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Tip added and wellness fee and what not and that too they dnt say it while handing the check ? So you prey on people who travel from out of town and believe you in good faith. You always mention the tip is added to the check so that people do not overpay. That's not good practice. Whats the point of having a good product and do all these shady stuff? Thought the motto of the area was people first and for the people but doesn't look like it.
I remember when this bar was such a hipster hot spot almost two decades ago. I really didn't think I was cool enough to patronize it back then, but since I've become more superficial over the years, I thought I would be a better match now. Turns out I was right about the match but more likely because we both have chilled out to the same temperature. In fact, I've become so cool, I almost forgot to leave a review about my experience here. Or maybe it's just senility. Anyway, I came late on a weekday afternoon after a leisurely walkabout in Golden Gate Park. Feeling parched, I was thrilled to see a sandwich board advertising a slushie special. It was the $17 Saudinha when I visited. It was the ideal tropical libation for me because it was made with an arresting mix of Rhum J.M. Agricole Blanc, whole lime, toasted coconut, condensed milk, and Brugal Extra Viejo float (Photo 9). It was a bit on the sweet size but I liked it. Because it wasn't too busy, I stuck around for a second drink, but this time I went for the tried-and-true, the $15 Espresso Martini (Photo 8). The bartender made it quite smooth which made me want another one, but I demurred fortunately. The bar bites and small plates were tempting, especially the jammy eggs and the mushroom & walnut pate, so another visit with an emptier stomach seems inevitable. COCKTAILS - 4 stars...stylish cocktails satisfy AMBIANCE - 4.5 stars...nice chill vibe in here SERVICE - 4 stars...cordial mixology TOTAL - 4 stars..I'm part of the in-crowd now RELATED - Exploring the Haight? Here's a collection of places l've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/_ACvheyVVi
This is one of my favorite spots. I usually make it a point to stop by if I'm the area, especially after record shopping at Amoeba. Solid cocktails that are expertly crafted, balanced and good fresh bar/pub food to pair! I tried their salad which was the best salad I have ever tried at a bar. Their burger is also really juicy, tasty and very filling. I also love the ambiance here. Its a great spot for an afternoon happy hour. Its cozy and they have a nice skylight filtering in some nice daylight into the space along with some daily specials to pair. They also have some nice parklet outdoor seating to feel the breeze and the afternoon sun. Highly recommend!
This Place has Great Vibes.. A "Co-Owner" Can't recall her name... but she serviced our drinks. Super Friendly, and we never had to wait long for a drink.... and we had a Party of +30 too... Good Draft Beer Selections.. My Nephew had a Old Fashion, B-side, and others which I tried.. She put her own twist on the Cocktails, and they were all very Good.. My non drinking friends raved about all the non-alcohol drinks she made.. and said they were the best she had.. Not the typical Shirley Temple..... Will definitely will be back the next time I'm in the area...
As a self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast running on caffeine like it's my lifeblood, I can confidently say that The Alembic serves up one of the best espresso martinis in the city ( to my taste) --no exaggeration here! If I could start every day with one of these divine concoctions for breakfast, I absolutely would (and trust me, I've considered it)! The vibe here is dark- cozy and a little on the smaller side, but don't let that deter you; it's not hard to snag a table. Plus I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I was able to place my order in and, ready to whisk me into a world of rich flavors and blissful sips. ( and the best thing? The bathrooms were CLEAN) Honestly, I'm thrilled to have found this gem. If you're looking for a place to enjoy a perfectly crafted espresso martini that makes you feel like you're living your best life, look no further. Cheers to Alembic for making my nights a little more caffeinated and a lot more fun! Keep those martinis coming! Cheers
We were a party of two, stopped in for drinks and snacks before heading downtown for dinner. Pleasant and knowledgeable bar staff, delicious cocktails and food (loved the scotch egg!). Impressive wall of spirits. Tidy and attractive bar and clean bathrooms. Walked by often when I lived nearby but this is my first visit and I look forward to visiting again!
Such a great place for cocktails and bites. I visited again recently but have been many times before. Great space inside, bar service only but tables and bar seating. Cocktails were great and some unique and creative ones. Food is good too. We tried the yucca fries with chimichurri sauce. The fries were tasty with good flavor of the sauce. The wings were filling and liked the aioli it came with. They also have classes they offer that sound interesting.
Pros: offers mixology courses, seems to rotate seasonal cocktails and have creative offerings Cons: absolutely terrible service... Came here on a Thursday night as a party of 4. They hand you a menu and then it's open seating. Then, you go up to the bar to order. My friends and I ordered a round of tequila shots and 1 cocktail each. After receiving the shots and 3 cocktails AND waiting a while, we asked someone about the status of the last cocktail, and she gave off such attitude with a RBF, saying that they were working on it. The bartender who worked on it was making drinks for other people, which was why we also checked up on the last drink. We shrugged it off, thinking maybe we were overthinking it or it was an off day for her. However, we asked a bartender for some napkins, and he gave us some but then proceeded to tell us that next time, we should go to the BATHROOM to grab napkins if we need more... The drinks themselves sounded creative but some lacked in execution of impressing me. I got a seasonal cocktail called Life's a Beach, which wasn't bad but didn't really highlight as many of the special flavors that the ingredients hinted at, as it felt like the spirit overpowered the rest of the drink. One of my friends got one of their special drinks (don't remember what it's called), which had clarified milk and yuzu, and that one was actually quite good and refreshing as a cocktail. They also have food, although we didn't order any. It seems like they also have mixology classes, which seemed cool. While I do think Alembic has a lot to offer in the cocktail scene, the service was really off putting and I felt a bit uncomfortable to be there.
Alembic is a pretty small venue with a woodsy, vintage atmosphere. At times it can be difficult to find a seat. They have a nice menu of innovative house cocktails for whatever your taste is and any I have had certainly aren't weak. Don't overlook the food menu as common bar bite cuisine. The kitchen puts out very respectable cuisine. How many bars serve bone marrow?
Enjoyed drinks here after a day of shopping in the Haight. Bartenders and service were friendly and attentive. Cozy spot in a nice atmosphere. We had some of their specialty drinks, beer and a shot and whiskey. Nice place to wind down.
Love the vibes! Drinks are very okay. My group of 8 had great night sitting in the booth drinking and chatting. Alembic is generally a great place for a night out. They do classic cocktails like Moscow mules well. Their special cocktails are unique and some sound like they would taste great (like the one with coconut milk) but the ingredients don't mix too well.
This is our go-to local cocktail bar--low-key, underrated, and always delivering. It has a great crowd any day of the week and offers some incredible, unique, and seasonal drinks. I highly recommend trying one of their frozen cocktails! The cozy, dark wood interior adds to the charm, and the staff is super friendly. While it is a bit pricey, the experience is absolutely worth it.
One of the worst espresso martinis of my life. Service was fine. Plenty of bar seating and stools.
It's been several years since we have been to the Alembic but as we were in the area we decided to pop in today! Ordered a Fieldwork Hazy dream, some chips and some olives for a mid afternoon break from Haight ! Food , drink and service were all great and it was fun being back in this bar! read more
New discovery of a classic joint in SF. A colleague suggested this bar for a meet-up after work. The location is right on Haight and parking wasn't too bad. The bar is dimly lit with a cozy feel. There is no table service so we ordered at the bar and was told to come back in two minutes to pick-up our drinks. I ordered the night market (song cai dry gin, cucumber lemongrass shrub, lemon lime and Thai chili. It was light with a mix of sweet and tart, perfect for the warm day. We only stayed long enough for one drink so I am looking forward to coming back soon to hangout longer and try other cocktails. read more
A great spot for unique and tasty cocktails. Coming here on an early Saturday night, there were only a few seats/tables open, but that's to be expected for a bar in the city. They have a fairly extensive menu so it looks like there's something for everyone. My partner and I had three drinks between us. They were all great, but the standout was the cocktail special milk tea drink. As a lover of milk tea, I was fascinated by the taste of this drink. It's so refreshing and easy to drink. I would come back here just to get another one of these (and maybe try the happy hour too). Overall, would recommend this place for a nice casual drink! read more
8 months ago
Tip added and wellness fee and what not and that too they dnt say it while handing the check ? So you prey on people who travel from out of town and believe you in good faith. You always mention the tip is added to the check so that people do not overpay. That's not good practice. Whats the point of having a good product and do all these shady stuff? Thought the motto of the area was people first and for the people but doesn't look like it. read more
I remember when this bar was such a hipster hot spot almost two decades ago. I really didn't think I was cool enough to patronize it back then, but since I've become more superficial over the years, I thought I would be a better match now. Turns out I was right about the match but more likely because we both have chilled out to the same temperature. In fact, I've become so cool, I almost forgot to leave a review about my experience here. Or maybe it's just senility. Anyway, I came late on a weekday afternoon after a leisurely walkabout in Golden Gate Park. Feeling parched, I was thrilled to see a sandwich board advertising a slushie special. It was the $17 Saudinha when I visited. It was the ideal tropical libation for me because it was made with an arresting mix of Rhum J.M. Agricole Blanc, whole lime, toasted coconut, condensed milk, and Brugal Extra Viejo float (Photo 9). It was a bit on the sweet size but I liked it. Because it wasn't too busy, I stuck around for a second drink, but this time I went for the tried-and-true, the $15 Espresso Martini (Photo 8). The bartender made it quite smooth which made me want another one, but I demurred fortunately. The bar bites and small plates were tempting, especially the jammy eggs and the mushroom & walnut pate, so another visit with an emptier stomach seems inevitable. COCKTAILS - 4 stars...stylish cocktails satisfy AMBIANCE - 4.5 stars...nice chill vibe in here SERVICE - 4 stars...cordial mixology TOTAL - 4 stars..I'm part of the in-crowd now RELATED - Exploring the Haight? Here's a collection of places l've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/_ACvheyVVi read more
This is one of my favorite spots. I usually make it a point to stop by if I'm the area, especially after record shopping at Amoeba. Solid cocktails that are expertly crafted, balanced and good fresh bar/pub food to pair! I tried their salad which was the best salad I have ever tried at a bar. Their burger is also really juicy, tasty and very filling. I also love the ambiance here. Its a great spot for an afternoon happy hour. Its cozy and they have a nice skylight filtering in some nice daylight into the space along with some daily specials to pair. They also have some nice parklet outdoor seating to feel the breeze and the afternoon sun. Highly recommend! read more
3 months ago
This Place has Great Vibes.. A "Co-Owner" Can't recall her name... but she serviced our drinks. Super Friendly, and we never had to wait long for a drink.... and we had a Party of +30 too... Good Draft Beer Selections.. My Nephew had a Old Fashion, B-side, and others which I tried.. She put her own twist on the Cocktails, and they were all very Good.. My non drinking friends raved about all the non-alcohol drinks she made.. and said they were the best she had.. Not the typical Shirley Temple..... Will definitely will be back the next time I'm in the area... read more
2 years ago
As a self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast running on caffeine like it's my lifeblood, I can confidently say that The Alembic serves up one of the best espresso martinis in the city ( to my taste) --no exaggeration here! If I could start every day with one of these divine concoctions for breakfast, I absolutely would (and trust me, I've considered it)! The vibe here is dark- cozy and a little on the smaller side, but don't let that deter you; it's not hard to snag a table. Plus I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I was able to place my order in and, ready to whisk me into a world of rich flavors and blissful sips. ( and the best thing? The bathrooms were CLEAN) Honestly, I'm thrilled to have found this gem. If you're looking for a place to enjoy a perfectly crafted espresso martini that makes you feel like you're living your best life, look no further. Cheers to Alembic for making my nights a little more caffeinated and a lot more fun! Keep those martinis coming! Cheers read more
1 year ago
We were a party of two, stopped in for drinks and snacks before heading downtown for dinner. Pleasant and knowledgeable bar staff, delicious cocktails and food (loved the scotch egg!). Impressive wall of spirits. Tidy and attractive bar and clean bathrooms. Walked by often when I lived nearby but this is my first visit and I look forward to visiting again! read more
Such a great place for cocktails and bites. I visited again recently but have been many times before. Great space inside, bar service only but tables and bar seating. Cocktails were great and some unique and creative ones. Food is good too. We tried the yucca fries with chimichurri sauce. The fries were tasty with good flavor of the sauce. The wings were filling and liked the aioli it came with. They also have classes they offer that sound interesting. read more
2 years ago
Pros: offers mixology courses, seems to rotate seasonal cocktails and have creative offerings Cons: absolutely terrible service... Came here on a Thursday night as a party of 4. They hand you a menu and then it's open seating. Then, you go up to the bar to order. My friends and I ordered a round of tequila shots and 1 cocktail each. After receiving the shots and 3 cocktails AND waiting a while, we asked someone about the status of the last cocktail, and she gave off such attitude with a RBF, saying that they were working on it. The bartender who worked on it was making drinks for other people, which was why we also checked up on the last drink. We shrugged it off, thinking maybe we were overthinking it or it was an off day for her. However, we asked a bartender for some napkins, and he gave us some but then proceeded to tell us that next time, we should go to the BATHROOM to grab napkins if we need more... The drinks themselves sounded creative but some lacked in execution of impressing me. I got a seasonal cocktail called Life's a Beach, which wasn't bad but didn't really highlight as many of the special flavors that the ingredients hinted at, as it felt like the spirit overpowered the rest of the drink. One of my friends got one of their special drinks (don't remember what it's called), which had clarified milk and yuzu, and that one was actually quite good and refreshing as a cocktail. They also have food, although we didn't order any. It seems like they also have mixology classes, which seemed cool. While I do think Alembic has a lot to offer in the cocktail scene, the service was really off putting and I felt a bit uncomfortable to be there. read more
Alembic is a pretty small venue with a woodsy, vintage atmosphere. At times it can be difficult to find a seat. They have a nice menu of innovative house cocktails for whatever your taste is and any I have had certainly aren't weak. Don't overlook the food menu as common bar bite cuisine. The kitchen puts out very respectable cuisine. How many bars serve bone marrow? read more
7 months ago
Enjoyed drinks here after a day of shopping in the Haight. Bartenders and service were friendly and attentive. Cozy spot in a nice atmosphere. We had some of their specialty drinks, beer and a shot and whiskey. Nice place to wind down. read more
Love the vibes! Drinks are very okay. My group of 8 had great night sitting in the booth drinking and chatting. Alembic is generally a great place for a night out. They do classic cocktails like Moscow mules well. Their special cocktails are unique and some sound like they would taste great (like the one with coconut milk) but the ingredients don't mix too well. read more
This is our go-to local cocktail bar--low-key, underrated, and always delivering. It has a great crowd any day of the week and offers some incredible, unique, and seasonal drinks. I highly recommend trying one of their frozen cocktails! The cozy, dark wood interior adds to the charm, and the staff is super friendly. While it is a bit pricey, the experience is absolutely worth it. read more
1 year ago
One of the worst espresso martinis of my life. Service was fine. Plenty of bar seating and stools. read more
A fun, eclectic day can always be found at Haight and Ashbury, and our wandering around took us to The Alembic. A smaller, intimate cocktail lounge The Alembic has quality drinks at not outrageous prices. Our highlights were the Golden Child and Playground Love. Perhaps my only complaint would be that ordering and getting a drink was a touch slow for a Wednesday afternoon, but overall we had a good time. Next time I would definitely take a look at the food menu because there appears to be some interesting stuff! read more
Came here this past weekend when we were walking around during the haight ashbury street festival. They have a huge selection of liquor and the cocktails on the menu looked good. We ordered 5 espresso martini's and the bartender seemed new or was lost. Kept asking others for the measurements/ingredients for the drinks. When he started shaking our drinks, he spilled a lot of it. He started pouring the drinks into the cups and for the 5th one there wasn't enough. I thought he would just make more, but nope! Ended up pouring some from all the other 4 and trying to make them all even. To top it off the drink did not taste at all. Which was a bummer because I had been here before a long time ago and they cocktails were good. Maybe we'll give it a try another time. The bar itself is nice and had a lot of seating. read more
1 year ago
7 months ago
Haven't been here in a while. Went for drinks but wasn't expecting such amazing food. Carrot fennel soup, polenta fries with red chimichuri, salad with goat cheese, all delicious. Service was also great. Had my pups with me and they brought them out some treats. read more
7 months ago
4 years ago
One of my favorite cocktail bars! The many changes seasonally, and monthly which makes this place so fun to come back to. I've been here about 4 times and each time my friends and I have gotten something unique! The bar tenders are also very helpful :) I've had two things off of their food menu and they were pretty good. so would recommend if you are in need of a bite. Do note that the kitchen does close around 10pm most nights. The interior is dim and has a very cozy feel to it. Just like many cocktail bars in the city, it is a small location so if you come later in the evening do be prepared to wait a little! read more
2 years ago
Happy hour on weekends?? Say less! The happy hour deals include a happy hour cocktail for 8$. It was so delicious! I also ordered the hushpuppies with queso. They were definitely well done hush puppies, perfectly crispy and golden brown on the outside. But I wish the queso was a bit more seasoned. The staff was also super friendly and I love that it's a chill but cute bar! It's more elevated than a dive bar so def could do a date here! read more
1 year ago
love the cocktails here. tried the 'good soup' cocktail which is inspired by tom yum soup and it was great! when you sit in the park let they serve everything in plastic cups. Obviously doesn't change the flavor but the cocktails just didn't feel as elevated. Totally get why they don't want glassware out there though. The polenta fries are a MUST order. The buffalo wings were also great, love their bleu cheese. A great spot to check out on haight street for craft cocktails and bites! read more
3 years ago
Started with a brown butter old fashioned , it was just what I wanted to start the drizzly winter night. Always a nice ambience in alembic for a date Elliot was are bartender, he was very nice and helpful with our order. Ordered the west coast IPA and had the 3rd cheese plate on the menu he recommended(can't remember the name of the cheese). Was really good with the seasonal plum jelly it came with on the side Will be returning when I'm in the area read more
3 years ago
I visited this place on a friday and it was decently packed. I really liked the vibe - as it was dimly lit with some real candles and cook books with indoor plants adorning the walls beside your tables. The drinks were reasonably priced and my seasonal cocktail called "somewhere on a beach" was really good! read more
Ah, the Alembic. How I appreciate being so close to thee. This is what my partner and I consider "our local watering hole." No, it's not a dive bar. It's definitely classier than that, yet it's a place that I can also still go to in my althleisure. I appreciate how they rotate their cocktails and food menu based on seasonality. They also have a happy hour drink that they rotate as well, some past examples: mini mai tai, lychee daiquiri. The bartenders and staff have always been pretty attentive and welcoming to us. Megan has pleasantly helped us many a time and made top notch beverages. I used to go when they had brunch cocktails too. Maybe they'll bring that back one day! The drinks are $12-14 and always balanced, yet strong. Can't go wrong here. You have some of their takes on some classics and some inventive newer concoctions. All of them are creative and interesting. They also have great pairings for their boilermakers! If you're more of a beer and wine drinker, they got ya covered too and rotate their beers on tap. Food wise, I'm a fan of their leek fritters and polenta fries. I miss the sauce they used to serve with the polenta fries though. It was like a creamy chimichurri sauce. We have also had the burger and although tasty, we wished we could have fries instead of chips with it. Haven't gotten around to trying their desserts, but they rotate a few of them. There also offer mixology classes you can take, maybe once a month? Haven't gotten around to checking them out yet. I believe they're on Mondays? Looking forward to the day we visit again! read more
3 years ago
Business owner information
Christin E.
Jeremy, we take customer service very seriously and always want to…
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More info about The Alembic
1725 Haight St
San Francisco, CA 94117
The Haight
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(415) 666-0822
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http://www.alembicsf.com
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Ask the Community - The Alembic
The take-out link on the website doesn't seem to be working. Does Alembic still offer takeout?
Have you reopened from your repairs?
Yes. Thanks for asking. We reopened this past Wednesday.
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