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My friends brought me here as a first outing in San Francisco for my birthday and it did not disappoint! The vibe was very calm and it was not too crowded. The cocktail selection was quite unique and I wanted to try them all, but I settled on one since they all seemed pretty strong - not a bad thing though! I just have to make sure to return and try more. =)
Cute place to grab a drink! Came here on a Friday at about 8:00 PM. They check your IDs at the door. The inside is pretty dim but very clean and modern. I love the logo of the restaurant, it gives the bar a very artsy feel and decorates the front of the menu as well as the coasters (with some additionally designs as well). The music choice complemented the environment well, though sometimes it sounded a bit more experimental and loud which made it hard to hear. I got the Strange Paradise cocktail. The passion fruit is the dominant flavor, but the blueberry amaro is interesting and not overly sweet. A bit on the pricey side, but I guess that's how much drinks cost now in SF. The service was great -- waitstaff were always checking in on us. It is quite loud inside, so it was sometimes hard to hear conversation. I liked the ambiance and would come back again if I was in the area.
The ID Security person was reading Sylvia Plath's semi-autobiographical novel "The Bell Jar" with a clip-on-booklight when we handed her our IDs, and that should tell you everything you need to know about this hidden gem. It takes itself seriously as a sophisticated bar with just a hint of pretentiousness that is, admittedly, well-earned: the drinks are good, and they know they're good. The dim lighting adds to the swanky mood of a 1960's Southwestern parlor which was the perfect vibe for our date night. It honestly felt like walking into my trendy older cousin's first apartment after she graduated college: it was tastefully decorated by someone who finally had the money to execute their vision and to do it right. The cocktail menu leans towards more mature flavors, so this isn't the place to go if you're looking for really fruity or flirty drinks. Instead, these drinks are thoughtfully constructed into something you'll want to slowly slip throughout conversation. Ultimately, we asked the bartender for her recommendations, and it was the best thing we could have done -- 10/10 for both cocktails (Public Sesame #1 and New Wave Fix). The Public Sesame #1 scratched my itch for a Negroni, but with an interesting nutty overtone from the sesame flavor. The giant ice cube really elevated the presentation, and I enjoyed watching it slowly melt as I sipped away at it. The New Wave Fix is not a bad choice if you want something sweeter and easier to drink, though it is deceptively complex -- the sweet and sour pineapple is rounded out with the toasted-coconut liqueur and smoky mezcal. It tastes foamy and creamy without being heavy at all. With all the various restaurants, venues, and shops around the area, Dalva is a must-try before or after another event. Will be back for another nightcap soon!
tldr cute vibey bar in the mission with a back room speakeasy called hideout - solid drinks w avg sf prices friends and i ordered three drinks in the back room area since the rest of the bar was PACKED at 8pm. it was vibey and dark with some vintage posters up + moody lighting with more space to sit upstairs for a more intimate vibe drinks were not bad! i appreciate that they had some non-alcoholic opts that weren't too pricey at $7. my friend thought her cocktail was pretty nice and other friends beer was avg. overall it's a great place to converse and catch up w friends or a date in an intimate and vibey setting. staff are pretty friendly and walked up to us to provide the menus drinks 3.5/5 service 4/5 ambiance 4/5 value 4/5
Great atmosphere. Terrific service. Fantastic selection. Outstanding cocktails. Need I say more? I shall.. We had a few cocktails here. I had the Friend of the Devil and it was honestly like nothing I've ever tasted. It was subtle, creamy, and smooth. Excellent craftsmanship here. You can taste how much thought is put into the finished product. Great place for a rendezvous.
As I was perusing Dalva's menu, I got giddy at their tequila and mezcal selection...where they offer 1 ounce pours. Hello, BYO Sampler! On a second thought...having to wheelbarrow me out on a weeknight...not a good look. Especially in the age where peeps record every. single. thing. Sister bar to ABV down the block (and from the Beretta folks), Dalva has been around before Yelp times. They've since did a remodel into a hip craft cocktail bar. M E N U Craft cocktails (start at $14), highballs, beer, cider, and wine. Snacks offered from other local businesses like Mamahuhu and Alimentari. No HH specials. D R I N K S * Siembra Azul Blanco (1 oz -$8) * Siembra Valles Blanco (1 oz -$8) * Tapatio Blanco (1 oz-$7) * Siete Leguas Blanco (1 oz -$7) * Vesper Martini ($14) They've been out of Fortaleza for over a month so I sampled some new to me tequila like Siembra and Tapatio. Both were solid and smooth but I'm a die-hard fan of Fortaleza. The Vesper Martini was heavy on the lillet so it was too sweet for me. S N A C K S * Mamahuhu's Mala Peanuts ($6) Light on the numbing málà spice and the peanuts were stale. S E R V I C E Full service. Seat yourself, staff will come take your order on a handheld POS, and deliver your drinks to you. A M B I A N C E Cozy and modern with a mix of bar seats, high tops, and low tops. Love it when they play 90s jams from TLC, SWV, 112, etc. Chill, not crowded with a mix of yipsters and techies during HH. The Hideout (backroom) has been closed on the weekdays I've visited. Maybe it's only open on the weekends? P A R K I N G Very challenging street parking. Take an Uber/Lyft. Bart is down the block. Overall, with the plethora of bars on 16th, Dalva is a solid option if you're looking for a hip vibe and good selection of tequila and mezcal.
I wanted to visit this bar and he said it was renovated. They had two mocktails and I thought it had too much ice for what I paid. I can get two juices for $10 and too much ice yes. Well at least I could be in a nice space and wait for the movie to start. It's called Dalva. I cannot recognize anybody on 16th and Valencia but I want to spend my Saturday night at 16th and Valencia. What's new? I went to Deja Vu pizza in 2015 is going to be 10 years next year. Here's the countdown!
I really enjoyed my time at Dalva on Saturday evening! We walked in around 9 PM, and it was not super crowded. They check your ID at the door, and you can sit wherever. The ambience is very intimate. I noticed that there were mainly parties of two inside. We sat at the bar and the bartender was super attentive. I wasn't sure which cocktail I wanted, so the bartender asked if I was in the mood for something fruity or something more tangy/spicy. I'm a sucker for fruity cocktails, so he recommended La Mala Vida. It was fantastic! We also split the Alimentari Aurora's Chicken Liver & Pork Mousse. They serve it with crackers, so it's the perfect snack to share. The mousse was rich and had a unique flavor! I definitely recommend trying it if you're looking for a quick bite amidst the drinks. This place is reasonably priced, too. They have a speakeasy at the back, The Hideout, that we unfortunately didn't know about, but I've read great reviews, so I definitely hope to check it out the next time I come here.
I came here for drinks because my roommate's friend is moving to NY. I loved the strange paradise and it was surprisingly very good and thicccc. We had about 10 people and hung out in the area to the left of the entrance. All around great vibes, music, & service!
I love coming to the Dalva for pre-drinks before catching a movie at The Roxie. They recently went through a renovation so I haven't been able to check out their secret bar in the back. The regular bar is narrow, but there is some space in the back if you have a larger group than 2-4 people. Their cocktails are delicious. I had the Mala Vida because my day fit the name. Luckily, it was a delicious and smoky drink with the right level of mezcal. The bartenders are super friendly and always professional. Check it out next time you're in the Mission.
This is right next to The Roxie, and I've never been there!? Inconceivable. What is there to say about a bar? Dalva is extremely clean and tidy, making me think it was newly opened. Nope. Is there an interesting cocktail menu? Yes indeed. In addition to a standard gin martini, I had something called Sick in Japan. Very nice, reasonably complicated. It came with a clear single cube, so clear that I couldn't tell how much liquid was around it! There was nobody else there when I arrived, so I got very good attention. That didn't change asore arrived, but it never got very full early on a Sunday evening. There are small tables around, but nothing cozy, just functional with clean lines everywhere. read more
20 days ago
11 months ago
Came here on an impromptu visit to the city when my friend was visiting from out of town. This was a cute bar to grab a few drinks with friends and chill. Their menu was also so fun and it was hard to choose which mixology creation to try! I think the drink I got was called Papaya King, which was a mezcal based drink where you could still taste the smokiness from the mezcal yet it was deliciously counterbalanced with the papaya juice and whatever other things were mixed in there. We came on a Friday night so earlier into the evening it wasn't too busy and it easy to find a seat and the noise level was pretty chill but as you'd imagine got busier as the evening progressed! Staff was super kind and helpful and also helped our group of five find a spot to sit when it wasn't too busy. They even took our drink orders from our table and brought them to us! Thanks again, Dalva and see you next time! read more
9 months ago
My friends brought me here as a first outing in San Francisco for my birthday and it did not disappoint! The vibe was very calm and it was not too crowded. The cocktail selection was quite unique and I wanted to try them all, but I settled on one since they all seemed pretty strong - not a bad thing though! I just have to make sure to return and try more. =) read more
2 years ago
Cute place to grab a drink! Came here on a Friday at about 8:00 PM. They check your IDs at the door. The inside is pretty dim but very clean and modern. I love the logo of the restaurant, it gives the bar a very artsy feel and decorates the front of the menu as well as the coasters (with some additionally designs as well). The music choice complemented the environment well, though sometimes it sounded a bit more experimental and loud which made it hard to hear. I got the Strange Paradise cocktail. The passion fruit is the dominant flavor, but the blueberry amaro is interesting and not overly sweet. A bit on the pricey side, but I guess that's how much drinks cost now in SF. The service was great -- waitstaff were always checking in on us. It is quite loud inside, so it was sometimes hard to hear conversation. I liked the ambiance and would come back again if I was in the area. read more
The ID Security person was reading Sylvia Plath's semi-autobiographical novel "The Bell Jar" with a clip-on-booklight when we handed her our IDs, and that should tell you everything you need to know about this hidden gem. It takes itself seriously as a sophisticated bar with just a hint of pretentiousness that is, admittedly, well-earned: the drinks are good, and they know they're good. The dim lighting adds to the swanky mood of a 1960's Southwestern parlor which was the perfect vibe for our date night. It honestly felt like walking into my trendy older cousin's first apartment after she graduated college: it was tastefully decorated by someone who finally had the money to execute their vision and to do it right. The cocktail menu leans towards more mature flavors, so this isn't the place to go if you're looking for really fruity or flirty drinks. Instead, these drinks are thoughtfully constructed into something you'll want to slowly slip throughout conversation. Ultimately, we asked the bartender for her recommendations, and it was the best thing we could have done -- 10/10 for both cocktails (Public Sesame #1 and New Wave Fix). The Public Sesame #1 scratched my itch for a Negroni, but with an interesting nutty overtone from the sesame flavor. The giant ice cube really elevated the presentation, and I enjoyed watching it slowly melt as I sipped away at it. The New Wave Fix is not a bad choice if you want something sweeter and easier to drink, though it is deceptively complex -- the sweet and sour pineapple is rounded out with the toasted-coconut liqueur and smoky mezcal. It tastes foamy and creamy without being heavy at all. With all the various restaurants, venues, and shops around the area, Dalva is a must-try before or after another event. Will be back for another nightcap soon! read more
tldr cute vibey bar in the mission with a back room speakeasy called hideout - solid drinks w avg sf prices friends and i ordered three drinks in the back room area since the rest of the bar was PACKED at 8pm. it was vibey and dark with some vintage posters up + moody lighting with more space to sit upstairs for a more intimate vibe drinks were not bad! i appreciate that they had some non-alcoholic opts that weren't too pricey at $7. my friend thought her cocktail was pretty nice and other friends beer was avg. overall it's a great place to converse and catch up w friends or a date in an intimate and vibey setting. staff are pretty friendly and walked up to us to provide the menus drinks 3.5/5 service 4/5 ambiance 4/5 value 4/5 read more
2 years ago
Great atmosphere. Terrific service. Fantastic selection. Outstanding cocktails. Need I say more? I shall.. We had a few cocktails here. I had the Friend of the Devil and it was honestly like nothing I've ever tasted. It was subtle, creamy, and smooth. Excellent craftsmanship here. You can taste how much thought is put into the finished product. Great place for a rendezvous. read more
3 years ago
As I was perusing Dalva's menu, I got giddy at their tequila and mezcal selection...where they offer 1 ounce pours. Hello, BYO Sampler! On a second thought...having to wheelbarrow me out on a weeknight...not a good look. Especially in the age where peeps record every. single. thing. Sister bar to ABV down the block (and from the Beretta folks), Dalva has been around before Yelp times. They've since did a remodel into a hip craft cocktail bar. M E N U Craft cocktails (start at $14), highballs, beer, cider, and wine. Snacks offered from other local businesses like Mamahuhu and Alimentari. No HH specials. D R I N K S * Siembra Azul Blanco (1 oz -$8) * Siembra Valles Blanco (1 oz -$8) * Tapatio Blanco (1 oz-$7) * Siete Leguas Blanco (1 oz -$7) * Vesper Martini ($14) They've been out of Fortaleza for over a month so I sampled some new to me tequila like Siembra and Tapatio. Both were solid and smooth but I'm a die-hard fan of Fortaleza. The Vesper Martini was heavy on the lillet so it was too sweet for me. S N A C K S * Mamahuhu's Mala Peanuts ($6) Light on the numbing málà spice and the peanuts were stale. S E R V I C E Full service. Seat yourself, staff will come take your order on a handheld POS, and deliver your drinks to you. A M B I A N C E Cozy and modern with a mix of bar seats, high tops, and low tops. Love it when they play 90s jams from TLC, SWV, 112, etc. Chill, not crowded with a mix of yipsters and techies during HH. The Hideout (backroom) has been closed on the weekdays I've visited. Maybe it's only open on the weekends? P A R K I N G Very challenging street parking. Take an Uber/Lyft. Bart is down the block. Overall, with the plethora of bars on 16th, Dalva is a solid option if you're looking for a hip vibe and good selection of tequila and mezcal. read more
10 months ago
Heaven is in FACT a place on eart. ask for the vodka soda it's fantastic. Bartender gave me the best advice I ever heard. I made an extremely lucrative investment based off of some intel and I am now a trillionaire. I love this bar and I owe them my inheritance. Peace be with you, jared. read more
2 years ago
8 months ago
I wanted to visit this bar and he said it was renovated. They had two mocktails and I thought it had too much ice for what I paid. I can get two juices for $10 and too much ice yes. Well at least I could be in a nice space and wait for the movie to start. It's called Dalva. I cannot recognize anybody on 16th and Valencia but I want to spend my Saturday night at 16th and Valencia. What's new? I went to Deja Vu pizza in 2015 is going to be 10 years next year. Here's the countdown! read more
I really enjoyed my time at Dalva on Saturday evening! We walked in around 9 PM, and it was not super crowded. They check your ID at the door, and you can sit wherever. The ambience is very intimate. I noticed that there were mainly parties of two inside. We sat at the bar and the bartender was super attentive. I wasn't sure which cocktail I wanted, so the bartender asked if I was in the mood for something fruity or something more tangy/spicy. I'm a sucker for fruity cocktails, so he recommended La Mala Vida. It was fantastic! We also split the Alimentari Aurora's Chicken Liver & Pork Mousse. They serve it with crackers, so it's the perfect snack to share. The mousse was rich and had a unique flavor! I definitely recommend trying it if you're looking for a quick bite amidst the drinks. This place is reasonably priced, too. They have a speakeasy at the back, The Hideout, that we unfortunately didn't know about, but I've read great reviews, so I definitely hope to check it out the next time I come here. read more
I came here for drinks because my roommate's friend is moving to NY. I loved the strange paradise and it was surprisingly very good and thicccc. We had about 10 people and hung out in the area to the left of the entrance. All around great vibes, music, & service! read more
I love coming to the Dalva for pre-drinks before catching a movie at The Roxie. They recently went through a renovation so I haven't been able to check out their secret bar in the back. The regular bar is narrow, but there is some space in the back if you have a larger group than 2-4 people. Their cocktails are delicious. I had the Mala Vida because my day fit the name. Luckily, it was a delicious and smoky drink with the right level of mezcal. The bartenders are super friendly and always professional. Check it out next time you're in the Mission. read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
10 months ago
2 years ago
Great date spot! Soft lighting, romantic ambience, and lots of seating for just two along the wall. Even though it's a small bar they utilize the space really well. Came here on a Friday evening and though the space was pretty full, it wasn't overly loud. Not the best place for big groups. Note, there's a second bar area in the back that is smaller/more divey. Bar tenders were attentive and quick. The drinks we got (Bird on a Wire and La Mala Vida) were pretty good but would try something new if I came back. Too sweet. read more
Ambiance and drinks are great! Our waiter (cute tall redhead) was super nice, but another waitress that was helping out was really un-friendly. She scolded my friend for having his vape on the table (didn't use it a single time, he just took it out of his pocket for a second before walking outside) and like passive aggressively took our glasses and menus away when I sat a glass on the menu instead of the coaster. We were nothing but polite and I felt like we were going to get in trouble every time she came by, so it just felt unnecessarily stuck up, which is not a great vibe. read more
Lovely ambiance with the renovated front section, if you go to the back there's a separate bar that has a completely different ambiance (more divey). Service was spot on, kept refilling our waters. I ordered the Pressure Drop that was served with a large ice - tasted delicious, well balanced not too spirit forward and not too sweet either. Will be back to try other cocktails! read more
Another fun bar in the mission! I got the razor's edge and it was delicious! It had a nice kick to it from the hot honey. Jacob was really sweet and made an amazing drink! The vibe is really great here and everyone is so friendly. Will definitely be back! read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
I haven't been here in over ... well before Covid. It was a moody Mission bar and I loved it. Upon my return I had to wonder if this was still the same bar. Better lighting and designs in the walls. The whole place is delightful! Nice bartender, good selection of drinks and charming crowd. read more
2 years ago
5 years ago
I'm sooo excited this bar has reopened! I love the vibe in here! Staff are so sweet and helpful, and in the heart of the mission, it's a safe haven away from the craziness of Valencia! I always get the verano italiano it's hands down my favourite cocktail in the city! Patronize this spot, trust me you won't be disappointed! read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
5 stars for lighting. It's so good. The decor feels u uniquely hip and southwestern. The bartender put THEIR BACK into making our delicious drinks. Felt like you couldn't really go wrong on the menu. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
5 years ago
3 years ago
Came here around 9pm on a Saturday night with a few friends and can't believe I haven't visited this place yet! It was busy but not packed. It's a cozy bar with great vibes and tasty cocktails that are fair in price for SF. A gem of a cocktail bar in the Mission, they also play great music but not too loud to the point where you can't hear your friends. We had a great time here - I recommend giving this place a go especially at the beginning of your night before you make your way down the rest of the Mission. read more
5 years ago
Just reopened. The cocktails we ordered were delicious. Can't wait to come back! We ordered: New wave fix Friend of the Devil Cobrastyle Pressure Drop. read more
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More info about Dalva
3121 16th St
San Francisco, CA 94110
Mission
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http://dalvasf.com
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