It's nice that the cocktails are more affordable. 4/5: Espresso martini $14. The spices dominate the drink, and the coffee doesn't come through well. Vodka, espresso, spiced syrup, coffee liqueur, vanilla angostura. 3/5: Fist of the white lotus $14, with white pepper. The drink is overwhelmed by the pepper. It's a little better with some added maple syrup (I bring a small jar with me all the time). Gin, white pepper, lychee, maraschino, lemon juice. read more

Brass Tacks - Fist of the White Lotus $14 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I walked into the bar to meet up with a friend and tried to chat with the bartender. I asked about some interesting taps that I thought might be for cocktails or wine on draft. The bartender didn't say anything and walked to the register. I didn't think too much about this and figured he didn't hear me or was busy helping someone else. To my surprise he came right back and threw down a menu in front of me. I repeated my question about the taps and he said 'all the drinks are in there' and walked away. My friend had already finished their drink and paid so we decided to just leave. This prompted me to look up if Brass Tacks and next door neighbor Anina are owned by the same people. It turns out they are. This is interesting because I had a very similar experience with two different staff at Anina on a separate occasion a couple years ago. I'm not sure if it is an Anina/Brass Tacks culture thing or they just don't like my face, but I've never had this experience anywhere else in SF. Needless to say there are too many great bars in the city to ever need to go back. read more

Chill place for happy hour and a good strong Negroni. There are plenty of wooden bench seating outdoors or plush leather seats indoor for a party of ~10. The restroom is decent. There's also a TV for you to keep tabs on a Warriors game. read more

Brass Tacks - Happy Hour menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Ah, this used to be Marlena's, the best drag show in town. But hey, what's not to like about this quiet bar across from Patricia's Green? The couple of times I've come in here, it was strangely quiet compared to Anina next door. The difference a patio makes I guess. However, introverts like me gravitate toward the emptier spots, especially in Hayes Valley where the hipster quotient is still quite high after work. The bartender was friendly enough here, and all their signature cocktails are $14. Gratefully they haven't increased the price in at least the last two years. I remember a solid cocktail they served, No Look Pass, which used white pepper gin and laced it with lychee, maraschino, and lemon flavors of liqueurs (Photo 5). The bar unfortunately doesn't serve it anymore, but the Espresso Martini is present and accounted for. It's delicious either addition of vanilla angostura and spiced syrup to the vodka, kahlua, and espresso (Photo 2). It's a dependable, stylish enough watering hole that opens at 4PM. COCKTAILS - 4 stars...smooth craft cocktails well played AMBIANCE - 4 stars...quite chill, nice late afternoon vibe SERVICE - 4 stars...does his job well TOTAL - 4 stars...preferred hangout for proven introverts RELATED - Exploring Hayes Valley? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/n2YclhTIn7 read more

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Drinks here are v strong. Love the coziness of this place and the friendly staff. I loved the drinks in the following order Hardballer (psl fall vibe) Night of the iguana The espresso martini Fist of the white lotus Will def be back :) read more

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Always love coming here. It's our neighborhood 2nd home! Dane always cares for me and the homies. read more

Brass Tacks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came here for an event and have to say the drinks here were amazing. I got the chance to try a few of their speciality drinks. My all time favorites were the espresso martini and the hardball both full of flavors. The bartenders really take the drink making process very seriously and make magical drinks. Will be going back soon for sure. read more

Brass Tacks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Really cute bar in Hayes Valley with amazing drinks. Came here late night and got some espresso martinis for girl's night. Super nice staff, good music and chill ambiance. read more

Brass Tacks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

came for the dog and bartender DANE stayed for the dog and DANE everything else: optional. trucks (the dog) supremacy. PS: trucks probably deserves a raise read more

Brass Tacks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Great upscale bar. Couches and comfortable seats. Great people watching. Bartenders and clientele are very friendly read more

Brass Tacks - Red blend - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

arrived on christmas day for a drink with friends, we came from another bar and had to go drinks, the bar tender asked us to throw them away which is totally fair - we handed them to him, he threw them away and gave us menus then seated us. when we walked to the bar to order, he said "actually it's christmas and i'm not serving you cause you walked in here with other drinks" and asked us to leave. we said, we gave you the drinks to throw as we walked in when you asked he said "it's christmas and my decision" bearing in mind, the bar tender had two dogs off leash behind the bar which is extremely unhygienic. terrible customer service (on christmas at that) and a health code violation. bar tenders name was Dane. read more

Brass Tacks - dogs behind the bar off leash. breaking food code safety regulations - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This place is fun and vibe-y with rock music vocalizing itself in the background and the mini disco ball providing patterns on the walls. The service is great as they're super friendly and will check in whenever it looks like our drinks are low. I got the White Lotus and another elderflower drink and the White Lotus was definitely my favorite among the two. Also the prices here are so reasonable! read more

Brass Tacks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I loved the older dark night vibe at this Hayes valley bar was a great end to the night except... I love lychee and the lychee cocktail sounded interesting with gin however I knew to ask if it was going to be too sweet and the bartender misled me it was so sweet I had sugar coating my teeth all night and needed an ipa to cleanse my palette. He really said the gin cuts the sweetness of the lychee I would say it was straight lychee with an aftertaste of gin . I'd go back but definitely getting a beer read more

A nice after dinner bar in Hayes Valley. Their drink selection is fairly robust, especially their beer selection compared to the surrounding bars. It has a more relaxed ambience than many of the other drinking establishments within walking distance. Stop by as you crawl through all of the other bars on a Friday night. read more

Brass Tacks - Vibe - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great vibes. The people were all very nice and had a great time with my friends here. The beer tasted great and I liked the apps they had. Overall would come here again and it's on busy Hayes valley in the heart of all the action read more

Brass Tacks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This is our favorite place of all time. Amazing and knowledgeable bar staff (big shoutout to Mitch!), juicy greyhounds (fresh-squeezed grapefruit) and bomb espresso martinis (perfect ratio of fluffy foam to bev), this is our neighborhood first stop on most Fridays. For every occasion - birthdays, break-ups, first dates, lamenting the work week, pre-party to our wedding day - our friend group has done it all here. We love the simplicity of this long bar, with gorgeous light accents, muted colored walls, the fresh breeze flowing through from the park, and all their shelf liquor displayed neatly from bar to ceiling, it's the perfect center of the city for folks to converge and share stories from their long day. We thank the staff for loving our dogs too. It's a no brainer to stop in to say hi and take a little break here. read more

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Food was good sitting at bar service was slow all around. As big as the place is should have more help. Servers were good. Great with all the tvs. But no one would change them? read more

I have 5 words for you. Fist of the white lotus (probably one of the best gin cocktail) This is the spot. Great bar tenders, great drinks, great ambiance, great vibe. It's one of those places you'll frequent because it's all around pretty awesome. The pros: no douchey vibe, super clean and hella welcoming. I want this is in my life forever. Doggo friendly! Just be careful because I might talk to your dog. read more

Went here on a Wednesday night, not too crowded! Ordered an old fashion and it was really good! Service was very good too! Very cool chill vibe! I really like this place and highly recommend if you're in the area! read more

Pretty chill bar. Nothing about it that really stands out or makes it special but also not the worst place to end up. It's nice they're open until 2am - we originally were trying to go to Anina the bar next door but they closed at 1am. The bartenders were cool and drinks were strongggggg. Read the bill carefully though - they include 20% tip already in the total. I'm sure they catch a lot of drunk people with that and get double tips. read more

Wasn't super stoked on this place when they got here, the bartender wasn't super friendly at first, but it ended up working out. We stopped here after pizza for date night at Fig n thistle and I got the the Birthday Pony, which was surprisingly not sweet at all and a great balanced smooth tequila drink! My boyfriend got a beer. Good neighborhood joint that always seems to be open. read more

Fancy cocktail place! Stopped in for a quick drink... great selection and quick service. Recommend!! read more

Brass Tacks - Moscow Mule w/ cherries - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Kind of a post work type spot. Good beer selection and cocktails but probably a little pricier than I'd prefer. But I guess most things in Hayes Valley are a little pricier than I'd prefer. read more

Brass Tacks is an underrated gem in Hayes Valley! I initially wanted to visit Anina next door, but it was packed at 8:30pm on a Wednesday so they ushered us to their sister bar Brass Tacks next door. I was very pleased by the experience. The waiters are relatively attentive and had good recommendations for drinks according to my taste (sweeter cocktails). The drinks aren't exceptionally fancy and frilly, while also having a classy look to them. More importantly, they taste quite fantastic. We sat outdoors and the heaters are strong enough to make it comfortable for nighttime in SF. The bar gets good business until closing and the surrounding area is quite lively as well! read more

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Good drinks and good vibes in Hayes Valley! We came around 6/7pm on a Thursday and it was pretty busy but luckily we got a seat outside. The drinks are a little pricey but pretty normal for SF. They are however strong and well made, worth the price tag in my option. The service is also just phenomenal here, our waiter was super kind and attentive. Overall, I will definitely be back for another drink (or two) :) read more

Brass Tacks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Stumbled here by accident-- with ANINA at capacity, their bouncer suggested we take refuge next door until space allows. 2-3 drinks later, we never ended up going back to ANINA because we loved the environment at Brass Tacks LOL. This is more my scene. Maybe I'll get to ANINA another time For COVID safety purposes, vaccine cards are checked, and all staff and patrons must wear masks. Small bar, but busy as heck-- even with the rush, our drinks came out within 5 mins. Their bartenders have some serious skills. MOSQUITO COAST: Ok, fruity and strong are such a dangerous combo-- this is no exception. Lime + pineapple are always a win in my book. Who doesn't love feeling refreshed and inebriated at the same time? We made ourselves at home in the back lounge area-- more spacious. I loved the ambient lighting & moody atmosphere-- mysterious, yet intimate? Dark, but inviting... Couldn't read the menu for shit tho lmao read more

I came here for a bit and ordered a cocktail (road to Sakura) and it was great! It tasted like sour cherries but had such a unique flavor. The vibe here is definitely unique, but I was a fan and it's great for large groups. Overall worth checking out if you're in Hayes! read more

Brass Tacks - Road to sakura cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Brass Tacks is a chill spot to hang out in Hayes on a Friday afternoon. I imagine it gets pretty crowded later in the evening, but around 4 pm when I went it was super chill and mostly empty except for a handful of people. Their happy hour special is $1 off cocktails and lasts until 7. All cocktails are $12. Tried the Mosquito Coast and Fist of the White Lotus. Both were good but I liked the Mosquito Coast more. Very sweet drinks and you definitely start feeling a buzz. Liked that the drinks are served in chilled glasses. read more

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I arranged a get together with a friend and coworker of mine who was working in the area. I asked her to suggest a location, because the last time I worked over in Hayes Valley - it was a whole different area. Brass Tacks is a really nice bar, it has that dark loungey vibe, but with large open window , lots of light and spaces for people to hang out. We found ourselves a seat in the back of the bar, so we could catch up. This is a nice classy bar and would be good for group get togethers. It was a nice spring day, so we both opted for wine which is served on draft. The rose was nice, a little dryer than sweet which is the way I like it. I also loved the bumper sticker on the register that said "Employees must carve Slayer into forearms before returning to work". Love their sense of humor and style. Great Bar! read more

Brass Tacks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Random pop-in to kill time before ballet but ended up really enjoying the vibes in this neighborhood gem. I had BQE, a Mezcal based cocktail, pretty decent. read more

Brass Tacks - Interior - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Good beats and good drinks! The bartender was super dope and friendly, he provided a ton of knowledge on whisky (I'm totally new to Japanese whisky) without being pretentious about it. Yay for free education! I came here after brunch at Stacks and wasn't quite ready to head home so my friend and I ducked into this bar and definitely wasn't disappointed. No food options, no dancing, and no "bar activities" so if you are solely looking for drinks- this is the place to do it. read more

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I spent $16 a cocktail with an automatic 20% gratuity. Okay, I can mark that up as inflation and fair pay to bartenders... The cocktail was disgusting on top of there being only enough to get a few sips around a massive ice cube. Not worth it. Go spend your dollars somewhere else. read more

Very welcoming. Good energy. Awesome customer service. I came here to do some work after work but all the cafe were closed. I asked if I can setup shop and they kindly obliged if I was a customer. So I bought a drink and continued working. Would totally bring my friends next time. read more

Great place. They seemed to have carved out a good niche in this new modernized Hayes Valley. Much props You don't notice the gentrification Grey on the exterior because you're generally going there at night anyway. Nice interior. Sexy. I like tipping. I've been in the service industry for a long time. I will say that being told that you're going to be charged a 20% gratuity before you get a hello or a nice welcome is a little off-putting. I also recognize that we live in a world where people are now opposed to tipping. You have to do what you have to do. read more

Fourth and last stop on an impromptu Hayes Valley bar crawl. My girlfriend and I decided to yelp one final stop before heading home. We stopped by Brass Tacks on Wednesday, July 12th around 11pm. Right when we walked in, we saw two seats at the front of the bar, so we snagged them. *Dr No: appleton rum, apricot, lemon, amaro montenegro ($11) *Mr Majestyk: scotch, alessio chinato, benedictine, allspice ($11) My time here is a little hazy. I remember the ambiance being very dark and bustling. The bartender was nice and it felt very casual. I got the mr majestyk which I recall liking. My gf didn't like her dr no as much. But that may have been because she was mixing all kinds of alcohol that night. I stuck to the mainly the dark stuff, so whiskey / scotch / bourbon. We had a good time just talking and just catching up. I do remember talking to the bouncer for a bit who was really nice. (At least I believe it was at this bar.) Although I'm close to being over the hill, I guess I should appreciate being carded every once in a while. A fun final stop to end a whirlwind Wednesday night. Even though I was in pain the next day, I still enjoyed our time here. Great bar to just grab a cocktail and catch up with a friend. read more

Brass Tacks - Dr No: appleton rum, apricot, lemon, amaro montenegro ($11) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The waiters were awesome here. Really attentive and quick. They do charge 20% on the bill so take that into account. The inside is small but the wait isn't long. It's quite loud so unless you're sitting next to someone you can't hear anything. read more

As per other reviews, yes they do tell you upfront that they already include the 20% gratuity in the bill. If that's no biggie for you, then give this place a shot! I didn't try anything on the menu, but I love how our bartender gave us alternatives and suggestions to our usual bar staples (Amaretto Sours for me). The place tends to run a bit loud, and we were seated at the corner near the TV. Also can't forget - they're dog friendly! read more

Went on a Monday. Fairly busy. This spot is a neighborhood bar mixed with an after-work crowd. If you don't mind a cold bar ( meaning the windows being wide open while it's freezing cold outside) this is the place for you. I would have stayed longer and would have bought more drinks if it was warmer in there. Drinks were nice however the wait can be long at times. Bar tending staff was attentive. Try to get drinks at the far end of the bar - you will have better luck. There are couches to sit on to enjoy your beverage, but no servers ( sitting area only) - so prepare to go up to the bar and battle for a drink. Actually - get 2 drinks at a time. They are small servings. read more

Brass Tacks - Full bar. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Lively but not insane. From the same folks that own Churchill so very similar in vibe. Probably better for later night lounging vs. happy hour catch-ups but overall a comfortable watering hole in the neighborhood. Good cocktails and nice selection of beers on tap. It can get crowded around the bar but getting the bartender's attention isn't to hard. Find space along the long bar and wall or the seats at the back. Dim but warm lighting helps makes the space feel cozy. Happy hour till 7pm. read more

I always thought this was somehow connected to the other bar next door just by swiftly passing through and not really looking inside. This place is really chill -- I went around mid/late-afternoon when it wasn't packed, but there were still a good amount of people inside. Its a small narrow bar that has bar seating, window seating overlooking Patricia's Green (good for people watching), wall bar seating, cushion seating in the back along with a TV that was playing sports games. The bartenders were attentive, the other people there were friendly, the atmosphere was bright (due to the lighting shining in from the outside), even though it was painted dark inside. The drink I had was great! I forgot the name of it though :/ It was definitely something with tequila or mezcal with a hint of heat! Super light and refreshing to enjoy - the name of it was unique which was cool too! Went here again (the same day), but at night where the place was far more packed with people, but I still managed to find a place to sit in the back. Its pretty easy to bar/lounge hop in the area -- this would be a good spot to check out! read more