Cold Drinks Bar Photos
Cold Drinks Bar Popular Drinks
COLD DRINKS BAR ATMOSPHERE
More like Cold Drinks Bar
Recommended Reviews - Cold Drinks Bar
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
Cool spot for drinks & appetizers before you start or end the night. The service was great, bartenders gave recommendations. Reservation is recommended because the place gets busy (it's not too big). Check it out
Came here with a friend for pre-dinner drinks and it was a great experience! We came here around 5:15pm and were able to snag some seats at the bar right away. Service and Staff: - Ordered our drinks at the bar after discussing potential options with the bartender (helpful) - If you come during happy hour time (5-6pm), you get a complimentary bar bite with the purchase of 2 adult beverages (excluding caviar) Food and Drinks: - Montenegro: wanted something in a similar-ish vain to a pisco pinch, so got the Montenegro. It was fun, fruity, and what I needed - Sometimes Old Fashioned: my friend ordered this and really enjoyed it. As someone who doesn't like whisky or an old fashioned, I thought this was pretty good. - Lobster Imperial Roll: comes with six slices and a generous amount of lobster in each slice. The sauce on top was great as well Miscellaneous: - Coat rack in the front available for use - Bathrooms are located outside and down the hall a bit - Elevator or stair access to the bar - Good for groups of one to about seven (thinking how many could comfortably sit on a couch in each "section") - Could be cute for a small office party
Nice ambience! Lots of moody wood and velvet plush sofas. The drinks were good (standouts included the Montenegro and Silk Degrees, which is like a smoky version of a piña colada) and the bartenders were very friendly. We could walk in and get seats without a reservation on a Friday night, which was fantastic.
Stopped by on a whim on a Saturday before a dinner reservation and was able to be seated immediately. We were just a party of 2, got there a few minutes after opening and we weren't staying long so they were able to accommodate us. Unsure how packed this bar gets into the night, but it was easy to get seated early on. The bar is located above China Live and owned by the same establishment. I've gone to China Live a few times but did not know about this bar until recently! I really liked the ambiance; it feels sophisticated and classy with the mood they set with the lighting, furniture, and spacing. A great spot for a date. I ordered the tuscan spritz, and it was fine. The cocktail was on the light, refreshing side but as a result it didn't do much for me. Didn't taste much of the alcohol but I guess that's most spritz's. Pricing is a bit high, but you should expect it since this is a 3 dollar sign bar. I'd come again if in the area and try some of their other, stronger drinks.
I really dig this place, the few times I've gone have always been a pretty nice time. Went on a date here last time and coupled with the good playlist, I was having a ball. I left out one star because the drinks imo are a bit too pricey but other than that, it's usually very accessible and a fun place to get a pregame going. Service was pretty prompt and nice too, guy offered to take a picture of me and boo because we kept taking obnoxious ones of ourselves but we humbly declined lol. I'd definitely come back sometime.
We had an amazing time last night! Our bartender (forgive me but I didn't catch her name) was super nice and attentive. We also loved all the drinks that we had Silk Degrees, Smoke On The Water, Montgomery Street Shuffle (ordered this drink a few times!), and Sometimes Old Fashion. We love the overall vibe of the place. We highly recommend making a reservation as this place gets packed especially on a Saturday.
Walked in at about 8:30pm without a reservation on a Wednesday night. We were immediately sat at the bar. Very cozy and intimate atmosphere. They have a really great cocktail menu and extensive whiskey selection. Will definitely be back!
We love coming out of our way come to Cold Drinks Bar, one of our regulars now :). Great whisky selection. It's also a treat to see our favorite bartender Derek!
Good vibes inside and very attentive servers. I also like how it's quieter so you can actually hear people talk The drink that stood out the most for me was the silk degrees you cant taste the alcohol at all and it's so smooth. i love the rice taste and burnt coconut chips on top are so good. I would literally come back just for this drink.
Delicious drinks, a beautiful interior, and friendly, efficient service. The drinks aren't out of this world creative, but it's a bar that I would be happy to go to again.
I wouldn't quite call this a speakeasy since it's just up the stairs from China Live, but the ambiance is quite swank with a very high-end cocktail vibe. Having arrived just after opening, we were the only customers in the bar when we were seated. I ordered the Sometimes Old Fashioned while my partner ordered the Oaxan Princess. The Sometimes Old Fashioned was an interesting rendition on the classic cocktail, and had a lot of complex flavors from the duck fat washed scotch, black pepper and mushroom. The Oaxan Princess was interesting as well, and had a nice smokiness from the mezcal that was balanced nicely with the sweetness from the Lilet Rose and Maraschino liqueur. Overall, the drinks were good, but a bit steep price wise.
Cold drinks bar is a vibey, warm atmosphere that's very young and hip. The music isn't too loud and the crowd is very fun. One of my favorite cocktails of all time is the Silk Degrees which is a toasted coconut and pineapple based drink. You wouldn't think it's flavorful at first glance but the depths of flavor will blow you away. Servers are very attentive and the bartenders are the coolest around. Will gladly gatekeep this place if it means I get a seat whenever I arrive!
What a hidden gem in Chinatown. Great ambiance, great drinks, great service! Would definitely be back.
4 years ago
This place is absolutely amazing. The cocktails were so intricate and refined. I could barely taste the liquor in it. It's a wonderful atmosphere inside, great place to sit back to chat with friends. Service was great as well, super attentive and welcoming. No complaints. read more
Business owner information
George C.
My fav bar too…been over all the Top 50 bars almost in the would :)…
4 years ago
We loved this bar! It's perfectly hidden away, the vibe is cozy and high end. The drinks are delicious, I got the Rabbit New Year one, I was a bit skeptical about the greek yogurt, but it was extremely good and refreshing (it's like a hint of greek yogurt, you can barely notice it) and I also got an Omakase. I asked for a sweet drinks with strawberries and rum, the bartender killed it. Will definitely come again :)) read more
Business owner information
George C.
We like to create but it’s done with a lot of care and experience :)
2 years ago
Really a 3.5: They definitely use higher quality ingredients and liquors. However, their drinks are already on the higher end and then they add a 20% service charge + 5% health mandate, so it comes out to be quite a bit more expensive. For two cocktails, one being an old fashioned, it was $51. I do think the bartenders are really attentive to detail and have an art to their drinks, but I'm not sure that the entire experience justifies that price. read more
San Francisco Chinatown May 2022 Walk Grant or Stockton through Chinatown until you hit Broadway, then cross the street, and you're there. To find the actual location and entrance is a little bit more tricky but this is not a secret speakeasy kind of place, it's actually more of an unexpected pleasure. Follow the bats. They say they serve Scotch-centric cocktails and snacks from 8 Tables by George Chen. The house cocktails and glassware are good. The bartenders have their mise en place together and craft cold drinks efficiently without taking shortcuts. If you want to enjoy straight brown spirit you can try one of their Scotch flights. Not feeling like cocktails? There are alternatives to boozy cocktails and straight spirits. My idea of coming to a good cocktail bar for wine or beer or mocktails is like having chicken or asking for vegan alternatives in a seafood restaurant ... but I understand it if you're there only for the atmosphere or company. And speaking of food ... China Live is downstairs so don't come here looking to put together a meal with your drinks. The interior overlooks Broadway and there are nice plush sections where a bunch can sit together. The bar is divided in two so there are two working stations and you'll get proper attention if you choose to sit there. It is not a large space so a make a reservation if you can plan ahead. Don't be upset if you're turned away or ignored when they're busy. A proper casual jacket is a good look here but this is San Francisco ... they'll accept you even if your edgy fashion is college grunge or TikTok shop-at-Ross. Just remember to follow the bats. read more
Business owner information
George C.
Funny insightful review…couldn’t have said it better! Chef Chen
2 years ago
What a great way to spend time with friends after a great dinner at north beach. Definitely coming back for their cocktails and everyone enjoyed their drinks! Love it so much and the staff was very friendly and attentive :) read more
Business owner information
George C.
Glad you found us….thank you!
Fun slightly hidden spot above China Live. Drinks are creative, the neon signs and batman photo are fun, the service is helpful and friendly. read more
Business owner information
George C.
They used to call me The Bat so thanks :). Chef Chen
1 year ago
4 years ago
To begin our night, our friend recommend this place which was above the very popular China Live restaurant. The vibes here are totally fancy and speakeasy-like; I was very pleasantly surprised about how awesome the interior was since it looked nothing like this on the outside. We got one of the whiskey flights as well as a couple of the famous "Sometimes Old Fashioned". The flight came with the bottles (for show, though we jokingly thought we could just keep pouring) so that you can read and understand what you're drinking. The cocktail (for which they're famous for) was very delicious and subtle. I can see this as a fantastic place to come with a group of friends to chill or to have a date night! read more
Business owner information
George C.
We do it the ‘personal way’ as you described! Thanks!!
8 months ago
It is easy to miss this bar. It is on 2nd floor of what appears to be mixed used building. Seating is on comfortable sofas or sofa chairs. The drink menu is out of this world with some of the most creative cocktails I have seen. I tried the rabbit year resolution which included rum, pineapple juice, lime, compari and guess what Greek yogurt. The taste is unique but perfectly blended ingredients. Nothing less than 5 stars. read more
Business owner information
George C.
My wife Cindy’s favorite drink …you must be ann my amazing too :)
This bar has such a nice ambiance, very classy yet you don't need to dress up for it. It's a great bar for a date night! The drinks are super strong but on the pricier side (~$20). I give it a star down because of the food. We got their Mala chicken wings but it did not have an ounce of mala flavor kind of tasted like bbq. Also ordered their Peking duck fat popcorn but it just tasted like caramel ): read more
3 years ago
Business owner information
George C.
Always ‘Omakase’ here means our incredible mixologists can make you…
4 years ago
Though I've been to the restaurant China Live before, I had never been to the connected Cold Drinks Bar before and was curious to check it out. We came on a Sunday night so thankfully it wasn't too crowded and we just waited around 5 minutes to get seating for a group of 5. I have to say, the interior is quite striking and I was really impressed by the decor. While the space itself isn't the largest, it is very well designed and it definitely looked like a lot of effort was put into curating the space. For my drink, I decided to get the Silk Degrees and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It had such an interesting smoky flavor to it, and as a fan of sweeter drinks it really went down smoothly. It was probably one of the most unique cocktails that I've had in a bar, and I would highly recommend it if you aren't a big fan of bitter drinks. If you are, they also have a wide variety of drinks to satisfy your cravings. We also received some free shots (as someone had ordered a round for the whole bar apparently), which was a nice bonus. If you're looking for a luxury bar to check out for some great drinks, Cold Drinks Bar is the place to go! read more
3 years ago
Clarified Milk punch review Rabbit year resolution (still.on menu from last time) Worthy Park rum, pineapple, campari, lime, Pea flower tea, Greek yogurt. This was a fun riff on the jungle bird. The purple color from the Pea flower tea really gives it a unique esthetic. The campari was very balanced and mellowed out by the clarification. Great cocktail. The silk degrees still on menu and is always smooth and delicious. read more
Business owner information
George C.
Milk Wash King…nice to have you in :)
High 3 stars for me! The best thing about this place is the ambiance that . The speakeasy is dark and dimly lit inside and provides a super upscale environment. Service was standard but I could tell the bartenders were super knowledgeable with the menu and drinks. I could also tell they use higher quality and premium ingredients for their drinks. Personally, I just didn't think it was worth it. Prices are a bit higher than your average bar which is fine given the premium ingredients and upscale environment, but it also comes with an automatic 20% service charge. With that automatic charge, I hoped to love my drink but I thought it was ok. Overall the ambiance and interior is a perfect, the service is good, but the value just isn't there for me. If you're super knowledgeable around spirits and a connoisseur, then I'd say this place perfect. If you're more on the casual side like me, I'd pass. read more
Loved this place. It's right above China Live. Follow the bats until you see the golden door. It's a super high end cocktail bar. Not huge, but we were able to get seats at the bar on a Saturday night after only waiting a few minutes. Specializes in whiskey, but the mixologists can make you drinks with pretty much any spirit you might desire. read more
Business owner information
George C.
Yes! Always Omakase…we take mixology seriously. Sone of the best…
It's a chill and more intimate vibe. The cocktails here are definitely on the pricier side with an automatic 20% service fee. Montenegro - I've never had a drink with five spice in it before but it wasn't bad. It's pretty unique. Wild Honey Pie - tasted like a fruity cocktail you can get anywhere else so I'd recommend trying something unique at this price point. It's still a solid cocktail. read more
Swanky cocktail bar above China Live, just down the hallway from 8 Tables. We made a reservation (recommended for weekends) and our group of 4 was seated in a nice large area which could easily fit 2 more. Really like how they kept everyone socially distant and checked vaccination status. Cocktails were on the pricey side -- averaging $20, plus they have a nice selection of whiskey flights. A small snack menu was also offered. I ordered: - Silk Degrees ($22): Coconut washed Johnny Walker Black, coconut, pineapple. Nothing wrong with this but it could have been benefitted with more layered flavors at this price point. 3/5 - Ma La Chicken Wings ($15): Barely any ma or la flavors here. Wings were deboned which made them easier to eat. Maybe a tad of ma (numbing) but definitely can have more punch. 3/5 - Peking Duck Fat Popcorn ($8): the pieces of popcorn honestly looked like shrimp chips, they were so large! Mild flavor but the duck fat gave them an interesting umami flavor. 4/5 - Sichuan Edamame Beans ($9): these beans tasted likely were boiled in the same flavorings as Chinese boiled peanuts, namely with lots of star anise and soy sauce, and with a touch of Sichuan peppercorns. While we appreciated the strong flavor, we also wished it was a bit more unique. 3.5/5 My friends ordered the Sometimes Old Fashioned which received so-so reviews, and the Recovery Milk Punch which received better reviews. Perhaps we were influenced since we went to True Laurel after this which had much better cocktails, plus service at Cold Drinks Bar was a bit slow too. We love the space but not sure we'll return. read more
Business owner information
George C.
Geez…I give this review 3.5/5 too :)
2 years ago
Business owner information
George C.
Thanks…we spend a lot of time with the mixology and glad you found…
4 years ago
Cold Drinks Bar wasn't planned on our itinerary, but I'm very glad we stumbled in here. It's a much cooler bar than the name would suggest. The decor and ambience are both on point. Service was great too. I'm really not a cocktail person, but I felt inspired to order the Peruvian Satchel. It was delicious. Although a little pricey, the quality of their drinks and the elevated atmosphere make it worth it. If you are in the area looking for a nice bar to grab a drink at, this place definitely figures to be one of the best options. read more
Business owner information
George C.
Exactly the quiet point…thank you!
3 years ago
Business owner information
George C.
Sat…any night! Thank you! Chef Chen
2 years ago
Business owner information
George C.
Thanks Morgan…glad you found us cool intimate bar :)
2 years ago
A super cool and classy speakeasy hidden away in Chinatown just on top of China Live. If you don't know about this place, you just might never find it. Walk pass China Live and up the stairs, follow the bats on the wall, and you will find yourself in front of a large gold door. Open this door and you will get transported out of SF and into a trendy bar in Asia. The interior is really nice, dimly lit, a little glitzy. Love the black and gold contrast. Definitely worth a post on IG. We got lucky with bar seating so we were able to see our drinks being made. Prices are a bit steep, but you're paying for the ambiance. I ordered the Harry "Starlite" while he ordered a "Unplugged" and "Sometimes Old Fashion". I enjoyed mine, but he was just okay with his. He thinks they are a little too watered down and might have sat in ice for too long. He later ordered a shot of Dalmore Cigar Malt and he enjoyed it. They have a wide selection of scotch which made him happy. They also have a few of the high end bottles here if you are into these. The only downside to our whole experience was our bartender was drunk and slurring her words the entire time which I found to be unprofessional. She still made our drinks fine, but just seeing her knocking down things and kept forgetting our order just didn't quite made me feel like it's worth the premium cocktail prices we're paying, and also made the whole vibe felt well... less enjoyable. read more
Recently visited this bar above China Live and was thoroughly impressed by the creative drink selection and fantastic vibes. The "Sometimes Old Fashioned" deserves a special mention - it's hands down one of the best drinks I've ever had. read more
3 years ago
Must try bar in SF Chinatown. I recommend coming earlier to avoid the long waitlist. All of the lounge areas were reserved, but they seemed like a great place to hangout with a group. We ordered the Sometimes Old Fashioned (founder's cocktail!) and the Strawberry Fields Forever. Sometimes Old Fashioned tasted pretty standard, and I didn't love the bitter hint of Strawberry Fields Forever. I would still recommend both drinks though - just depends what you like! Definitely coming back again to try the rest of the menu. read more
Business owner information
George C.
They’re subtle….never sweet. Thank you!! See you soon. Chef Chen
Want to feel like you're in the know? Have a thing for high end cocktails? Looking for a place that can mix with scotch? Maybe you just finished dinner at China live and don't want the night to end? No matter what the reason, make sure to check out cold drinks bar. Walk right past the hostess for China live and go up the stairs to your right. Once up a level you'll see an unmarked door. Pause there, mask up, provide your info, then get ready for a great night. I had 4-5 cocktails which really means I had 7 but who's counting. I started on the menu - everything perfectly balanced. Then I just started talking to the tender. He spun up some off menu attractions (I love interesting plays on Negronis and Manhattans) and then we shared a mescal shot. The vibe here is ultra cool so come dressed to impress with an open mind to higher prices. The decor is mid-century meets art deco with a splash of neon. read more
Business owner information
George C.
Man…you can drink :). Thank you!
5 years ago
I'm not sure if we had bad luck the Friday night we went out, but this place did not live up to our expectations based on all the great Yelp reviews. We were late for our reservation but they were nice enough to get us seated right away. The vibe was a bit pretentious so I didn't feel welcomed in there. The drinks are also very pricey but stronger than other bars. We got the Oaxan Princess ($18) which was very strong so I felt like I was sipping on a shot. read more
5 years ago
My friend brought us here for real good drinks. It's similar to a speak easy bar but not exactly is. This bar definitely has a lot of Asian influences- which they mix five spice, duck fat... in the cocktails. I just love to taste the complexity of each drink and how they balance the flavors. I recommend you to stop here to give a try, it's like a place to have a drink experience. You can taste the personality of the bar and the bartenders. read more
Business owner information
George C.
Glad you found us…don’t be a stranger!
2 years ago
Been here a couple of times and every time it gets better. Great service, great ambiance, great drinks and great location. If you're looking for drinks on the sweeter end, I'd recommend the Cindy and the Sometimes Old Fashioned. The Cindy's base is vodka but has a sweet & tart taste w/ a fusion of fruit juices and bitters. The Sometimes Old Fashioned is your standard old fashion but a little sweeter because it's mixed w/ cane sugar. If you're w/ a group of 6 or more call and check-in ahead. The bar is very small and may be limited for large groups. read more
5 years ago
The decor here is on point! Came here on a Wednesday, didn't have reservations but still no wait. Sat at the bar, ordered a few cocktails (they were strong but still tasty) and the bartender gave all 3 of us free champagne since it was one of our friend's birthday. Cocktails on the pricier side ($16+) but expected nothing less in sf. Great vibes Amazing service 10/10 would come again read more
8 years ago
After dinner downstairs at China Live, headed up to this awesome little bar upstairs. I was digging the decor (minus the neon signs on the wall) and the vibe. My advice, get there early. We were able to score a couch spot on a Thursday night at 8:00, but about an hour later the place was packed. They seemed to be understaffed, so by the time the tables starting filling up it was impossible to get another drink. We ended up moving to an open space at the bar, which was the best idea we had all night. Met the bartender (wish I could remember his name) who was an absolute delight! We chatted about our flavor palettes and he made some great recommendations (try the milk-washed cocktail, and ask how it's done - it's fascinating!) and he customized a drink for me that was spot on! I'll be back again to try their other cocktails... but maybe on a random weeknight to avoid the crowds! read more
3 years ago
We had drinks at the bar on Friday night. I have been to cold drinks many times pre COVID. First time back post COVID. The service was atrocious. And the service did not mention that a 20% gratuity was included lead us to double tip. We called and left a voicemail for the bar on Sat morning. We also send an email and no one has contacted us. Previous reviews on Yelp state that others have experienced this as well. This maybe a common practice to trick customers to tipping more. At the very least they should notify guests that the tip is included. We would appreciate someone contacting us please. read more
Business owner information
George C.
It’s on the menu and on the check! If we’re there to ‘trick’ guests,…
More info about Cold Drinks Bar
644 Broadway
San Francisco, CA 94133
North Beach/Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill
Directions
(415) 788-8188
Call Now
Visit Website
http://chinalivesf.com
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Services
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
Cold Drinks Bar Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Cold Drinks Bar
Would I need a reservation for 2 if we wanted to visit around 5:00 pm on a Saturday for a pre-dinner drink?
Hello! Not usually, but always good to make one through our website.…
Do they offer any food or snacks?
We offer some Taro/potato chips on the house but will start snacks starting about early Nov so you will be able to nosh while enjoining our great drinks :)
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
6 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
3 years ago
9 years ago
5 years ago
9 years ago
7 years ago
2 years ago
