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Smuggler's Cove
Tiki Bar and Cocktail Bar$$$$
Civic Center, San Francisco
The folks at Eater and Serious Eats like this place. Would you agree?
"Unique pirates' atmosphere, great cocktails."(21 Tips)"Get the hot buttered rum, drink it through the cinnamon stick."(14 Tips)
"Try the Puka Punch - For a rum drink, this is really good"(7 Tips)
"So many different rum drinks."(7 Tips)
325 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- pirate
- rum
- hot butter
- puka punch
- casual
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The best bar in San Francisco. Can get pretty crowded, with a line on weekends. Pro-tip: Go at 4:59pm and grab a seat at the bar and chat with the super friendly staff. Order a Jet Pilot or Pupule!
EaterApril 16, 2013Bet you never thought a crazy kitschy den of all things tiki could actually serve high-fructose-corn-syrup-free, all-natural drinks. This one can, and the cocktails hold up to the best in town.
One of my favorite bars in America. Amazing tiki drinks that aren't overly sweet. The puka puka served in a huge goblet is always great. Perfect for a date or a group of friends.
Doug de WetJuly 25, 2015Ask one of the highly skilled, knowledgeable barmen to select an aged rum for an Old Fashioned. Though not on the menu, this simple, delicious tipple was one of our favorites of the evening.
Time Out San FranciscoOctober 10, 2014Rum lover? Sign up for the Rumbustion Society, a punch card program that will help you chart your exploration of the spirit. Members who try at least 100 rums become Guardians of the Cove. Read more
David HeiserAugust 24, 2022Maybe my favorite tiki bar I’ve ever been to. Cocktails are great and the manager is more knowledgeable about rum than anyone I’ve ever met.
Unparalleled selection of rare and vintage rums. Endless tiki cocktail menu. They also have a unique loyalty program for frequently visiting rum tasters 🍹
MichaelApril 16, 2016Up on the wall. To your left. See Dom and Lauren's names on that plaque? Bow down to their rum knowledge.
Great tikki drinks, but wasn't positively surprised with their Mai Tai. Pro tip: For some reason I have found that the bartenders down stairs are makes better drinks.
Zack SheppardJune 13, 2015Definitely one of the best Tiki bars in the world, the competence with which they blend divey with quality is jaw-dropping. Try their Mai Tai or the Smuggler's Secret Barrel cocktail.
Craig VillamorJanuary 19, 2015They really know their rum here. Let the bartenders educate you on different rums instead of just going for the giant volcano shaped drink with 6 straws in it, though that's good too.
Tasting TableAugust 22, 2014Yes, most of the drinks at this tropical-paradise bar contain rum. Yes, some of them include coconut, pineapple or allspice, too. No, they are not cloyingly sweet. They're quite excellent, in fact. Read more
This might be the best rum bar on earth. The brilliant staff are fast and friendly. Try a Tiki drink, or keep it simple with a classic Daiquiri or a Rum Old Fashioned with Bacardi 8
Amazing tiki bar in terms of menu and appearance. If you want the bartenders to experiment, don't go on a weekend. Completely unique cocktail experience either way. Must-go for tiki fans.
Diplomatico RumApril 11, 2013Congratulations to Darren Crawford as he's now the representer of the US West Coast in the Diplomático World Tournament in Venezuela! His cocktail Juancho Sour rocked the Smugglers Cove on 04/10/13 Read more
Smugglers Rum Barrel is on 7x7 's top 50 list of 2012. Also try 3 dots and a dash and don't miss the Chartreuse Swizzle created by Marco- the 'wizardly' bartender. Stay for the ambiance.
Kathy MatthiesenJune 27, 2016Awesome Tiki bar that doesn't serve excessively sugary drinks. Highly recommend the Volcano if you're looking to share between friends or the Jet Pilot if you're drinking for one
Brad TJanuary 4, 2015Menu has been reduced to two pages but prob for the better for all of us given the crowds. Over 200 rums and really no bad drinks here. Don't be afraid try a flight!
Rally by EventbriteMarch 29, 2017Walking in is like walking onto a movie set. And the drinks, while tiki and tropical, aren’t those sugary sweet hangover-in-the-making concoctions you get at so many other bars with a similar theme. Read more
Badger BadgerMarch 20, 2016Wow. A place to go for the rum pro's. Non-pro's will enjoy the amazing variety of cocktails made by the incredibly knowledgeable staff. Awesome decor
You can't go wrong with anything on the menu that has the Smuggler's Cove logo next to it. That's doubly true if it also has a barrel next to it. (It will taste good AND get you drunk!)
c0uPSeptember 3, 2013The Corn & Oil is a simple rum cocktail done incredibly right. This entire place is heaven for rum drinkers, pirates (of the nautical kind) and alcoholic misanthropes.
OkCupid Daters' ChoiceJuly 13, 2017Smuggler's Cove was voted the Best Instagramable Date Spot by OkCupid users in the first-ever Daters' Choice Awards! Tap Read more for additional date spot categories in San Francisco. #daterschoice Read more
V AJune 7, 2015I LOVE this bar! Amazing drinks, chill and unique atmosphere, easy parking if you get there early. 👍👍
Kevin RipperApril 1, 2015The absolute standard for Tiki Bars and one of the largest collections of rum in the world. Martin Cate's love for all things rum oozes through and surrounds you. Noteworthy experience.
squeaselOctober 9, 2014Any bar with a waterfall is ok in my book, but this place makes delicious drinks too. Painkiller, yes. Need to go back and try the hot buttered rum apparently.
Lulu TangSeptember 28, 2017Great drinks and awesome decor and atmosphere. Unfortunately gets REALLY loud and crowded on weekend nights. Your throats will hurt trying to talk to you friends.
Virginia CardozoMarch 4, 2019The OG “new” tiki bar in Sf. Go right at 5 to avoid crowds. Upstairs is best!
Men's Health MagAugust 3, 2014An American tiki bar basically defines kitsch, but while this fresh incarnation boasts plenty of tropical pirate decor, it also sports an impressive rum collection and mixers that don't skew neon. Read more
Christine WuAugust 17, 2015It was crowded when we went on a Saturday evening, but the staff were sweet! It seems like a fun place for a chat or small party!
Matt DickerJune 11, 2019They’re willing to make a non-alcoholic version of any of their cocktails for you teetotalers out there.
DKNovember 4, 2015Probably the City's best cocktail bar. Try Billionaire Cocktail - and many more. Incredible!
Serious EatsJanuary 4, 2013A haven for rum lovers; be sure to chat up the bartender if you're at all interested in tiki history. These guys know their stuff.
SFGate ManagerJuly 16, 2012The drinks never fail to hit their mark, whether Cate's tributes to colonial-era rum love or the tiki classics that are honed to perfection. Also, there's an indoor waterfall.
Christian BakerApril 12, 2016Most people don't know what a Batida is, and most skip to the bowls and call it good (and they are!), but even if you only do it once, treat yo'self to a Batida. No one does'em better than Smugglers.
The menu is intimidating but, if you don’t know what you want, you probably want a Mai Tai or Smuggler’s Rum Barrel.
Damian BayonaJanuary 26, 2017All drinks are delicious and there is one hot toddy that's good for when it's raining. Great vibes and decor- Gregory K.September 20, 2017So many different rum drinks. Hard to choose at first, but they are all expertly made
heidi harmanJune 11, 2015Quality coctails in the basement. Do try the Ake Ake if you fancy a anis aftertaste.
KatelynOctober 8, 2011great place for a meet and greet with your new friends. and only a 15-20 minute walk from Hotel Whitcomb! we spent hours just sitting and getting to know one another with only having one drink.
Michal KlofacAugust 19, 2018I fell in love with tiki here. Everything from the ambience to the drinks to the staff are incredible!
Derek PDecember 29, 2018The drinks are excellent however they always let wayyy too many people in here. It's a pretty miserable, grueling experience if you aren't lucky enough to get a seat early.
Ramnik SinghDecember 7, 2014Hidden gem of san fran. Must visit if you like rum based cocktails. Go to the basementand look fit Melissa behind the bar
Trent OstranderFebruary 3, 2015Go for the Captains Grog. Full of delicious rum. These guys know their stuff! (also try the painkiller #5)
1,123 Photos
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Closed until 5:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 5:00 PM–1:15 AM
(415) 869-1900
Features
Reservations
Yes
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express)
Wi-Fi
No
Outdoor Seating
No
Restroom
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Happy Hour
Drinks
Beer, Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
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