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Rye

Cocktail Bar and Lounge$$$$

Lower Nob Hill, San Francisco

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Rye

8.3^/10

736

ratings

Ranked #9 for whiskey in San Francisco
The experts at Eater and Serious Eats recommend this place
"We recommend the basil gimlet...it's #6 on 7x7's Big Eat SF 2010"(33 Tips)
"Get the merchant mule"(5 Tips)
"Great Old Fashioned"(13 Tips)
"Fantastic craft cocktails."(3 Tips)

140 Tips and reviews

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merchant mule
good for dates
trendy
authentic
good for singles
pool tables
chartreuse
happy hour
spacious
boozy drinks
casual
comfortable
great value
outdoor seating
music
gin
good for special occasions
ginger beer
Tecates
city
(15 more)

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EaterApril 16, 2013
The godfather of the market-fresh cocktail movement in San Francisco, situated in an unexpected nook of the TenderNob, with a pool table, a smoking patio and some flattering soft lighting, to boot.
Azhar HussainMay 5, 2017
The ambience and the bartenders. They make you feel at home. I would love to go back to Rye when I visit San Francisco again.
Jonathan Ragan-KelleyOctober 17, 2011
Lower-key than the newer cocktail revival places in the city, Rye unassumingly delivers consistent quality in a cool setting with an absolute minimum of pomp. Great to relax after work on off nights.
Om AmiOctober 22, 2014
Whether it's the nightly special or telling the bartender what you like, you'll get yourself a glass full of delicious craft cocktail.
Pei 👻 WenJanuary 17, 2016
Romantic yet unpretentious. Well thought out cocktail list.
John HaberlandJuly 21, 2013
If you want an amazing cocktail without a bunch of unnecessary speakeasy snobbery, go to Rye. Good prices and friendly service. Note they have ZERO food so make sure you eat before.
Irena PierovaOctober 24, 2018
if you more interested in taste of drinks (than hype/bartender “friendiness”/environment “awesomeness”) this is the only place between fishmen wharf and tenderloin (including all hills on the way)
DKNovember 4, 2015
The real gem! One of the few top notch bars in SF, absolutely worth visiting
Alex KimOctober 19, 2014
Great cocktails. Recommend their merchant mule and version of old fashioned. Bring a friend or two, it's nice to hang out here.
Bre LambertJune 5, 2012
Been here 5+ times
Bring your patience when you come to this TL-bordering bar. These hand-crafted cocktails take time, but good things come to those who wait. Check the chalkboard for the featured drink.
Serious EatsAugust 26, 2013
Great, balanced cocktails and a comfortable space, even when it's busy.
SFGate ManagerJuly 16, 2012
As its name suggests, this sleek bar in a gentler section of the Tenderloin specializes in rye whiskey and specialty cocktails made with rye and other spirits.
Rachel RothJune 24, 2017
Its a large space with lots of seating and great bartenders!
Caro SchieferApril 29, 2017
Great cocktails. Try either the nikka whisky plain or the Commonwealth Tonic.
Priya SaiprasadNovember 7, 2012
Pretty sure I'm the 100th person vouching for this but seriously do yourself a favor and get the Basil Gimlet. Bold, slightly sweet and everything you'd want in a gimlet.
DoniaMay 23, 2013
Bartender lit my Manhattan on fire! But, seriously, Basil Gimlet. Do it. Tip well. Handcrafted cocktails are worth the extra few minute wait.
Seijung ParkFebruary 23, 2017
Nice atmosphere and good drinks - sour beer probably requires an acquired taste but personally thought the one here is quite good
Shri LDecember 28, 2016
Service is slowish, but worth the wait. Try The Flash
Vanessa DaySeptember 11, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Best bartenders in the city. They are seriously talented and make incredibly unique drinks. The basil gimlet is perfection.
Open Air PublishingApril 16, 2012
"Try the "Nicaraguan Negroni Prunch." Yummy. You can find bartender Jon Gasparini's recipe in the book "Speakeasy Cocktails" created for iPads. http://bit.ly/foursq_cocktails"
Anthony AntonarosMarch 24, 2017
Been here 25+ times
It's hard to go wrong with their cocktail menu, there's something for everyone!
Andy JiangAugust 19, 2014
Cocktail bar that focuses on whiskey. Solid old fashions. Grear for people watching.
Open Air PublishingApril 24, 2012
Try the "Nicaraguan Negroni Prunch." Yummy. You can find bartender Jon Gasparini's recipe in the book "Speakeasy Cocktails" created for iPads. http://oapub.co/c48b46af
Brodie OlmsteadNovember 27, 2016
Been here 25+ times
Solid martini. Go in on a week night or get in early before it gets rowdy.
Kristen RSeptember 10, 2016
Fantastic craft cocktails. Unique flavors you won't find just anywhere.
Jeff SchonerApril 12, 2015
Best old-fashioned I've had. Ask for a recommendation from the bartender.
Natalie KOctober 14, 2016
Nice cocktails...not too crowded or loud. Can usually grab a table easily.
Guillaume FlandreNovember 7, 2014
Group-friendly and good cocktails. Try the lambada if you like spicy drinks.
Seth BensonSeptember 26, 2013
Fancy drinks in a shit part of town. Right nearby is another bar I can't remember the name of that is super cool.
Roger MaApril 12, 2015
Awesome whiskey based drinks
Eric NelsonAugust 21, 2014
Great for unique bourbon and rye and the bartenders are very knowledgeable
Sam BurkeJune 30, 2015
Ask Araya to make you one of her meticulously crafted cocktails - she won't disappoint :)
Kyle SApril 8, 2014
Been here 5+ times
A good cocktail bar in a somewhat seedy area. Kind of emblematic of its neighborhood (the "Tender-Nob").
Ashlie O'DaySeptember 3, 2011
Chartreuse Swizzle is amazing. Sit at the bar to watch the show--muddling, "herb slapping", shaking, nutmeg grating, etc.
Peter WuJanuary 4, 2015
Worth the long walk through the Tenderloin to get there from BART
Jose Antonio Tena SendraFebruary 8, 2017
Nice that they have a smoking terrace, not common in the city but definitely welcome.
Taylor LeeJuly 10, 2018
If you're into trying new cocktails, order the basil gimlet!
Kyle MeyerNovember 28, 2013
For your cocktail and whiskey needs if you're downtown. Walkable, but if the TL weirds you out just take a cab here.
Cik AbangMay 23, 2014
“Sadness in your heart is an inhibitor of success. Avoid the prolonged grief, take heart, and take your chance as soon as possible.”
DanielAugust 7, 2016
Solid cocktails and very nice atmosphere!
James TateJanuary 23, 2015
Best place to catch up with a friend. Get the Pimms Cup #5
cami j.July 28, 2015
super dark, hip space, tasty cocktails!
Danny NathanAugust 24, 2013
Ask for Jules. Then ask her to make you something off-menu. She's awesome.
Jackson FergusonJune 15, 2013
Nice bar, bartenders are awesome try any of their cocktails I'd recommend them all
KristiMay 22, 2011
This place has a great atmosphere and some nice drinks. The Fraised and Confused was fabulous, but I would stay away from the Tijuana Brass.
Laura CNovember 17, 2011
For after dinner drinks, head to Rye where the bartenders will concoct the drink of your choice using the freshest ingredients.
Craig VillamorFebruary 4, 2016
Cool atmosphere, huge list of ryes.
vince hMay 4, 2012
Been here 5+ times
Call me old fashion, but why mess with classics when created by masters? Order the old fashion!
Wendy LinMarch 23, 2013
Pimms cup good but a little too spicy for my taste, basil gimlet soooo tasty, only mildly spicy
Patrick HaneySeptember 28, 2012
Try Wild Bill's Old Fashioned. Bourbon, root, maple and vanilla. It tastes like an adult cream soda.

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