Smuggler's Cove
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Classic tiki bar with cool spaces for enjoying your cocktail but painfully slow to get a drink. Our group had a great time.
My wife and I dropped by Smuggler's Cove on a Wednesday evening right when they opened and we headed straight downstairs as recommended by many Yelpers. Be careful as you head down the stairs, as your eyes may need some time adjusting to the dim environment. Seating is first come first serve and the most popular spot definitely seems to be at the bar. Ordering is at the bar, and unfortunately, there's no physical menu here -- only a QR code that you'll have to scan to access their online menu. If you're able to, I definitely recommend browsing through the extensive menu online beforehand. While the menu is predominantly rum based drinks, there is also a handful of drinks that are not rum based. They also happen to have a non-alcoholic option where you can describe the flavor profile you're looking for and the bartender can put together a custom mocktail for you. I came in to Smuggler's Cove assuming everything would be over the top in terms of sweetness, but the drinks here are very well balanced. You can definitely taste the fresh citrus used in the drinks here. If you're looking for something very spirit forward, definitely look for items on the menu with a diamond next to it. I ended up ordering two drinks in the hour that I was there -- a zombie and a "Heaux Geaux", their take on the classic Vieux Carre. Since there was only one bartender downstairs, it took a while for the drinks to be prepared. I would recommend ordering your second drink about 20 minutes ahead of when you actually want it. Overall, Smuggler's Cove is probably the best tiki bar I've visited in the Bay Area. The drinks here are spectacular.
Went Sunday night, got in quick. Shout out Simon for being literally the most welcoming, friendly, and just all around down to earth bartender. It's always nice to get drinks from someone that makes you feel like you're old pals. ***recommend the Kona cocktail***
What a great little themed bar tucked away in a place you wouldn't expect it to be. The vibe is up and the location is...cozy, to be nice, so it's loud, but it was fun. The bartenders make great drinks that go with the tiki bar vibe. We went on a Thursday and it was up. Friday/Saturday must b insane!
After hearing that it gets crowded quickly, we arrived even before it opened (at 5) so we didn't have to worry about getting a table. Even so, there was a line to get in but we were still able to get one. The menu is really big which gives a lot of options but is a bit overwhelming. Somehow, our order got lost and they ended up finding it on the floor, which we only found out after waiting around an hour because even people who came after us got their drinks. Because of all that, the drinks weren't worth the time or money. I still really liked the place though, the decor is so cute and it's a fun place to sit and chat which would be the main reason for me to come back.
First time checking our smugglers cove. We came on a Friday night about 6pm. Not a lot of seating throughout but it is pretty popular. We went to the bottom bar first. All the tables and seats were taken. The menu is only a QR code now, I heard it was an actual menu previously. We waited for our drinks maybe 15 minutes which seemed like forever. We ended up sitting at the bar on the main floor and we should have just ordered our drinks with them because they were faster! A huge group left in the upstairs room so we got to check that space out too. I liked my drink, I got the $16 Aku Aku. rum, fresh lime, fresh pineapple, peach liqueur, fresh mint. It was better than the Kona. Small drinks but fun place!
Still one of my favorite Tiki Bars of all time. I've never had a bad drink here. The key to getting a spot is to just come here right when they open. Maybe arrive there 10-15 mins beforehand to be sure. And then go downstairs immediately when you walk in and find a table fast before all are taken. My favorite drink here is the Mastodon. It's very strong but still has a lot of tropical taste to it. If you like Passion Fruit you'll get hints of that with hints of cherry. The cocktail I got recently was the Roselita. I really enjoyed the combo of the Hibiscus and Pear liqueurs with the Orgeat. So there's nutty notes with some floral and juiciness. This one is a little lighter than the first drink I mentioned which was nice because I still had a long night of drinking to go...
Came here before sushi dinner at Robin across the street and thought it was a great tiki bar! The bouncer was friendly and talkative, the drinks were quite strong (you'd better be ok with drinking a lot of rum). There's a downstairs seating area and bar. It can be quite crowded on the weekends but you can usually stand and just snag seats as they open up. Very cute decor.
I sipped on the Kona cocktail at Smuggler's Cove. This San Francisco tiki bar is the perfect spot to decompress with friends or a date. It was chill with cozy cushioned seating in the upstairs loft, solid drinks, and good energy. I didn't get a chance to swing downstairs to take a gander, so I'll have to check it out next time. The restroom is a bit of a tight squeeze, but it's clean and that's all you could ask for. 10/10 would recommend Smuggler's Cove!
Another amazing visit to Smuggler's Cove, and this time an induction into the world of the RUMBUSTION SOCIETY! We got here over an hour early to lock in that coveted bar seat, and we stayed until like 11pm. Such a great time meeting new people and finally getting a chance to talk to the bartenders, much different experience from sitting downstairs... But Smuggler's Cove in general just sets the damn standard for tiki cocktails, once you've been here it's difficult to even drink anywhere else, seriously... The decor and ambiance is top notch to go with it, and this place is small enough that you feel real special sitting in here.. I seriously can't wait to go back again, counting down the days.
Smuggler's Cove was a fun atmosphere with some room for improvement! We ordered a fair amount of drinks, I prefer mine on the sweeter side and with clear liquors. I personally ordered a painkiller, a batida, and a piña colada and while the piña colada was ok, I ended up pawning off the other two drinks to my company. To me, the fruit juices were too sour to pair with coconut cream or condensed milk. Creamy and sour is a no-go for me. I'll also include a picture of my batida once it was finished to show it was 75% crushed ice. The tiki ambience was fun and the wet wall was kitschy in a good way, but the lighting in the downstairs bar could be improved. I thought the spotlights on the booth side of the seating areas were a bit harsh and casted unflattering shadows. However, the music playlist was great. It sounded like a blend of 50s, 60s, and 70s Hawaiian songs. In terms of service and wait times, we got there early before opening and waited in line outside. The staff were very nice and we got our drinks quickly after making a beeline to the downstairs bar.
Our group of four made the mistake of stopping by Smuggler's Cove. It was a Thursday night and when we arrived it was a little after 10pm. The place was apparently packed so we had to wait a couple of minutes before being let in. When we finally got in, we could see that it was an older crowd of folks, just sitting and talking, which is fine. But most weren't really drinking, just vibing with their empty drinks. Despite this fact, the bar took forever to make our drinks. (Or maybe everyone else was also waiting on more drinks?) We ordered four drinks off of the menu, and didn't get them until 11pm. I have group photos with timestamps that we took together to pass the time. We waited for 45 minutes, all of it standing by the bar, for our first round of drinks. The drinks themselves were okay, but we downed them and left immediately without hesitation. There's no way we were going to order another round. On the way out, we noticed plaques on the wall of apparently patrons' names who were being honored for drinking anywhere from hundreds to thousands of cocktails at Smuggler's Cove. Yikes. You won't be seeing our names up there anytime soon.
Always in search of a good tiki bar because why didn't love tasty food in a fun, islands vibe bar? So found this place while in SF and headed over to check it out. Smugglers Cove is a three story bar, with Island/pirate ambulance. You walk in on the second floor, with a bar immediately in front of you. There isn't any particular seating in this area, and it's generally pretty full. On the third floor is seating area to drink and talk amongst friends, while the first floor has another bar area with seating. Drinks are tiki in nature, heavily rum featured but with other spirits as well. Drinks sissy have different levels of strength. If there's a diamond next to the cocktail name on the menu, this means it is strong.. So order accordingly. Drinks were flavorful with solid presentation, and they are made quickly once ordered. The bar can be really busy though, bit it is a fun atmosphere. If you're looking for a tiki bar with quality drinks in SF, definitely try Smugglers Cove
2 months ago
5 days ago
Came around 10:45 on a Friday night and the line move pretty fast, we waited around 15 minutes. Smuggler's cove has a nice tikki bar aesthetic with 3 floors! We got drinks downstairs and the orders were quick. Its a little crowded in the cove so you might need to check the different floors to find empty space Pina colada (5/5): solid pina colada, good rum and large size. read more
This place opens at 5pm, showed up at 4.45 on a Saturday and the line was already big. Took us about 30 min to get in, 10 min to order at the bar, and 30 more min to get our drinks. The drinks were fine, decor on point but they gotta get a few more bartenders cause the wait is absolutely crazy. read more
My wife and I dropped by Smuggler's Cove on a Wednesday evening right when they opened and we headed straight downstairs as recommended by many Yelpers. Be careful as you head down the stairs, as your eyes may need some time adjusting to the dim environment. Seating is first come first serve and the most popular spot definitely seems to be at the bar. Ordering is at the bar, and unfortunately, there's no physical menu here -- only a QR code that you'll have to scan to access their online menu. If you're able to, I definitely recommend browsing through the extensive menu online beforehand. While the menu is predominantly rum based drinks, there is also a handful of drinks that are not rum based. They also happen to have a non-alcoholic option where you can describe the flavor profile you're looking for and the bartender can put together a custom mocktail for you. I came in to Smuggler's Cove assuming everything would be over the top in terms of sweetness, but the drinks here are very well balanced. You can definitely taste the fresh citrus used in the drinks here. If you're looking for something very spirit forward, definitely look for items on the menu with a diamond next to it. I ended up ordering two drinks in the hour that I was there -- a zombie and a "Heaux Geaux", their take on the classic Vieux Carre. Since there was only one bartender downstairs, it took a while for the drinks to be prepared. I would recommend ordering your second drink about 20 minutes ahead of when you actually want it. Overall, Smuggler's Cove is probably the best tiki bar I've visited in the Bay Area. The drinks here are spectacular. read more
10 days ago
Went Sunday night, got in quick. Shout out Simon for being literally the most welcoming, friendly, and just all around down to earth bartender. It's always nice to get drinks from someone that makes you feel like you're old pals. ***recommend the Kona cocktail*** read more
2 months ago
What a great little themed bar tucked away in a place you wouldn't expect it to be. The vibe is up and the location is...cozy, to be nice, so it's loud, but it was fun. The bartenders make great drinks that go with the tiki bar vibe. We went on a Thursday and it was up. Friday/Saturday must b insane! read more
After hearing that it gets crowded quickly, we arrived even before it opened (at 5) so we didn't have to worry about getting a table. Even so, there was a line to get in but we were still able to get one. The menu is really big which gives a lot of options but is a bit overwhelming. Somehow, our order got lost and they ended up finding it on the floor, which we only found out after waiting around an hour because even people who came after us got their drinks. Because of all that, the drinks weren't worth the time or money. I still really liked the place though, the decor is so cute and it's a fun place to sit and chat which would be the main reason for me to come back. read more
First time checking our smugglers cove. We came on a Friday night about 6pm. Not a lot of seating throughout but it is pretty popular. We went to the bottom bar first. All the tables and seats were taken. The menu is only a QR code now, I heard it was an actual menu previously. We waited for our drinks maybe 15 minutes which seemed like forever. We ended up sitting at the bar on the main floor and we should have just ordered our drinks with them because they were faster! A huge group left in the upstairs room so we got to check that space out too. I liked my drink, I got the $16 Aku Aku. rum, fresh lime, fresh pineapple, peach liqueur, fresh mint. It was better than the Kona. Small drinks but fun place! read more
9 months ago
Still one of my favorite Tiki Bars of all time. I've never had a bad drink here. The key to getting a spot is to just come here right when they open. Maybe arrive there 10-15 mins beforehand to be sure. And then go downstairs immediately when you walk in and find a table fast before all are taken. My favorite drink here is the Mastodon. It's very strong but still has a lot of tropical taste to it. If you like Passion Fruit you'll get hints of that with hints of cherry. The cocktail I got recently was the Roselita. I really enjoyed the combo of the Hibiscus and Pear liqueurs with the Orgeat. So there's nutty notes with some floral and juiciness. This one is a little lighter than the first drink I mentioned which was nice because I still had a long night of drinking to go... read more
8 months ago
Came here before sushi dinner at Robin across the street and thought it was a great tiki bar! The bouncer was friendly and talkative, the drinks were quite strong (you'd better be ok with drinking a lot of rum). There's a downstairs seating area and bar. It can be quite crowded on the weekends but you can usually stand and just snag seats as they open up. Very cute decor. read more
I sipped on the Kona cocktail at Smuggler's Cove. This San Francisco tiki bar is the perfect spot to decompress with friends or a date. It was chill with cozy cushioned seating in the upstairs loft, solid drinks, and good energy. I didn't get a chance to swing downstairs to take a gander, so I'll have to check it out next time. The restroom is a bit of a tight squeeze, but it's clean and that's all you could ask for. 10/10 would recommend Smuggler's Cove! read more
Another amazing visit to Smuggler's Cove, and this time an induction into the world of the RUMBUSTION SOCIETY! We got here over an hour early to lock in that coveted bar seat, and we stayed until like 11pm. Such a great time meeting new people and finally getting a chance to talk to the bartenders, much different experience from sitting downstairs... But Smuggler's Cove in general just sets the damn standard for tiki cocktails, once you've been here it's difficult to even drink anywhere else, seriously... The decor and ambiance is top notch to go with it, and this place is small enough that you feel real special sitting in here.. I seriously can't wait to go back again, counting down the days. read more
14 days ago
10 months ago
Smuggler's Cove was a fun atmosphere with some room for improvement! We ordered a fair amount of drinks, I prefer mine on the sweeter side and with clear liquors. I personally ordered a painkiller, a batida, and a piña colada and while the piña colada was ok, I ended up pawning off the other two drinks to my company. To me, the fruit juices were too sour to pair with coconut cream or condensed milk. Creamy and sour is a no-go for me. I'll also include a picture of my batida once it was finished to show it was 75% crushed ice. The tiki ambience was fun and the wet wall was kitschy in a good way, but the lighting in the downstairs bar could be improved. I thought the spotlights on the booth side of the seating areas were a bit harsh and casted unflattering shadows. However, the music playlist was great. It sounded like a blend of 50s, 60s, and 70s Hawaiian songs. In terms of service and wait times, we got there early before opening and waited in line outside. The staff were very nice and we got our drinks quickly after making a beeline to the downstairs bar. read more
1 year ago
Our group of four made the mistake of stopping by Smuggler's Cove. It was a Thursday night and when we arrived it was a little after 10pm. The place was apparently packed so we had to wait a couple of minutes before being let in. When we finally got in, we could see that it was an older crowd of folks, just sitting and talking, which is fine. But most weren't really drinking, just vibing with their empty drinks. Despite this fact, the bar took forever to make our drinks. (Or maybe everyone else was also waiting on more drinks?) We ordered four drinks off of the menu, and didn't get them until 11pm. I have group photos with timestamps that we took together to pass the time. We waited for 45 minutes, all of it standing by the bar, for our first round of drinks. The drinks themselves were okay, but we downed them and left immediately without hesitation. There's no way we were going to order another round. On the way out, we noticed plaques on the wall of apparently patrons' names who were being honored for drinking anywhere from hundreds to thousands of cocktails at Smuggler's Cove. Yikes. You won't be seeing our names up there anytime soon. read more
Always in search of a good tiki bar because why didn't love tasty food in a fun, islands vibe bar? So found this place while in SF and headed over to check it out. Smugglers Cove is a three story bar, with Island/pirate ambulance. You walk in on the second floor, with a bar immediately in front of you. There isn't any particular seating in this area, and it's generally pretty full. On the third floor is seating area to drink and talk amongst friends, while the first floor has another bar area with seating. Drinks are tiki in nature, heavily rum featured but with other spirits as well. Drinks sissy have different levels of strength. If there's a diamond next to the cocktail name on the menu, this means it is strong.. So order accordingly. Drinks were flavorful with solid presentation, and they are made quickly once ordered. The bar can be really busy though, bit it is a fun atmosphere. If you're looking for a tiki bar with quality drinks in SF, definitely try Smugglers Cove read more
A friend of mine was visiting the Bay and wanted to try Smuggler's Cove, so we decided to go on a Friday. We arrived at 5:15, and there was a short line of people waiting outside. Once we entered, we saw a beautiful, small area decorated as a tiki bar. There is a very small seating area upstairs with booth seating and dim lighting, as well as another bar area in the basement. Right away, we realized that Smuggler's Cove has an extremely long menu (I'm talking 50+ drinks). Most are rum cocktails, but they also have non-rum options available. I chose the Sidewinder's Fang, and I'm so happy with my choice! It was deliciously fresh and citrusy. I would 100% order it again. I was genuinely shocked by how yummy it was. We sat upstairs in the small seating area. Even though the space was really small, I didn't feel cramped. Unfortunately, they did overcharge us by $10. We wanted to ask for a refund, but the line at the bar was long and we had a dinner reservation we needed to head out for. Despite the overcharge, this bar was incredible and I would love to return! read more
6 months ago
An absolute gem of a tiki bar in San Francisco. Almost like a speakeasy you wouldn't even know that it's there from the street except for the bar security checking IDs out front which kind of gives it some mystery inside. There are two bars to choose from upstairs and downstairs, the staff is extremely knowledgeable and the menu is extensive so maybe go on their website and take a look prior to going so you have an idea of maybe what you'd like. When in doubt, just let the bartenders know what you kind of like to taste in a tiki drink and they will be super helpful. read more
8 months ago
4 months ago
Arrr, matey! Smuggler's Cove be the finest Tiki tavern this scallywag has ever set foot in. Be sure to study the grog list afore ye sail in--and keep it on yer enchanted device for easy reference. The elixirs be bold and mighty, fit for a seasoned sea dog. Hoist a tankard of their signature potion, The Expedition, and drink deep, for these masterful mixologists know their craft better than a pirate knows the tides! Rum-lovin' buccaneers, take heed! They be harborin' over 550 varieties o' the good stuff. Ask 'bout the Rumbustion Society, should ye fancy yerself a true rum scholar. The Cove be spread across three decks--the upper one be a spillover from the main deck below. As fer vittles? This old salt ain't sure if they be welcome aboard--best send word ahead lest ye be left high and dry. Yo ho ho, and bottoms up, ye landlubber! read more
This place is exactly the kind of tiki bar I like to find -- total hole in the wall. From the outside, you'd probably walk right by it... I know I did. Twice. It's got a small footprint, but it's three stories tall, and every level has its own unique vibe. Dim lighting, nautical ropes, barrels, tiki mugs everywhere -- felt like walking into a rum-soaked pirate speakeasy. Honestly, it gives Disney a serious run for its money, and that's saying something. I ordered a banana daiquiri, and it was smooth, not too sweet, and had just enough kick to remind you it wasn't fruit juice. Took a bunch of pics and picked up two of their wooden Tiki Rum Crates to bring home for the backyard bar. Couldn't resist. The atmosphere was awesome -- dark but not dirty, and everything felt clean. Staff was friendly, and even the people around us were cool and easy to talk to. Everyone just seemed happy to be there. If you're anywhere near San Francisco and into tiki culture, or just want a cool spot that doesn't feel like a cookie-cutter bar, this is worth the stop. I'll definitely be back. read more
1 year ago
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11 months ago
Nice tiki bar with an extensive and fun menu. Cool decor and 3 levels. We went early on a saturday and almost all the seats were already taken. Expect a wait if you come during typical hours! read more
2 months ago
Very knowledgeable bartenders and manager. They have a lot of drink options. The friendly manager suggested I try the Smuggler's Rum Barrel, a smuggler's cove original cocktail. It contained a blend of 3 rums, fruit juice, and spices. Not something I would have ordered otherwise, but it's a hefty drink for $17 that set my night on the right track with a nice buzz. The bar has a good amount of seating across 3 floors. Only the entry floor is ADA accessible and when you enter it's a short but steep flight of stairs to the bottom floor bar which has much more seating. My friend ordered a mocktail - her piña colada was served on ice, since they don't blend their drinks. There was a concert nearby, so when we arrived around 7:30pm the bar was full but we found seating after about 15 minutes. read more
6 months ago
Great tiki bar. 3 smaller levels and gets crowded. Crowd is mixed and interesting. Some of the best tiki drinks I've had. Just know it can be hard to find seating until late at night. read more
The atmosphere at Smuggler's Cove is incredibly fun--dark, immersive, and it truly feels like you've stepped inside a pirate ship. The space is very small, so if you're not near the front of the line before opening, you might miss out on a seat at the bar. We ended up downstairs sharing a little crate table, which turned out to be a great experience--we made some new friends! The cozy seating makes it easy to strike up conversations with fellow tiki lovers. We also learned about the Rumbustion Society, a club for rum enthusiasts. You can join to explore and learn all about rum, and if you stick with it, you can even earn a trip to a private rum distillery! Between my husband and me, we tried five drinks. The Mastodon was very strong and delicious, and the Hot Buttered Rum surprised me--it was actually incredible! We're excited to try and replicate it at home with our Smugglers Cove Book. My favorite cold drink was the Fuzzy Banana--the flavor pairing was spot-on, with just the right amount of sweetness, if you love banana this is your drink! Smuggler's Cove has been on our list for a long time, and I'm so glad we finally made it. While the seating style isn't my favorite due to the limited space, they make the most of it. The drinks more than make up for it. Can't wait to come back--hopefully next time we'll snag a spot at the bar! read more
2 years ago
This is one of my favorite bars in the city. It's always such a fun time and the cocktails are amazing. I love the Aku Aku, Kona cocktail, and of course, their infamous fluffy banana. It can sometimes feel way too cramped, so please take that into consideration if you're easily overstimulated or get claustrophobic. I wouldn't recommend it for meeting people, dates, or having in-depth conversations, because the noise level makes it hard to hear. That said, it's still a must-try spot in SF. I usually prefer sitting downstairs, where there's a bit more space than the main floor and a delightful little water feature. Both floors have a bar, so hiding downstairs is still a great time. I highly recommend kicking off the night here with a few fun drinks, then heading out before the line starts to get unruly. read more
I finally stopped by after years of walking past the lines of people waiting to get in, and I get the hype if you're into tiki bars. It's decorated well, leaning into the pirate theme without being overly corny, and the drinks are pretty decent. It is an overwhelmingly menu, but there are a lot of similar flavor profiles, so it's hard to go wrong, and it's nice that they mark which drinks are strong LOL. The drinks are on the sweeter side, so I didn't really taste the rum which was good for me. There's also a small section of drinks made with other liquor, for those of us who don't typically drink rum. The bartenders are friendly and efficient, even when the orders pile up, and some of the drinks are definitely instagrammable. The space is pretty small, so if you want a seat (especially if you have a bigger group) you'll want to keep an eye out for people leaving to quickly swoop. I didn't get to check out upstairs because it was crowded when I came on a Friday night, and my friends and I didn't want to lose our seats downstairs lol, but hopefully next time. It's pretty loud so it's better for a friends hang out than a date, unless you come earlier in the evening. I personally prefer a more diverse drinks menu bc I like other liquor better, but still a cool spot to check out! read more
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More info about Smuggler's Cove
650 Gough St
San Francisco, CA 94102
Fillmore
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(415) 869-1900
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http://www.smugglerscovesf.com/
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Ask the Community - Smuggler's Cove
How bad is the wait if you get there right as they open on Friday?
Can you bring food?
No. Smugglers Cove doesn't allow outside food to be brought in. Light snacks like chips are okay.
Can you make reservations?
No, it's just a bar that you walk into. You just get your drink and find a place to sit.
Do you do private events?
Is this place open yet trying to find a cool tiki bar to take my boyfriend for his 21st for a cool fancy drink?
Do they have food too?
Nope. Just the most amazing cocktails and rum selection you will find anywhere on the planet. There are a considerable number of wonderful restaurants within a couple of blocks however.
Do they allow children?
It's not the place for children. Don't bring them. It's inappropriate and would be annoying to the other patrons
Can i com here with my grandpa?
That would depend on your grandpa more than in the location. If he's into tiki lounges and steady on his feet and able to negotiate stairs if necessary I don't see why not
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