Very nice ambiance + great for a date. The drink menu is not overly exciting or creative. For having Ten specialty drinks, they should be more unique. read more

great drinks, great vibes. Favorite was the coconut johnnie walker drink! All of the drinks were super cool and well made read more

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

I've only had to send a drink back three times. Once was here unfortunately. I got the breakfast old fashioned. I'm a bit of a cocktail snob admittedly but my friends admitted it tasted like medicine. T he staff was comically slow - I had to go to the bar to ask for the swap after waiting 15 minutes or so. The bartender was also comically slow and I got my new cocktail maybe another 15 mins after that one - well after my friends were done so I had to drink alone. Sad! The other cocktail - something godfather - tasted good at the start but had an almost acidic finish. In the staffs defense they apologized a few times for the wait but I suppose when I'm in. A place that charges $20+ per drink, I have expectations for service and entitlement for feedback. I am also slightly shocked they didn't comp a drink given the bad experience (in their defense they did not charge for the one that was sent back). The ambiance is very dope, though I think the lighting is slightly too bright. read more

I could not recommend this bar more! The moment I stepped through the door, I felt like I was transported to another time. The service and drinks master this feel, making it easy to settle into a time when elegance and refinement were common place. read more

Last night, I met up with friends at this wonderful lounge. This bar is exactly what I have been looking for in San Francisco - Super sexy, low key, and nice. The ambiance is one sophistication but not stuck up. The lighting is very nice - a great place to take a date. The bartender Sacred (who is a friend of mine) makes fantastic drinks. He is a expert in creating a wonderful cocktail that not only looks great, but tastes fantastic. Highly recommend Cold Drinks, I will be back as soon as possible. read more

The way other reviews came off it seemed like a secret hidden bar, fairly exclusive. Instead it was pretty much outside the restaurant and we even saw a sign for a bar pointing to its direction. Will say that there is no specific sign that says "cold drinks" though. When we went in, it was super crowded and I guess the age demo was a little higher than we thought. Everyone was mid to late 30's probably older and it was really loud. One guy couldn't handle his liquor and was shouting but props to the bartender who spoke with him and quieted him down. The drink menu seemed pretty unique, saying that there was a lot of asian themed ingredients, for example sesame oil in one of them. I got an old fashioned which is on their classics menu and it tasted good, just didn't get any of the hints of those special ingredients. While the drinks are definitely a little more pricey, it's pretty in line with SF prices for a "unique" bar experience. Check this place out maybe on a weekday so you can experience a relaxed environment read more

Only had one person working behind the bar during prime time dinner hour. Waited over 30 minutes to get served and no one even took our order. For being such an expensive bar you would expect better service, especially since we had reservations. Glad we left before we actually ordered anything. read more

Came here last week on a date and wow, this place is amazing. The scotch selection is fantastic, cocktails were great and atmosphere is one of the best in San Francisco. This bar has it all for me, friendly knowledgeable staff that take the time to help you pick the right scotch for you and smiles all around. We had yong make us a few drinks that he is working on and they were some of the best I've had in my life, I seriously found myself wanting to talk to him more then my date haha! But in the end I can't recommend a better place to chill out and spend a few hours away from the daily grind. read more

Cool spot tucked away behind a secret-not-so-secret door in China Live. Check out "The Puff" - a wonderful scotch cocktail smoked in a box! read more

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

As a cocktail enthusiast, being disheartened that the cocktail revolution is mostly over, this place still impresses me. The ingenuity and quality of libations is incredible. Been here a few times and always excellent service however, my recent visit on a Monday night could have been better. Sacred (our bartender) was a VERY busy man (working solo for some reason) at 830 pm and gave us the best service he could. It seems one more bartender could have helped. I could tell Sacred wished he could provide better service and when things calmed down, it certainly showed. With my guest from Seattle, he picked up on our level of taste and really shined. What a great experience. He saved the day by giving excellent recommendations and talking shop with us. Definitely the best bar of my friend's visit. read more

Probably my favorite bar in SF right now. Dress classy and to impress! The drinks are inspiring and delicious as well. The duck fat old fashioned is super interesting for the daring ;) Also note that the cocktails here are a bit pricier than normal at $16-22 a pop (and you will probably want more than 1 here). Tip: To get here, go to the stairs to the right of China Live marketplace and follow the black crows up the stairs and to the entrance door. read more

Pricy. But good. All the drinks are scotch forward but truly delicious and the ambiance is great. Kind of a speakeasy (door is not marked) and located right above China Live on the second floor. Loved it because it wasn't crowded. Great music read more

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

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I'd been waiting in anticipation for this place to open as it's been on my radar for the past year and I've been lucky enough to see it go through all stages of transformation (blueprint, shell, completion). The result is a beautiful, well thought out lounge space that transports you out of San Francisco and reminds you of a swanky NYC spot. Located on the second level of China Live, Cold Drinks Bar is serving up some amazing cocktails. If you take a gander at the back bar you'll notice all the high caliber spirits they are using, so naturally the cocktails are going to be a bit pricer than most in SF. Is it worth it? Sure is. The night I visited had a special cocktail menu because a scotch supplier was featured and the bartenders whipped up three specialty cocktails based around their spirits. I ordered a cocktail with scotch, lime, mint and a few other ingredients that i can't remember but, it was fantastic. Best part, they chip off large pieces of ice from the block behind the bar. This way it doesn't dilute your drink too quick. Oh, I should note...the cocktail menu is scotch whiskey focused so, be prepared for the smoky notes of peat moss or honey notes from lighter style malts. read more

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

So great. Intimate, dark space that is very lounge-y feeling. Comfortable couches. Every drink is amazing. Unique cocktails that are incredible. Namely a whiskey bar and very heavy on whiskey drinks but I was very impressed with the 3 that I tried! read more

If Cold Drinks doesn't become one of SF's most popular bars within a year, I have no faith in people. It's one of those places you immediately want to tell people about while simultaneously keeping it all to yourself. I came here with a friend after dining at China Live downstairs. It's part of the larger China Live endeavor, but there's no clear sign or arrows directing you to it. Just walk right outside the dining area and up the stairs, then into the first door you see (gold with a black symbol). You'll enter a gorgeous, surprisingly large, art-deco themed space with a sleek black marble bar, tux-attired bartenders, and plenty of leather seating. The overall effect is glamorous without feeling over-the-top. Very different from your standard whiskey bar feel. Complementing that is the excellent service provided by everyone from hosts to bartenders, who treated us just as well as the next person despite our younger age (something I don't always find at other high-end bars). Cold Drinks is a scotch-centric cocktail bar, which I don't think I've ever seen executed well. I've been to some great scotch bars and some great cocktail bars, but never a combination of the two - likely because good scotch is generally best served alone. So I was surprised to find how well the scotch-based cocktails work here. Menu options are unique and were clearly carefully thought out. There really is something for everyone, from drinks that bring other strong spirits like mezcal into the mix (Sword Swallower, $18) to ones that keep it focused on the whiskey (Sometimes Old Fashioned, $16). We ordered these two and liked them both equally. All 5+ ingredients don't necessarily come out in each drink (for example, we couldn't really taste the duck fat infused into the scotch in our "Sometimes Old Fashioned"), but they all work together to make an excellent cocktail. If you sit at the bar, you can see the care and precision they take to craft each drink. Despite being very busy, the bartenders never looked like they were just rushing through orders. Each drink was carefully made and arranged, from mixing to garnishing. The one thing that might deter people from coming here is the prices. Drinks start around $16 and go up from there, but in my opinion, they're well worth it. I would love to come back the next time I'm in the city, and I can't wait to see Cold Drinks become recognized as one of the best bars in the area. read more

This place has the best cocktails in the city, bar none. The atmosphere is swanky and classy. Great spot for a date, meeting up with friends, or if you just want a top tier cocktail. Though everything I had was wonderful the coconut cocktail (whose name I can't recall) was the highlight read more

Fantastic cocktails said my friends who had a bunch of different drinks. My friends liked the scotch based drinks esp. The bar tender was a great guy , he made us two free drinks for us to taste and both were decent. I was on my no alcohol day and I requested for a surprise mocktail and he delivered beyond expectations. read more

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20s vibe, speakeasy. This spot is hidden on the second floor by a discreet door off the left of the elevators. The space is darkly lit, with a long bar along the right, and lounge booths to the left. Drinks are on the pricy side but that comes with the vibe and the space. This is a nice date spot, but don't come here hoping to get sloshed. There wasn't a ton of alcohol in their cocktails. read more

Paying $16 for a drink usually means you're in one of three situations: 1) you're getting ripped off at some hipster bar or tourist trap. 2) you are paying a fair price for a painstakingly handcrafted, beautifully designed, complex and layered cocktail where each sip is savored, kind of like a meal but with the bonus of catching a little buzz. 3) you're drinking out of a yardstick in Vegas Cold drinks definitely falls under #2. I've been to several $16 cocktail bars in SF where after placing my order I've watched the bartender pour my cocktail out of a pitcher. Yeah I get that you probably sell a lot of them and it's faster but can you at least pretend I'm getting a better product than the $5 red solo cup I bought to drink jungle juice out of in college? I'm obsessed with drinks that have a cream element be it egg whites or yogurt and I also love my drinks to have a spicy kick (which a lot of these do) so sinister occasion was basically made for me. My boyfriend got nothing sacred. Our drinks were delicious, beautifully presented, and had a lot of depth. I like my $16 cocktails to have beginnings, middles, and ends as different flavors reveal themselves to you through the sip, and these did not disappoint on that end. The space is also gorgeous and China live downstairs is a fun place to peruse before or after your visit. While pricy, a $16 cocktail at cold drinks is totally worth it and definitely something I definitely don't regret. Wish I could say the same about the yardstick in Vegas. read more

Perfectly sexy, throw-back, art deco lounge paired with unique creative scotch driven elixirs which melt in your mouth made by an veteran team of bar tenders. The long bar is balanced next too intimate groups of speakeasy seating. Each section works for multiple couples or for small groups. The ambience and noise level is perfect for easy conversation without having to huddle. The light creates a warm blue and yellow glow that perfectly lights the room without being harsh. The creative list of unique drinks range from rich, to spicy, to takes on classics. The deep and wide range of scotch and other brown liquors provides the basis for the mixed cocktails, the adult "ups", and deep drink inspired conversation. The fresh asian spices present both eye-candy and drink depth and complexity. Led by breakout player-manager, Calvin, the mixologist team including Eric, Oscar, Josh and others come from outstanding drink programs such as Michael Minna and Novella. Go for pre, post or the entire night, I am sure it will be a perfect part of your plans. read more

Came here on a Tuesday night with a friend to check out what this bar is all about, heard some raving reviews from co workers.. Walked into this bar and spotted a familiar face, the bartender Derrick! He was our favorite from another bar and we used to go see him during their happy hour 2-3 days a week haha.. so happy to see him again, he made a few drinks for me and my friend and as usual, they were lovely! He's super professional and very nice and friendly, will definitely come back often to drink his creations! This place is pretty awesome, love the decor! Price is a bit higher than your neighborhood bar but for the atmosphere they created here, I think it's worth it occasionally. Definitely worth checking out! read more

Hands down best cocktails & lounge in SF. Sacred is the best bartender I've ever met--yes, that's his name. His drinks literally are sacred. Always offering a different experience of beautifully crafted cocktails leaving me beautifully buzzed. read more

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Really cool location, secret entrance. The decoration is awesome and the couches are comfortable to hang out. The drinks have a very nice presentation but they are kind of expensive. read more

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

A bit of a hidden gem - this is on the second floor of a Chinese restaurant marketplace so from the outside it's not obvious where to go. Once you find it, the bar itself is gorgeous - great lighting, comfy couches and wonderful ambience. Bar tenders really know their stuff - although they have an extensive whiskey list you really have to try one of their creative cocktails - completely unique and very thoughtfully made. The drinks are expensive but also strong. Highly recommend this spot as a pre-dinner or or last drink of the night location. read more

We stopped here for drinks early one evening and sat at the bar. There are also couches available. Service was good. read more

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

This is probably my favorite bar in the city. The place is stunning with great music and an amazing staff. Walking distance from the financial district. Please ask for Sacred, he makes the most amazing cocktails. read more

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

Wow, what a hidden gem! Went here last night with a friend. I thought he was taking me to some brothel or something, on the 2nd floor of a building in China Town SF. Opened this random door and inside is a nice, classy, luxury lounge. Kind of like a sexy 70's retro decor. Drinks were around $15-20, but they were so well made and worth it and made for sipping and not pounding. Loved the atmosphere, drinks and great place to catch up with a friend. read more

Above the China Live Marketplace is Cold Drinks Bar. It has a cool vibe with amazing drinks presented beautifully. You can tell the bartenders what you like and they mix something yummy for you. Cocktails are on the pricier side but it's worth it. Hang out at the bar and chat with the bartenders - they're awesome. Thanks Sacred, Josh, Tony and Yong for the great drinks! read more

Extremely nice interior. Drinks were great but very expensive. Not much it a crowd on an early Friday night. Great old music and vibes. Unique drink offerings. read more

Love this place - I always take people from out of town here when they visit. The selection of scotch is awesome, and the cocktail menu has no weak links at all. (My favorite was "Nothin Sacred," but it seemed to be gone last time I was there) My most recent visit was probably the best one so far. It was surprisingly pretty busy for being so late on a Monday, but just getting to watch Sacred create drinks is incredible. Despite the crowds, he manages to put so much love into every drink - from the pours all the way to the garnish. He never looses his cool, and always makes sure you're taken care of. Can't recommend this place enough. read more

Great bartenders. High quality cocktails. One of the best cocktail bars in the city. Hands down.

I love this place! First came on a Tuesday night after dinner at nearby Bund Shanghai (keeping with the Shanghainese theme that evening). Wasn't crowded at all, and in fact basically had the bartender Sacred(sp?) to ourselves; he was fantastic. He made delicious drinks that were so creative based on what I and my friend requested, and seemed to have a great time flexing his creative bartending skills. At that time they didn't even have the bones of a menu so it was truly a custom experience. They had Peking duck flavored popcorn as a bar snack, which was delicious and a good foil to the spirit-heavy drinks. Showed up again a few days later on Thursday with a friend. TLDR what was going to be a catch-up drink ended up being the entire night having one of the best nights in SF I've ever had. All of the bartenders were great - Oscar, Yong, Josh. It was still relatively easy to get a drink, so I'm guessing weekdays are the way to go. Friend had the duck fat-washed Old Fashioned which was really tasty. I started with the Shanghai mai tai which was delicious, then switched to something more spirit forward. In short, get thee to the bar as quickly as you can. You won't regret it! Fair warning, it is pretty pricey even beyond the SF standard, but everything is obviously quality. The decor is also spot-on with the vibe they're going for, and the music playlist is even good. read more

Absolutely loved this "secret" bar above China Live. The bourbon cocktails they design are extremely creative and absolutely delicious. The theme is designed after Blade Runner and the vibe is very calm and relaxing. My five friends and I were able to sit comfortably on their couches and enjoy the jazzy music (current hits that are reformatted to be jazz). Highly recommend also trying the "baked buns". We had them downstairs at China Live and ordered them AGAIN because they were so fantastic. read more

Walked in to this place casually dressed after coming back from a concert and the bartender (dressed in a vest) decided that clearing an area was more important than simply sending us to the bar which she eventually did. We stood there just watching him fluff pillows and wipe the area down. He eventually took our drink order and walked away for several minutes, come back grab more dishes and left again before starting even starting our beverages. We decided to leave after I checked with my girlfriend to see if it was just me who felt dismissed. Mind you there was approximately. 3 other small and medium sized groups in the entire bar. He came down to attempt to apologize and I tried to explain the situation. He said "I'm sorry that you don't like the way that I work" after telling me that the big party took priority over us. His non-apology poor service and lack of ability to attempt to understand where the customer was coming from was enough to complete me to write a review. I don't think we've been treated that way if we had been dressed nicely just disappointing. The drinks sounded incredible and I was looking forward to the old fashioned with duck fat washed bourbon. I thought it would be a good conversation for the bar tender, however the owners response made it seem as though others that aren't dressed really well and or/ young ladies might be treated this way going forward. read more

The place looks better in photos than in person. With that being said, it's an good bar if you're in the area. Very nice and quiet. Scotch/whiskey cocktails are strong and average $20 Our tab of 4 cost $92 pre tip. I'd come back, but I won't go out of my way for this place. read more

This place is an interesting hidden bar above China Live that's definitely worth visiting at least once. We walked in around 830 on a Friday night, and the place was pretty empty, so we had tons of space to spread out. It wasn't loud, so we could actually have a conversation without shouting. The drinks are some of the most expensive I've seen in San Francisco. And that might have been ok if they had been fantastic, but ours were very average. Overall, Cold Drinks Bar has a cool ambiance and is a nice place to hang out, but there are better places to get a drink in North Beach. read more

Came here because we heard the atmosphere was cool. Apparently loosely modeled after the bar in "Blade Runner", or so we were told, this bar is interesting. With sleek Asian decor, bartenders dressed in black and white tux suits, and comfortable couch seating throughout, you definitely feel regal here. We came by twice on our trip to San Francisco with two completely different impressions (one great, on meh). Our first visit was on a Saturday night, second on a Monday night. Clearly Saturday night was more busy, but not packed. We had a very friendly bartender up for some good conversation. They were steady, but not busy, as I would expect for a cool bar on a Saturday night. Nonetheless, we enjoyed our evening, had a few beautiful and tasty drinks and decided to return Monday before leaving town. Interestingly, we were the only customers with just one bartender. The conversation was a little more forced, leaving us feeling awkward. We left after one drink. The drinks are pricey here, but well made and not just a standard spirit with a mixer. You will find beautiful garnishes, interesting bitters and herbs being used. Clearly crafted cocktails. My only complaint with the drinks is that on Monday night, my "Al's Cut" was advertised as being made with Botanist Gin, but I saw the bartender use Bombay Sapphire. For an $18 cocktail, I expect the better gin. Go here for a drink, maybe two and make up your own mind. it's an interesting experience. read more

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Not that special. Nice interior and good drinks but no food and they wouldn't let me order a pizza for our group. Drinks are also in the $18 range. This place is the opposite of "down-to-earth". read more

To get to Cold Drinks Bar, go through the door on the right near the entrance of China Live and go all the way up the stairs to the second floor. You will find a door that leads to a super swanky bar with Gatsby-esque vibes. The decor and mood of the bar is nice - especially if you're feeling ~fancy~ with your group of friends. It's pretty small and it was pretty jam packed when my friends and I came here a little after 9 PM on a Friday. All of the tables and couches were taken and instead we were crammed against the bar with only 2 of us having seats. The drinks were tasty but kind of pricey, even for SF prices and also somewhat outrageous considering it's in the smack dab middle of Chinatown. Nevertheless, it's a gorgeous little bar with solid cocktails that you can chill at either before or after your meal at China Live. I would highly recommend coming by earlier if you want to sit down at table or couch. read more

This place is amazing. The decor is unbelievable and the drinks are unique and well crafted. read more

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