Tucked away in a quiet alley, Harlan Records is the kind of place you'd walk right past if you didn't know better. There's zero hint from the outside about what's waiting behind that door and that's part of the magic. Inside? Total vibe. Moody, trendy decor, shelves of great vinyl, solid drinks. It feels like the kind of spot you accidentally stay at way longer than you planned. Greg, our bartender, was fantastic. Friendly without being over the top, and he even gave us bar recommendations all over SF, which was a nice bonus. We ordered the Mi Sharona and the El Mariachi. The Mi Sharona leaned a little sweeter than I usually go for but it was still really good. The El Mariachi, though, was the winner: just the right amount of spice, subtle and balanced, not overpowering the drink at all. Love this spot. read more

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Harlan Records is awesome, the kind of spot where you walk in for "just one record" and leave questioning your financial discipline. Great selection, curated taste, and that warm vinyl energy that hits different. Whether you're into deep cuts or 90s/2000s R&B bangers (yes please), they've got gems waiting to be discovered. Staff is knowledgeable without being pretentious, big win. Low key, it's the perfect pregame before heading to a cigar bar and grill. Grab a record, set the vibe, then go enjoy the night feeling cultured and slightly cooler than you were an hour ago. Support local. Spin vinyl. Repeat. read more

Gen Z: "What are you drinking?" Me: "Gin shaken with a lemon twist." Gen Z: "By itself?!" Me: "Yes." Gen Z *shudders*: "I could never!" Me: "Maybe not the same thing but you're not going to want a lemon drop when you're older." Gen Z: "Oh yea, like when?" Me: "When you start needing your phone light to read the menu!" Gotta love Dry January...you get to check out places you've been wanting to....without a crowd and have random convos with people you normally wouldn't because you can actually hear them. Opening in late 2022, Harlan Records is a cocktail lounge inspired by Japanese hi-fi bars. Hidden in a quiet alley, it's a great place for music enthusiasts looking to unwind while listening to vinyl-spun tracks from the 60s to 90s from a state of the art vintage hi-fi sound system. It's also a great place for date night pre or post dinner in the Union Square area. Craft cocktails on their seasonal, music-inspired menu (i.e. "Gin and Juice") are $15. And, they have a pretty good selection of small batch liquors. Love the modern vintage vibe with dark woods, moody lighting, thousands of vinyl records lining the walls, and ample seating options with cozy tables. They sometimes have DJ sets and special performances on their stage. This is not a place to rage (no EDM). If you're looking for a chill place to enjoy a cocktail or two in the late afternoon/early evening while enjoying rich, crystal clear sounds of tracks, def check out Harlan Records! read more

Harlan Records - Monkey 47 Gin w/ lemon twist ($17) + Fernet Neat ($9) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Indiana boys us, didn't realize what we were getting into, a dingy movie vibe of dusty shelves, dark noisy tables, and smooth old school menus featuring many familiars and modern adventures. I don't know why I went boring, a tap pour, should've done one of those cocktails with an unexpected ingredient! Next time for sure. We did get a Waymo so can't comment on working but noticed overall downtown had plenty of options after dark. read more

Harlan Records - Alley entry - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Visited from LA. nice music but feel like it wasn't matching with the vibe there lol Love the Japanese hints to the cocktails. read more

Harlan Records - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This bar is located in an alleyway near Chinatown and Union Square, and the interior is decorated with awesome vinyl records and record covers throughout. The place was dark inside with minimal and very dim lighting during our recent visit. Seating was strangely available on a Friday night as there was a good number of people just standing around, many of them waiting for service at the bar. It was super loud inside the venue. The DJ was playing decent tunes, but the bass was way too high to enjoy the music. Combine that with echoing chatter in a crowded space, and you'll find yourself having to shout in order to have a conversation with the person next to you (and that just adds to the noise). The gamble cocktail was certainly sweet as requested, the bartender's creation tasting like bubble gum at first, then a bit of tart and other flavors that grew on me. We opted not to stay long so that's all I had. On a busy night with the place jam-packed, my time here wasn't the greatest. Staff even struggled to bus the tables of empty glasses throughout the night. But I think the setting is lovely nonetheless and on a slower day can probably provide a much better experience. read more

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I visited this place several times during my last visit, and I think I may have found my favorite bar in SF. Great drink menu, great record collection, great staff, and just a great vibe overall! The cocktails ran with the music theme which I appreciated. My favorite was definitely the Ol' 45. The whiskey selection and prices were some of the best I had in the area, which I also appreciated. The staff was really friendly and I had some wonderful conversations with every staff member I came in contact with. If I lived in the area I would definitely be a regular here. Can't wait to visit again! read more

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Harlan Record Bar is a hidden gem tucked in Harlan Pl, a little alley by Grant Ave. The decor feels like a vintage lounge, with walls covered in classic record albums. It was packed when our group of 6 arrived, but we eventually snagged a high chair table. The music was great all night & added a good vibe. Drinks : All the drinks we tried were a hit, but two stood out : *Mai tea : This was my favorite, The menu mentioned Bandoeng Pandan & Kalani Coconut Liqueur, you could really taste how well they worked together. It was very fragrant and just a perfectly balanced cocktail : wasn't too strong/ too sweet & not watered down (some places j adds a lot of ice) If you're a fan of pandan, this is a must-try. * The Grapefruit Beer: I'm not normally a big beer fan, but this one was light & refreshing. It had a real fresh grapefruit flavor and it wasn't overpoweringly bitter. I'd definitely recommend this spot to hang out with friends, enjoy the cozy vintage decor, and sip on some truly well made cocktails. Will be back! read more

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Great drinks, atmosphere and service!! Stumbled upon this gym without intention and turned out to be a highlight of our trip to SF! read more

Harlan Records - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Neat cocktail bar! It was surprisingly not that busy on a Friday night, as my party of 5 found a table easily. The music was pretty loud, but the ambiance is cozy and cool, especially if you can snag a seat at the corner cove. Cocktails for $15 seem like a steal in SF these days. The Mai Tea was tasty but on the sweet side. The O.D.B was savory and strong on the olive brine, and I wasn't a fan of feeling the film of the oil from the olive oil-infused vodka. A couple of my friends went for the non-alcoholic Liar's Dice. It was fun to see the bartender make their drinks based on their appearance and vibes with no questions asked. Although I wasn't blown away, I'm glad I checked out Harlan Records! read more

Harlan Records - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Very interesting bar. Interesting music. The drinks are good and flavorful will def come badk read more

Harlan Records - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Lovely little hole-in-the-wall bar tucked in a back alleyway in Chinatown! It can be a smidge hard to find the main entrance to this spot in the back alleys, but it's 100% worth the treasure hunt. The space is super cozy and intimate, with phenomenal music (especially if you manage to catch them on a night with live music). It can get pretty crowded, but they also have a wonderful outdoor space outfitted with a cute wooden awning, plenty of tables and chairs, and a cute string light set-up. The outdoor space is a perfect extension of the indoor vibes, but definitely a little bit quieter if you prefer a calmer atmosphere that's easier for chatting. The bartenders are all super friendly; they helped us select our drinks and loaned us a phone charger (saving us from potential disaster). They, unfortunately, slightly over-pivoted on my request to make a sweeter cocktail and recommended The Green Room; it was tasty but definitely too sweet for me. The vibes were phenomenal and the other cocktails looked lovely, though, so I'm sure I'll be back to try out some of their other options. read more

Harlan Records - the green room, IPA - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

They say Phoenix saw immigration fueled by people with allergies who moved for the clean desert air. As the population grew, new arrivals also started planting gardens to remind them of their departed lands. In the warm climate, the plants flourished to such an extent that the city now has a high pollen count. Similarly Harlan Records is a popular "listening bar" for people to gather in groups after work. The decor - vintage turntables and shelves of LPs - is first-rate, exuding a cool chill vibe. As the room fills, patrons raise their voices, customers shout their drink orders, and noise reverberates off the hard surface of the floor. It's becoming a listening bar where you can't hear crap. If I own the place, I don't care, the more people the more money. I did hear some vintage Santana which I recognized by the bass line. That was all you could hear. The best way to hear the high quality audio is to stand outside the bar. They mounted speakers, and the alley is free of automotive traffic. You don't even have to buy a drink, there's a bottle shop on the corner. Just pour one out for the people with allergies in Phoenix. read more

This place....!!!! This place is absolutely AMAZING. A must stop for some good music and cocktails. Perla the bartender was phenomenal. Excellent service, delicious cocktails, great conversation, and super attentive. She made me feel special celebrating my birthday while visiting SF. My late father has a record collection so being surrounded by records was so nostalgic for me. This place is a vibe!!! We came early Friday when they opened and it was perfect. Perla did tell us they have a DJ on some nights and live music on others--sounds like a blast! read more

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Such a cute hidden bar! Visited after work and the cocktails are unique and well crafted. The ambience is super cute and they play live music. I got the El Mariachi and it's interestingly savory because of the chili sauce! I was surprised lol I think it's good if you like savory. Their lemon drops are solid though - would come back again to try their other drinks read more

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Really cool vibes here, especially when they have live musicians playing! Very difficult to talk over the music, but nice to hear live jazz. The dark liquor drinks were way too sweet though and didn't taste balanced. read more

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Harlan Records was exactly the environment I was looking for. The bar is easy to miss, it's located in an alley way next to Hotel Triton. This place is definitely a hidden gem. The service is friendly, they have a great sound track and offer a great selection of libations. The place itself has a large bar and plenty of seating in a cool 70's/80's decor. Definitely will be a stop, next time I'm in town. read more

Harlan records is such a cute spot in the financial district. I went there after work to get drinks with coworkers, and since we work east coast hours, the place was pretty empty at 3:00pm but I hear it gets quite busy in the evening. We all got different drinks, but I opted for the drinks where I just tell the bartender what I like, and he makes something for me (its an actual thing on the menu!). The drink was so delicious, even if the bartender didn't seem to remember what he put in it. Otherwise, all of the drinks are very innovative and balanced, and I truly can't wait to come back. read more

I got drinks with my friend here and they were delicious (and pretty strong). Showed up on a Tuesday around 6 pm after work - still lots of available seating. Space is pretty big, has restrooms, and you order at the bar. Vibe here is great - they play vinyls all day and the space is decorated with lots of record store esque vibes. Drinks were all very creative and yummy! I wish I could sample all of them haha. I'd definitely come back for another post work hangout or even a date. read more

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The green room was my favorite. Love the ambience, it's not too loud but the bar was still pretty packed and the bartender's are great here. read more

Harlan Records - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Great place for music and a great mix crowd. Cocktail drinks were pretty good. Most are pre made and they weren't bad.

Visited on a Sunday around 6:30pm with a group of friends, the bar had several other guest visiting but still plenty of open tables and bar seats availible. The back seating area was reserved but all other spaces were open. Drinks: Gin & Juice - very good, light and refreshing, with a bit of sweetness, reminded me of a gimlet with a twist Savage Garden - a bit more boozy, gin forward with a hint of cucumber/aloe, and a touch of bitterness Service was okay, order at the bar and wait for cocktails to be prepared. Wasn't too busy but there were only three bartenders so it did take a bit of time for cocktails to be prepared when there were other guest ordering drinks as well. Overall enjoyed visiting Harlan Records, very cozy and comfortable bar with great selection of vinyl records. If you are looking for a spot to relax and grab a cocktail in union square a solid option. read more

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Good vibes. I got the green room, which tasted like cream soda with a hint of pandas. I appreciated the asian twist. The inside was nice. There's a mini band in the back. When there's a session going on, you can't really talk as it gets really loud. Service was all right. Otherwise it's a good setup for some drinks. read more

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This place is tucked away in an alley and I'm so glad I was able to stumble across it! Thursday night this place was packed. There was also a live Vinyl DJ! There's a good amount of tables inside and some patio seating available as well. Great lounge style bar for dates or relaxing with cocktails. read more

Harlan Records - Inside - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Super cool atmosphere (a bit loud if you're trying to chat) with music spinning. Great whiskey collection with very reasonable prices.

Very fun live music and great service. Bartender was friendly and the crowd was chill. A perfect Sunday evening spot.

I'm not sure if I saw this on social media or read about it and one of the logs. We were looking for a cool, offbeat place to hang out for a drink before dinner. We always like record bars around the world so this was a great treat.We got a menu from the bartender and then went back to the bar to place the order. The drinks were unique and delicious. The vibes were excellent. Service was very friendly. Music selection was also fun. Keep in mind that we did come around 6:30 PM. I believe on a Friday so I'm sure it's popping off as the night goes on. Tucked down around in an alley so keep looking forward if Google messes you up. read more

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Great vibes, reasonable drink prices & options, and cool non-commercial music. Worth the visit.

The Mai Tea cocktails here straight up tasted like juice. They weren't super strong, as I didn't feel anything after drinking mine, so it's possible they were mostly juice. Still, they tasted quite good. They have a live DJ, which is great for setting the vibe, but it's really loud, and there are tables scattered all over the floor, so this place isn't exactly conducive to chatting or dancing. I think it's the perfect lounge to stop by for about 30 minutes during a bar hop, just enough time to absorb the positive high energy from the mixed sounds. read more

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Super cool vintage chill vibey bar!!! The bartenders are super nice and very knowledgeable. For my sober curious / AF (alcohol free) family, on the bottom right of the cocktail menu "Liar's Dice" - will create a personalized mocktails based on patron's taste preferences. They nailed it and it looks like a cocktail so feels very inclusive and tasty (not too sweet). The music was SOOOO good. They had a mix of men and women DJs - all swanky music. It does get loud so may be hard to hear conversations in a bigger group. Definitely will come back!!! If you're hungry, go around the corner at ChickenG for non greasy, crispy and flavorful fried chicken sandwich/fries!! read more

Harlan Records - Delicious assortment of drinks! Can you guess which is the mocktail? - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Ok I've been here 3 times in the last month for work happy hour and I love it. It's a chill/hipster vibe and such a cool space. Wide variety on the menu and decently priced. Cute outside patio to sip and kick it. Great spot. read more

Harlan Records - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Service was a little slow but there was plenty to take in while we waited for our drinks to be made. There's lots to look at - beautiful bar, cool wall decorations, live music. Drinks were pretty good too! read more

Harlan Records - Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Super cool place with lots of good music and drinks. They don't do classic cocktails though so I'd stick with the menu or their recommendations read more

They have more than one great sound system and play a selection of eclectic vinyl. Also a DJ spins live. I enjoyed the fact that the volume was sufficient to hear and enjoy the music yet didn't blast your eardrums making it impossible to enjoy conversation. They have an innovation selection of cocktails and can make you pretty much anything you want, and do it well! read more

Harlan Records - Naked and Famous - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

A place in SF that values actual vinyl records other than record shops and serves cocktails and an assortment of other types of booze? oh my. I'm not a cocktail person but I didn't plan on making an excursion up to the City just to imbibe on an IPA and skip out on their specialty. situated down the street from the southern Chinatown gate and in an alley right next door to an Irish tavern is Harlan Records, a bar adorned in all sorts of music paraphernalia and vinyl album covers bringing life to what would otherwise be just another plain ol' watering hole. I happened to show up on a day they spun Grateful Dead tracks all nite, which sort of coincided with a weekend festival celebrating the local legendary jam-rock band. my drink (the $15 Brass Monkey) consisted of a mix of a Japanese and American whiskey, allspice and some fancy French sounding banana flavored liqueur (?) and topped with a dehydrated lemon slice to visually spruce it up. sounds bougey for a drink named after a classic 80s Beastie Boys rap track (pre-Me Too Movement, mind you) but it was subtly stout yet sweet and I opted to get another for posterity. the bar itself is dark wood paneled and low lit with enough musical eye candy (turntables and an old school stereo system located near the front entrance) to distract anyone enough to get em off their phones and laptops and even possibly strike up a conversation with strangers. you know, how bars used to be back in the day. bartenders are attentive and even social and one seemed to know his music, which should be the case given that the place is seeped in it. there ought to be more places like this since vinyl has definitely made one helluva comeback and most folks seem to finally understand its importance to music. parking can be problematic due to its proximity to Union Square/Chinatown but its only a few blocks away from the Montgomery BART station and about a 10-15 minute jaunt. read more

Harlan Records - Grateful Dead Day - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great bar! A little hidden but in the middle of Union Square area. The bar tender was fast and friendly. My drink, Ole 45, was fantastic. The vibe and music was great, mellow and with full album vinyl playing overhead. I'll definitely be back. read more

Wonderful vibe! A slice of LES-NYC in SF. Great drinks, brilliant vinyl collection, friendlier servers.

Amazing spot! Popped in for a quick drink and this place is really special. Super cool, sort of cozy vibe with dim lighting and great music. The drinks are delicious- the bartenders really know what they're doing! read more

Harlan Records - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Would definitely recommend! We were visiting from out of town and ended up coming here twice because we loved it so much! First of all, the ambience is unmatched! The whole thing is a vibe and I'm here for it! I loved the records they were spinning and it was totally seamless. I love the different seating areas as well. The drinks were fantastic! Everyone in my party was raving about theirs. I got the CREAM and loved it! The service was fast and kind. Whenever I'm in San Francisco, I'll be coming back here for a relaxing, but fun time. read more

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I organized a post-work happy hour here. I left a voicemail to make sure there wasn't a private even that night, but didn't get a call back after a week. On the day of the event, I stopped by during the day, and the bartender was really nice and let me reserve the tables on their stage (online you can't make reservations for groups smaller than 10, but they aren't strict about that in person). * The Dylan - 5 stars This was refreshing and perfectly balanced. There was a thick layer of egg white, my favorite. The bartender let me taste the pre-mixed base and I found it a little strong, so he made it a little lighter for me. read more

Harlan Records - The Dylan - 5 stars. Refreshing and perfectly balanced. Great thick egg white layer. Mon happy hour 2024-01-22 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California