Important Update:The City Guide web experience will be sunsetting on April 28, 2025. Please visit our FAQ to learn more.The Alembic
Cocktail Bar and Whisky Bar$$$$
Haight Ashbury, San Francisco
The experts at Food & Wine and Eater recommend this place
"Spiced duck hearts w/pickled pineapple..delicious - a must try!"(15 Tips)
"Sliders, duck hearts and bone marrow are always good."(20 Tips)
"fat pair nicely with Southern Exposure cocktail."(9 Tips)
"Sazerac is my favorite and the celery one is popular."(13 Tips)
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233 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- cocktails
- bone marrow
- southern exposure
- pickled quail
- good for dates
- (15 more)
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EaterApril 16, 2013The Alembic is one of those bars where the drinks take time to make, but they're also hands-down the best in the hood, perhaps in the city.Upvote31Downvote
This is a special cocktail bar all the time, but it's especially great for Sundays, when most people don't realize they have a proper brunch and it's sunny, uncrowded and the drinks are good as ever.
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AFAR MediaAugust 12, 2014We always get snacks like the pickled quail eggs & sumac potato chips with yogurt dipping sauce, a sandwich (I love the beer-battered rockfish), & a tasty, inventive cocktail. Read more
Upvote5Downvote- AFAR MediaJanuary 22, 2015The bartenders here take their mixology seriously. As in "this has the essence of elderflower" in it seriously. Try the "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," which is pepper juice and gin. Read more
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ReeDJuly 23, 2018Le Marais has a pop-up brunch at Alembic 10a–2p on the weekend. Simple menu, and a tad on the pricy side, but excellent casual food.
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Kian LaviJanuary 13, 2019The best bar in the Haight, with one of the greater menus you'll find for miles. I miss the prix fixed menu, but everything is great. Get the bone marrowUpvoteDownvote
The Sazerac is an ode to the Big Easy. The Bourbon Old Fashioned is nothing more than a slug of bourbon on the rocks with bitters, a little sugar and lemon peel to take the edge off.Upvote1Downvote
Alex ChiritescuJune 13, 2017Great cocktails. Tasty and just the right amount of alcohol, not too boozy and not just water. Tried one-eyed jack and mount aso.
UpvoteDownvote- I come here once a month at least. They do great classic and original cocktails. Sliders, duck hearts and bone marrow are always good. Great seasonal, interesting food in a laid back locale!! My fave.UpvoteDownvote
- Ashley MowreyJuly 16, 2015This place is beyond packed, all of the time, except for lunch time mid week. They have great food, mid priced, and cocktails that will get you inappropriately drunk mid day.UpvoteDownvote
Becherovka VoyagerSeptember 4, 2013There's nothing better than a fresh herbal Becherovka cocktail to go along with an equally delicious dinner. That's what you get when you pay a visit to the Haight's trendy buzz spot, Alembic.Upvote1Downvote
Ian SullivanAugust 29, 2013Love the Vasco de Gama cocktail! Whiskey with apple and a spicy kick. Super good. Pair it with an order of the cumin honey spiced nuts. Gold!Upvote2Downvote
BarChickAugust 20, 2013Classic cocktails, like a Jack Rose with Applejack, grenadine and lime, are right at home next to the new school ones, like the Southern Exposure http://barchick.com/find-a-bar/san-francisco/alembicUpvoteDownvote
Brad GrahamMay 10, 2014"Alembic Bar is where off-duty or pre-shift bartenders head for a high-quality drink." This bar in Haight Ashbury also has a small menu with interesting choices such as duck hearts and quail eggs.UpvoteDownvote
Love the Alembic, one of my fave places in SF. Make a res for bigger parties and def order the Jamaican jerk duck hearts.UpvoteDownvote
One of SFs original mixology haunts and forever loved bc of it. Southern Exposure is a must and single-handedly responsible for turning me into an alcoholic.UpvoteDownvote
Time Out San FranciscoOctober 10, 2014No matter what your poison is, you'll find it here. Half of the menu is devoted to well-loved classics. The other half is “new school”—house-devised concoctions that embrace seasonal ingredients. Read more
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Pavan KulkarniJanuary 8, 2019Amazing dim lit speakeasish ambiance. Try the nuevo ola and night vision(pretty strong). The fried garbanzo beans was really goodUpvoteDownvote
Really nice cocktails! Awesome selection of whiskey! Food is pretty good too!Upvote1Downvote
Julia FirenzSeptember 15, 2012After we finished our bone marrow, our bartender gave us a shot of Fernet luge style through the hollowed out bone it was served in. Pretty effing epic and tasty, if you're into that.Upvote5Downvote
LanAugust 26, 2013Oh, you thought you were just stopping by for the excellent cocktails? False. You are also here to order the bone marrow. Seriously.
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Jeff ShaferMarch 13, 2016Order a Brown Wolf and try to sit at the bar in Hector's section, the inventor of the Brown WolfUpvoteDownvote- Try the Bacon Studded 4505 Hot Dog - #kvpinmybelly : I loved @4505_Meats #Chicharrón as crunchy highlight to this meaty lunch treat. Nice spicy kick from the peppadew relish.UpvoteDownvote
Liz McLean KnightMarch 20, 2016Nice beer on tap, but the bartenders and selection is the real draw to this place. One person asked for Pliny the Elder and was send down the street.Upvote1Downvote
Everything. Hands down the best true cocktail bar in the city. Also the Southern Exposure and the Vieux Carre.UpvoteDownvote
Ale TowerFebruary 13, 2017Had a couple of cocktails and both were very good. They have some crazy bottle behind the counter too if you're flush with cash!UpvoteDownvote
Brook ShelleyJune 29, 2018Tasty cocktails but the chicken sandwich was so-so. The scotch egg and fries are awesome.
UpvoteDownvote- Tye ChaitNovember 22, 2014Great cocktails and atmosphere. Sazerac is my favorite and the celery one is popular.
UpvoteDownvote - The Tastes that Make the CityJanuary 28, 2015The bourbon old-fashioned is the best bourbon cocktail in SF, making our list of "The Tastes That Make the City: SF Edition." Read more
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Emily KaneJanuary 5, 2016It's not a cocktail menu, it's an anthology. Each drink is given its own creation myth. Be prepared to commit your time and taste buds to trying more than two.UpvoteDownvote- Seasoned Alembic bartender Danny Louie and AQ alum Ethan Terry have kept up the Upper Haight staple's cocktail tradition via a great new menu.UpvoteDownvote
Travel ChannelDecember 9, 2011This place has high quality drinks and a small, but interesting menu – including choices like duck hearts & quail eggs. As recommended by Travel Channel host, Anthony Bourdain.Upvote13Downvote
Order the Blood & Sand cocktail! It's not on the drinks menu anymore but the bartenders know how to make this retro drink & it's tasty!UpvoteDownvote
ChrisJune 19, 2016Great cocktails and impeccable music selection. Played Mac DeMarco and Tame Impala deep cuts while I was here.UpvoteDownvote
Konstantin KlyaginJanuary 5, 2015Perfect bar with good food, great drinks and young crowd. Get bone marrow and a haiku d'etat!UpvoteDownvote
- Jake AltieriaJune 10, 2013Heard about the Alembic on Babberly, and checked it out. Hands down the best bone marrow I have ever had. Worth every penny. Read moreUpvoteDownvote
My favorite cocktail here is the Jack Rose. It's kind of a cute pink cocktail, but then you taste it and you're like...woah - bourbon. Amazing.UpvoteDownvote
Masio WinstonJune 6, 2012The Fever Tree Ginger Ale is the real deal... you have to donthat and most of their starter menu, I.e., pork belly sliders, duck hearts, omgUpvoteDownvote
Alyssa WJuly 14, 2017Still one of the best cocktail bars in the city. The liquor selection is huge.UpvoteDownvote
The Bold ItalicMarch 15, 2011try to get a spot at the bar so you can watch Daniel Hyatt. He can mix a drink with one hand, stir with the other, and give a dissertation on small batch bourbon at the same time. Read moreUpvote2Downvote
Serious EatsOctober 31, 2013Tasty cocktails and surprisingly creative snacks at this Haight Street bar.Upvote5Downvote
Caitlin JamesJanuary 8, 2014great shops nearby in the haight area, specials listed on chalkboard, great place for whiskey drinks.UpvoteDownvote
Probably my single favorite cocktail bar anywhere in the world. Don't miss the snacks, especially the chips with za'atar spiced yogurt.UpvoteDownvote
Campbell BirdJune 7, 2016Trendy watering hole. If you're hankering for cocktails, it seems like a crucial visit. For beers or other libations though, it's pretty optional.UpvoteDownvote
LilySeptember 8, 2014Great bespoke cocktails. Challenge your palette and get something on the menu you wouldn't normally go for.UpvoteDownvote
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The Alembic
1725 Haight St (btwn Cole & Shrader St)
San Francisco, CA 94117
United States
San Francisco, CA 94117
United States
Open until 2:00 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Tue
- 4:00 PM–Midnight
- Wed–Fri
- 4:00 PM–2:00 AM
- Sat
- 2:00 PM–2:00 AM
- Sun
- 2:00 PM–Midnight
(415) 666-0822
Features
Credit Cards
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Outdoor Seating
No
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Dining Options
Bar Service
Parking
Street
Restroom
Yes
Food & Drink
Drinks
Beer, Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
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