This is quickly becoming one of my favorite bars in San Francisco. The whiskey selection is impressive, the bartenders are friendly and its easy to have a conversation here. It reminded a friend of mine of neighborhood pubs in London. I haven't partaken in the absinthe that seems to be a favorite here and is served in a decanter with miniature taps all around it to pour it into the glasses. Will definitely be going back. read more

Where else in the city can you make your own Bloody Mary on Sunday? Well, I don't know of anywhere else. So I go to Elixir. It's like $7 and the bar is fully stocked with veggies and spices and mixers. And there is NEVER a crowd. Bravo. Hint: Let the bartender make it for you, then add veggies on your own. Trust me, he's better than you at this. May not be very manly to outsource the Bloody Mary making, but it is a delicious approach... read more

The perfect old school bar. No deafening music, no one screaming at the person right next to them just to have a conversation, no asshole "I've got better things to do than take your worthless order" bartenders. Oh, and the entire bar is lit by more than just a few candles, so you can actually see whats around you. Just a classically decorated, laid back bar with excellent service, finely crafted cocktails, and a welcoming atmosphere. Places like there are a dying breed. read more

Great spot. Smells nice n divey inside. Pretty low brow, but the drinks are pretty good. Had some hot drink named a Tom and Jerry or something. Was deliciously warm on a cold day. The last time i was in here was almost two years ago, and have NO idea what i had, but i remember liking it enough to be excited to go back again. sorry....kind of a lame review :-/ read more

Cool laid-back atmosphere kind of bar. Smallish, cozy, with some tvs on during the day which they tend to turn off in the evening so they don't over-light the place. The owners/'tenders are big whisky fans, and they've got a nice collection of scotch, bourbon, rye, Japanese... you get the picture. They've also got a great rum selection! All the 'tenders I've met & chatted with are cool and friendly, and tend to know their stuff about the booze. Plus, on Thursday nights they have various booze producers come in and do tastings for free! What more could you want in a bar? read more

Meh. Ordered a cocktail here. It was too sweet, too sour, too expensive, and too much. I will only pay $11 for certifiably artisanal cocktails. The bartender also couldn't make change correctly. Beware. Other than that, the place has a decent enough vibe. read more

I haven't been diagnosed for claustrophobia, but this place sure makes me question if I do have it. So far, each time I've been here, I have not successfully ordered my drink and had it made before getting pissed off and going somewhere else. Why is going out such a hassle and full of drama these days? Why do bars have more bar backs than bartenders? I really wanted to like this place because I've heard so much about it, but the fact is that I truly dislike being packed in there like a frickin' sardine. read more

I've passed by here a few times and finally had the time to stop by on a random Wednesday, and i'm glad I did. The saloon vibe is takes you away from the city a bit. The bar tenders were friendly and knowledgeable about the drinks, which were also interesting and tasty. I thought the price was a tad too much, but I had a wonderful time here! read more

I never leave this place sober, even if I have the best intentions of doing so. Case in point: Went for Happy Hour drinks with a couple of friends. Got through two cocktails and we were ready to go play on the Seward Street Slides, when along comes the bartender informing us of a free rum tasting from a local distillery. Rum tasting? Free? Really? 30 minutes, 5 half-shots, 2 free cocktails, and 7 different types of high-class rum later, we were three sheets to the wind... at 7pm... on a Wednesday. The bartender waved & said thank you as we stumbled out the door making a beeline to Taqueria Cancun. No, no no... Thank. YOU. Elixir. read more

I've only been to Elixir for trivia night. Their questions are okay, but six full rounds is a little intense, especially since their PA system sucks and you're straining to hear the questions. This especially hurts the music round. If you're patient, a gift card should be pretty attainable, since not everyone stays for the full night and they award cards ($30 / $20 / $10) to the top three teams. Unofficially, don't buy empanadas from the guy who walks around here. Bag food in bars is usually pretty amazing, but these are blander than microwave dinners and cost $5 per two small pieces. read more

Honestly, I was pretty fucked up when I got to this joint, and the only thing I remember is paying $5 for a glass of Basil Hayden on the rocks. So yeah. That was cool. read more

I seem to be posting a spate of 4 star reviews these days. I'm either going to a lot of awesome places or I'm in a good mood a lot of the time. Whichever it is, I guess I'll take it! So, to add a new 4 star review to the gang, enter Elixir. (questionable segway alert) Entering Elixir is a great idea, because this is a great, low-key neighborhood bar with Leffe on draft and comfortable bar stools. You could head to Elixir in your sweats after a long day, or hit it up with your fancy pants on and be comfortable either way. They also have a dartboard somewhat diabolically located right inside the door. The coolest thing about Elixir, though, is that they actually walk the walk when it comes to being part of the SF community. On Mondays and Wednesdays you'll find people "charity guest bar tending" a.k.a. slinging drinks to raise money for their favorite cause. I have been behind the bar myself for this purpose and it was a blast. Also, Elixir hosts a wide variety of cool happy hours and get-togethers for different groups and organizations in town. I was there last night and there was a happy hour for green entrepreneurs going on. In short, this is a great bar with a kind soul. Highly recommended. read more

This review is specifically for their holiday drinks. We got the Hot Buttered Rum, Tom & Jerry, and... one other with lemon + booze. All of them were AMAAAAZING. I highly recommend getting the "Hot Butt Rum" w/cider. If you're looking to put a little holiday pep in your step, this place is great. Went on a Thursday night, it wasn't crazy crowded or loud, there were just enough festive decorations, and they were playing punk rock - My kinda xmas. read more

Somehow, every time I end up here, it's so loud I can hardly think, so crowded I can hardly move, and yet so unremarkable I vow never to return. But there's always somebody who wants to go here! Usually somebody I'm on a first date with that I'm just starting to think is not my type... It's kind of like in Groundhog Day except I'm not learning any lessons. read more

Some of their special drinks are really good. Came here on a Tuesday evening with coworkers for trivia, which we we're doing really good at until the last round worth double points killed us. At first when we walked in though, we weren't sure how they were going to do trivia because there wasn't like a stand or a stage of any kind, but it actually worked out. I think the guy just stood behind the bar and had a mic that projected across the whole bar. Overall it was pretty good, I'd come back for trivia again, but I really want to do Dr. Teeth trivia's actually. One day. :-) read more

I came here on a Tuesday night, which is apparently trivia night for you trivia night fans. I am not quite sure what I was expecting really but I guess I did have expectations. Why, you might ask?! Because I was not expecting a rowdy bunch at the bar, which was a turn off for me. When I think of divey, I think of mellow, laid-back. Pretty good selection of beers on tap. Full bar with creative cocktails. I went for the Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, confirmed to be a good beer by the cute blonde bartender (thank you!). I would come here again, just to see if it lives up to its 4 stars on another night. read more

I always seem to be the last person to write a review for the most recent Liver Destruction Destination. So here's my take on Elixir: Crowded, crowded, crowded! Would you be.. [oops, sorry, didn't mean to step on your foot]... able to carry on.. [gah, sorry again]... a conversation.... [did someone just grab my ass?]...with this many...[damnit, who just spilled a drink on me?]... distractions? That's Elixir after 8 o'clock in a nutshell. read more

This is a small dark and friendly neighborhood bar - the kind you'd want to stop into for a beer after work if you lived around the corner. Oh, if only I lived around the corner... Instead I drove for 30 minutes to "drink for a cause." Apparently every now and then they have guest bartenders and donate tips to charity, and my friends were supporting diabetes research for the night. What a great idea! It was worth the trip. read more

Crowded indeed but a good place to go to when you are meeting new people just to hang out. You're entire night will consist of nodding your head, saying wah!, spilling your drink (or more likely someone else's), and laughing at who knows what! Oooohh and probably grabbing a pizza inbetween meals :o) It's the crowd that makes a place - and the crowd was pretty awesome! read more

Im not a mission regular but lately ive been finding myself in the area more than i would prefer. Why? Because my urban-artistic-soulful cousin loves to dwell here. Im a dive bar type a gal and since my cousin shares my love for dives, i usually trust his recommendations for watering holes. So Game 1 of the NBA finals (did i get that right? im not too much of a basketball fan) i found myself at the Elixir having a round while watching the game with my cousin and his friends. Normally i would pass on an outing like this, but it was a semi-nice day and since i usually head straight home after work, i thought happy hour might do me some good for once. Im assuming on the weekends it gets more crowded, but this particular day (thursday) it wasnt too bad. Lots of dudes though because of the game - i felt a bit "odd woman out". But i take it with a grain of salt. Drunk, loud, belligerent, sports guys never bother me much. Although the dude sitting next to me kept bumping me causing my beer to spill, i refrained from smashing my glass against his face. Nice little dive spot with a decent enough crowd. Good beer on tap. read more

+ Not crowded + Average rum cocktails - Smells a little read more

Elixir is always one of the first places I think to bring out of town guests-- interesting, fancy cocktails, cool divey/chic interior, good beer selection (hello, Old Speckled Hen on tap!). With that said, I sometimes regret my choice. Elixir is always crowded. Always. Ok, not on a Sunday afternoon at 4 (when they have an excellent bloody mary bar, by the way) but any other night of the week, you're going to be elbowed and pushed for most of your stay. Its almost worth it, but if you want to have a conversation, I recommend somewhere down the block. Trivia night is epic-- make sure you get on the email list if you plan on attending regularly. The tips Sal gives are pretty key... read more

One star for the delicious cucumber collins One star for the fun saloon setting One star for the wide range of beers Minus one for the loudness Minus one for the difficulty to secure a drink read more

I love Elixir. I might even go so far as to say I *heart* Elixir. It definitely makes my list of laid-back, non-pretentious SF bars. The first time I was here was for a Scotch tasting - they regularly do free promotional spirit tastings on Thursday evenings - which was what sold me on the place to begin with. The spirit reps are usually quite friendly and happy to chat you up about their products while you taste, and then the bar usually does some sort of discounted cocktails for the evening based on whatever the reps are pouring. Elixir is principally a whiskey bar, and has a fairly extensive collection of Scotch, Bourbon, and various other whiskeys for your perusal. They also have a not-too-shabby collection of rum (which is partially where I formed my rum habit). The bartender, H, is also quite friendly and knowledgeable, and happy to talk to you about all things boozalicious (when he's not too busy running the bar) and make you one of his original creations to try, if you're the adventurous type. (I abhor absinthe, which I learned at a tasting Elixir put on, but H made me an absinthe cocktail of his own creation called an Off-Kilter, which was incredibly delicious. I think it may have had whiskey in it...) The only downside is that it can get pretty packed, especially on the weekend or during one of the spirit tastings. On the other hand, once you're happily drunk, you can head over to Gestalt for a Belgian & and a big, greasy andouille sausage. read more

When I was a tween, I was always dazzled by the bar scenes in TV shows and movies, and dreamed of the day when I too would hoist myself onto a barstool and indulge in coy, cozy banter with a cute bartender. Then I turned 21 and was vastly underwhelmed. Where was this mythical bar of my childhood dreams? Could it really exist, a bar where the music is hip but not so loud as to drown out your clever dialogue -- where the drinks are delicious and simply garnished culinary creations -- where decent men who are gainfully employed approach you for conversations that DON'T involve them staining your shirt with their sweat?! Oh it's real, guys. It's Elixir. If you're looking to meet some nice people or knock back delicious drinks, it's the answer to all of your gin-soaked fantasies. I particularly like the frequently rotating cocktail menus that rely on fresh, seasonal ingredients. (Can you tell I'm not an &Coke person?) My very favorite bartender is John, who's a pretty funny guy, and makes the best Aviation cocktail this side of the Savoy. read more

They're ONLY losing a start because I wish there had been more people there and especially cute, eligible men ;o) The vodka collins here was outstanding. Fresh lemon juice with powdered sugar and vodka. I guess it seems more like fresh lemonade with vodka, but either way, it was so fresh and tart and delicious, I was happily drunk by 11pm and enjoyed choosing tunes at the juke box for the rest of the night. read more

Uh oh, ID check at tiny dive on Thursday night. Ass Suck Alert! And I wasn't disappointed. Charming, victorian interior nicely restored though. read more

Out of the bars in the 16th St. corridor, hands down Elixir is my favorite. It has a good mix of nice and cheap beer, and many times the bartenders have come up with some fine cocktail creations - which you don't always get in a more laid back type of place as Elixir is. The patrons are generally chill and don't all seem to be your typical Mission hipsters. Sometimes I wish the place was a bit larger - once you come with a large crowd, there is not even a chance to all sit together as you might have at someplace like Lucky 13 or Zeitgeist. Also, there is no outdoor area. =( Of course another good thing Elixir has is the best Bloody Mary bar in the city. ********Bloody Mary Review************* I've been to most, if not all, the bloody mary self serve bars in the city (Levende, Home, ect), and hands down Elixir wins. They have most everything you would need and more. Highlights for me include multiple options for flavor rims, lots of different hot sauces, lots of different herbs and seasoning, and lots of pickled veggie options. Others love the bacon, but even though I love bacon, to me it is never that good in a BM. They do also usually have beef broth for those that like a little extra carnivore action in their drink. When they don't have the self-serve bar open (it's only during the day on the weekends), the bartenders have always thrown down a pretty good bloody on their own. So if you are in at anytime, feel free to let the bartenders whip one up. As I always say - it's never the wrong time for a bloody. The only downside I would say is that it's not the greatest place to enjoy a BM on a lazy afternoon - as mentioned before, there is no outdoor area. So thumbs up to Elixir - thanks for keeping it real!!! Read some of my other Bloody Mary reviews at: http://www.yelp.com/list_details?list_id=YHu-iA23Xj2c1bVa7JROhA read more

Never had a bad night here. They also carry a great beer selection, it differs from bars near by. I am especially a fan of La Blanche which they carry. I would gladly walk an extra block from my house passed some other Mission bars to get here. read more

I have to give Elixir five monkeys. For one thing, they have played my Lancelot Link DVD on the TVs, and that is pretty much worth three monkeys right there. For another, they have MLB package and NFL network so I can watch my Sox and Pats play (on Sundays while making my own kickass Bloody Mary with bacon). Lastly, Jack ordered Abita Turbo Dog just on my recommendation, which is sweet. They also get a little love for letting me take my dog there, even though he is insane and pesters every single patron for attention without discrimination or remorse. read more

Honestly Reggie the doorman/busser/lifeofthegoddamnparty made me and my friends feel so comfortable and welcomed to this bar. He really is going above and beyond his "position" to literally bring the party. Seriously, come to Elixir for Reggie specifically, catch his sweet smile, and make a friend. The bar vibe itself would be sub par without him. THANK U REGGIE! WE WILL BE BACK! read more

It is carnavale Sunday and I have been charged $8 for an Old Speckled Hen . I have lived in San Francisco for several years and appreciate older neighborhood businesses but plan on giving no more of my hard earned $ to a place like this. I feel like no longer leaving my Lower Haight 'hood again. I emailed the manager and he responded with a very kind email about their pricing and underlying fixed costs. It is a tough market . Elixir is in a position where they have to be a premium bar, it is a cool atmosphere . But still expensive ! read more

This is definitely one of my favorite neighborhood bars. I mainly dig the atmosphere and have yet to experience what Betty B. is talking about (i.e. stinky and dirty. Though it IS a bar. I think maybe she confuse Mission and Marina? I guess they both start with the letter "M" so I could see the confusion). Every Thursday (at least they have in the past) they have a tasting. It was whiskey (including scotch and bourbon) for a while, but now I believe they have changed to tequila. This means that a representative from a tequila company comes in and holds a tasting for anyone who is interested. You get to taste awesome spirits, mingle with fellow appreciators, and talk shop with the makers. Great times! read more

Elixir manages the rare feat of being a divey bar that serves quality cocktails. It's that perfect combination that makes me a complete devotee. On top of that: it's open early, the sun always fills the room so you don't feel like Gollum creeping around in a cave, they let dogs in (!!), the bartenders are mostly friendly and almost always foxes, they have chicharones, they play good music, they have a mezcal cocktail on the list, you can bring in food from outside, and I've never run into a douchey patron. It breaks my heart to be 3000 miles away from this wonderful gem of boozery. It's always my 2nd stop (post-panucho inhalation at Haltun) after sprinting to 16th St. BART from the airport. read more

I was here last night for a Maker's Mark tasting event... I'll go a long way for a free glass of whiskey. Pretty nice place, a little more crowded than I was prepared for, however they do have a fine whiskey selection.... Any bar with Compass Box whiskey is cool with me. I'll have to come back and try a pub quiz. read more

Elixir was open on Labor Day. Couldn't find any other bars, and boy was I glad they were open. After a while, I became a regular on Monday nights. I'd come for the scotch and Jack. Seriously, it was Suntory time! What a beautiful scotch. What a nice uncrowded night of the week. I had to stop going though cuz my liver was definitely starting to get lost in the translation. read more

Shocking that I haven't written a review on Elixer. This is by far my favorite bar in San Francisco. I've guest bartended three times over the past four years and just love the bartenders and locals. When I puppy sat Marley (a three month old German Shepherd puppy), I knew to bring him here because this is one of the few wonderful dog-friendly bars in the city. Haven't been here for Tuesday Bar Trivia, but I've heard good things. Bring take out in and grub while you watch a game, they're cool with it. Oh, and the very best part.... Sundays H. has his Bloody Mary bar where you can make your own bloody mary (or ask him nicely to make his famous bm's for you) and garnish with any variety of fermented veggie. Yum. double yum!! read more

I went here to meetup for a friend's bday and I know I should've learned my lesson by now, but parking was horrendous in the mission. The most painful part of the night was not finding parking, but walking many many painful blocks to my car after the night was done. Anyway, there's a good selection of beers to chose from. For a Friday, I was surprised that Elixir wasn't packed like sardines, which was def a plus. Prices were reasonable as well. Overall, a super chill place to meet up for drinks and would come here again. read more

Went here last Saturday for the first time, and I'm still thinking about how perfect this bar was. I wish we hadn't left for double dutch and elbo room - I could have stayed here all night and been happy. Maybe my opinion is a little skewed because we were lucky enough to snag seats (I could tell it was super crowded when we left, and getting bumped into enough times will take a star or 2 away). I can't imagine calling this place a dive bar. The drinks were amazing (everything from a cucumber watermelon to a rye manhattan done perfectly), and very reasonable. The bartenders were friendly, the crowd was a good mix - not pretentious, not too hipster, just right. SportsCenter on in the background, with an awesome 80's playlist coming from the jukebox. Try the pickle back - a shot of tequila with a back of their homemade pickle brine. Oh yeah, and they only have one snack for sale: chicharonnes from 4505 meats. What else do you need?? read more

This was a holiday season favorite. I stumble in here for that delightful spiked apple cider. Nothing says Happy Holidays better than a warm mug of sugar and rum. The bar is small. Crowded enough to make it feel like you're hip again, but not too crowded where you start to hate life. Drinks are not cheap...not expensive...so be ready to pull out more than a single A.Jackson. Now I try to be an optimist and see the good in people. But the bartenders here, they're not outwardly friendly. And that's okay. But I definitely don't feel like I'm their friend...which is what you sometimes want when ordering a drink (am I right?). And a lot of the cocktails here take some time...so be ready to wait a bit and catch up on some mobile-device-time as your awkwardly hover over the other patrons sitting at the bar. read more