Nice place to hangout, Tuesday happen hours, beers on tap for $5 only. Drake 555 was awesome. read more

My very fuzzy memories of 83 Proof say that this is a five star establishment. Albeit a tad pricey. The best part of the evening was Sky - the amazingly tattooed owner/bartender - who is hawt with a capital HAW! He & his staff were really patient with us, even the drunkie drunks... (er-um, me.) Had a good time there, would recommend it to anyone as a swank FiDi happy hour spot. Cheers, 83 Proof! I have to go lay down to fight the hangover that you helped to create. UPDATE as to Drunken Antics from 83 Proof: -Apparently, a bunch of Yelpers were walking behind me as I exited BART; but, I did not notice them - they were drunk invisible. -My roommate told me on Sunday morning that I tried to talk her into fighting with some random chick at 83 Proof -She also told me that I presented a very compelling argument for this; and, that she almost did it -I stole Adrienne G's lighter -I walked... wait, STUMBLED from Van Ness & Mission to 16th & Mission -I called Rose L. repeatedly b/c I wanted her to come get a bacon dog with me -I couldn't find a bacon dog vendor for the SECOND week in a row (though I could smell them) -I bought a cheeseburger (again) at BK, but did not throw it at anyone -I found Karl L. on BART & walked half way home w/him (b/c he lives in the same general direction that I do) -I left tons of funny drunk messages for people -I kicked my cell phone (the battery of which was dead) under my dresser & it took me 14 hours & a lot of crying about how I can't afford to replace it to find it... read more

Came here after work with a friend around 7. Well, it was just after 7, but it wasn't our first time there, so we weren't sure whether happy hour had ended. The bartender was really sweet. She let us buy beer at happy hour price anyway :) The place was crowded, but it didn't seem like anyone had a problem getting a drink. Although the place looks intimidating at first because everyone's dressed up, the people we met were friendly. The crowd was younger than at other FiDi / SoMa places I've been to. I live near happy hour places that cater to 45+ year old execs, so this was a MUCH better change. Much less pretentious. Bartenders seemed like they knew what they were doing as far as drinks go, too. I will go as far to say that these bartenders seemed like a better mixologist than the one I had at Bourbon & Branch. Coming back! So close to my work. read more

what a cool little bar - think of a smaller, swankier john collins (the bar) with a sprinkle of nua (the restaurant). i had the pleasure of popping the bartender's cucumber gimlet cherry (he claims he had never made one before) and it was quite memorable. i'd never seen a man put so much love and detail into my one drink of the evening (lightweight that i now am). one round for 6 of us and it only came out to $40 with tip. what's not to love?? TIP: the bar is unmarked except for the silver "83" by the door, and the japanese chex mix was a nice touch to keep from getting too hammered on an empty stomach. refills happily given. read more

I have a Chartreux headache right now. All I recall is that it's some sort of anisette type absinthe concoction made with 150 different herbs by monks. Where you get this stuff, I have no idea. But 83 Proof has it, and you really just have to try it. Let me stop my review right there and say the name alone warrants half its stars. And these guys know what they're doing, my martini was well made and the place was packed for being open for barely a couple weeks. I love the worn-out wood look of the floor and the bar and all of the decor. It does get a little loud in there, but I hear they're working on it. I'm giving this place five stars just for the most random, yet thoroughly enjoyable happy hour I just may have ever had. Unicorn shots anyone? read more

If you are here on a Monday, ask for Enrique to make you something with strawberries. What ever it was he was doing... It was exquisite.

Maybe I just came on a wrong day, it was 80F when my friends and I walked in. The place looks busy but not too crowded. We left right away because the place smells like sweaty dudes. Like I say, maybe it was just a bad day. This place is close to my office, so it will be cool if it is a good HH spot. :) read more

small in size...narrow in space..upper deck availability...drinks priced low....friendly quick service...flowing of booze steady 'n' strong....interiors neat....mostly bar stool seating.....second floor for cozy sofa seating....basil gimlets in regular cup...highly recommend... read more

there is some serious happy hour goin on here. equipped with a sly layout mix of open spaced perching stations in the front, an extra wide alley for the bar and cool loft area ala jade. they were prompt, professional and decent mixologists making a subpar salty dog but winning me over on their well known basil gimlet. a bit too overrun with heineken drinkin yuppies talking about how much points their companies are down, but fuck it..if I want some sexiness going on I can just hike over to harlot...hmm..maybe I will. read more

After having spent the weekend in Vegas where average price for drinks is north of $20 and the money-hungry bartenders would frown as if you got lupus when you tip them less than $5, we were in for a nice surprise when two pints of Stellas costs us $6 TOTAL and the bartender was actually cute AND at the same time nice to me and my girl friend. Pleased as a punch, that Thursday must've been our lucky day as we immediately found a little table to sit around - it was Thursday evening and the place, which is not too spacious to begin with, was packed out with the usual FiDi dwellers who, like us, take advantage of their happy hour. Thank you www.mappyhour.com read more

Very cool indeed...great selection of beers on tap and a mellow, unpretentious vibe and interesting crowd that made me feel like I was at a house party instead of a bar. Plenty of seating (at least when I was there) and an upstairs with a balcony that offers an awesome view of the scene below. read more

This place is a madhouse on Fridays for happy hour. You literally have to push and shove your way to the bar. I arrived around 7pm and everyone was drunk already. Drinks are decent, if not inconsistent. First martini was fantastic, second one sucked. Just depends on the bartender, I guess. Probably won't come back unless I'm in the area. Too many finance bros up in this joint. read more

Friday night cocktails. No food available to snack on and the crowd is very very young techie. The cocktails were pretty good.

Great bar! The bartenders are very nice and make fabulous cocktails! The upstairs sitting area is also very cute! Definitely check it out!

Good energy, nice mix of people and strong drinks make it a great place for happy hour.

Great bartenders who will, like drink therapists, talk through what cocktail you want.

Arguably the best happy hour in the Financial District, the drinks are cheap, the atmosphere is very lively, the crowd is awesome, and the bartenders are very quick to serve. For all those reasons, 83 Proof does get pretty packed so if you're planning on going and want a place to sit, get there like 5 minutes before 5p just to be safe. But once you're settled, you'll wish happy hour lasted all night. This is a great place to have a drink and relax with the coworkers/friends after a long day of work. read more

Awesome place Mixologist are awesome and make a hell of a drink! Great vibe and laid back scene.

I waited on writing this review because my only (fuzzy) memories included feeling happy and at home here, and being surprised they didn't get upset when me and two friends sang "Deep in the Heart of Texas" at the bar while waiting for our drinks. I went a couple days ago and only have new fuzzy memories to add to my collection - but that's reason enough to give the bar a stellar recommendation. 83 Proof opened when I worked around the corner. A lot of my former co-workers are drink-happy regulars, so they knew and loved us, collectively. They're not open on Sundays, but they opened especially for one guy's 30th birthday bonanza. The drinks are stiff, it's got a quieter upstairs and the bathroom is very, very clean. So don't worry about hiking your good jeans away from a sticky floor, or getting used toilet paper stuck to your shoe. You ladies know what I'm talking about. The bartender is nice and it has the vibe I generally look for in a bar - a place where you can laugh loudly, talk quietly, or observe the fray, casually perched on a (padded) bar stool sipping your Manhattan. Or your beer. Or both. Near BART! But not near much else, unless you work near here, hang out at the Transbay Terminal or live in one of those fancy (ugly) new buildings. I think they do have absinthe, as rumored, but black licorice isn't my bag. read more

Love this bar. Friendly bartenders, reasonably priced drinks, and as Michael D. said, "casual but trendy". Great after work happy hour place. read more

ooh, i love this place. the atmosphere is casual without being dingy or divey and attractive without seeming pretentious. drinks seem pretty cheap considering how tastefully decorated the place is, and despite being in the financial district it didn't seem yuppie-ish. also, on a nice afternoon, that window seat is amazing. read more

This was the first bar I came to when I moved into the city. 4 years later... hands down, one of my favorite bars! Bartenders are awesome (Hi Mark) and know their drinks. It can get crowded real fast (sometimes a bit of a sausage fest) but casual happy hour spot great to go after work. I would expect to stand unless you can get a table or a seat at the bar. Highly recommend dropping by.... even if it's for a quick beer! read more

I can always appreciate a bar that has bartenders who know the diffrences in their alcohol... Proof 83 is one of them. It has the theme of speak easy drinks. Just tell them the base and enjoy your company... You don't have to worry if you'll like your drink b/c you will!!! read more

Everyone needs to try this place. Seriously. Came on a Friday after work for happy hour with some friends. The place is very discreet considering that they are located in part of the busiest work areas in San Francisco- I almost walked right by it! It is a narrow space, but has a very cozy feeling. I really enjoyed the vibe of the place as well as the crowd that it attracted- mostly young working professionals. We had the pleasure of getting our drinks from a bartender, i think his name was Mark- he was AWESOME. He was more so a mixologist rather than a bartender though, he mixed us some of the most amazing drinks I've had just based on us telling him what we liked. I normally don't like fruity drinks, but he made the most amazing drink for me with raspberry, vodka, egg whites, and some other ingredients that I didn't quite catch. Overall a very talented bar staff, and a great place to unwind after a day's work. read more

OK.... it has been a LOOOOOOOONG time since I've written a review, and I've actually been meaning to write one about these guys for awhile. alas, since I am no longer an office worker, I never seem to have the chance to sit down and write for yelp :( so yes.... 83 proof very special ;) Located right next to the Walgreens on 1st and Mission, 83 Proof took over the space that used to house that seedy asian gangster-ish bar attitudes... (i think that was the name of it) It was the type of bar you would try to walk past really fast if not cross over to the other side of the street. But.. now, the neew owners have done a really great job at opening making the space warm and welcome. I love that it's a block away from where I work, and that it is part of the new 2nd-1st street triangle. I love it... Working at Kates, it's always great when new bars open cause it brings more people into the neighborhood. And this area is fast becoming the new bar hopping mecca. I say NEW cause we all already know about the Mission, and North Beach (before it became ghetto fab), and "sigh" yes, the Marina. Now... for happy hour or after dinner you can go to John Colins, Zebulon, 83 Proof, Harlot, Rickenbacher, Steffs, Kates... etc :) Anyways... enough blabbering and back to 83. It's a beautiful space, very simple, with options to sit at the bar and chat with the hotties that work there, or sit at one of the high tables against the wall, or sit upstairs in a more intimate setting. Great for dates, but it's just as great for large groups. I can already see private parties happening in the upstairs loft area... hmmm maybe my birthday???? Oh yeah... and as of last night, they now serve absinthe... yup complete with sugar cubes :) Yes... I am a fan of 83 Proof. read more

Sporting only a street number outside as official proof of its existence, you're more likely to find 83 Proof by looking for the crowd out front, or listening for the noise pouring out of large open windows. Walking in, the space is very high, with some classic gilt chandeliers and matching wall lamps. As others have mentioned, it's a nearly perfect amount of lighting - not too bright, not too dark - for a comfortable, relaxed, classy bar. Only the 2 flat-screen TVs in front detract from the ambiance. Everything's a shade of brown or tan, and a bar nearly the length of the room fills one wall, fronting an enchantingly large selection of top-shelf beverages, and a reasonable beer selection too. Clearly, the bartenders here enjoy their alcohol, and being prepared to make anything you could think of. Not only that, but they're expert at it! I can personally attest to an extremely well made Manhattan (in the old style, with both sweet & dry vermouth, and a twist as well as 2 real cherries) and Mojito, and a well made Old Fashioned (I would have gone with less fruit). The 'tenders are also very friendly, proud of their mixology, and want to make sure you enjoy their creations. I was pleasantly surprised when they checked to make sure the Manhattan and Old Fashioned were to my liking. That's class, folks, and I love it. Prices are shockingly reasonable too, especially considering the amount of TLC that goes into making those drinks. There's also a balcony in back with a great view of the bar and a bunch of couches for more relaxed drinking. This is a great space to rent out, or take over if you get there early enough. read more

"Casual but trendy" is tough to find in the Financial District, but 83 Proof fits the bill perfectly. It's a cozy space, and while the Happy Hour crowd is simply unruly, the extensive selection of beer and bourbon should satisfy even the most fickle drinker. Do yourself a favor and unwind here; leave the tie at the office. read more

Definitely a great place to visit. Tell the bar tender/ mixologist what kind a drink your looking for then you're all set. They blend up a random mix and life is great again. Enjoy... read more

Cool happy hour spot. Met a friend here the other day and they don't seem to have a cocktail menu, you just tell them what you like and they make you a fancy cocktail...fine by me! I had a delicious whisky something something. They do have a beer menu though (and i'm guessing wine too?) This place was packed! read more

I have been there for a few times. Nice Happy Hour deal, the crowd are mostly late 20s to mid 30s, Nice atmosphere and ambient during the afterwork hours. The bartenders are friendly and they have some interesting cocktails options. Would definitely go back. read more

83 Proof is the place for after work drinks- good crowd, real drinks, walking distance from soma and fidi, high ceilings (so even though it can get crowded, you don't get that claustrophobic feeling). Overall, a good scene and nice-looking lacquered bar make for a casually-sophisticated go-to spot. read more

No Signs -what the hell is going on in there. I pass this place everyday from work and there are always a crowd and I decided to try it out on Thursday, Happy hour is 4-7pm $2.00 Heineken $4.00 well drinks and there heavy on the drinks not bad for SF. It's a nice place with an upstairs lounge, cool atmosphere. The bartenders were very cool and friendly. read more

Absolutely love this bar and everyone who works there. It's my local watering hole and for good reason - drinks are top notch, they've got an amazing selection of spirits, the staff are awesome and it's right around the corner from work. Sure it gets busy, but have some patience, treat the team respectfully and you'll get great hospitality in return. Big shout out to the one and only Tabitha, Enrique, Sky, Marc and Nick. read more

Nothing all that special about this place. It's just a bar. A bar that kind of looks unfinished and with no coherent theme. The crowd was manageable and the beers were cold, but it's pretty small and on an out-of-the-way stretch of 1st St. Not bad for happy hour, but I definitely wouldn't make this a destination on a Friday or Saturday night. read more

This is a great happy hour spot, but can get pretty packed. It's a pretty small bar, but going in for some down-time after work or with a few friends is perfect. Not a dive bar (you can certainly dress cute). It's walking distance from a bunch of clubs, so it's a good choice for a venue to get your night started. The upstairs area lets you and your friends have some privacy from the crowd, which I think is a neat touch in a bar. read more

Drinks were not bad, however the service is lacking. We came here on a saturday night for a friend's bday. They has reserved the space so I would think 83 proof would be prepared for a large party. Sadly there were two bartenders and it took on average 30-45 just to order drinks. When were were finally up to order the bartender said they couldn't handle more than 2 drinks at once (of course with attitude). Wish they had a bar upstairs then the downstairs area wouldn't get so crowded. read more

in addition to being in a hidden spot on 1st between market and mission.... in addition to the amazing bartending knowledge that sky and marc both have of every drink in the universe... in addition to having the great atmosphere that this place eludes... it's a crazy place to spend any night of the evening. this is my go to spot after dinner because you know you're always be in good company, with quality drinks and the noise is just at the right level, the people are just the right crowd, you always meet someone interesting.... I can't say enough about this place, its gorgeous, the bartenders are so friendly, the crowd is just right. I just get sucked in time after time. I've never had a night which wasn't memorable. read more

Great bar. If you happen to be here when there is a live piano player - it's an even better bar. They make stellar mojito's and various other cocktails. It can get a bit loud in here, however. So if you are looking for a quite place to grab a drink, probably not the right spot. read more

I threw my husband's birthday party here a couple months back and I would definitely do it again. I reserved the upstairs lounge for our party of 25 or so which was perfect for the amount of guests we had. I was also able to bring appetizers and cupcakes for everyone. 83 Proof was super friendly, accomodating and the drinks were pouring! Everything was easy to set up through e-mail with Nika and by the time we arrived, the upstairs was ready for us and a table was setup for the food we brought. We easily met the bar minimum and everyone just had a grand ole time! This is a no hassle kind of bar to throw a nice party and it's a great venue. read more

83 Proof is the best place for cocktails. Bartenders are geniuses, prices are reasonable, and the patrons are great. I love this place!