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    Elixir

    3.8 (688 reviews)
    Open 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 3 months ago

    Elixir Photos

    Business Info

    ELIXIR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Elixir

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    Reviews With Photos

    Demond S.

    When I travel, I always try find a local bourbon and/or speakeasy bar. I happen to find this place while I was downtown San Francisco. Elixir definitely has the rustic but rich bar interior. They have bourbon, whiskey, and other elixirs throughout the bar area. I sampled and tried many new versions of Bourbon and whiskey. They were all great. I can't say I had a favorite but many of them I would try again, especially Jefferson Oceans and the Nikka Whiskey collections. The bartenders where great and very knowledgeable of the spirits that had available. While this bar does not serve food, you are allowed to bring in food. I look forward to my next visit.

    Off the Menu Mezcal
    Nathalie R.

    Was looking for a place to grab drinks and we found Elixir just off yelp. Had decent stars, and honest reviews. They live true to the name. One thing to note though, it's mainly a whiskey bar. They were kind enough to make me an off the menu mezcal because I honestly prefer Tequila lol. Very kind staff and the ambiance was like a cove feel. would definitely go back again

    Whiskey Ramos Fizz
    Kelly Z.

    Very skilled and professional female bartender on 4/30/25. She was very kind good energy and my cocktails were very well balanced with a harmonius blend of flavours and beautifully presented.. I used to drink Ramos Fizz with gin at the Cliff House back in the day and so I really enjoyed the whiskey version.

    Inside
    Nil G.

    Came here for a mixology class on a Saturday afternoon! We made 4 cocktails over 2.5 hours. I highly recommend this class -could be a fun date idea, fun with friends, or was fun for me even alone. This bar is the second oldest bar in SF and supposedly has very good whiskey. Ambiance is quite nice. I'll be coming back to try the whiskies!

    The Frozen Irish Coffee
    Jawaun M.

    The vibes are definitely homey. The frozen Irish coffee was delicious and for my first time what can I say worth the wait. The service took a while; walked in with just three people in the bar. Took them about 10 minutes and a extra 10+ people that walked in after id been seated for 3 minutes. This is one of the few bars I've been in and cocktail list has high volume of traditional and far out house cocktails. I will say a must visit when in the misión.

    Denise C.

    I was at the Roxie for the anniversary party today...the Oscars were about to start, but I decided to poke around my wandering history trials..I stumbled upon the second oldest saloon in San Francisco..so where is the first one..in North Beach maybe..I saw 5 or 6 people in the bar..there was a non-alcoholic drink menu and a low alcohol list..I got two non-alcoholic cocktails..tiki martini with cold brew and the southern I forget .."southern mocktail" Except this is not southern..it's northern california rep rep..hahah..so I was so fascinated by the ephemera and photos on the wall at this bar Elixir..there were other bar owners and this one has been here for 20 years..I had not been here..there are events..I have not met somebody here..it's a fun historic "saloon." It says Amsterdam 1548 haha..It says Scots whiskey...it had a photo of a baseball league..it was more fascinating then the first hour of the Oscars.

    Tokijito
    Jeff D.

    Had a great time getting drinks at Elixir -- good vibes inside the bar, plenty of outdoor seating, and the atmosphere is really cool due to the history of the building. Got drinks at Elixir with a friend after dinner a few weeks ago, and it was just a great experience overall. All of the staff (from the bouncer to the bartenders) seem genuinely nice and happy to have a quick conversation with you. Because of the history of the building, the interior is very classy and is a solid spot for having an intimate drink on a date as well. Lots of good options on the menu! I got the Tokijito and it was prepared well, but next time I'll probably something new (my friend had the Whatamelon #2 and it was fantastic) -- prices aren't bad so no major complaints there. Overall I'd recommend Elixir! It's a cool spot and I'll definitely be back.

    Sami L.

    Got a few drinks with a friend after the Sweet 16 here. It was a good experience. The atmosphere is good, very classy. They have a pretty long list of whiskies. My only suggestion is that their lists could use some work, things are get some maitenance. If you are into whiskies, you will see that things are in the wrong categories (specifically they could combine the Scotch into heading, some whiskies are in the wrong categories, etc.)

    Hot cider, eggnog, and tom and jerry. (Winter specials)

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Fun bar that always seems lively. The cocktails are excellent and staff is friendly and fast.

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    10 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Nice cozy bar. Had one of the season cocktails called "in bloom" and it was refreshing

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    3 years ago

    Super friendly neighborhood bar! Great staff, wide drink assortment. I recommend a stop in.

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    Page 2 of 18

    Elixir Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Elixir

    Happy hour discounts?!

    Yes they do. Fyi, They do not serve food but they do allow food to be brought in.

    Do they offer Whisky or bourbon flights?

    Do they still do their Sunday make your own Bloody Mary?

    Are dogs allowed here?

    Yes I think so. I have seen a few dogs inside. Probably the usual well-behaved dogs and it shouldn't be an issue.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Elixir

    In the middle of the day, some dude pushes a rickety old grill outside onto the corner of 16th and Guerrero and fires it up.

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Bar Shiru - Actual Proof - superb!

    Bar Shiru

    4.3(299 reviews)
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    What a beautiful place to have a drink! I was super happy with my visit to Bar Shiru…read more First of all, the vibes of this spot are completely immaculate. You definitely feel 10 degrees cooler in here. From the dark moody lighting, tons of vinyl on the wall, beautiful people, everything was stunning. Definitely bring your ID since they will check at the door, once you're inside, you definitely feel like you stepped into your older brother's cool friend secret hideaway. Drinks were great and there was so many to choose from. I can't remember the drink I got but it was served up in a cute glass and was delicious. The DJ was fantastic and played a ton of old and new school hits. I think this qualifies as a "listening bar" so cool. Totally great trip to Bar shiru! I will, without a doubt, be back.

    Service is amazing here! We came here for the first time and it was lovely. The space has great…read moredecor and there are so many records. We tried moonglow, lucky spring, and actual proof. I ordered moonglow not knowing it's a very intense drink, so had to order actual proof as backup. They're very accommodating and can make any drink sweeter, so I opted for that. Actual proof is very refreshing with a nice citrus flavor! It seemed to be a popular drink since other folks also ordered it. Moonglow has a lot of complexity to it, and it's concentrated (no ice). Lucky spring was very citrus forward with some bitter notes, but we couldn't taste the guava. We also got free pretzels to munch on! This spot makes great cocktails and they also have a sister bar and restaurant called golden palm nearby. Worth trying this spot for good vibes and delicious drinks!

    Photos
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    Velvet mood

    Rickhouse - The Stone Monkey

    Rickhouse

    4.0(1.6k reviews)
    2.1 miFinancial District
    $$

    I had a wonderful, personal experience with a friend at Rickhouse recently. The drinks were…read morebeautifully executed and the atmosphere was friendly with the bartender and customers. The Lemon Meringue Pie was a gin-based drink that was silky, bright, and had a creamy foam on top. The taste of this drink is very unique, and it was balanced with its vanilla-citrus warmth and limoncello. The La Bonne Vie was more fresh and herbaceous; I liked the bitter taste of the grapefruit. It was light, crisp, and refreshing. This cozy, dimly lit place was perfect for a relaxing night out. Their well-crafted cocktails and the conversations with the people around are worth the visit.

    I have been going to the Rickhouse for years. It is always on my list when I go to SF and I've even…read moretaken clients here because I like it so much. This last biz trip in SF didn't disappoint when I took 2 clients here before dinner. The place itself hasn't changed at all with its brick wall facing the main bar with a narrow lane going to the back room. The back room is wood paneled (presumably from bourbon barrels) with a few barrel top "tables" and stools at each. There's even a cool mezzanine level overlooking the rest of the joint. The vibe is very speakeasy meets yesteryear forge or blacksmith shop. And it is POPULAR. The after work rush often makes the Rickhouse and that narrow lane often difficult to navigate. It can take the bartenders a bit to get to you but they are making all the cocktails from scratch and manage the crowds pretty well. If you are searching for a quiet place to enjoy a cocktail, the after work rush makes this not the place for you. I have been here at other times and haven't had any issues. The mostly bearded bartenders donned with leather aprons are friendly and professional and whip up classics as well as other creative and delicious cocktails (instead of butchering animals...or people). I've enjoyed many of them over the years including a punch bowl shared with clients once. This time I ordered a Brazillianaire which had caught my eye and one of my clients liked it so much, he ordered two! I tried to find the current menu showing what was in it but figure it had Cachaca and rum and was very Tiki-adjacent (I love Tikibars!) and absolutely delicious! Prices are inline with cocktail prices...$14 for my other client's Sazerac (I bet that was good, too!) and $18/each for our Brazillionaire special seasonal cocktails. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Long live RICKHOUSE!

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    Rickhouse - Receipt for 3 great cocktails

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    Rickhouse - Some of the bar area/bottles

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    Some of the bar area/bottles

    Elixir - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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