We popped by last weekend for some cocktails after dinner. We had a group of 4 and came around 8:30pm on a Friday. It was fairly quiet when we arrived but busy by the time we left a few hours later. I had the Paloma smoked and it was fantastic. Our bartender was friendly and knowledge. The rest of my group also had their drinks smoked - so fun and we caught the attention of everyone else who was here! If you are looking for a quieter spot with excellent drinks - look no further!! read more

Drinks are next level. Bartender has serious mixology skills. The lounge is cozy with a cool historical vibe and they connect with the guests. Lots of interesting things going on inside The Majestic Hotel and The Butterfly Lounge is definitely worth a visit for great cocktails and ambiance. read more

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Everything I hoped for and more. Came here for some birthday drinks and Mike and Amit couldn't have been more hospitable. The atmosphere and drinks were exceptional. This will always be on my list when I visit San Francisco from now on. Thank you so very much for the experience. read more

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Kenny is the BEST bartender EVER! He's so FUN and interesting. We had a great time with him tonight!

Beautiful lounge inside Hotel Majestic. Really neat drinks made by the wonderful bartender Phani read more

The Butterfly Lounge - About last night - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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this used to be a really good place to go have cocktails. It's gone downhill. The bartender should be at a dive bar, not at a place like this. He does not know how to make a drink. He does not know how to use the smoke machine to make a good drink. Horrible I will never go back as long as he is the bartender, worst bartender ever. read more

This is the coolest low key spot. The bar tender is amazing and makes you custom cocktails. Keep it hush hush because this is a gem that is going to blow up when Tik tok finds out. I cannot recommend this enough. read more

The Butterfly Lounge - Bar area - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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It's been a while since I wrote a Yelp review. When thinking of spots, I remembered this bar I stumbled upon last year. I met up a girlfriend at Butterfly Lounge on a weeknight sometime in November. The space itself is rather small. Just a short bar and I believe a few tables as well. It wasn't very busy that evening, so I was able to grab a seat next to my gf. We had a few drinks throughout the night as we were here for about 1.5 hours. Got a pour of scotch and this great drink called Liquid Campfire. Such a fun smokey cocktail. I loved how they unveiled it! The bartender was wonderful! I can't recall his name, but he was so sweet and attentive. My gf and I had a great time sipping on cocktails and talking the night away. If you're staying at Hotel Majestic (or are just in the area), definitely check out this bar! It's intimate, but has a nice cozy vibe. Who knew a great neighborhood bar existed in a hotel? read more

The Butterfly Lounge - Scotch - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We're from San Diego, looked on yelp where we can find a good beverage. Came here and Mike was amazing!!! Every drink he made was deliciouses. He gave us stories about the building, it used to be a mansion wow!!! Just great stories. read more

Bizarre old hotel and bar. Incredibly nice bartender with lackluster wine list and mediocre drink list.

We were in SF for my belated birthday celebration--we had just finished up at a champagne bar, and our dinner reservation wasn't for another hour. I quickly checked Yelp for a business that would keep the party going and that was near the restaurant, and the Butterfly Lounge stood out as the obvious choice. The interior decoration is regal, the bartender dress code is classy, and the drinks are colorful and imaginative. My date loves smokey flavors and dark liquor, so I had already known that he would pick the Liquid Campfire. This is the drink everyone gets: the one kept in a jar of smoke. He enjoyed the little show, and the drink was great, too. My eye first went to the "Buy Two Drinks, Get One Free" checkin, so I took care of that like nobody's business. I like clear alcohol, and like my drinks either fruity and refreshing, or thick and creamy. I didn't see a drink with egg whites on the menu, so I first ordered the Pear Water and ordered the Lady Lisa second. The pear water had a bit of zing...it was crisp but sour. I liked it but I wouldn't order it again. The Lady Lisa is a tad sweeter and more refreshing, thanks to the berries and mint. I enjoyed that drink very much and would be inclined to order it again. The service was a bit lacking from our server, as we were sitting at one of the lounge tables since the bar was full. She seemed to be frequently distracted by some of the other patrons. Overall this was an extremely positive, memorable experience. I would recommend it to all people of varying alcohol preferences. read more

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The drinks were great. The bar tender was friendly - he toasted marshmallows for the entire bar after making our drinks.

Ask for the Carl special "smoked butterfly fashion". Incredibly tasty- light at first with a strong bold profile and smokey finish. read more

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We came here to meet friends on a Saturday night. Most of the lounge was taken up by a private party, they should have just closed the whole thing. They were so loud, the music could not be split between the rooms so we could hardly hear each other talk. I realize as part of the hotel they probably need to have a section open for guests but it was really annoying and give the location to easy to find another place to walk to. The worst part was the bartender didn't know how to make a martini, she took out her phone to google it, no joke. This is supposed to be a place for great artisan cocktails. Perhaps this was an off night, but not coming back given the experience. read more

Decent little hotel bar. The drinks are pricey but the bartender can make some very fancy cocktails. This is amongst the oldest continuously operated hotels in San Francisco. It's also supposed to be haunted. read more

If you like cocktails I'd recommend coming here! It's a really low key establishment, and when I went with my friends on a Thursday evening they were pretty empty. It's inside of a hotel so it was a little confusing to find the entrance, but there is a sign outside so if it looks like you're arriving at a lobby of an older hotel you're at the right place! They have a lot of butterflies on the wall which is probably where this place gets its name. There is no menu, so you just talk to the bartender about what you want to have and they'll make a cocktail for you and give you some small bar snacks to much on. I had a gin based cocktail which was really good. One of my friends got a whiskey based cocktail, and the bartender torched marshmallows for her and two extra for the other people in our party to much on which was pretty cute. read more

This place was the exceptional bar that everyone wishes was right down the street. The bartender was talented, the drinks including the Smokey popular drinks were strong and delicious. the bartender was flexible and we had fun making up drink combos. I was suddenly really hungry and it was late, but was able to get some delicious food brought from the hotel. Highly recommend! Well be back for the next SF staycay~ read more

The Butterfly Lounge - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

You want a quiet place out of time to drink and talk? Butterfly Lounge it is. Most are coming here for their secret drink - the Liquid Campfire (see everyone else's pics), which is still amazing and smokey. I come for the ambiance, which makes me feel like a character out of Mad Men. It's never too crowded here, and it's definitely off the beaten path. But, you'll get a stiff drink, and it won't be overly expensive. Food is so so, but it does the trick in a pinch. The B Lounge closes early though, so don't expect it to be like a regular hotel bar that's always open. read more

Amit is the best! He was our bartender the other night and was not only an amazing mixologist (I recommend getting whatever campfire drink is available, because it's freaking cool), but just the absolute sweetest, too. We shared some big news with our friends and he went above and beyond to help us celebrate. He completely made our night! Thank you, Amit! read more

The Butterfly Lounge - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

The Butterfly Lounge is a small hotel bar, that may fit 10 or so people. Although there is a dining area also available to sit in. We didn't realize this before, so we were definitely a bit confused when we walked in. However the cocktails more than made up for it! There is a drinks menu with maybe 6-7 drinks ($14-$15 each), but the bartender did say he could make us anything else we wanted, as well as make the cocktails with the liquor of our choice. He was super friendly and helpful! We ended up ordering 3 drinks (check-in to buy 2 drinks get 1 free!) +Pear Water ($14): literally water? Haha no but you could barely taste the alcohol. I actually liked this the most. Tasted like lychee water to me! +Lady Lisa ($14): This was recommended by the bartender. Really sweet, almost like juice. If you like sweet cocktails, this is the drink for you. +Liquid Campfire ($15): The other recommended drink. We had replaced the whiskey with coconut rum, but it probably would have been so much better with the whiskey. Super cool drink that gets smoked! Come here if you just want to have a chill night and some sweet drinks! read more

The Butterfly Lounge - Liquid Campfire ($15) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

An absolutely amazing experience. It's nestled away inside a hotel entrance - just turn left and you'll see it. The inside is gorgeous and very sophisticated. The bar itself is pretty tiny, it only has 4 bar stools + a couple tables in the room. It was empty when we stopped by around 5 so we got the whole place to ourselves. We ordered the blueberry mojito and a cocktail called "About last night." It came with a glass cover that unveiled the smoke when we lifted it up. The bartender was extremely polite and gave us some snacks and a free plate of nachos! He even handed us the remote to the tv above the bar. We were shocked when we got the bill - the drinks were way cheaper than what I was expecting, and ridiculously worth it. Will definitely go again the next time we're in Japantown. read more

The Shining called, they want their bar back. An incongruous dog or sea lion is way up high on the walls. No one in the dining room and an old world flair. BIG Pours. read more

I fall in love with this bar every time I come. I love this hotel that is attached to the bar. They have craft cocktails and cool decorations on the walls. Limited seating in the bar. read more

** As I see lots of mixed reviews for this place, let me mention that this review is for The Butterfly Lounge experience on a Friday night with bartender Mike Hugo Calalay. ** The new standard for craft cocktails? Yes, indeed! There are other bars that make excellent, complex, craft cocktails (Bourbon & Branch). There are also other bars with rockstar bartenders that will craft a new drink for you on the spot (SRO at Oddjob). That said, none of these places quite match the inventiveness and skill on display at The Butterfly Lounge. Like SRO, the bar is centered around the talents of a single bartender. In this case, it is the daredevil of mixology, Mike Hugo Calalay. Want your drink smoky? Watch as Mike uses a vacuum pump to create the perfect level of smokiness. If your local mixologist doesn't have a blowtorch, then they aren't the real deal. The Butterfly Lounge is a small hotel bar, located inside the Hotel Majestic, that seats about 11 people. This is not a bar that you should pop into for a quick drink. Come for an evening of complex, tasty, carefully crafted cocktails and enjoy the spectacle of Mike's drink making. Also be sure to come early as last call is at midnight and you will want to allow enough time for the preparation (and consumption) of a few rounds of drinks. More importantly, the bar will close early if there is no one there. My friends and I visited around 9 PM on a Friday. Each drink prepared is a unique creation based on whatever suggestions you provide. It could be a base liquor, a flavor profile, or a standard cocktail; regardless, you will be sure to receive something delicious and original. On my visit, among other things, I had the pleasure of tasting what was dubbed an "Old Fashioned by the Campfire." As alluded to above, it was smoked and topped off with toasted marshmallows! All this aside, what what really made the visit special was Mike's friendliness and humor. He ensured that the entire bar had a great evening in addition to just having great drinks. He also provided us with lots of useful information on the drink preparation process. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a night of drinks at The Butterfly Lounge. read more

A cozy and classic bar tucked away in the the Hotel Majestic! We went on a Saturday night to a welcoming and personal ambience (wasn't too busy), the bartender was really friendly and answered all our questions patiently. The drink selection here is both familiar but also very unique - highly recommend the smoked paloma but also the seasonal campfire (their smoker is a fun experience). Highly recommend! read more

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If you are looking for a truly WILD drink --- come here. If you are looking for a fun crowd, cool decor, maybe to dance --- don't come here. Four of us came to butterfly lounge and we were the ONLY 4 people there on a Friday evening. A rather outgoing waiter came over and used us what we want to drink. They have no menu. You simply tell him what you are feeling (base alcohol, flavors, tastes, etc) and he comes out and surprises you. I got the biggest surprise of them all. I got a manhattan style drink with some fruit-infused flavors and a large marshmallow on top. On top of my drink was a large glass that when I removed had some smoke/gas (no flavor) as a form of presentation for my drink. It was very fun. The drinks my friends got were very good also. Truly unique. read more

The Butterfly Lounge - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This bar is a delight. We were looking for a spot to have a pre dinner drink and we loved the vibe of this place. The drinks were made with care and affection. The bar tender gave us some delicious nachos (surprising and delightful). We would have stayed for several more drinks had we not booked a dinner reservation. Hats off to these guys for making it work right now. read more

If you like specialty cocktails, you'll love The Butterfly Lounge. While completely unassuming, you'll enjoy walking up to the bar, being told there is no menu, and having the bartender whip you up something unforgettable. I almost don't want to write this review to keep this place on the DL but it's too good not to share. read more

This place is absolutely spectacular. Neat, funky room inside a hotel built in the early 1900s. The original menu is hanging on the wall from 1909. A lot of character. The real kicker is Mike the bartender. We were going to a show at the Fillmore and just happened to park nearby. Opened up Yelp and saw the fantastic reviews so figured we'd give it a shot. Walk in and get greeted by Mike. He asks what we like (i.e. type of liquor, sweet, savory, smokey, refreshing, etc), and if we're allergic to anything. Then he works his magic. My wife and I had two cocktails each, and I can easily say they were the best I've had. I think the only mistake you could make is if you come here and order something you would normally get. This is not the place for that. I mean it could be, but live a little. Give Mike a liquor that you like, and the ballpark you want to be in, and let him surprise you. You will not be disappointed. Can't wait to go back! read more

The Butterfly Lounge - I have no words for how incredible this drink was. Mike made the best cocktails I've ever had, hands down - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Amid is amazing. Tell him what you like and he will make you a custom cocktail! Truly a great bartender. He made me an amazing tequila drink that involved a "smoking gun" and I was blown away! read more

The Butterfly Lounge - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Super small and quaint hotel bar with pretty decent cocktails! Not much to report - but we got the lady lisa and liquid campfire. Lady Lisa was a refreshing, sweet cocktail that was very easy to sip. Liquid campfire was an aromatic smokey drink with a marshmallow on top. I'd recommend either one! Offered complimentary coconut rum after .. which was a nice touch Good neighborhood spot for a low-key night. read more

Amit Made me an excellent old fashioned. Added his own twist by adding orange bitter marshmallows. Gave it a great smoky flavor. Music was at a good volume. Definitely coming back for more tonight! read more

The Butterfly Lounge - Amit made me this awesome old fashioned! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Bartender Mike is really what makes Butterfly Lounge. Epic bartending. Epic personality. Crazy talented skills. Sit at the bar and enjoy your evening with him! read more

Mike is an absolute wizard. The amount of craft that went into every cocktail was incredible. I told him I liked ginger and he made two of the best ginger cocktails I've ever drank (the second with caramelized mango on top). My friend had an amazing peach cocktail as well as an avocado based drink (you read that right!) which were both incredible as well. This place is one of those gems that you want to keep for yourself and not tell others about in fear of it getting out ;) read more

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Where's Mike? Came here with friends who raved about the experience with the "mad scientist" of bartending. It seems that ownership has changed for the worse. Nothing special about the drinks... food was really bad (I got soggy and limp fries), and service was slow. If it's new ownership... they should have learned to make drinks better than a dive bar. Hoping it turns around... could be a cool place. read more

Awesome place to get drinks! Came here with some girlies last week when visiting in the area, and saw the great yelp reviews and we just had to try it! The bar is located inside the hotel so finding parking is confusing, but that is my only complaint! The atmosphere was fun and energetic. An overall stellar place to enjoy a drink with friends! read more

Space is not as spacious as the pictures suggest. Seating is limited both at the bar and the tables. However there is a dining area in the room next to the bar that you can sit at if there is no event in the hotel but that takes away from the bar experience. Drinks were alright but nothing substantial in my opinion. In their defense we did not get the famous Mike as our bartender still I would expected better cocktails especially for the price. Remote location for SF with limited seating and average drinks. Maybe might consider coming back if there is no other options. read more

Went here for a paint night with a few people and I ordered a round of drinks for my fiancée and I. The bartender manually added an additional tip to our order, which felt extremely dishonest. I would avoid this place if possible. read more

This review is for Mike the bartender in the butterfly lounge. Also the burger at the restaurant is pretty dang tasty too. This is the most enticing cocktail bar I've found in the city. Mike will concoct something fabulous every chance he gets. Come in and ask him to make something he's feeling, if you have a certain alcohol in mind, he'll make that happen too. I've had bourbon soaked pineapples, coffee heat-roasted whiskeys, refreshing gin drinks, chive inspired cocktails, egg white thinkened drinks and options I cannot recall, but know I've never been disappointed. . He uses quality greens, ginger, wood burned smoke, torched fruits, and habanero peppers. If you're paying for a cocktail in San Francisco and Mike didn't produce it, I feel like you've made a mistake. Please be patient if there's more than 5 or so persons waiting for cocktails, he's alone but sacrificing quality would be the most depressing thing that could happen to this bar read more

This bar is incredible with great history and unique drinks! Easily 5/5 stars and will return again. Highly recommend to any others who want a high-quality experience. read more