the food but we’re here for the view and a drink
Drink Here 🔗 Reservations | Order online: N/A | Map