BRUNCH REVIEW We dined at TR when visiting friends in SF. Our reservation was at opening (11am) and we were promptly greeted & seated. TR quickly became one of our dining highlights! Our group of 4 almost ordered the whole brunch menu to share. + we preferred the breakfast sandwich over the patty melt (but both were so good) + the trout dip with chips was out of this world + the hashbrown was soft and slightly crunchy + the pancake was airy, soft and had the perfect around of sweetness from the blueberry compote & cream + tocino silog - order an extra egg if you're sharing + cocktails were divine. the cold brew cocktail was too easy to drink. Staff is friendly. Venue is quirky and airy. Make a reservation. They have a bar area and would love to stop in one day for a drink and small bites. Indoor and outdoor seating. Fun cocktail menu. Definitely come here if you're local or looking to impress friends / family when they're in town. read more

True Laurel - Pancake - recommend getting this as your "dessert" for brunch. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I came to True Laurel to grab a drink and end up trying the Mai Oh Mai, a milk washed drink with rum, lime and coffee. The drink was surprisingly pretty light and refreshing. I love milk washed drinks as it makes the liquor much more mild and this was a great almost tea-like cocktail. It looked gorgeous as well, loved the cherry and mint positioned on the ice. Such a pretty cocktail! read more

True Laurel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

The Grand Martinez, available during AAPI Cocktail Week, had the look and taste of high-proof alcohol - and it packed a punch. Order it if it's still on the menu (or ask for something similar). A strong first if on a bar crawl. Also available, the Kope'Ika is like a gin fizz but made with cognac. An in-between drink and refreshingly strong. Actually, all cocktails tried on every visit were better than average. Even the classics were slightly elevated. For brunch, the portion size is not like at the average brunch spot. Still, every food item we've ordered from the menu had always been pretty good. If possible, bring a crew to try everything though you'll likely drink more than eat. Note located deep in the Mission so it's somewhat out of the way. The parking is tough unless during slower times like at opening or supper hours. * 2026 North America's Best Bars #14 (2025 World's Best Bars #64) ranked by "The World's 50 Best Bars Academy comprising more than 800 drinks experts, including renowned bartenders and consultants, drinks writers and cocktail specialists." * 2026 Tales of the Cocktails' Spirited Awards' Top 10 Best U.S. Cocktail Bar! read more

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Yummy drinks and yummy apps! Definitely recommend making a reservation if you can. If you don't have one, you'll likely have to sit outside which on a nice day, isn't so bad. read more

True Laurel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've only been here once before for drinks but I ended up celebrating with friends and eating here this time and I was blown away. Their menu is quite creative and loved all the dishes we tried. They were flavorful, bright, and super tasty. Amazing cocktails drinks as well. They were accommodating with my bigger group too. Great service and fun ambiance! read more

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True Laurel was ranked #14 on North America's 50 Best Bars list for 2026. We ordered the So Apri-po, Doctor Away, Mai o Mai, In the Pines Under the Palms. For a snack, we shared the patty melt, which was basically their version of a cheeseburger. The Doctor Away was my favorite and it almost just tasted like apple juice--super refreshing!! I also love that they source the pine from the area. Very unique drinks. We had to sit outside because there was an event being hosted inside, so I felt like I couldn't really get the full experience of the bar. The service was great! read more

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Came here around 2 PM on a Saturday for some casual drinks and light bites, and we were surprised to find out they serve a weekend brunch menu from 11 AM to 3 PM. We were seated right away, which was a great start to the afternoon. We ended up sharing the Smoked Salmon Dip, the Tocino Silog, and the breakfast potatoes to snack on, and everything was delicious. The space has a really cool vibe with a beautiful full bar and a solid outdoor seating setup. To top it all off, our waiter was incredibly attentive and constantly checked up on us throughout the meal. read more

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Incredible bar with equally incredible food offerings! I had seen place this pop up several times when looking for options in SF and was really glad we went. We did make reservations because I heard it was popular however managed to show up right after they opened and reservations weren't needed. We chose to sit at the bar which is usually our preference. The cocktail program is first rate and everything we had was incredible including the food. I wish I had the recipe for those bar nuts & the chicken katsu since I'm not able to return frequently. It's a small place so that explains why it fills up quickly but it's very quaint and a fun atmosphere/vibe. read more

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A fairly highly ranked bar in the Top 50 Best Bars list but not in top 50 - it was like #64 but still a fairly respectable ranking. We made reservations which is a great call as people that are walk-ins end up getting drinks and sitting outside along the sidewalk, a fairly suboptimal experience. We got 3 drinks - Mai o Mai - love the slight coffee taste with a fun slightly fruity tropical like aftertaste. It's also one of the more aesthetic drinks - Bobby Boo-urns - very strong, felt a bit flat in flavor profile - Breakfast Banana Split - a sweet and fruity drink yet strong - easy to drink I gave it a 3 stars instead of 5 stars because of the 20% mandatory service charge but the service in no way even meet that standard of service. Water refills were not present, and it took a while to flag a server down despite sitting at a table right next to the host stand. read more

True Laurel - Breakfast Banana Split - IG @bougiefoodieboi - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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It was tough to get seats inside but were able to secure patio table and it was a scene! Music bumping, sun shining, cocktails flowing. I tried one of their signature mainstays - In the Pines Under the Palms. Enjoyed the history and presentation as much as sipping it. Wasn't my favorite cocktail but personal preference. Lots of great options on their changing menu. We also tried a few dishes and all were solid, and very shareable! -Crispy Hen of the Woods Mushrooms - I love tempura everything and the texture especially with these babies were on point. Even after sitting for awhile as we chatted. -Smoked Salmon Dip - kinda can't go wrong with some killer chips, smoked salmon dip & smoked trout roe bc more flavor, easy crowd pleaser -Chicken Katsu - it is big as advertised! Appreciate also the sizable salad on top to lighten up the fried chicken. Thinking like the cabbage salad alongside tonkatsu. Our server was lovely and patient guiding our orders. Would love to get a seat inside and try that vibe and another cocktail next time! read more

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Nice crafty cocktail very good tapas style food. But need a reservation in advance otherwise very low chance to enter. read more

Amazing drinks. Great service and the natural lighting during the day is such a vibe. The cornmeal pancakes are a must try, similar to an apple pie & really hits the spot. read more

True Laurel - True Brew - brunch cocktail & Carajillo - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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A great bar with great food! I know they are recognized for their drink's & rightfully so, but the food is also very impressive! Space is small but they make the most of it, 2 bars and a dining area inside with tables as well as a parklet outside. Staff is very welcoming & friendly. Prices are reasonable as all the ingredients are seasonal & high quality. The Laurel martini was their take on a dirty martini & it was excellent. The pea-casso was full of spring flavor, sweet peas with an herbal dill flavor. Seriously one of the best cocktails I've ever had. All the food we ordered was fresh, delicious and prepared to perfection. Those crispy mushrooms are addictive, and I don't know how they get them so crunchy, wow!!! All I can say is BRAVO!!!! read more

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I stumbled into True Laurel over a chaotic Carnaval weekend to take a break from the festivities. It was pretty crowded, so I was worried they wouldn't be able to accommodate me, but luckily a seat opened up by the bar. It was literally an oasis. Despite the large crowd, the ambiance at True Laurel was incredibly mellow and captivating. From the industrial loft windows to the tastefully curated global grooves, the whole experience was such a vibe. The perfect place to spend golden hour in the Mission. I ordered a Freezer Sazerac and the Crispy Hen of the Woods to snack on. The Sazerac was well-made and didn't disappoint. The fried fungi was deceptively good -- I couldn't believe it wasn't chicken. Crispy, crunchy, and well-seasoned. A little kick of heat would've made it even better. Even with the packed house, I still felt taken care of by my server. They even encouraged me to leave a note in the book they use as the check holder after catching me reading everyone else's entries. Overall, the staff was surprisingly cool-headed for such a hectic day. And yes, they absolutely deserve the automatic 20% service fee. If that policy bothers you, you should probably stick to your run-of-the-mill dive bar. True Laurel is a gem. I could easily spend an hour and 45 minutes here just chilling with a Sazerac (or two) and admiring the relief on the wall. Go treat yourself to the experience. read more

True Laurel - Bar area - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I love the vibe of this place! I'm all about the intimate settings, and this place is just it. My friend and I were able to get bar seating on a Saturday night for a walk in, and we got the drink: in the pines, under the palms. I typically don't get these types of drinks, but it was such a good drink to sip on with our food! The chicken katsu is big! Perfect for 2, and the salad on top was delicious and a good touch. The baked oysters were a good try, but they were a bit too salty for me and had a lot going on. Overall, a great date spot and would love to try the other drinks! read more

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I was lucky to come here with a friend during a weekend afternoon to this bar with no wait. While many people were still eating brunch, we had just finished lunch and wanted to try one of their many cocktails. After the bartenders finished up the drinks for customers before us, they took our orders within 10 minutes of us taking a seat. I tried their Mai O Mai. I loved watching them make the cocktail in front of me, creating the shape of the ice and placing a sweet fruit on top of the ice cube. The drink was citrusy and had a decent alcohol flavor, and I enjoyed how it was not too sweet. The drink itself tasted flavorful and "clean;" I just wish that there was more of the drink! While the quality was great, I think the price for the portion of the cockatil was a bit much. Overall, still a good first experience! read more

True Laurel - Mai O Mai - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

The saving grace here is the quality of the cocktails, which are immaculate. Everything else was a miss for me, unfortunately. I came during a weekend for brunch. I tried their (supposedly signature) patty melt, and boy was it a letdown. Over-cooked, small portion, pricey. It is served à la carte, without sides, for a whopping $18. I opted to add a fried egg for another $4 (!), and it was bizarrely severed *on top* of the sandwich and not fried (sunny side up, instead). I had no clue how I was supposed to eat this careless mess, so I carefully moved the egg underneath the bread. The flavor profile of the entire thing was off, too salty, and again just a tremendous letdown of execution. The cocktails, however, were great. I tried the Carajillo, which is their take on an espresso martini with a dash of spice ($18), and the Bobby Boo-Urns, which is a scotch drink with a sesame flair ($19). To add insight to injury, they slap a mandatory 20% service fee on the bill, regardless of party size. So, after tax & tip, my weekend boozy brunch ran me $75. I can see the appeal if you want some unique cocktails, but if I'm being honest, there are many other great options throughout the Mission for a fraction of the cost. Definitely don't come here if you want food. read more

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I have to tell you GET THE MUSHROOMS. This was the most tasty mushroom I've had (pictured) so crispy, not oily, and just delicious. The waiter was fabulous! They asked us what our preferences were and were able to make cocktails based off of our pallets and off menu. Drinks were great and love that they have some rotating drinks! Nice vibe, and would love to try other food again nextime! read more

True Laurel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Updated Review (10/11/2025) Today, I decided to stop by True Laurel for an early dinner and some drinks right around opening time at 4pm on a Friday. There were just a few people seated, so I was able to get a nice table outside while the weather was still pleasant. It didn't take me long to figure out what I wanted to order. A TL Patty Melt with an heirloom tomato addition. For my drink, I ordered a Love Below, which includes Solera rum, lovage, seasonal tomatoes, dry vermouth, citrus & tequila. The Patty Melt came out in about five minutes, with the drink arriving a few minutes later. I placed the order around 4:10pm and received everything by 4:25pm. The Patty Melt was delicious and filling enough. The Love Below had a bit of a raisin-like taste and it never really developed further from that taste. I was planning to order more food, possibly the sweet corn gazpacho and a Mai o Mai cocktail. I looked over at waitress as she walked outside and went to check on other tables before walking back inside. Every single time she came out, I tried to get her attention but she never even glanced in my direction. This happened maybe 5 times or so. After what seems like an eternity, I looked down at my clock. It was a few minutes before 5pm. I had just sat on the patio at True Laurel for 30 minutes without a single visit from the staff after the initial order. Just completely ignored. I have praised and recommended True Laurel to many of my friends and the online community for the past couple years. I was rewarded with the worst hospitality I've ever experienced among the many cocktail bars around the world that I've been to. It's unimaginable how a business associated with the vaunted 2-star Michelin restaurant Lazy Bear could have such poor service. I decided to get my check, pay and get out of there. To add insult to injury, I saw that the bill already had an automatic 20% gratuity applied, which normally denotes that the service was above average. Knowing that 20% gratuity is guaranteed regardless of their quality of service seems to have led to systematic complacency. I don't imagine I'll have any desire to go back to True Laurel anytime soon. It's really sad because I genuinely liked their cocktails and food. read more

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Drinks were very tasty. Always pretty busy on weekend nights but it was popping and they play good music here. I ordered the Mai o Mai and thought it was very good with the hint of coffee flavoring. Drinks are a little pricier but still very unique and bartenders put a lot of effort and detail into drinks read more

True Laurel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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True Laurel is tried and true for me. I never have a bad experience here. I love the atmosphere here. Service is always consistent, friendly and we never feel rushed, even though there is a 1.5 hour limit at the table. I recently came here with one of my longest, dearest friends. She heard the hype about this place and wanted to check it out herself. We had every intention of having dinner but ended up getting the crispy hen of the woods mushrooms and the salt and pepper calamari for nibbles instead. Both were delicious and addictive. I tried the fifth sun cocktail and also had my regular, in the pines, under the palms. Friend got the God loves figs. Parking can be challenging in the neighborhood but I usually get dropped off so not an issue for me. read more

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EDIT: Rather than handling the feedback with the professionalism expected of a top-tier global establishment, their representative was overtly hostile and dismissive, telling me to: "What is your deal dude? Please stop hating" "Get over it" "If you don't want come to TL don't come. No hard feelings. But don't talk trash" Extremely poor service--don't waste your time. I used to be a frequent customer here, but tonight was a massive disappointment. For a place that claims to be a "Top 50" bar and the best on the West Coast, the hospitality is non-existent. We sat at the bar for a long time and not a single bartender or server even acknowledged us or took our order. To top it off, they charge a mandatory 20% tip. Paying a premium service charge for absolutely zero service is ridiculous. I won't be coming back. read more

True Laurel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Love the vibe here. When I come on the weekend they're usually playing a good rnb playlist. The food is for funsies but tasty nonetheless. I love their Beyond the Pines cocktail. read more

14th in top 50 bars of north america. they had really unique drink flavors! mai o mai was like a special smoky spin of espresso martini with woody flavors and smoother texture, the quinine cobbler was solid too - super refreshing. good amount of alc in both without tasting very heavy. good vibes too, lots of ongoing dates, and walk in was easy on a sunday evening read more

True Laurel - mai o mai & quinine cobbler - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Oooooookay, this place will live in my head rent free. From the ambiance, service, food, drinks, and the vibe - there's nothing to not love. Their cocktails are AMAZING. My favorites were Quinine Cobbler (light, fruity, refreshing, and hydrating!), Melons Triple Lindy, and Bobby Boo-urns but you won't go wrong with any, really. As for the food, please please please try the Crispy Hen of the Woods Mushroom and thank me after. It's fried to perfection that you won't even know it's mushroom that you're eating. We'll absolutely need to be back to try the other scrumptious goodies but for now... au revoir read more

True Laurel - Must! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We stumbled upon this place after walking around the neighborhood and realized it's a top 50 bar in North America! Even though it was during brunch hours, I'm very happy we decided to grab food and try the drinks here! I ordered the chicken liver mousse toast and that was soooooo good. I love pate, and they did an absolutely amazing job balancing the flavors with the jam. The sourdough toast was also perfectly toasted. I also ordered the true brew - a really good coffee based brunch cocktail. 10/10 would recommend. Honestly, if I came back here I would order the same things over again just cause it was that good. Overall, Definitely consider coming here during the day time. There was no wait (which I assume there probably is if you come at night). I absolutely loved my time/the food here! Can't wait to come back again! read more

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I went here for drinks after dinner. Was looking for a chill spot for drinks where my friends and I can talk and enjoy the rest of the night. We came by on a Saturday night, the dining room was super busy so we were told we can be on the outside area. It wasn't too cold that night so we were okay with it. We got our drinks, we all thought they were okay. A lot more spirit forward I think. I didn't give it a 4 stars because I think it's just too pricey. We had 3 drinks and paid almost $80 with tip. For what it is I think it was just a bit too expensive. read more

True Laurel - $70 for 3 drinks is a bit much.. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I saw this restaurant/cocktail bar featured in Best Bars in North America. They serve brunch & dinner & I will definitely come back to try their dishes since I just came her for cocktails. They serve unique dishes & filipino fusion dishes like Tocino Silog & hispanic fusion dishes like Duck Confit Tostada. I can see why their cocktails have made them famous, they are delicious, unordinary & use quality ingredients! read more

We tried our luck at True Laurel on a Friday night, and our party of 8 managed to get in right away (standing-room only). The interior had dim lighting, a nice ambiance, and music quiet enough to have a conversation without yelling. They had a few mocktails on the menu, so I chose the Spice & Everything Nice. It wasn't bad but definitely too syrupy for me, and cost as much as the regular cocktails ($18). My partner's Bay Bay Bubbler also didn't blow my mind. However, I recognize this is like ordering a vegetarian dish and then being unimpressed by a steakhouse. I did try a sip of my friend's God Loves Figs cocktail, and this was much better - so well balanced and tasted like fig jam. Overall, worth a visit but not for the non-alc offerings. read more

True Laurel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Come for the drinks food and ambience, but I can't say the same for service. I can't help but feel that the staff take their automatic 20% gratuity for granted (noted in other reviews). I don't expect to be treated like a king but "service with a smile" would be nice. read more

One of those times I was pleasantly surprised by how flavorful, well rounded and amazing this food was. The best buffalo cauliflower I have had in many years!!! 4 out of the 5 dishes we ordered were phenomenal. The carrot fried rice had a good idea but fell hard on execution. Service was quick, attentive and friendly. There was a server who was injured while working and I found that odd. He seemed injured or over worked or hurt& was still serving. It didn't seem right to me but could have been more complicated. Ambiance was loud, dull colors but trendy and also modern or "hip" was the first thing that came to mind. I would absolutely come back for the food. The ambiance wasn't exactly my cup of tea or flavor. FOOD: 5/5 SERVICE: 4/5 AMBI: 4/5 read more

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The bomb. Amazing small bites. Cocktails are balanced and not boozy. Super perfect fresh fruits. Cool vibe. read more

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Sadly, this place didn't live up to the hype for me. The service felt pretty unfriendly, which left a bad taste in my mouth by the end of the night. The drinks were also just okay - nothing memorable. read more

This review is unfortunately a couple months old, so details like the drink names are lost to the sands of time (and their rotating seasonal menu). Started off an eventful Friday night in the city at True Laurel with a couple of friends on one of their recommendations. We parked on the street a block away and arrived an hour or so before closing to a still busy bar and almost full seating area. Our hostess seated us at a lowered portion of the bar that fit us perfectly and gave us a peek behind the counter. Beautiful wooden interior, mood lighting, and disco set a boozily dreamy scene. We were helped by Alex, who provided us with delightful service and knew the drink menu like the back of her hand. Service was prompt and more than hospitable. [REDACTED] To Blame: Islay Gin, clarified grapefruit, manzanilla, lavender, honey ferment. Warm and citrusy, laying-in-a-grassy-meadow vibe. The top of the ice cube was dusted with dried lavender, so just inhaling lent delightfully sweet and floral notes to each sip. Alex told us about the fermentation process of the honey used to sweeten this cocktail, a yearlong in-house endeavor that paid dividends in flavor complexity and softened the gin nicely. Would get again. [REDACTED]: 3 Chamber Rye, 8 Yr Bourbon, Islais Cherry Leaf, Kumquat Cola Fun spin on a rum and coke with a lightly sour twist - only had a sip. Shirley Temple: always nice to see effort put into the simplest of mocktails. Flavor wasn't bad - not excessively artificially sweet. Would love to come back and try their bites as well as their new drinks. See you next time! read more

True Laurel - Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Great drink and always warm service on our visits. Must try the crispy hen of the woods and warm bar nuts

they took such good care of me on my birthday - Javier, Jesse and the team were a total delight! the food is truly next level and the patio is on such a quaint little street. i'm obsessed with this place and cant wait to be back! read more

An absolute GEM!!! Prepare for a high quality brunch. While they don't have a million options on the menu, everything on there is absolutely 10/10. The thrice cooked breakfast potatoes are the BEST form of potatoes you're going to get in this city (and yes I know this is a big statement). The patty melt was a gluttonous take on a breakfast Sando, gooey cheese and a sage chicken/pork patty. And the tocino silog paired so perfectly with the vinegar and garlic rice. This place very easily is one of the best restraunts in SF. It's a small yet beautiful space and honestly that's how you know it's gona be a fantastic meal. read more

True Laurel - Tocino silog - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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A t r u e neighborhood classic ;') I mean, absolutely one of our favorite SF cocktail bars. We always get the Hen of the Mushrooms which taste like Chinese salt & pepper wings. Paired with their sour cream & "onion" mouse is so good. I love their more spirit forward cocktails. Vibes are amazing during the day when the sun is out and the vibes inside in the evening is amazing as they play greaaat music. Service is awesome. read more

True Laurel - Clams - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The brunch and cocktails at True Laurel were incredibly delicious! We loved the breakfast sando and cocktails. Service was fast and friendly. Would definitely come back! read more

True Laurel - Cocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Had a really nice time at True Laurel! I've been wanting to try their cocktails and famous patty melt for the longest time and it definitely lived up to the hype! We got there around 3:20 and were told they were doing a switch over between menus which was fine by us to wait till 4pm for their dinner menu. They were not super crowded which was really nice that we could just walk in. We got two cocktails, one gin based "Grandma's to blame" the one in the tea cup, and one quinine cobbler (the one with pomegranates). They were both lovely and loved how clean and clear the ice cube was too in the gin cocktail. We then waited till 4pm and got the patty melt which was delicious. Starting at 4pm is when they take reservations and we saw more parties enter and the music volume went up too. The only reason for a 4 star rating is that there were lots of staff but maybe because it was the changing of shifts, our drinks got missed the first time we ordered and we were waiting around for a while for it, I definitely enjoyed the quieter vibe around 3pm and will definitely be back! read more

True Laurel - Cocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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