I was wowed by this elegant, quiet (in the good way), and sophisticated but friendly bar. It's easy enough to find but remote enough to make it feel properly speakeasy-ish, and that makes it feel like a little getaway. The bartenders were personable and attentive, though the drinks take awhile - they're complicated! And the food was good but...I can't remember it a month-ish later. BUT THE DRINKS. Our group had several and liked them all. I particularly LOVED my two wholly unique and very memorable cocktails, Rabbit Year Resolution and Montenegro. They're not cheap but MAN you have never tasted anything like them! Can't wait to visit again. read more

After having dinner at Original Joe's and not being able to have a really good cocktail, we decided to check the area and we found this gem. Open for 5 years now / and thankfully survived COVID. Oscar is by far one of the more experienced Mixologist I've met in this lifetime. His background personally and in education is truly extensive and makes for an authentic experience which cocktails should be. Definitely returning. read more

Cold Drinks Bar - THE UNPLUGGED and another drink off menu (on the left). - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Best drinks around. I mean Duck fat washed scotch old fashionedsssss so good haha yea read more

Cold Drinks Bar - Work happy hour. Peking Duck Fat Popcorn - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place is sexy as hell. Get a spirit-forward drink, enjoy the scenery and the smooth lounge music. Not for the unsophisticated.

Love the ambience of this bar and it has a unique cocktail selection! The Peking duck fat popcorn is amazing as well. read more

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Expensive. Drinks are $18-$20. They are really delicious though. I first had Al's cut which was a deliciously balanced gin based drink. I then got the Sweet Irishman which blew my mind. Best cocktail I've had. So delicious and complex. Whiskey, pear, pineapple, lime, peat, sesame oil. So goooooood read more

Cold Drinks Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This spot has some of the best and smoothest cocktails in San Francisco! Bartender was super helpful and attentive. Loved the ambiance of the bar, felt very cozy on the inside. Cocktails are pricier than most places, but they're worth it! read more

Super cool bar. Angel always treats us the best. Their "silk degrees" is my favorite cocktail I've ever drank.

Friday night 9PM - All the tables were taken except for a few seats. Location - Once you see My China Live, find the elevators to the third floor. Interior - Throwback, lounge-y, dressy, and classy. Looked straight out of an action movie set where the characters are meeting up for a showdown. It's a scotch bar made to impress. Intimate and cozy. Atmosphere surpasses the drinks. Drinks - Shang Hai Mai Tai and French Concession. Drinks were alright. I preferred the Mai Tai. The Long Islay Iced Tea came in a really fancy glass. Service - Friendly. read more

*** In Short *** Fantastic(ally pricey) drinks, served up in a sleek bar hidden above China Live. *** In Depth *** It's rare for me to pay much attention to the decor of a venue, much less actually call it out, but when the bar you just walked into looks like something straight out of Blade Runner or Altered Carbon, how can you NOT admire it, just a little? And with its Mayan-like etched wall tiles, Chinese fast food neon lights, teleporter-like chandeliers, and gold trim all around, contrasted with a peculiar sense of grittiness, the place just screams cyberpunk. The cocktail program itself is solid too, focusing almost entirely on scotch, with ever-changing themes, much like Trick Dog: right now, in the spirit of Chinese New Year, they're serving up a dozen cocktails, one for each of the twelve Chinese zodiac animals. But, as one might have guessed by now, if not just based on their association to China Live, all of this comes at a cost: drinks here average $18-20, comparable to, if not more than, many $$$$ restaurants and hotels. So, while this may not be a place you want to frequent, it's certainly worth checking out for a special occasion, or with a date you're looking to impress. ***Accessibility Info*** Venue - The bar is a bit on the smaller side, with seating largely comprised of plush sofas and lounge chairs lining one side, and high top counter seating on the other. So while nothing is super accessible, if you move some of the coffee tables or chairs around, you can make do (this is a bit easier towards the very back). Bathroom - Didn't try them. read more

The drinks were good but the service was horrible (except for the asian bartender who was so nice and kind to us so the negative review does NOT apply to him). The waiter or bartender spilled alcohol all over my jacket and refused to apologize or help me. It ruined my jacket and he refused to help. I should've gotten a reimbursement. read more

I came here for the first time to meet my old co-workers for drinks. I passed the entrance a few times going back and forth because it's a little hidden. I don't want to give it away too much because I thought finding the entrance alone added to the experience lol definitely got that speakeasy vibe. The ambiance is really swanky and I love the Great Gatsbyish feel (at least that's what I was getting lol) - you almost forget you're in Chinatown! The place started picking up around 6:30ish on a Thursday but there were still plenty of seats available. The menu is a little overwhelming, but I feel there's an option for everyone whether you're a gin, whiskey, vodka, beer/wine, person. Whatever tickles your fancy, I'm sure they have an option for it which they put a special and unique twist to. I personally enjoyed the "sometimes old fashioned" that had duck fat in it. It wasn't over powering and all their cocktails have pretty presentations. It is a little on the pricier side averaging $18-22 per drink, so for me it's somewhere I'd go for pre-dinner drinks or something. We also tried the trio of taro chips and crunchy chewy duck fat caramel popcorn to munch on. The taro chips were definitely a hit, which came with green tea, spicy and garlic flavors - all were my favorite lol. The popcorn was an acquired taste as I feel like the duck fat came more of an after taste...think savory kettle corn. Not bad, but definitely not for everyone. But just like their drinks, they keep things exciting and unique! The ambiance alone is enough reason for me to come back and of course stay for the drinks. Would recommend for date night or small group gatherings! read more

Awesome chic speakeasy tucked away in a hotel/above a restaurant. Incredibly diverse and delicious cocktails. Shoutout to Angel our bartender she was wonderful. Make sure to reserve a spot beforehand though it's small and quite popular. read more

My friends and I came in for walk-in and wwew really lucky with our timing. They don't have standing room which I appreciate because it allowed for a more relaxed and vibe rather than cramped and rowdy. The fri ks were delicious and we loved the bar seating. I got a custom gin drink that was amazing and all their other cocktails were great too. Will definitely be coming back! read more

Cold Drinks Bar did an amazing job for a private event we hosted for Lunar New Year! Everyone had such a wonderful time and kept talking about how great the venue was. The whole team was incredible and went above and beyond to make our night memorable. Also a huge shoutout to Angel who rocked it at the bar. Thanks for a great evening! read more

Really cool atmosphere and yummy drinks, on the second floor straight ahead when you go upstairs.

5 Stars for Service, 4 Stars for Quality, and 3 Stars for Price! Came on a first date, and as I was running late, my date and the bartender (or mixologist?) thought I might like the Irishman. I thought it was well done, but not super exciting. My date tried two different drinks. The first one he wasn't super in love with, so he ordered a second. However, the bartender forgot about it, and when my date reminded him, he gladly jumped on it and said it was on the house! The second drink that my date ordered was "Always Varies....Never Misses." That was topped with some sort of peanut buttery toasted marshmallows. I was lucky enough to try one, and wow! I would recommend this drink if you're in the mood for something creamier and more like a dessert. Overall, the drinks were a bit steep but if you're planning on just enjoying one drink and you enjoy mixology, you can't go wrong here. read more

I was very much looking forward to celebrating our holiday party at this venue in a few weeks with my team. I've spent a lot of time at Shanghai 1930 and Betelnut in the past and was excited to support this venue as well but my reservation was as unceremoniously canceled with barely an apology. I get it - we got bumped by a buy out - but the person letting me know couldn't have been less gracious or polite. Now I'm left without a venue for our holiday cocktail party just a few weeks out and every other place is booked. So I guess if you do book here have a backup plan bc they might just cancel on you. read more

This place is the definition of classy class and is one of the coolest bars I've been to! I've honestly been looking for a bar like this in SF - that swanky, intimate, comfy-seating bar where the drinks are carefully crafted, ambiance is gorgeous, and you can expect to have a great conversation. I had only seen bars like this in NYC and wondered why such a place didn't exist in this fine city. And then lo and behold this spot opens up in North Beach above China Live! We came on a Thursday night so we found seating immediately. The bar is filled with lounge-like seating, which I absolutely LOVE and standard bar seats. There's a definite speakeasy / old-timey vibe and the decor is tasteful and classy (light fixtures are just gorgeous). I felt like I was transported to the 1920s. Drinks! They definitely serve high quality spirits, judging by the labels, with a focus on scotch in particular. The quality of the spirits, however, does mean that the drinks come at a premium price. Each drink ranges from $16 to $22 for the most part, with a couple spirit-focused ones priced even higher. So, it's definitely more expensive than most places in SF. But, you absolutely get what you pay for so I think it's okay to splurge once in a while for quality and I won't lower my stars based on price :). Go in knowing this and you won't be let down. I took a cocktail class once and I learned that the key to a great cocktail is balance balance balance. Anything that is overly sweet, sour, or spirit heavy is just not a well-made cocktail. Cold Drinks kills it in the balanced cocktail game! I ordered the Rule Breaker ($18) and my friend ordered their house special Sometimes Old-Fashioned ($16). Both drinks were incredibly smooth and well-balanced! The Rule Breaker was scotch-forward with a bit of tequila to provide smokiness, and had a touch of sweetness from the coconut and chocolate bitters. An extremely well made drink that I would highly recommend. The Sometimes Old-Fashioned was probably the best Old-Fashioned I've had and I order them 70% of the time so that's saying a lot. :) It was unique in that it had a touch of lime and had duck fat infused scotch - sounds weird but it was lovely and gave complexity! Head to Cold Drinks (perhaps before or after China Live) when you are feeling the need to splurge a bit or are just looking for that swanky atmosphere or incredible drink! read more

Cold Drinks Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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A cool bar, but what set this place apart for me is the bartenders. Was looking for a place to grab a drink as I was waiting for a dinner reservation. At first, I was hesitant to enter, as the entrance is a forboding door-- no sign, unless you could the decorative bats leading up to the door as a notice. However, push open the door with confidence and you will enter a luxurious bar where the bartenders are dressed up in white suits. Drinks are made with care, although that means it might get slow if its busy. When I was there, early in the evening, the place was half full. I opted to order the Sinister Occasion, which is a blend of several ingredients including banana liqueur, honey, chocolate, and yogurt. Sadly, this drink was pretty underwhelming. I was expecting them to use yakult for the yogurt, but instead they used Siggis, which while I love normally, was way too thick and over-powering. My drink tasted like yogurt, with an after-taste of banana and whisky. So why is this a 5 star experience? Well, about 15 minutes after I ordered my drink, I was notified that my table was ready for dinner. When I caught the bartender's attention to pay my tab, he asked me how my (still mostly full) drink was. I told him my honest opinion-- that it wasn't my favorite. His instant reply was to offer to make me a new drink, and when I opted not to because I had to leave and offered him my card, he refused to charge me. I wasn't expecting that at all-- the cocktails are pretty pricey, but I was prepared to eat the cost. Thank you to the bartender for being super kind. Service like that is hard to find. I'm sure there's something else on the menu that I'd like and you can rest assured that I will be back to try and find it. read more

Created a Yelp account and waited three full weeks to review this place. We came here on July 28, 2017 after our dinner at China Live, and this bar has now become one of my favorite bars in San Francisco. Would be very selfish of me not to share. DRINKS: There was no menu when we came and our chic bartender concocted the most delicious drinks based on our preferences. Our drinks did not disappoint. Fiancé's scotch cocktail was a twist on an old fashioned with duck fat. My scotch cocktail was tangy and refreshing with hints of tamarind and a coconut piña colada flavor. We did not want to leave after our first drinks so we ordered another round. Fiancé's second scotch cocktail was a slow-easy-to-sip type of drink with an orange peel. My second scotch cocktail was a beautifully-designed wine & scotch union (see pics). AMBIANCE: The nondescript entrance defined this bar speakeasy-esque. It felt like I was inside Jay Gatsby's mini, private lair. Music selection was top notch: played Passin' Me By-The Pharcyde when we walked in, and I recognized Killing Me Softly-The Fugees' when we left. read more

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i visited sf for my 21st and i was recommended here by a friend who used to live here so we went on the night of my birthday and it was so amazing as my first choice of an experience at a bar! The drinks were unique and definitely hand crafted. I was recommended the pineapple toasted coconut one can't remember the name but it was so delicious. Seriously ! And I hate the taste of actual booze. Too bad the kitchen wasn't open by the time we arrived cus me n my friend were hungry but we stuck through it until close since the vibe was so nice! I loved the vintage sort of art deco style that was present it was totally my style. The classiness and music were a great touch. The bartenders were really friendly, awesome and entertaining too I couldn't have had a better experience. I'll hopefully be back one day! read more

I was pleasantly surprised to find a hip speakeasy lounge in China town that had a NYC vibe to it. First off, it's hard to find because there are no signs and the entrance is on the 2nd floor with an unmarked door. You walk in and BOOM, you're hit with some beautiful decor. I'm not sure if it was because it was Monday night, but the place was pretty empty and the servers didn't seem interested. It took a while to get drinks and they were frankly just okay. This is a nice place to grab a drink with a small group of friends or a date. I would go back to see how it is on a busy night. read more

The art of the cocktail done right. This is a place for whiskey drinkers though wine beer and other spirits are offered. Ask the bar tender which flights are worth it. read more

This is like a cool secret speakeasy upstairs from China Live. We came through from Eight Tables while we were waiting for the rest of our party. It's an intimate space with cool decor that's classy without being too tacky. The drinks have an Asian flare but aren't too sweet. - Shanghai mai tai: not too tiki - it had a mix of bourbon and rum, and it was neither too sweet nor too tart - Sometimes old fashioned: the duck fat coats your tongue; it's spirit driven but well balanced They also have mint spa water, which is a nice touch. Prices are fairly standard for SF craft cocktails. I will definitely come back here for drinks! read more

Really cool bar with really cool drinks. It's on the second floor of China Live. My gf and I just went up the stairs and we had made a reservation beforehand. Once at the bar entrance, they checked our ID and vax cards then seated us. They gave us plenty of time for our reservation... 90 min. Their drinks were super great! Not a huge fan of the bar food as they were pricey but nothing super tasty so a bit underwhelming. Loved the ambiance though! Great decor and I'm pretty sure they were playing a generic lofi playlist from YouTube that I study to haha. Loved it nonetheless and we'll definitely come back. read more

I love a "secret" bar, and this one's got a special feel to it. Walk past the Chinese restaurant, up the stairs, and head on through that unassuming door--you're in the right place. Inside you'll find a haven that feels somewhere in between a boutique hotel bar and the set of Blade Runner. The decor is meticulous, unusual in places, and very smart. Speaking of meticulous, the cocktails seem very well thought through. I can't cope with strong drinks so I've always had the wine, which is beautiful. Staff are very attentive, topping up water and checking in, and the overall vibe is really special. A favorite I can't indulge in often, but certainly plan to be back again soon. Would be great for a date. read more

We came here for a drink after dinner downstairs. The Bartender was very knowledgeable, and although a Scotch Cocktail bar, their wines by the glass were of great quality. The decor and ambiance are tasteful, and the crowd was upmarket. I had requested Redbreast whiskey, but this is a true Scotch bar it was explained. they did have some nice Japanese and Taiwanese Whiskey as well. As others have noted on this site drinks are not cheap here, but it is truly of the proper quality to justify the pricing. read more

It's definitely pricey so be ready to drop $15 to $20-ish on a single drink. If you're waiting for your table at China Live this is definitely the best way to kill time. The decor/vibe of this bar is very retro, 70s Shanghai glam. The music isn't too loud (I honestly don't remember the music so it couldn't have been loud) and the bar is lit for ambiance aka its dark. This would be an ideal bar for date night with your boo or that 3rd date (you know what I'm talking about) so check it out! read more

Dark, smooth, glorious establishment with a bartender who's the best kind of nerd when it comes to all the crazy methods they use to create cocktails. Milk-washed scotch, duck fat infused whiskey, liquor masquerading as wine, and an incredible cocktail bar masquerading as the nondescript second floor of a Chinese restaurant. Have Kenny make you a Vieux Carre to find the best reason to make the trip to North Beach. read more

Cold Drinks is the coolest bar on Broadway right now. I am surprised it's not packed every time I'm there. It might be because it's tucked away upstairs above China Live. My friend looked at me incredulously and asked, "Are you sure there is a bar behind this door?" Yes, I'm sure. They have a great selection of scotch based cocktails and single malts (it's essentially an unpretentious Scotch bar). It's not cheap but try the Sprinkbank 15 year, neat. read more

Cold Drinks Bar - Can't go wrong with a mixed drink or a single malt - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We were surprised by the great custom cocktails, which you can't normally get at bars in SF. Simply tell the bartender your choice of base and the style you like. We especially love the Gin-based cocktails we had. The only complaint was the price is a bit pricey here and they don't serve food. read more

Told the waiter I like smokey, Islay style scotch. Recommended a $26 cocktail called pretty face. Cocktail had nothing to do with scotch, couldn't even tell it had whiskey in it; could have easily have guessed gin or vodka. Not a bad cocktail. But if I wanted lemon juice and simple syrup, I wouldn't pay $26 for a scotch cocktail here. Unfortunate. So the owner replied, that I was a hater, unless I left a big tip for a bad drink. That's an interesting logical jump. I walked in very excited, walked out as a detractor, and apparently ownership wants to double down instead of getting feedback from a scotch lover. read more

Secret entrance. Secret hallway I think... it all seems very art deco 1930s hollywood chinatown. The cocktails were amazing. And the bartender kept good company as did the owner. Gorgeous interior and staff was very professional. read more

You have to go here! My boyfriend and I had some of the best cocktails of our lives here. The drinks are more whiskey/bourbon focused, but even I (a non-whiskey/bourbon lover) found several options I enjoyed. I also liked how the bar was smaller in size - it didn't feel crowded or loud. The decor also featured super comfy couches and seating areas to hang out with friends. I would highly recommend this place! read more

Really nice speak easy place, also make sure to get a reservation before you visit usually the wait time for walk is 1-1.5 hr. the location is difficult to find though read more

Fun adventure finding the place. Good ambiance. Good drinks that you pay dearly for. Service by the 2 bartenders... no positive comments. Ruined the whole experience. read more

Great bar, amazing drinks and awesome vibes. Second floor and very secluded. Great little vibe! read more

Cold Drinks Bar - OAXAN PRINCESS! Amazing. Great bar with great vibes. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I was a fan when they served the French Concession, unfortunately they have since then, taken a lot of the items off their menu. Though the ambiance is always pleasant, I am no longer their biggest fan. I do think that their choice of liquor is no longer all top shelf. Maybe more around the mid-tier level. Less intricate detail to drinks for sure but still interesting and always with a Chinese twist. If you can afford it, you NEED to try 8 table's DRINKS section. tbh, the food was just okay but the drinks prepared by the "chef" was work every single penny. read more

Friendly staff, quick service, cool ambience, and yummy drinks! Had a Negroni and a coffee cocktail that hit the spot!