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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.
Cute hidden bar in the middle of the mission. Rarely do waiters at bars help seat you, so we were so pleasantly surprised when the waiters at Dalva started putting together tables for us. Besides the amazing service, the drinks were super yummy as well. They're priced reasonably according to SF standards. The atmosphere was also super lively. read more
7 years ago
This little bar was recommended by a bartender at another establishment. We were out on the town and hopping around from place to place. Entering the door, this little bar seemed pretty chill. We ended up heading to the back room area called the Hideout. We are into speakeasy and this spot was very dim, dark, and red. We had to order from the bartender, they didn't have table service. This is quite an intimate little spot with a staircase leading up to another space. Drinks were good and everyone seemed to be enjoying their company. We decided to head out the larger room and finish up our drinks. Based on feedback from people, this a fun little bar that locals like to frequent. If we'd had more time, we would have tried some of the other craft drinks. read more
15 years ago
When we set out to plan our Mad Men and Manhattans party, we wanted to pick a bar that can mix a pretty classy cocktail and Dalva fit the bill. Costumes, cocktails and great company. This is not only a fun bar, but a great place to throw a little party. The Lovely Ms. MK "The Hotness" and I put on the unofficial yelp event, but she made all the arrangements, booking the top room in the Hideout. The room is small, but fit our group of almost 25 people. It is a bit hot up there, but the space was all ours. We ordered drinks from the bar, Black Manhattans, while watching the Bartenders mix them up. I was impressed by the huge collection of bitters, booze and items in which to make old school and custom cocktails. Dalva will always be a favorite of mine, for the cocktails I've had and the ones I have yet to try. read more
The only bad thing about this place is there are so many delicious drinks you would be floored if you tried them all. Top favorites? (1) Moscow Mule (2) Manhattan (3) Sangria I personally love the hideout upstairs but the people watching is better in the front. if you are skillful enough to nab a seat under the stairs, that's my favorite. only negative part of this place, people here more than anywhere else I go in the mission try to claim entire tables and extra chairs with the "my friends will be right back" line. ... yet no one ever shows up. I guess we all know why you don't have any friends. ..so fifth grade. read more
3 years ago
We were looking to have a nice drink and stumbled upon Dalva. Wasn't crowded at all around 8pm on Saturday and we actually ducked behind to the Hideout. Which is basically the equivalent to the Varnish behind Cole's in LA. I had the Pineapple Unicorn, which has pineapple rum, strawberry brandy, blood orange, lemon, puppies and rainbows. It was exactly as described and I'm sure if you have enough of these you will feel like you're with puppies and rainbows. It was delicious, and seriously what's not to love about this combination. My husband had some sort of gin drink which I support whole heartedly, they had a cheeky comment printed on their menu about if you order a drink with vodka they'll just give you gin or brandy. It's worth a dip into, I promise and please order a pineappe unicorn. Parking I guess is horrendous, I walked. read more
Another solid round of drinks from the Hideout. Came around 8:30 or 9pm on a Friday and was still able to snag a table in the main front room. Liked the creepy stop motion movie that was playing. Our Hideout cocktails, each $10: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/dalva-san-francisco?select=JbS2ITV8vOaLa0pwdUVpTQ#JbS2ITV8vOaLa0pwdUVpTQ Hideout cocktail menu: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/dalva-san-francisco?select=JbS2ITV8vOaLa0pwdUVpTQ#MuroSofGr21g9zhWtKdDZA * Disparaging remark - 3.5 stars (gin, lemon, apricot, egg white & bitter lemon. $10) Pretty good flavor, a little on the strong side for me (I prefer drinks where the alcohol flavor is more covered - hence not getting this one). * Oaxacan - 3 stars (mezcal, etc) Even stronger, heavier, and a good smoky flavor! Not the fave at the table, but also not quite my style. * 16th Street Swizzle - 4 stars (Jamaican rum, lime, honey, orgeat & ginger shrub) Refreshing, strong ginger - definitely a surprising little kick in flavor. A little on the strong side but still worked well. I do have to say the bartender wasn't super helpful - I did my usual "I like something light & refreshing, maybe spicy or with ginger is good," and said I was between the Gin & Celbry Tonic and the 16th Street Swizzle. He said I wouldn't be able to taste the gin in the first one (a plus for me), then started talking about making me a strong ginger-flavored Dark & Stormy, but I wanted a cocktail from their menu and he just shrugged and asked what I wanted, so I just went with the 16th Street (felt like something ginger-y). I just personally prefer a bartender who can give me a little more direction within the cocktail menu. read more
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This is a fun and friendly bar. I had an event here and I'd like to personally thank the staff in general as well as Erik and Craig in particular for making this happen. They have a separate room in the back past the restrooms that you can reserve. I didn't know this and thought I'd reserved the area at the end of the bar. I started getting a little put off by the interlopers until I got a few beers into me and then found out that my group was in the wrong place. I didn't see the back room but I liked the spot we were in so much that I didn't care. One last thing; these guys know how to treat a person that brings in business. read more
One of my favorite cocktail bars in the city. plz take me with you if you go ;___; The front is Dalva, a dive bar that has happy hour every day from 4 - 7 PM with $4 well drinks and $2 off drafts beers. But the back is where the party is at (interpret that as you will): HIDEOUT, a cocktail bar where they don't believe in vodka. Once 7 PM hits, shimmy over to the back and seek out a bartender called Jason, who will make you a clean mean drink of whatever the heck you want. Their cocktails menu seems to change monthly, which includes new renditions of a varying "classic." Each cocktail will cost you $10, CASH ONLY, but be worth way more. But really, those cocktails are worth every dollar and then some. I have never enjoyed drinking as much as with the drinks I had that night (this is obv the start of a great relationship). My first was the BOURBON MULE involving my favorites of mint and ginger (Jason overheard my conversation with my drinking partner...given how loud I am, that's not too difficult hahaha). It was the pinnacle trifecta: light, delicious, and inebriating. My next two drinks came from previous Yelpers' recommendations--I literally gave Jason my phone so he could see the ingredients. The SWITCHEL, made with Venezuelan rum, apple (which they ran out of), lime, ginger, and cinnamon, was another home run. Then came the 16TH STREET SWIZZLE, a fave of Jason's. Don't confuse this with the listed Hideout Swizzle #2 (gin, genepy, lime, pineapple, and orange bitters), as the 16th Street Swizzle is made with Jamaican rum, lime, honey, orgeat, and ginger shrub (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/dalva-san-francisco?select=o-ojEQ19lp2A-xdNGn960w#waNr1XmkUqJg0eiYf6kPPQ). It's like a sweet liquid ginger. It's kinda awesome. My drinking partner started off with an Old Fashioned, later ordering the Clover Club, which they swapped out the grenadine for raspberry puree. Another good drink. Sometimes Jason had to run to the back room to grab ingredients, which is when I got to chat a bit with the other bartender, David, who has been with Dalva for 16 years. Epic, right!? Srsly, they care about the drinks they make without the snotty pretentious 'tude of some other mixologists (that's Mission versus FiDi for you, I guess), and it makes all the difference. HIDEOUT = $10 CASH-ONLY COCKTAILS, THE BEST YOU'LL EVER HAVE read more
The hideout was a super awesome speakeasy bar in the back of Dalva. I loved it! The bartender made me a delicious drink called the Gold Tooth. It was sweet and hit the spot! I took it upstairs to this cool intimate lounge area with sofas and candles. Loved this place. read more
11 years ago
This review is about the hideout at dalva. Hidden in the back of dalva is the hideout with one guy that I can vouch for that's extremely talented at making craft drinks. I looked at the menu and nothing really popped at me so I got a boulevardier for me and a whiskey sour for my fiance. Let me start off by saying I wasn't that impressed by the whiskey sour, due to the fact that they didn't implement egg white. On the flip side however, they made me a great boulevardier. It seems as they have the drinks on the menu down so, I could tell just by watching the execution, however I'm sure they'd make a great old fashioned. They also have a cozy room upstairs to sip on your fancy cocktail you just grab and it's secluded so no one is really there to rush. read more
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Great place to grab a drink before and/or after your going to a movie at the Roxie (next door on both sides!) I love the drinks on their menu! My favorite is the one withcucumber jalapeno tequila! I can't think of the name, but it is a fantastic drink! I love tequila, but I am not so into sweat and sour and this drink is the answer! In the back of the bar there is a space called the Hideout, which is open Monday-Saturday. There is a second bar back there and that is where they make the ultra fancy drinks. Just ask for something special and you will get it. They make good drinks up front too, but the front bar is busier and louder than the back and Hideout bar specializes in more upscale drinking. So you get both in the SAME bar! Pretty fantastic. Sundays is a rocking karaoke night. There is an amazing list of songs and the sound is surprisingly good--the host brings in his own sound system that is tailored to karaoke. There are 4 microphones and screens everywhere you turn, including a big projection screen. read more
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3121 16th St
San Francisco, CA 94110
Mission
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http://dalvasf.com
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