A speakeasy is a name for hidden bars and bars that may not be visible upon first glance around an area – a holdover from Prohibition when alcoholic beverages were sold and consumed illegally. While alcohol sales and consumption have been legal in the United States since 1933, that did not diminish the allure of dimly lit, need-to-know, and hidden bars.
Today in San Francisco, there are a number of different speakeasies where you can enjoy a drink in a quiet bar full of elegant and vintage vibes. If quiet speakeasies are not your thing, San Francisco also offers a few different themed speakeasies to spice up your night out and about.
In this article, we will discuss the different types of speakeasy bars in San Francisco in addition to giving you an overview of the best speakeasy bars found around San Francisco today.
What Are the Different Types of Speakeasy Bars in San Francisco?
Not all speakeasies are made the same, and there are several different types of speakeasy bars in San Francisco. The most classic and common type of speakeasy is the vintage, 1920s-style speakeasy bar. These bars are tributes to the Prohibition era, and you may find a cocktail list that fits the theme by offering classic 1920s drinks and new artisanal spins on classic cocktails.
Other popular themes in San Francisco include tiki bars, modern spins on the speakeasy, and jazz-themed bars.
Speakeasies in San Francisco also range in size. Most are small and secluded, but there are some that take up a much larger space and have a variety of seating options instead of just a bar counter. Some speakeasies may be home to several hidden bars, ones that you have to ask around about to find.
As far as dress codes, speakeasies in San Francisco will have a variety of dress codes depending on the theme and style of the bar. In general, speakeasies are a little more upscale and vintage, so you may not want to wear your most casual t-shirt and jeans combo to these bars.
Many speakeasies will list dress code requirements at the door or online, along with other steps to gain entry, so you know how to dress in order to gain admission.
The Best Speakeasy in San Francisco: Our Top 6 Picks
San Francisco is home to many different speakeasies, but some of them stand out more than others. Below, we give you an overview of our top picks for speakeasies in the area.
1. Bourbon and Branch
Image sourced from https://bucketlisters.com/.
Bourbon and Branch is one of the most famous speakeasy-style bars in San Francisco. This bar is so famous that the main speakeasy-style bar is home to a handful of other hidden bars that are only accessible through Bourbon and Branch.
Each hidden bar comes with different instructions for gaining access, and you can review these instructions – plus details about passwords and reservations – on Bourbon and Branch’s website.
While Bourbon and Branch has a vintage 1920s feel and an inventive list of cocktails, the other hidden bars in this venue feature themes like a detective agency, a library, and a cigar shop. Each bar is fairly small and quiet in addition to being impeccably decorated.
Menus for cocktails and small bites differ between each bar, and you can typically view the specific menu for the speakeasy you are interested in online. Each bar does offer rotating and seasonal items, so keep in mind that the menu you view may not be totally up to date.
It’s important to note that Bourbon and Branch have house rules for many of its bars. Some of these rules include ‘speaking easy’ by being quiet, refraining from cell phone usage, and refraining from taking pictures.
2. Marianne’s
Image sourced from https://www.thecavaliersf.com/gallery/.
Marianne’s is hidden behind a bookcase in The Cavalier Restaurant, located in Hotel Zetta. To access this comfortable and vintage lounge space, you will need to enter the restaurant and ask a server about the speakeasy. At later hours when the restaurant is closed, a pink door located on Jessie St. alley will take you into the bar.
This speakeasy offers plush, antique couches for seating or private booths to add an even more secluded feel to your night. Cocktails are unique and artisanal, and they match the throwback feel of this dimly lit and unique salon.
Small plates and bites are available at Marianne’s until the kitchen closes at 10pm, and the bar stays open until midnight on both Friday and Saturday evenings. The speakeasy is small, so we recommend making a reservation ahead of time in order to secure your space in this well-decorated, 1920s-era themed bar.
3. Smuggler’s Cove
Image sourced from https://www.smugglerscovesf.com/.
Deviating from the more common 1920s and vintage-themed speakeasies in San Francisco, Smuggler’s Cover offers patrons a pirate and tiki-themed hidden bar.
This small venue is full of sea-faring decorations and offers a variety of rum-based drinks in addition to other unique cocktails, wine, and draft beer. Bartenders are more than happy to help you select the drink that best suits your preferences, and both bar seats and small tables are available.
To enter Smuggler’s Cove, you will need to line up near the door to the bar – it will be located at the bar’s address and unmarked, but there is generally a doorman every night the bar is open. Because Smuggler’s Cove is small and does not offer reservations, you may need to wait in line for other patrons to leave before you can enter.
Smuggler’s Cove does not offer a food menu, and you are not allowed to bring food inside. Bartenders can point you in the direction of a great bite to eat after you have had your fill of interesting cocktails in the bar.
Dress code requirements may also be less upscale at this bar due to the nautical decorations and tiki bar vibes.
4. Cold Drinks Bar
Image sourced from https://chinalivesf.com/china-live-spaces/cold-drinks-bar/.
Cold Drinks Bar is sleek and streamlined, offering a touch of old-school San Francisco style paired with Shanghai vibes. This bar is located above the China Live culinary complex. To access Cold Drinks, you will need to enter China Live and follow the black painted bats on the walls and up a staircase. Both bar seating and small tables are offered.
Cold Drinks Bar is more of a whiskey bar, and patrons can try out different whiskey flights if they are feeling adventurous. Bartenders, clad in white tuxedos, are more than happy to help you select a drink from their menu of interesting and unique cocktails if you aren’t sure what to try. A limited food menu of small plates is also available at Cold Drinks bar.
This speakeasy is more on the modern and upscale end, and you should dress accordingly. While reservations are not required, they are highly encouraged if you want to ensure you get a seat at this notable San Francisco speakeasy.
5. The Linden Room
Image sourced from: https://www.nightbirdrestaurant.com/linden-room/.
Located within the popular Nightbird Restaurant, The Linden Room is a small, intimate speakeasy that offers a limited selection of craft cocktails. Fresh and unique ingredients are sourced for each of the bar’s drinks, and the overall atmosphere of this speakeasy tends to be more refined, reserved, and comfortable.
The Linden Room does not accept reservations, and you can access it by speaking to a server in the Nightbird Restaurant. You can also access the Linden Room directly by going through the alley off of Gough St. onto Linden St. and walking through the door found there.
Food is not served at the Linden Room, but you can enjoy an elegant cocktail here before or after dining at the renowned Nightbird Restaurant.
6. Last Rites
Image sourced from: https://www.lastritesbar.com/.
A darker take on the tiki bar vibe, Last Rites is located in a street-front venue and somewhat more easily visible than the other speakeasies on our list. The bar does have blacked-out windows, but you can find the Last Rites wording and logo on the door that indicate you are in the right place.
The décor in Last Rites features genuine airplane seats at the bar and several other seating options in line with the adventurous theme of the bar. The overall theme can be described as an Indiana Jones adventure, with a healthy dose of both tiki bar vibes and vibes from the TV show Lost.
Last Rites offers a number of interesting and original cocktails with names that match the theme of the bar. Very limited snacks are also available for patrons, and a selection of beer, wine, and spirits is available for those who prefer to stay away from mixed drinks.
How to Find a New Speakeasy in San Francisco?
Finding new speakeasies in San Francisco can seem challenging, as speakeasies are designed to stay hidden and with only word of mouth to carry knowledge of their existence.
However, in today’s world where most marketing is done online, you can usually find new speakeasies by staying up to date with publications and online posts about new bars.
You can also keep up with Speakeasy Co.’s guides for updates. We are constantly finding the newest and best options for speakeasies in the San Francisco area and surrounding area in order to help you find your next go-to location for a unique hidden bar experience.
Find the Best San Francisco Speakeasy
The best San Francisco speakeasy is one that meets your preferences for size, general rules, and location. You can review all of our chosen options for the best speakeasy to see which bar best fits what you are looking for in a hidden bar.
Additionally, you should take the time to review dress codes and reservation policies, in addition to specific speakeasy themes, so you know what to expect from the bar you are visiting.
Above all else, remember to have fun and keep your eyes open as you go about your life in San Francisco. You never know when you’re going to come across your next favorite speakeasy, hidden in plain sight.
