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Hard Water
(Now Closed)Whisky Bar, Southern Food Restaurant, and Cocktail Bar$$$$
Northern Waterfront, San Francisco
The experts at SFGate and tablehopper recommend this place
111 Tips and reviews
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Cowboy GBJune 16, 2018THE most amazing bourbon bar! Awesome collection & vast catalogue of rare bottles with an exceptional “whiskey flights” menu. Al combined with great tasting New Orleans inspired cuisine. Must Visit!
Time Out San FranciscoOctober 16, 2014Sit at the bar and order a flight. Well-priced flights of small-batch whiskeys or single-ounce pours make it possible to explore many of these rare gems without serious damage to your wallet. Read more
Whiskey aficionados could die happy delving into Erik Adkins' deep selection of American brown spirits at this waterfront bar. That $100 flight of Pappy van Winkles will light up your life.
Jacqueline O.June 29, 2015Not your typical bar food. It's pretty tasty. The pork cracklings and shrimp hush puppies are delicious. Good whiskey selection. If you get a window there's nice views.
Stavria K.June 7, 2018Yes Hard Water you tried really hard to give me a very good old fashioned. It was good but not as sweet as I want it. The mecca of whisky 🥃
Nicole HaimeAugust 11, 2015Lots of killer bars popping up in SF (including Trick Dog and Bar Agricole) but Pappy devotees gather round this new watering hole's bright, horseshoe-shaped bar in a vaulted space on the Embarcadero.
Jereme BivinsOctober 8, 2015Whiskey selection is a thing of beauty—they have it set up like books on library shelves. The Hardwood selects are also affordable and solid whiskey/bourbons.
CITY GRITAugust 1, 2014Honestly, we came for the wall of whiskey - we were skeptical Charles Phan could impress us with his Southern fare. In addition to eating crow, we also ate one of the best Fried Chicken sandwiches.
tablehopperAugust 3, 2014I would order the fried chicken ($20). Every. Single. Time. Fried in rice flour, the exterior is ethereally light, crisp, and well seasoned, and it’s damn juicy too. And gluten-free! Read more- tablehopperAugust 3, 2014Go the decadent path with a half dozen of the baked oysters ($22), which are the color of mahogany. Try all three kinds; everyone I know has a different favorite. Read more
Delicious drinks and tasty food is offset by overbearing reserved seating rules and rude service. This place has trended down over the years, unfortunately.
Salvador TovarJune 8, 2013The staff and food exceeded out expectations! If you are a whiskey man or woman, the selection is off the hook!
Joey CombsApril 15, 2016This place has a really intense whisky library. I would get a flight if you're not sure where to start. I like the Craft Flight!- Arlynne CakesDecember 14, 2014Whisky selection is awesome and their cocktails are some of the better ones downtown. The Orange Whisky Sour is an easy favorite.
David ☕️ KleinAugust 8, 2014Great flights. I had the Four Roses. Try the Mac N Cheese. Also the Pimm's Cup is good. I've never heard one with strawberries.
AmayaSeptember 4, 2017Went in for a drink and ended up ordering fried chicken. Not the most amazing fried chicken but I did enjoy my drink. Next time I would go for the raw options.
Jason AckermanSeptember 1, 2014Whiskey Cocktails were outstanding. Oh and try the Alligator-super crunchy and delicious
Josh PhillipsDecember 7, 2014If you're looking for an amazing, rich, mid-range Bourbon, start with the Michter's 10 year.
Heather TerrellNovember 18, 2013Best for 2-4 people; small space not conducive to large group dynamics. However, service is stellar and the food & cocktails are unqualifiedly fantastic.
Russ HohenseeJune 11, 2014Obviously you pay more to sip a great whiskey at their location but they do have amazing service and an incredible collection.
Ryan LeggettNovember 19, 2013An excellent selection of hard to find and unique whiskeys. The food is also quite good, especially the oysters.
Hazel DemonteverdeJune 7, 2013I ADORE the pork cracklings! The fried chicken w pepper jelly was crunchy & juicy but not worth $16 only for two pieces. The Mac n cheese had a spicy bite to them, is only on the lunch menu.
Kevin ColacoMay 14, 2015Knowledgeable bartenders and the flights are fun and interesting...did I mentioned then fried pork belly
CJ DelVecchioNovember 10, 2013Bourbon Lift a work of art, as was the charming bartender Steve. Gotta have the pork belly cracklins. Full of tasty wow!
Sasha TkachenkoJanuary 6, 2015They have several whiskey flights, 5 varieties each. The cheapest is $20 and the most expensive is $250.
Benjy WeinbergerJuly 13, 2018Try one of the Low Gap whiskies out of Ukiah. Just the right balance of complex and drinkable.
Sarel RoetsMarch 5, 2018What a great whiskey selection! Paired with pork crackling....put a fork in me, im done!
Maya RNovember 20, 2013Do not miss the pork cracklings or the scotch kisses. Amazing whiskey selection and awesome service.
Dennis PilarinosJanuary 26, 2015Most extensive collection of Whiskey, Bourbon and Scotch I've ever seen. Bring your A-game.
Brian WilliamsonJuly 31, 2014Over 220 Whiskeys (yes, I counted). Perfect for whiskey fans, especially if you need a pre-ferry pick-me-up.
Michal KlofacJune 28, 2019Incredible bourbon selection, although I’m not a fan of the narrow top glasses
Tony XerriMay 20, 2013Just because you're the only whiskey bar in town, it doesn't give you permission to be high brow and pretentious. The patrons in here need to chill out and stop taking things so seriously. Grow up.
Amy LinFebruary 16, 2014Cornmeal crusted alligator is great!! Perfectly prepared and good quality too!!
Daniel MarkhamFebruary 14, 2015Cocktails, the wall of booze, and the view … if you get the seats facing the water
Eric M.September 17, 2014I have a real problem with a place that serves an American distilled spirit and calls it "Scotch".
Garrett OlsonMay 20, 2013You can't go wrong with their Mint Julep. Fancy serving with a metal straw.- testMarch 24, 2013Get the bourbon lift cocktail. FYI some of the bar tenders are rude here, and the wait staff needs to be more pro active on serving customers.
Lauren MiyamotoAugust 20, 2013The seating situation is annoying- if you want to be able to have a decent conversation with someone don't come here. The Presbyterian cocktail made me overlook this though.
719 Photos
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As far as the design goes we are trying to redefine the notion of what a whiskey bar is. Just because bourbon is aged in charred oak barrels doesn’t mean you need to drink it in a similar environment. This bar is bright and modern and exciting.
Permanently closed (Show more)
- Mon–Sat
- 11:30 AM–Midnight
- Sun
- 11:30 AM–10:00 PM
(415) 392-3021
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express)
Wi-Fi
No
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
Drinks
Beer, Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
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- 7.3
"Awesome bar, super friendly and experienced staff! Rediculous choice of drinks! Great atmosphere! Check it out!"
Andreas Hofmann - 7.0
"Not too many places will let you sample before buying a shot, but this place does! You can really find your favorite!"
Kevin Lyons - 6.8
"Mint julep and moonshine are the best drinks on the menu. Gets loud very quickly."
Michele 🐧
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- 8.9
"Ceviche is from Peru, and it’s delicious. Drowned in citrus, raw seafood is combined with other fresh ingredients. There is a fun bar on the Embarcadero side, if you want to just sip some wine."
heat - 9.0
"Meatballs are great. Octopus was under seasoned. Great cocktail menu. Can't go wrong."
Jonathan Diaz - 9.2
"A full day of fun for all ages. Great cafe. Come with a group."
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