the sexiest bars in sf

the city hides its sexiest rooms: in the back of a dive you’ve walked past a hundred times, up hotel mezzanines, and down a flight of stairs off sutter. you just have to know where to look (enter: this list)

here are 15 bars sorted loosely by the kind of night you’re having: first date, last-minute nightcap, or a girls’ night that needs a stiff drink to start. let’s get into it!

bar 821 (nopa) - doorbell entry! has very warm lighting, so cozy, and has an amazingggg drink menu. what to order: I always order the “dealer’s choice:” you basically tell them what notes (floral, spicy, etc) and what kind of alcohol you like and they surprise you. this is a great spot for a long date over a couple of cocktails

linden room (hayes valley) - very intimate cocktail bar tucked in linden alley that makes me feel like I’m back in london. this is great for a group of two as the bar only seats 8. what to order: the menu is seasonal, so ask for the current special! I love all of their martini-esque drinks

hideout (mission) - this steamy space is in the backroom of everyone’s favorite, dalva. a split-level speakeasy, so make sure you go peek around upstairs. they have a rotating cocktail menu and the bartenders really know what they’re doing!! what to order: a manhattan <3

valley club (union square) - sexy lounge in the hotel g mezzanine, would be a great spot for a late-night drink. kind of reminds me of the bar from star wars for some reason (mos eisley cantina anyone?). they have super cute booths and seats that can handle more than just two people. what to order: the jalisco hotline (for the spicy marg girls)

bourbon & branch (tenderloin) - dark wood bar with cozy booths. make sure you look up the password before you go! this place has such a special place in my heart because shane and my first couple of late nights were here. there is a really chic bar in the next room called “the library” but it’s more standing room than sitting. what to order: OK, I know I am starting to sound repetitive but just ask the bartender for their favorite drink on their menu lol

royal cuckoo organ lounge (mission) - northern california’s only organ lounge with live music most nights. red-tinted lamps, wall of vinyl, and great drinks. what to order: there's a spicy pineapple-tequila one with jalapeño and cilantro that was a 10/10

vesuvio (north beach) - hear me out, get a table upstairs and people watch all night. I love when it’s late and you can watch everyone up and down columbus. what to order: the namesake drink (the jack kerouac)

moongate lounge (chinatown) - gorgeous bar above mister jiu’s with a great menu! beautiful bar and beautiful drinks. they will sometimes have a dj and this is a great spot for a drink after a date-night-dinner. one of shane and my favorite places for date but also for bringing friends around. what to order: they have a seasonal cocktail menu (I always get the tequila one and I have never been disappointed)

verjus (jackson square) - candlelit french wine bar (but they also have a cocktail menu). I think we all know how much I love this place at this point. the space is so gorgeous, I love their drinks, and their food menu is great. what to order: split a bottle of wine <3 and oysters

pawn shop (soma) - entrance through an actual pawn shop - dial the phone to get in. what to order: lean on the bartenders here!

left door (cow hollow) - gorgie speakeasy above bus stop, this is a great first date spot! the rooms on the side are perfect for getting cozy. what to order: a martini

persona (nob hill) - cocktail lounge underneath sutter street; they redid the space a little while ago and it’s just so gorgeous. one of my favorite bars in the city!!!! what to order: they have an extensive cocktail menu — I get something different every time I go, so I honestly can’t just recommend one drink. however, people love their matcha mirage (their version of a matcha-tini)

marianne’s (soma) - vintage glam cocktail den, kind of like a speakeasy but not 100%. it is very moody and intimate (think: 70s rockstar) with an amazing cocktail program. what to order: I usually just get a spicy marg, but I would recommend asking the bartender what to order! this is a fun space for your first stop on girls’ night

celeste (cow hollow) - moody wine bar on union. I need to make a note that this is a good date spot for any night NOT on friday or saturday (that is when it turns into a livelier going out spot). I also just love their red bathroommmmmm. what to order: a chilled red! I love their food too

true laurel (mission) - from the same team as lazy bear, smaller bar but named one of the best bars in the west US in 2026. what to order: mai o mai (which is a clarified mai tai)

mr tipples (hayes valley) - dark & cozy jazz club that feels like a scene from a 1950s NY basement. very intimate space, would be so fun for a date. what to order: the signature drink, rye all day

Thank you all so much for reading - let me know any that I missed <3 Happy OSL weekend to all who celebrate — sending good vibes and a cure for a hangover, xoxo

Love Always,

Su