SF whisky bars are Embarcadero American specialists and Mission speakeasies.
Part of our 20 Best Whisky Bars in the World listThis article is one chapter in our larger global guide. See the full pillar with every featured city.
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The 10 best whisky bars in San Francisco
01 · San Francisco
Embarcadero
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American whisky · Iconic
Charles Phan's iconic Embarcadero American whisky bar.
Order: A pour of rare Bourbon
02 · San Francisco
Mission
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Iconic · Whisky
Iconic Mission whisky bar.
Order: A high-rye Manhattan
03 · San Francisco
North Beach
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Iconic 1907 · Whisky
Iconic 1907 North Beach saloon with serious whisky list.
Order: A Bourbon Old Fashioned
04 · San Francisco
Embarcadero
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Iconic 1851 · Whisky
Iconic 1851 Embarcadero saloon.
Order: A dram of Bourbon
05 · San Francisco
Mission
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Iconic · Whisky
Iconic Mission cocktail bar with serious whisky list.
Order: A bartender's whisky cocktail
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06 · San Francisco
Hayes Valley
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Iconic · Tiki + whisky
Iconic Hayes Valley tiki bar with serious whisky list.
Order: A high-rye Manhattan
07 · San Francisco
Downtown
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Iconic · Whisky
Iconic Downtown speakeasy in a former newspaper office.
Order: A pour of rare Bourbon
08 · San Francisco
Financial District
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Iconic · Whisky
Iconic Financial District whisky bar.
Order: A high-rye Manhattan
09 · San Francisco
SoMa
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Iconic · Whisky
Iconic SoMa restaurant bar with serious whisky list.
Order: A dram with the charcuterie
10 · San Francisco
North Beach
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Iconic · Whisky
Iconic North Beach whisky bar.
Order: A high-rye Manhattan
More San Francisco whiskyThe full San Francisco whisky-bar index by neighbourhood.
See the full list
How San Francisco drinks whisky
The 10 above are where San Francisco actually drinks whisky — back-bar shelves with depth, staff who know what they're pouring, lists that go beyond Glenfiddich 12.
