Trick Dog has earned a reputation that extends well beyond the Bay Area. Opened in 2013 in the heart of the Mission District, this is the bar that put San Francisco's cocktail scene on the world map. The concept is simple and brilliant: every six months, the entire menu is rebuilt around a new theme, from Chinese menus to local radio stations to art movements. The result is a program that stays fresh long after most bars start coasting.
The room itself is a converted Victorian with exposed brick and low lighting. It fills up fast, usually by 7pm on weeknights, but the bar seats tend to turn over more quickly than the tables. Plant yourself at the bar if you can. The bartenders know the menu cold and will steer you well if you ask.
The food program is better than it needs to be for a cocktail bar. The bar bites are genuinely worth ordering, not just a gesture toward eating. This is a Mission District institution that deserves every line it draws. Book ahead for weekend evenings, or arrive before 6pm and you will almost certainly get a seat.
Weekdays between 5pm and 7pm offer the best chance of bar seating without a wait. Friday and Saturday evenings fill within minutes of doors opening. The room is excellent for groups of four but unwieldy for larger parties. Solo drinkers who sit at the bar often end up in conversation with the bar staff, which is half the experience. Check San Francisco's hidden gems if you want something quieter, but do not skip Trick Dog entirely.
What to order
- 01
House Negroni
The one constant on a menu that rebuilds itself around a new theme every six months. Order it once for calibration, then explore.
- 02
The current theme menu
Whatever concept is running, pick by spirit base and trust the build. The bartenders steer well if you tell them what you like.
- 03
Trick Dog Burger
The kitchen earns its keep here. The burger has a following of its own and pairs better with a Negroni than it has any right to.