San Francisco Bar Crawl #1

I'm always in search of new places to have a cocktail.  This weekend on our cocktail crawl I found a few new places that I'll check out again along with a few regular places that we go when we are in town.

GHIRADELLI SQUARE / FISHERMAN'S WHARF:

• Buena Vista Cafe: 2765 Hyde St. at Beach St.
  If your coming from Bart, get off at Montgomery Street station and take the cable car over the hill.  It's about 4 miles to Beuna Vista.  If the line is long, walk up the hill to the next cross street and catch the car on the right side of the street.  Sometimes they don't fill the cars at the bottom so you won't have to wait 45 minutes down below.  The Hyde St. cable car stops at Beuna Vista, don't get on the wrong line.   Once at Beuna Vista enjoy breakfast, maybe Eggs Benedict, or some clam chowder and hot wings but for sure have the Famous Irish coffee.  It's a bit whisky heavy so if your not a fan you may not love it but you can cross it off your bucket list.  The bloody mary is great so if your not up for an Irish Coffee try this.  If your lucky one of the bartenders who have been there since the 70's will do some magic tricks for you at the bar.  One thing I learned was that you can get an Irish Coffee to go, you just add the whisky once your out the door.
• Las Margaritas: 2801 Leavenworth St., Suite 19, at Beach St. Exceptional selection of tequilas from $6 to $200 so unless your prepared, don't ask for the best.  I was told some of them are no longer made but your sure to find something you have never seen before.  I didn't try the food or margaritas but was told they are nothing special.  It was an unexpected hole in the wall.  You think at Fishermans Wharf you get more commercial places but I prefer those hole in the wall, mom and pop, unique places and this one is that place.
• The Parlour:  2801 Leavenworth Street, San Francisco, California, (415) 775-5110.  This place seemed like it would be a happening place at night.  We were their bright and early, earlier than they normally open so it was just the bar crawl crew.  Bartender was friendly.  Would go again.

NORTH BEACH:

• Tony Niks:  1534 Stockton St.
• Savoy Tivoli:  1434 Grant Ave. at Green St. Stop by if you like Jazz or listing to a live band.
• 15 Romolo: 15 Romolo Place at Broadway.  Hidden behind the boobie bars this one I would have missed.  Need to go back to form a clearer opinion since it was the last drink on the tour.
• Vesuvio's:  My favorite bar, quirky beat nick bar with regulars.
• Comstock Saloon: 155 Columbus Ave. at Kearney St.  This is a must stop even if it's just to check out the troff that runs along the base of the bar.  Back in the day, before women were allowed in bars (the nerve) men could simply releve themself and never leave the bar.  I'm sure there are some men who would like to bring this old tradition back but I just think of the wet shoes and think that goodness this is no longer the norm.

Food:

• Golden Boy: Hungry, grab a slice of pie and continue onto your next stop.

NOT SO MUCH:

• Mr. Bings